Heartstrings Resonance: The Beloved Princess of the Female Power

Like an invisible storm, it swept across Youzhou City. People began to speculate: Was there some hidden conspiracy behind this? Was there a force secretly manipulating everything? Or was there truly a supernatural force at work?

Upon learning of this, Mu Cheng, deeply impressed by the gravity of the situation, decided to personally investigate the disappearances. Secretly interviewing individuals who had contact with the missing merchants, he uncovered a curious clue: all the missing merchants had transacted with a mysterious buyer before their disappearance. This buyer, whose identity remains unknown, was said to be a generous spender with a keen interest in various precious commodities.

To uncover the truth, Mu Cheng decided to investigate the mysterious buyer. He asked around and finally obtained some information about the buyer through an obscure source. It was rumored that the buyer was connected to a powerful family in the capital. Mu Cheng was startled, realizing that the situation might be more complicated than he had imagined.

Is this powerful family connected to the Liu family? What is their purpose? Mu Cheng decided not to alert the enemy for the time being.

What Mu Cheng didn't know was that some people in the capital had already impeached him, saying that he was not strict in his rule and that since he could allow so many people to disappear for no reason in the area under his jurisdiction, he was not worthy of being the prefect of Youzhou; but all these were suppressed by the emperor.

In the main hall of the government office, Mu Cheng was methodically assigning tasks to his four constables. Each of these four constables had their own specialties.

Qi Ping'an, thirty years old, has a calm face and sharp eyes. He is a burly man, and his movements exude an extraordinary aura. Qi Ping'an possesses an exceptional talent for investigation, adept at finding clues from subtle details, making him a master at solving crimes.

Luohan, 27 years old, was thin but immensely powerful and a master of martial arts. He excelled in grappling and combat, often stepping forward at crucial moments to subdue the ferocious.

Xiao Si, 25 years old, was handsome and possessed a remarkable wit. He was of medium build, agile, and adaptable. Xiao Si possessed unique skills in tracking, allowing him to accurately locate his targets, whether in the sparsely populated wilderness or in the bustling city.

Lin Feng, 32 years old, possessed an upright figure and toned muscles, revealing his years of martial arts training. His face was resolute, his eyes piercing, as if he could see into people's hearts, making it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze. He possessed a calm and composed personality, always maintaining a clear mind and making quick judgments in the face of complex cases and critical situations. He also possessed a deep sense of justice, never compromising against injustice and always upholding justice. In the eyes of his colleagues and the public, Lin Feng was not only an outstanding detective, but also a man worthy of trust and respect.

Qi Ping'an and Lin Feng had been promoted by Mu Cheng not long ago. While the other two had their complaints, Mu Cheng hadn't isolated them or deprived them of their limited power; this had helped them put their grudges at ease. They knew Mu Cheng didn't trust them, but they didn't mind, as they had no ulterior motives. They also knew Mu Cheng's character well; as long as they worked hard, Mu Cheng would treat them well. Thus, Mu Cheng had two more capable men under his command.

"Captain Qi, immediately investigate whether any suspicious individuals have been seen near Youzhou City recently. Pay special attention to those with suspicious behavior or whose whereabouts remain unknown. Also, keep an eye out for any unusual activity in the city. If you discover any clues, report them to me immediately."

Captain Qi nodded to show that he understood, then turned and left to carry out his mission.

Mu Cheng then turned to Luo Han and said, "Captain Luo, you will be responsible for visiting the various county yamen and inquiring about any reports of missing merchants. You will also be responsible for collecting all relevant details and the locations of their disappearances. You will also be responsible for carefully checking the entry and exit records at the county gates to see if any suspicious individuals have entered or exited. If necessary, you can inquire with local residents to see if anyone has personally witnessed the last whereabouts of these missing merchants."

Luohan responded and left in a hurry.

"Xiao Si, take your men to check for passing ships. Lin Feng, go outside the city and check."

"Yes, sir." Xiao Si and Lin Feng responded in unison and left.

Mu Cheng watched the men depart, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and contemplation. He silently prayed that they would successfully find the missing merchants. He knew time was running out, and every second could affect the progress of the case. He understood that this case was not just about the missing merchants, but also about the stability and peace of the entire Youzhou.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He told himself that no matter what, he must quickly uncover the truth and bring justice to the victim. He had a strong premonition that this incident was inextricably linked to him, as if someone was deliberately targeting him. This feeling weighed on him, but it also ignited a fighting spirit deep within him.

