Chapter 1387: Constantly Cherishing Fear

Upon hearing the sudden news of Feng Gu's death,Even Jiang Wang, seasoned by trials, was momentarily struck dumb with shock.Even Chong Xuan Sheng, who had been nonchalantly sipping porridge in the courtyard,Raised his eyes to look.Feng Gu was the Chief Eunuch of the Palace of Longevity, how could he simply die?Leaving aside his cultivation, his status alone precluded such an easy demise.Especially so, dying at such a sensitive time,Immediately after the funeral of the Master of the Palace of Longevity...The blood-rain of a True Person of this era,Had but recently fallen upon the execution grounds!

Lingering for a moment at the courtyard gate, Jiang Wang finally asked,"How did he die?"Zheng Shangming replied, "Strangled by a three-foot white sash,Hanging in the funeral hall.""It wasn't suicide, surely?" Jiang Wang said."It's unclear," Zheng Shangming said cautiously,"A thorough investigation is needed before we can reach a conclusion.""The time of death was around midnight,Just as the funeral of the Palace Master of Longevity concluded fully,And all guests had dispersed from the Palace of Longevity."Lin Youxie supplemented the details of the case,"Feng Gu's body was found hanging in the funeral hall.Aside from the ligature marks on his neck,No other injuries have been found for now.No trace of foreign Dao Yuan invasion was found in his body,And his spirit's state is very close to natural dissipation.Primarily, it appears consistent with hanging oneself."

Jiang Wang was silent for a while before saying,"This is utterly preposterous."A powerful being whom he had felt threatened by,Being strangled by a three-foot white sash, was in itself a matter that defied logic."Why seek out Jiang Wang?" Chong Xuan Sheng walked over at this point,His question striking at the heart of the matter."The Northern Yamen is teeming with skilled constables,They surely aren't short on manpower.And Jiang Wang is currently at a crucial juncture in his cultivation...As the foremost Heaven's Chosen of Great Qi, cultivation is his priority."

Jiang Wang also cast a questioning glance.Having weathered the turbulent case of Huang Yixing,He was now rather wary of being specifically named to handle a case.While not exactly "afraid of the rope after being bitten by a well-rope,"There was still a lingering apprehension for a few months.

Lin Youxie glanced at Chong Xuan Sheng and said coolly,"Young Master Chong Xuan, this concerns a case,It is not convenient for you to overhear. Please understand."Chong Xuan Sheng was not one to be so easily choked off,But meeting Zheng Shangming's apologetic gaze, he could only "hmphed" once."This is my courtyard!"

The three Qingpai constables decisively shifted to the courtyard where Jiang Wang resided,Displaying a certain tacit understanding and professionalism among Qingpai.Chong Xuan Sheng sneered and turned back with his hands behind his back,"Cases, haven't solved many. Airs, bigger than their faces!I don't care to listen! Fourteen, am I right?"Fourteen said nothing, only gently wiped the porridge grains from his mouth.

Entering Jiang Wang's courtyard, Zheng Shangming took out a letter from his怀,"This letter was handed over by a young eunuch who brushed horses,After Feng Gu's death. We have investigated this young eunuch,He is clean, there's nothing wrong with him...Brother Jiang, you will know why we sought you once you see this."

Jiang Wang took the letter, which was clean on the surface.He took out the letter paper within and unfolded it to see several lines of quite upright script:"Recently, my heart has been greatly unsettled, constantly filled with fear.Hence I leave this writing.If I die, it must be murder.Looking around, everyone is suspect. Panning the Northern Yamen, only Jiang Qingyang is trusted.This old man's humble life, not worth cherishing. Let the coffin be closed when it is closed.If heaven's grace is merciful, may the killer of this old servant in the Palace of Longevity be apprehended...Only with Jiang Qingyang supervising the entire process,Can I rest without worry in the Nine Springs."

The signature was... "Feng Gu's dying words."

This was a suicide note!Feng Gu had already foreseen his own death!Who would kill him?And why kill him?

