Chapter 40: Returning to the Old Residence, a Surprising Turning Point Emerges

Chapter 40: The Old House Revisited, An Unexpected Turn

A squad of armored soldiers surged into the room, led by none other than the royal coroner. He strode quickly to Lin Shiya, his expression grave as he whispered, “Madam Lin, I have found a new clue. It’s all at the old Lin residence.” Lin Shiya’s heart gave a jolt—he had truly found something new!

Without betraying her excitement, she slipped the letter into her sleeve and nodded slightly to the coroner. “Lead the way.” With that, she cast a meaningful glance at Minister Zhang, who was slumped weakly on the ground.

Night had fallen, and the old Lin residence stood shrouded in deathly silence. The timeworn vermilion gate creaked in the night wind, like the sigh of an old man. With each creak, Lin Shiya’s heart sank further.

This old house had once been her home. Now, it was but a forbidden ground, riddled with mysteries and threats. Drawing a deep breath, she stepped over the high threshold.

Inside, the air was thick with dust and mildew. Weeds choked the courtyard, erasing all traces of former glory. Lin Shiya scanned her surroundings, keenly sensing that something here was different from her last visit.

The previous time, she had found her father’s secret letter here—and had nearly lost her life to elaborate traps. This time, she expected even deadlier devices, or perhaps a lethal ambush. Yet, aside from the silence, there was nothing—everything had reverted to its original state.

This unnatural calm only heightened her vigilance. She dared not act rashly, but instead scrutinized everything around her, seeking the hidden currents beneath the still surface.

From the shadows, a pair of eyes watched her every move. Her composure and poise caught her observer off guard.

“Could it be she’s discovered something?” the hidden figure muttered, tightening their grip on a dagger.

Suddenly, Lin Shiya’s gaze landed on an unremarkable stone slab in a corner of the courtyard. She walked over, knelt down, and brushed away the dust to reveal a series of fine engravings.

Her pupils contracted—a tidal wave crashed through her mind.

At that moment, faint footsteps sounded behind her...

“Who’s there?” Lin Shiya spun around, her voice sharp as a whip.

Her shout echoed through the empty courtyard, shattering the suffocating silence. At some point, a short sword had appeared in her hand, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight, reflecting the chill in her eyes.

From the darkness, several shadowy figures emerged, weapons drawn and faces grim.

“So, you’ve come after all,” Lin Shiya scoffed, a mocking smile curling her lips, her voice cold as ice.

She had expected Minister Zhang would not give up so easily, that he would send men to stop her investigation. She just hadn’t thought they would act so impatiently.

The masked men exchanged a glance, then closed in quickly.

Steel flashed in the night, slicing sharp arcs through the darkness.

Lin Shiya moved with nimble grace, weaving between their attacks like a butterfly in flight. Each dodge was perfectly timed, causing her foes to strike only empty air.

She knew that a direct confrontation in the open courtyard would be to her disadvantage. She needed to use the terrain to turn the tables.

With a twist of her body, Lin Shiya darted toward the rear courtyard, the moonlight guiding her path. The masked men gave chase, not daring to relent.

The rear yard was overgrown with weeds and strewn with stones, treacherous under the cloak of night. As she evaded her pursuers, Lin Shiya’s eyes constantly scanned her surroundings, her mind racing for a plan.

She remembered there was a disused dry well in the rear courtyard, its opening narrow and concealed beneath overgrowth—a perfect trap.

She deliberately slowed her pace, luring the masked men closer. Seeing this, they assumed she was exhausted and charged in with renewed vigor.

Just as they were about to catch her, Lin Shiya spun aside in a flash, leaping away.

With a series of dull thuds, several masked men plunged headlong into the dry well, startled cries echoing up, mingled with curses and the sound of dirt and rubble.

Landing steadily, Lin Shiya glanced back at the pitch-black well, a sly glimmer in her eyes as her lips curved upward.

“Now, it’s my turn.” She walked to the well’s edge, leaned over, and said in a chillingly calm voice, “You’d best stay put.”

With that, she took a fire striker from her belt and set the surrounding dry grass ablaze.

Flames leapt up, lighting the entire rear yard and illuminating the terrified faces below.

“Curious what I saw?” Lin Shiya’s smile was enigmatic, but her gaze turned steely. Without another word, she strode quickly into another wing of the house.

The firelight cast her profile in sharp relief, making her appear all the more resolute.

