” ”Thank you, Brother Duan,” I was grateful for his sincerity, and couldn’t help but ask another question. “Brother Duan, you suspect An Jin not just because he met the official before he changed his testimony, right? Are there other pieces of evidence?” He shook his head, hesitating before saying, “No evidence, but he has a motive.” ”What motive?” ”An was usually on good terms with Su Xi, and moreover…” Duan Chang seemed uncomfortable and finally did not continue. But I already understood his meaning. An Jin was not only close to Su Xi but was also rumored to have an ambiguous relationship with Su Hui. Many in Yan Feng City even believed An Jin was among those who had fallen under Su Hui’s charm. Duan Chang presumably suspected that he had instructed the official to completely erase Su Xi’s existence in this impersonation case, doing a favor for the Su family. After washing up, An Jin went to the study and talked with Duan Chang for nearly half an hour. When Duan Chang left, he was full of apologies, repeatedly saying he was too rash and had disturbed An Jin’s rest. An Jin was gentle and calm, praising him for being conscientious, and they finally bid farewell like old friends. This was the outcome I could imagine. Not only did he fail to uncover anything, but he was also mostly dissuaded from his suspicions by An Jin’s few words. In terms of strategy and skill, they were not on the same level. “
Whether Duan Chang intended to continue investigating or not, his final result would likely be nothing, forced to give up. Duan Chang could give up, but I could not treat this matter as fleeting. Although officials find it difficult to maintain absolute clarity, even good officials sometimes inevitably touch dark corners and use methods not entirely honorable, this matter involved Su Xi and Su Hui. If I did not clarify it, I would always have a knot in my heart.
An Jin saw Duan Chang off, then turned back to see me hesitating, his gentle expression disappearing, and he sighed. “I know what you want to ask.”
We walked in silence for a while, then he suddenly spoke: “This matter was indeed done by me.”