After Jiang Wuqi's death, the Emperor ordered the Palace of Longevity to be preserved.Feng Gu, as the de facto caretaker of this palace,Had status and strength. The legacy of Jiang Wuqi alone was enough for him to live peacefully.Why then could he not protect himself?

After reading the letter, Jiang Wang's emotions were complex.He recalled the words Feng Gu had spoken with deep meaningBefore the screen wall on the day he left the Palace of Longevity.He had planned to visit the Palace of Longevity after the funeral to inquire about the hidden circumstances.He didn't expect that Feng Gu would be gone so soon after Jiang Wuqi's funeral...

"This case has reached the Emperor's ears," Zheng Shangming said in a formal tone."According to Feng Gu's dying words, the Northern YamenSpecifically requests Constable Jiang to supervise this case,To ensure that this case can be progressed cleanly."On that day, Feng Gu had spoken up to help in the funeral hall.That debt of gratitude was not forgotten.Fulfilling his last wish, so that he may rest without worry in death,Was a matter of course.

Jiang Wang had already agreed in his heart, but he still asked first,"Can I refuse?""Whether you refuse or not is your freedom," Zheng Shangming said."We are ordered to invite you to supervise this case,Not order you to join the case."Jiang Wang then asked, "Is this case under your responsibility, Brother Zheng?"Zheng Shangming said, "Vice Envoy Lin and I are jointly investigating this case.""Who is in charge?" Jiang Wang asked."For now, it is I," Zheng Shangming said.That is to say, based on the clues they currently possessed,There was a possibility that this case could expand further.

"Do I have to be present throughout?" Jiang Wang asked.He was somewhat worried that this case would take too long,Compressing his time for cultivation.Zheng Shangming said, "Your supervision of this case is to honor Feng Gu's own last wish,It is not an appointment given to you by the Northern Yamen or anyone else.You can join if you wish, and stop anytime you want."He thought for a moment, then added, "The Emperor also said,This matter is entirely at your discretion."

Jiang Wang admitted to himself that he had no talent for handling cases.The Emperor knew this, and the Northern Yamen also knew this.The previous time he was specifically named to investigate Huang Yixing,There was a special political background, and it was mainly Lin YouxieWho was responsible for the concrete investigation and solving of the case.This time, due to Feng Gu's dying words, he was asked to join the case again,But he was given the title of supervisor, which could avoid a lot of trouble before and after.It could be considered a favor from the Northern Yamen, with the Emperor's approval.After all, in the previous case of Huang Yixing, the Equal Nation did not cause much stir,But Jiang Wang was chased to the heavens and earth.Both the Emperor and the Northern Yamen should feel some guilt towards Jiang Wang.Therefore, in this case, he was given the greatest autonomy.

Of course, Jiang Qingyang had always said that he and Jiang WuqiCherished each other. Now that Jiang Wuqi's bones were not yet cold,The eunuch he trusted most in his life died a violent death.If Jiang Wang was unwilling even to supervise the progress of the case,It was hard to say whether the Emperor would have thoughts.Zheng Shangming specifically mentioned the Emperor, which was a reminder.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and then said, "I will accept this.When do we depart?""We go to the Palace of Longevity now," Lin Youxie spoke.It seemed that in the practical investigation of the case,Lin Youxie was still in charge...Although Jiang Wang had deliberately told his stewardThat Lin Youxie's visit required notification and clarification of her intentions,To clearly delineate the distance between him and Lin Youxie,And avoid potential future troubles.But in his private heart, he greatly admired Lin Youxie.Whether it was her ability to handle cases,Or her perseverance and integrity as a Qingpai.

The current lineup for handling this case was quite interesting.One was Lin Youxie, a descendant of a renowned constable familyWith true ability. The other was the son of the Northern Yamen Commandant,Whose case-handling ability was temporarily unknown, but his family's scholarly backgroundSurely wouldn't be far off. Most importantly, his statusDetermined that he could mobilize most of the Northern Yamen's resources.Plus, himself, a third-rank official, Jiang Qingyang.While it couldn't be said that no one in Linzi was beyond investigation,The scope of the investigation was quite large.

