Chapter 13 Embroiled in a Murder Case: "Has Prince Qin been cleared of suspicion?"...
"I'm sure I've seen this person before."
The sudden wind and rain only stopped when the sky began to lighten. Water trickled down from the eaves. Jingnu went to the restaurant and bought some cakes and buns. The carriage then drove through the bustling market again.
Luo Zhen picked up a piece of cake, his brow furrowed in worry. He had spent the entire night thinking about it, and although he was certain he had seen this person before, he couldn't recall anything more, which made him somewhat impatient.
Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Xue Rongyue knew he must have not slept all night. Although she was also eager to know who this person was, she still said calmly, "After you return to the manor, take the guards and search the city secretly. Remember not to make a sound, so as not to alert the enemy. This matter cannot be rushed. Think about it carefully when you get back."
Luo Zhen responded and took a vicious bite of the cake, determined to find this person.
She placed Zhong Yuan in her private residence and assigned several trusted maids and henchmen to guard her. She worked until midnight, when the city was under curfew. Xue Rongyue had no choice but to stay overnight in the private residence and returned home this morning.
After eating two pieces of cake, Xue Rongyue sat in the carriage and pretended to doze off, but was suddenly drawn in by the discussions coming from the street.
"Oh dear, the person died a terrible death. I heard their tongue was cut off."
"What deep-seated hatred could drive someone to such a brutal act?"
"If you ask me, it's just revenge. He's always been a bully in the city because of his uncle. Now he's really messed up."
"Yeah, serves him right!"
Xue Rongyue's brow twitched slightly. She slowly sat up, lifted the curtain, and looked outside.
At a breakfast stall, several strong men were stuffing steamed buns into their mouths with great relish.
One of them spat twice with particular disgust, glanced cautiously to the side, and said in a low voice, "Actually, I saw him last night. He crawled out of the alley with a bruised and swollen face, and was dragged back in a short while. He must have offended someone."
"Really?! What does the person who pulled him look like?"
The burly man said, "It's too dark, and that person was holding an umbrella, so I can't see clearly, but he was wearing a pair of deerskin boots, so he must be from a wealthy family."
Jingnu followed Xue Rongyue's gaze and looked outside: "Should I go down and inquire to see what happened?"
Upon hearing the word "deer boots," Xue Rongyue had already lost the will to listen further; Luo Zhen was wearing a pair of cloth boots. She already had enough troubles on her mind, and as long as they didn't involve her, she didn't want to waste her energy on anything else.
Luo Zhen listened for a while, then frowned in confusion. He saw that Xue Rongyue had closed her eyes again, and after hesitating several times, she finally stopped talking.
Unexpectedly, the carriage slowly stopped at the side gate of the Xue residence. As soon as Xue Rongyue stepped off the carriage, the steward of the residence, Geng Weng, hurriedly ran up to her: "Madam, you're finally back! Something has happened!"
Xue Rongyue's heart sank: "What's wrong?"
Old Geng wiped the sweat from his forehead, his panic showing no attempt to hide it. He swallowed hard and said urgently, "This morning, for some unknown reason, the Guards suddenly knocked on the door, and Lord Cao of the Eagle Guard personally led people into the mansion to search it."
"Having learned that you did not return home last night, I have been waiting for you at your residence. We have already drunk three pots of tea."
Xue Rongyue frowned, exchanged a glance with Luo Zhen, and he instantly understood. He silently withdrew through the side door, his figure disappearing around the corner of the long street. Xue Rongyue asked in a low voice, "Did he say why he entered the mansion to search?"
Old Geng shook his head bitterly: "This old servant is willing to inquire, but as soon as I open my mouth, they scold me for spying on the case, so I really dare not ask any more questions."
case?
Recalling the gossip on the street, Xue Rongyue's gaze turned cold, and a bad feeling crept into her heart: "Which hall in the mansion are they having tea in? Lead the way!"
Geng Weng quickly responded and went to the Lilac Pavilion where Xue Rongyue lived.
When Xue Rongyue stepped into the courtyard, there were two rows of guards holding swords standing at the entrance. Through the open door of the boudoir, a man dressed in the official uniform of the guards could be seen sitting in the upper seat, drinking fragrant tea.
Xue Rongyue narrowed her eyes, her expression growing cold.
No matter what happens, as long as she has not been convicted, Xue Rongyue is still the lady of the Xue family and the county princess personally appointed by His Majesty. It is presumptuous and impolite of her to trespass into her private quarters.
This also shows that either this Eagle Guard doesn't take Xue's father seriously, or he has evidence and is confident that he can convict her, so he doesn't care about offending the Xue family at this time.
With a cold snort, Xue Rongyue strode in: "Lord Cao, this is truly rude. We have distinguished guests, yet you are confined to my boudoir. It is clear that the servants in your household have not been properly trained."
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that this Eagle Guard was quite young.
He had wheat-colored skin, stood eight feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a clear profile. His eagle-like eyes exuded an imposing aura even without anger. Although he looked to be just over twenty, there was already a hint of ruthlessness and decisiveness between his brows.
Looking up, Cao Mingyu naturally understood the sarcasm in her words. He stood up and got straight to the point: "Madam Xue has not returned all night. I have been waiting here for a long time. I wonder where Madam Xue went last night?"
Xue Rongyue lazily raised an eyebrow: "Oh? I neither violated the curfew nor committed any crimes. Does the Guard now even need to question a young lady's whereabouts?"
Cao Mingyu said unhurriedly, "It may be true that Madam Xue did not violate the curfew, but it is probably not certain that she did not commit any crimes."
