The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Zhao Xiaoman struggled to sit up, leaning against a large rock. Zhao Xuan knelt beside Zhao Xiaoman, holding back tears but not daring to cry.

Zhao Xiaoman reached out and touched Zhao Xuan's face, with a strong feeling of reluctance to let go in her eyes, but soon, determination appeared again.

"Xuan'er, listen carefully to what Master says and don't interrupt."

"it is good……"

"Master was shot by a poisonous arrow and will soon leave you, but don't be afraid. Master has left marks along the way for your Uncle Huang Shuo. Only he and I can understand these marks, and he will definitely find you!"

Having said this, Zhao Xiaoman spat out another mouthful of blood.

Zhao Xuan was in tears. She reached out to wipe the blood from the corner of Zhao Xiaoman's mouth. She bit her lips but held back her tears.

Zhao Xiaoman continued, "Good child... from now on... think more about Master, and Master will appear before you... live well... live well, and don't seek revenge... remember, don't seek revenge! You are still too young... remember?"

Zhao Xuan nodded vigorously.

Zhao Xiaoman held Zhao Xuan's small hand in her own and sighed softly: "Xuan'er, Master... Master is reluctant to leave you..."

Before she finished speaking, Zhao Xiaoman slowly closed her eyes and two lines of tears rolled down.

It was completely dark, and the bright moonlight shone through the gaps between the leaves onto Zhao Xuan and Zhao Xiaoman.

Zhao Xuan waited for a long time, but didn't hear Zhao Xiaoman speak again. She asked softly, "Master? Xuan'er is listening carefully. Master, please say something! Master?"

Zhao Xiaoman did not answer.

Zhao Xuan thought for a moment, took out a piece of cake from her pocket, and fumbled to put it to Zhao Xiaoman's mouth: "Master, are you too hungry to speak? Xuan'er has another piece of cake. Master, please eat it quickly. You will have more strength after eating it..."

But Zhao Xiaoman remained motionless, and no matter what Zhao Xuan did, she couldn't stuff the pastry into Zhao Xiaoman's tightly closed lips.

Zhao Xuan slowly stood up and sat next to Zhao Xiaoman, hugged Zhao Xiaoman tightly, and put her little face against Zhao Xiaoman's face.

Zhao Xuan sniffed, "Master, you must be sleepy. Xuan'er will sleep with you, just like before, sleeping in the same quilt with you every day. Xuan'er, can you warm up the quilt for Master first? That way, you won't feel cold when you lie down in it. When Uncle Huang Shuo comes later, Xuan'er can call Master to get up, okay..."

Zhao Xiaoman did not respond.

"Master, I don't want to cry... but I'm a little scared... I think I heard a wolf howling..."

"Master, why are you so cold? Will you catch a cold? Master, please tell me something, Master..."

The sky was turning pale. When Huang Shuo found Zhao Xiaoman and Zhao Xuan by following the mark, he saw Zhao Xuan hugging Zhao Xiaoman's neck and mumbling something. He leaned over to check Zhao Xiaoman's breath and knew that Zhao Xiaoman had passed away long ago.

Huang Shuo knelt beside Zhao Xiaoman, held her hand, and couldn't help but shed tears.

It was not until Huang Shuo heard Zhao Xuan calling him that he slowly looked at Zhao Xuan.

"Xuan'er, your master...what did she tell you?"

"Hit by a poisonous arrow... wait for uncle to come... live well... don't seek revenge..."

Having said that, Zhao Xuan threw herself into Huang Shuo's arms and finally burst into tears.

Huang Shuo hugged Zhao Xuan tightly.

When he arrived, he had already passed by the scene of the crime. There were corpses all over the ground. He did not see Zhao Xiaoman and Zhao Xuan. While looking around, he accidentally saw the mark left by Zhao Xiaoman. He immediately followed the mark and did not delay for a moment. However, he was still a step too late and could not save Zhao Xiaoman's life.

Huang Shuo was heartbroken and even thought about following Zhao Xiaoman immediately. However, seeing Zhao Xuan in his arms helpless, Huang Shuo thought again and again and decided that for Zhao Xiaoman's sake, he had to go back to Liyang first, find a way to settle Zhao Xuan, and then come back to accompany Zhao Xiaoman.

In Liyang City, the Yonghe Hall is bathed in the morning light, welcoming the morning court session that has remained unchanged for many years.

As Gu Li sat on the throne, he saw a guard walk in quickly, kneel on the ground, holding a letter in his hands.

"Your Majesty, the prefect of Fucheng is sending an urgent message eight hundred miles away!"

Han Gu, who was standing beside Gu Li, hurried down the stairs, picked up the letter and presented it to Gu Li. Gu Li opened the letter, took a look at it, and suddenly cried out "Ming'er!" and fainted.

Not long after, at the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Wen Lan propped herself up and anxiously asked Yang Liuming, who was standing beside the bed, "We encountered robbers on the way?! How is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Yang Liuming said sadly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince died on the spot! The Fifth Prince is in imminent danger! His Majesty has also fallen into a coma upon learning of this! Please ask the Prime Minister to quickly go to the palace and take charge of the situation!"

"Tomorrow?! Tomorrow he..."

Wen Lan was filled with grief and anger. Just as she was about to get up, she vomited blood and fell to the ground.

Yang Liuming hurried forward to help Wen Lan up, calling out, "Old Prime Minister! Old Prime Minister!"

Wen Lan closed her eyes tightly and breathed weakly.

Yang Liuming roared towards the door, "Someone come! Someone come quickly! Go call the palace doctor!"

This night was the most miserable night since the founding of the Xia Kingdom.

On the outskirts of Liyang City, in a secret room in an ordinary courtyard, a subordinate was whispering a report to a man with his back to him.

"Zhang Kuo said he'd tried his best, but someone still refused to listen and shipped the goods behind his back. The Ministry of Revenue has started a strict investigation again, and I'm afraid we'll be implicated this time. Marshal, what do you think we should do?"

The man suddenly turned around, his face covered with an intricate wolf-head mask, and shouted sternly, "A bunch of greedy bastards! It's time to take advantage of the chaos and make a fortune? It's wishful thinking! Tell Zhang Kuo immediately. Send someone to publicly report Zhao Cheng for smuggling and disrupting state affairs. Secretly, have his people quickly and secretly put all the remaining goods into shops that have business dealings with the Ministry of Revenue! Confirm Zhao Cheng's guilt! If he fails again this time, expect to lose his head!"

Early the next morning, in the imperial study.

Qin Shao, Ma Baoguo and Yang Liuming were anxiously waiting for news.

Han Gu walked in, shook his head at the three of them, and sighed, "The imperial physician stayed up all night last night, but His Majesty still shows no signs of waking up."

Qin Shao said angrily: "I'm going to Fucheng now!"

Ma Baoguo immediately stopped Qin Shao and shouted, "Calm down! Calm down!"

Qin Shao pushed Ma Baoguo away and roared, "What's going on now? You still want me to calm down! I'm taking people to Fucheng right now! I don't believe we can't catch those robbers!"

Yang Liuming stopped Qin Shao and said in a deep voice, "Wait a minute, General! Now that the old Prime Minister has suddenly passed away, everything needs to be carefully considered!"

Yang Liuming took out a token and handed it to Qin Shao and Ma Baoguo, saying:

"During this extraordinary period, I will not conceal anything from you two. This is the token granted by His Majesty to me, authorizing me to command the Secret Guard. Originally, only His Majesty, the old Prime Minister, and I knew of this matter."

After reading it, Qin Shao and Ma Baoguo looked at each other, nodded, and returned the token to Yang Liuming.

Yang Liuming then spoke, "There are two most crucial points right now. First, His Majesty is unconscious, and someone must be stationed in the capital. General Qin and Lord Ma are the most suitable. Second, we must immediately head to Tiankeng Gorge to investigate the situation. The secret guards are well-trained, well-equipped, and each possesses unique skills. I would like to lead the secret guards and this would be the most appropriate move at this time. What do General Qin and Lord Ma think?"

Ma Baoguo pondered deeply, "Indeed, Lord Yang is right! In terms of prestige in the capital, besides His Majesty and the old Prime Minister, General Qin is the most respected! Furthermore, Zhao Xiaoman and Zhao Xuan's whereabouts are unknown, so General Qin shouldn't act rashly. It's best to avoid suspicion!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Shao immediately jumped up and roared, "Ma Baoguo, what do you mean by this?!"

"What I mean is that Zhao Xiaoman must be wanted immediately! Only by finding Zhao Xiaoman's whereabouts can the truth be revealed!"

Qin Shao glared at Ma Baoguo and threw a punch in an instant. Ma Baoguo's nose started bleeding immediately. He squatted on the ground with his hands covering his face, groaning in pain.

Qin Shao was still furious and stepped forward, about to beat Ma Baoguo again, but Yang Liuming grabbed his arm tightly.

"General Qin! Stop! Lord Ma is right! If you continue like this, the Xia Kingdom will really be in chaos!"

Qin Shao gritted his teeth, finally suppressing his anger, and shouted at Yang Liuming, "Why don't you get out of here right now?! Take your secret guards and get out of here right now!"

As soon as Yang Liuming left, a young eunuch rushed in, shouting in panic, "General Qin! General Qin! Lord Jiang, the governor of Jingdu, wants to see you urgently!"