Zhu Yu had a new appreciation for this man, bruised and battered as he was. She hadn’t expected that this countryside schoolteacher, who taught children to read and write, would be so cautious and smart. He hadn’t hastily buried his daughter, nor did he foolishly take the suspicious dress to the Headdress and Shoes Workshop.

"Where did you hide the clothes?" she asked He Min, noticing the sudden wariness and tension on his face. She realized he might see her as an accomplice in Gu Lingyun’s deception, so she quickly added, "And your daughter’s remains. Even if they are kept in the corpse room, they won’t stay there forever. If you truly want to find out if your daughter’s death is related to the clothing sold at the Headdress and Shoes Workshop, you’ll need to act fast."

"I’m sure, really sure!" Although He Min was somewhat doubtful at this moment, he still insisted on his claim when questioned. "I investigated beforehand. Others who bought that Red Jade Fragrance also encountered problems. But when they noticed something wrong, they stopped wearing the clothes. Then they confronted the Headdress and Shoes Workshop, and the workshop paid a lot of money to buy back the clothes. Those people stopped pursuing the matter after that.

But I can’t let it go. My daughter has already been killed by their monster, and they will surely harm others in the future. I can’t just let them continue...

But... but I’m powerless. I almost lost my own life there..."

"Since you think the fabric is suspicious, did you carefully examine it?" Zhu Yu pressed for crucial information without saying anything to earn his trust.

At this moment, she didn’t know how to make He Min trust her more, especially since Lu Qing was just a commoner, not Prince Xiaoyao, nor the Golden-faced Imperial Censor.

And she certainly couldn’t tell He Min, "You have to trust me, I can help you because I’m the concubine’s daughter of Prince Shuo, Zhu Cheng!"

Such a remotely related identity didn’t have any persuasive power.

He Min pursed his lips, looking conflicted as he glanced at Zhu Yu and then at Lu Qing and the others, as if he didn’t dare to speak up.

Zhu Yu sighed, realizing that although she had thought of herself as indifferent to fame and wealth, not particularly obsessed with power and status, this idea now seemed somewhat naive.

Sometimes, identity did matter.

Had it been like before, Lu Qing would have taken out a waist card, and He Min would have had no more worries.

Given the situation, she could only find another way to convince him.

"Honestly, we are also investigating the Headdress and Shoes Workshop, but we lack enough evidence to prove that they’re doing something unknown with the sold fabrics." Zhu Yu sighed and pointed at He Min. "I don’t fear scaring you. Besides treating your injuries, my real skill is performing autopsies."

When He Min heard the words "autopsy," his eyes widened, not in fear, but as if he suddenly saw hope.

"Aut...autopsy? Is the bodhisattva really saying this?" He struggled to sit up, evident in his urgency. "Benefactors, please don’t joke with me!

After my daughter’s death, the forensic doctor from the county government examined her and found nothing. They even asked if I had been starving her, as she was so emaciated and pale..."

Zhu Yu nodded at him and took out her set of tools from her sleeve, laying them out in front of him. "Do you see? These are my tools for autopsies. I wouldn’t joke about such a thing.

Your daughter’s accident wasn’t just one or two days ago; the longer it’s delayed, the harder it will be to find answers from her remains.

So if you really want to find out if her death is related to the Headdress and Shoes Workshop, you can’t hesitate for too long."

He Min looked down at his well-treated injuries, which emitted the fragrance of ointment. Though covered by a cloth, the relieved pain made him aware of their earnest efforts in treating him.

"But... but in my current state... how can I take you there?" He finally relented, realizing he couldn’t deal with the Headdress and Shoes Workshop on his own.

At this point, other than the few unknown benefactors like Zhu Yu, he had no other hope.

Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing, who examined He Min: "Today, rest well. Tomorrow, I’ll find a carriage, and we’ll go to the corpse room to examine your daughter’s remains."

He Min quickly tried to express gratitude but was stopped by Fu Wen: "Don’t move! Otherwise, if your wounds reopen, will Madam have to go through the trouble of stitching you up again?!"

Hearing this, He Min lay still and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

Zhu Yu gave him a few more instructions and then returned with Lu Qing to their small courtyard.

As soon as they returned, Lu Qing summoned Liu Yueyao again.

"Recently, have the noble women in the Capital been using any new beauty secrets?" he asked Liu Yueyao.

Liu Yueyao didn’t immediately understand Lu Qing’s meaning and looked towards Zhu Yu, puzzled, thinking the lady didn’t seem to have such needs.

"Why are you looking at her?" Lu Qing frowned, feeling that Liu Yueyao’s glance was somewhat disrespectful to Zhu Yu. "Just answer what you’re asked."

"I’m not the one using it." Zhu Yu wasn’t bothered and waved to Liu Yueyao.

Finally grasping the situation, Liu Yueyao smiled and replied, "I overlooked this matter, thinking the lady didn’t need it. So I haven’t mentioned it to you two.

But in the past six months, there have indeed been quite a few beauty secrets circulating among the Capital’s noble women. Often, you’ll hear of someone whose aging wife or mistress has suddenly become youthful again.

Or a previously plain-looking noblewoman, after some unknown immortal law, suddenly appears quite charming.

However, they’re secretive about the methods they use and are unwilling to openly discuss them.

But that’s not surprising. After all, letting people know what odd methods were used to restore youthful looks might not be good for one’s reputation if it spreads."

"Try to find out if those secretive methods have any connection to the Headdress and Shoes Workshop and which court officials’ families have used them. Get to the bottom of it all." Lu Qing instructed.

Liu Yueyao had no questions and immediately agreed, bowed, and left.

For the rest of the day, Zhu Yu focused on preparing for the autopsy the next day.

Actually, many tasks didn’t require her personal attention; a simple command would have others handle them.

But Lu Qing silently watched from the side, not intervening.

During this time, it had been a while since Zhu Yu felt this invigorated.

It’s true that people are most vibrant when doing what they are best at.