Chapter 171
Chapter 171: Jade Token
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng gently reached out his hand, and an object appeared in his palm out of thin air.
However, Murong Xiao Ya, who had been staring down at the ground, didn’t notice this.
When Li Mu Sheng glanced at the object, a flash of understanding crossed his face, and he suddenly spoke, “I see. No wonder Murong Young Lady needed to hide this.”
Hearing his words, Murong Xiao Ya froze for a moment before her expression changed drastically. She quickly reached into her robe, and upon realizing something was missing, she jerked her head up to stare at Li Mu Sheng.
Seeing the jade token held tightly in his hand, she stood motionless, unable to find her voice.
“I…”
Murong Xiao Ya’s breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling in panic. The wind stirred her hair, scattering loose strands across her pale pink cheeks. Her heart trembled in turmoil, and for a while, she was too overwhelmed to speak. She remained rooted to the spot, stammering and flustered, clearly unsettled.
Nearby, Hu Rui An and the others had noticed something unusual. Yet, seeing that Li Mu Sheng remained silent, none dared approach to question him.
At this point, Li Mu Sheng glanced again at Murong Xiao Ya and calmly said, “Earlier, I noticed you secretly picking up this jade token, and curiosity brought me over. It seems this jade token belongs to someone from your Murong family.”
As he spoke, he returned the jade token to her. “I suppose you also saw the bodies in the inner courtyard. Even if it was truly the Murong family’s doing, this matter likely has nothing to do with you personally, Murong Young Lady. It’s best not to involve yourself further.”
Having said that, Li Mu Sheng turned and walked away.
Murong Xiao Ya clasped the jade token tightly, lowered her gaze, and sighed softly. After a moment, she followed Li Mu Sheng back and quietly handed the jade token over to Hu Rui An.
Hu Rui An examined it carefully, his eyes flickering with curiosity. Glancing first at Li Mu Sheng and then at Murong Xiao Ya, he asked, “The craftsmanship of this jade token is extraordinary. Someone permitted to carry it must hold a high rank in the Murong family. Murong Young Lady, do you know whose token this is?”
Murong Xiao Ya hesitated briefly, casting a nervous glance at Li Mu Sheng before softly replying with sorrowful eyes, “It belongs to… my older brother, Murong Feng.”
As soon as she spoke these words, her head sank even lower, overcome with disappointment and sorrow. Clearly, she could not accept that her own brother might have committed such horrific acts.
The dreadful image of over a hundred corpses flashed vividly in her mind, causing her heart to shudder violently.
Seeing her distress, Hu Rui An thought deeply for a moment, then shook his head gently. “Do not be too quick to draw conclusions. Although this jade token places strong suspicion upon the Murong family, it’s also possible someone deliberately left it here to frame them. We must investigate thoroughly to discover the truth.”
His expression turned stern as he continued, “However, hiding evidence and protecting criminals is a severe crime according to the Great Li laws. Murong Young Lady, refrain from such actions in the future.”
“I… understand,” Murong Xiao Ya whispered, her voice as faint as a mosquito. She dared not raise her head, ashamed of what she’d done.
In truth, her worry for her brother and her family had pushed her to conceal the token against her conscience. Even before Li Mu Sheng confronted her, she had felt torn inside. But Li Mu Sheng’s action had been swift and silent, retrieving the jade token from her without giving her a chance to hesitate.
Murong Xiao Ya’s heart churned with regret. After some silence, she slowly stepped towards Li Mu Sheng, her head bowed in apology as she quietly murmured, “Your Highness, I am sorry…”
Li Mu Sheng waved his hand gently, not wishing to speak further. After all, humans were not saints. Everyone faced moments when personal feelings conflicted with righteousness. Honestly, only a person with a heart of stone could remain indifferent in such a situation.
At this moment, Shen An Ran stepped forward and gently patted Murong Xiao Ya’s shoulder in comfort.
About the time it took to burn two sticks of incense later, Cao Gao Shan returned swiftly on horseback, bringing a group of Heavenly Brocade Guards.
“My lord, the Heavenly Brocade Guard has already notified Six Gates and the Sheng Province garrison. I have brought them here first,” Cao Gao Shan reported to Hu Rui An.
Hu Rui An turned his attention toward the newcomers, slightly surprised to see that the young man leading the Heavenly Brocade Guards was Mei Yan Yu, whom he had encountered last night.
Mei Yan Yu glanced at Hu Rui An and Wu Shang, narrowing his eyes slightly as he cupped his hands in greeting. “Lord Hu, we meet again.”
Hu Rui An nodded lightly, and Mei Yan Yu turned to look towards Li Mu Sheng standing nearby. He quickly approached and respectfully greeted, “Greetings, Eighth Prince.”
Li Mu Sheng raised his eyes briefly, sweeping his gaze across Mei Yan Yu and the servant behind him. He merely waved his hand, indicating Mei Yan Yu could forego formalities.
The Mei family had close ties to the imperial household, and by blood, Mei Yan Yu and Li Mu Sheng were somewhat related. Although the Mei family supported the Queen and First Prince, Li Mu Sheng, as a newly recognized prince, held no conflict of interest with the First Prince. On the contrary, Mei Yan Yu might have even harbored intentions of drawing Li Mu Sheng to their side.
Noting Li Mu Sheng’s lack of response, Mei Yan Yu’s expression remained calm. Without further words, he accompanied Hu Rui An into the courtyard to examine the scene.
Throughout their investigation, the Heavenly Brocade Guards refrained from disturbing any evidence. Such a grave matter required the utmost caution; with three distinct factions present, none could act independently without appearing suspicious.
After surveying the scene briefly, Mei Yan Yu seemed to discern something. He remarked, “Nearly half the victims died from a single precise slash across the throat. This sword technique looks strangely familiar. If I am not mistaken, the attacker must have used the Murong family’s Azure Dragon Thousand Swords technique.”
At his words, Hu Rui An’s gaze shifted thoughtfully to Murong Xiao Ya.
Clearly acquainted with Murong Xiao Ya, Mei Yan Yu’s expression turned meaningful. “The Azure Dragon Thousand Swords technique is the Murong family’s secret art, well known throughout Prefecture City martial families, yet very few have actually seen it in action.”
Murong Xiao Ya opened her mouth to speak but found herself unable to form words.
However, Mei Yan Yu continued gently, his eyes fixed upon her, “Young Lady Xiao Ya, don’t panic. If the Murong family truly committed this atrocity and openly displayed their signature technique, wouldn’t they be confessing outright? From my perspective, it seems someone deliberately framed the Murong family, seeking to destroy their reputation.”