Chapter 170: Prefect Zhao Has Died

Mr. Jiang, rest assured, this official will faithfully report to the Emperor.

I'll request merit for you! By then, promotion and ennoblement will be just around the corner!

Zhang Yu sprayed spit everywhere, splattering Jiang Xiaomu's face.

Jiang Xiaomu suppressed his nausea, silently cursing: This pretty boy, he's acting quite convincingly.

He kept a polite smile on his face, occasionally raising a toast to Zhang Yu, as if genuinely moved by his praise.

The banquet lasted until deep night, with everyone utterly drunk.

Prefect Zhao arranged a carriage, sending Zhang Yu and his party back to the Governor's Mansion.

Watching their receding backs, Jiang Xiaomu's smile gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.

What exactly is Zhang Yu up to?

Early the next morning, just as Jiang Xiaomu got up, he received a summons from Prefect Zhao.

That old fogey never quits—what does he want now?

Jiang Xiaomu muttered to himself, a bit annoyed, but still went to the Governor's Mansion.

Prefect Zhao sat solemnly in the hall; seeing Jiang Xiaomu enter, he handed him a letter.

Mr. Jiang, take a look at this.

Jiang Xiaomu took the letter, unfolded it, and his face changed instantly.

The note contained only a few short words: Zhang Yu, the Emperor's nephew.

No wonder...

Jiang Xiaomu murmured, 'No wonder Zhang Yu became an imperial envoy at such a young age—it turns out he has this connection.'

Mr. Jiang, what should we do now?

Prefect Zhao looked worried.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment, then said:

Prefect Zhao need not worry overly; now that we know his identity, we can respond appropriately.

Mr. Jiang, what clever plan do you have?

Jiang Xiaomu gave a mysterious smile.

We'll meet force with force, water with earth.

Since Zhang Yu is the Emperor's nephew, he naturally wouldn't dare be too presumptuous.

We just need to watch and respond to his moves as they come.

Over the next few days, Zhang Yu behaved himself quite well, aside from his routine patrols of the city defenses, he did nothing unusual.

That morning, Jiang Xiaomu was instructing Jiang Xiaoyu in sword practice in the courtyard when he suddenly heard a frantic knocking at the door.

Who's there?

Mr. Jiang, it's me, the steward of the Zhao residence.

Jiang Xiaomu opened the door to see the steward panting as he said:

Mr. Jiang, something terrible has happened to Prefect Zhao!

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted.

Prefect Zhao? What happened to him?

Prefect Zhao… Prefect Zhao… died suddenly!

Jiang Xiaomu felt a chill surge from his feet to his head.

Prefect Zhao is dead? How could it be so sudden?

He followed the steward to the Zhao residence, where he saw Prefect Zhao's corpse lying on the bed, face bluish-purple, blood bleeding from all seven apertures, a gruesome sight.

This… this…

The steward was so frightened he could barely speak.

Jiang Xiaomu suppressed his shock and carefully examined Prefect Zhao's corpse.

He discovered a tiny pinhole on Prefect Zhao's neck, almost impossible to notice.

This is… a poison needle!

Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself, it seems Prefect Zhao's death was no accident but a murder!

Who? Who killed Prefect Zhao? Could it be Zhang Yu?

Just then, a noisy clamor came from outside the door.

What's going on?

Jiang Xiaomu asked.

It's the Imperial Envoy who has arrived!

The steward said in terror.

Zhang Yu entered with a grim face, followed by County Magistrate Li Wenqing and Constable Captain Pei Dongyong.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu, Li Wenqing immediately stepped forward and grabbed his arm, asking urgently:

Mr. Jiang, what's going on? Prefect Zhao… he…

Jiang Xiaomu gently broke free of Li Wenqing's grip and stepped back unnoticeably.

He shook his head, his tone unnervingly calm.

I just arrived as well; the Zhao residence steward came to report that Prefect Zhao had died suddenly, so I came to see.

Li Wenqing frowned, his expression grave, and turned to Constable Captain Pei Dongyong, ordering:

Constable Captain Pei, hurry up and examine the corpse to see exactly how he died!

Pei Dongyong obeyed, immediately summoning the yamen runners to step forward and begin examining Prefect Zhao's corpse.

Zhang Yu stood to the side, silent, merely staring coldly at Jiang Xiaomu, his eyes carrying an imperceptible scrutiny.

Jiang Xiaomu met Zhang Yu's gaze, calm and composed.

Sir Zhao's death would inevitably drag me into this vortex.

Zhang Yu is the emperor's close nephew, while I happen to be one of the last people who saw Sir Zhao.

Pei Dongyong carefully examined Sir Zhao's corpse and finally discovered a tiny puncture wound on the neck.

"Sir, the deceased has a puncture wound on the neck, as if struck by a poisoned needle."

"A poisoned needle?" Li Wenqing's face changed.

"Based on the corpse's wounds and time of death, Sir Zhao had already breathed his last last night at the xu hour."

"This... this is clearly a premeditated murder!"

Zhang Yu only then spoke, his tone icy.

"Sir Li, this case is of great importance; you must swiftly uncover the truth and bring the culprit to justice!"

Li Wenqing clasped his hands and said:

"Imperial Envoy, rest assured; this subordinate will exert every effort!"

Zhang Yu no longer paid attention to Li Wenqing, but turned to Jiang Xiaomu, his tone oppressive.

"Mr. Jiang, when was the last time you saw Sir Zhao?"

Jiang Xiaomu smirked inwardly; this Zhang Yu had clearly come for him.

"Replying to the Imperial Envoy, yesterday evening Sir Zhao hosted a banquet for me, and nothing unusual occurred during the meal."

"After the banquet ended, I returned home and never saw Sir Zhao again."

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhang Yu said, his tone loaded with meaning.

"Mr. Jiang, do you have any evidence?"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a faint smile.

"Imperial Envoy, you jest; I am a wandering martial artist—where would I get evidence?"

"Besides, only Sir Zhao and I were present; no one else was there."

Zhang Yu let out a cold snort.

"Mr. Jiang, you had better come clean, or else..."

"Or else what?" Jiang Xiaomu interrupted Zhang Yu without fear.

"Are you trying to extort a confession through torture, Imperial Envoy?"

Between them, swords were drawn and bows strung; the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Seeing this, Li Wenqing hurried to smooth things over.

"Imperial Envoy, please calm your anger; Mr. Jiang also came at once out of concern for Sir Zhao's safety."

"I believe Mr. Jiang is certainly not the murderer."

Zhang Yu gave Li Wenqing a cold glance, said nothing more, turned, and swept his sleeves as he left.

Li Wenqing sighed and said to Jiang Xiaomu:

"Mr. Jiang, I know you would not do such a thing, but the situation is complicated now, so you must act cautiously."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded.

"Thank you for the reminder, Sir Li; I will be careful."

Li Wenqing then ordered Pei Dongyong to continue the investigation, while he himself accompanied Jiang Xiaomu as they left the Zhao residence.

Returning to the inn, Jiang Xiaomu immediately summoned Jiang Xiaoyu to the room.

"Xiao Yu, things have changed; Sir Zhao is dead."

Jiang Xiaoyu's face showed shock.

"What? Sir Zhao died? How did he die?"

Jiang Xiaomu briefly recounted what had happened.

"I suspect Zhang Yu killed Sir Zhao and then framed me."

Jiang Xiaoyu said angrily:

"That Zhang Yu is truly despicable!"

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment.

"We must quickly find evidence to prove our innocence."

"But where can we look for evidence?"

Jiang Xiaoyu wore a bewildered expression.