Chapter 194 Investigation

Madam Zhu knelt on the ground, her eyes bloodshot as she glared fiercely at Ji Yuntang.

"You killed my husband, I will tear you into pieces."

Ji Yuntang laughed, "How can you be so sure that it was I who killed Imperial Physician Zhu? It's true that I dislike him, but I will not agree to have the murder charge falsely pinned on me."

"Wait until you see the evidence before you convict me!"

After saying this, Ji Yuntang ignored her and walked straight into the Dali Temple.

At that moment, Xu Muyan came out from inside. Hearing that someone was causing trouble at the entrance, he hurried out to investigate.

Unexpectedly, he ran right into Ji Yuntang.

Ji Yuntang had a good impression of Xu Muyan's character, so she took the initiative to extend her hand and greeted him with a smile.

"Assistant Minister Xu, long time no see. I'm here again."

Xu Muyan: "..."

Of course, he knew why Ji Yuntang had come today.

But what he didn't expect was that, even with the murder charge hanging over her, she could still smile.

Such mental fortitude was truly remarkable.

After his shock, Xu Muyan knelt to pay his respects to Ji Yuntang.

"This official pays respects to Princess Ye. Regarding the murder case of Imperial Physician Zhu, this official will conduct a thorough investigation. The Dali Temple will neither let a guilty person go nor wrong an innocent one. Please, Princess Ye, do not be anxious."

Ji Yuntang curved her lips, "With Assistant Minister Xu's words, I feel reassured."

"I wonder if Assistant Minister Xu has found any clues so far?"

Xu Muyan stood up and slowly said, "Imperial Physician Zhu was killed in the prison cell at the Hour of the Ox last night. The jailers on duty that night were all knocked unconscious and knew nothing."

"This morning, when a jailer entered for shift change, they discovered something was wrong. According to the coroner's estimation, when the jailers discovered Imperial Physician Zhu this morning, he had already been dead for four hours. The killer must have been familiar with the layout of the Dali Temple prison to slip in unnoticed, knowing when the patrolling guards were numerous."

"The prison cell door was intact, yet Imperial Physician Zhu was poisoned severely, and his throat was slit. Judging from the scene, there were no signs of a struggle, indicating the killer's martial arts were exceptional. This official suspects the two might have known each other. As for whether it was another enemy of Imperial Physician Zhu, it cannot yet be determined."

Xu Muyan shared his analysis with Ji Yuntang.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuntang slightly frowned, "Assistant Minister Xu, could I go to the crime scene and take a look?"

"No, she is a suspect. What if she deliberately contaminates the scene? She cannot go."

Before Xu Muyan could answer, Ji Huaiche's voice of opposition rang out.

Ji Yuntang frowned, a chill emanating from her eyes.

"Nearly eight hours have passed since the incident. I believe the Dali Temple officers and coroners have already collected evidence. I am only going to take a look—how could I contaminate the scene?"

"Heir Ji claims I am a suspect, yet cannot produce evidence that I killed Imperial Physician Zhu. I want to go and see for myself to prove that he was not killed by me. Is there a problem?"

Ji Huaiche was shamed by her words. He gritted his teeth and said, "You are full of schemes. Who knows what tricks you might pull behind the scenes?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Muyan's gentle expression immediately turned stern, and his tone carried a trace of anger.

"Assistant Minister Ji, whether Princess Ye is the murderer or not will be determined by the coroner and this Assistant Minister through evidence. Until the case is solved, she has the right to investigate the scene."

"As for whether she will contaminate the scene, Assistant Minister, you need not worry. With this Assistant Minister present, such a situation will not occur."

Having said this, Xu Muyan turned to Ji Yuntang and made a gesture of invitation.

"Princess Ye, please follow this official."

His attitude towards Ji Yuntang was extremely courteous and respectful, forming a stark contrast with Ji Huaiche's demeanor.

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly, her impression of Xu Muyan improving even more.

"Alright, thank you, Assistant Minister Xu, for speaking up for me just now."

Ji Yuntang understood that at a time when everyone suspected her of being the murderer, Xu Muyan was willing to stand up and defend her, which was truly rare.

His character was far better than Ji Huaiche's.

Xu Muyan's face was gentle and refined, and he said calmly, "Princess Ye need not be polite. These are all duties this official should perform."

The two went to the crime scene together.

Inside the cell, Imperial Physician Zhu lay on a wooden bed, completely covered by a white cloth.

A large pool of bright red blood was on the ground, with splatters on the nearby wall.

A middle-aged coroner in a black robe was recording something with a brush.

Xu Muyan walked over and asked, "Coroner Zhang, have you found any other clues?"

Coroner Zhang looked up. Seeing Xu Muyan, he bowed respectfully.

"Reporting to Assistant Minister Xu, I have discovered that the poison in Imperial Physician Zhu's body is a deadly toxin called Han Xing. The victim experiences whole-body paralysis, reversed meridians, and dies in agony. This poison likely originates from the coastal regions."

Ji Yuntang frowned slightly. Looking at the bloodstain on the ground, it did not seem consistent with the symptoms of Han Xing poisoning.

She suddenly spoke, "May I take a look?"

Coroner Zhang then turned his gaze to her. He had noticed Ji Yuntang earlier but hadn't paid her much attention.

Now, hearing her propose to examine Imperial Physician Zhu's body, he felt his professional judgment was being questioned and his expression soured.

"You're just a young lady. Have you ever seen a dead body? How dare you ask to look at it?"

"This is no place for you. Go wait outside and stop clinging to Assistant Minister Xu, disrupting his investigation."

Coroner Zhang naturally assumed Ji Yuntang was a suitor of Xu Muyan.

He thought she was reckless to come here chasing after a man.

Didn't she know that Xu Muyan had a wife at home, nine months pregnant?

Hounding a man like this—how shameless!

Ji Yuntang had no idea what Coroner Zhang was thinking. She turned and looked at Xu Muyan. After receiving his nod of approval, she walked over directly and lifted the white cloth covering Imperial Physician Zhu.

"What are you doing? Stop!"

Coroner Zhang's face changed drastically, and he was about to intervene, but Xu Muyan grabbed his arm.

"She is Princess Ye."

These five words made Coroner Zhang freeze on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

His lips moved, but in the end, he couldn't get a word out.

He had heard of Princess Ye, Ji Yuntang.

In his eyes, she was a remarkable woman who single-handedly transformed the entire Prince Ye Manor and saved Prince Ye's life.

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