At this time, the clerk in charge of writing official documents couldn't help but sigh: "Oh! I have checked it twice, and I don't know if I can find any clues this time..." His tone revealed a hint of helplessness and worry.

Mu Cheng turned his head, looked outside the door with a firm gaze, and said softly: "There will always be some clues. As long as we look carefully and don't miss any details, we will definitely find the key clues." His words were full of confidence and determination, as if he was cheering himself up.

In the days that followed, Mu Cheng threw himself into the investigation. He maintained close contact with his staff and received daily progress reports. Although no definitive clues had yet been found, Mu Cheng firmly believed that with unremitting efforts, the mystery would be solved.

As time passed, Qi Ping'an and his companions brought back numerous clues. According to reports from various county offices, the missing merchants vanished on their way to trading locations, and their disappearances were concentrated in several towns and counties in Youzhou, such as Qinghe County, Baishi Town, and Luojiazhuang.

On a winter morning, the wind was biting and the icy air seemed frozen to frost. The gates of the government office were closed, a thin layer of snow covering the stone steps in front. The usual bustle and bustle were gone. Only two gatekeepers, with their necks hunched, paced back and forth in front of the door, trying to ward off the cold. Their faces were devoid of their former dignity, replaced by a look of helplessness and exhaustion.

Inside the government office, officials sat in a warm room, handling trivial matters. Their expressions were serious, as if they were contemplating some important issue. However, the atmosphere in the room was very dull, without the usual discussion and debate.

The trees in the courtyard had withered, leaving only bare branches swaying in the cold wind. The snow on the ground was blown everywhere by the wind, forming a white mist. The entire government office seemed to be shrouded in a layer of cold air, making people feel depressed and dull.

"Sir, a servant came to report that the Gou and Xu families have come again with people from other families." The voice of a middle-aged man broke the silence. The man's surname was Shen, and he was the chief clerk in the government office. He bowed and reported.

Mu Cheng heard the familiar voice and looked up in confusion, frowning and asking, "Why are you here to report, Shen Zhubu?"

"My Lord, there are too many missing people this time, and most of the yamen runners have gone out early in the morning. Only Captain Li, two constables, and two menial servants are waiting for your orders at the government office. At this time," Shen Zhubu replied respectfully.

"Okay! Take them to the lobby first! I'll be there in a while." Mu Cheng said.

Shen Zhubu should leave.

Shen Zhubu, whose full name was Shen Yitai, was a civil servant in his forties. He always gave off a calm and focused impression. His face showed a hint of maturity, with traces of time in the corners of his eyes. However, this did not diminish his shrewdness and competence, but instead enhanced his profoundness and steadiness. He wore a neat official uniform, with the collar straight, as if every wrinkle revealed his rigorous approach to work.

He was also Mu Cheng's cousin, having studied together as children, though Shen Yitai had only passed the imperial examination six years earlier. Mu Cheng knew his cousin well, so he asked if he would be willing to work with him. Shen Yitai didn't want to wait for a vacant official position to be filled, and since he wanted to be with his cousin, he could look after him, so he agreed. Although they were close relatives, he never shirked his duties. Instead, his hands were always busy, either flipping through thick files or writing important documents.

In him, you can see a deep love for his work and an unwavering devotion to his duties. He doesn't just handle paperwork; he writes the pages of history with his pen, manages complex affairs with wisdom, and contributes to the smooth operation of government. Despite his age, his mind remains sharp, and his ability to handle affairs has not diminished in the slightest.

Mu Cheng looked at the case file on the table, carefully studying the clues. He discovered a common thread: All the missing merchants had passed through a dense forest called the "Black Pine Forest." This dense forest was located on the route from Youzhou City to the various counties. Its complex terrain made it easy to hide. Looking at the map of Youzhou, the Black Pine Forest was located in the heart of the state, with every road crisscrossing it. Moreover, next to the Black Pine Forest was the Liuxi River, which led directly to Youdu.

Thinking of this, Mu Cheng's heart sank. "The Black Pine Forest is vast. Although it's located in the center of Youzhou, it has a waterway!" Mu Cheng muttered to himself. "It seems that's very likely where the merchants disappeared. The roads are difficult to travel in winter, and it's easy to leave traces. If they are really here, they may not have moved yet."

Mu Cheng's eyes gradually became deep, and then he called someone.

"Sir!" Lin Feng bowed his head respectfully.

"Well, come here!" Mu Cheng stood up and walked to the hanging map, pointing at it; he said seriously: "Search this place."