Chapter 231 - 229: May I Take a Look? (Second Update)

Chapter 231: Chapter 229: May I Take a Look? (Second Update)

Eunuch Wang finished speaking, waving the horsetail whisk in his hand and said with a beaming smile, "That’s all I have to say. Miss Xu has great talent, the Holy Emperor thinks highly of you, so it’s best for Miss Xu to seize this opportunity well, and not let down the expectations of the Holy Emperor.

To assist Miss Xu in the investigation, the Holy Emperor specifically asked me to bring Little Quanzi along. Little Quanzi is my godson. If Miss Xu instructs him to do something, the officers will surely show him some face."

Speaking, he gestured towards the young eunuch with delicate features and a pleasing smile standing behind him.

Xu Jing quickly bowed deeply and said, "This humble woman thanks the Holy Emperor. Long live the Emperor. Trouble Eunuch Wang for this trip, please do come in for a hot cup of tea later."

Eunuch Wang, however, said with a smile, "There’s no need for the tea. The Holy Emperor is still waiting for my report back, so I shall take my leave first."

Xu Jing hurriedly personally escorted Eunuch Wang out. When she returned, she found Xiao Yi still standing in the front courtyard and couldn’t help but smile, "Vice Minister Xiao knows how to scare people. I thought when you said convenient, you only meant finding a convenient channel to inquire about the Ministry of Justice’s news."

"That would still be too passive. It’s better to find a way for you to openly participate in this case."

Xiao Yi looked at her, suddenly took two steps forward, his brow slightly furrowed, "Changyu said your arm was injured yesterday?"

He had given that kid a lesson at Gui Xiang House the day before yesterday, and the kid dared not hide anything from him. Yesterday, he told him about Xu Jing’s injury.

Xu Jing chuckled lightly, "I was just hit on the arm with a small pebble, it swelled a bit, but it’s nothing serious now."

Swelled?

Xiao Yi frowned deeper, eyes lowered, looking at her left arm, "Jing, is it convenient for me to take a look?"

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned.

Beside her, Chunyang and Chunxiang’s faces turned red simultaneously, they averted their gazes in unison.

Little Quanzi, however, looked excited.

Oh, is Vice Minister Xiao so brazen in private?

He would tell His Majesty about this when he returned, the Emperor would surely be interested!

Xu Jing cleared her throat and said, "It’s not impossible..."

It’s just an arm, she didn’t mind showing it to others. But in ancient times, even revealing your foot was considered improper for women, so how could she just roll up her sleeve to show him?

However, Xu Jing’s attitude evidently led Xiao Yi to misunderstand, as he slightly raised his eyelids, quietly looked at her, then suddenly smiled faintly, "Apologies, I was just worried about you and made that request impulsively. Jing, don’t mind it, just be cautious when you proceed. Remember to keep the bodyguard I left for you around."

Xu Jing, who was just about to suggest they go into the room if he wanted to see, was choked, blinked at Xiao Yi, and then nodded subconsciously, "Okay."

Seeing her rare bewildered look, Xiao Yi seemed a little amused, "I’ll head back to the Ministry of Justice now."

With that, he bid her farewell and turned to walk towards the main gate.

Xu Jing personally saw Xiao Yi off, watching him mount his horse and gradually disappear into the distance.

Beside her, Chunxiang suddenly said, "Why do I feel that Vice Minister Xiao’s complexion seems a bit off? Maybe he came too early and hasn’t had breakfast yet?"

Xu Jing suddenly realized and regretfully tapped her forehead, "I should have let him have breakfast before leaving."

Chunyang: "..."

Is breakfast the point?!!!

If Vice Minister Xiao doesn’t become more proactive, with her mistress’ blockheadedness, she might not grasp the matters between men and women even if given a hundred years!

With Little Quanzi’s help, Xu Jing was almost divinely assisted. She had initially thought of having Little Quanzi help her get the case’s related materials from the Ministry of Justice. But Little Quanzi said, "This case is still under investigation, and many related scrolls can’t be easily taken out. Miss Xu might as well make a trip herself?"

