The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 185

Song Jin stared at Zhao Jide, trying to discern the truth from his expression.

However, Zhao Jide was the top scholar of his year. Despite spending sixteen years in Yuzhou without a single promotion, an old fox was still an old fox. