"It's fine, as long as this case can be cleared up, your matters are easy to discuss!"
Song Yingxing didn't even ask Fang Er why he was looking for him; his mind was entirely on the case.
Half a month ago, a female corpse was discovered three li outside the city. The autopsy confirmed she had been violated before being dumped. The investigation eventually led to the son of the Fujian prefect.
The prefect's son offered a servant to take the blame, but Song Yingxing refused, insisting on continuing the investigation to bring the prefect's son to justice.
The governor was timid. The Fujian prefect was his superior, and he dared not offend him.
However, Song Yingxing was different; he was a man who couldn't tolerate even a speck of dust in his eye. This was precisely why he had been arguing with the governor inside.
Taking the Jin Yi Wei waist token given to him by Fang Er, Song Yingxing turned and walked into the main hall.
Fang Er smiled at Li Shimin, "Father, why don't we go in and take a look together?"
Li Shimin, having been made slightly awkward by Song Yingxing, seized the opportunity, "Then let's go and see."
Everyone followed Song Yingxing into the governor's hall.
A man in a green official robe, with a large white goose embroidered on the patch on his chest, saw Song Yingxing enter and said with a smile,
"Hahahaha, Investigator Song, it's good that you've returned. Why would you go against your own official career?"
Then, seeing Fang Er and the others, he asked Song Yingxing,
"Oh, who are these people?"
*Clang~*
Song Yingxing casually threw the Jin Yi Wei waist token onto the desk in front of the official and then pointed at Chong Lou.
"Lord Mao, they are Jin Yi Wei personnel, from the capital!"
Lord Mao saw this and quickly came out from behind the desk. He took a close look at everyone and noticed Chong Lou standing behind Fang Er.
The flying fish attire had already explained his identity.
So, he pulled Fang Er aside and cupped his fists, bowing to Chong Lou, "I am Mao Moyu, the Governor of Tingzhou. Greetings, sir!"
Fang Er: ???
What the hell!
I'm standing here, and he bows to Chong Lou?
This guy isn't just timid; he can't even distinguish between the major and minor kings, can he?
Hahahaha~~
Li Shimin, seeing Fang Er ignored, with his half-bruised face, laughed heartily.
Chong Lou felt as though he had stolen Fang Er's thunder. He immediately slapped the governor across the face.
*Slap!*
"Blind as a bat! How dare you pay respects to this Qianhu before the Duke of Anguo is present!"
Mao Moyu was startled. Duke?
He quickly bowed and scraped towards Fang Er, "It is my fault for being blind. I beg the Duke's pardon!"
However, after saying this, he fell into confusion. When did the Great Ming gain another Duke of Anguo?
"Hey! I'm here too!"
Li Tai mischievously patted Mao Moyu's shoulder.
Mao Moyu became even more nervous. Duke, Prince. What was going on today?
He immediately dropped to his knees, repeatedly saying, "I, I, I, Governor of Tingzhou, greet His Highness the Prince~"
In those days, without newspapers or television, a small governor might not even see a few princes in his lifetime. Who knew if it was real or not?
But with a Jin Yi Wei Qianhu as an attendant, he could only assume it was true.
"Governor Mao, you've paid your respects incorrectly again. His Majesty is here!"
Li Ke also chimed in, pointing at Li Shimin and laughing.
Mao Moyu wanted to cry. How could they all have such great backgrounds?
The current Emperor had actually come to this small Tingzhou?
He quickly crawled on his knees to Li Shimin and kowtowed three times.
"Your subject, your subject, your subject, Mao Moyu, Governor of Tingzhou, greets His Majesty. Long live His Majesty, long, long live!"
"Alright! I'll just watch and not speak,"
Li Shimin replied shamelessly and walked to the plaque in the hall and sat down.
This time, even Song Yingxing was stunned.
The Emperor?
Didn't this person just say he was Emperor Taizong?
Hiss~~ Understood!
Emperor Wuzong, Zhu Houzhao, had a penchant for role-playing. Was it hereditary?
Thinking he had figured out why Li Shimin claimed to be Li Shimin, he looked at the bruise on his face, which he had caused by hitting him with the waist token, and quickly and respectfully apologized.
"Your humble servant, Song Yingxing, did not know His Celestial Majesty had arrived and accidentally injured the Emperor. I beg His Majesty to punish me."
Li Shimin rubbed the side of his face that had been hit and said magnanimously, "It's fine, ignorance is not a crime. Continue with your investigation!"
"Yes, your humble servant accepts the decree!"
Song Yingxing's face lit up with joy, and he walked towards the governor, Mao Moyu.
"Governor Mao, may I inquire if I can investigate this case now?"
The sweat on Governor Mao's forehead had already formed a fine layer. He repeatedly nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, you can investigate!"
Damn it, even the Emperor is here, what can't be investigated!
Let alone the governor's son being involved, even a prince would be dealt with!
"Come, come! Someone! Accompany me to apprehend the person!"
Mao Moyu shouted outside the hall. Soon, a dozen yamen runners rushed in, the one at the head wearing a large "Bao" character on his chest.
After repeatedly mistaking people for salutation, he dared not stay in the hall any longer. He cupped his hands in greeting to Li Shimin.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant will personally go and apprehend the person. Please be seated in the hall."
After seeing Li Shimin nod, he directly led his men out of the hall and towards the outside of the yamen.
The governor's son was currently indulging in debauchery with others in the city. He wasn't afraid of being implicated or escaping.
His father was the prefect, so what was there to fear?
On this patch of land in Fujian, did anyone dare to bring him to justice?
After Mao Moyu left, Li Shimin looked at Song Yingxing and smiled.
"Investigator Song, you just said you were stewing soup at home?"
"Uh~ indeed." Song Yingxing nodded.
"I never thought that a mere investigator would also cook. I wonder how your skills compare to my son-in-law's? Quick, send someone to fetch the soup for me to taste!"
It was almost mealtime, and Li Shimin patted his belly and said.
Song Yingxing had no choice but to comply. He found a minor official and asked him to bring the entire pot from his home.
When the black clay pot was opened, it revealed stewed old hen with soft-shelled turtle.
The bright yellow oil locked in the heat and aroma. Li Shimin stirred it with a spoon, and a rich fragrance instantly emanated.
"Mmm~ fragrant! Quick, bring the bowls and chopsticks!"
After the minor official brought the tableware, he ladled out a bowl and tasted it. As the soup entered his mouth, he couldn't help but squint his eyes and groan.
"Hiss~ Comfortable!"
It was July, and this was the south. It was unbearably hot, but with this mouthful of hot soup, he felt a sense of exhilaration throughout his body.
After savoring it, he beckoned to the eight women standing beside him, "Come, come, Hengbo, Rushi, you try it too. Investigator Song's soup is truly delicious~"
Li Tai's mouth watered from the overwhelming aroma.
Upon hearing his father's words, his expression instantly drooped.
This father, I can't take him anymore!