Upon hearing of Feng Gu’s sudden demise, Jiang Wang, though a man who had weathered many storms, was momentarily shocked and at a loss for words. Even Chong Xuan Sheng, who had been casually sipping porridge in the courtyard, lifted his eyes in surprise.

Feng Gu was the chief eunuch of the Changsheng Palace. How could he simply die?

Putting aside his cultivation, his very identity meant his life should not have ended so easily. Especially not now, in the wake of the Changsheng Palace Master’s funeral, a time of such heightened sensitivity. The rain of blood from the true person’s execution might still be drying on the grounds!

After a brief stunned silence at the courtyard gate, Jiang Wang asked, “How did he die?”

“A three-foot length of white silk around his neck,” Zheng Shangming replied. “Hanged in the spirit hall.”

“Surely not suicide?” Jiang Wang ventured.

“Hard to say,” Zheng Shangming cautiously stated. “We need a thorough investigation to reach a conclusion.”

“The time of death was midnight,” Lin Youxie added, supplementing the details of the case. “Precisely when the Changsheng Palace Master’s funeral concluded and all the guests had dispersed from the Changsheng Palace. Feng Gu’s body was found hanging in the spirit hall. Aside from the strangulation marks on his neck, no other injuries were immediately apparent. No foreign Dao Yuan was detected within his body, and his divine soul’s dissipation was consistent with natural causes. On first inspection, it strongly resembles a self-hanging.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment before saying, “This is too absurd.”

A formidable expert, one who had even made him feel threatened, allegedly dying from a simple length of white silk was, in itself, a matter that defied logic.

“Why involve Jiang Wang?” Chong Xuan Sheng, who had walked over by this point, cut straight to the core of the matter. “The North Yamen is teeming with skilled constables; there’s no shortage of manpower. And Jiang Wang is currently at a crucial stage of his cultivation… As Da Qi’s foremost heavenly pride, his training is paramount.”

Jiang Wang also cast an inquiring gaze towards them. After the tumultuous Huang Yixing case, he was now somewhat wary of being specifically assigned to handle cases. While not quite “a decade fearing well ropes,” it had certainly left him unsettled for several months.

Lin Youxie glanced at Chong Xuan Sheng and said flatly, “Young Master Chong Xuan, this matter pertains to a case. It is not convenient for you to overhear. Please understand.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was not one to be easily silenced, but facing Zheng Shangming’s apologetic look, he merely let out a huff. “This is *my* courtyard!”

Three blue plaques decisively shifted towards Jiang Wang’s courtyard, exhibiting a certain unspoken understanding and cultivation among the blue plaques.

Chong Xuan Sheng curled his lip in disdain and walked back with his hands behind his back. “Cases, pah! Nothing that can’t be solved with a few broken bones. As for framing, it’s grander than my face! I’m not interested in listening! Right, Fourteen?”

Fourteen did not speak, merely gently wiping away the porridge residue from the corner of his mouth.

Entering Jiang Wang’s courtyard, Zheng Shangming took a letter from his chest. “This letter was handed over by a young eunuch who works as a stable hand after Feng Gu’s death. We’ve already investigated this eunuch; he’s clean, no issues… Brother Jiang, why you were sought out, you’ll understand once you read it.”

Jiang Wang took the letter, which was clean on the surface, and drew out the paper within. Unfolding it, he saw several neatly written lines:

“Lately, my heart has been restless, often filled with apprehension, thus I leave this note. If my body perishes, it must be murder. Looking around me, there is no one not suspect. Surveying the entire North Yamen, I only trust Jiang Qingyang. This old man’s life is insignificant, his death not worth pity, and his coffin can be closed without ceremony. However, if heaven shows grace and allows this old slave of the Changsheng Palace to see his killer caught… only with Jiang Qingyang’s supervision throughout 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 foreseen his own death!

Who would kill him? And what would kill him?

After Jiang Wuqi’s death, the Emperor had ordered the Changsheng Palace to be retained. Feng Gu, as the de facto administrator of this palace, possessed both status and strength. Jiang Wuqi’s legacy alone should have been enough for him to live peacefully. Why would he not protect himself?

