It was a small wooden figure, about the size of two fingers, with extremely exquisite and cute craftsmanship. It was placed in a corner not far from the deceased. If Su Yan hadn't happened to glance at it, it might have been overlooked.
Juxianju has always been a favorite gathering place for scholars and literati, so the appearance of the wood carving is not surprising. However, the facial features of the small wooden figure are exactly the same as those of the deceased.
Upon closer inspection, a red line was drawn on the neck of the wooden figurine, suggesting a deliberate attempt to slit its throat, adding a layer of mystery to this case that appears to be a simple fight.
But this was just Su Yan's guess, so she didn't tell anyone else. She just looked at the wooden figurine in her hand, lost in thought.
At this moment, Xie Yu began to talk about the clues they had collected so far.
"I've already asked the owner of Juxianju. The two got into a fight because they were arguing about a topic, which led to them losing control of their emotions."
"What's the topic of the debate?" Su Yan asked curiously.
"It seems that it was a debate between Master Wen of Yingtian Academy about why there are only petty men and women who are difficult to deal with in the world. The two argued endlessly and then got into a fight."
After hearing this, Su Yan was speechless. She couldn't help but complain, "The teachers at Yingtian Academy are really bored, setting such a debate topic. They're unworthy of being teachers. For students to fight over this kind of topic shows that the upper beam is not straight, and the lower beam is crooked too."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Yu reached out and tugged at Su Yan's sleeve, whispering, "Don't talk nonsense. That Master Wen is highly respected. Several ministers in the court are his students. If these words reach Master Wen's ears, be careful he doesn't make things difficult for you."
Su Yan, on the contrary, didn't care at all. "What's there to be afraid of? I can walk and sit upright. Does that old man want to force me to hang myself to prove his reputation?"
"Su Yan, I'm doing this for your own good. Don't bite the hand that feeds you and not appreciate my kindness."
Su Yan grew up in Chang'an, so how could she not have heard of Master Wen's reputation? He was indeed good at writing poetry and lyrics, but when it came to teaching and educating people, he was a complete scoundrel.
However, the emperor had a penchant for poetry and prose in his spare time, so he bestowed upon the scholar, who had such a fondness for it, the title of Grand Scholar, and the scholar thrived in Chang'an.
Just as the two were about to start arguing, Shen Yao interjected, "Alright, you two stop arguing about Master Wen and get back to the case itself..."
Su Yan also agreed with Shen Yao, so she stopped arguing with Xie Yu. "As you can see from this case, Meng Heng died from being hit on the back of the head by this broken vase on the ground. He also suffered multiple fractures. During the beating, the deceased was likely the one who was assaulted."
This at least shows that the two sides had deep-seated resentment, and this argument was just the trigger.
"It seems that we need to bring the murderer Yan Shuo to justice first. Leave the arrest to me, and the rest to you and Xie Yu," Shen Yao said in a deep voice.
Su Yan and Xie Yu both agreed to Shen Yao's suggestion, since their identities were not as useful as those of the Imperial Guards.
After the three of them agreed on the plan, they decided to split into two groups: Shen Yao would go to the Pillar State Mansion to arrest the person, while Xie Yu and Su Yan would go to find out about the deceased.
Seeing that Su Yan and Xie Yu were about to leave, Jing Ning immediately objected.
"Where are you going? I want to go too..."
Xie Yu was in a dilemma. "Princess, we need to meet the deceased's family, but as a princess, it seems unlikely that you would appear in such a situation."
Jingning chuckled upon hearing this, "What's so difficult about that? I, the princess, can simply disguise myself as a servant and follow you around, can't I?"
"This...isn't that a bit inappropriate..."
"What's wrong with that? I'm tired of all the rules in the palace. Anyway, my father is gone. In the eyes of the Empress and the Emperor, I'm just a useless pawn. Life is too short for me to live such a tiring life."
Xie Yu looked somewhat troubled, turned to look at Su Yan beside him, and asked for help.
However, Su Yan revealed a mischievous smile, "Princess, what a brilliant plan! I admire you. I will go find some clothes for you to change into right away."
Upon hearing this, Jing Ning was overjoyed and almost burst into laughter. Unable to hide her excitement, she stepped forward and grabbed Su Yan's hand, "Really? Su Yan, you're so wonderful, I love you the most..."
Su Yan nodded, "Of course it's true, I wouldn't dare joke with the princess..."
After saying that, Su Yan hurriedly went to Sun San and asked for a set of clothes.
Jing Ning happily carried her clothes to the next room to change, and Xie Yu could do nothing but stop her.
While the two were standing at the door waiting for Jing Ning to change her clothes, Xie Yu quietly moved to Su Yan's side and said in a very low voice, "Su Yan, are you alright? I asked you to persuade the company, not for you to do anything serious."
Su Yan nodded. "Of course, besides, the princess is here to help us, not to watch the show. Dean Xie, look how happy the princess is, can you really bear to refuse?"
"Forehead……"
Xie Yu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. In the days he had spent with Jing Ning, he had also noticed that Jing Ning's personality had changed. She was no longer as silent and tormented as before. She was like a flower full of sunshine, cheerful and lively. This was something Xie Yu had never seen before.
Seeing Xie Yu hesitate, Su Yan smiled and put her arm around his shoulder. "The princess has never lived for herself since she was a child. Now that she wants to live for herself, what reason do I have to stop her?"
“Su Yan, you’re right. I only have one wish in this life, which is for the princess to live a peaceful, happy and fulfilling life. I support the princess’s decision.”
Seeing that Xie Yu had been brainwashed by her words, Su Yan couldn't help but smile. She hadn't expected that Dean Xie was so naive and could be so easily persuaded.
Soon, Xie Yu seemed to realize something and became alarmed, "Su Yan, no wonder the princess likes you so much... You are already a husband and have a child, so don't ruin the princess's life."
"Academician Xie, you can rest assured, the princess doesn't think much of me."
Xie Yu didn't believe Su Yan's words and quickly distanced himself from her, deliberately standing far away from her. He knew he had been betrayed by his childhood friend before and had to be careful.
With a sarcastic tone, he said, "That's hard to say..."
Seeing that Xie Yu already regarded her as an enemy, Su Yan felt helpless and inwardly cried out, "I really don't like the princess!"
Soon, Jingning changed her clothes and came out.
Jing Ning was tall and slender, and the dark black constable uniform she wore actually looked quite good on her.
Under the intense gazes of the two, Jing Ning blushed and asked shyly, "How is it? Can this outfit fool us?"
Su Yan glanced at Jing Ning's attire. To be honest, Jing Ning's chest was as flat as hers, and without looking at his face, he did indeed have the physique of a thin man.
But her face was a different story. Su Yan's face had a defined shape, and when she wore men's clothing, it was impossible to tell that she was a woman.
Jingning has a round face and moist eyes, so she looks like a girl.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com