The Empress and Prime Minister Yao’s expressions changed simultaneously. The Empress knew that Tan Gu was still alive, but Prime Minister Yao was shocked that Tan Gu was not only alive but had been killed again! His gaze swept past Xiao Man, who looked bewildered, as if she didn’t understand what they were talking about.
“General Hua, are you certain?”
“Your Majesty, I served under General Tan and naturally recognized her. General Tan died a gruesome death; her body was dismembered, her blood drained dry. Everyone in the Tian Bao Tower was also bled dry. Someone turned the Tian Bao Tower’s beast-fighting arena into an altar, and these people became sacrifices.” Hua Wen felt a chill down her spine. Although she didn’t know the killer, she was certain the killer was related to Empress Yue Xian, or rather, to the Empress! Su Dan Novel Network
“Nonsense!” the Empress reprimanded. “How can a dead person be killed again? You must have made a mistake!”
Hearing this, Hua Wen quickly lowered her head. “Perhaps I was mistaken. Maybe it was just someone who looked like General Tan.”
“Are there any clues about the killer?”
“Your Majesty, none. The scene was very clean. However, to set up such a massive altar and to use Golden Silkworm Silk, one must be either wealthy or noble. If we investigate who acquired or collected large quantities of Golden Silkworm Silk, we can find a clue.”
“The Ministry of Justice will assist General Hua in pursuing the killer. Ensure the culprit is apprehended.”
“This minister obeys.”
“Xiao Man.” The Empress looked at Xiao Man, then thought that Xiao Man was a troublemaker. If she were involved in this matter, she might uncover something. “From today onwards, you will enter the Inner Cabinet and learn to handle state affairs from the ministers. Lan Ya, the Tian Bao Tower case will be handed over to you to handle.”
“This child obeys.” The First Princess acknowledged.
“Lan Bing was injured and will return to Bianjing to recuperate soon…” The Empress looked at the Fourth Princess, then past her, her gaze landing on Lan Qin. “Lan Qin, you will take over Lan Bing’s responsibilities, and allow Lan Bing to return to Bianjing to recover.”
“This child obeys.”
“That is all for today. I am weary.”
“Court is dismissed.”
The reappearance of a person long dead, only to be brutally murdered again, attracted considerable attention in Bianjing.
Jing Yu Jun had always suspected that Tan Gu was alive, but she hadn’t found any trace of her. Now, Tan Gu was dead beyond any doubt!
“General, why have we come here? It looks quite eerie.” The副将 rubbed his arm. The Tian Bao Tower was truly unsettling now. After all, those who had gone missing had died here. Rumor had it, it was a vengeful spirit! If a thief hadn't broken in to steal, no one would have discovered that the missing people had died inside.
“How do you think those people died?”
“It’s all over the outside that it was a vengeful spirit.”
Jing Yu Jun sneered and turned to leave. She was a soldier and never believed in tales of vengeful spirits. Those who fought on the battlefield had countless lives on their hands. If there were truly vengeful spirits, they would be the first to be sought out.
“General, the Fifth Princess is returning soon. Should we…”
“When the Fifth Princess returns, Bianjing will become even more lively.” Jing Yu Jun said softly. Xiao Man, without revealing much, had established a firm foothold in a short period. Her depth of scheming was far removed from her arrogant and dissolute demeanor.
“General…” The 副将 tugged at Jing Yu Jun’s sleeve, gesturing with his eyes.
Jing Yu Jun followed the 副将’s gaze and saw Xiao Man and the First Princess approaching. Jing Yu Jun wanted to avoid them but had nowhere to hide, so she could only stand still and wait for them to come over.
“General Jing, are you here to investigate as well?” the First Princess asked gently.
“Greetings, First Princess.” Jing Yu Jun immediately bowed. When her gaze fell on Xiao Man, she said reluctantly, “Greetings, Imperial Princess.”
“You may rise.”
Jing Yu Jun stood straight. “First Princess, are you here to investigate the scene?”
“Yes, Mother Emperor has entrusted this matter to me. I naturally have no choice but to handle it. So many people have been murdered. If the killer is not apprehended quickly, it might cause unrest in the city.”
“The Patrol Battalion has already taken charge of this matter. I am merely here to take a look. Although the bodies have been removed, the interior is still in disarray…” As she spoke, Jing Yu Jun subconsciously looked at Xiao Man, only to find Xiao Man looking at her with an inscrutable gaze. For some reason, she felt a prickling sensation all over her body from Xiao Man’s stare.
“Imperial Princess, First Princess.” Hua Wen emerged from inside.
“Where is the body that looks so much like Tan Gu?”
“Inside.” Although Hua Wen was the commander of the Patrol Battalion, she maintained a low profile in her daily affairs and did not participate in any factions. Hence, she had remained in the city defense for many years. “Imperial Princess, Princess, please follow this subordinate.”
The First Princess immediately followed Hua Wen inside. “The corpse is quite gruesome. Princess, please prepare yourself.”
“It’s just a dead person. How scary can it be?” the First Princess said indifferently.
Xiao Man, however, followed slowly. After stepping through the doorway with one foot, she stopped. “General Jing, won’t you come in and take a look?”
“This subordinate has already seen it. I will not look again. Imperial Princess, please proceed.”
A faint smile played on Xiao Man’s lips. “General Jing, did you see Tan Gu’s body?”
Jing Yu Jun frowned, but saw Xiao Man turn and walk inside, as if her question was merely casual.
“General, shall we go in?”
Jing Yu Jun shook her head. Tan Gu was able to fake her death and escape years ago. This must have had the Empress’s involvement. But now, she had inexplicably died in the Tian Bao Tower. The Tian Bao Tower might be related to the Empress, and the person who had enmity with the Empress, when she thought about it, was only Xiao Man!
The two left the Tian Bao Tower. Jing Yu Jun couldn’t shake off the feeling that this matter was related to Xiao Man. However, although Xiao Man was a bit overbearing, she didn’t seem like someone capable of such brutality. While the Empress had killed Empress Yue Xian, the people in the Tian Bao Tower were innocent!
“Do you think the Tian Bao Tower is the Empress’s business?”
“It doesn’t seem like it. If the Tian Bao Tower were the Empress’s business, why would the Empress hide it?” the 副将 analyzed. “Moreover, the Empress doesn’t seem particularly anxious about the incident at the Tian Bao Tower. On the contrary, Young Master Feng seems quite concerned.”
“Feng Mo Ran…” Jing Yu Jun murmured Feng Mo Ran’s name. This person was also ruthless. When he left Blue Moon back then, she thought he had died outside. She hadn’t expected him to return after so many years. “He merely serves with his looks, but he does have ways to preserve his youth. His face hasn’t changed much over the years.”
“It is said that those who can preserve their youth know some unknown evil arts.”
“Do you dislike him intensely?” Jing Yu Jun asked with a smile.
“For some reason, whenever this subordinate sees him, I feel a shiver down my spine.”
“You shiver when you see Feng Mo Ran, but this general shivers when I see that person.” Jing Yu Jun turned to look at the Tian Bao Tower. Every time she saw Xiao Man, Xiao Man gave her a chilling feeling, like an attached curse that refused to dissipate.