Looking, Suzhen saw it was Lian Xin. She helped her steady herself, but Lian Xin’s eyes reflected panic and tears as she screamed about finding Sixth Brother, murder, murder…

Suzhen was startled. Though surprised, she thought that for this little demon, murder was as commonplace as nodding or chickens pecking rice – when had it ever been a big deal?

Originally, only Lian Yu was to be informed, but after all the shouting, everyone was alarmed.

The matter being serious, Lian Yu was furious and personally led people to the brothel. However, when they arrived, they found only a pool of thick blood on the ground, chairs and tables askew, wine vessels scattered everywhere – everything was in chaos, but not a single person was to be seen.

The four people who had fought fiercely seemed to have evaporated into thin air, suddenly disappearing.

The madam was already scared witless. Lian Xin’s pretty face turned cold as she found those procurers to vent her anger, stabbing a hole in each of them. The madam was terrified and just cried “Princess, spare my life!” when Lian Xin had already sliced off half her hair bun with one sword stroke.

But strangely, this time she actually didn’t kill anyone. Instead, Lian Yu and his brothers were angered and ordered the authorities to seal up this establishment.

When Princess Imperial Lian Yue went to comfort her, she shook her head and broke free, wandering around the room like a headless fly.

Everyone was momentarily surprised, feeling this princess suddenly didn’t seem like a princess anymore.

“Where exactly did these people go?”

Lian Qin looked at Lian Yu and Lian Jie. Lian Jie intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Huang Tianba and smiled: “Magistrate Huang has recruited fine helpers. If this is investigated and confirmed, when the Empress Dowager becomes angry, I’m afraid Magistrate Huang will also find it difficult to escape responsibility.”

Huang Tianba’s expression changed as he lowered his head: “Two local strongmen whom I originally intended to recruit for official use to benefit the people – who knew they would commit such heinous crimes now… This humble official is guilty of poor judgment in selecting personnel. Your Majesty, this humble official is willing to make merit while bearing guilt and make amends through achievements.”

Quan Feitong’s eyes curved as he said: “This matter concerns the princess’s reputation and shouldn’t be spread widely. Moreover, Your Majesty has always been clear in rewards and punishments and won’t blame Magistrate Huang for this. What’s needed is for Magistrate Huang to fully pursue and capture the villains.”

With this blocking move, Lian Jie could no longer make an issue of it. Lian Yu, who always had good restraint, said nothing. Hearing this, Yan Da sneered: “Prime Minister Quan really considers all aspects of problems thoroughly.”

But Suzhen had no time to concern herself with these political intrigues, feeling extremely worried.

Someone approached her and laughed quietly in her ear: “No news is good news. No bodies means people are still alive. Attempting to murder a princess is a capital offense – capturing them would be perfect for trading lives. Once they’ve settled things,” this person looked toward Lian Yu, “His Majesty will have the yamen issue wanted notices, and there will surely be news.”

Lian Yu seemed to be thinking along the same lines and nodded: “Prime Minister Quan speaks truly.”

Commander Shao, Xuanwu, Qinglong and others investigated all around, but the blood trail ended outside the door. When questioned, the madam said that aside from the princess rushing out, she saw no one else enter or exit. Fearing something bad had happened, when they went up to check, the room was already in this state.

Li Zhaoting listened quietly and probed: “If you intentionally harbor criminals, though the princess spared your life, it will still be a capital offense when discovered later.”

With just this light statement, the madam trembled like a sieve, scared into repeated kowtowing: “This guilty woman knows everything and dares not harbor anyone. Your Majesty, Princess, and officials, please investigate clearly.”

Everyone could see this madam didn’t seem to be lying, and she wouldn’t dare harbor criminals like this. But the room space was limited – Xuanwu and Qinglong exchanged glances, seeing a small window in the room that was currently tightly closed.

Si Lanfeng immediately went to open the window, revealing it faced the street – when opened, street noise rushed in with people coming and going. Commander Shao and the two men leaped down to carefully examine the nearby ground. Though there were stains on the ground, there wasn’t a trace of blood.

Either the two had escaped from here with Wuqing and Little Zhou and cleaned up the bloodstains, or they hadn’t fled this way at all.

Miao Yin pondered slightly: “This is indeed strange. Assuming the two villains really escaped by jumping through the window, with time being short and that Wuqing being injured according to the princess, it’s impossible that not a drop of blood would be left…”

After speaking, she smiled at Suzhen: “I’ve heard Minister Li is clever and even more skilled at solving cases. What are your thoughts?”

Suzhen knew she wasn’t narrow-minded, but was intentionally competing now. Worried about Wuqing and Little Zhou’s life and death, her mind was in chaos and she couldn’t concentrate, so she shook her head slightly.

Miao Yin smiled again at Shuangcheng and Wuyan: “What do Your Ladyship and Miss Gu think?”

Wuyan smiled and answered: “If Miss Miao, with all her learning, can’t figure it out, how much less could Wuyan?”

