Catching Monsters

Chapter 424 Winning over
"Your Highness, rest assured, this matter is between you and me, and no one else knows about it," Jiang Yun said sincerely.

Seeing Jiang Yun say this, Xiao Jingzhi felt relieved.

He was still relieved about this, after all, he knew that the relationship between Jiang Yun and Xiao Jingfu was extremely bad.

If they don't help me, are they going to let Xiao Jingfu become the crown prince?

Thinking of this, his smile widened as he looked at Jiang Yun, and he also showed a strong desire to win Jiang Yun over.

He also knew that although he had the support of most civil officials, the attitude of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was also crucial for his smooth succession to the throne.

Bringing Jiang Yun into my camp would be of great help to me later.

Xiao Jingzhi grasped Jiang Yun's hand and said with great emotion, "Brother, I shall take my leave now."

Jiang Yun also hurriedly got up to see them off. The two walked out of the study. Xiao Jingzhi had come alone, dressed in casual clothes, and appeared quite low-key.

Zhu Zanyu, who was waiting outside the study, had no idea what the two had talked about.

Soon, Jiang Yun personally escorted Xiao Jingzhi out of the Eastern Garrison.

Watching Xiao Jingzhi's departing figure, the smile on Jiang Yun's face gradually disappeared. Then she said to Zhu Zanyu beside her, "Go, lock Wu Hanting up in a separate room and keep him under guard. We absolutely cannot let anything happen to him."

"Yes." Zhu Zanyu nodded respectfully. As he watched Jiang Yun leave, he couldn't help but wonder what the eldest prince had come to see him for.

Jiang Yun did not return to the Eastern Garrison Command; instead, he immediately headed towards the direction of the Imperial Palace.

Jiang Yun was not fooled by the Crown Prince's few words; he knew perfectly well what was going on.

Whether the eldest prince can become the crown prince is still uncertain, let alone if he does ascend the throne in the future.

The current emperor is still Xiao Yuzheng.

The current case involves the death of Prince Fu, and Jiang Yun doesn't want to get involved easily.

I am completely innocent. If I get involved, wouldn't I become an accomplice?

What's the point?

Is the cake drawn by the Crown Prince delicious?

Soon, Jiang Yun headed towards the direction of the palace.

……

Xiao Yuzheng had just fallen asleep when there was another knock on the door, and it was Feng Yu again.

After opening the door, Xiao Yuzheng frowned slightly, looked Feng Yu up and down, and then asked, "It's almost midnight, what's wrong? Is there something else?"

Feng Yu said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Jiang Yun requests an audience."

"Jiang Yun?" Xiao Yuzheng was slightly taken aback, and looked at Feng Yu with some surprise: "What's that kid doing here?"

Feng Yu's lips moved slightly, and then he said, "This servant doesn't know either. He's waiting in the Imperial Study right now. Your Majesty, would you like to go and see him?"

Xiao Yuzheng glanced at Feng Yu and thought to himself, if this old servant really didn't know what was going on, how dare he come looking for him so late at night, past midnight?
This must be a big deal.

However, this matter is probably something that Feng Yu finds difficult to talk about.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yuzheng put on his coat: "Let's go, let's go to the Imperial Study. Jiang Yun must have something important to say to come here in the middle of the night."

Soon, Xiao Yuzheng and Feng Yu headed towards the Imperial Study.

When they arrived at the Imperial Study, Jiang Yun was waiting outside. Xiao Yuzheng waved and led Jiang Yun inside.

Feng Yu quickly lit a lantern and hung it on the wall.

Xiao Yuzheng yawned, then sat on the dragon throne and slowly said, "Young Jiang Yun, tell me, what urgent matter brings you to see me in the middle of the night?"

Jiang Yun respectfully said, "Your Majesty, it's related to the assassination of Prince Fu..."

"This humble servant is also unsure how to handle this case, so I have come to ask Your Majesty for some advice."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng remained unfazed and said, "Speak."

"Just now, I was at the Eastern Garrison Command investigating a case overnight when His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly came to see me privately."

Jiang Yun recounted the whole story in detail, without hiding anything.

After listening, Xiao Yuzheng's expression gradually became much more serious.

The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

You must understand, this is the eldest prince. If it is found that he secretly sent someone to murder Prince Fu, it could be very serious.

This is not just a simple murder.

Instead, it was a scandal that the Zhou royal family had never experienced in three hundred years.

Xiao Yuzheng remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Judging from what you've said, since the First Prince has already won you over, why don't you help him?"

Jiang Yun replied without hesitation, "This world belongs to His Majesty. I am loyal to His Majesty, not the Crown Prince."

This answer is considered the standard answer. The key point is that Jiang Yun not only said it, but also did it.

Instead of accepting the Crown Prince's offer of a hand, he came directly to report the matter to Xiao Yuzheng.

The real culprit who killed Prince Fu has now come to light, but Xiao Yuzheng is not happy at all.

What a mess this is, once it gets publicized.

The Zhou royal family has probably completely lost face.

He understood why Jiang Yun had come specifically to consult him. Jiang Yun certainly didn't dare make the decision herself…

Solving the case is simple, too simple.

