Sun Shaozong was sketching and revising the details of the case on paper when he suddenly heard a report from outside: Lin Xiuyuan, First Master of the Lin family, had come seeking him, claiming to have an urgent matter to discuss.
This was the Lin family's territory to begin with, so how could Sun Shaozong refuse to see him?
He immediately went out in person and welcomed Lin Xiuyuan into the reception hall.
Once the two had taken their respective seats, Lin Xiuyuan promptly explained his purpose. "Lord Sun, my father's body should have been examined last night, correct? Might we be permitted to set up a mourning hall and offer incense in his memory?"
Sun Shaozong had even less reason to object.
He was about to agree offhandedly when a thought suddenly struck him, and he hurriedly amended, "Since you are setting up a mourning hall for worship, could you summon the servants who were dismissed from the estate? First, it would fulfill the bond between master and servants. Second, perhaps we may learn some additional clues from them."
In truth, Sun Shaozong had already considered gathering the dismissed servants of Lin Mansion for questioning.
But Dali Temple was short on manpower. Before Lin Mansion had been thoroughly investigated, they simply could not spare enough people to track down nearly two hundred individuals scattered throughout the city and beyond.
Lin Xiuyuan hesitated briefly, but ultimately nodded. "Then I shall have word spread shortly that my father left instructions before his death to grant the entire household an additional month's wages. Any former servant who comes to pay respects will receive a share."
This First Master of the Lin family truly knew how to conduct himself, and he had no lack of skill either. With his full support, Dali Temple's