At the ancient road’s long pavilion, the spring breeze carried a slight chill.

Yang Houcheng’s eyes were slightly red at the corners as he waved his hand: “Alright, even when seeing off a friend for a thousand li, there must come a parting. You all don’t need to see me off any further. If we delay any longer and my grandmother finds out, I won’t be able to leave at all.”

Zhu Yàn patted Yang Houcheng’s shoulder: “Take care.”

Yang Houcheng chuckled: “Don’t worry, I have to take care of myself. I still want to kill a few more Japanese pirates.”

“Just don’t come back missing arms or legs,” Chi Can said coolly.

Yang Houcheng raised his hand to punch Chi Can: “Can’t you say something nice?”

“What use are nice words? Keep the sleeve crossbow I gave you safe—there will be times when it comes in handy.”

“I know.”

Shao Mingyuan asked: “Chongshan, did you remember everything I told you about what to watch out for on the battlefield?”

“I remember. Oh, come on, stop nagging. I promise to return without losing a single hair. I’m off!” Yang Houcheng waved his hand, turned around, and hurriedly mounted his horse.

As he lightly nudged the horse’s belly, the steed began to run. Only after running far into the distance did it stop, and the figure on horseback turned to wave vigorously before gradually disappearing in the sound of hoofbeats.

Shao Mingyuan and the others remained standing outside the long pavilion, only withdrawing their gazes when Yang Houcheng’s figure could no longer be seen.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

In the distance, dust flew as urgent hoofbeats approached.

“Tingquan, those look like your personal guards and government officials,” Zhu Yàn said, gazing at the approaching figures.

Chi Can frowned: “Seeing those officials always feels like bad news. Tingquan, are they still hounding you about the death of that Western Jiang warrior?”

“There might be new developments,” Shao Mingyuan said with a furrowed brow.

He had already spoken very clearly at the Ministry of Justice. Unless there were major developments in the case that were inseparably connected to him, the heads of the Three Judicial Offices wouldn’t need to send people to find him in such haste.

The three to five riders quickly approached, hastily reining in their horses and dismounting.

“General—” The arriving personal guard was about to report when Shao Mingyuan raised his hand slightly and looked toward the lead official.

“Marquis, the ministers request that you come to the Ministry of Justice. Both princes are waiting for you there.”

“What has happened?” Shao Mingyuan asked in a deep voice.

The lead official glanced up at Shao Mingyuan and replied: “Princess of Western Jiang has been murdered!”

Shao Mingyuan’s expression showed slight surprise as he looked toward Qiao Zhao, speaking gently: “I’ll go to the Ministry of Justice. Have Shixi and the others escort you back to the residence first.”

Qiao Zhao shook her head: “I’ll go with you to take a look.”

Shao Mingyuan hesitated for a moment.

“Tingquan—” Qiao Zhao called out.

The man immediately nodded: “Alright then, let’s go together. Shixi, Zi Zhe, you can head back first.”

Chi Can glanced at the officials and said coolly, “What’s the point of going back? Let’s all go together.”

Everyone rushed together to the Ministry of Justice.

Prince Mu’s gaze fell on Qiao Zhao: “Miss Li has come as well?”

The ministers: “…” Is this the time to be concerned about such things?

What was to become of their Great Liang Dynasty? Both princes seemed rather unreliable. But—at least whichever prince inherited the throne in the future would attend court, right?

Well, they should attend court. The ministers thought uncertainly.

“Marquis Guanjun!” Prince Gong of Western Jiang stood up, his eyes red with fury as he stared at Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly: “Your Highness, please accept my condolences.”

“You killed my royal sister, and now you want to put on an act as if it has nothing to do with you. Does being a marquis mean you can act lawlessly?” Prince Gong of Western Jiang turned to look at Lan Shan. “Chief Minister Lan, your country’s emperor is in seclusion. Please seek justice for this prince in this matter!”

