On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

A cold glint flashed in Murong Yan's eyes:

"Whoever dares to harm a child is despicable! I will find him and tear him to pieces!"

As she spoke, a chilling murderous aura emanated from her, but she quickly concealed it.

She turned to face Lin Zhen, a hint of weariness and dependence on her face. She reached out and tugged at his sleeve, her voice softening:

"My lord, I'm afraid this matter will require your hard work. I will handle the overt investigation, but we need your people to investigate the covert ones. Those rats that can't be seen in the light of day will always leave traces."

Lin Zhen held her hand, his eyes full of tenderness and determination: "Don't worry, Yan'er. I'll arrange for 'Night Owl' to conduct a covert investigation, focusing on Li San and his family, as well as any suspicious individuals who have recently had contact with the school. As long as they make a move, they will definitely leave a trace."

Murong Yan felt a warmth in her heart and gently rested her head against his chest: "Yes, with my husband here, I feel at ease. These petty villains will not succeed."

Her tone was full of trust and reliance on Lin Zhen.

The two embraced briefly in the dawn light, and an invisible net had already been cast.

After a moment, Murong Yan straightened up, composed herself, and said to Lin Zhen, "Husband, let's go see the children. We need to give them an explanation."

Lin Zhen nodded and walked side by side with her towards the student dormitory.

Just as Murong Yan turned around, preparing to leave the courtyard—

The movements conveyed a swiftness that indicated the investigation was temporarily concluded and a decision had been made!

The five-foot-long, dark gold trail that had been dragging across the stained kitchen floor and dusty courtyard, leaving traces of the scene, was suddenly lifted up!

The luxurious brocade swept across the ground with a whoosh, raising fine dust and morning dew!

As the train suddenly billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, which was densely woven with gold threads and shimmered in the morning light with a cold and firm light like a sword being drawn from its sheath!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun burst forth with a sharp and hopeful golden light, like the rising sun piercing through dark clouds. The light was full of keen insight, determination to defend the bottom line, and a righteous spirit that was determined to lay a net and find the culprit. It was noble, magnificent, and carried an unquestionable belief that justice would prevail!

This fleeting glimpse was her most resolute declaration as a ruler and protector.

The hem of her skirt fell, concealing both the cold golden light and the hidden killing intent.

Murong Yan and Lin Zhen went together to comfort the frightened children and their families.

On the surface, she announced that the matter was still under investigation and ordered improvements to the food and increased security.

In secret, Lin Zhen's most elite "Night Owl" spies had already silently infiltrated the streets and alleys of Anzhou City like ghosts, setting their sights on the seemingly frightened and helpless cook and his possible accomplices.

......

Anzhou City has returned to its former order, and Qiming Academy has also resumed classes after a thorough inspection and a brief suspension.

The children's poisoning symptoms gradually disappeared under the doctor's treatment, but the unease and suspicion that permeated the air weighed heavily on their hearts, like the lingering dampness of spring.

The official investigation has reached a stalemate—the source of all ingredients is clear, the cooking process seems impeccable, and the testimonies of Li San and others are barely coherent. The pressure to characterize the incident as an "accident" or "improper handling of green beans" is mounting.

However, in the shadows where the sun doesn't reach, another net is quietly tightening.

Lin Zhen's most elite secret force, "Night Owl," as its name suggests, began its operation under the cover of night.

These spies are skilled in infiltration, tracking, and intelligence gathering, and are an important asset for Lin Zhen in controlling Liaodong and discerning the undercurrents.

After receiving Lin Zhen's secret orders, several of the most capable "Night Owls" silently began to keep an eye on the cook Li San and all suspicious people who had dealings with him, just like drops of water merging into the ocean.

Deep within the palace, in Murong Yan's bedchamber, the atmosphere appeared calm, yet it concealed underlying anxiety.

For several days in a row, the open investigation made no progress, which fueled her anger and suspicion.

She still wore that phoenix descending to earth dress every day, as if the dress could bring her the wisdom and power to see through everything.

During the day, she suppressed her irritability, handled the daily affairs of the Protectorate, reviewed memorials, and met with officials, but there was always a lingering gloom between her brows.

The Phoenix Descends to Earth dress appears even more profound and unfathomable during these days of waiting and repression.

The deep black Suzhou brocade, under the daylight, absorbed the sunlight but reflected a cold, hard luster, just like Murong Yan's mood at this moment—calm on the surface, but turbulent beneath.

The woven gold cotton and real gold threads no longer flow with a warm glow, but are like the cold pupils of a beast lurking in the dark night, sharp and full of patience.

On the nightgown, the pattern of the giant phoenix reaching for the sky, as she sat upright reviewing documents, folded its wings and concentrated, as if gathering strength and waiting for the opportunity to strike a fatal blow.

The dark jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a dim light as she unconsciously stroked the edge of the memorial.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was laid out in the hall in a more chaotic manner than usual. Sometimes it was piled up under the throne like a small mountain of dark gold, and sometimes it left messy marks on the smooth floor as she got up and paced around in agitation.

This disarray is an externalization of her inner anxiety and waiting, as if her thoughts, like this trailing tail, are entangled and searching among countless possibilities.

Only when Lin Zhen came to report or accompanied her for a meal would her tense nerves relax slightly.

"Husband, is there still no news?" During dinner, Murong Yan had little appetite. She poked at the rice in her bowl with her silver chopsticks, looked up at Lin Zhen with a somewhat aggrieved expression, her phoenix eyes filled with dependence and expectation.

Lin Zhen sat down beside her, picked up a piece of bamboo shoots that she liked, and said softly, "Yan'er, don't worry. 'Night Owl' has already been deployed and needs time. Li San is a coward. If someone really instructed him, he will definitely slip up. As long as we keep a close eye on him, the fox's tail will eventually be revealed."

Murong Yan sighed, put down her chopsticks, and leaned softly against Lin Zhen: "I know, but the thought of those children suffering and people laughing at my incompetence behind my back makes my heart ache."

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Lin Zhen's arm, shaking it gently. "Husband, you must help me drag those rats out. I want to tear them to pieces."

Her tone was fierce, but her actions were full of coquettishness. Lin Zhen put his arm around her shoulder tenderly and whispered, "Don't worry, I will not fail you. It will be soon, very soon."