Chapter 37: Tracing Clues in the Old Residence, First Unveiling of the Truth

Chapter 37: Tracing the Old Residence, First Glimpse of the Truth

The rapid clatter of hooves approached, kicking up a cloud of dust before coming to a halt in front of Lin Shiya and Murong Fu. The rider dismounted—it was Assistant Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice.

He wore a false smile as he saluted. “What a coincidence, Top Scholar. Are you here as well to pay respects to the Lin ancestors?”

Lin Shiya returned the gesture with a composed expression. “Lord Zhang, with your busy official duties, what brings you here today?”

A flicker crossed Zhang’s eyes. “I heard that the Top Scholar has taken an interest in the Lin family’s old case, so I came to offer my assistance.” He paused, his tone carrying a subtle warning. “This case is complicated. As someone new to officialdom, it would be wise not to meddle too deeply.”

Lin Shiya sneered inwardly—this was clearly a warning for her to stop investigating. Yet her face revealed nothing; she replied coolly, “Thank you for your advice, Lord Zhang. I am merely here to take a look.”

Taking her leave of Murong Fu, Lin Shiya made her way alone to the old Lin residence.

The estate lay in ruins, overgrown with weeds; the former grandeur of the Lin household had faded into desolation. A chill wind swept through, carrying with it a few withered leaves that rustled mournfully, adding to the bleakness.

Standing before the old house, Lin Shiya was filled with sorrow and indignation at her family’s wrongful fate. She drew a deep breath, steeling herself to uncover the truth.

Stepping inside, she was assailed by the stench of mold. Scanning her surroundings, she found traces of deliberate destruction: the bookshelf in the study had collapsed, books strewn across the floor, many pages torn; the bedroom furniture lay smashed and scattered. It was obvious someone wished to prevent her from finding any clues.

Her expression hardened with resolve. She bent down and picked up a fragment of a torn page, on which a few words could still be discerned—“injustice,” “framed,” “evidence.”

This only confirmed her suspicions: a vast conspiracy lurked behind her family's wrongful case.

“It seems someone is even more afraid than I am of the truth coming to light,” she murmured, a cold smile curling her lips.

Carefully, she began gathering the remaining fragments, determined to piece together the complete truth.

Suddenly, she sensed a movement behind her. Spinning around, she caught only a fleeting shadow disappearing into the gloom…

Meanwhile, Zhang watched as Lin Shiya disappeared amid the ruined walls of the Lin residence. He had thought the dilapidated sight would be enough to deter the newly minted Top Scholar, but she had entered without hesitation.

He cursed under his breath and turned back toward the carriage waiting by the roadside, already plotting his next move.

Within the ruins, Lin Shiya moved methodically, scrutinizing every corner, her fingertips brushing over every dust-covered beam. Her gaze was sharp as a hawk’s, missing nothing.

If anything, Zhang’s meddling only fueled her resolve.

Brushing aside thick layers of dust, she discovered a jade pendant half-buried by the collapsed wall. It was shaped like a crescent moon, smooth and cool to the touch, carved with ancient patterns unlike any ordinary jade pendant.

Her heart quickened. She picked it up and examined it carefully. On the reverse side, she could just make out the blurred character “Lin,” confirming its connection to her family.

A current like lightning coursed through her. It was as if she had found water in a drought—she felt one step closer to the truth.

Whose pendant could this be?

She gripped the pendant tightly, her fingertips turning pale from the force. Carefully tucking it away, she resolved to study it closely later.

Taking a steadying breath, she continued searching the house, determined not to overlook a single corner.

She was like a hunting falcon, eyes sharp and unblinking, missing not a single trace.

Then, faint footsteps sounded behind her.

Instantly alert, Lin Shiya turned to see a hunched figure creeping toward her. The person was dressed in gray, head lowered so their face was hidden.

Lin Shiya narrowed her eyes—she recognized him at once. It was Secretary Zhao from the Ministry of Justice.

She scoffed inwardly; clearly, Zhang could not keep his composure and had already sent someone to watch her.

Zhao wrung his hands, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face. He stammered, “Master Top Scholar, why… why are you here… I… I was just passing by…” Yet his eyes kept darting to Lin Shiya’s hands, as if searching for something.

Without a change in expression, Lin Shiya hid her hand behind her back and smiled faintly. “Secretary Zhao, are you here to pay respects to the Lin ancestors as well?”

His smile froze, and he fumbled for words.

She pressed no further, only fixed him with a cold, scrutinizing gaze.

Secretary Zhao was so unsettled by her stare that he dared not say more and simply wished to escape as quickly as possible.

Just then, Lin Shiya spoke, her tone laden with implication. “Secretary Zhao, have you ever seen this jade pendant?”

At her words, Zhao’s face went deathly pale. His lips quivered and he instinctively took a step back…

His pupils contracted sharply, like a frog trapped by a serpent, his whole body tense.

He stammered, tongue-tied, “I… I… I didn’t see anything…” Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, trickling down his cheeks as he clenched the hem of his robe until it was wrinkled.

