"Steward Song, what's this about?"
Niaoniao was a bit confused to see him trotting over.
"His Royal Highness Prince Yu is here. The master is keeping him company and has asked the eldest young lady to prepare herself."
Song Jinyu was rather puzzled. Why did she need to prepare just because he came?
It turned out that the emperor in the palace had ordered the government of Liuzhou Prefecture to find out the truth about the Lin family's murder case within a month. Since the new prefect hadn't arrived yet, Prince Yu was to work with Song Qinzhou on this case, and no mistakes were allowed.
Her father had already been dismissed from office. Why was he still involved? The more she thought about it, the more dissatisfied she became. With this in mind, she quickly made her way to the front hall.
Zhongli Mingye was discussing the matter with Song Qinzhou. When he saw her come in and looking in good spirits, he was quite satisfied.
"Dad, the emperor wants you to investigate the case?"
Song Qinzhou couldn't understand the emperor's edict, but Prince Yu did. He feared that the previous dismissal was just a ruse. If Song Qinzhou could solve this case, it wouldn't be long before he regained his official position.
Thinking of the tragedy of the Lin family, Song Jinyu's small face darkened. "So, do we have any clues?"
Zhongli Mingye didn't allow her to get involved in this matter, but how could she stand by and do nothing?
"For now, we've only traced the source of the poison."
"...Could it be from Tianmen Mountain?"
Sure enough, Zhongli Mingye's next words confirmed her suspicion. "The poison is the Wuchang Duanshun Powder passed down from Tianmen Mountain a few years ago."
This!
Song Jinyu wanted to argue but didn't know what to say. Because the Wuchang Duanshun Powder was indeed invented by Tianmen Mountain.
When she examined Lin Ziyu's body, she had already noticed it. However, at that time, she was too grief - stricken to think deeply. Moreover, Tianmen Mountain had never had any dealings with the Lin family.
"So... who had this medicine back then?"
Prince Yu already knew about the relationship between Tianmen Mountain and the emperor. Naturally, he also knew that it was possible that Tianmen Mountain had given these poisons to the emperor.
The tragedy of the Lin family could only end here.
The emperor's intention was not hard to guess. He just wanted to cut off Prince Cheng's financial resources through this incident. Although he wouldn't be too harsh on his own son, he did give him a difficult problem.
Slowly lowering her head, Song Jinyu felt uncomfortable. She clearly knew that Tianmen Mountain had nothing to do with the Lin family, yet Lin Ziyu had died from the poison of Tianmen Mountain.
"This king has already found out that this matter has nothing to do with Tianmen Mountain."
"Father has given us a month. Let's investigate it thoroughly."
She looked up at him and just fell into his bright phoenix - like eyes. Song Qinzhou went to make relevant arrangements first. Prince Yu wasn't in a hurry. He wanted to have a talk with Song Jinyu today.
Song Jinyu silently walked closer to him. "Is your father the real culprit?"
Zhongli Mingye didn't answer this question but said in a deep voice, "You're a smart person. You shouldn't talk like this."
Yes! She shouldn't. But was Lin Ziyu just going to die in vain?
Seeing her small face gradually turn pale, he gently reached for her hand, but the young girl pushed him away rudely. "..." For a moment, the two were at a stalemate, and the atmosphere was delicate.
"This king will catch the culprit." After a long time, she looked up, her eyes filled with a bit of coldness. "The instigator remains unscathed."
"Alas, I really wish you were a bit more stupid."
Looking at her helplessly, "This king only mentioned the poison, and you could think of the instigator."
Song Jinyu still looked cold. Since he couldn't explain it clearly to her for the time being, Zhongli Mingye had no choice but to leave first.
Watching his tall and straight back, she felt a bit sad. Zhongli Mingye must be feeling even worse than her. Father and son in the royal family were constantly scheming against each other.
"Lunch is ready. Won't you... stay?"
She lowered her eyes to hide her disappointment and grief. She couldn't impose her sadness on Zhongli Mingye. After all, his path was much more difficult than her own.
The man who had already walked out of the door smiled softly and came back. He pulled her into his arms. "Trust this king. I will surely protect you."
Under the prosperous and peaceful era, the fig leaf covered up those sins, and they needed to be cleared away bit by bit.
It would take time...
During this period, Song Jinyu obtained information about the Lin family's relationships and listed all the families that had dealings with them. Those with the most serious grudges were listed as key targets.
Sure enough, she found some suspicious points.
Most of the Lin family's business was with the South Seas. Among the ports that their large ships passed through, Yingzhou was a must - pass. Every time they passed through Yingzhou, they were always harassed by bandits and suffered heavy losses.
However, Tan Cheng, the prefect of Yingzhou, did nothing about it. Instead, he even indulged such things. A year ago, Tan Cheng's only legitimate son suddenly fell seriously ill and died. Half a year ago, his three concubine - born sons went crazy at the same time. After the Tan family's children had one problem after another, the Lin family's business became extremely smooth.
"Hmm, this is very strange!"
Song Qinzhou held the relationship network she had drawn and thought seriously. Zhongli Mingye picked up the teacup and took a sip. A glint flashed in his eyes. He seemed to have thought of something.
The key point was the reason why the Lin family's business had improved. Therefore, the bandit dens in Yingzhou needed to be investigated thoroughly.
Half a month later, a funeral was held at the Lin Mansion.
The powerful families in Liuzhou City that were on good terms with the Lin family came to offer their condolences. Lin Yijun chose this day because he had received a message from Prince Cheng.
"Don't move!"
Just these two words. There was no other consolation. Lin Yijun's heart turned cold. He had been doing a dangerous business in order to take a gamble, but now he seemed to have become an abandoned pawn.
Yesterday, Prince Yu announced the real culprit of the Lin Mansion tragedy. It was Tan Cheng, the prefect of Yingzhou. The cause was the grudge between him and the Lin family. In order to vent his anger, he sent bandits to kill the entire Lin family.
Tan Cheng himself signed a confession and was ready to accept the punishment, only hoping to spare his family.
Tan Cheng had once been a palace attendant of the crown prince.
"It was indeed Tan Cheng who did it," After the case was solved, Prince Yu ordered Song Chuyu to sweep away the bandit dens from Yingzhou to Liuzhou.
Not only did he win the praise of the common people, but he was also commended by the emperor. Song Jinyu shook her head. They could only investigate to this extent. When the king wants the subject to die, the subject has to die.
Song Jinyu went to Lin Ziyu's tomb and burned many small gadgets. "You always liked these things the most. I hope you'll be reborn into an ordinary family in your next life."
Never be Lin Yijun's sister again.
After the news that Song Qinzhou had regained his official position came, Prince Yu came to the mansion in person to congratulate him, but he didn't see Song Jinyu. It turned out that she had left early and returned to Tianmen Mountain.
She left a personal letter for him: "See you another day!"
The familiar handwriting and the indifferent tone made Zhongli Mingye feel a bit heart - ache.
He knew that Miao Yunshen had a great influence on Song Jinyu. Since they had confirmed their feelings for each other, he had unconsciously become more and more insecure.
He gave a bitter smile. This really wasn't like himself.