The three of them exchanged a few simple words. Jiang Wang had nothing to pack.With a long sword hanging from his waist, he followed them out elegantly.Focusing on the case was different. The Northern Yamen's carriageWas waiting outside the manor, and after picking up the three,It headed directly to the Palace of Longevity.With the Qingpai insignia on the carriage, they passed unimpeded.They discussed the case briefly on the way and soon arrived at the palace gate.

Since Feng Gu's body was discovered, the entire Palace of LongevityHad been sealed off.Thus, the arrangements here were still those from the funeral period,Not much different from what Jiang Wang had seen when he came to mourn that day.Of course, Jiang Wuqi's coffin had already been removed and buried,And was now in the imperial mausoleum.

At this time, the Palace of Longevity was completely empty.Only a team of Qingpai constables stood guard outside the palace gate,Allowing no one to enter and destroy clues,Awaiting the arrival of Zheng Shangming and the others responsible for the case.From this, one could also see that the level of secrecy for this case was very high.Otherwise, sealing off the palace gate should be done by mobilizing the palace guards,Not entirely by the Northern Yamen alone.

"All the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids in this palaceAre currently detained in the Northern Yamen, being questioned separately," Zheng Shangming said."We can also interrogate them at any time."The white-draped and frost-covered palace was exceptionally cold.Even during the day, the autumn sun could not make one feel warm.Especially being empty of any human figures, it made one feel subtly uneasy.

Only Zheng Shangming, Jiang Wang, and Lin Youxie entered the Palace of Longevity.The team of constables guarding the gate continued to stand guard.Jiang Wang silently felt the different footsteps of the three,Trying to discern the different moods of the other two—this was, of course, futile.They were not people who easily revealed their emotions.The once bright and grand palace was now filled with a chilling sensation.It almost reminded Jiang Wang of the Bluestone Palace.

Lin Youxie said, "Everything in this palace has not been moved,At least after we sealed it, no one else has entered."Jiang Wang became increasingly aware of the importance of this case...The Northern Yamen was taking it too seriously!They didn't even completely trust the Qingpai internally.That team of constables was waiting outside the gate,Not allowing a single one to enter. In such a large palace,Only the three of them were here to search for clues. How long would that take?

He re-examined the case-handling team at this moment.Zheng Shi was a confidant of the Emperor, and Zheng Shangming was Zheng Shi's son,Undoubtedly someone the Emperor could trust.Lin Youxie was a descendant of one of the four great Qingpai families,Her background was clean, and her actions reliable. Although one from the four great Qingpai families, Li Youjiu,Had died under the death by a thousand cuts,The previous case of Huang Yixing also clearly showed the difference between her and Li Youjiu.As for Jiang Wang himself, needless to say,Feng Gu, an old eunuch in the palace, regardless of what secrets were involved,Would not have any connection with him, a Heaven's Chosen who only came to Qi in recent years.

From the posture displayed by the Northern Yamen,Feng Gu's words in his dying letter, "Looking around, everyone is suspect,"Perhaps were not just a manifestation of paranoia...Who wanted to kill him? Who had such great power?Jiang Wang felt uneasy.

The three first came to the main hall of the Palace of Longevity, which was the "funeral hall."Aside from the coffin having been removed, the offering table, memorial tablet, incense burner, chairs...Everything was the same as on the first day of the funeral.Everything that happened that day was still vivid in his memory. Looking now, the people were gone, the hall empty.And looking up from where the coffin was placed,A three-foot white sash hung alone from the dome, like a fixed cloud shadow.

"Feng Gu's body is also in the Northern Yamen now. Do you want to see it later?" Lin Youxie asked."Naturally," Jiang Wang said.He didn't intend to find any information on Feng Gu's body.Professional constables in the Northern Yamen must have examined it more than once.Jiang Wang didn't think he could find clues that they couldn't find.But since he agreed to supervise this case, so that Feng Gu could rest without worry in the Nine Springs,Of course, he also had to supervise whether the body was tampered with during the examination.

