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Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing's gaze circled between the two people in front of her: "How did she die?"
Lin Shian didn't notice Lin Zhiqing's expression. He gritted his teeth, "My cousin and I intended to interrogate Biluo properly, but she kept insulting the Lin family."
"Not only that, she kept muttering about wanting the Lin family to accompany her in death. Then, I smelled a peculiar odor." Jiang Liuyun took over.
"Peculiar odor?" Lin Zhiqing looked at Jiang Liuyun with an inquiring gaze, and Lu Nan Yue also stepped forward.
"That was toxic smoke." Lin Shian spoke gravely. "Biluo always had poison hidden in her mouth. I asked my uncle, and she refused to say a word before we arrived."
"For now, it seems she planned to release toxic smoke while being interrogated, killing herself and taking one Lin family member with her." Lin Shian glanced at Lin Zhiqing.
Lin Zhiqing understood his meaning. If not for Jiang Liuyun and the Lu siblings, she would have been the one interrogating Biluo today.
Biluo's toxic smoke was likely aimed at her.
Seeing Lin Zhiqing furrow her brows, Jiang Liuyun couldn't help but sigh, "If not for Shian, I might have fallen victim to that toxic smoke too. Qing'er, sorry."
"No matter." Lin Zhiqing smiled faintly. "This is unpredictable. His Highness needn't worry."
"Nan Yue, would you mind going with His Highness and my cousin to investigate what that toxic smoke really is?" She turned to Lu Nan Yue, her expression serious.
"Of course." Lu Nan Yue nodded without hesitation.
Seeing this, Lin Shian and Jiang Liuyun signaled to Lu Nan Yue. The group left again.
Only after their figures disappeared from the door did Lin Zhiqing withdraw her gaze and walk toward the antique stand.
Lu Huai watched her movements and raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to take a look?"
Biluo was currently the only witness in this case. Her death made Lin Zhiqing's obstacles to uncovering the truth even greater.
"Why bother looking now that she's dead?" Lin Zhiqing moved her steps from the antique stand to the window. "Don't you think my cousin's courtyard is well-positioned?"
She pushed open the window.
Lu Huai walked to the window, his gaze falling on the nearby garden. He nodded slightly.
No need to elaborate, the garden was indeed pleasing to the eye and spacious enough.
During idle times, it was quite comfortable to study or calculate within.
"The Lin family residence has always been highly praised in Shengjing City. Today's visit confirms it." His tone carried a lazy undertone.
Lin Zhiqing, however, seemed not to hear him. She stared at the top of the window.
Following her gaze, Lu Huai noticed a small hole on the smooth window frame.
He was somewhat uncertain but wanted to take a closer look when Lin Zhiqing suddenly turned around and fetched a stool.
Then, she climbed onto the stool, stretched out her hand to reach the area with the hole, looking somewhat strained.
Lu Huai had no intention of offering help. He leaned against the window and watched her actions with interest.
After observing for a while, Lin Zhiqing jumped down from the stool.
Just as she finished, a maid arrived at the door with a book in hand and softly called out Xiao Cui's name.
Xiao Cui came out of the inner room and took the book, walking toward Lin Zhiqing, "Miss Zhiqing, this is my lady's daily log."
Lin Zhiqing nodded and took the book, returning to the table to flip through it.
Seeing Lin Zhiqing open the book, Lu Huai also came closer.
Found it...
Lin Zhiqing's eyes lit up. She softly read out the contents, "In the afternoon Hour, Southern Jiang gold silk cloud slice cake, golden corn cake, Nanzhao azalea cloud needle tea..."
Her gaze slowly moved to the artifacts after the food, "Blue-glazed octagonal cup, rabbit hair bowl, Zhongnan Mountain rhinoceros leather lacquer tea set..."
Then she closed the book and looked at Xiao Cui, "What kind of tea does my cousin usually drink?"
Xiao Cui, though puzzled, answered obediently, "My lady dislikes bitterness and usually drinks floral tea, especially avoids cold tea."
Lin Zhiqing nodded, "How long does it take for your cousin to brew tea?"
Thinking about this, Xiao Cui scratched her head, "My lady is impatient. Overall, it takes no more than half a cup of tea time."
Five minutes... Lin Zhiqing felt reassured.
Brewing tea was a basic skill for most young ladies. Completing the process would take at least ten minutes.
Lin Yangyang was impatient. Her tea brewing methods and techniques must differ significantly from the norm.
Lin Zhiqing's gaze fell on the tea set on the table and instinctively looked at the carpet with tea stains. She lingered there for a long time.
While Xiao Cui was confused, Lin Zhiqing spoke again, "Xiao Cui, go fetch the person in charge of the tea set and tell me if anyone has visited the garden recently."
Lu Huai heard this and unconsciously glanced at the small hole on the window again.
Xiao Cui lowered her brows, her gaze shifting downward, clearly recalling.
After a moment, her eyes brightened, "Yesterday morning, indeed, a few maids from our courtyard were flying kites outside. If not for being summoned by Miss Zhiqing for tea tasting, my lady might have joined them too."
Lin Zhiqing nodded. Xiao Cui's words were as expected.
"Xiao Cui, go gather everyone in the courtyard now."
Lin Zhiqing's tone was calm, betraying no emotion.
"Hmm..." Xiao Cui hesitated. People in the courtyard had their duties. Generally, they wouldn't disturb this balance unless necessary.
But upon meeting Lin Zhiqing's determined gaze, she nodded and said nothing more.
Watching Xiao Cui leave to gather the courtyard personnel, Lin Zhiqing surveyed the room again.
Lu Huai remained silent throughout but noticed some clues following Lin Zhiqing's gaze and actions.
Once Lin Zhiqing sat down again, Lu Huai's voice came, "Zhiqing, at that time, only you and your cousin were in the room. If you didn't do it, who do you think did?"
Lin Zhiqing paused slightly. It wasn't unreasonable for Lu Huai to think this way.
In her previous world, this case would be considered a perfect You Hour murder.
From Biluo's behavior and her own deductions, it was likely that the original "Lin Zhiqing" wouldn't use such obvious methods to poison her cousin.
Besides the original Lin Zhiqing and the poisoned cousin, there was no one else in the room when the poisoning occurred.
But not only were there no witnesses, the evidence seemed to have vanished. This was clearly impossible.
While Lin Zhiqing was pondering, Lu Huai spoke again, "You already know who the murderer is, right?"
..."