Wife is hell

Chapter 105 Meeting Consort Yue (8600 words)
Jiang Mu arrived at the gate of the patrol office.

As soon as he stepped onto the stone steps, he saw Ke Linyue, dressed in a green robe, standing with her hands behind her back beside the screen wall, looking at him with a half-smile, clearly waiting for him on purpose.

"Greetings, Lord Ke." Jiang Mu stepped forward and bowed.

"It was indeed somewhat presumptuous of me, Ke, to nominate you so rashly in front of the Prince yesterday."

Ke Linyue spoke gently and took the initiative to express her apology:
"Your Highness is impatient, and I had no choice but to do this. If you find it inconvenient and are unwilling to assist, I will not blame you at all, and I will find a way to explain to Your Highness."

His humble demeanor makes it hard to believe that he is the highly powerful second-in-command.

If it were anyone else, they would probably be flattered and rush to express their loyalty.

Jiang Mu sneered inwardly.

If I really quit, do you think you, the smiling tiger, won't hold a grudge?

What a liar.

He cupped his hands in a formal, official tone and smiled:

"Lord Ke, you flatter me. It is my duty to share the Prince's burdens and serve the court. How can you say I am being presumptuous? If there is anything you need from me, please feel free to ask."

Ke Linyue seemed quite pleased with his sense of propriety, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke in an increasingly friendly tone:
"Mu... I'll call you Brother Mu for now. Brother Mu is indeed a man of great integrity. In that case, let's go to the Prince's residence first and continue investigating the case."

"I will leave it to you, sir."

Jiang Mu nodded in agreement.

The two of them boarded the carriage that was waiting at the bottom of the steps, one after the other.

The carriage is spacious and elegantly decorated.

There are also small charcoal stoves and tea stoves inside.

Ke Linyue lowered the carriage curtain, shutting out the damp chill outside, and personally poured Jiang Mu a cup of hot tea before starting to talk:

"Speaking of which, I only learned about your brilliance at the Dao Inquiry Meeting at Chongtian Temple yesterday. It was truly spectacular and captivating."

Unfortunately, Mr. Ke was tied up with other official duties at the time and was unable to attend in person, which is truly regrettable. Mr. Ke had attended several such gatherings in the past, but they were mostly filled with clichéd and tedious rhetoric.

Jiang Mu humbly accepted the teacup:

"You flatter me, sir. These are merely some humble opinions taught by my master, and I am fortunate that I have not made a fool of myself in front of you masters. In truth, such debates are really not very interesting."

In fact, Jiang Mu himself was also puzzled.

Logically speaking, given how much he stole the show at the Wenyan Conference, even if it didn't become a city-wide sensation, it should at least have been widely discussed within certain circles.

However, in the past two days, Jiang Mu felt as if nothing had changed.

Everything was calm.

After much thought, it can only be that the name "Miraculous Bamboo" had the opposite effect.

Jiang Mu was speechless, feeling like he had made a wasted trip.

I didn't gain much benefit.

But on second thought, at least she had helped Big Soft Candy make a good impression and earned a lot of goodwill in her heart, so this deal wasn't a complete loss.

Ke Linyue's gaze shifted slightly, and she asked, seemingly casually, following the lead of the conversation:
"Oh? I've heard that you are a disciple of the famous Fairy Miaozhu. Is that true? Fairy Miaozhu has profound cultivation and extraordinary knowledge. You are very fortunate to have her guidance."

Jiang Mu gave a troubled look and answered ambiguously:

"Lord Ke, my master's temperament... well, my master does not wish me to reveal her name too much, I hope you will understand."

Ke Linyue was slightly taken aback at first, then smiled knowingly and waved her hand:

"I understand, I understand, it was I who was presumptuous."

He didn't dwell on the topic, but instead took out a file from the side and handed it to Jiang Mu.

"Alright, enough of the small talk. This is a detailed record of the case of Princess Yang's disappearance, including a summary of the statements of the servants on duty that night."

Brother Mu, please take a look first. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to ask me.

"Thank you, sir."

Jiang Mu took the file with both hands and began to read it carefully.

Ke Linyue said no more, turning her gaze to the carriage window, looking at the bustling crowds in the market, her eyes seeming somewhat distant, as if she were pondering something.

