The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 311: Chapter 311: Secret Investigation

Lian Zhou was taken aback. ”True or false?”

’What does he mean, true or false?’

He asked, puzzled, ”Didn’t you go investigate the iron mine outside the city today? So... wait, don’t tell me the mine is fake!?”

”It’s real.”

After all, it’s a legitimate mine. Everyone in Shiluan City knows about it, so faking it would be difficult.

However—

”The mine may not be large, but it’s heavily guarded. They have dedicated lookouts posted around the perimeter.”

An ordinary iron mine wouldn’t be this heavily guarded, especially when—

Shen Yanchuan lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and said nonchalantly,

”It seems quite a few of them are martial arts practitioners.”

Lian Zhou was secretly alarmed.

He had felt something was off when he saw those men in the city earlier. Now, combining that with his master’s words, his suspicions were all but confirmed.

”So it seems the iron mine really is just a smokescreen someone set up on purpose?”

Lian Zhou thought for a moment before continuing. ”I went out today and gathered some more information. The city folk say the pay at the mine is good, so a lot of people want to get a job there. But the screening process is extremely strict, and ordinary people can’t get in. A few able-bodied men who managed to get hired came back after a short while. They said that while the pay was decent, the work was exhausting. Plus, the overseers are vicious and quick to use their whips on the workers. The only ones who stay are those who can endure hardship and are willing to risk it all.”

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.

”They certainly know how to pick their men.”

That way, they had recruited quite a few men who could both fight and work hard.

Lian Zhou couldn’t figure it out. ”But... who could it be? There’s nothing special about Shiluan City. Why would someone choose a place like this?”

Shen Yanchuan paused. The image of Su Pei’er, whom he had seen earlier, suddenly surfaced in his mind, and he grew pensive.

’That’s right.’

’With so many places to go, why choose here of all places?’

”That Su Pei’er, where is she originally from?”

Lian Zhou was stunned to suddenly hear her name. After a moment, he processed it. ”You mean... the Su Pei’er from the Han Family case?”

Shen Yanchuan nodded.

Lian Zhou recalled for a moment, then said, ”I believe she’s from the south. She was sold to a brothel as a child. With her exceptional beauty and her skill with the pipa, she became the top courtesan of Chunfeng Lou.”

He didn’t understand. ”My lord, why do you suddenly ask about her?”

Shen Yanchuan swirled the cup in his hand. ”She’s here, too.”

Lian Zhou’s eyes widened in shock. ”Really!?”

He quickly understood, his mind racing as his brows furrowed. ”Then what is she doing here? Surely she couldn’t have known something was amiss in Shiluan City beforehand, could she?”

When they were investigating the Han Family’s case, they had thoroughly looked into Su Pei’er’s background.

’She has absolutely no reason to be here!’

Lian Zhou asked, ”Then... should I go and investigate her?”

Shiluan City wasn’t large; finding Su Pei’er’s residence would not be difficult for him.

Shen Yanchuan considered it for a moment, but then shook his head. ”No need.”

Lian Zhou asked again, ”Then when does my lord intend to depart?”

Countless unseen eyes were watching them. If they stayed here too long and delayed their arrival in Changzhou, it would surely arouse suspicion.

Shen Yanchuan said, ”Tomorrow is supposed to be a clear day. A good day to set off.”

”Tomorrow?”

Lian Zhou was astonished.

”You’re not planning to continue the investigation here?”

The situation with the iron mine was highly unusual. If they just left like this, then—

Shen Yanchuan’s eyebrow arched slightly.

”Did I say I was leaving?”