After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

When Chu Yan and the other two opened the door, they saw that the dart had passed through the window and landed on the pillar by the door.

Luo Jiulan sat by the door with her head in her hands, her sleeve torn, and food scattered all over the ground.

"It's you! How dare you eavesdrop on our conversation?" Cao Yuan scolded.

"This servant only wanted to deliver food to the prince, I didn't eavesdrop." Luo Jiulan trembled with fear.

Seeing that there was indeed spilled food on the ground, Cao Yuan didn't ask any further questions.

"You, Luo Jiulan! You've broken the dishes again!" An old servant came over from a distance, pointing angrily at Luo Jiulan.

Luo Jiulan quickly explained, "I didn't mean to, really..."

Before he could finish speaking, the old servant cursed viciously, "You're asking for it!"

Then, the old servant pulled a leather whip from his sleeve and lashed it hard across Luo Jiulan's back.

"Ah!" Luo Jiulan screamed in pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

He cried out, "Don't hit me, don't hit me, I didn't mean to."

Cao Yuan didn't think it was fake, so when the second lash was being struck, Cao Yuan grabbed the old servant's leather whip.

"Who gave you the audacity to swagger in front of me?"

The old servant knelt on the ground and explained, "Your Highness, I was afraid he would offend the distinguished guests in the manor. Your Highness, please forgive me!"

"roll!"

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Before leaving, the old servant slapped Luo Jiulan, saying, "Hurry up and clean this place up."

"Yes!"

Luo Jiulan slowly stood up. "Your Highness, I'll go get a broom and sweep it up."

After Luo Jiulan left, Cao Yuan watched his departing figure and couldn't help but complain to Chu Yan, "Next time, be gentler! Look how scared you scared him!"

Chu Yan frowned slightly upon hearing Cao Yuan's words, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. "I didn't even realize that the princess was so chivalrous. Could it be that she was bewitched by that guy's good looks?"

His voice carried a hint of mockery and jealousy.

Cao Yuan glared at Chu Yan and retorted, "How could I be such a shallow person?"

Chu Yan's lips curled slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips, as he said, "Does the princess really think she isn't?"

"you!"

Her face flushed red, and her eyes flashed with anger; she was clearly enraged by Chu Yan's words.

"That day, I saw you, Princess, drunkenly taking advantage of that servant. Do you still remember what you came here for?"

Cao Yuan straightened her back and said righteously, "How did I take advantage of him? I was drunk, I didn't know anything you were saying!"

“He would naturally not want to admit to committing a crime under the influence of alcohol.” Chu Yan’s words were loaded with meaning.

I didn't hurt you! What's there to yell about?

"Wait, how did you know I'd been drinking?"

Cao Yuan then came to her senses, "You also came to the Governor's Mansion that day."

"When I arrived, you had already been carried inside by that servant. I couldn't possibly delay you both."

"Well, Chu Yan, why didn't you stop Jinzhu from being taken away when you were at the Governor's Mansion?"

"I..." Chu Yan was speechless.

Cao Yuan kicked him hard in anger. Had he taken the wrong medicine today?

"When I arrived, I saw you with this servant. I didn't see Jinzhu."

Chu Yan's voice grew softer and softer.

"fart!"

"How can you, a woman, resort to hitting people and swearing all the time?"

"Who says women can't fight? I've been fighting on the battlefield with my grandfather since I was a child!"

Chu Yan fell silent.

Cao Yuan rolled her eyes at him, cursing him in her mind several times.

Damn Chu Yan, what's wrong with him today? Why is he acting so strangely?

Jinzhu noticed the tense atmosphere between the two and quickly changed the subject, "Your Highness, shouldn't we save Lord Fan first? When we got back, they said the government officials had arrested Lord Fan!"

"How could this happen! Didn't I already say we'd discuss it later? These old bastards..."

Cao Yuan led Jinzhu to the government office.

The prefect led Cao Yuan into the prison.

The prison was pitch black, much smaller than Chu Yan's cell in Dali Temple, and there was no strong smell of blood.

As they approached Fan Qingli's cell, the jailer called out, "Lord Fan, someone has come to see you."

Fan Qingli immediately ran to the prison gate.

"Your Highness, you've arrived! Have you found other evidence to prove I'm not the murderer?"

“Your Excellency, I told the Chief Secretary that we would discuss this later, so why was Lord Fan imprisoned?”

The prefect bowed and explained, "Your Highness, please calm down. It's not because the matter happened too suddenly. Besides, Lord Fan is an official appointed by the imperial court; we can't just leave it unresolved indefinitely!"

"I can't explain this to the people! After all, Lord Fan was sent by the court to accompany the prince on his inspection tour."

“Our Anzhou government office cannot afford the accusation of favoritism. If Your Highness is dissatisfied, I can have someone from above send an investigation.”

The prefect spoke earnestly, seemingly genuinely concerned about the case.

Cao Yuan's face darkened slightly. Naturally, she didn't believe it. If Minister Fan knew that his eldest son had been framed and imprisoned because of her, he would surely eat her alive.

"It's just a murder case, why bother the higher-ups? So many days have passed, have you found out the truth?"

"Our coroner's examination confirms that Rong Xiaoniang was indeed murdered."

Cao Yuan was waiting for the prefect to continue, but unexpectedly, he only said this one sentence.

"Gone?"

The prefect smiled.

"Your Excellency, you've uncovered all this in just two days. It seems your efficiency is quite poor!"

The prefect looked nervous, and sweat was pouring down his forehead.

"Then I will follow Your Highness's opinion."

"I think this matter should be investigated and handled by the Governor's Office! What do you say?"

"I'm afraid..."

Cao Yuan beckoned, and the prefect followed suit, exchanging a few words with Cao Yuan to the side.

"My lord, this is the eldest son of the current Minister of Rites. What if, just what if it's all a misunderstanding, and your small Anzhou prefecture has suffered a loss? Minister Fan is very vengeful, so why not conduct the trial right here at the Governor's Mansion!"

"This……"

"I have no intention of showing favoritism! I'm just reminding you!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness! Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness!"

"Release him!" At the prefect's command, the jailers unlocked the chains and released Fan Qingli.

"Your Highness, this case..."

"I can solve this case in just two days," Cao Yuan said confidently.

The three of them left the government office.

"Lord Fan, you've suffered. My maid had an accident a few days ago, so I neglected you. Please don't take offense."

"Nothing's wrong! What happened to Jinzhu?"

"It's a long story. Did they treat you badly in prison?"

Fan Qingli shook her head. "They don't dare yet."

"Chu... My staff is investigating this case. Rest assured, they will definitely give you justice."

"But is two days enough?"

"Don't worry, two days should be enough."

Fan Qingli returned to his room and tried hard to recall what happened last night, but he couldn't remember anything. He gave up and slammed his head against the wall.