He stopped being mysterious: "Last night, a murder occurred near the Jade Color Tavern. The deceased was named Wang Jinhu, 27 years old, from Chang'an. According to the investigation by the Guards, he had been to the Jade Color Tavern before his death. While drunk, he spoke rudely to Prince Qin and Young Master Xue. He died shortly afterward. His body was covered in wounds, and his tongue had been cut out and displayed to the public."
"And it just so happens that Madam Xue was also drinking at the Jade Color Tavern last night and did not return home all night, which makes it hard not to be suspicious."
Xue Rongyue feigned surprise: "So it was him. If I hadn't been drunk last night, I would have really given him a piece of my mind. I never imagined he would die like this. But Lord Cao, even if I didn't return last night, does that mean you can conclude that I'm involved in his death? Does the Guard Bureau handle cases based solely on suspicion without looking at the evidence?"
Cao Mingyu sneered twice: "Whether there is evidence or not, we will know after investigation. Now, Madam Xue needs to go to the Guard Bureau to accept questioning and interrogation."
Jingnu and Geng Weng's expressions changed drastically. Xue Rongyue was furious and rebuked, "How dare you! I am the Princess of Yong'an, personally appointed by His Majesty. What right do you have to detain and interrogate me without evidence!"
Cao Mingyu took out a gold and jade token engraved with a dragon pattern from his pocket and said calmly, "I dare not detain you, but I would like to ask Lady Xue to come to the Guard Division to cooperate with the investigation. His Majesty has decreed that all persons related to this case, no matter who they are, must come to the Guard Division for questioning, and there must be no mistakes!"
Xue Rongyue was taken aback.
There are many murder cases in Chang'an City. Who exactly is this Wang Jinhu, and why did his death cause such a great stir, even prompting His Majesty to personally intervene and order a thorough investigation?
Under this token, no one can resist.
Out of consideration for General Xue's reputation, Cao Mingyu did not make things difficult for Xue Rongyue any further. He allowed her to get into the carriage and, under his personal escort, went to the residence of the Guard Division where they were investigating the case.
Above the gate of the Imperial Guard Commandery stands a plaque personally bestowed by His Majesty, below which are two lifelike jade unicorns, majestic and imposing, suppressing all villains. Stepping into the mansion, one is immediately enveloped in the lingering stench of blood upon reaching the front hall. Further inside, from an underground chamber resembling a prison cell, heart-wrenching screams echo, and blood seeps silently into the bricks, washing away the indelible stains of the past.
Her lips tightened, and Xue Rongyue unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Even though she knew Cao Mingyu wouldn't dare to torture her, she was used to the infamous reputation of the Imperial Guards, and being here now, it would be a lie to say she wasn't flustered. Xue Rongyue knew she couldn't lose her composure, so she took a deep breath and forced down her panic.
This made Cao Mingyu look at him with new respect.
Not to mention young women who have just come of age, even many officials and military officers would feel timid and hurry when they stepped into this place, but she was able to maintain her composure.
Cao Mingyu narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that this woman was no ordinary person, and that the idea of her killing someone was not entirely unfounded.
Suppressing his suspicions, he led the man to the main hall.
Wang Jinhu was a nobody in Chang'an, but the death of such a nobody caused a huge uproar in the city. It was only after investigation that it was discovered that he had entanglements and disputes with many sons of powerful and wealthy families.
Even with the imperial token, Cao Mingyu couldn't afford to offend all these powerful and influential families by imprisoning and interrogating them all. Therefore, he opened up the main hall as a temporary inspection area.
As Xue Rongyue stepped into the main hall, she bumped into a familiar face. He was being escorted out by the Guards.
Xue Rongyue raised an eyebrow: "Has Prince Qin been cleared of suspicion?"
Qin Jin was surprised: "Is Madam Xue also involved?"
Cao Mingyu looked at the Yan guards who were escorting Qin Jin, and the man said, "Young Master Qin is going to the toilet, and I am escorting him there."
Cao Mingyu nodded and led Xue Rongyue into a partitioned room surrounded by several screens in the main hall, saying in a low voice, "Madam Xue, please bear with this."
Having joined the Guard Division, what else is there to complain about? Xue Rongyue walked into the cubicle without saying a word.
Cao Mingyu did not rush to interrogate him, but turned and left after sending her into the private room.
Hearing the door to the main hall close, Xue Rongyue leaned on the chair and took a deep breath. Her pale fingertips covered her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart, her thoughts racing.
Although she didn't know who killed Wang Jinhu or why the case had become such a big deal, Xue Rongyue had a vague feeling that it might be aimed at her.
Last night, Wang Jinhu made some insolent remarks, so she ordered Luo Zhen to follow him and beat him up. Luo Zhen was always calm and methodical in his actions, and Xue Rongyue didn't believe he would accidentally kill someone, let alone hide the matter from her. Besides…
Recalling the words she overheard from those burly men in the market, Xue Rongyue thought to herself, "Deer-skinned boots, holding an umbrella, from a wealthy family, could it be that Qin Jin killed them in a fit of rage afterward?"
Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard a gentle knock on the screen beside him.
Xue Rongyue's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up.
A man appeared behind the screen on the left. He was dressed in fine clothes and wore a jade crown. It was Qin Jin.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but Xue Rongyue kept a straight face and didn't say anything for a moment.
Qin Jin took two steps forward, his nonchalant voice rang out lightly: "Did you kill someone in a fit of rage?"
Xue Rongyue flew into a rage: "Nonsense! You must have killed him! Don't frame me!"
A note from the author:
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