She pushed open the heavy wooden door of the wing room, and a wave of rot washed over her, forcing her to cover her mouth and nose. Inside, the room was dank and dark, thick with cobwebs and the stench of mold.

Feeling along the wall, Lin Shiya inched deeper into the room. Her thoughts lingered on her suffering elder brother, Lin Da, imprisoned and tormented behind bars. The image of his misery stabbed her heart like needles.

She had to find evidence to clear her brother’s name—no matter the cost.

This fierce determination kept her calm and clear-headed amid the fear and anxiety.

Suddenly, her fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. Heart leaping, she wiped away the dust and, in the feeble light, discovered a hidden door.

With a push, it groaned open, revealing a deep, shadowy passage leading underground.

Without hesitation, Lin Shiya entered.

The tunnel was pitch-black; she could not see her own hand before her face. Carefully, she felt her way along the wall, step by step descending into the earth.

She walked for who knew how long before a faint glow appeared ahead. Quickening her pace, she found herself in a small underground chamber.

At the center stood a stone table, piled with books and scrolls. Lin Shiya hurried over, unrolling one of the scrolls.

It was densely covered in small, neat script. As she deciphered the words, her expression grew increasingly grave.

It was an account ledger—detailing bribes received by various officials, with Minister Zhang’s name prominent among them.

Even more shocking, the ledger chronicled the entire wrongful case against the Lin family, revealing the true identity of the mastermind behind it all.

Clutching the scroll tightly, Lin Shiya’s heart pounded with excitement.

She had finally found it—the evidence that could clear her family’s name and bring the true villain to justice.

Carefully stowing the scroll, she turned to leave the chamber.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from the direction of the secret passage.

Someone was coming!

Startled, Lin Shiya quickly hid the scroll in her bosom and melted into the shadows of the chamber’s corner.

The door creaked open and a flustered figure stumbled inside. In the dim light, Lin Shiya recognized him: it was Secretary Zhao from the Ministry of Justice.

His face was ashen, sweat beading on his brow. “Have you found it?” came a cold, chilling voice from the entrance.

Secretary Zhao trembled, stammering, “Not yet… not yet…”

“Useless!” the voice snapped. “Search carefully! If you fail, you’ll answer with your life!”

Shaking all over, Secretary Zhao dared not protest, but bent to search the chamber.

His eyes fell on the stone table. With trembling hands, he reached out…

His fingertips hovered above the ledger, his complexion ghastly pale. Beads of sweat dripped onto the yellowed pages, leaving dark stains.

He knew that if the mastermind discovered the ledger, he would be doomed. Yet, to not hand it over meant death as well.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the ledger, a cold, piercing voice sliced through the silence: “Stop!”

Secretary Zhao froze, jerking his head up to see Lin Shiya, sword in hand, emerging from the shadows. The blade glinted dangerously, her eyes as cold as frost, as if she could see through all schemes.

He had never seen Lin Shiya so fierce—her presence so overwhelming that he instinctively stepped back, like a startled rabbit, all authority forgotten.

“M-Madam Lin…” He stammered, legs heavy as lead.

Lin Shiya snorted coldly, her gaze like a torch fixed upon him. “Secretary Zhao, you are an official of the Ministry of Justice. Why do you abet villains, conspiring with criminals?” Her voice was low but carried a chilling authority that made Zhao quake with fear.

“I…I…” He stuttered, unable to utter a complete sentence.

He knew she was fully aware of his deeds. Any attempt to explain would be futile now.

He lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes.

Watching his cowardice, Lin Shiya felt only contempt.

She did not press further, but withdrew her sword and spoke slowly, “I will give you one last chance. Tell me everything you know, and perhaps I will spare your life.”

Secretary Zhao shuddered at her words.

He looked up, only to meet her icy gaze, warning him not to try any tricks.

“I…I…I know nothing…” In the end, Zhao still chose silence. He knew too well the mastermind’s cruelty; betrayal would mean a far worse death.

Lin Shiya knew she must leave at once with the evidence.

She retraced her steps through the pitch-black tunnel, returning to the wing room.

Moonlight filtered through the broken window, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

She drew a deep breath, the stench of rot filling her lungs, making her nauseous.

Time was short. She had to go.

She hurried to the door, gently pushed it open—and froze.

Outside stood a group of black-clad men, led by Minister Zhang himself.

He was dressed in his official robes, his face somber, a cold smile on his lips as if he had been waiting for her all along.

Lin Shiya met his gaze, knowing a fierce confrontation was inevitable.