Even though Xu Jing wasn’t eager to see Wang Qilang, what Little Quanzi said made sense, so she agreed.

Zhao Jingming had to attend his duties today, so Xu Jing originally planned to go to the Ministry of Justice alone. Little did she expect, just before leaving, Zhao Shao Hua came over. Upon hearing that Xu Jing was going to the Ministry of Justice, she eagerly insisted on going along.

Seeing the excitement on her face, Xu Jing’s mouth twitched slightly, truly feeling that the Song and Zhao families spoiled her too much. Despite being a married woman with children, she lived more freely than the average unmarried woman.

The two of them soon arrived at the Ministry of Justice. Because of Little Quanzi, they entered without a hitch and were led by an official of the Ministry of Justice to a room that seemed used for receiving guests. Shortly after, the official brought over all relevant intelligence regarding the case and said, "Junior Minister Wang left early this morning. Miss Xu can start by reviewing these scrolls."

Xu Jing nodded, thanked him, and then sat in a chair beside her, starting to read.

As a forensic expert, she first looked at the autopsy reports of the three deceased. The situations of these victims were similar to what Zhao Jingming had described to her.

However, there were more details, such as when the first victim, Zhang Zhengbo, was discovered, almost half of his body had sunk into a toilet, with a prominent bruise on his forehead. The culprit likely exerted immense force while pinning him down, strong enough that when his forehead hit the bottom of the barrel, it turned red.

The third victim was similar. When the criminal strangled him, not only did they scratch the skin on his neck, but they also broke his hyoid bone.

The strange feeling that had been lingering in Xu Jing’s mind finally had an answer.

Next to her, Zhao Shao Hua asked quickly, "Did you discover something?"

Xu Jing nodded, "The killers I’ve encountered in the past who murdered for revenge often employed very cruel methods due to the hatred in their hearts. Torturing or dismembering the body is common. However, after engaging in this case, I constantly felt that this murderer was too cautious and calm. Each time they committed a crime, it was clean and without any unnecessary actions, a sign that doesn’t align with a revenge-seeking killer.

Until I saw these autopsy reports, I realized that the murderer isn’t calm, but forces themselves to be calm. Their hatred for the victim is expressed in many details, yet they continually suppress their hate."

Zhao Shao Hua was stunned, "Why suppress it?"

"Because this murderer is very intelligent and keenly understands that it is more crucial to end these people’s lives than to vent inner hatred."

Xu Jing said calmly, "The more traces left at the scene, the faster the case is solved. The most challenging aspects of murder are nothing more than eliminating one’s tracks at the crime scene and dealing with the body. Choosing a bloodless method is the best way to manage the scene and the bodies. Last time, Qingyun killed Steward Liao with a hemp rope under the same principle."

This murderer is very smart and very composed.

Bringing them to justice will not be a straightforward task.

Zhao Shao Hua listened in a daze.

She suddenly felt, fortunately, that Jing was a normal person. If she chose to commit crimes, what a formidable murderer she would be.

At this moment, heavy footsteps sounded suddenly from outside the room. The next moment, Wang Qilang’s angry, twisted face appeared before them.

He glared fiercely at Xu Jing and gritted his teeth, "Don’t think you’re impressive just because you and Xiao Yi tricked the Holy Emperor into letting you participate in this case! As a woman, you should know where you belong! Just wait and see, I will make the Holy Emperor see he trusted the wrong person! You want to step on me to make a name for yourself? Haha, dream on! I will only ensure you and Xiao Yi are ruined!"

Zhao Shao Hua instantly frowned, and said sternly, "Wang Qilang..."

However, before she could finish, Wang Qilang glared at Xu Jing one last time, turned on his heel, and left coldly.

Zhao Shao Hua couldn’t help but retort in a cold voice, "He’s simply crazy! He’s like a mad dog biting anyone without reason, yet I haven’t even said anything."

"Don’t mind him."

Xu Jing simply lowered her eyes calmly and continued to look at the scrolls in her hand, "After we finish reviewing these scrolls, we still have much to do."

There are a few people she’s long wanted to meet.