Chapter 1388: Only Death

"The composition of this decoction is complex; relying solely on scent, I cannot analyze much." Lin Youxie placed the bowl of medicinal soup into her storage box. "I will take it back for a more detailed study."

Naturally, Jiang Wang trusted Lin Youxie's judgment.

He found it hard to forget the sight of Lin Youxie silently pounding herbs, that sense of calmly enduring pain. To some extent, it was reminiscent of Jiang Wuqi. Lin Youxie could concoct medicine to suppress her phobia, so she certainly possessed profound knowledge of the pharmaceutical arts.

Zheng Shangming seemed unsurprised, tacitly permitting Lin Youxie to take the bowl of soup, offering no opinion. His cautious gaze simply swept through the study.

Jiang Wang stood at the entrance, behind him the heavenly light that could hardly be called brilliant, before him two Green-badge Constables each engrossed in their tasks.

The study was silent, yet it possessed a unique language, describing the trajectory of a favored son of heaven.

Every visitor attempted to find that special language and communicate with this study.

Including Jiang Wang himself.

His gaze fell upon the two Green-badges, yet it was unfocused. In an instant, many thoughts arose.

Since taking back a calligraphy piece and a book from here that day, he had also experienced the three-day funeral of Jiang Wuqi in the interim.

This study was truly unchanged in the slightest.

As if no one had entered it in the many days that had passed.

He couldn't help but wonder...

Was Feng Gu merely mourning Jiang Wuqi, unwilling to disturb the arrangements made during his lifetime, or did he wish to leave something behind?

If any interesting information could be found within this study, was it left by Jiang Wuqi, or by Feng Gu?

"Feng Gu committed suicide."

Lin Youxie's spiritual transmission suddenly reached his ear, causing Jiang Wang to momentarily freeze.

He did not understand why Lin Youxie would deliberately avoid Zheng Shangming and communicate through hushed transmission, but he was nevertheless startled by the information contained within her words, and couldn't help but look over.

"Act naturally," Lin Youxie's voice echoed in his ear.

Jiang Wang then naturally glanced at Zheng Shangming again, fulfilling his duty of "supervision."

He was somewhat perplexed as to why Lin Youxie seemed to trust him more than the upright and proper Zheng Shangming. However, he had absolute faith in Lin Youxie's analysis. Her ability and sense of responsibility were exceptionally clear.

"How can you tell?" Jiang Wang transmitted his query back.

Lin Youxie's voice continued, "Although he deliberately misled, attempting to make others believe his suicide was a perfect arrangement by the murderer, he did indeed do it very well. However, deceiving others is easy; deceiving oneself is difficult. His corpse tells me that he did indeed commit suicide."

Jiang Wang recalled Lin Youxie's famous saying—"A corpse is composed of clues."

Completely stripping away the complex relationships behind the corpse and seeking answers solely from the corpse itself.

Presumably, she had examined Feng Gu's corpse more than once, which was why she could be so certain.

Just as Jiang Wang was about to speak, another voice transmitted to his ear—

"My father is about to achieve Divine Arrival."

It was Zheng Shangming's voice.

At this moment, the son of the North Manor's Chief Constable stood before the vast bookshelf opposite the desk, his gaze scrutinizing inch by inch... just as Lin Youxie was meticulously examining Jiang Wuqi's chair.

It was hard to believe that he was also secretly communicating with Jiang Wang through spiritual transmission.

With a mere three individuals, they had managed to open up two "battlefields" for private conversation.

It was evident that while Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie got along harmoniously, they were not on the same path.

Zheng Shangming was Zheng Shi's only son, and naturally, he was also a direct descendant of the Emperor. To some extent, he represented the Emperor, and of course, the interests of his Zheng family within the Inspectorate.

And Lin Youxie?

Did she represent the declining Four Great Green-badge Families, or was it solely herself?

"Why would he do that?"

Jiang Wang first transmitted his question to Lin Youxie, then transmitted to Zheng Shangming: "Congratulations."

While such congratulatory words spoken furtively were somewhat strange, facing Zheng Shangming's suddenly opened topic, there was truly nothing else to say in response.

Especially as Lin Youxie's current analysis was captivating, he would simply brush off Zheng Shangming's matter for now.

Lin Youxie's voice continued to sound in his ear: "Feng Gu was well aware of the North Manor's investigative capabilities and knew that it would be difficult to perfectly disguise a scene without leaving a trace. Moreover, after his death, he would no longer be able to control anyone. So he simply gave up on tampering with his own body and merely hanged himself, plainly and simply. With just a suggestive suicide note, he created a perfect illusion of murder. As for his motive... whatever his death ultimately leads people to suspect, that is his motive. He intended to use his death to lead the North Manor to investigate other matters."

