Chapter 440 - 438: The Greatest Conflict (Second Update)

Chapter 440: Chapter 438: The Greatest Conflict (Second Update)

Xu Jing hurriedly stepped aside and said, "Governor Zhang, there’s no need for such formality, moreover, the contradictions I pointed out were just my personal feelings, they might not be correct.

Do you all remember, just now, almost everyone said that the Princess was in a good mood that day."

Song Qingyun paused, and said, "Yes, except for Shuangrui, everyone else said the same, and they all mentioned that the Princess was in such a good mood because she would soon see her relatives from the Western Capital..."

"That’s right, but, don’t you find this explanation very strange?"

Xu Jing said calmly, "After all, the return to the capital this time by Prince Ling and his entourage is not for family visits. Even worse, the reason for their return is neither respectable nor safe—it is quite sensitive and dangerous."

Song Qingyun and Governor Zhang both shuddered.

As a seasoned official, Governor Zhang had a sharper instinct and drew a breath, "Yes! This time the Holy Emperor summoned Prince Ling back because of Jiang Family’s rebellion, whether or not Prince Ling has that intention, in most people’s eyes, he’s associated with the Jiang Family!

In such a situation, anyone who still wanted to mix in the court wouldn’t dare to get close to them?"

Even the Zhou Family, the maternal family of Princess Ling, under such circumstances, wouldn’t dare openly associate with them!

It should be said, the Zhou Family is probably in deep water right now, desperately thinking about how to demonstrate their loyalty to the Holy Emperor!

Princess Ling was also a lady brought up by a noble family, how could she not know such a simple truth? In this case, how could she possibly be so happy because she was about to see her relatives?

Worried and angry would be more like it!

With Governor Zhang’s experience, he should have thought of this point, but since three people said the same thing, he might have been misled.

Seeing that they had realized it, Xu Jing said indifferently, "The attitude of Prince Ling and Consort Ling towards their return to the capital is normal, they know it’s not a good thing, but are helpless, with no choice, they can only try to keep their spirits up."

Song Qingyun frowned and said, "In that case, could it be... Dongyang, Nanny Lu, and Consort Fang... were lying?"

Xu Jingjing was silent for a moment and said, "There are two possibilities. One, Princess Ling was indeed in a good mood that day but was happy for other reasons; two... they were indeed lying."

Everyone felt a slight sinking in their hearts.

Why would they lie? Apart from the perpetrator and the accomplice, who else would lie?

However, if they were indeed accomplices, this combination would be too strange.

Forget about Dongyang and Nanny Lu, they served by Consort Ling’s side and had daily interactions that might make sense for them to be together.

But Consort Fang seemed to be of a different style from them.

The most important thing is...

Song Qingyun suddenly murmured, "If the murderer is really among them, then why... kill so many people?

Moreover, they did not enter Princess Ling’s room at the same time, who could the real murderer be?"

No matter who it is, none of these people seem capable of murder!

Xu Jing interjected, "I have some ideas about who the murderer is, but... the purpose of the murder, I still don’t understand."

The others immediately stared at Xu Jing with a look eager to know.

Xu Jing couldn’t help but chuckle and said, "Who the murderer is, I am only guessing now; there are still some things to clarify, and I haven’t found evidence to identify him.

Before everything is clarified, I won’t say anything to avoid leading you astray with incorrect deductions."

Everyone couldn’t help but look disappointed.

Governor Zhang was only disappointed for a moment before he perked up again, shaking his head and sighing, "No wonder you’re Miss Xu; you laid eyes on those suspects only once and realized so much—it’s truly better to see once than hear a hundred times.

It seems I’m doomed to only assist Miss Xu on this matter. Whatever you need to investigate, just say the word and I’ll immediately have someone do it."

This Governor Zhang has a good character, broad-minded, and did not quibble over her stealing his thunder.

However, Xu Jing also knew this was because she already had some fame, and was personally sent by the Holy Emperor, allowing Governor Zhang to accept her so quickly.

