"What, people from Long Sheng Trading Company were killed?" Cen Yu looked incredulous, "How could this happen?"
Ling Xuan saw Cen Yu's genuine surprise and reassured him, "Master Cen, please rest assured, we will definitely catch the murderer. However, I still need Master Cen to answer my questions first."
Cen Yu pondered for a moment, "The shopkeeper of Long Sheng Trading Company was an honest man. He never made enemies with anyone. He shouldn't have any enemies. As for our Cen family, as you know, the Cen family is a large and prosperous one. For businessmen, rivals are many, and a moment of carelessness can turn them into enemies. I don't know who could be so ruthless at the moment. The poor shopkeeper had elderly parents and young children, and he lost his life so inexplicably. How can his family live on?"
Ling Xuan frowned, "Who are the Cen family's rivals?"
"Actually, among the Cen family's rivals, not to mention the minor ones, there are only two major ones," Cen Yu said slowly, "The Jin family and the Shangguan family."
Ling Xuan left the Cen residence, gazing at the Cen family's plaque for a moment. The Cen family's rivals in the imperial capital were indeed only the Jin family and the Shangguan family. The Jin family was the maternal family of Prince Qi, and the head of the Jin family was the Minister of Revenue. It was not convenient to visit him. As for the Shangguan family...
For some reason, Ling Xuan felt a sense of apprehension towards the head of the Shangguan family. Most of the Shangguan family's business was in Jiangnan, yet the head of the Shangguan family had managed to establish a firm footing in the imperial capital in such a short period. It was absolutely impossible for this to happen without someone supporting him!
"Sir, what do we do next?"
"Let's pay a visit to the Shangguan family."
Ling Xuan went to the Shangguan family but did not meet Shangguan Jin himself. He was received by the Shangguan family's steward, Steward Lou.
"What, Long Sheng Trading Company was wiped out?" Steward Lou looked shocked. "Sir, you must catch the murderer! This murderer is too terrifying. What kind of deep hatred could drive them to commit such a massacre?"
Ling Xuan looked at Steward Lou, his brows furrowed. This Steward Lou had always been meticulous and impeccable. It was true that a servant often reflected their master. It would be difficult to gather any useful information from the Shangguan family.
"I am here today to ask if you know of anyone with whom Long Sheng Trading Company had a feud?"
"How would we know that? Constable Ling should ask the Cen family, as Long Sheng Trading Company is a property of the Cen family," Steward Lou replied flawlessly. "We can barely manage our own affairs, let alone worry about other people's?"
Ling Xuan returned empty-handed, feeling frustrated. In the imperial city, under the Son of Heaven's feet, consecutive murders had occurred. If they couldn't find the culprit, his father would likely be held accountable.
Ling Xuan returned to the murder scene again. The bodies had been removed, and the area was cordoned off, with many onlookers from the populace.
"I heard that Long Sheng Trading Company had a murder case, and everyone inside was killed!"
"Ah? How could this happen? I was planning to buy another batch of goods, and only they had them. Why were they wiped out?" a peddler said anxiously. "What should I do now? I had already arranged to deliver goods tomorrow."
Goods? What goods? Ling Xuan was very puzzled and immediately asked, "What kind of goods were you purchasing from Long Sheng Trading Company?"
"A kind of small ornament, quite popular. I bought several batches and they all sold out." The peddler immediately took out a seal from his stall. "It's this one. It's carved with a long-tailed chicken, very beautiful, and many people bought it."
Ling Xuan took it and felt a cold sweat breaking out. This was no chicken; it was clearly a phoenix! Dragons and phoenixes, such totems, could only be used by the royal family. How dared Long Sheng Trading Company sell such goods? This was a capital offense!
"You mean, these goods were from Long Sheng Trading Company?"
"Yes, and only their company had them!"
Ling Xuan vaguely felt that the Cen family must have offended someone, otherwise, why would anyone try to frame them like this? For commoners to make and sell phoenix ornaments, their entire family would be exterminated, and it would not be an exaggeration!
Ling Xuan immediately pocketed the item and was about to leave. The peddler stopped him, "Sir, you haven't paid the twenty copper coins yet!"
Ling Xuan took out twenty copper coins and handed them to the peddler. "Don't sell this anymore. Be careful not to get into a life-threatening lawsuit."
The peddler took the money, feeling a little uneasy. He had only sold it at a high price; did it warrant such a threat? He then picked up his stall and quickly left.
Ling Xuan took the item back to the yamen. "Father."
Lord Ling was already troubled. Seeing Ling Xuan stride in, he said weakly, "Have you found any clues?"
Ling Xuan showed Lord Ling the phoenix seal ornament he had bought from the peddler. Lord Ling was so startled that he fell to the ground. "Where did you get this thing? Are you tired of living?"
Ling Xuan quickly helped his father up. "Father, I bought this from a peddler. According to him, these goods are from Long Sheng Trading Company."
Lord Ling sat back in his chair with Ling Xuan's help and examined the ornament carefully. His brows furrowed into a deep crease. "This looks like it's modeled after a jade seal, but our imperial jade seal is carved with a dragon, while this one is carved with a phoenix. In the palace, only the Empress Dowager and the Empress can use the phoenix totem. Could someone have stolen an item from the palace?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Stealing imperial property is also a serious crime."
"Indeed." Lord Ling examined it closely for a long time but couldn't discern anything. "You suspect Long Sheng Trading Company was wiped out because of this item?"
"It's highly likely this item caused it."
Lord Ling hesitated, then wrapped the item up. "Let's go, you accompany me to the Prime Minister's mansion."
Prime Minister Wen was discussing matters with Wen Mohan when he heard that the Prefect of Jingzhao had come to visit. He was puzzled, "Why is the Prefect of Jingzhao looking for me?"
"The Jingzhao Prefect never visits without a reason. Something must have happened," Wen Mohan chimed in. "It's probably not a minor matter."
"Invite him in."
When the Ling father and son entered, they bowed first. "Your subordinate greets Prime Minister Wen, Master Wen."
"No need for formalities. Lord Ling, why have you decided to visit the Prime Minister's mansion?" Prime Minister Wen inquired.
Lord Ling, as the Prefect of Jingzhao, was also a shrewd individual. "Your subordinate has always wanted to visit you, Prime Minister, but was afraid of disturbing you, so I have delayed until now to pay my respects. I hope you will forgive my tardiness."
"Let's get to the point."
Lord Ling glanced around. Prime Minister Wen immediately understood. "Everyone else leave."
Only the four of them remained in the room. Lord Ling then produced the item. "Long Sheng Trading Company on East Street was massacred. Seven lives were lost without exception. From the shopkeeper to the assistants, they were all interrogated before death. After investigation, we suspect that the case of Long Sheng Trading Company's murder might be related to this item. Your subordinate's knowledge is limited, and I have come to seek your guidance, Prime Minister."