Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

"Since the Prime Minister has already sent people to thoroughly investigate why a murder still occurred, is this what the Prime Minister means by 'wholeheartedly serving the people'?" Grand Commandant Wen retorted.

"Grand Commandant, you are mistaken. As I have already said, the murder did not happen in Yuexin Pavilion. They were just there to listen to music. Besides, so many people come to listen to music every day. I can't possibly send a guard to watch over each of them. Do I have to do that to show that I care about the safety of the people?" Zheng Yuxiang retorted without any politeness.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression solemn. After a moment of silence, he said, "What the prime minister says is very true, but this matter concerns the safety of the people. I'm afraid that if we wait any longer, more people will be harmed. I wonder who the prime minister has sent to thoroughly investigate this matter, and whether we need to send more people to assist in solving the case as soon as possible so that the people can live a peaceful life sooner."

"Your Majesty, my son has already gone to thoroughly investigate this matter. As for whether more manpower should be added, it is entirely up to Your Majesty's arrangement," Zheng Yuxiang said, kneeling and bowing.

"If that's the case, where is Lord Ye?" Xue Huaiyu asked calmly, his sharp eyes sweeping over the civil and military officials.

"Your subject is here!" Ye Churan calmly stepped out from among the officials, knelt down, and bowed in response.

"I order you and Lord Zheng to thoroughly investigate this matter and uncover the truth, so that I may be satisfied with the results," Xue Huaiyu commanded.

Ye Churan smiled knowingly, revealing a subtle smile, and then solemnly replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

After the morning court session

Zheng Luoqi walked side by side with Zheng Yuxiang. She asked, somewhat puzzled, "Father, why did you let the Emperor send his people here? Isn't this just asking for trouble?"

A sly smile appeared on Zheng Yuxiang's face as he explained softly, "Qi'er, the situation is not what it used to be. The emperor has gained the support of the Wen, Chen, and Lin families, and his strength has greatly increased. If we don't take some measures, I'm afraid we will find it difficult to cope."

Zheng Luoqi frowned slightly, thinking, 'Indeed, I need to be more careful in the future,' and asked, 'But wouldn't doing this give them an opportunity to take advantage?'

Zheng Yuxiang patiently explained, "That's precisely why we need to take the initiative. They want to find something on us, but how can we just sit and wait to die? Sending people to our territory gives us the perfect opportunity to retaliate. As long as these people are on our turf, we can do whatever we want, right?"

Zheng Luoqi suddenly realized, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes, "So that's how it is!"

Zheng Yuxiang patted Zheng Luoqi on the shoulder and encouraged her, "Don't worry, Qi'er. This time you can go all out. If anything happens, your father will back you up."

Zheng Luoqi smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Okay, Father, I understand."

...............

After the morning court session, Zheng Luoqi and Ye Churan went directly to Commander Zhang, the Imperial Guard, to retrieve the case files of the "Theatrical Deaths" murders.

“Lord Zheng, I have reviewed these cases. The victims were unrelated. The only thing they had in common was that they all died in the same way, and the ways of dying were all very strange,” Zhang Zhiyuan explained.

"What's so strange about it? Have you been to the crime scene? Are there any other suspicious points?" Ye Churan asked from the side.

Governor Zhang nodded and handed the case file to Ye Churan and Zheng Luoqi. The two of them flipped through the file, their brows gradually furrowing.

The case file describes the bizarre circumstances of the deaths of several victims: when they were found, their bodies were bound with countless thin ropes, and there seemed to be strange symbols on the ropes. They were all wearing the same red theatrical costume, the same one worn by the actress who played the role of Wu Niangzi in the opera house. Their makeup was gorgeous, and their hands and feet were tied behind their backs. They were all hanged from the roof beams.

"These ways of dying are truly unbelievable." Ye Churan frowned, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

Zheng Luoqi's face was also grim as she carefully examined every detail of the case. "Were there any coroners examining these people?"

Upon seeing this, Ye Churan suddenly remembered something, and her eyes lit up. "Right, why wasn't a coroner examining the body?"

Governor Zhang shook his head and sighed, "The deceased's relatives wouldn't allow it. They said the deceased should be respected and that he should leave as he came, and they didn't want the coroner to examine the body."

Zheng Luoqi frowned, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly asked, "Are there still any unburied dead people?"

Hearing this, Ye Churan felt a glimmer of hope. He said, "Perhaps we can persuade these relatives to agree to let the coroner perform an autopsy."

“The most recent one is the young master of the Hu family. He died just three days ago and should not have been buried yet. Lord Zheng can go and take a look,” Zhang Zhiyuan said.

They immediately got up and went to check on the body of the young master of the Hu family.

When they arrived at the residence of the young master of the Hu family, a faint atmosphere of sorrow wafted over them. Before the gates, the servants all looked haggard, their faces etched with grief. Zheng Luoqi and Ye Churan went straight inside.

The servants of the Hu family immediately went to inform Master Hu and his wife that someone had come to investigate the case.

Mr. and Mrs. Hu immediately welcomed them inside.

Upon entering the inner room, the body of the young master of the Hu family lay quietly on the couch, surrounded by white banners and fresh flowers. He was dressed in white, his face serene, as if in a dream. Zheng Luoqi and Ye Churan observed the young master's body.

Apart from the obvious ligature marks on the neck, there were no other abnormalities on the surface of Mr. Hu's body. Moreover, the burial clothes covered most of the body, and it was not possible to remove the clothes to examine the body in someone else's funeral hall. It was a bit of a problem. Zheng Luoqi was still thinking about whether to communicate with Mr. Hu and ask him to send the body to the coroner for autopsy.

Ye Churan, who was standing nearby, spoke first: "Master Hu, Madam Hu, your son's passing is truly heartbreaking. But since things have come to this, we must find out the truth as soon as possible and seek justice for your son. Therefore, I humbly request that you, Master Hu and Madam Hu, allow a coroner to examine your son's body so that we can find the murderer as soon as possible."

The Hu family patriarch and his wife exchanged a glance, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes.

In the end, Mr. Hu shook his head and disagreed. He sighed and said, "My son has passed away. I just want him to come into this world peacefully and leave peacefully."

Undeterred, Ye Churan continued, "Master Hu, your son's death is shrouded in mystery, and he is currently the only key to the case, so..."

Before Ye Churan could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Master Hu, but said, "Sir, I know you are eager to solve the case, but my son is already dead. Even if the case is solved, my son will never come back. I just want him to leave in peace. I hope you can understand."

"But..." Ye Churan wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Zheng Luoqi.

“Master Hu, if that’s the case, could you please take us to the place where your son had the accident?” Zheng Luoqi asked.