Princess’s Mansion—
When Zheng Qing arrived at the Princess’s Mansion, Princess Taiping gave a glance, and everyone around immediately left.
Princess Taiping was able to hold back her temper and asked calmly:
“A few days ago, I asked you to investigate the Chang'an Red Tea. What clues have you found?”
Zheng Qing said seriously:
“Reporting to Your Highness, the Chang'an County Magistrate and the Jinwu Guards have narrowed down the clues to the Ghost Market.
But it seems that it is not that simple. It involves a murder case, so it will take some time to completely solve it.”
The Princess was curious:
“There is such a thing?
Now that you mention it, I remember. Six months ago, Tai Pu Qing Helan Mieming.
Three months ago, Guo Yi Du Wei Li Buqi.
A month ago, Yongzhou Sima Sun Xiu,
Last night, Guozijian Cui Dongwang, the one who is known as the scholar who excels in both poetry and calligraphy, these four people all committed suicide mysteriously. Are you saying it’s related to this?”
Zheng Qing shook his head:
“Reporting to Your Highness, in the past year, Chang’an has been experiencing frequent cases of missing brides. The victims were abducted on their wedding day.
And then they were brutally murdered. All signs point to Yin Shi Lang from the Ghost Market. A few days ago, we secretly visited the Ghost Market and confirmed this.
But the people from the Ghost Market are quite cunning. It will probably take some time to solve the case.”
The Princess nodded and then praised:
“If I entrust this matter to you and Su Wuming, I am quite relieved, but why are the Jinwu Guards involved?”
When she said the latter half of the sentence, the Princess was obviously unhappy.
After all, the Jinwu Guards were the Emperor’s personal guards, and it was said that many of them had close ties to the Crown Prince. If they were to intervene, it would inevitably lead to some changes.
Zheng Qing said:
“I don’t know about this. I heard that the Jinwu Guards’ Zhong Lang Jiang is very capable, and since it involves the safety of Chang'an, it is better to have their help.”
The Princess had already formed an opinion of Zheng Qing. This man was always changing the subject and very smooth. He must have guessed why she called them here.
“Alright, you are not as good at feigning ignorance as Su Wuming. I will be straight with you. How is the investigation of the person I asked you to investigate a few days ago, my old friend?”
Zheng Qing chuckled to himself, as expected.
Except for her own son, this woman had almost no weaknesses.
But now is not the right time. Lu Lingfeng is still determined to serve the Crown Prince. If the Princess came out and recognized him, it would be counterproductive.
“Reporting to Your Highness, I already have some leads, but this matter involves Your Highness and is very sensitive. Please allow me to investigate further.
Does Your Highness’s old friend have any distinguishing features?
I will go and confirm, if I am completely certain, it will be safe for Your Highness to meet your old friend.”
The Princess was sitting upright, but her fists couldn’t help but clench.
“He is about twenty-three or five years old, and he has a mole on his hand.”
Zheng Qing nodded:
“Thank you, Your Highness, for telling me. I will go and confirm again, but please be patient. The court is full of turmoil right now, any little thing can be used by others to attack Your Highness.”
After Zheng Qing left, the Princess fell into deep thought.
She was a very intelligent woman with deep cunning. Zheng Qing’s words always made her feel like there was something more to them.
Wei Fenghua walked in and said seriously:
“Your Highness, did he reveal anything?”
The Princess didn’t answer directly:
“What do you think of this man?”
Wei Fenghua immediately said:
“He is cunning. He is young but has deep cunning. Standing next to him, I feel like I’m facing a venomous snake!”
Princess Taiping was surprised. Wei Fenghua was always bold and had good martial arts skills. Now he actually had this kind of evaluation? It was rare.
“Wait, Zheng Qing mentioned the Jinwu Guards’ Zhong Lang Jiang earlier? Wei Fenghua, go and investigate him secretly.”
Wei Fenghua obeyed.
After he left, Princess Taiping got up and paced around the hall.
Suddenly, she seemed to understand something and murmured:
“So that’s it? He is really a clever one!”
When Zheng Qing passed by the Jinwu Guards’ headquarters, the system finally gave a prompt.
【You gained +2000 Renown from Princess Taiping’s favor.】
The corners of Zheng Qing’s mouth curled up. It seems that this woman finally came to her senses.
…
When Lu Lingfeng returned to his residence after meeting the Crown Prince, he found Su Wuming checking the records in his residence.
“What are you doing?”
Su Wuming quickly got up:
“Zhong Lang Jiang is back? I wanted to visit you, but I heard that you were summoned by the Crown Prince. I also thought that a lot of the records from the Chang’an County Office were lost, but they are all here.
Even though the records may not be accurate, they are still helpful for investigating a case.”
Lu Lingfeng was furious:
“Without my permission, you dared to trespass in my residence?!
You, Su Wuming, are an official of the court. How can you do such a sneaky and underhanded thing?”
Su Wuming quickly said:
“It’s not like that. Xiao Wu brought me here. Besides, we are considered friends. Looking through some records, finding the murderer sooner, isn’t that what we all want?”
Lu Lingfeng frowned:
“Stop trying to butter me up. These are not official records, they are my own notes.”
Su Wuming nodded:
“I can see that. It also includes your assumptions and analysis of the case. Some are very good, but some are just nonsense.”
Lu Lingfeng became angry:
“Su Wuming, I know you are Di Gong’s disciple, but you sneak into my residence to look at my records, and you even make fun of me?
Humph!
This is not your Chang’an County Office! You can leave now!”
Su Wuming knew that the Zhong Lang Jiang was in a bad mood now, so he didn’t say anything more. He just said that he already had a lead.
“I can’t leave. The former County Magistrate, Wu Daqi, died under suspicious circumstances. Recently, I found out that County Magistrate Wu Daqi was drinking Chang’an Red Tea when he died!”
But Lu Lingfeng sneered:
“Alright, you can forget about the Chang’an Red Tea case, little County Magistrate. Just focus on your bride murder case!
Brides are disappearing every month in Chang’an. If this continues, who will dare to marry their daughters?”
“Of course, the murder case needs to be investigated, but I think the Chang’an Red Tea is suspicious. How about we work together?”
Su Wuming suggested, hoping to rely on the Jinwu Guards’ power.
“Su Wuming, have you forgotten who you are?
The Crown Prince summoned me to thoroughly investigate the Chang’an Red Tea. What are you meddling in?
Get out, don’t make me kick you out!”
Lu Lingfeng extended his hand, making a gesture for him to leave.
“Your notes here clearly state that the missing brides started a year ago, and the Chang’an Red Tea also started a year ago.
One bride goes missing every month, and the price of the Chang’an Red Tea changes every month. There might be a connection!”
Su Wuming still wanted to argue.
But Lu Lingfeng slammed his hand on the table, got up, and said angrily:
“If you don’t leave, don’t blame me for being rude.”
“Alright, I’ll leave, I’ll leave.”
“Zhong Lang Jiang……”
“Hm?!”
Su Wuming finally left. Outside the mansion, he pouted:
“Just some records, he is so stingy.”
“County Magistrate Su? What are you doing at the Jinwu Guards’ headquarters?”
…
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