Mo Qingrui was completely confused.
"Aunt Jiu, what is he saying?"
Fu An'an didn't understand either.
"What did you say, 'femme fatale'? What happened to Master Zhang?"
Chen Qiu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his attitude remaining extremely deferential.
All of these constables, including Liu Ruzhi, were saved by the Ninth Prince's Consort.
The case is another matter.
Moreover, the second master of the Zhang family was indeed guilty of heinous crimes.
Normally, with the Empress and the Second Prince protecting him, no one could do anything to him. Now that he has become mentally impaired, the constables feel incredibly happy.
However, the procedures still need to be followed.
"Reporting to this lady, according to the Zhang family's report, Second Master Zhang met a beautiful woman, brought her back to his residence for pleasure, but was subsequently rendered mentally impaired, with a crooked mouth and eyes, and a confused mind. Furthermore, the confidential documents that Vice Minister Zhang had hidden in a secret room were also stolen by this woman. We have learned from the maids and others that this lady claims to have come from the Ninth Prince's residence, so Lord Liu sent me here to inquire."
Mo Qingrui immediately retorted angrily.
“Zhang Haotian is a lecherous man who abducts women and commits all sorts of immoral acts. What kind of good people could a woman be willing to have sex with him? You believe her when she says she came from the Ninth Prince’s Mansion? This is clearly a frame-up.”
Fu An'an chimed in, "To catch someone in the act, you have to catch them in the act. We common folk understand that words are no proof. Don't you constables understand that?"
Chen Qiu looked at Jiang Qingwan.
"Your Highness, please say something, so I can report back to you."
The meaning is clear: if Jiang Qingwan says the person isn't from the Ninth Prince's Mansion, then they aren't from the Ninth Prince's Mansion.
Jiang Qingwan asked, "You said Zhang Haotian has become an idiot? Have you checked his injuries?"
Chen Qiu hurriedly replied, "I checked, there are no external injuries."
"Have you checked the top of your head?"
Jiang Qingwan pressed for an answer, and Chen Qiu froze, "The top of your head?"
Jiang Qingwan said, "I once saw a woman use silver needles to prick acupoints, turning a perfectly healthy person into a crooked idiot in the blink of an eye."
Song Yushu happened to be passing by and immediately stepped forward upon hearing this.
"What has that wicked woman Luo Ruyan done this time?"
Upon realizing that this person did indeed exist, Chen Qiu frowned slightly.
"Your Highness, is this person truly from the Ninth Prince's residence? This person stole Vice Minister Zhang's secret letter and is spreading rumors everywhere that officials in the capital are secretly exchanging favors, causing widespread panic and public resentment. The officials are all watching the Ninth Prince's residence, saying that it is a deliberate act by the Ninth Prince's residence to frame the Zhang family and the Second Prince. If you really have this person, is it possible to capture him?"
Song Yu stomped his foot in frustration.
"Wasn't this woman taken away by the Dali Temple supposedly to investigate a salt smuggling case? Why is she causing trouble at the Zhang family's house again?"
This is also what Jiang Qingwan is most worried about.
"Clearly, Zhou Tao wasn't investigating the salt smuggling case at all."
Song Yushu was stunned.
Suddenly it dawned on me.
"Qingwan, you mean Zhou Tao, he..."
Jiang Qingwan's expression darkened.
Zhou Tao was currently among the procession carrying the coffin.
The theft of confidential documents creates chaos in the capital, and the emperor is attacked—all of this is no coincidence.
If Luo Ruyan was acting under Zhou Tao's orders, then what was Zhou Tao's purpose?
It's terrifying to think about.
Jiang Qingwan immediately looked at Song Yushu.
"Luo Ruyan left in a hurry, so she must have left behind some commonly used items. Aunt, please find some personal items and fetch them quickly."
Since the matter was of great importance, Song Yushu immediately led his men to the small courtyard next door.
They quickly retrieved several items.
After examining it carefully, Jiang Qingwan took a strand of hair from the comb and placed a tracking talisman on it.
As a flame ignited.
A crimson butterfly fluttered into flight.
"Yuying, you go with Chen Qiu to capture the person. If you come across a place that only women can enter, remember to follow this butterfly closely and make sure to capture the person alive."
Yu Ying is quite skilled, though not as good as Qing Sui, but there are no spare hands available right now.
Yu Ying nodded quickly.
"Yes, this servant will certainly not fail in my duty."
Jiang Qingwan was still somewhat worried.
"When you leave, take two more guards with you. Remember to remove your armor and follow us in plain clothes."
Yu Ying agreed.
They hurriedly left with Chen Qiu and the butterfly.
Jiang Qingwan felt somewhat uneasy.
Song Yushu held her wrist to comfort her.
"Qingwan, Yunhan is a veteran of countless battles, he will be careful."
Jiang Qingwan shook her head.
"That's not what I'm worried about."
She was well aware of Mo Yunhan's abilities.
She didn't explain much, but asked Yu Tao to bring over the Four Treasures of the Study, and wrote down more than a dozen items.
"Don't go out; you'll be too conspicuous, lest something untoward happen. Have the servants go out in batches to buy the goods; as soon as they find them, buy them all. Be quick; I need them."
Fu An'an and Mo Qingrui both brought maids with them.
He immediately gave orders to divide the city into districts and search the entire city.
Song Yushu also summoned all the servants of the Prince's mansion and sent them out.
At this moment, Qinghui hurriedly returned.
"Your Highness, Ye Qi has taken all the members of the Dark Guard Camp to Ma Huai Slope. A message was just sent to Huai Lou, but the Prince is unaware of it."
“Ma Huai Slope?” Jiang Qingwan’s eyes darkened again. “The place where the emperor was attacked is Ma Huai Slope, isn’t it?”
Qing Sui nodded.
"Yes, according to the information we have gathered, the attackers should be the remnants of the Sui Dynasty's military camp. A few days ago, a large batch of gunpowder was transported from various places to Mahuai Slope. Huai Lou has only just received the information."
The combined attack with traps and hidden weapons, along with a large amount of gunpowder, was aimed at killing the emperor. No wonder he was so anxious to send Mo Yunhan with troops to rescue him.
I'm afraid that other people simply don't have this ability.
"Qing Sui, ride a fast horse to Ma Huai Slope immediately and tell Mo Yunhan that Zhou Tao, the Deputy Director of the Dali Temple, is a traitor within the Sui Dynasty, to prevent him from being harmed in secret. If you meet Ye Qi on the way, tell him the news, and then turn back to the capital."
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