After reading the letter, Jiang Wang’s emotions were difficult to articulate. He recalled the day he left the Changsheng Palace, by the screen wall, where Feng Gu had spoken with such meaning. He had originally planned to visit the Changsheng Palace after the funeral to inquire about the hidden circumstances. He hadn’t expected Feng Gu to be gone so soon after Jiang Wuqi’s funeral ended…

“This case has already reached the Emperor’s ears,” Zheng Shangming stated in a rather formal tone. “According to Feng Gu’s suicide note, the North Yamen has specifically invited Constable Jiang to supervise this case to ensure it progresses in a clean and impartial manner.”

The favor Feng Gu had shown him by speaking up for him in the spirit hall that day was not something he could, or would, forget. To fulfill his last wish and allow him to rest without worry after death was indeed the right thing to do.

Jiang Wang’s heart had already agreed, but he still asked first, “Can I refuse?”

“To refuse or not is your freedom,” Zheng Shangming said. “We are ordered to invite you to supervise this case, not command you to join it.”

Jiang Wang asked again, “Is this case under Brother Zheng’s responsibility?”

Zheng Shangming replied, “Vice Envoy Lin and I are jointly investigating this case.”

“With whom as the lead?” Jiang Wang asked.

“For now, it is me,” Zheng Shangming said.

This suggested that, based on the clues they currently possessed, the case might potentially expand further.

“Must I be present throughout?” Jiang Wang asked. He was concerned that the case might be too lengthy and eat into his cultivation time.

Zheng Shangming said, “Your supervision of this case is based on Feng Gu’s personal last wish, not an appointment from the North Yamen or anyone else. You are welcome to join, and you can withdraw at any time you wish.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “The Emperor also said that this matter should be voluntary on your part.”

Jiang Wang knew he had no particular talent for handling cases, and this was something the Emperor and the North Yamen were also aware of. His previous assignment to investigate Huang Yixing had special political undertones, and Lin Youxie was primarily responsible for the specific detective work. This time, due to Feng Gu’s suicide note, he was brought into the case again, given the title of supervisor, which could help avoid many potential issues down the line.

It was a form of consideration from the North Yamen, and it also had the Emperor’s approval. After all, in the previous Huang Yixing case, the Pingdeng Country had not stirred up any trouble; only Jiang Wang had been chased to the ends of the earth. Both the Emperor and the North Yamen likely felt some guilt towards Jiang Wang. Thus, they granted him the greatest autonomy in this case.

Of course, Jiang Qingyang had spoken so fondly of his regard for Jiang Wuqi. Now, with Jiang Wuqi’s bones not yet cold, his most trusted eunuch had died an unnatural death. If Jiang Wang was not even willing to supervise the case’s progress, it was hard to say whether the Emperor would have any thoughts. Zheng Shangming’s specific mention of the Emperor was a subtle reminder.

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment, then said, “This matter is something I should do. When do we depart?”

“We’re going to the Changsheng Palace now,” Lin Youxie’s voice cut in. It seemed that for the specific investigation, Lin Youxie was still the primary figure…

Although Jiang Wang had specifically instructed his housekeeper that any visits from Lin Youxie should be announced and her intentions clarified, thereby creating a clear distance between himself and Lin Youxie to avoid potential future troubles, he privately held a great deal of admiration for her. Whether it was her case-handling ability or her steadfast integrity as a blue plaque.

The current lineup for this investigation was quite interesting. One was Lin Youxie, a descendant of one of the Four Great Blue Plaque Families with genuine talent as a constable. The other was Zheng Shangming, the son of the North Yamen Commandant, whose case-handling abilities were yet unknown, but given his family background, they were likely to be significant. Most importantly, his identity meant he could mobilize the vast majority of the North Yamen’s resources. And finally, Jiang Wang, a third-rank official.

It wasn’t that there was no one in Linzi they couldn’t investigate; the scope of the investigation was quite broad.

The three exchanged a few simple sentences. Jiang Wang had nothing to pack; he merely strapped on his long sword and followed them out the door. The focus was on the case itself, which was different. The North Yamen’s carriage was waiting outside the mansion, and after picking up the three, it sped directly towards the Changsheng Palace. The blue plaque hanging on the carriage ensured an unobstructed passage.

