“I cannot be certain if it was done by An,” Duan Chang sighed. “This is why I came to find him.” I understood the significance of the matter, and given our past friendship, he wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. I was also puzzled about An Jin’s potential involvement and his motives.
Duan Chang believed this matter was connected to Su Xi, as an official had nearly admitted it but provided no concrete evidence or witnesses. Now that the official denied it, the truth was at risk of being buried, prompting Duan Chang to seek answers.
Duan Chang was not impulsive; his visit indicated he was at least 70-80% certain that An Jin was involved. Given An Jin’s cautious nature, if this were indeed his doing, it would be nearly impossible for Duan Chang to find clues. Nevertheless, he was determined to confront An Jin.
I asked him to wait while I went to awaken An Jin. Duan Chang called me back, saying softly, “Please do not worry, madam. I will investigate thoroughly before reporting and will not wrongly accuse an innocent person.”
“Thank you, Brother Duan,” I expressed my gratitude for his sincerity and could not help but ask, “You suspect An Jin not just because he met the official before changing his testimony, right? Are there other pieces of evidence?”
He shook his head, hesitating to respond. “No evidence, but he has a motive.”
“What motive?”
“Duan Chang seemed uncomfortable and did not continue, but I understood. An Jin was close to Su Xi and rumored to have an ambiguous relationship with Su Hui. Many believed he was under Su Hui’s charm. Duan Chang presumably suspected that An Jin, out of personal interest, had instructed the official to erase Su Xi’s existence in this case, doing a favor for the Su family.
After washing up, An Jin went to the study, energetic, and spoke with Duan Chang for nearly half an hour. When Duan Chang left, he was full of apologies for disturbing An Jin’s rest. An Jin, gentle and calm, praised him for being conscientious, and they bid farewell like old friends.