Lin Youxie nodded upon hearing this and said no more.She put on a pair of white leather gloves herself and began to meticulously search for clues in this main hall.Jiang Wang subconsciously glanced... Thankfully, it wasn't the pair of corpse membrane gloves from last time,And this wasn't a post-mortem examination now anyway.On the other side, Zheng Shangming also put on gloves and was carefully examining the offering table.Jiang Wang's duty was supervision, so he occasionally looked at Zheng Shangming, and occasionally at Lin Youxie.Zheng Shangming's movements were meticulous, as if he wouldn't miss any inch of space.Lin Youxie, on the other hand, first scanned the area, then focused on observing several locations.Jiang Wang silently evaluated their search efficiency in his mind.While supervising, he also glanced around the environment.It looked quite idle...In reality, he was indeed idle.He seemed somewhat redundant in this team at the moment.Of course, even if he wanted to join in and help gather clues,He would probably be refused. Gathering clues requires specialized skills.Before undergoing systematic training, his talent in combat was not suitable for this.Not destroying clues would be good enough.

The search of the funeral hall lasted for about a quarter of an hour.Lin Youxie and Zheng Shangming stopped in succession,Evidently having found no particularly valuable information.Or perhaps they found something but did not show it.In any case, their expressions were calm.

"Where do we search next?" Jiang Wang asked."The study," Lin Youxie said.Jiang Wuqi's study, Jiang Wang was naturally familiar with it."Let's go," he led the way directly."Brother Jiang, I heard you had a deep friendship with the Eleventh Prince?" Zheng Shangming asked on the way."Not much contact, but a mutual appreciation," Jiang Wang replied truthfully."Then are you familiar with Feng Gu?" Zheng Shangming asked again.After asking, he quickly added, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not suspecting you,Just simply gathering some information.""It's fine," Jiang Wang could completely understand and said frankly,"I can't say I was familiar with Eunuch Feng.The Eleventh Highness sent him to invite me to meet, that was my first contact with this person.The second time we met was when the Eleventh Highness presented me with a gift.At the funeral of the Eleventh Highness, I saw him for the third and final time."

"Do you think..." Zheng Shangming asked,"He wanted to die?"Jiang Wang shook his head, "I cannot judge, and I don't want to interfere with you."Lin Youxie, who had been listening silently, suddenly said, "We've arrived."They walked quickly, and as they spoke, they had already reached the front of Jiang Wuqi's study.Jiang Wang was a little surprised, "Constable Lin also seems very familiar with this place?"

Lin Youxie did not answer. She reached out her hand and pushed open the palace door without directly touching it,Then walked in ahead of them.Of course, she wanted to get the first look at the situation. Zheng Shangming followed closely behind.Jiang Wang's steps were slow.This was his third time coming here, and each time the feeling was different.The second time he came, Jiang Wuqi was already dead. The third time he came, Feng Gu was already dead...He still remembered the first time he came here,Jiang Wuqi's magnanimity and spirit, Feng Gu's mysterious danger.But at this time, the study was empty.The people were gone, but the furnishings were as before.The tables, chairs, brushes, ink, the layout of the bookshelves, everything was as it was.Even the bowl of medicine on the table was still there.As if the host had just stepped out for a temporary errand,Leaving this empty study to welcome uninvited guests.It truly made one feel lonely.

Lin Youxie walked to the desk. She did not reach out to touch the medicine bowl,But instead bent down and gently sniffed.Her eyebrows furrowed."Is there something wrong with this medicine?" Zheng Shangming asked.Lin Youxie thought for a moment and said, "It contains the ingredient of Spirit Suppressing Grass.""Spirit Suppressing Grass?" Jiang Wang looked confused.Lin Youxie explained, "It's a type of medicine that can dissolve true essenceAnd cause intense pain. We sometimes use it in interrogations.""That is to say..." Zheng Shangming could not hide his surprise,"The Eleventh Highness had been relying on this medicineTo suppress his own strength, to avoid breaking through to the Outer Mansion realm too early."Jiang Wang did not speak.He just quietly looked at the jade bowl.Thinking back, on the day Jiang Wuqi went to Yunwu Mountain,He had not drunk this bowl of medicine.