Zheng Shangming's transmission came almost simultaneously; he was quite direct: "Brother Jiang, are you interested in the position of North Manor Chief Constable? Your current cultivation level is just right. If you wish to take this position, we will fully support you."

He did not mention what he desired in return. The very fact that he was the one to approach Jiang Wang with this matter in itself laid out the conditions. The Zheng family would support Jiang Wang now, so when Jiang Wang left office, he would naturally also support Zheng Shangming.

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment.

Both Lin Youxie and Zheng Shangming continued with their respective tasks, neither rushing him, and both seemingly believing that Jiang Wang was earnestly considering...

And Jiang Wang was indeed considering, though not solely one matter.

Simultaneously communicating privately with two individuals, and in such information-dense conversations, he found it difficult to immediately sort through the threads.

First, there was Lin Youxie's question.

Jiang Wang transmitted back: "Do you think... what did Feng Gu want the North Manor to investigate?"

Then, there was the matter Zheng Shangming spoke of.

Truthfully, no one could fail to be tempted by the position of North Manor Chief Constable.

Its rank was only Fourth Grade, yet the power it wielded in practice was close to that of the influential figures in the Privy Council and the Ministry of War!

This official post, with the full title of "Inspector-General of the Capital Inspectorate and Chief Constable of the Capital Inspectorate," commanded the entire nation's Green-badges, allowing unimpeded travel throughout the Eastern Region. Coupled with the four words "Directly Subordinate to the Emperor," the political energy it could unleash was hard to simply describe.

It could be called a prime example of a low position with great power, the highest peak a cultivator in the Outer Realm could climb to in Qi!

It was no secret that Zheng Shi was about to step down. At his age and in his state, if he did not advance to Divine Arrival, it would affect his future cultivation.

Innumerable people in the court and throughout the land were eyeing this position. The sudden attack on Jiang Wang in the imperial court by Zhang Weiyu last time, and his personally leading a team to investigate Qingyang Town, was a clear example.

Many people had already directly regarded Jiang Wang as a competitor. With Chong Xuan Sheng's reminder, Jiang Wang was not entirely unprepared.

He simply hadn't expected Zheng Shangming to suddenly bring up this matter under such circumstances, and to express it so directly.

After considering, he still decided to discuss it with Chong Xuan Sheng before proceeding. He transmitted back: "This is too sudden; I need to consider it."

Lin Youxie's voice sounded at this moment, analyzing methodically: "Feng Gu was originally someone from Consort Lei's palace, the birth mother of the Eleventh Prince, back then. After Consort Lei's death, he then went to serve Jiang Wuqi. What could be the matter that would drive him to investigate at the cost of his life... what else could it be?"

"Of course you can," Zheng Shangming's voice also transmitted back. "However, if you are interested in the position of North Manor Chief Constable, this case today is an excellent opportunity."

Transmission came from this side, and transmission went to that side.

If Jiang Wang did not possess the Immortal Form of Sound, and his control over sound was not exceptional, he would truly find it difficult to handle.

But the shock in his heart was truly inexpressible!

He recalled that day at Jiang Wuqi's funeral, the words Feng Gu spoke before the screen wall—

"His Highness has already obtained what he desired, but what I, this old dog, desire has not yet been realized."

Everything connected...

Feng Gu did not hesitate to die, creating the illusion of being murdered. He wanted to reopen the investigation into the assassination of Consort Lei in Yuanfeng Year 38, to find the true culprit of that year!

He referred to himself as merely an old dog, but after Jiang Wuqi's death, he had no scruples left and was determined to tear a piece of flesh and blood from his enemy!

Jiang Wang suppressed the turbulence in his heart and transmitted to Lin Youxie: "If that is the case, then there must be clues left in the Changsheng Palace that can directly connect to the assassination of Consort Lei that year. Is that right?"

He also transmitted to Zheng Shangming: "What opportunity?"

Lin Youxie's voice quickly transmitted back: "There is no other explanation. I hope you can help me. This clue needs to be in my hands."

"Why?" Jiang Wang asked in return.

No wonder Lin Youxie wanted to communicate privately, making it all mysterious. So she wanted to bypass Zheng Shangming and grasp this clue alone. But why would she think he would help her instead of the more amicable Zheng Shangming?

Zheng Shangming's voice also sounded at this moment: "Because the background of this case is extremely complex, far from as simple as it appears on the surface, involving many issues. The future North Manor Chief Constable needs to demonstrate the ability to handle complex relationships and, more importantly, show his stance to the Emperor!"

In his communication with Lin Youxie, Jiang Wang had already realized how complex the case of Feng Gu's death was. Thus, he found it difficult to understand why Zheng Shangming would take on this case, and why Zheng Shi would agree to let Zheng Shangming be in charge.

For such an extremely complex and sensitive case involving the imperial palace, the handling official would find it difficult to escape unscathed. Historical tragedies were not uncommon, and wise individuals should steer clear.

