Chapter 147.1: Shouldering the Pot Again

Have to say, for a corpse to appear in the city moat, it actually wasn’t that alarming of a matter. Even if the land under the Emperor’s foot, for cases of murdering and tossing the body to appear was also quite normal. Regardless of which dynasty, possessing whichever kind of customs, this kind of thing all can’t be avoided. Just the timing of this murder case wasn’t right, and the location further wrong. It was a perfectly fine festive day, with everyone all happy, and moreover, the city moat was built wrapping around the entire city, quite long in length, yet this corpse wasn’t anywhere else, just happening to appear in this area. This wasn’t just bad luck, it was even very disgusting. Thus, Le Cheng Emperor’s complexion was not very good, “Where’s the Jing Zhao Fu[1], where the hell did they go?”

“Jing Zhao Fu is already at the other side, and the corpse has already been fished up. It’s a young woman, and from her clothes and accessories, should be a servant girl. From the initial judgement, the time of death is less than two hours.” The Great Commander of the Imperial Guards paused, “Her face has been slashed countless times, and aside from the eyes, the other areas, not a single place was intact. The four limbs were all broken, appearing to be strangely twisted.”

This time, everyone’s gaze all gathered on the Great Commander of the Imperial Guards, disbelief penetrating through their eyes. What kind of person would do this, isn’t this a little too malicious?

Furthermore, there was no wind today, and although the city moat waters were alive, the flow rate was very slow. Since this was less than two hours ago, then the killer is certainly nearby. To dare do something like this under Le Cheng Emperor’s eyelid, was this provoking him, or provoking him? Le Cheng Emperor was furious, “Immediately investigate clearly which family that servant girl belongs to.”

“This subordinate has already issued an order to the Imperial Guards to assist the Jing Zhao Fu in investigating the case. If it’s someone brought along by a certain family, then believe there will be results very soon.”

Le Cheng Emperor nodded his head, “Pass down the order, the dragon boat race will be postponed for an hour. Additionally, remember to have this matter sealed off from the outside.”

The so called ‘sealing off from the outside’ was mainly targeting the ordinary commoners. Le Cheng Emperor had the hobby of enjoying the festivity with the people, permitting the commoners to watch from the opposite bank. Of course, the opposite bank similarly had defenses laid out, so the commoners could only stay in the area outside of the protective defense lines. At the moment, on the opposite bank, there was already a sea of people. For the ordinary commoners, a murder case occurring at this time today, in this special place, wasn’t as simple as just bad luck. Perhaps it would even be considered as a bad omen. In that case, it would most likely cause mass panic.

Fortunately, the corpse was near this side of the riverbank, and because the four limbs were twisted, from far away, it was basically impossible to make out the human shape. Presumably, even if a portion of the people on the opposite side saw them fishing up something from the waters, they probably won’t think it’s a dead person.

Shortly after, the Great Commander of the Imperial Guards left, and the imperial tent sunk into silence. Previously it was still faintly burning with competition, but now, it seemingly all disappeared, even penetrating with a heavy melancholy.

Even on the other side that was just separated by a curtain, where Le Cheng Emperor’s imperial consorts and concubines resided, including the Empress, there were also no longer sounds of charming laughter and gentle voices. Although towards the Great Commander’s words, they didn’t hear very clearly, but there were palace maids to relay the news. When they heard what was said, those relatively young pampered consorts all couldn’t help going pale. Even for people like the Empress and Noble Consort Su, their backs also felt somewhat chilly. Their hands have long been tainted with human life, and moreover, not just one or two. But they have never personally set to the task themselves, and have never seen a cruel scene before.

The Empress issued an order to pass down the word, letting those servants serving by the princesses as well as the relatively young princes’ side to be more attentive, don’t let some nonsensical things enter their masters ears, and further don’t go near the scene to have a look out of curiosity.

The ones inside Le Cheng Emperor’s imperial tent, aside from his sons and brothers, were naturally a portion of the high officials of the imperial court, all either genuinely carrying or pretending to carry a heavy expression. As such, for the unconcerned Jin Qinwang to still put up a leisure and nonchalant look, playing with his newly obtained bracelet, seemingly as if it was some priceless treasure, too fond to let go of, he just appeared particularly bothersome to the eyes. Le Cheng Emperor, who was very easily angered by him, very much wanted to ruthlessly whip him.

Luo Pei Shan also couldn’t help tugging the corner of his mouth when no one was looking. Speaking of which, in the past, he really didn’t notice in the slightest this living Enma’s care towards his dear granddaughter. But now that he has gotten his wish fulfilled, he seemingly no longer held back, slowly letting himself go. But, even so, you still need to pay attention to the occasion a little. There are that many pairs of eyes staring at you!

Unfortunately, the thundering silent curses inside everyone’s hearts, a certain someone completely didn’t sense. In fact, he even shifted his body, displaying an even more comfortable posture.

In reality, Jin Qinwang’s greatest characteristic probably isn’t his moody ruthless temperament, nor is it that infuriating wife cursing fate, but rather his thick-skinned shamelessness, already to the point where it was impenetrable.