Jiang Mu quickly became engrossed in the contents of the case file.

He found the princess's disappearance to be quite interesting.

According to the records, the princess was pregnant and needed to rest and recuperate, so she always went to bed early, and every night before going to bed, she would burn special calming incense in the room.

The princess is a deep sleeper, and often even snores slightly.

However, the princess did not snore on the night she went missing.

More notably, during the late hours of the night, the maid on duty outside the door heard a cough coming from inside the room.

The maid asked with concern, and the princess replied that she was fine, she had just choked on her water.

The maidservant was worried and wanted to go into the room to add more warm tea, but the princess politely declined.

About half an hour later, something strange happened.

The guards and maids on duty outside the door suddenly fainted.

It wasn't until a patrolling guard noticed something amiss that they saw the window of the princess's bedroom was wide open.

The room was already empty.

Afterwards, the guards conducted a thorough search of the palace but found no signs of any outsiders forcibly entering.

However, in the princess's bedroom, traces of a type of sedative incense commonly used by the remnants of the Lingjiao sect were detected.

This incense is named "Dream Soul Guide".

It has a faint scent that can induce drowsiness, and the effect is not easily detected.

Therefore, the patrol office initially deduced that the princess was most likely kidnapped by remnants of the Lingjiao sect.

Jiang Mu slowly closed the file.

"how?"

Ke Linyue looked at him with a smile, "Do you have any ideas?"

Jiang Mu shook his head, his tone cautious:
"Relying solely on written records provides too few clues, and we cannot discern much information at this time."

Many details will likely require a visit to the Prince's residence, a personal inspection of the site, and consultation with relevant personnel before a definitive judgment can be made.

"Ah."

Ke Linyue nodded and said nothing more.

The carriage rumbled along, and a commotion arose outside the curtain as the streets began to bustle with the cries of vendors.

After a moment of silence in the car, Ke Linyue suddenly spoke again:

"Before going to the Prince's residence, I have some rumors that shouldn't be taken seriously, concerning the Prince and Princess, which I'd like to tell you."

Of course, just listen to it, don't spread it around, and don't take it too seriously.

"Please enlighten me, sir."

Jiang Mu knew that this was the real show.

Ke Linyue smiled and said calmly:
"In the current Great Qian Dynasty, there are six princes. This Prince Cheng is His Majesty's only uncle and the eldest of them."

When the late emperor passed away, the court was in turmoil. Several old princes harbored disloyal intentions, plotting to seize the throne, but in the end… they were all executed by the current emperor.

"Prince Cheng was the only one at the time who did not participate in the struggle for the throne and devoted all his efforts to supporting His Majesty's ascension to the throne."

"Therefore, His Majesty has always held his uncle in the highest esteem."

At this point, Ke Linyue gave Jiang Mu a meaningful look.

Seeing that Jiang Mu was just listening quietly without any particular reaction, he smiled and continued:
"Of course, there are also speculations that the reason why Prince Cheng was able to stay out of it back then may also be related to the fact that he had no children."

There's something else you might not know: Prince Cheng was once named Crown Prince in his youth.

Prince?

Jiang Mu was taken aback, somewhat surprised.

Ke Linyue said:

"When Prince Cheng was young, he was brave and skilled in battle. He had served on the frontier for many years and made many military achievements."

Even Tang Zhangsi's grandfather, that renowned old general, had personally instructed him in military strategy.

Unfortunately, due to some unspeakable special reasons, and the fact that he never had an heir, his position as crown prince was stripped, and the throne ultimately fell to the late emperor.

Jiang Mu was surprised.

I never imagined that Prince Cheng had such a history.

But... unable to have children?
Was it due to his own actions, or... was he being persecuted?
Ke Linyue seemed to have read his thoughts and continued speaking to herself:
"After losing his position as crown prince, Prince Cheng seemed to be disheartened and spent many years at home indulging in sensual pleasures and leisure."

Until last year, he suddenly fell seriously ill. Doctors were helpless, and even His Majesty sent all the imperial physicians to consult on his case, but it was all in vain. He was on the verge of death...

