C16 Ximu Liu's Secret Letter

Princess Xiangxiang was not pleased with Lin Feng's response.

"You said 'almost'? What does 'almost' mean? It means there are still places you haven't searched."

Her voice rose, becoming sharp and cutting.

"Yes, we haven't searched the newly established offices and prison in Yancheng," Lin Feng replied honestly. To him, it didn't matter much. What trouble could a deposed princess possibly cause?

Xiangxiang's eyes lit up at this.

"Why not search them? Go now."

Lin Feng frowned but turned to leave. Just as he stepped out, he encountered a messenger.

"General, an urgent message from the Emperor."

Lin Feng paused, took the message, and opened it. The brief note made him furrow his brow.

"The Emperor says the Crown Prince might be in Yancheng. What's he doing here?"

The message, written by Ximu Liu, instructed Lin Feng to investigate Crown Prince Ximu Longchen's activities in Yancheng. If found, he was to keep an eye on him and ideally send him back. Of course, if the opportunity arose, eliminating him would be preferable, but it had to be done discreetly.

Lin Feng destroyed the message, a slight, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

"Someone, gather the troops! Head to the county office."

...

After buying groceries and just finishing breakfast, Xiao Leng came running in.

"Lo Li, Lo Li, my brother says you need to stay in the morgue for now. Don't come out until he gives the word."

"Why?" Lo Li asked, puzzled.

Xiao Leng glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then whispered, "General Lin from Ximu and Princess Xiangxiang are coming to search for Princess Mingyue. My brother's worried your bad luck might upset Princess Xiangxiang, so he wants you to hide."

Lo Li nodded. Breakfast was ready, so she took a bowl and headed back to the morgue.

Once there, she remembered she had forgotten to sew up the body. The female corpse had been dissected the night before, and without proper tools, the job was a bit of a mess. She had intended to stitch it up, but lacking needle and thread, she had to leave it open for now.

She thought about eating first, but worried someone might come in. If she sewed up the body first, she'd be starving. More importantly, she had crucial evidence to share with the Prefectural Magistrate.

Caught in a dilemma, Lo Li decided to leave the vital evidence—the heart and liver of the female corpse—out in the open, and began working with the needle and thread she had bought at the market that morning.

In the front hall of the magistrate's court, Xiao Zhu glanced at the Crown Prince, whose face was clouded with concern, and said apologetically, "Lin Feng is on his way. I got the message from someone close to him. He's coming to investigate Princess Mingyue, and he probably doesn't know you're here. However, he has seen you before. I suggest you hide for now to avoid any unnecessary complications."

Feng Wuqing nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. Until we find what we're looking for, there's no need for a direct confrontation. But where can we hide around here?"

Xiao Zhu waved his hand dismissively. "Head to the morgue. It's where they keep the bodies, so it's naturally avoided by most people. Even if someone checks, they won't want to go in there. It's the perfect place to hide."

"Are you serious? You're suggesting the Crown Prince..." Feng Wuqing began to protest, but Ximu Longchen interrupted him.

"No worries, desperate times call for desperate measures." With that, he turned and headed toward the backyard.

Xiao Zhu didn't leave immediately. Watching the two walk away, a hint of worry crossed his brow, mixed with a trace of anticipation.