The death of Consort Lei had remained unresolved for so many years. How complex were the entanglements involved?

The myriad threads of connection behind it were like a deep sea, chilling to think about. How many people would have to drown before it was over?

Zheng Shangming had the background to avoid this whirlpool, yet he stepped right into it!

Why?

As soon as Zheng Shangming spoke those words, he completely understood.

The position of North Manor Chief Constable was only accountable to the Emperor, and the only thing needed was the Emperor's trust.

Zheng Shangming's initiative in taking charge of this case was precisely to demonstrate his loyalty to the Emperor. He, like his father, was only loyal to the Emperor, fearless of offending anyone, and even fearless of being utterly destroyed.

Similarly, Jiang Wang must also possess the courage to bite anyone in order to be recognized by the Emperor and take the throne of North Manor Chief Constable first.

Therefore, Zheng Shangming said that this case was an opportunity.

It was indeed an opportunity... a captivating and dangerous opportunity.

"I think I understand..." Jiang Wang transmitted his reply to Zheng Shangming. "I'll think about it again."

Lin Youxie's voice sounded again: "Because... before the Eleventh Prince passed away, Changsheng Palace always took great care of me."

Jiang Wang frowned, thinking, what kind of reason is that?

He replied: "If it is as you say, that such a clue is left in the Changsheng Palace, what difference does it make if it is in your hands or in Zheng Shangming's hands? If you only seek the truth, wouldn't it be clearer for us to witness it together?"

Lin Youxie had finished examining Jiang Wuqi's desk by this time and rose to walk towards the bookshelf containing calligraphy and paintings, transmitting to Jiang Wang simultaneously: "An hour before Feng Gu committed suicide, someone placed something in front of my door."

For some reason, upon hearing this description, Jiang Wang immediately thought of the incident Li Youjiu had once recounted...

After Lin Kuang's death back then, someone threw his body directly in front of the three-year-old Lin Youxie, causing her to develop a phobia. As the heir of a Green-badge family, she couldn't face corpses...

"What was it?" Jiang Wang asked.

Lin Youxie's fingers traced an imaginary line across the bookshelf, her transmitted voice calm: "A small knife used for dissecting corpses... It had my father's unique mark on it. It was an item he lost years ago."

Jiang Wang's hairs instantly stood on end.

Feng Gu's death was far more complex than imagined. Not only was it possibly related to the Consort Lei case, but it could also be connected to the renowned constable Lin Kuang from that year?

"You mean..."

"My father died and his reputation was ruined precisely because he was investigating the Consort Lei case back then," Lin Youxie said faintly. "And all these years, what I have sought and researched is nothing but this."

The circumstances surrounding Lin Kuang's death in the past were something insiders had always kept tightly sealed.

Could it be because he was entangled in the secret court case of Consort Lei's assassination?

If Lin Youxie's statement at first was merely on the level of speculation, combined with the dissection knife belonging to the late Lin Kuang, the target of Feng Gu's suicide was now clearer than ever.

The suicide of the Chief Eunuch in Changsheng Palace was already a sensational case in itself.

However, the reason behind it was even more terrifying, requiring a tracing back through seventeen years of history, all the way to Yuanfeng Year 38. It involved the death of Consort Lei, Jiang Wuqi's affliction with the cold poison... and the death of the renowned constable Lin Kuang!

This was a major case capable of shaking the entire state of Qi!

Putting it seriously, its development could potentially influence the entire political landscape of the Great Qi Empire.

Just consider how many individuals in the entire state of Qi could have harmed Consort Lei and suppressed so many matters?

Which of them was not standing high above?

No wonder Feng Gu said in his suicide note—"This old man's humble life is not worth grieving; let the coffin be sealed and the matter closed."

He knew that his death might not stir much of a ripple.

This was merely his final effort.

There was no other way; only death.

"You don't trust Zheng Shangming?" Jiang Wang asked with difficulty.

Lin Youxie replied: "I don't trust anyone in the Inspectorate."

That's right. Lin Kuang must have uncovered something back then, and at the same time, there must have been someone belonging to the behind-the-scenes killer within the Inspectorate. Otherwise, how could a renowned constable like Lin Kuang, who had both reputation and power, suddenly die?

Died without a clear explanation.

That's why Wu Lie, who had an extraordinary friendship with Lin Kuang and was renowned alongside him in the north and south, directly resigned from office...

In such a matter, how could Lin Youxie dare to trust anyone in the Inspectorate?

"But you trust me?" Jiang Wang asked.

"Because you are truly someone worthy of trust," Lin Youxie said.

She spoke very calmly.

But for such a person who was wary of the entire Qi Inspectorate and even the officialdom due to her father's death, the trust she bestowed was truly heavy!

(All two thousand signed copies have been signed and mailed out. Everyone should receive the physical books before the fifteenth.)