Ke Linyue paused, took a sip of tea, and continued,

"Just then, a folk healer appeared. She was a woman who claimed to be the successor of a reclusive divine physician. And she was none other than the missing Princess Yang."

Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow.

This princess is actually a miracle doctor?
"Her medical skills are indeed superb; in just a few days, she pulled the prince back from the brink of death."

Ke Linyue said,
"The prince was grateful for her kindness and offered her a large sum of money to keep her. Two months later, he brought her into his mansion and made her his concubine."

Although she was called a concubine, her status in the household was even more revered than that of the principal wife. After all, she was deeply favored by the prince, and more importantly… she was pregnant with the prince's child.

Hearing this, Jiang Mu roughly understood.

No wonder Prince Cheng was so anxious and furious this time. It was not only because his beloved concubine had disappeared, but also because it concerned the safety of his only heir.

Since this Princess Yang was able to make the prince's old man conceive again, does it mean that the prince's health was not seriously affected?
Or perhaps, this child...

Jiang Mu didn't dare to think about it any further.

After all, the possibility of her cuckolding the prince is very small.

But the appearance of this princess was itself suspicious.

When the prince was critically ill, she appeared as the successor of a divine physician, turned the tide, and then married into the prince's mansion, gaining status through her son... All of this was far too dramatic.

It's like a carefully choreographed play.

"arrive."

Ke Linyue's voice interrupted Jiang Mu's thoughts.

The carriage stopped.

Jiang Mu followed Ke Linyue out of the carriage and into the Prince Cheng's residence.

The gates were red and the walls high, heavily guarded.

Led by a servant, they arrived at the main hall.

As soon as he entered, Jiang Mu unexpectedly saw a familiar face – the alluring eight-foot-tall succubus, Madam Tao.

The woman wore a long, dark brocade dress with a high slit at the side of her legs.

A pair of long legs, partially hidden by black silk stockings that gleamed with a delicate sheen.

She simply sat casually on the rosewood chair, one hand supporting her chin, her tall and graceful figure naturally exuding a languid yet extremely alluring charm.

It resembles a black datura blooming freely in the dark night.

Unparalleled in allure.

Behind the woman stood the maid named Lili.

Su Meixin didn't seem surprised by Jiang Mu's appearance.

Those long, narrow fox eyes swept over Jiang Mu, then winked playfully, giving him an extremely provocative look.

"This Lady Tao's identity is truly extraordinary..."

Jiang Mu thought to himself.

He could remain so calm and composed even in the Prince's residence, displaying such a relaxed and comfortable demeanor.

At the head of the hall, Prince Cheng held his forehead, his face haggard, with heavy bags under his eyes, clearly having not slept all night.

Ke Linyue stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness."

Jiang Mu also bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Prince Cheng raised his bloodshot eyes and looked at Jiang Mu: "Is this the kid you recommended?"

"My lord, that's right."

Ke Linyue replied respectfully, "Although Mu Jiang's position is not high, he does have unique expertise in investigating cases."

"Humph."

Prince Cheng waved his hand, "Then hurry up and investigate!"

Anyone within the manor, regardless of rank, may be questioned. If anyone is found suspicious, arrest them immediately! Take them in for interrogation!

"Yes!"

Ke Linyue accepted the order and left the hall with Jiang Mu.

After the two left, only Prince Cheng and Su Meixin remained in the hall.

"Royal Uncle,"

Su Meixin picked up the teacup beside her, gently stirred the floating tea leaves with the lid, and said casually,

"Do your best in investigating the case. If you really have no leads in the end, don't take your anger out on that little constable named Mu Jiang."

He's my newly adopted godson, and I cherish him dearly.

Prince Cheng was rubbing his temples when he heard this. He was taken aback at first, but then he was amused. The gloom on his face dissipated a little, and he shook his head and chuckled:
"Well, I was wondering why you suddenly had the time to come visit your royal uncle today. I thought you'd changed your ways and started caring about your elders. Turns out, you've come all this way to plead for your little male favorite."

As he spoke, Prince Cheng's face darkened again.
"I am in a bad mood right now. If he can find the Queen, I will reward him in no way short of what he deserves! If he can't find her... well, that depends on my mood!"

If I accidentally kill him, at worst, I'll just give you a few more handsome 'adopted sons' in return!

