A few days later, Dali Temple

Liu Zhang was casually flipping through the files when a constable arrived to report, "Master Liu, the charred body found in the mountain hut has been identified. It's Yin Xie, the Third Prince's personal trainer."

"Oh?" Liu Zhang paused holding the pen and asked without looking up, "Has the coroner confirmed the cause of death?"

"The autopsy results showed poisoning, but the fatal wound was caused by a sharp weapon, and the fire was set after death. The body was stabbed 27 times, and all the internal organs were stabbed to pieces."

Liu Zhang raised his eyebrows and snorted softly, "Who hates him so much?"

At this time, Murong Yao strode in, slammed his hands on the table, and said angrily: "This must have been done by Murong Yan's people!"

"Why are you so sure?" Liu Zhang raised his head and looked at Murong Yao, only to see that his gentle face was distorted by anger.

"Yin Xie is an orphan with no relatives or friends. He was bought by this prince at the age of eight and has been with him ever since. He is always with me. Apart from his obsession with martial arts, he rarely interacts with others."

Murong Yao said with great certainty: "Except Murong Yan, no one would kill him to vent their anger."

"These are just your inferences, Your Highness." Liu Zhang put down his pen and supported his head as he analyzed, "Besides, Guard Yin has been raised in the mansion since he was a child and has always been with you. Why would he go to the mountain cabin alone?"

"Cousin! The one who died was this prince's most capable guard."

Seeing Liu Zhang's relaxed attitude and calm words, Murong Yao seemed very anxious.

Ever since learning that Liu Zhang had destroyed A Rao's martial arts, he and Minister Liu included Liu Zhang as a member of the Three Emperors Party, and they no longer avoided talking about some things.

With the addition of the Dali Temple Minister, it became even more convenient for them to act.

"Cousin, you have to find a reason to capture Murong Yan's secret guard Ling Mo and bring him to the Dali Temple to torture him severely."

Liu Zhang said unconcernedly, "It's just a servant who died. Your Highness has so many guards in his mansion, why make such a big fuss?"

"Yin Xie is one of the best masters in Yong'an City. There are only a few people who can kill him, except Ling Mo!"

Liu Zhang had someone serve a cup of tea to calm Murong Yao down. He then began to advise, "Ling Mo is the crown prince, and a doctor cannot be punished. Without sufficient evidence, I can't even arrest him."

"I will thoroughly investigate this case. Once I find the real culprit, I will show no mercy. Your Highness, please be patient."

Liu Zhang persuaded Murong Yao to leave with just a few words and buried his head in flipping through Yin Xie's case files.

Looking at the autopsy report on the file, a barely perceptible smile crept up the corners of his mouth.

…

In the teahouse, Murong Yao sat at the tea table, watching Xu Wanrong sitting across from him silently light incense and wash her hands, display the tea sets, heat the cups and warm the kettle, Ma Long enter the palace, and wash and brew the tea...

"Miss Xu's craftsmanship is skillful and elegant."

Xu Wanrong skilfully scraped the foam from the tea, her movements smooth and steady. She raised her beautiful, watery eyes to look at Murong Yao, and replied in a cold voice, "Third Prince, thank you for your compliment. Your Highness invited me here for tea today. What is the matter?"

Murong Yao took out the book "Joining the Army in My Father's Place" and said, "Last time, Miss Xu asked me to investigate this story. I sent someone to Dongyi City and brought back some information. I wonder if there is any information that Miss Xu is looking for."

"Tell me." Xu Wanrong did not stop what she was doing, but focused on making tea with her eyes lowered.

"Honestly, I can't imagine what purpose the young lady has in asking me to investigate Dongyi. The city lord of Dongyi is an impotent old man with three foolish sons. General Yuewei and her family are all dead. Although their martial arts have been passed down, the Black Sail Spirit is dead. No one can stir up trouble in Dongyi anymore."

Murong Yao pondered for a moment, "Oh, General Yuewei has a younger brother. Rumor has it that he became the Dragon King of the Nu River. Whenever the Nu River floods, Dongyi City sacrifices young girls by throwing them into the river to appease the Dragon King's wrath."

Xu Wanrong chuckled lightly, her tone tinged with sarcasm. "Is the Lord of Dongyi City so superstitious? Shouldn't he have thrown Li into the Nujiang River to appease the Dragon King's wrath?"

"You really do know the Li family."

"Everyone in Dongyi City knows the Li family."

Murong Yao took a cup of tea and sniffed it closely. The fresh tea fragrance filled his nose. He asked suspiciously, "So, what exactly does the young lady want to know?"

Hearing this, Xu Wanrong looked slightly disappointed. She didn't answer his question, but changed the subject and asked, "Why did His Highness the Third Prince only bring one guard with him today?"

Murong Yao replied calmly, "One died."

But she just uttered a soft "oh" and didn't continue the topic. She just kept making tea. After a while, she reminded him, "Minister of Works Jiang Yu has returned to the capital. Your Highness, do you want to visit him?"

Murong Yao spun his cup, savoring the tea in it. "Well, regarding the gift for the visit, does Miss Xu have any good suggestions?"

"Come to their advantage."

"How--" Murong Yao was about to ask, but he heard the voices of Liu Zhang and the guards coming from outside the door.

"Lord Liu, the third prince is meeting with guests, you cannot go in." Murong Yao's guard tried to stop him.

"The Dali Temple is investigating a case. All outsiders, please move aside immediately."

Liu Zhang opened the door swiftly and walked in with his messengers. Seeing the two people sitting in front of the tea table, he bowed respectfully and said, "I'm sorry, Third Prince, for interrupting your elegant tea time."

"What happened?" Murong Yao, still holding the teacup in his hand, frowned as he looked at the Dali Temple messenger who broke in.

Liu Zhang said to Xu Wanrong expressionlessly, "Miss Xu, I suspect you are involved in the murder of the Third Prince's bodyguard, Yin Xie. I'm here to invite you to the Dali Temple for investigation."

"Brother Zhang, what are you talking about?" Xu Wanrong looked at him in surprise, as if such words could not possibly come out of Liu Zhang's mouth.

Her expression changed, she put down the teacup in her hand, and put on an innocent and pitiful look, "Brother Zhang, why do you suspect it's me?"

"Six days ago on the morning, someone saw you go up to Cangcui Mountain on the outskirts of the city where the body was found, and you also bought kerosene from a nearby villager." Liu Zhang looked as if he was waiting for your explanation.

"What?" Murong Yao looked at Xu Wanrong in disbelief, as if he was also trying to figure out the answer from her mouth.

Xu Wanrong's eyes instantly turned red. She shook her head and pitifully denied it: "I didn't kill anyone. Someone must have seen it wrong."

"Whether Miss Xu has committed murder or not, please go to the Dali Temple for interrogation first. Take her away!" Liu Zhang didn't say anything more and directly ordered the messenger to take Xu Wanrong away.

Murong Yao immediately stopped him and said, "Liu Zhang, what are you doing?"

"Since the Third Prince has asked me to thoroughly investigate the case, I will certainly not let any suspect go. Miss Xu, please."

"Brother Zhang, don't you believe me?" Xu Wanrong became a little anxious when she saw his serious look. She tried to pull Liu Zhang's sleeve and act coquettishly, but he coldly avoided her.

"Miss Xu, if you didn't kill anyone, I will clear your name." After Liu Zhang said this, he had Xu Wanrong taken away.