Chapter 310 Clues

Qi Shuo was young and kind-looking, with a gentle tone, which soothed the woman's emotions that were on the verge of collapse like a spring breeze.

The woman choked up and said, "He left early in the morning, saying he was going to play with friends, and he never came back... Yan'er, why did you go to Tianyuan Temple..."

Qi Shuo's heart moved slightly: "Your daughter has never been to Tianyuan Temple?"

"The little lady took her there a few years ago, but she thought it was boring and she never went again."

Liu Tuiguan pondered, "A little girl who thought burning incense and worshipping Buddha was boring suddenly went there. It was probably suggested by a playmate."

"But those girls who often play together said that we weren't together that day—" The woman's face suddenly changed. "Are they kidding me?"

"Please tell me the names and addresses of your daughter's friends, and I will arrange for someone to investigate."

The woman said six or seven names in one breath. Liu Tuiguan wrote them down and ordered his men to investigate quickly.

Qi Shuo asked someone to bring pen and ink: "Sister-in-law, tell me what your daughter looks like."

"Yan'er has big eyes and a face like mine..."

As the woman described carefully, a young girl came to life on the paper.

Qi Shuo put down the pen and asked the woman to confirm.

The woman covered her mouth and cried, "It's Yan'er, it's Yan'er..."

Liu Tuiguan looked at him silently, a little surprised.

The girl in the painting is a little too beautiful.

When I think of the headless female corpse again, I can't help but sigh.

"Master Liu, let's take this painting to Tianyuan Temple and ask if anyone saw Yan'er the day before yesterday."

Liu Tuiguan's eyes lit up: "Your Highness is right!"

No wonder people say that Prince Jing can play a key role in investigating the case. With such a unique skill of drawing the victim's appearance accurately, there is no need to worry about finding clues.

Seeing the woman following him subconsciously, Liu Tuiguan stopped her and said, "Go back and wait for news. I'll send someone to inform you if there's any progress."

The woman moved her lips, but she didn't dare to ask to go with them. She bowed and retreated silently.

Lin Hao received the message sent by Qi Shuo and went straight to Tianyuan Temple.

The carriage stopped at the temple gate and saw Qi Shuo and Liu Tuiguan approaching.

"Prince." Lin Hao walked over quickly and smiled at Liu Tuiguan. "Is it Lord Liu? We met last year."

Liu Tuiguan took a closer look and was a little surprised: "Miss Lin Er——" He glanced at Qi Shuo and realized: "The Crown Prince's wife."

Yes, he had seen it before, in Tianyuan Temple, it was still the headless female corpse, and it was still the person who discovered the corpse. If the woman in front of him had not tied her hair up in a bun, he would almost think that no time had passed.

How come we meet by chance?

Tuiguan Liu glanced at Qi Shuo.

"Are you here to investigate the case?" Lin Hao smiled. "What a coincidence! I came to see if there's any progress."

Qi Shuo also smiled: "That's perfect, let's go in together."

The corner of Liu Tuiguan's mouth twitched violently.

Who are they trying to fool? This couple is going too far!

Complaining in his heart, Liu Tuiguan angrily quickened his pace and squeezed in between the two of them.

Lin Hao took the opportunity to inquire about the case: "Master Liu, have you found any clues about the identity of the headless female corpse?"

"It was all thanks to the prince's reminder that we found the victim's family..." Because the case had made progress, Judge Liu spoke excitedly.

Tianyuan Temple refused to allow pilgrims to enter today. Lin Hao walked in the quiet and solemn temple and soon saw the abbot coming out to greet him.

The abbot looked to be in his sixties, even his eyebrows were white, and his expression showed fatigue.

After some pleasantries, Liu Tuiguan produced Yan'er's portrait and said, "Please ask the abbot to summon all the monks and servants in the temple and see if they have seen the victim the day before yesterday."

"Everyone, please wait a moment." The abbot quickly gave the order.

The sound of the bell startled countless birds into flight. Tianyuan Temple was indeed a temple frequented by wealthy people. Although there were many monks, they were busy but not chaotic when they were summoned. Soon the front of the hall was filled with monks.

They came forward one by one to look at the portrait.

"Master, do you have any impression of the girl in the portrait?"

The monk shook his head.

The next monk came over and also shook his head.

The number of monks in line gradually decreased. Liu Tuiguan drummed his fingers on the armrests of his chair, and his mood became increasingly anxious.

I can’t be so unlucky that no monk has any impression of Yan’er, right?

"Hey, I met this female donor the day before yesterday."

Following a childish voice, everyone's eyes fell on the little monk.

The little monk blushed with nervousness.

"Don't be afraid, little master. Just tell us what you know." Lin Hao softened his voice and comforted the little monk.

The young monk looked at Lin Hao and then at the abbot.

The abbot nodded encouragingly to the young monk.

The young monk pursed his lips and looked at the portrait again. "It was the morning before yesterday. She and another female donor had an argument by the lake where the animals were released. I took a second look when I passed by."

Liu Tuiguan perked up: "What does the other female donor look like?"

It’s easy once you know what it looks like. Prince Jing can draw it with just a few strokes!

The young monk shook his head and said, "At that time, this female donor was facing the road, while the other female donor was facing the release lake. I didn't see her face."

Liu Tuiguan sighed in disappointment: "What about height, shortness, weight and body shape?"

If you have a special body shape, it can be of some help.

The young monk scratched his bald head, a little embarrassed: "I walked past him quickly and didn't pay much attention. He seems to be neither tall nor short, fat nor thin..."

"Young Master, did you hear what they were arguing about?" Qi Shuo asked.

The young monk tilted his head, trying to recall, "I only heard the female donor in the painting say that I was just beautiful. Maybe she saw me passing by and didn't say anything else."

Liu Tuiguan stroked his beard and said, "In this case, the clue may still lie with Yan'er's playmates. Your Highness, why don't you go back with me and wait for the news from the investigation over there? I will leave some people here to continue questioning them."

Qi Shuo nodded: "Okay."

Unless there is a coincidence, investigating a case is always a tedious, boring and lengthy task, and what is most needed is patience.

Liu Tui Guan left behind a few of his men and left Tianyuan Temple with Qi Shuo and Lin Hao.

"Oh well, do you want to—"

Lin Hao saw that Liu Tuiguan's eyes were wide open, and he interrupted Qi Shuo with a smile: "I'll go back home first."

"Then go back and rest. I'll tell you as soon as I find out who went to Tianyuan Temple with Yan'er." Qi Shuo caught a glimpse of Liu Tuiguan's speechless expression. "My mother-in-law has been worried because she came across a corpse. Finding the murderer as soon as possible will put her mind at ease."

Liu Tuiguan suddenly understood.

It turned out that he had misunderstood. Prince Jing and his wife were not being affectionate, but were being filial to their elders.

Lin Hao looked at Qi Shuo deeply.

Ah Shuo is really good at talking.

After they separated, Lin Hao took Baozhu on a carriage and headed to Prince Jing's Mansion. Oh, no, actually, they were going back to her parents' home.

There’s nothing I can do. My mother is still waiting for news.

Lin Hao got off the carriage and walked towards the general's mansion when suddenly a man rushed out and blocked his way.