This is my younger sister, Qiqi.

After a morning of conducting visits and investigations, they still had not uncovered any useful evidence. The neighbors of Ouyang Ye only mentioned that ever since Xia Yueji was sold by her father, she had lost her mind. From then on, Ouyang Ye had also grown taciturn, no longer greeting neighbors proactively, and responding to greetings with cold indifference as if he could not see others, turning into a thoroughly solitary individual. Even after the death of Xia Yueji's father, Ouyang Ye had voluntarily taken charge of burying him, though none of the neighbors knew where he had buried the man or whether a gravestone had been erected. The neighbors assumed he must have harbored a deep hatred for Xia Yueji's father, and some even suspected that Ouyang Ye might have murdered him himself, which was why he insisted on burying the body personally so that no clues would be discovered by others. While such a theory was not entirely without reason, there was simply no evidence.

Yueer and the other two were eating dry rations beneath a large tree at the intersection. Dugu Jing was a man in his forties with an exceptionally robust physique, who habitually carried a long sword at his side. A person capable of serving as a chief constable surely possessed formidable martial arts skills and considerable wisdom; otherwise, how could he possibly manage those eccentric and unruly constables?

Dugu Jing pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, has Ouyang Ye's personality become so reclusive that he has turned somewhat pathological? Considering the perpetrator's modus operandi, it is entirely possible that he is the one. Furthermore, didn't his neighbors mention that Ouyang Ye always carries a broadsword whenever he comes and goes? This detail matches the perpetrator as well, yet we simply lack the evidence!" If not for a deranged psyche, would anyone murder people who had nothing to do with them? That was impossible; a normal person would never commit such acts.

Yueer and Shang Zhixia were also feeling helpless. Suddenly, inspiration struck Shang Zhixia, and with a flash of excitement, he said, "How about this—we might as well give him a test!" Based on his experience in handling major cases over the past two years, an ordinary person, upon hearing something that touched upon the sensitive matters buried in their heart, would pay extraordinary attention and involuntarily draw connections to their own situation, displaying a somewhat agitated reaction. Conversely, a psychologically distorted perpetrator would act quite differently: either showing little surface reaction before taking direct action, or reacting with excessive intensity. This was the best way to distinguish between them.

Dugu Jing laughed approvingly and said, "Sir, that is truly a brilliant method! If that fellow shows no reaction at all, or if his reaction is excessively violent, he will be extremely suspicious!" Dugu Jing held immense admiration for Shang Zhixia, considering his investigative methods to be flexible and adaptable rather than bogged down by rigid trivialities.

At that moment, Yueer was not listening to their analysis of the case. Instead, her attention was drawn to three girls pushing a wooden cart down the road in the distance, because she recognized one of them as her younger sister, Qiqi. Accompanying Qiqi were two maidservants from the Yang estate.

Puzzled, Yueer hurried over and asked, "Qiqi? Why are you here?" She recalled that none of their relatives lived on Suoyan Road. Besides, even if one were to encounter relatives now, the proper course of action would be to keep a low profile; why would she be carrying so many daily necessities to visit family?

Qiqi, dressed in plain and unpretentious attire, was equally surprised to see Yueer. It took her a few seconds to reply, "Husband, it's like this: Tanmei's family lives right here, and since I didn't have much to do today, I accompanied Tanmei along with Yingchun to visit her family. Husband, why are you here?"

She then glanced at the two men sitting not far away and exchanged a glance with Shang Zhixia. Shang Zhixia responded with a warm, gentle smile and a nod of greeting. Qiqi offered a graceful smile in return, leaving a wonderful first impression on each other.

Yueer pulled Qiqi under the large tree and smilingly introduced her, "This is the Minister of Justice, and this is Chief Constable Dugu. We are here on official business!" Qiqi bowed respectfully to Shang Zhixia and Dugu Jing. Yueer could sense that Shang Zhixia's gaze toward Qiqi carried a certain special quality, prompting an idea to form in her mind. Yueer introduced Qiqi further, "This is my younger sister, Qiqi." Possessing a woman's intuition, she felt there might be a story waiting to unfold between Shang Zhixia and Qiqi, and she did not want superficial formalities to extinguish such an opportunity, so she introduced Qiqi as her sister to make things easier to accomplish.

Shang Zhixia looked at Qiqi in a trance. Although Qiqi was not the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on, she was the one who struck him with the most natural affinity. People often said, "Fate brings people together across a thousand miles, while a lack of fate keeps strangers face-to-face without meeting." Perhaps this was simply the affinity of destiny.

Dugu Jing burst into hearty laughter and said, "Heaven truly aids us! Why don't we stage a scene of 'forcibly breaking up mandarin ducks' right in front of Ouyang Ye to test him? The younger sister of Lord Yang serving as the leading lady could not be more perfect!" A test only worked if it gave the subject an immersive experience, and Qiqi's arrival had just inspired Dugu Jing with this very plan.

Yueer and Shang Zhixia cried out in unison, "No!"

Shang Zhixia explained, "This is far too dangerous. If that fellow loses his mind, it won't be a laughing matter!"

Yueer's objection was understandable since Qiqi was her sister, but Dugu Jing found it rather unusual that Shang Zhixia objected as well, though he chose not to ask any further.

Qiqi, however, was entirely in favor of Dugu Jing's idea. With a smile, she said, "I fully support Chief Constable Dugu. As long as it helps you catch the bad guy, I am willing to do anything!" When she smiled, two adorable little canine teeth peeked out, making her look immensely charming. Qiqi looked back at Yueer and Shang Zhixia with a smile and said, "Sir, Brother, let me give it a try! With Chief Constable Dugu protecting me, what is there to fear? Just let me try..."

After careful consideration, Yueer and Shang Zhixia ultimately agreed. They first instructed Tanmei and Yingchun to return home ahead of time; too many people knew Tanmei, which would easily expose them. Would their plan succeed? Everyone would have to wait and see.