Seeing that Gu Qingyan remained motionless and showed no sign of panic, the leader of the men in black realized that something was amiss.

"Oh no, we've fallen for their trap."

In an instant, soldiers, far outnumbering those in black, surrounded them with long swords.

"I've been wondering which side's gift I'll receive first when we arrive in Heng County," Gu Qingyan clapped his hands. "But this gift isn't big enough; I don't like it."

For the first time, Gu Qingyan, who was always cautious in the palace, revealed his ruthless methods.

"It's pretty much certain who they are; there's no need to leave any survivors."

As soon as Gu Qingyan finished speaking, the soldiers quickly moved out and eliminated all the men in black within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The stench of blood filled the air. Gu Qingyan glanced almost imperceptibly in the direction of Gu Lin. "Summon all the important figures in Heng County to the county government office first thing tomorrow morning, and then have these corpses carried over."

As Gu Qingyan disappeared from sight, Gu Lin's lips curled slightly.

"The Third Prince requests your presence; please come with us."

Gu Lin stopped his subordinate from drawing his sword, showing no surprise, and walked straight out.

"Since the Third Prince has invited me, it would be impolite to refuse."

This kid does resemble him a bit back in his younger days.

......

At the Daqing Imperial Palace, Jiang Yu sent invitations to all the ladies in the capital, inviting them to the palace to admire the flowers.

"Your Majesty, the invitations have been sent. They say that you miss the Third Prince dearly and therefore wish to hold a flower-viewing banquet on the Third Prince's birthday, inviting everyone to Zhaoning Palace to enjoy the flowers."

The Zhaoning Palace is now filled with flowers, all of which were personally selected and moved by Gu Qingyan.

"Go and send an invitation to Lingxi Palace as well."

Jiang Yu's words made Ling Mama's eyes widen. The Empress was going to send an invitation to Lingxi Palace? Seeing that Jiang Yu didn't say anything more, Ling Mama hurriedly went to Lingxi Palace.

This is Consort Rong's only chance to leave Lingxi Palace; she will definitely seize it.

Jiang Yu mentally calculated Rong Pin's possible reactions, a slight smile playing on her lips. She had already laid out the bait and was waiting for the fish to take the bait.

"Your Majesty, if the Emperor does not allow Consort Rong to leave the palace..."

Wanji spoke softly from the side, clearly also puzzled.

"His Majesty will allow Consort Rong to leave the palace."

[Gu Heng is currently desperately trying to enter Zhaoning Palace, and I would feel it would be a waste not to take advantage of him.]

This flower-viewing banquet was the perfect opportunity she provided for Consort Rong.

Lingxi Palace.

"Has the Empress invited me to admire the flowers?"

Consort Rong's cheeks were sunken, making her eyes appear bulging, which looked somewhat frightening. She was extremely thin, but her belly was enormous.

“Hehe…” Consort Rong let out a strange laugh. “Jiang Yu, you delivered this to my door yourself.”

Consort Rong clutched the post tightly in her hand. She looked down at her belly and made up her mind.

"These past few days, I've had the imperial physician increase the dosage of my medication to prevent miscarriage."

Since the child couldn't be born in the end, let Jiang Yu become the scapegoat.

Upon seeing this, the palace servants of Lingxi Palace immediately lowered their heads, not daring to offend the unpredictable Consort Rong.

......

On the second day after the assassination attempt, Gu Qingyan went to the county government office as usual. Everyone who had received the news of Gu Qingyan's assassination attempt earlier was terrified and no longer dared to underestimate this young prince.

As the corpses were carried to the county government office, many people immediately bent over and vomited.

"On my first day in Heng County, I was given a show of force." Gu Qingyan's ambiguous smile instilled a sense of fear in the crowd. "Lord Zhou, I'll trouble you to investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely investigate thoroughly." Zhou Quan's forehead was covered in sweat, and his voice trembled slightly.

Gu Qingyan glanced around and was satisfied with everyone's reaction.

"Over the past three years, a total of 143 women have gone missing in Heng County, most of whom are concentrated in these five villages. Tell me about the situation in these villages."

With Gu Qingyan establishing his authority, the subsequent case discussions proceeded much more smoothly.

Even so, when Gu Qingyan walked out of the county government office again, night had fallen.

“Ayan, those in power cannot be blinded. If they want to know something, they should investigate it themselves. What they hear from others is not reliable.”

“Ayan, the situation in Heng County is complicated. We must first establish our authority, but no matter what, the people are innocent. We must treat the suffering people of Da Meng with kindness.”

Jiang Yu's words echoed in Gu Qingyan's mind. Gu Qingyan pursed his lips. Having been away from the capital for so long, he missed his mother...

"Third Prince, those two people from last night are waiting in the side courtyard right now."

Gu Qingyan snapped out of his reverie upon hearing this, "Let's go back and see them."

When Gu Qingyan rushed back to the courtyard, Gu Lin and Ling Hai, the left protector of Lingxiao Pavilion, were sitting under the eaves enjoying tea.

"The Third Prince."

Gu Lin stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gu Qingyan.

"We discovered the two yesterday. It was a sudden incident, so we had to ask them to come back and explain the situation." Gu Qingyan didn't think that these two unremarkable people had anything to do with assassination; he just assumed they were ordinary people from Heng County.

"I am a commoner named Huo Xiang. I know a few tricks and usually help nobles escort things." Gu Lin "honestly" revealed all his background. "I heard that the imperial court sent a prince to Heng County to investigate the situation, and out of curiosity, I did what happened last night."

"This is a servant that I, a commoner, bought."

Gu Qingyan nodded. The situation described by the person in front of him was exactly the same as the results of his investigation during the day.

But for some reason, Huo Xiang in front of him gave him a strange sense of familiarity.

"Since Brother Huo is escorting valuable items, he must be very familiar with the situation in Heng County."

Gu Qingyan's words made Ling Hai's heart leap into his throat, fearing that Gu Lin would be furious at any moment. How could his young master be so familiar with the emperor? As an observer, wouldn't he be silenced by the emperor?

"The Third Prince thinks highly of me and treats me like a brother." Gu Lin looked grateful. "If the Third Prince needs anything, I will do my best to help him."

Gu Lin stared at Gu Qingyan's features; they really did look like A Yu...

But why does this little guy look a bit like Jiang He in other parts?

"In that case, there is indeed something I need Brother Huo's help with."

Standing before the map of Heng County, Gu Lin and Gu Qingyan studied the situation of each village. Gu Qingyan would occasionally circle a few villages with his pen, a scene that left Ling Hai somewhat stunned.

For so many years, His Majesty has always been the only one in a high position; how could the current situation have occurred?

"The Third Prince seems to take this matter very seriously."

"To be honest, Brother Huo, my mother values ​​this matter even more than I do."

Gu Lin's hand holding the magnifying glass trembled slightly. "Her Majesty the Empress is far-sighted; there must be a reason why she attaches such importance to this matter."