"That won't work."

Su Meixin smiled and said, "These things are better in quality than in quantity."

Moreover, this little yamen runner you mentioned really shone at the Dao Inquiry Assembly at Chongtian Temple. Even Consort Yue looked at him with special regard, and now he's quite famous in this circle.

If you were to kill indiscriminately, it might attract unnecessary criticism.

Prince Cheng curled his lip, quite unconvinced:

"I have never been interested in your Taoist or Buddhist societies. If you want to cultivate, just cultivate properly. Why bother with all this empty formalities? In the end, isn't it just about gaining fame?"

He then changed the subject and asked:
When does Consort Yue plan to depart for Divine Phoenix Island?

"I'm not familiar with her."

Su Meixin's tone instantly turned indifferent, "How would I know when she sets off?"

"Heh, I knew you were petty, and I was absolutely right."

Prince Cheng chuckled and shook his head, pointing at her as he said...

"Isn't it just that she suggested to His Majesty that she wanted to arrange a marriage for you? Actually, you can't blame her. She just heard some gossip from the concubines in the harem and misunderstood you."

Su Meixin didn't say anything, but just looked down at her nails painted with henna.

Prince Cheng was too lazy to ramble on any longer and let out a heavy sigh.

“I only have one child… Those remnants of the Ruoling Cult dared to harm my wife and child…”

He clenched his fist tightly on the armrest.
"Then I will forsake this royal robe and risk everything to drag them out one by one and tear them to pieces!"

In the end, this man, who usually looked somewhat bloated and dejected, suddenly revealed a terrifying glint in his eyes.

The long-dormant aura of iron and blood suddenly erupted.

It has the aura of a lion awakening in fury!

-

On the other side, Jiang Mu followed Ke Linyue through many courtyards and arrived at the backyard of the Prince's Mansion.

The first place to be surveyed was Princess Yang's bedroom.

Perhaps because the windows were kept open for ventilation, there was no perfume or cosmetic fragrance in the room, unlike the usual scents found in women's quarters.

The furnishings inside were surprisingly simple and elegant, without excessive luxury decorations. If one did not know the owner's identity, one would almost think that this was just the quiet residence of a scholar.

As Jiang Mu walked to the corner of the inner room, he could faintly smell the aroma of medicinal herbs.

There is a specially designed, exquisite mahogany medicine cabinet here.

With a slight thought, Jiang Mu released the female ghost in green.

Have them carefully search the room and hidden areas to look for any secret rooms or hidden compartments.

He walked to the medicine cabinet, examining the rows of drawers labeled with the names of the medicines. Ke Linyue didn't wander around, but casually sat down on the pear wood chair by the window, watching Jiang Mu's movements, and spoke in a casual tone:

"Although the Prince dotes on Princess Yang, the two don't actually sleep together very often. Firstly, the Princess is a heavy sleeper and sometimes snores, while the Prince is a light sleeper and easily disturbed. Secondly..."

He paused and continued:
"When the princess sleeps, she always likes to put some calming herbs by her pillow."

Although those medicinal herbs were beneficial to the body and mind, the prince didn't like the mixed smells; he felt dizzy after smelling them for a while.

Jiang Mu paused slightly as he examined the medicine cabinet, then turned around and casually asked, "Lord Ke seems to have a very good understanding of the Prince and Princess's daily habits."

Ke Linyue said casually:

"There are many people in the manor who talk a lot. Such matters can be found out with a little effort. It's not a secret."

Jiang Mu sneered inwardly, knowing that the other party was not telling the truth.

inquire about?

It's probably surveillance.

Based on Ke Linyue's explanation of Prince Cheng to him in the carriage earlier, Jiang Mu guessed that perhaps from the moment this prince suddenly had an heir, the emperor in the deep palace had already quietly laid down his eyes.

The mind of an emperor is never tolerant of the slightest potential threat.

He asked no more questions and instead focused his attention back on the medicine cabinet. He opened each drawer one by one and carefully examined the medicinal herbs inside.

Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa...

Most of them are indeed common medicinal materials that calm the mind and replenish qi.

However, when he pulled open the bottom drawer, his gaze sharpened and his expression became somewhat strange.