Because in the past, he had no connections with Jin Qinwang, towards him, Luo Pei Shan only venerated him simply due to his status. Right now, he was increasingly able to understand Le Cheng Emperor’s feelings. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to lash out like Le Cheng Emperor, and as his anger boiled, he just ran out of steam. Even so, that stuffy feeling of one’s carefully raised lustrous white cabbage getting dug up by someone else’s pig was still there. That’s why, it was still best to pick a grandson-in-law that one was able to casually sort out, dragging them over to be ruthlessly lectured whenever one finds them unpleasant to the eyes, how unfortunate, how unfortunate…………….

Li Hong Ming turned his head to look at Li Hong Yuan, slightly narrowing his eyes. Afterwards, he turned to face Le Cheng Emperor, “Imperial father, sixth brother appears to be rather fond of the Luo family’s third miss. One has to know, in the past…………”

In the past, Li Hong Yuan has never definitively expressed his like or dislike, but seemingly has never came in contact with them before either. Aside from Sun Yi Jia, who because of her disfigured beauty, made him express his opinion clearly, the ones from before seemingly all met with mishap not long after. But regardless whether it was prior to or after meeting with mishap, one all wasn’t able to tell whether he was happy or not. However, Le Cheng Emperor was his old man after all, so most of the times, he just felt he didn’t care. This time, when he ‘sold’ his son, he was also worried he would cause a disturbance again. But looking at it now, he at least doesn’t dislike. Then, for his reaction to be a little strange, Le Cheng Emperor this while also just completely treated it as him ‘shielding his food’. This bastard’s temperament has always been bad. When he was still in the palace, he’d already manifested an especially aggressive side. As long as it was his, regardless whether he liked or not, even if thrown into a corner to collect dust, others all can’t touch. If he’s unwilling to yield it out, even if thoroughly destroyed, he still won’t give to you. This behavior probably continued on to people as well. That’s why he would use a piece of priceless blood jade to exchange for what appears to be a relatively okay bracelet. Whatever, as long as he was happy. In any case, this is also the last one. If she can safely marry over, it was for the best, if not………..

That’s right, Le Cheng Emperor simply didn’t feel this son of his would fall for any one young lady. Even for the things he really liked, he would all get bored after a few days. Hoping for him to be moved? Hoping for him to have lasting feelings? Hehe, that was just a joke.

Le Cheng Emperor didn’t have a reaction, so Li Hong Ming also just retracted his gaze, seemingly as if just casually mentioning something.

Li Hong Yuan was just like as if he didn’t hear, continuing to study his bracelet, staring at the quality of the gemstones, the bracelet’s craft………..

Rather, it was Ruan Rui Zhong’s gaze that landed on Li Hong Yuan, his thoughts quite complicated, and don’t know what that daughter of his was thinking, falling for this living Enma. He knew his daughter privately came in contact with Jin Qinwang once before. He although didn’t know Jin Qinwang’s attitude at the time, but nine times out of ten, it was not having any feelings at all. An obsessive infatuation manifesting on the wrong person. He went great lengths to suppress it, even making others feel he was too picky towards his son-in-law, but who can understand his painstaking efforts. Yet in the end, she was still bestowed a marriage by his Majesty for some strange reason. Even if in the end, he was persuaded by his daughter, he was still pessimistic towards his daughter’s future. Ruan Rui Zhong produced a kind of ‘powerless to change anything’ sorrow.

That brutally murdered girl’s identity was very quickly confirmed.

“What did you say, my daughter’s servant girl?” Ruan Rui Zhong said in somewhat disbelief.

“Head Cabinet Minister, it has already been confirmed, there’s no mistake. According to this one’s understanding, this servant girl of your noble daughter’s didn’t return after going to change. Your daughter has been letting others look for her this whole time, but all were unable to find. And after hearing a female corpse was discovered, your noble daughter immediately sent someone to go verify. Regardless whether it was the clothes or the accessories, and also some subtle characteristics on the body, it all matched your daughter’s missing servant girl.” The Great Commander of the Imperial Guards stated the facts without carrying the slightest personal feelings.

Ruan Rui Zhong furrowed his brows. The four first-rank servant girls by his youngest daughter’s side, according to his madam, were all extremely reliable. The ones that have been serving for a long time have already served her for more than seven years, and the ones that have been serving for a shorter period time have also served her for at least three to four years. His daughter’s relationship with them was very good. To be gone just like that, this time, don’t know how heartbroken his daughter will be. “Were any other clues found?”

“Temporarily haven’t found any yet.”

“Reasonably speaking, just a mere servant girl, no one would kill for no reason.” The Head Minister of Justice spoke.

“If there’s no resentment nor grudges, then it’s very possible that they suddenly saw something shameful and got silenced.”

“If it’s really that kind of situation, then shouldn’t they be cleanly taken care of, who would put in this much effort?”

“That death state, to say the murderer had grudges deeper than the seas with her, all wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

[1] See historical notes under other administrations