Chapter 443 - 441: More Deaths to Come (Part 1)

Chapter 443: Chapter 441: More Deaths to Come (Part 1)

Xu Jing remained silent for a moment, then said, "I have a suspicion, but I hope I’m wrong."

If her suspicion is right, then I’m afraid there will be more deaths to come.

Song Qingyun noticed Xu Jing had fallen into deep thought and didn’t intend to continue talking, so he thoughtfully swallowed a whole slew of questions he had been about to ask, and focused on quietly eating his meal.

After the two finished their dinner, Chunyang invited a waiter from the inn to serve a pot of hot tea, and Xu Jing chatted casually with Song Qingyun while sipping tea.

They had investigated everything that they could about this case, and now, they could only patiently wait for the investigation results from Governor Zhang’s side.

Suddenly, a deep and powerful voice sounded behind Xu Jing, "Qi Lang’s wife, what are you doing here?"

It was Han Yi striding over.

The whole day, since her arrival in Xinzhou, Xu Jing had only seen General Han once and hadn’t seen his figure since.

Xu Jing turned her head to look at him, stood up, and saluted, "General Han, please call me Miss Xu. I’m more accustomed to being addressed that way."

That moment’s "Qi Lang’s wife," had almost made her not realize he was calling her.

"Haha, alright, apologies, apologies, I’m used to being rough in the military, forgive me if I did anything inappropriate, Miss Xu."

Han Yi suddenly slapped his forehead and said helplessly, "On this journey, I’ve truly offended several nobles because of my nature."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, "I’ve heard something about this from Governor Zhang. He mentioned that, at first, you didn’t intend to seek out the best inn, and it was due to complaints from Princess Ling and Consort Ling that you became aware of it.

But from what I gather, there were likely more issues with your arrangements that didn’t satisfy them, wasn’t there?"

This topic suddenly encouraged General Han to open up, and he placed his broadsword on a nearby table, sat down, and lamented, "At first... ahem, I thought this task would be easy, merely preventing the Jiang Family’s traitors from causing trouble was all. Who would have thought that these traitors took little of my energy, but serving those nobles left me utterly exhausted.

I had warned them from the start about the danger along the road, yet before the first death even occurred, they often went out unaccompanied, especially Consort Fang and Consort Ling, constantly leaving their rooms and making us search high and low for them.

Our soldiers wanted to follow them, but they would vent their frustrations on the soldiers, claiming that they weren’t criminals, so why should they be followed?

Consort Fang had a milder temperament, explaining that she was pregnant, and sitting for too long was harmful to the fetus, requiring her to walk around occasionally, and when soldiers followed her, she felt pressured.

Consort Ling simply ordered the soldiers trailing her to step aside, saying she wanted peace and quiet.

Tch, if they had left the inn, I—well, let’s say an argument wouldn’t have stopped me from keeping them unchecked!"

Recalling the scene where Consort Ling, with her icy demeanor, dismissed the guards, Xu Jing suddenly understood why Han Yi was so frustrated.

The guards hardly dared to offend Consort Ling; if pushed too hard by her, Han Yi would have to step in personally.

Xu Jing couldn’t help but laugh, "Did the Jiang Family attempt to snatch people along the journey?"

"Of course."

Han Yi scoffed, "Initially, just after leaving Qi State, they made frequent attempts, one of which was particularly perilous. Later, I altered the route, ordering several teams to impersonate Prince Ling’s entourage and travel alternate paths, only then did they cease appearing.

I thought I had successfully misled them! But when Governor Zhang’s people informed me today that there were Jiang Family insiders among my men, I realized it was I who had been played for a fool all along!"

Xu Jing’s eyes flickered briefly, "Those two individuals—did you interrogate them, General?"

At the mention of this, Han Yi’s expression darkened as he replied grimly, "I did. I spent the whole day today interrogating them, and damn it, both had tight lips, unwilling to say much no matter what I asked.

But judging by their attitude, it’s clear there are still Jiang Family insiders among us.

I’ve already replaced the guards around Prince Ling with my trusted men; I refuse to believe, with only a little way left to Western Capital, that I can’t outwit them."

While speaking, he fiercely smacked the table, which made a loud "bang," almost enough to break the poor table apart.

Chunyang and Song Qingyun were not used to such a crude man, having mostly encountered soldiers like Xiao He or Zhao Jingming, instinctively shivering silently.

Glancing at him, Xu Jing said, "General Han, indeed, should exercise caution going forward. I suspect that soon, another person might die."

This time, it wasn’t just Han Yi surprised but also Chunyang and Song Qingyun, who looked at Xu Jing in astonishment.

Grasping the broadsword on the table tightly, Han Yi urgently asked, "What exactly is happening? Please explain in detail, Miss Xu."

Xu Jing deliberated for a moment and then mentioned a name before suggesting, "I recommend you keep a close watch on him and those around him."

Startled, Han Yi stood up abruptly, face stern, and said, "Alright, thank you for the warning, Miss Xu. I’ll personally keep guard outside his room!"

As Han Yi turned to leave, Xu Jing stopped him, "Oh, I have another question. You mentioned Consort Fang often went on private strolls. Did she go for walks before the first two murders occurred?"

Han Yi paused, unsure why Xu Jing inquired about this but replied anyway, "On the morning of the first murder, she did go for a walk. After returning from that walk, she seemed to vomit a lot in her room, alarming her guards who feared something happened during her walk affecting her pregnancy, so they urgently called for me. But she explained it as... what’s it called... morning sickness. The fish congee at breakfast that morning made her nauseous; she couldn’t stand the fishy smell, which made her vomit so badly.

Because of this matter, I remember quite vividly what happened to her that morning, including what she wore—a flamboyant purplish-red dress. I distinctly told them to wear comfortable clothes suitable for a journey, and preferably not to attract attention."

Han Yi’s tone was notably displeased, "During the second murder, she wasn’t able to go for a walk anymore, or rather, she couldn’t go for a walk by herself."

Xu Jing was slightly startled; this wasn’t what she expected, "Why?"