After a brief discussion about the case on the way, they arrived at the palace gates. Following Feng Gu’s corpse being discovered, the entire Changsheng Palace had been sealed off. Thus, the arrangements from the funeral period were still in place, not significantly different from when Jiang Wang had come to pay his respects that day. Of course, Jiang Wuqi’s coffin had already been taken away for burial in the imperial tomb.

At this moment, the Changsheng Palace was empty. Only a team of blue plaque constables guarded the palace gates, preventing anyone from entering and potentially destroying clues, and waiting for the arrival of Zheng Shangming and the others responsible for the case. This also highlighted the high level of confidentiality surrounding the case; otherwise, sealing off the palace gates would typically be handled by the palace city guards, not solely the North Yamen.

“The guards, eunuchs, and palace maids within this palace are all currently detained within the North Yamen and being interrogated separately,” Zheng Shangming said. “We can summon them for questioning at any time.”

The palace, draped in white and frost, was intensely cold. Even in the daytime, the autumn sun offered no warmth. The vast emptiness, devoid of any figures, subtly bred a sense of unease. Only Zheng Shangming, Jiang Wang, and Lin Youxie walked into the Changsheng Palace, while the team of constables guarding the gate remained there.

Jiang Wang silently listened to the distinct sounds of their footsteps, attempting to gauge the different moods of the other two – a futile endeavor, of course, as they were not people who would easily reveal their emotions. The once magnificent and brilliant palace was now pervaded by a chilling stillness. It almost reminded Jiang Wang of the Qingshi Palace.

Lin Youxie then said, “Everything within this palace remains untouched. At least after we sealed it, no one else has entered.”

Jiang Wang became even more aware of the importance of this case… The North Yamen placed too much emphasis on it! They didn’t even fully trust their own blue plaque members, with that team of constables merely guarding the door, not allowing anyone inside. Such a large palace, and only the three of them were here to investigate for clues. How long would this take?

At this point, he re-examined the composition of this investigation team. Zheng Shi was the Emperor’s confidant, and Zheng Shangming was Zheng Shi’s son, undoubtedly trustworthy to the Emperor. Lin Youxie was a descendant of one of the Four Great Blue Plaque Families, with a clean background and reliable actions. Although one of the Four Great Blue Plaque Families had produced a Li Youjiu, who had been executed for his crimes, the previous Huang Yixing case had clearly demonstrated the difference between her and Li Youjiu. As for Jiang Wang himself, there was even less to say. Feng Gu, such an old palace eunuch, whatever secrets he might have been involved in, would not have been related to him, a heavenly pride who had only arrived in Qi Country in recent years.

Judging from the posture adopted by the North Yamen, Feng Gu’s words in his suicide note, “Looking around me, there is no one not suspect,” might not have been merely paranoid ramblings…

Who would want to kill him? And who had such great power? Jiang Wang felt a sense of trepidation.

The three first went to the main hall of the Changsheng Palace, which was the “spirit hall.” Aside from the coffin having been removed, the offering table, spirit tablet, incense burner, and seating arrangements were all the same as on the first day of the funeral. Everything that had happened that day was still vivid in his mind. Looking at it now, the people were gone, and the hall was empty. And looking up at the place where the coffin had been, a three-foot length of white silk hung solitarily from the dome, like a fixed patch of cloud shadow.

“Feng Gu’s body is currently at the North Yamen. Do you want to go and see it later?” Lin Youxie’s voice broke the silence.

“Naturally,” Jiang Wang replied. He wasn’t planning on finding any information on Feng Gu’s corpse. The professional constables at the North Yamen had undoubtedly examined it more than once. If they couldn’t find any clues, Jiang Wang didn’t think he could either. But since he had agreed to supervise the case and allow Feng Gu to rest without worry in the Nine Springs, he naturally wanted to supervise whether the corpse had been tampered with during the examination.

Lin Youxie nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more. She put on a pair of white leather gloves and began a detailed search for clues within the main hall. Jiang Wang subconsciously glanced at them… Thankfully, they weren’t the corpse-membrane gloves from last time, though he wasn’t examining a corpse now either.