She smiled at Governor Zhang and said, "Governor Zhang, you’re too kind; the next investigation indeed requires you to personally act."

With that, she detailed the matters she needed him to investigate.

Governor Zhang was momentarily stunned, then quickly got up to bow and said, "Alright, I will now send people to investigate what Miss Xu just mentioned, but it might take a day or two."

Xu Jing nodded, "No problem, I’m already prepared for this case not to be solved quickly."

After Governor Zhang bid farewell and turned to his task, Xu Jing stretched slightly with a light smile, "Next, we should wait for the outcome of Governor Zhang’s investigation. He mentioned he arranged several rooms for us in the Full Moon Building, let’s go rest."

They traveled overnight to Xinzhou, and after arriving, they investigated all morning. If they weren’t tired, Xu Jing certainly was.

Song Qingyun, since hearing Xu Jing’s words earlier, seemed a bit distracted. Hearing this, she only nodded absently.

She remembered when Jing said the murderer must have used unconventional methods to hide those heads.

She seemed to have guessed where the murderer hid the missing heads...

Xu Jing’s room was arranged on the second floor, while Chen Hu and their rooms were on the first floor.

The third floor had all the VIP rooms; the second floor’s rooms weren’t as luxurious as the third, but they were still good rooms.

Xu Jing wasn’t picky about where she slept, and she slept until the afternoon. When she woke up, it was already a bit dark outside.

She sat in bed in a daze and suddenly thought of Xiao Yi.

By now, he must have gone to the front to set up camp.

She didn’t know how he was faring.

Receiving that letter from home, she was indeed happy, but afterward, there was an indescribable emptiness.

Just like now, she felt as if a part of her heart was missing.

Xu Jing sighed softly, got out of bed and put on her shoes. As she did, she couldn’t help but wonder why this case couldn’t be even more complex.

If it was more complicated, she wouldn’t have time for idle thoughts.

At this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and Chunyang walked in, saying softly, "Madam, you’re awake? Dinner is ready; would you like to have it in your room or in the hall?"

Xu Jing thought of Song Qingyun, assigned to the room on the first floor, and said, "Let’s eat in the hall and call Song Erniang to join me for dinner."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, on the front line outside Pengzhou.

Xiao Yi, clad in armor, stood with folded arms in the tent, looking down at the sand table on the desk, his brows locked in a frown, his face solemn.

Suddenly, Zhao Jingxuan’s voice came from outside the tent, "Yanci, the people we sent beyond the pass have returned, and as you predicted, the Jiang Family indeed sent envoys to contact several different tribes beyond the pass!"

Zhao Jingxuan, not bothering with politeness, directly lifted the curtain and stepped in, his voice slightly cold, "Moreover, the leaders of several major tribes have received the envoys they sent, and there have been military movements among those tribes these past days, indicating that they will soon take action, and we cannot stop it in time.

The Jiang Family, those scoundrels, must have sent people to contact them before fleeing the Western Capital, not fearing the risks of dealing with the tiger!"

Xiao Yi glanced at him, picked up several red chess pieces from the table, and placed them on the states and towns along the border, speaking calmly, "What do they have to fear? If they don’t take a desperate gamble, they won’t even have the chance to negotiate with the tiger.

However, even if those tribes make moves, the problem isn’t significant. Cui Han and Ning Yuanjie have already deployed forces at several border passes which should hold for a while."

He picked up another red chess piece, a flash of murderous intent appearing in his eyes, placing it on the map of Yizhou, and said coldly, "And we must take this opportunity to strike quickly into Yizhou, capturing the ringleader first."

Zhao Jingxuan looked at the sand table before them and said, "Fortunately, you and Father anticipated their collaboration with the tribes. If we waited until they launched a substantial offensive to respond, we would be at a disadvantage.

However, with this, the forces of Cui Han and Ning Yuanjie can’t come over to join us, and with our current forces, we can barely match those rebels.

This battle won’t be easy."

Even his typically optimistic face darkened involuntarily.