With a target suspect already identified, all that's needed is to continue interrogating Wu Hanting; with the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they can get him to talk very quickly.

But if Wu Hanting were to actually speak, it would only cause trouble.

Jiang Yun remained silent, quietly waiting for Xiao Yuzheng's response.

Anyway, it was Prince Fu who died, not a relative.

Xiao Yuzheng sighed slowly and said, "Let's settle this case with Wu Hanting."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun understood the situation and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, an investigation has revealed that there was a significant conflict between Prince Fu and Wu Hanting, which led Wu Hanting to harbor resentment and assassinate Prince Fu."

"We now request Your Majesty's decision."

"Execute him immediately," Xiao Yuzheng said expressionlessly.

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded, stood up, and respectfully turned to leave.

……

The following morning, astonishing news broke in the capital.

Last night, Prince Fu was assassinated. The Imperial Guards solved the case overnight, and unexpectedly, the murderer turned out to be Wu Hanting, the owner of Qingsi Cloth Shop.

That morning, the Qingsi Cloth Shop was quickly sealed off by the Imperial Guards to collect more evidence of their crimes.

At Qingfeng Temple, Jiang Yun slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky before waking up. After stretching, he discovered that Qin Shujian and Wen Chen had already gone to the Eastern Garrison to take up their posts.

That's one of the advantages of being a leader; you can sleep in whenever you want.

He stretched, yawned, and prepared to go out to have lunch before going to the East Garrison Office.

He stayed up half the night yesterday, but instead of continuing to interrogate Wu Hanting, he directly ordered his men to carry out the execution.

This matter cannot be investigated further.

Meanwhile, the other prisoners were released one by one.

Jiang Yun was about to go out when, unexpectedly, Xiao Jingzhi, dressed in a prince's robe, stood at the door with a smile on his face, followed by a number of servants.

"Hahahaha, my good brother." Xiao Jingzhi raised his hand, signaling his servants not to come in.

After quickly entering the Sanqing Temple, he took Jiang Yun's hand and said in a low voice, "I already know about what happened at the Eastern Garrison Command last night. You did a good job, my brother."

Jiang Yun's lips twitched. It seemed that Xiao Jingzhi was unaware that he had already gone to the palace and told His Majesty the truth about the matter.

Of course, Jiang Yun did not object to Xiao Jingzhi's way of thinking. He smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. Since you call me your brother, I will naturally do my best to handle the matter you have entrusted to me."

"I sent my servants with many gifts, please don't be shy about accepting them, my dear brother."

Jiang Yun glanced at the servants behind him carrying large and small boxes, but did not refuse.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Jingzhi took Jiang Yun's hand and said, "Brother, we are destined to be together. Why don't we become sworn brothers? If I have a bite to eat, you will surely have a bite to eat too."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes flickered slightly: "Your Highness, this is somewhat inappropriate. My status is too lowly to become sworn brothers with you. If word gets out, what kind of decorum would that be..."

Jiang Yun knew perfectly well that Xiao Jingzhi wanted to pull her onto his side.

Jiang Yun also learned from Feng Yu that His Majesty now favors the Fourth Prince, Xiao Jingfu.

The Crown Prince's ship was not something one could easily jump aboard.

It might just be a pirate ship.

He should know that he had a special status and was considered the future son-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. His statement would, to some extent, also become the statement of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Even if a decision needs to be made, it should at least be discussed with Xu Xiaogang.

Seeing that Jiang Yun's attitude was somewhat resolute, Xiao Jingzhi knew that this matter could not be rushed, so he said, "Being sworn brothers is just a ceremony, it doesn't matter whether we do it or not, anyway, I have already recognized you as my sworn brother."

"Hey, isn't the gold paint on the statues of the Three Pure Ones a bit too thin? I'll have someone come over tomorrow and have them apply a few more layers to the Three Pure Ones. According to your Taoist beliefs, isn't this how you accumulate merit for yourself?"

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. Since the Crown Prince has done this, the Dao Ancestor will surely protect you."

He then led Xiao Jingzhi on a tour. Seeing that Jiang Yun was somewhat unyielding and difficult to win over, Xiao Jingzhi took his leave.

After Xiao Jingzhi left, Jiang Yun thought about it and gave up the plan to go to the Eastern Garrison Command. Instead, she headed to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Soon, he arrived directly in front of Xu Xiaogang's courtyard.

Originally, Xu Xiaogang was now the Duke of the State, the master of the entire Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, and should no longer live in this small courtyard.

According to normal tradition, Tao Yuelan should have moved out of the main courtyard.

However, Xu Xiaogang was a filial son and since he didn't often return to Beijing, he let his mother stay in the main courtyard while he made do with whatever he could find.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Xu Xiaogang had already woken up and was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard. On the stone table was a detailed topographical map of the coastal area.

"Hey, brother-in-law, all done with work?" Xu Xiaogang turned to look at Jiang Yun and then asked, "All done with the matter? I heard the real culprit is that Wu Hanting?"

"Is your Eastern Garrison Command scapegoating us?"

Jiang Yun rolled her eyes at him: "Do I look like the kind of person who would take a scapegoat?"

(End of this chapter)