His darting eyes betrayed his panic.

Lin Shiya’s lips curled into a cold smile. Slowly, she drew out the crescent-shaped jade from behind her back, rolling it between her fingers, her tone teasing. “Secretary Zhao, are you sure you’ve never seen it? This is hardly an ordinary pendant.”

At her words, Zhao began to tremble uncontrollably, his eyes flickering as he shook his head desperately. “I… I really haven’t seen it… Please, have mercy, Master Top Scholar!”

Seeing him in such a state, Lin Shiya was even more convinced that Secretary Zhao knew something.

Her eyes sharpened, her voice growing stern. “I’ll ask you once more—do you know the origin of this jade pendant? Who sent you to watch me?” With each question, her tone hardened, driving Zhao back step by step until he was pressed against the cold wall, unable to retreat any further.

Sweat poured down Zhao’s pale face, his voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. “It… it was Assistant Minister Zhang… He… he told me… to follow you…” His words grew softer and softer, finally trailing off into silence as his head drooped in defeat.

Lin Shiya’s gaze was sharp as a blade, locking onto Zhao’s eyes, searching for any hint of deceit.

She knew this fearful clerk was the key to breaking the deadlock.

Softening her tone, she spoke as gently as a serpent luring its prey. “Secretary Zhao, tell me—does this jade pendant have anything to do with the Lin family’s old case?”

At this, Zhao’s body trembled, a flicker of terror in his eyes quickly masked. He dared not meet Lin Shiya’s gaze, mumbling, “I… I don’t know, I really don’t…”

Lin Shiya gave a cold laugh. She knew Zhao was lying, but chose not to press him. Instead, she changed tactics, her voice becoming gentle and persuasive. “Secretary Zhao, I understand you are not free to act as you wish. Assistant Minister Zhang may use you now, but he can just as easily dispose of you afterward. If you tell me what you know, perhaps I can keep you safe.”

Zhao hesitated. He looked up at Lin Shiya, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.

She knew he was wavering.

“Secretary Zhao,” she continued slowly, “the Lin family’s injustice is far-reaching. If the truth is to be revealed, it will require someone like you who knows the inside story. If you help me, I will not forget your loyalty.”

At last, Secretary Zhao made up his mind. He took a deep, shaky breath, as if preparing for something momentous, and stammered, “Actually… actually, back then, there was indeed someone… someone…”

He faltered, as if trapped by some unspeakable secret.

Lin Shiya’s gaze sharpened. “Who was it?”

Zhao opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Agony twisted his features as he fought an intense internal battle.

Suddenly, he looked in terror toward the entrance, muttering unconsciously, “No… shouldn’t have… the pendant… the pendant…”

A cold wind swept through, making Lin Shiya’s robe billow. Zhao’s words broke off abruptly. Alarmed, Lin Shiya turned to the door, catching only a fleeting shadow, ghostlike, vanishing in an instant…

A chill raced up from her soles to the crown of her head; her heart plummeted.

Secretary Zhao’s strange reaction and the fleeting shadow both warned her that the situation was more complex than she had imagined.

She gripped the jade pendant so tightly her fingers turned white, the chill of the stone seeping into her skin—a stark reminder of the great danger lurking behind the truth.

Her thoughts turned to her suffering elder brother Lin Da, upright and strong, yet framed by villains and thrown into prison.

Guilt and longing surged through her, a wave of bitterness rising to her nose, but she forced back her tears.

She clutched the jade pendant as if it were her brother’s only hope of salvation, as if it were the sole force keeping her alive.

This pendant was like a beacon, illuminating the path ahead and rekindling the hope of clearing her family’s name.

Drawing a deep breath, she tucked the jade carefully against her skin, its gentle warmth bringing her a faint comfort.

Lin Shiya looked around—the fallen walls, overgrown weeds, all that remained of her family’s former glory now just a wasteland. She knew that every brick and beam bore witness to the Lin family’s rise and fall, and concealed secrets yet untold.

She was determined to find the truth, not just for her brother, nor for the departed members of her family, but for herself.

Those who had framed the Lin family must pay; justice must prevail.

Armed with the jade pendant and new clues, Lin Shiya prepared to leave the stifling ruins. She carefully skirted the collapsed beams and broken tiles, making her way toward the door.

But just as she was about to step outside, she halted.

At the entrance, several men in black had appeared, their tall, imposing figures and cold, stern faces as silent and menacing as phantoms. They stood blocking her way.

Who were they?

Did Assistant Minister Zhang send them?

Or someone else entirely?

What did they want? To seize the evidence from her hands? Or…

Lin Shiya’s heart pounded, a chill rising within her as if she were being stalked by a venomous snake, freezing her in place.

She gripped the jade pendant hidden in her bosom, her eyes sweeping warily over the black-clad men, all the while strategizing her next move.

“It seems things are even more complicated than I imagined,” she murmured to herself, her tone tinged with steely resolve.