Chapter 451 - 449: Absurd Deduction (First Update)

Chapter 451: Chapter 449: Absurd Deduction (First Update)

The Princess Consort Ling slowly looked at Xu Jing, her gaze cold and indifferent, as if Xu Jing’s accusation that she was the mastermind behind everything was nothing but a trivial matter.

Nanny Lu, however, couldn’t hold back her impatience, saying, "What do these matters have to do with the Imperial Concubine! You can’t even provide evidence that Dongyang is the murderer, so how dare you have the gall to accuse the Imperial Concubine of being the mastermind..."

The Princess Consort Ling gently raised her hand and said in a calm voice, "I have no idea what Miss Xu is talking about. The tragic death of my son has already caused me immense harm. I heard that Miss Xu had found the murderer of my son, so I forced myself to come and listen to Miss Xu’s deductions. But who would have thought... the deductions from the reputedly insightful Miss Xu would be so far-fetched and perfunctory."

As she spoke, a hint of sarcasm played on her lips.

Seeing that the Princess Consort Ling and Dongyang were determined not to admit to the matter, the people’s expressions slightly changed.

Governor Zhang involuntarily looked at Xu Jing with a deepened expression.

Although Miss Xu’s deductions were logical, and they thought that the truth of the matter was indeed as Miss Xu described,

it was true that there was not a single concrete piece of evidence in the entire deduction.

Even if they discovered through investigating Tianxi and the two servants left in Qi State that they were indeed specifically prepared as a stand-in for Prince Ling by Nanny Lu, it could only suggest that Nanny Lu was likely involved in this case.

But there was still no evidence to prove that Dongyang committed the murder.

The Princess Consort Ling seemed not to have any relation to these cases during the entire process, and accusing her of being the mastermind was even more far-fetched.

If they were adamant in their denial, with Princess Consort Ling’s status, there was nothing they could do to her.

Moreover, it was obvious that Nanny Lu wanted to protect Princess Consort Ling, and there’s no doubt that if they insisted on accusing Princess Consort Ling as the mastermind, she would unhesitatingly take all the blame upon herself.

Most crucially, whether or not the charred body is indeed not Prince Ling, no one can give a definite answer!

They could send someone to Qi State to have the two servants who previously served Prince Ling identify the body, but by the time they get there, it might be too late, and the real Prince Ling could have long fled without a trace.

Governor Zhang gritted his teeth, flicked his sleeves sharply, and called out, "Men, immediately notify the guards at all city gates to lock them down; no citizen is to leave, and also seek out a few reliable artists to quickly draw up portraits of Prince Ling. If anyone resembling Prince Ling is found, bring them to me!"

However, he knew deep down that Shuangrui seemed to have disappeared for quite some time. They weren’t far from the city gates, and if he moved quickly, he might have already left the city by now.

Xu Jing had remained silent since earlier, only regarding the Princess Consort Ling a short distance away with a slightly cold gaze.

The Princess Consort Ling stared firmly back at her, then suddenly lowered her eyes and said in a calm voice, "Once I depart for the Western Capital, I may find it hard to regain my freedom. I do admire Miss Xu. This smear of my name by Miss Xu, I shall not hold it against you. Now that my son... is no longer in this world, I hope that once I am in the Western Capital, Miss Xu will visit me more often."

In these words, there was a genuine touch of sorrow and desolation.

Xu Jing steadily looked at her and replied coldly, "Rest assured, I will certainly visit the Imperial Concubine often."

After a pause, she added, "And incidentally, I’ll be checking in on Prince Ling as well."

The hope of the Princess Consort Ling for her only son to escape this filthy and complex power struggle, she understood.

However, all this should not be built upon the lives of innocents.

This was no longer an obsession but sheer selfishness.

The Princess Consort Ling paused slightly, lifting her gaze to give Xu Jing a faint look, a mocking curl forming at the corner of her lips, "It appears Miss Xu has not given up on your absurd deductions. Very well, I shall not waste more words. Reality will eventually teach Miss Xu a profound lesson."

Xu Jing’s heart skipped a beat.

After speaking, the Princess Consort Ling turned to Governor Zhang and said, "Governor Zhang, due to great concern, if there is nothing else, I wish to return to the carriage."

Governor Zhang had no choice but to nod, "Please, Imperial Concubine."

As soon as the Princess Consort Ling and her party left, Xu Jing quickly turned to Governor Zhang, urgently saying, "Governor Zhang, please quickly send someone to Qi State. There are fears that something terrible might happen there."

Governor Zhang was taken aback and hastily asked, "What’s going on?"

Xu Jing’s eyes darkened. She took a deep breath and said word by word, "To prevent anyone from recognizing the true identity of that charred corpse, the Imperial Concubine is very likely to... silence them."

Although those who once served Prince Ling closely in the Western Capital might have seen those two moles on the soles of Prince Ling’s feet as well,

Prince Ling left the Western Capital nearly seven years ago, and in that time, it’s uncertain whether those people’s memories remain vivid, or even what changes Prince Ling may have undergone in seven years.

Furthermore, there were clearly four servants around Prince Ling, so why did the Princess Consort Ling and her party ultimately choose Shuangrui as the final stand-in for Prince Ling?

Was it because Shuangrui bore the closest resemblance to Prince Ling, even the two moles on his feet were the most convincing fake?

If that’s the case, unless one had been serving Prince Ling closely in recent years, others might not notice anything amiss!

Governor Zhang’s face changed; he immediately understood Xu Jing’s point, and quickly summoned several government officials, instructing them to ride swiftly to Qi State to investigate the situation.

However, Qi State was far from here, and even with fast horses traveling day and night, the round trip would take at least half a month.

Governor Zhang couldn’t help but pace back and forth with some anxiety, saying to Xu Jing, "Miss Xu, perhaps I should report this matter to the court first. If the real Prince Ling has indeed fled Xinzhou, I cannot track him across the country with my capability alone.

This matter, without a doubt, requires the support of the court."

Regardless of whether the Jiang Family is involved, Prince Ling must be found.

If Prince Ling is left outside and found by the Jiang Family and taken to the enemy forces, it would be a grave offense.

The only relief he felt now was that Miss Xu had said that the Jiang Family was not involved.

Xu Jing, however, shook her head, a vague smile playing on her lips, "No need, I have a way to find Prince Ling, I just need Governor Zhang to help with a few tasks."

Governor Zhang was taken aback.

Xu Jing then laid out the tasks for him, and upon hearing them, Governor Zhang couldn’t help but question suspiciously, "Is this truly feasible?"

"Feasible or not, how would we know without trying? Just make sure that before we have results, the Jiang Family shouldn’t know that Prince Ling might not actually be dead."

That was why she initially asked Governor Zhang to clear the scene.

After speaking, Xu Jing turned her gaze to the Full Moon Building, where the fire was almost extinguished, "We may need to stay here for a few more days; I must trouble Governor Zhang to find us a new inn."

Just like the extinguished flames.

The truth of the entire matter is about to come to light.