On the other side, Zheng Shangming also put on gloves and was carefully examining the offering table. Jiang Wang’s role was to supervise, so he sometimes watched Zheng Shangming and sometimes watched Lin Youxie. Zheng Shangming’s movements were very meticulous, as if he wouldn’t miss an inch of space. Lin Youxie, on the other hand, first swept the area and then focused on observing several key points.

Jiang Wang silently scored their search efficiency in his mind, and while supervising, he also scanned the surrounding environment. He felt somewhat idle… In truth, he was indeed idle. He seemed slightly redundant in this team at the moment. Of course, even if he wanted to join in and help collect clues, he would likely be refused. Collecting clues required a great deal of professional ability. Before systematic training, his talent in combat was not applicable to this. Not destroying clues was already good enough.

The search of the spirit hall continued for about fifteen minutes. Lin Youxie and Zheng Shangming successively stopped, having clearly not discovered any particularly valuable information. Or perhaps they had discovered something but hadn’t revealed it. In any case, their expressions were all very calm.

“Where do we search next?” Jiang Wang asked.

“The study,” Lin Youxie said.

Jiang Wuqi’s study was a familiar place to Jiang Wang.

“Let’s go,” he said, leading the way.

“Brother Jiang, I heard you have a very deep friendship with the Eleventh Prince?” Zheng Shangming asked on the way.

“We didn’t have much contact, but we held each other in high regard,” Jiang Wang replied honestly.

“Then are you familiar with Feng Gu?” Zheng Shangming asked again. After asking, he quickly added, “Don’t misunderstand, I’m not suspicious of you, just purely trying to understand some information.”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Wang completely understood and calmly said, “I was not familiar with Eunuch Feng. His Highness the Eleventh sent him to invite me for a meeting, and that was the first time I encountered him. The second time was when His Highness the Eleventh was giving away his legacy. At His Highness the Eleventh’s funeral, I saw him for the third and last time.”

“Do you think…” Zheng Shangming asked, “that he wanted to die?”

Jiang Wang shook his head. “I cannot judge, and I do not wish to interfere with your investigation.”

Lin Youxie, who had been silently listening, suddenly said, “We’ve arrived.”

They had walked very quickly, and in the time they had been speaking, they had already reached the front of Jiang Wuqi’s study. Jiang Wang was slightly surprised. “Constable Lin seems quite familiar with this place as well?”

Lin Youxie did not answer. She reached out and, without directly touching it, pushed open the door of the hall and stepped inside first. She was clearly assessing the situation at first glance. Zheng Shangming followed closely behind.

Jiang Wang’s footsteps were a little slower. This was his third time here, and each time felt different. The second time he came, Jiang Wuqi was already dead. This third time, Feng Gu was already dead… He still remembered his first time here, Jiang Wuqi’s imposing spirit, and Feng Gu’s mysterious danger.

But now the study was empty. The people were gone, but the furnishings were as they had been yesterday. The desk, chair, inkstone, the arrangement of the bookshelves – all were as before. Even the bowl of medicinal soup on the table was still there. It was as if the master had merely stepped out for a moment, leaving this empty study to welcome uninvited guests. It truly made one feel lonely.

Lin Youxie walked to the desk and, without reaching out to touch the bowl of medicine, bent down and sniffed gently. Her brows furrowed slightly.

“Is there something wrong with this medicine?” Zheng Shangming asked.

Lin Youxie thought for a moment, then said, “It contains Yiling Grass.”

“Yiling Grass?” Jiang Wang looked blank.

Lin Youxie explained, “It’s a type of substance that dissolves true yuan and causes intense pain. We sometimes use it during interrogations.”

“In other words…” Zheng Shangming’s shock was hard to conceal. “His Highness the Eleventh had been relying on this medicine to suppress his own strength. To avoid breaking through to the Outer Building realm too early.”

Jiang Wang did not speak. He simply stared quietly at the jade bowl. He recalled that on the day Jiang Wuqi went to Yunwu Mountain, he had not drunk this bowl of medicine.