“This case is impossible to investigate,” Yin Ji said clearly. The forces behind it were far beyond what a mere prefect of Shengjing could handle.
“But with so many deaths, there must be an explanation. Master Yin, in a place like Shengjing, where so many people were killed in broad daylight, such an incident should surely warrant serious attention, don’t you think?”
A small prefect like Yin Ji might not be able to handle it, but someone could. “If no mastermind is brought forward, this case will be like the quarry case, haunted by restless spirits, demanding the life of a prince as sacrifice.”
Yin Ji was startled. “You’re trying to pin this on the Empress and the Crown Prince,” he said, feeling that Jiang Lin was far too bold.
“Don’t worry, Master Yin. We’ll lend you a hand, just like with the quarry case. It’ll be resolved smoothly.”
Jiang Lin wasn’t sure who had sent the assassins after Su Qiao, but if they could use this opportunity to expose the Empress and her son, it was worth exploiting.
Yin Ji’s gaze fell on Su Qiao. Despite her severe injuries, she hadn’t let out a single groan, making him realize that this woman was no ordinary person.
He then looked at the corpses outside. They were all innocent ordinary people.
Coincidentally, the government runners sent to investigate the nearby residents returned, their expressions grim. “Sir, two people are dead. The rest were knocked unconscious. Nothing in the houses was touched. It seems they were only after the people.”
Yin Ji asked, “How did the two die?”
The government runner replied, “Beaten to death. They were struck on the head, but the force was too great, and it killed them instantly.”
So, to ensure their killing spree went smoothly, the assassins had stormed into the homes of nearby residents, knocking them all unconscious to prevent them from causing trouble or witnessing the events.
The fact that they used enough force to kill showed how little they valued human life.
Yin Ji’s heart sank, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Take these corpses to the government office. I will find the culprits behind this!”
Then he turned to Jiang Lin. “You’re right. With so many deaths, this is a major incident. I should report it to the Emperor and demand a thorough investigation.”
The corpses were loaded onto carts and taken to the government office, where they would be examined before burial.
However, the sight of carts filled with corpses was so unusual that it shocked the people, causing a wave of panic.
The guard sent by the Sixth Prince and the two old soldiers, due to their severe injuries, were left in the small courtyard, with government runners stationed at the entrance to guard them.
As for Su Qiao, being a woman, her wounds required a maid to apply medicine. Yin Ji allowed Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao to take her back to the Wei residence for treatment, after which she would return to the courtyard to await further summons.
The assassins had come for Su Qiao, and Yin Ji warned Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao to be careful, fearing that the perpetrators might act recklessly and eliminate everyone involved.
“Thank you, Master Yin. We’ll be cautious,” Wei Yunzhao said, expressing his gratitude before having Jiang Lin push him out.
Jiang Lin himself was injured, but he still had to care for two people who couldn’t walk, making his task even more arduous. Seeing this, Yin Ji arranged for a government runner to help drive the carriage and take them back.
As Su Qiao was being carried onto the carriage, she suddenly asked, “Can I not go to the Wei residence?”
Doctor Zhu glared at her and said displeasedly. “If you don’t treat these wounds properly, you might as well wait here to die!”
Su Qiao silently closed her mouth.
Doctor Zhu also had to make a trip to the Wei mansion to treat Jiang Lin’s injuries.
The journey was silent, with no one speaking. Su Qiao kept her head down, lost in thought, while Wei Yunzhao frowned, clearly angry.
Upon returning home, there was another round of chaos. Seeing Jiang Lin injured, the servants were extremely worried, and the housekeeper even urged Wei Yunzhao to summon an imperial doctor from the palace.
Jiang Lin, seeing everyone more anxious than himself, couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m fine. It’s just some superficial wounds. A bit of medicine will do.”
He sent everyone away to attend to their own tasks, mainly because he couldn’t cry out in pain in front of them, it would be too embarrassing.
Once they were gone, Jiang Lin’s expression instantly changed. He grimaced in pain, even hitting Wei Yunzhao and asking why he hadn’t arrived sooner, leaving Doctor Zhu utterly bewildered.
As soon as the medicine was applied and the bandages were in place, Doctor Zhu quickly grabbed his medical kit and left.
After Doctor Zhu left, Wei Yunzhao pulled Jiang Lin into his arms. “I was too late. It’s my fault.”
Jiang Lin pushed him away. “You’re holding me too tight. It hurts.”
Wei Yunzhao: “…”
There was no such thing as warm affection.
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