The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 183

The Emperor absentmindedly stroked the Heavenly Hound’s fur, raising his eyes slightly to look at Zhao Jide.

“Involving the Fourth Prince?”

“A maid named Cui Liang from the Fourth Prince’s residence was found dead in the woods on the outskirts of the capital,” Zhao Jide reported.

The Emperor hummed in response. He had thought the Fourth Prince was capable of murder and arson, but it turned out a maid had died.

“Is the cause of death unusual?”

Zhao Jide nodded. “Since taking over as the Capital Magistrate, I’ve been reorganizing the unsolved cases in the office. Among them was a series of disappearances from three years ago. The case was initially classified as child trafficking because neither the culprits nor the victims were found. However, two days ago, a family reported another child missing. Based on their clues, we investigated the home of the maid, Cui Liang, in the Fourth Prince’s residence. An hour later, she was found dead.”

The Emperor recalled the series of disappearances. At the time, both the Magistrate and the Ministry of Justice had investigated but could neither find the victims nor the culprits, concluding it was the work of traffickers.

Typically, traffickers would kidnap and then sell the children in another area. Because of the number of missing children, portraits were distributed to various provinces to aid in the search, but there were no responses. Perhaps the provinces didn’t search diligently, or maybe something else happened. The disappearances suddenly stopped, seemingly because the culprits were scared or encountered other problems. No other similar cases were reported elsewhere.

Three years later, it started again?

“This is serious. Since you’ve found a lead, continue the investigation. No matter who is involved, proceed without hesitation. I will back you up,” the Emperor declared.

Zhao Jide immediately thanked him.

Hesitating, Zhao Jide added, “Your Majesty, this case might be linked to the one from three years ago. I worry that we might lose the lead again.”

Glancing at the Heavenly Hound, who was eating Eight Treasures Duck, Zhao Jide suggested, “May I borrow the Heavenly Hound to assist in the investigation? I’ve heard it was instrumental in solving the Duke ‘s case and in exposing the plot against the Fourth Prince at the banquet. It seems to have a knack for solving cases.”

The Heavenly Hound looked at Zhao Jide, amused. This “Ironhead” knew how to flatter!

The Heavenly Hound smiled a canine smile at Zhao Jide and rubbed its head against the Emperor’s palm. “Let me go,” it seemed to say in the Emperor’s mind.

If this case is related to the one from three years ago, it might be significant, enhancing Your Majesty’s reputation.

The Heavenly Hound’s voice echoed again in the Emperor’s mind.

The Heavenly Hound tilted its head, looking at the Emperor. Zhao Jide stood there, looking at the Emperor with admiration and envy.

“Everyone says the Heavenly Hound is a symbol of royal power and only true dragon veins can communicate with it. I’d love to know what that feels like,” Zhao Jide said, oblivious to the fact that his words were slightly disrespectful.

But the Emperor enjoyed the flattery and laughed heartily. “Alright, since the Heavenly Hound is such an expert at solving cases, it can help you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Excitedly, Zhao Jide thanked the Emperor, looking at the Heavenly Hound with adoration, completely forgetting he was in the Imperial Study. The Emperor enjoyed his expression.

Patting the Heavenly Hound’s head, the Emperor said, “Assist the Magistrate in the investigation. Once the case is solved, I’ll prepare a pot of Eight Treasures Duck for you.”

The Heavenly Hound nodded symbolically and leapt to Zhao Jide’s side. Zhao Jide looked at it in awe.

The Emperor waved his hand in satisfaction. “Go, I await your good news.”

Zhao Jide bowed and was about to leave when he remembered something and stopped. “Your Majesty, since this case involves a maid from the Fourth Prince’s residence, questioning him might be necessary.”

The Emperor waved his hand. “Ask whatever you need, without hesitation.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Jide left with the Heavenly Hound. Once outside the Imperial Study, Zhao Jide’s fanboy expression disappeared, and he walked briskly. He wasn’t worried about the dog keeping up.

Honestly, he couldn’t understand why the Fourth Prince wanted a dog to assist in solving the case. It was just a dog!

The Heavenly Hound followed swiftly behind, silently mocking him: Fool.

Zhao Jide, walking briskly, suddenly heard a voice: “Wait for me.”

He stopped abruptly, turning around sharply. There was no one except a few palace servants.

He frowned. Am I hearing things? Shaking his head, he continued walking.

“Hey Zhao, carry me. I’m tired!” the voice said again.

His foot, mid-air, felt as if it were pulled down by a thousand pounds, causing him to stumble. He turned back, wide-eyed.

The Heavenly Hound looked at him with a doggy smile. “I’m tired. Carry me out.”

Zhao Jide looked around in horror. No one was talking to him. Then…?

His trembling gaze landed on the Heavenly Hound. “You?”

The Heavenly Hound rolled its eyes. “Of course! Carry me!”

Zhao Jide was stunned. This dog can talk!

If not for being in the palace, Zhao Jide would have jumped three feet back in shock. The Heavenly Hound sneered, “Do you think I’m an ordinary dog? I’m the Heavenly Hound. Now, stop talking and carry me!”

Feeling like he was possessed, Zhao Jide reluctantly picked up the Heavenly Hound and carried it out of the palace towards the Fourth Prince’s residence.

This news quickly reached the Imperial Study.

The Emperor, sipping tea, almost sprayed it on the Chief Eunuch. “Zhao Jide carried the Heavenly Hound all the way out?”

The Chief Eunuch chuckled, nodding. “Yes, all the way out of the palace.”

The Emperor, imagining the scene, sighed after a moment. “No wonder he’s the top scholar who slaughtered pigs.”

At Shen Yue’s residence, Song Jin glared at the Crown Prince, who was forcefully flirting with her. “Your Highness, please behave. I don’t care what you think, but I’m not interested in you!” she declared, her tone resolute and unyielding.