The system panel displayed the information clearly:
Deceased: Zhang Xiaoli (Zhang Rong's illegitimate daughter) Age: 18
Song Yinjian felt like life had just thrown him off a cliff.
His mood was exactly like realizing you'd won five million on the lottery— Only to discover you'd bought last week's ticket.
After a long time, he finally forced himself to calm down. He turned to Duke De'an and asked,
"Duke De'an… the man Huachu supposedly died for—Jianqiu—he never came even once, did he?"
The moment Jianqiu's name was mentioned, Duke De'an erupted.
"That beast! He swore his love for Huachu was until death—until death! And what happened?!" "My daughter is gone, and he hasn't come even once! Heartless and ungrateful!"
Song Yinjian listened to the tirade, then sighed quietly.
"If I'm not mistaken… Jianqiu is probably with your daughter Huachu right now." Duke De'an froze, staring blankly.
"Boss Song… what are you saying? Jianqiu's dead?" Song Yinjian shook his head.
"He's not dead."
"Your daughter Huachu is still alive."
Duke De'an looked as if he'd heard a fairy tale. Shock and confusion twisted across his face. He reflexively glanced toward the ice coffin, lips trembling.
"My daughter is lying right there. I saw it with my own eyes. How can she still be alive? What… what is going on?"
Song Yinjian spoke slowly.
"Not long ago, the recently deceased Mister Zhang's daughter, Zhang Xiaoli, went missing." "She's the same age as your daughter—eighteen. And their builds are close."
Duke De'an understood at once—but disbelief still filled his eyes as he shook his head hard. "This is impossible. The body is wearing my daughter's clothes."
Song Yinjian's expression remained calm.
"Your daughter Huachu put those clothes on her."
"So she could deceive everyone… and run away with Jianqiu." Duke De'an's emotions churned violently.
He wanted Song Yinjian to be right.
And yet, if it was true, it meant his daughter had become entangled in a murder case. After a long silence, Duke De'an's expression turned cold—decisive, stubborn.
"Boss Song. Don't speak such nonsense."
"The body in that ice coffin is my daughter Huachu!"
Song Yinjian let out a cold laugh and stared into Duke De'an's eyes.
"Duke De'an. Aren't you afraid Mister Zhang and his daughter's spirits will come for you?" Fear flickered across Duke De'an's gaze.
But for Huachu's future, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to hold firm. "I said it. The one who died is my daughter. I don't know anything else."
Song Yinjian looked at him and couldn't help feeling it— Parents really would do anything for their children.
Even if their child didn't love them back. His tone softened.
"Duke De'an… why suffer like this? Even if you insist on that story, once Huachu and Jianqiu are found, the truth will come out."
Duke De'an stayed silent, clearly still determined to resist. Song Yinjian continued,
"Huachu is a pampered young lady. Jianqiu is only an ordinary teacher. They don't have many places they can go—Stone Gate, Qingce Village, Chenyu Vale. It won't be hard to find them."
"And if we can't… as an adeptal disciple who understands Yin and Yang, I can still—" That was enough.
Duke De'an's resolve finally shattered. His shoulders slumped as he sighed.
"It's all my fault… I forced her to break up with Jianqiu. I never imagined she'd do something this foolish."
"Foolish?" Song Yinjian's lips curved into a thin, mocking smile. "In my eyes… she's foolish, and she's cruel."
"She wanted happiness and never cared about anyone else's feelings."
"Running away was one thing. But why drag an innocent person into it? Why do something like this?"
Duke De'an had no answer.
He could only cover his face and weep.
Afterward, Song Yinjian had someone summon Keqing.
Not long after, Keqing arrived in a rush, dust and urgency on her. She walked straight in without stopping until she stood in front of Song Yinjian.
Arms crossed, she spoke impatiently.
"Hmph. Talk. What is it this time? Don't waste my time."
Song Yinjian shrugged and told her everything from start to finish. Keqing's brows knit, suspicion flashing in her eyes.
"Are you certain the corpse is Zhang Xiaoli?" Song Yinjian looked utterly miserable.
"Master Keqing… do I look like the kind of man who'd throw away a huge payday and go out of my way to cause myself trouble?"
A strange look flickered in Keqing's eyes.
"I didn't expect it. You usually look shameless… but you actually have professional ethics." Song Yinjian answered seriously.
"You can insult my character, but don't insult my professional ethics. Funerals are an extremely serious matter."
Keqing paused. Her view of him shifted significantly.
Then she asked, "Song Yinjian—if that's the case, where do you think Huachu and Jianqiu ran to?"
Song Yinjian thought briefly. "My guess? Stone Gate."
Keqing frowned. "Why? What makes you so sure?" Song Yinjian explained evenly.
"Stone Gate sees a steady flow of merchants. Where merchants gather, information spreads."
"After running away, they'd need to keep tabs on what's happening here—so they can respond if trouble comes."
Keqing nodded. His reasoning held.
"Fine. I'll contact the Ministry of Civil Affairs and arrange manpower to arrest them at Stone Gate."
With that, she turned and left with her usual decisive speed. Watching her go, Song Yinjian couldn't help murmuring,
"As expected of the swift thunder that cuts through all… Keqing."