The medicinal herb had a rather peculiar appearance.

It has an irregular, lumpy shape and a texture that looks somewhat like the fleshy Ganoderma lucidum "Tai Sui".

However, its overall color leans towards a dark red.

It seemed to be stained with blood, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

Ke Linyue had somehow appeared behind him, and following his gaze, she explained:

"This thing is called 'Red Yin Mushroom'. It usually grows in extremely yin places and can be found occasionally in the depths of tombs and ancient battlefields."

It is said to have a powerful calming and soul-stabilizing effect, especially effective for those suffering from the invasion of evil spirits and unstable spirits. Due to its harsh growing environment, its production is extremely rare and its value is considerable.

Even ordinary wealthy families might not be able to afford it, and... might not dare to use it.

Requiem?

Jiang Mu picked up a "Red Yin Mushroom," feeling a cool and slippery sensation on his fingertips.

Like a piece of soft jade soaked in blood.

He observed carefully for a moment, then tentatively asked:
"Lord Ke, this item is quite peculiar. I would like to take a small piece back for careful examination. Would that be convenient?"

Upon hearing this, Ke Linyue's gaze did not fall on the medicinal herbs in Jiang Mu's hand, but instead turned to look out the window:
"Oh? What did Brother Mu say just now? It's a bit windy, and I don't think I heard it clearly. As for the contents of this medicine cabinet, I was admiring the scenery in the courtyard and didn't notice them."

Jiang Mu smiled knowingly, said no more, picked out a high-quality "Red Yin Mushroom" from the medicine cabinet, wrapped it in oil paper, and put it in his bosom to keep it close to his body.

After carefully inspecting the princess's residence, Jiang Mu and Ke Linyue found no further obvious clues. They then went to the courtyard and began questioning the maids and servants who usually served Princess Yang.

These servants had clearly been questioned repeatedly by the patrol officers, and their faces showed signs of numbness and exhaustion.

Jiang Mu first approached his most trusted maid and went straight to the point:
"Does the Princess usually like to eat apples?"

The maid was clearly taken aback by the abrupt question.

It wasn't until Jiang Mu repeated it that she realized what he meant and quickly shook her head: "Your Excellency, Her Highness the Princess... doesn't really like apples and rarely eats them."

"Have you ever seen her with an apple on her person or in her room?"

The maid shook her head vigorously.

Jiang Mu then asked, "Did you smell an apple scent on her?"

The maid instinctively shook her head, but stopped halfway through, as if remembering something, and said hesitantly:
"Apples? This servant has never seen Your Highness carry one with you. But as for the scent, occasionally when Your Highness falls ill, there is a sweet fragrance in the room that is... somewhat like that of a ripe apple."

"Sickness?"

Jiang Mu immediately grasped the key point, "What illness?"

"It's...it's just a stomachache."

The maid whispered,
"Once or twice a month, Her Highness the Princess would experience some abdominal pain and discomfort. She would use some medicine that she had prepared herself, but I don't know what kind of medicine it was."

While she was using those medicines, there was a sweet scent in the room, somewhat like that of ripe apples, perhaps from the herbs themselves.

Jiang Mu asked several other maids, and the answers he received were all similar.

Jiang Mu's mind raced, and suddenly he posed another question:
"Have any maids or servants in the Prince's mansion recently gone missing without a trace?"

Everyone shook their heads to indicate no.

Jiang Mu was not surprised by this. If the princess was really related to the "Apple Case", as the saying goes, "a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow", she would naturally not be foolish enough to take action within the palace, lest she get herself into trouble.

After the questioning, Jiang Mu, as usual, wrote down the clues he had obtained in the small notebook he carried with him.

Ke Linyue listened attentively without disturbing the conversation.

After Jiang Mu finished taking notes, Ke Linyue stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Brother Mu, do you suspect... that the Princess is the murderer in the apple disappearance case?"

Jiang Mu closed the notebook, chuckled, and mumbled:
"Lord Ke is too kind. I was just asking a few questions as a matter of routine to see if there was anything unusual. How could I dare to speculate about the Princess? These are just some random thoughts without any basis."

He dared not voice this horrifying idea.

If the enraged Prince Cheng found out, he would probably skin him alive on the spot.

