“I’ll order Zhen Shicheng to investigate this case, and Han Ran, the Commander of the Jinlin Guard, to assist Cui Xu in searching for Mingyue…”
Princess Rongyang’s expression changed slightly: “Imperial Brother, is it appropriate to involve official forces?”
The matter of Mingyue and Zhu Ziyu could be considered a royal family affair. If anything were discovered, it would affect the reputation of the imperial family.
Emperor Jingming was unconcerned: “It will be a covert investigation. Zhen Shicheng knows what to do.”
That old fellow just needs a case to investigate. He’s much better than those self-proclaimed loyal ministers who always cause trouble.
Princess Rongyang could only agree.
Emperor Jingming looked at her and advised, “Don’t say much to Empress Dowager for now, and quietly inform the Zhu family.”
“Imperial Brother can rest assured, this subject sister understands.”
“Then Imperial Sister may go attend to matters.”
After Princess Rongyang left, Emperor Jingming stood by the window, silent for a long time.
“Pan Hai—”
“This slave is here.”
“Tell me, does a twitching left eye mean wealth and a twitching right eye mean disaster, or is it the other way around?”
Pan Hai wiped his sweat repeatedly: “Your Majesty, this slave…”
“Never mind, when a person is troubled, any twitching eye means disaster.”
Pan Hai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If the Emperor kept troubling him with such questions, life would become unbearable.
“Pan Hai, who do you think killed Zhu Ziyu?”
Pan Hai: “…”
“Your Majesty, Six Petal Flower Studio has released a new storybook. Would you like to take a look?”
…
Upon receiving the secret edict, Zhen Shicheng became energized.
Recently, there haven’t been any significant cases in the capital. Presiding over the Shunten Prefecture, he had been dealing with trivial matters daily: Wang San’s vines growing into Li Si’s yard, Li Si’s wife picking the gourds; Zhao Liu’s lost pig being found but not returned; Sun family’s young daughter-in-law eloping…
Zhen Shicheng felt he was about to grow mushrooms from boredom.
Finally, another major case had occurred, involving one death and one disappearance!
The only thing that slightly displeased Zhen Shicheng was that due to the special status of the victim, he needed to investigate undercover, without alarming the neighbors.
This wasn’t difficult for Zhen Shicheng. He quickly disguised himself as a visiting guest, with the female coroner carrying a gift box, looking every bit like a little maid.
As for what was in the gift box, only they knew.
After a thorough investigation and questioning, Zhen Shicheng was quite disappointed.
The case was much simpler than he had imagined.
“Zhen Shicheng seeks an audience?” Emperor Jingming had been experiencing more frequent headaches lately. He was resting his eyes when he heard the announcement.
Soon after, Zhen Shicheng appeared before Emperor Jingming.
“What has Minister Zhen discovered?”
Bringing up his area of expertise, Zhen Shicheng was not at all modest and immediately replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the situation has been clarified.”
Emperor Jingming’s eyes blazed: “Please elaborate, Minister Zhen.”
“Upon examination, it appears the bridegroom was killed by a single stab to the back of the heart by the bride.”
Emperor Jingming nearly dropped the jade ornament he was holding: “Is Minister Zhen joking?”
How could his quiet and elegant niece kill a grown man with a single stab?
Zhen Shicheng’s expression turned serious: “This minister never jokes when investigating cases. I ordered the coroner to examine the bridegroom’s body. From the direction and depth of the wound, combined with the bloodstains on the bed, it can be deduced that the bride, while pinned down by the bridegroom, raised a dagger and stabbed fiercely into his back, piercing his heart…”
Emperor Jingming’s expression was quite extraordinary. After a long moment, he asked with difficulty: “Is Minister Zhen suggesting that the bride killed the bridegroom and then fled out of fear of punishment?”
Zhen Shicheng nodded: “Your Majesty is correct.”