The death of the Princess of Western Jiang was of great significance. After Kou Xingze and others deliberated, they reported it to the Cabinet. Chief Minister Lan Shan and Second Minister Xu Mingda both rushed over, and several from the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers also came.

“Your Highness, rest assured, we will certainly give you an explanation in this matter.” After Lan Shan consoled Prince Gong of Western Jiang with a few words, he looked at Shao Mingyuan expressionlessly. “Marquis, we already know the cause and effect of this matter. As the current Chief Minister, entrusted with important responsibilities by His Majesty, I cannot help but intervene in this affair. I hope the Marquis can cooperate with the investigation.”

“This marquis still says the same thing—speak with evidence.”

“Evidence?” Lan Shan’s eyes flashed as he looked toward Minister of Justice Kou Xingze. “Minister Kou, isn’t there a human witness?”

Human witness?

Shao Mingyuan raised his eyebrows.

This was getting quite interesting. Setting aside the fact that Princess of Western Jiang’s death had absolutely nothing to do with him, just the matter of that Western Jiang warrior being beaten up by Chen Guang in the middle of the night—who could have seen that?

This human witness came at a very suspicious time.

Soon, the human witness was brought forward—a young man in his early twenties.

As soon as the young man entered, he fell to his knees and kowtowed.

“Tell us what you saw last night,” Lan Shan said indifferently.

The young man tremblingly raised his head once before quickly lowering it again: “This commoner is a night soil collector. Last night at midnight, I came out to collect night soil from house to house. When I reached West Main Street, I suddenly noticed two people dragging something out of Xingzi Alley. This commoner was somewhat frightened at the time and quickly hid in a side alley. Only after those two people had gone far did I go over to look, but who would have thought—”

At this point, the night soil collector’s whole body trembled, his voice unable to hide his terror: “Who would have thought it was a person!”

“What did that person look like when you saw them? Were they dead or alive?” asked Assistant Minister of Justice Yang Yunzhi.

This person had come to beat drums and report the case at the government office entrance not long ago. As soon as he heard what this person said, he knew Marquis Guanjun was going to be in trouble.

“That person—” The night soil collector quickly glanced at Shao Mingyuan, his face pale as he couldn’t continue speaking.

“Speak!” Lan Shan impatiently shouted.

The night soil collector shrank his shoulders and mustered courage to say: “That person was dead! There was a huge gash on the neck, blood gushing out!”

“Did you see the appearance of those two people?” Assistant Minister of Justice Yang Yunzhi asked.

“There was moonlight last night. Although this commoner was hiding to the side and couldn’t see particularly clearly, because one of them looked familiar, I recognized him at a glance.”

“Who was that person?”

“It was—” The night soil collector looked toward Shao Mingyuan again.

Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained calm, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

“If you keep hesitating, we’ll drag you down for a beating!” Assistant Minister of Justice Yang Yunzhi said impatiently.

“It was the young coachman from Scholar Li’s residence!”

At these words, everyone looked toward Shao Mingyuan.

“Marquis Guanjun, what else do you have to say?” Prince Gong of Western Jiang asked sternly.

Shao Mingyuan stared steadily at the night soil collector for a moment, his expression indifferent: “Then call someone to ask about it.”

Before long, Chen Guang rushed over. After hearing the whole story, his nose nearly crooked with anger as he pointed at the night soil collector: “You’re saying you saw me kill someone?”

The night soil collector was so frightened that he kept backing away.

Lan Shan cleared his throat lightly: “Marquis, now that a human witness has stepped forward, in my opinion, this coachman should be properly interrogated by the Three Judicial Offices.”

Shao Mingyuan’s sword-like eyebrows rose slightly: “Interrogation is fine, but this human witness—”

As he spoke, he glanced lightly at the night soil collector, his tone indifferent: “I believe he is lying.”

The night soil collector’s whole body trembled.

“Eh, for the Marquis to say this, I wonder what evidence you have?” Lan Shan slowly asked.