Ke Linyue glanced at him thoughtfully, but didn't ask any more questions.

But the smile on his lips deepened slightly.

Next, the two strolled around the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.

Jiang Mu noticed that the garden of the Prince's Mansion was planted with many rare flowers with unique shapes, and there were also some strangely shaped rocks scattered around the rockery and stone path.

Ke Linyue introduced from the side:

"These are all Princess Yang's favorites. She is quite fond of these rare flowers and stones. The prince spent a lot of money to collect them from all over the country just to win a smile from his beloved."

Jiang Mu squinted, carefully observing the placement of the stones and the planting pattern of the flowers.

I have a vague feeling that it's some kind of formation?
Without making a sound, he simply sketched out the placement of the stones and flowers in his notebook, and then continued to survey other areas.

After wandering around for a while, it was already noon.

When they returned to the hall, the eight-foot-tall Lady Peach had already left.

Prince Cheng appeared even more agitated, and upon seeing them, he asked urgently:

"Well? Any discoveries?!"

Jiang Mu cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, not yet."

Prince Cheng frowned, a flash of anger crossing his face, as if he was about to explode.

But then, as if remembering something, he swallowed the rebuke that was already on the tip of his tongue, and simply waved his hand impatiently, his voice filled with suppressed anger:
"...Then continue the investigation. I'll be waiting!"

"Yes."

-

Stepping out of the palace gates, the midday sun was a bit too bright.

Ke Linyue stretched her limbs and smiled at Jiang Mu:
"We've been busy all morning, and it's time for lunch. If you don't mind, Brother Mu, I'll treat you. Let's find a quiet place to eat and chat, how about that?"

Jiang Mu was somewhat surprised.

This guy seems a bit too eager.

As he pondered how to politely decline, he saw Lili, the maidservant beside Madam Tao, gracefully approach, curtsy to Jiang Mu, her voice clear and melodious:

"Young Master Mu, my lady requests your presence."

Seeing this, Ke Linyue's face flashed with displeasure, but she quickly recovered and smiled:

"Since Madam Tao has invited me, I will not disturb you any longer. I will invite Brother Mu to have a chat another day. I will first go and investigate the clues on the Spirit Sect's side, and if I find anything, I will let you know."

After saying that, he nodded to Jiang Mu and turned to leave.

Lili covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a hint of teasing: "Young Master Mu has really become a hot commodity these days, everyone wants to snatch him up."

"no way."

Jiang Mu straightened his clothes, looking narcissistic, "I'm handsome."

Lili chuckled at his teasing, but didn't reply, instead turning to lead the way.

"Master, please follow me."

Jiang Mu followed Lili to a restaurant called "Yunke Lai".

This building is a famous restaurant in Yancheng.

At this hour on a normal day, the place should be bustling with carriages and people.

However, today was quite unusual; there were no customers coming and going in front of the restaurant.

There wasn't even a single waiter to greet the guests.

Lili led Jiang Mu inside.

Upon entering the lobby, Jiang Mu was even more surprised.

The lobby, which was usually packed and bustling, was now completely empty, with the tables and chairs arranged neatly, exuding an unusual desolation.

Lili led Jiang Mu up the wooden stairs to the second floor.

Unlike the deserted first floor, the second floor offers a wide view, with all the windows facing the street open.

The warm afternoon breeze, carrying the hustle and bustle of the city, gently wafted in.

Lady Tao was sitting alone, with her back to the stairwell, leaning against a low couch by the railing.

A gentle breeze blew in from the window, lifting her skirt and long hair.

The woman held an exquisite white jade wine cup in one hand, gazing at the street scene outside the window, pouring herself a drink, and exuding an aura of aloofness and alluring charm.

"lady."

Jiang Mu stepped forward and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"sit."

Su Meixin still had her back to him, her voice languid.

"This restaurant is my property. If you ever want to drink or eat anything, just come here. Put it on my tab, no need to pay."

She's definitely a rich woman; she's very generous.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Madam."

Jiang Mu thanked her, his gaze lingering on her graceful back.

"How's the investigation going at the Prince's residence?"

Su Meixin took a sip of wine, still showing no intention of turning around, as if the bustling traffic downstairs was more attractive to her.

