Upon seeing the token in Su Yan's hand, Zhao He's face turned pale instantly, and his legs went weak, causing him to kneel down in front of Su Yan with a thud.
"Zhao He, the magistrate of Luoshui Town, greets Chief Magistrate Su."
Zhao Helian's voice trembled as he spoke. As the saying goes, a higher rank can crush a lower one. Although Su Yan was a fifth-rank official, she was still much more powerful than his own lowly seventh-rank official.
Instead, it was like the flood washing away the Dragon King Temple; the family members didn't recognize each other.
Seeing his cowardly appearance, Su Yan became angry and cursed, "Zhao He, is this how you handle cases as a local official? You arrested people without even knowing the facts!"
Zhao He trembled with fear. "Reporting to Commander Su, the innkeeper reported to the authorities that someone had committed murder in the inn. There haven't been any murders in Luoshui Town for many years. I was in a hurry, that's why..."
"Alright, alright... Take them all away. Verify the identities of these assassins. I will be staying in Luoshui Town for a few days."
"Yes... I will take care of it immediately."
After saying that, Zhao He directed the constables to carry the body away, "What are you all standing there for? Didn't you hear what the commander said? Hurry up and carry the body away."
As soon as Zhao He gave the order, his men dared not slack off and began cleaning the site one by one.
As Su Yan watched the constables carrying the corpses, she pointed to the second floor and said, "There's another corpse in my room, so don't forget about it."
After saying that, he pulled Zhao He aside and whispered to him, "Zhao He, I'm entrusting Ma Er to your care for the time being. If anything happens to him, you'll be in trouble."
Upon hearing this, Zhao He was about to refuse, but seeing Su Yan's darkening expression, he reluctantly agreed.
"Commander Su, rest assured, I guarantee with my life that Ma Er will be safe and sound."
Su Yan smiled, realizing that having a higher official position was indeed advantageous.
After solving the murder case involving the Yan and Meng families, Su Yan was also promoted, only one level below Xie Yu's position as the head of the academy, and now she is on equal footing with Shen Yao.
Soon, Zhao He's men cleaned up the scene and prepared to head home.
Su Yan and Shen Yao decided not to go back with Zhao He.
"You go first, I still have some things to take care of, I should arrive in Luoshui Town around evening."
Although Zhao He didn't know what Su Yan was going to do, he knew that standing by and watching was the best option.
"Commander Su, then I will go ahead and prepare a banquet for the two of you."
After saying that, Zhao He got into the carriage and left the inn with Ma Er.
At this moment, Xie Yu also regained consciousness and was helped downstairs by Jing Ning.
Seeing the bloodstains on Shen Yao's clothes and the fact that the inn looked like it had been ransacked, Xie Yu rubbed his aching temples and asked, "What happened? I feel so weak when I woke up."
Jing Ning had been guarding Xie Yu in his room, so she didn't know what had happened outside. She only saw that the corpses and assassins downstairs were gone.
"Have the government officials already been here?"
Su Yan nodded. "They've already left. You can come down now. There are some things we need to re-plan."
Xie Yu and Jing Ning exchanged glances, wondering what Su Yan wanted to say, but they still went downstairs.
Su Yan sat at the table with a serious face, seemingly deep in thought, while Shen Yao explained to Xie Yu and Jing Ning what had just happened.
"So those assassins were very likely hired by the mastermind behind Li Qingming's embezzlement case."
Xie Yu never expected that so many things would happen after she was drugged with the sleeping powder.
"It's hard to say. The people we hired weren't professional hitmen, but we're clearly being watched."
Upon hearing Xie Yu's words, Xie Yu panicked instantly, "What do we do next?"
These days, they've already endured wind and rain, but now their lives are in danger. He's their mother's only son, so she can't help but panic.
Moreover, Xie Yu felt aggrieved to die far from home like this.
Su Yan thought about it and realized that the matter was not as simple as it seemed, and that the situation in Suizhou was more complicated than she had imagined.
Therefore, every step must be taken with utmost caution.
“I propose that from now on, we split into two groups… Xie Yu and I will openly advance into Luoshui Town, while the princess and Shen Yao will secretly conceal their identities and gather information.”
Upon hearing that she had to stay with Shen Yao, Jing Ning immediately protested, "Why should I be in the shadows? Su Yan, I want to be with you."
Without a second thought, Su Yan immediately refused, “Princess, I have already revealed my identity to Zhao He and cannot act in secret. But you are different. You are a man of high status and a woman, and you have secretly slipped out of Chang’an. If something goes wrong, how will I explain it?”
"I don't care, I just don't want to stay in the shadows."
After saying that, Jing Ning glanced at Chen Yao unintentionally.
Su Yan immediately realized that she had forgotten about this matter.
After spending time together, Su Yan thought that the grudge between Jing Ning and Shen Yao had long been resolved and they had made up. Now it seems that she was overthinking it.
However, Su Yan chose to have the two of them together mainly because Shen Yao was highly skilled in martial arts and could better protect the princess's safety, so she forgot about this matter.
Shen Yao, on the other hand, remained indifferent, treating Jing Ning with the same coldness and warmth as always, interacting with her in a calm and uneventful manner.
Su Yan was now wondering how to break the awkward silence when Xie Yu made a suggestion.
“Su Yan, I think it would be better for me to remain in the shadows. Zhao He has already met you and Shen Yao, while neither the princess nor I have shown our faces. This will allow us to better conceal our identities and make our actions easier.”
Su Yan also hesitated.
Shen Yao, who had remained silent until now, echoed Xie Yu's words, "I agree with Xie Yu's suggestion. People who are in the public eye face more dangers."
"Su Yan, it's decided. I'll go with you, and Xie Yu will go with the princess."
Su Yan knew this might be the best solution, so she didn't object further.
"Princess, Xie Yu, after you enter Luoshui Town, secretly inquire about a man called Tiger, find out his background, and it would be best to dig out his backer."
Su Yan knew that someone like Tiger must be someone's henchman.
Jing Ning and Xie Yu nodded and said in unison, "We understand, don't worry."
After the four agreed on their plan, they quickly packed their bags and split into two groups.
Su Yan and Shen Yao rode into Luoshui Town first, while Xie Yu and the princess rode in a carriage.
As dusk approached, Zhao He and a group of officials, both high and low, had been waiting at the city gate for quite some time.
"Hoo..."
Su Yan tightened the reins, pulled on the horse's neck, and quickly dismounted, walking towards Zhao He.
A group of officials, both high and low, immediately surrounded her. Su Yan bowed and said in unison, "This humble official (so-and-so) greets Commander Su."
Su Yan immediately returned the greeting, "You are too kind, sirs. We are all subjects of the Great Liang, there is no need for such formalities. Moreover, I am here on imperial orders to investigate the case, and I hope you will provide me with your assistance."
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