Murong Xi’s lips pressed down. Having previously learned the Empress Dowager intended to arrange Miao Yin’s marriage, she had been displeased. Now understanding that Miao Yin was intentionally giving her a show of force by not asking her.

Shuangcheng frowned slightly, but from the corner of her eye she saw Li Zhaoting suddenly glance at her quickly, then look up toward the ceiling. Her mind was sharp – she bent down to pick up a pottery shard and threw it at the roof. Some tiles fell down, everyone tensed, and Xuanwu called out: “These tiles aren’t solid…”

Lian Qin and Qinglong almost simultaneously leaped up, both striking out in mid-air. Several roof tiles were immediately knocked away, and the evening light shone directly down, quite blinding.

Soon, their voices came from the rooftop: “Miss Shuangcheng’s wonderful thinking – come quickly, there really are bloodstains here!”

But Suzhen was still stuck on Li Zhaoting’s glance. If she hadn’t happened to be following behind Li Zhaoting, wanting to see if he had discovered anything, she wouldn’t have seen his action.

Her heart felt as if something had stabbed it hard.

Her waist suddenly warmed as Lian Yu embraced her and, amid everyone’s astonishment, lifted her up through the large hole to the rooftop. Murong Xi frowned and glanced at Suzhen. Soon everyone came up successively. Baihu also tactfully carried up Murong Xi and Wuyan in turn. Miss Miao was not only outstanding in talent but quite skilled in martial arts – she grabbed Shuangcheng and also leaped up.

From the rooftop, they could see a small river after several eaves.

“This is bad – investigating this will be difficult. The water flow has carried away all traces.”

Lian Jie frowned and said. Lian Yu ordered Commander Shao: “Leave part of the troops to guard here, and have the rest seal off all major roads in Minshan for strict inspection.”

“Yes.”

Commander Shao quickly departed.

The situation wasn’t optimistic. These Mao and Yu had taken hostages and escaped by water, showing they were quite familiar with Minshan Prefecture and had strong anti-detection abilities. Li Zhaoting, careful as dust, asked about Huang Tianba’s knowledge of Mao and Yu’s background before Lian Yu could even ask.

Only then did everyone learn these two were disciples of Master Wuliang, who controlled a mysterious overseas sect with enormous influence in the martial world. No one knew its location, but it participated in all major martial world events. Master Wuliang had even defeated the leader of the martial world’s top sect. Yu Jinglun being his nephew made the situation undoubtedly more troublesome.

If they could intercept them in time, that would be best. If not, they could only wait for the other party’s message as Quan Feitong suggested, trading Wuqing and the others’ lives for those two men’s lives. Coming down, Suzhen worried about Wuyan and broke free from Lian Yu’s embrace. Lian Yu naturally didn’t want to perform too much in front of everyone – after all, he had to consider Murong Xi and Wuyan’s feelings – so he didn’t stop her.

As they withdrew, Suzhen walked alone. Quan Feitong came over and put his arm around Suzhen’s shoulder: “Huaisu, come, big brother will buy you a drink.”

“Alright.” Suzhen also wanted a drink. With everything in chaos, she nodded: “Thank you, Third Brother.”

Huo Chang’an said to Lian Yue: “I’ll also have a drink – you go back first.”

“Good, husband, go ahead.”

Lian Yue smiled in agreement.

Huo Chang’an walked to Suzhen’s side and hooked her other shoulder.

For a moment, Lian Jie and the others all felt this scene was quite wrong.

Sure enough, Lian Yu spoke coolly: “Minister Li should postpone this drink. With two cases pressing, your official duties are heavy. You’d better return to the courier station to study the cases.”

“Yes, this minister obeys the command.”

If Suzhen were tactful, she should take this opportunity to respond, but she didn’t push away Quan Feitong and Huo Chang’an’s hands, only saying to the two: “Huaisu must attend to official duties first. Let’s drink tonight instead.”

Seeing this, Lian Yu gave a slight cold smile. Everyone was shocked, but didn’t see him lose his temper – he just led people away. Murong Xi stepped forward to take his arm, then looked back at Suzhen from afar, her eyes showing doubt and coldness.

The three fell behind. Seeing the group go far, Suzhen shook off his claws and pointed at Huo Chang’an’s nose: “You, what dark psychology – don’t think I don’t know. Get lost!”

But Huo Chang’an didn’t mind, laughing heartily and patting her shoulder: “Wait for news. Now the case is getting more complex – the victor takes all. This is where we see the real show. Life is like a white horse passing through a gap – there’s always life and death, always struggle. Men are like this, women are like this – only then do we not waste our youth. Isn’t that right, Prime Minister?”

Quan Feitong said: “Marquis Huo always speaks reasonably.”

Suzhen said: “Prime Minister, you can let go now, can’t you?”

“No, I’m taking you for drinks.”

Quan Feitong smiled slightly, his robes fluttering in the evening sun, appearing modest and unassuming.