"Reporting to Madam, there are no leads yet; we are investigating."

"This matter..."

Su Meixin chuckled lightly, "You don't need to worry about it too much. Just let those people have their headaches."

"Especially Ke Linyue, he loves to order people around for free. In the end, even if you do your best to find out something, the credit won't go to you."

"Yes."

Jiang Mu responded and then fell silent.

If it were just a simple missing person case, he certainly wouldn't bother with it.

But if this involves the "disappearing Apple case," then we must help Big Soft Candy investigate it thoroughly.

Who told me to cling to that guy's beautiful legs?

I also attended the Dao Inquiry Gathering.

Su Meixin rested her chin on the railing, letting the wind make her skirt flutter.

Black silk clung tightly to her long, slender legs.

Like a white epiphyllum grown in a black porcelain vase, it is obviously alluring, yet it carries an inviolable cold light.

"You've got some skills, kid."

Jiang Mu said modestly, "I was just rambling on a bit."

Su Meixin seemed to have lost interest in the view downstairs, placing the empty wine glass on the low table beside her: "Have you seen Consort Yue? What did she say to you?"

Jiang Mu shook his head:

"I did not see Consort Yue's true face. She only gave me three riddles."

"A word puzzle?"

Su Meixin was clearly surprised, her voice tinged with interest, "What kind of riddle?"

Jiang Mu didn't think it was a secret, so he told the other party about the three riddles.

"Moon, Consort, Immortal..."

Su Meixin repeated the three words softly, her fingertips tapping unconsciously on her knees, as if savoring their meaning.

After a while, she asked, "What do you think she was trying to say by giving you this three-character riddle?"

Jiang Mu shook his head: "I don't know."

Actually, he had thought about it seriously these past two days.

He even thought of his ex-wife's name, "Luo Xianyu," but then felt that he was thinking too far ahead and too absurd, so he stopped bothering to think about it anymore.

Who can fathom the thoughts of those in power?

Perhaps that Consort Yue was just acting on a whim, wanting to test his talent.

Su Meixin was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Have you heard the strange tales about Consort Yue? No man can get within three feet of her."

Jiang Mu nodded:

"There are indeed such rumors circulating. However, I believe it may be due to the fact that Your Highness is wearing some special protective amulet."

"Spiritual creature?"

Su Meixin scoffed, "What kind of spiritual object could possibly keep even the Emperor of my Great Qian from entering?"

Jiang Mu fell silent.

This sounds really mysterious.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the emperor.

Emperors are often cold-hearted and rarely fall in love with a woman. In the end, they can't even get close to her and can only admire her from afar as a beautiful vase.

The frustration and pain involved are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Seeing Jiang Mu remain silent, Su Meixin stopped talking about it and instead said, "Your Manager Tang came to see me."

Jiang Mu was somewhat surprised.

Does Big Soft Candy also know this Mrs. Peach?
However, upon further reflection, Tang Jinxian, as the head of the patrol office, already held a high position, while this Lady Tao had a mysterious and unpredictable background, so it was normal for the two to know each other.

Su Meixin continued:

"She hopes I can persuade the prince to withdraw from this case and not get involved in this mess with Ke Linyue."

A warm feeling welled up in Jiang Mu's heart.

I never expected that Tang Jinxian had done all this for him behind the scenes.

"Unfortunately, I was unable to persuade the prince."

Su Meixin said calmly, "He's become somewhat reckless now, all for the sake of the princess and their offspring."

But you can rest assured, he has promised me that even if the princess is never found or meets with misfortune, he will not hold a grudge against you and will ensure your safety.”

Jiang Mu quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your help, Madam."

"Don't thank me yet."

Su Meixin put on her veil and adopted a more languid posture.

Leaning against the railing, arms outstretched, clothes stretched taut by the wind, revealing her waistline, she was alluring and seductive.
"Although I couldn't completely free you, I've secured a protective shield for you. So... I'd like to ask you to do something for me as a way of repaying me, how about it?"

"Please speak, Madam."

Jiang Mu keenly sensed that this was not a good thing.

Su Meixin parted her red lips slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes:

"I'm going to see Consort Yue. You, come with me."

(End of this chapter)