Chapter 434 - 432: A Simple Logic Puzzle (Part 2)

Chapter 434: Chapter 432: A Simple Logic Puzzle (Part 2)

This is actually a very simple logic puzzle.

As Song Qingyun said, according to common sense, the person who went in after the murderer couldn’t have not noticed that Princess Ling and the others were in trouble.

Xu Jing looked at Song Qingyun with admiration, her lips slightly curved as she said, "There are several possibilities in this situation: one is that the person who went in after the murderer is worried that telling the truth will deepen others’ suspicions about him. After all, if everyone says roughly the same thing, and only you say something different, you’ll certainly become the most conspicuous one.

Therefore, he or they chose to lie, but in this case, he or they must have some guesses and understanding about who the murderer is.

The second is that the murderer is not among them, and none of them lied; Princess Ling and the others were indeed killed after they left.

The third possibility is that the murderer is Nanny Lu, who went in last.

Fourth is..."

Xu Jing paused, her voice slightly deepening, "Among these people, someone... is an accomplice of the murderer. He or they know who the real murderer is, but they chose to lie to protect that real murderer."

The last possibility is the most chilling.

Heaven knows how many of them are accomplices of the murderer.

It could be just one, or it’s possible that all four are in cahoots!

Song Qingyun immediately said, "According to your analysis, the last one to enter, Nanny Lu, seems to be the most suspicious one."

Xu Jing neither confirmed nor denied, raising an eyebrow slightly as she spoke calmly while taking off her gloves, "For now, we can’t make any conclusions. Alright, after examining the body, it’s time to talk to those involved in the case and several suspects."

By the time they returned to the Full Moon Building from the government office, the day was already bright. As soon as they entered the building, a guard informed them that Prince Ling and others were already awake.

Governor Zhang turned to Xu Jing and asked, "Miss Xu, would you like to meet Prince Ling first?"

Both reason and etiquette required meeting the principal first, so Xu Jing nodded. Governor Zhang made a gesture of invitation and led the way with large strides.

According to the guards, after Prince Ling and the others woke up, they didn’t leave their rooms; they just asked their attendants to bring them toiletries and breakfast.

Before they returned, their attendants had just taken away their finished breakfast.

Governor Zhang led Xu Jing to the outside of Prince Ling’s room, gently knocked on the door, and said, "Your Highness Prince Ling, I am Zhang Sanjiu, instructed by the Holy Emperor to investigate this case with Miss Xu. I wonder if Your Highness has time to meet with Miss Xu?"

Soon after he finished speaking, footsteps could be heard from inside, and shortly after, the door was opened by a tall and slender young man with fair skin and a lively and pleasant appearance. He discreetly glanced at Xu Jing behind Governor Zhang, then stepped back to make way, saying, "His Highness invites both of you in."

This must be Shuangrui, the last remaining attendant by Prince Ling’s side who had entered Princess Ling’s room on the day of her death.

Xu Jing glanced at him indifferently and then withdrew her gaze, following Governor Zhang inside.

Inside, the curtain leading to the inner room had been drawn up, and when they entered, they saw Prince Ling slowly getting off the bed. Seeing them enter, he lifted his head and gave a faint smile, saying, "I haven’t been well these past few days, making a joke of myself in front of Governor Zhang and Miss Xu."

The man sitting on the bed was also tall and slender, appearing quite similar to Shuangrui, with notably pale skin that hinted at a bit of illness.

He looked very young. From what Xu Jing had previously gathered, he wasn’t old to begin with, only twenty-one this year, just one year older than Prince Xing.

What surprised Xu Jing a bit was his gentle, kind look, appearing entirely unthreatening, as if just an ordinary, mild-tempered young man.

The Jiang Family members Xu Jing had met before mostly had very distinct personalities. Even the mildest among them, Jiang Yanxia, could be sharp when provoked, let alone the most flamboyant and rebellious, Jiang Yu.

At that moment, Xu Jing was inclined to believe that Princess Consort Ling wasn’t on good terms with the Jiang Family, hence Prince Ling had never been allowed to meet them since childhood.

After speaking, Prince Ling suddenly covered his mouth and coughed lightly a few times.

Shuangrui immediately went over and skillfully patted his back, worrying, "Your Highness, are you alright? I’ve already instructed the kitchen to prepare some medicine for you."

Xu Jing thoughtfully looked at him and said, "I’ve heard that Your Highness has caught a cold. I have some knowledge in medicine; would Your Highness mind if I take your pulse?"

Prince Ling glanced at Xu Jing, smiled slightly, and said, "Miss Xu, you’re being too modest. Even while I was far in Qi State, I had heard of Miss Xu’s great reputation in both investigation and medicine. This is just a minor cold, not a serious illness, so there’s no need to trouble Miss Xu."

At this, Shuangrui, looking distraught, added, "Originally, His Highness indeed just had a minor cold. Who knew so many... bizarre and frightening things would happen on our journey? Just days ago, the Princess... something happened to her, and His Highness may have been affected, which is why the cold hasn’t improved.

Your Highness, why not let Miss Xu take a look? Your cold hasn’t gotten better, and the Imperial Concubine is very worried as well."

With Shuangrui’s words, Prince Ling seemed a bit helpless and smiled at Xu Jing, saying, "In that case, I’ll trouble Miss Xu."

Xu Jing responded, stepped forward, and sat in the chair Shuangrui brought over, checking Prince Ling’s condition. Her gaze deepened slightly.

It did indeed seem like a common cold.

She let go, smiled slightly, and said, "Your Highness’s cold isn’t severe, but Your Highness has been worrying excessively lately. Worrying too much harms the spleen, leading to qi deficiency and stagnant blood. Your Highness should try to ease your mind as much as possible.

I’ll prescribe some medicine for Your Highness to take for a day or two and see if it improves.

However, after hearing Xu Jing’s words, Prince Ling’s expression darkened more. He pressed his lips slightly and sighed softly, saying, "I also wish I could ease my mind."

Beside him, Shuangrui couldn’t help but say angrily, "In this situation, let alone His Highness, even we servants can’t put our minds at ease.

With the attendants His Highness brought, now... only I am left. I want to care for His Highness better, but I can’t.

Clearly... Shuangxi came to serve by His Highness’s side at the same time as I did, for so many years, and unexpectedly, Shuangxi is now gone..."

Shuangxi was the attendant who was killed earlier that was by Prince Ling’s side.

It seems Shuangrui and Shuangxi had a good relationship. Speaking of Shuangxi, Shuangrui’s eyes reddened, and a slight choke entered his voice.