I just want to be a princess, no, you want to be a queen

The two walked into the front hall, the candlelight clearly illuminating their clothes. Chu Mingzheng's eyes moved down and saw the blood splattered on the hem of their skirts.

It's not surprising that there are blood stains, but what about the splashes?

"Really?" Chu Mingzheng smiled faintly, pulled Lu Mingyang to sit down, and did not continue the topic, but Lu Mingyang could not sit still.

"Your Highness, will His Majesty thoroughly investigate the murderer?"

"The murder of a fourth-rank official in the court, who was also an earl, is a serious matter and will naturally be thoroughly investigated." Having said this, Chu Mingzheng paused and continued, "I'm afraid the wife of the Earl of Zhongxin will not be able to escape..."

"Can't escape from what?"

The tea poured out, splashing out of the teacup. Chu Mingzheng held the hand that poured the tea and smiled into her frightened eyes. "You can't escape the fate of repeated questioning."

Lu Mingyang realized that he had lost his composure and quickly pulled his hand back. Fortunately, Pei Mian arrived at this time.

"Your Highness, I just came out of the Duke Zhongxin's residence..."

Pei Mian said this and looked at Lu Mingyang beside Chu Mingzheng.

Chu Mingzheng said: "The fourth lady is my king's princess, but you can speak freely."

"Yes!" Pei Mian continued, "Lord Zhongxin was injured by a Xiongnu scimitar. The move used resembled a Xiongnu warrior's ultimate move: the Wolf-Catching Slash."

"Capturing the Wolf and Slashing it takes time to master it. Captain Changshui is quite skilled, and this didn't seem like a sneak attack. If it weren't for a top-tier Xiongnu warrior like Wuweixie, he wouldn't have been killed with a single blow."

Pei Mian stated his conclusion, "If the Xiongnu have such a master hidden in the capital, I'm afraid they will make a big move. Either to assassinate Your Majesty or to steal secrets."

"Since this concerns your Majesty's safety, your Majesty will definitely investigate it thoroughly." Chu Mingzheng glanced at Lu Mingyang and asked, "Who is in charge of this case?"

"The Jingzhao Yin, Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Justice have all been there." Pei Mian found it interesting when talking about this matter.

The three officials blamed each other. The Minister of Justice said that the Ministry of Justice had too many complicated matters and was only responsible for minor cases, which were not as big and difficult as those handled by the Dali Temple.

The Dali Temple Minister said that this case occurred in the capital area and was first discovered by the Jingzhao Yin, so it should be investigated by the Jingzhao Prefecture.

The Jingzhao Yin said that the case concerned the diplomatic relations between the two countries and would affect the entire body, so it should be led by the Ministry of Justice.

Just as the three masters were arguing with each other, a foolish man came forward to talk to them. Not only did he not help his boss, he also insisted that his boss should be the organizer.

He said that this case indeed involved a wide range of people. If it was indeed a Xiongnu spy, the Ministry of War and the towns leading to the Xiongnu border would need assistance. Furthermore, the safety of His Majesty was also involved, so the Minister of Justice must not refuse.

Chu Mingzheng also laughed when he heard this: "Shen Yan, isn't he the head of the Ministry of War? How did he become the head of the Ministry of Justice?"

"After Shen Yan offended the Emperor, His Majesty wanted to demote him, but Duke Song pleaded for him, saying that his character was upright and his perseverance would be put to good use if he were assigned to the Ministry of Justice, reducing false cases and bringing peace to Dasheng."

Pei Mian spoke with increasing gusto, "Your Highness, didn't you see how dark the faces of the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Justice, and the Prefect of Jingzhao were when they went to see His Majesty? Who do you think His Majesty will assign to take charge?"

"I don't know who it will be handed over to, but..."

Chu Mingzheng looked at Lu Mingyang and continued, "Your Majesty advocated for a marriage alliance. Just as the matter was concluded, word spread that Earl Zhongxin had been killed by a Xiongnu spy. Your Majesty, how could this be a loss of face? Therefore, Your Majesty will conceal the cause of death and investigate the case closely."

His eyes were full of mystery, and Lu Mingyang felt a little uneasy: "Your Highness, overwork is harmful to your health. Why do you want to meddle in the affairs of the court?"

"Yes, why would I, a dying man, meddle in other people's business? But this is my wife's family affair, how can it be considered a private matter?"

His gaze was too scorching, and Lu Mingyang lowered his head in panic.

"Your Highness, I was frightened today and want to go back and rest early."

"Go!" Chu Mingzheng did not embarrass her anymore.

After Lu Mingyang left, Pei Mian looked at the still-sitting Prince Ningyuan and reminded him, "Your Highness, Miss Lu Si won't entertain you, so we shouldn't stay here."

"You're the one who came here."

Chu Mingzheng snorted coldly and walked out.

Pei Mian looked at His Highness's extremely sure eyes and felt a little confused: I was going to the Marquis of Zhongxin's Mansion, when did I say I was going to the Marquis of Chengyang's Mansion?

He scratched his head and quickly followed him out.

It was so close to the main entrance, but the person walking in front insisted on going around to the back door to leave. The more he looked, the more he looked like a lecher out for a night out with a beautiful woman, but he still didn't catch the chance.

"What are you thinking about?" Chu Mingzheng glanced sideways.

"Nothing!" Pei Mian's heart skipped a beat.

Chu Mingzheng turned his gaze away, staring ahead, and asked, "Can Lu Mingyuan capture and kill the wolf?"

Back then, he was guarding Shuofang and Lu Mingyuan was guarding Longxi. Although they were far apart, I had heard a lot about the achievements of the second son of the Lu family in guarding Longxi.

Not only had they been undefeated for four years, but the population of Longxi had also increased by 30%. Caravans bound for the Western Regions passed through Longxi and never encountered Xiongnu raids.

Just three years ago, he married the daughter of Duke Song. His father-in-law felt sorry for his son-in-law and begged the emperor to transfer him back to the capital.

Chu Mingzheng returned to the capital two years ago and was imprisoned in the Clear Water Pond. Therefore, he had never seen the ability of the young general who was known as the "Two Heroes of the North and the South" together with himself. However, Pei Mian was a captain with him, so they should have learned from each other.

"Isn't he dead?"

It was late at night, and someone had just died. Pei Mian felt a chill in his spine. Seeing that His Highness was not acting on impulse, he answered honestly, "Yes, the Imperial Guards' Lieutenant General had used it in training the Imperial Guards he was in charge of, and he had also used it in his sparring with the Eight Colonels."

"Lost?"

Chu Mingzheng looked at Pei Mian. He was one of the Eight Captains, the Captain of the Yue Cavalry.

It was late at night and the person's face was hard to see, but Pei Mian still covered his face as if scratching an itch, and said in a low, humming voice: "I was sick that day."

"No wonder you didn't mention it." Chu Mingzheng patted his chest with his backhand.

Pei Mian rubbed his chest, feeling that he had lost some of his temper. He chased after him and asked, "Your Highness, why are you asking him?"

Chu Mingzheng didn't say anything.

"You wouldn't think..."

Pei Mian came to his senses and denied it repeatedly: "Unless Captain Changshui was poisoned, it is impossible for the Yulin Guards he taught to be killed with a single move of the Wolf-Catching Slash. Besides, how could there be a Xiongnu traitor among the Yulin Guards?"

"I didn't say they were his subordinates." Thinking of the blood splattered on Lu Mingyang's skirt, Chu Mingzheng was a little worried: "That Shen Yan is too upright. If His Majesty lets the Ministry of Justice take charge, it will be troublesome."

"Wouldn't it be good to find out?" Pei Mian was puzzled.