There is a god in the sky

Chapter 125 The Strange Case of Fuchunju 23

The two cases had nothing in common, so Xiao Ji didn't take them to heart.

"I have sent my shadow to the Hundred Beasts Garden in secret, but I don't know if we can find any clues."

Shen Lan felt that if the Hundred Beasts Park was where the murderer disposed of the body, then perhaps some clues would still be left behind.

However, they couldn't keep going back to that place to check.

"Perhaps we can first list the characteristics of a suspect, verify them one by one, and eliminate them one by one. This two-pronged approach can speed up the process of solving the case."

Xiao Ji also thought this was a good idea, so he immediately took paper and pen and sat under the tree to analyze it with Shen Lan.

Brainstorming is the best way to solve cases. Back in Jianzhou, he had cultivated his own team.

His subordinates would analyze the case with him and offer their opinions, which greatly inspired him.

Those experienced officials in the government have plenty of experience; they are definitely not incompetent fools like the young prince.

"Aunt Mu entered the Prince's Mansion three years ago. Her interpersonal relationships in the mansion were very simple. Apart from paying her respects to the mistress every day, she spent her time embroidering and reading in the courtyard."

She had no children and rarely left the house. According to the servants of the Prince's mansion, Consort Mu was quiet and gentle, and never clashed with the other concubines.

"In other words, the only people she could come into contact with every day, besides her maid Taohong, were the Princess Consort."

Shen Lan had a guess in her mind.

"What kind of person is the Princess Consort?"

Xiao Ji had not yet investigated the Princess Consort, after all, she and the Prince were the closest of friends, how could a wife harm her husband in this way?

Moreover, he had never heard of any discord between the Prince and his wife.

Xiao Ji wrote the words "Princess Consort" on the list, folded the paper, and put it into a box.

Sui Feng reached out and took the paper, tucked it into his pocket, and then quickly disappeared into the courtyard.

Unable to answer Shen Lan's question, Xiao Ji continued his analysis: "The Prince's mansion also has two concubines, one surnamed Liu and the other surnamed Duan. It is common knowledge throughout the city that the two are at odds."

Shen Lan had also inquired about the Prince's Mansion. Although what she heard outside was common knowledge, there were often clues hidden in these matters.

For example, these two concubines.

Everyone knows that the two of them are fiercely competing, but what is it all for?

Naturally, it was for the sake of the young prince.

She would fight tooth and nail for the young prince, but she would never retaliate against him in such an extreme way.

"In comparison, the Princess Consort's feelings for the Prince seem to have faded somewhat."

“The Princess Consort is the head of the household, and no one can surpass her. She doesn’t need to fight with anyone.”

This is the source of the wife's confidence.

"Below the two concubines, there were a total of eight concubines, three of whom were disliked by the young prince and had long been treated like strangers."

Within the Prince's residence, a woman who had fallen out of favor was not even allowed to leave the house, making it highly unlikely that she would conspire with outsiders to murder someone.

Shen Lan nodded and analyzed, "Besides the mistress, it could also be an official or steward from the Prince's mansion. It's much easier for men to travel outside than for women."

The Prince's residence also had officials.

Like He Jingli, although he was an official in the prefectural government, he did the work assigned by the young prince.

This is why he was more imposing than officials of the same rank when he went out.

Say Cao Cao and Cao Cao will arrive.

He Jingli stood outside the courtyard gate requesting an audience.

The courtyard gate was open, and you could see Xiao Ji and Shen Lan sitting face to face at a glance.

Aside from husband and wife, father and daughter, it's rare for men and women of this age, or even siblings, to get along so harmoniously.

He realized that this coroner surnamed Shen must be Lord Xiao's sweetheart.

"What brings you here, Mr. He?" Xiao Ji rose to greet him.

He Jingli hurriedly replied, "I dare not accept such praise. I am sorry to bother you, Lord Xiao. I have a few questions that I would like to ask you."

Xiao Ji invited him into the courtyard, but Shen Lan had already gone back to her house, leaving the courtyard to them.

Shen Lan completed the information she hadn't finished writing earlier.

Centered around the young prince, his network of relationships is not complicated.

His life was also very regular. He spent most of his time in the yamen looking at case files, and his leisure time was limited to reading, drinking and fishing at Fuchun Residence.

"Sister, how could anyone dare to harm such a high-ranking official as the Prince of the County?" Xuan'er asked as she watched her write.

Shen Lan explained, "The current case does not threaten the young prince's life, so it cannot be considered harming him."

"If it wasn't to harm him, then why did the murderer do so many things?"

“Scare him, tease him, or…warn him.”

Xuan'er was even more puzzled. "If what you're saying is true, it's those enemies who were wrongly judged by the young prince seeking revenge. Why not just kill the young prince directly? What kind of revenge is that?"

Shen Lan put down her pen and looked at what she had written again, when she was suddenly stumped by a question.

Yes, if you're seeking revenge, why not kill him? He clearly had many opportunities.

If he wasn't killed, does that mean the murderer's hatred for the young prince wasn't just simple?

She suddenly stood up and quickly walked out of the house.

He Jingli asked questions about the case, and Xiao Ji knew very well that he was asking on behalf of the young prince.

Therefore, he explained things very carefully so that the other person wouldn't misunderstand.

Shen Lan came out and went straight to He Jingli, asking him a question.

"Lord He, is the Princess Consort still at Fuchun Residence?"

He Jingli thought the girl wanted to climb up to the Princess Consort, and said unhappily, "The Princess Consort is very busy and can't see just anyone."

"Isn't she moving back in?"

He Jingli was even more displeased, "With the murderer still at large, how dare the Princess Consort come back to live here?"

"The murderer wouldn't even kill the young prince, so why would he kill the princess?"

"People will die eventually. What if it frightens the Princess Consort?"

Shen Lan teased, "Commander He seems to be very protective of the Princess Consort. Could it be that she has done you a favor?"

Enraged, He Jingli slammed his fist on the table and stood up, saying, "Don't make false accusations! I just... I just admire the Princess Consort's kindness and respect the General's loyalty and martial prowess."

"Commander He, please don't get agitated. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to ask you to elaborate on the Princess Consort's kindness?"

He Jingli snorted coldly, clearly not wanting to say anything more to her.

Xiao Ji gave Shen Lan a wink and said in a gentle tone, "Officer He, don't be angry. I'm a coroner, and I speak directly, but my ability to solve cases is no less than mine. What she asked must be related to the case."

He Jingli didn't think the Princess Consort was related to the case, but he gave Xiao Ji face.

"Before the Princess Consort married into the Prince's mansion, she distributed porridge and medicine to disaster victims every year, and countless people were helped by her."

She goes to the dilapidated temple outside the city on the first and fifteenth of every month to help beggars and vagrants, never minding that they are dirty and smelly. You might as well go outside and ask around; does anyone say anything bad about the Princess Consort?

Shen Lan suddenly remembered something Chen Shu had said.

He said Yang Shuo was a very good person, not only making many friends, but also always helping the poor.

At the time, Shen Lan thought Yang Shuo was a gentleman, but after hearing Yun Shuang talk about the hundred taels, she realized that she had misjudged him.

"Does the Princess Consort know Yang Shuo, the scholar?"

He jumped up, his eyes filled with shock.

"You...what did you say?"