Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Qi Xiao brought Bai Xiqiao and Cao Weishan into the palace to meet His Majesty. In the carriage, Qi Xiao asked Cao Weishan, "Who was the leader of the Wudu Prefecture's arrest of these two people?"

"It's Lieutenant General Song Li."

"He shot the man too?"

Cao Weishan shook his head: "No, that person was saved by Song Li."

Qi Xiao and Cao Weishan had reached a tacit understanding during the conversation. These two were scapegoats, and only death would clear the air. But one of them was left alive. Although he had managed to make it to the Dali Temple, he still gave them a chance. Song Li was helping them.

"Since Song Li was willing to help us, why did he order the shooting?"

The Capital Protectorate and the Five Cities Guards were responsible for security patrols and other tasks in the Yuan capital, but the officials and guards only wore swords, without armor or bows. After all, it was the capital, and once the crossbows were deployed, innocent people might be hurt. However, the Five Cities Guards always carried bows and arrows.

Two days ago in Chengming Palace, the Fifth Prince advised to order the Wudu Mansion to enter the city to assist in the search. Qi Xiao originally did not think there was anything wrong with it. He just thought that there must be the Fifth Prince's men in the Wudu Mansion who wanted to steal the credit. Now, it seems that they are here to disrupt the situation.

Qi Xiao has been far away in Fuzhou all this time. He has only heard about the situation in Yuanjing City and has no idea of ​​the truth. Pei Hao is upright and down-to-earth. He is a man who avoids party disputes. To solve Luo Yu's case, he has to rely on Cao Weishan, the parent official of Yuanjing City.

Qi Xiao looked at Cao Weishan, waiting for him to speak.

"I was too anxious to explain the details to Your Highness. Yesterday, after receiving the confession from the Luo family servant, the Capital Protectorate reported the bandits' characteristics to the Five City Guards and the Five Capitals, who are conducting a thorough search. The East and West Markets were the most chaotic, so they dispatched additional personnel. The Five City Guards were in the west, and the Five Capitals were in the east. The Five Capitals were led by Song Li, who split up into teams of three to investigate. It wasn't General Song who initially discovered the bandits' whereabouts. By the time he arrived, they were already surrounded, the ground was riddled with arrows, and one of them was already dead."

"Master Cao, do you know who Song Li is usually close to?"

When Qi Xiao asked that question, Cao Weishan keenly understood the meaning. He was asking whether Song Li stood on the side of the fifth prince or the seventh prince, and he was also asking Cao Weishan about the situation in the court.

Cao Weishan hesitated for a moment. He only knew that Qi Xiao had received the imperial order to assist in the investigation of Luo Yu's case, and he hadn't yet realized that His Majesty had also given him the jade token of the Tiance Camp. Qi Xiao, with no connections or influence at court, was suddenly being promoted by His Majesty. He must be wondering which of the Qin and Gongsun clans would be more advantageous.

The Cao family motto was to avoid partisanship. On ordinary days, Cao Weishan would have feigned ignorance and resorted to Tai Chi to evade Qi Xiao's question. But this case was his own, and he had seen Qi Xiao's dedication over the past two days. Just now, at the Dali Temple, Qi Xiao had offered him advice. Cao Weishan knew this question might be the key to solving the case, so there was no point in trying to fool Qi Xiao now. Besides, it wasn't like Cao Weishan had to choose sides himself.

"Your Highness, you may not know that General Song is from Jinzhou. He once served on the border in Liaoshan Commandery and was transferred to Wudu Prefecture two years ago. Aside from his annual performance report, he usually stays at the Wudu Prefecture camp. I haven't heard that he is close to any of your Highnesses."

Cao Weishan's answer was clear, and Qi Xiao nodded slightly. The Sixth Prince Qi Ji was only released to Liaoshan County two years ago. Considering the time, Song Li should have had little contact with the Sixth Prince. In this case, Song Li was just following the rules.

Cao Weishan added, "However, the commander of Wudu Prefecture, Wang Peizhao, and the Minister of War, Guan Botang, are comrades-in-arms."

The Ministry of War? That would be Gongsun's people.

It was Fifth Prince Qi Li who suggested allowing the Five Capitals to enter the city. Seventh Prince Qi Ting reconsidered the matter, ultimately securing His Majesty's approval. According to Cao Weishan, the Five Capitals should be under the control of the Gongsun clan. Why did the Fifth Prince bring it up first? What would it gain him? Was he truly motivated by the desire to solve the case? Or was he simply playing nice in front of His Majesty?

Qi Xiao didn't know much about his two royal brothers, so he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

Seeing Qi Xiao frowning, Cao Weishan could probably guess what confused him, because Cao Weishan himself didn't understand the reason.

As the carriage arrived at the palace gate, Qi Xiao temporarily suppressed his doubts and said to Cao Weishan, "Sir Cao, please inquire about the details of the Five Capitals officers and soldiers who participated in the roundup today, so that we can report them to Your Majesty later."

Cao Weishan nodded: "I understand." They were entering the palace now, and after returning, Cao Weishan would ask the people of Wudu Mansion about the situation. He could act in the name of His Majesty without worrying that the people of Wudu Mansion would deliberately evade the question.

***

"Bandits causing chaos?"

There was silence in Chengming Hall. His Majesty listened to Cao Weishan's words for a long time before asking this question. Cao Weishan could not tell whether his Majesty was happy or angry in his words. He felt uneasy and wanted to raise his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Your Majesty, the confessions of the Luo family servants and the captured bandits contradict each other, making it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion at this time. However, I believe that after a thorough investigation by the Dali Temple, the truth of the case will soon be revealed."

His Majesty looked at Cao Weishan and was silent for a long time. He suddenly cast his gaze on Qi Xiao and asked, "Old Nine, go ahead."

"Reporting to His Majesty, I believe that besides the contradictory testimony given by Lord Cao, the identity of the bandit has not yet been ascertained. This case still has some unclear points and requires swift investigation before a final verdict can be reached. However, now that the bandit has been apprehended, at least the people of the city can be reassured and not be in panic."

His Majesty looked at Qi Xiao with sharp eyes. The more Qi Xiao's words were flawless, the less His Majesty liked them.

"Since you haven't found out yet, why don't you check it out?"

"I obey your command." Cao Weishan bowed quickly and left the hall, letting out a sigh of relief and wiping his sweat. As Qi Xiao had expected, His Majesty wasn't angry, but he also didn't accept the bandits' claim of accidentally killing an imperial official. In his ambiguity, he didn't scold Cao Weishan again.

Cao Weishan left Chengming Hall, but Qi Xiao was left alone.

"Tell me, how do you plan to investigate?"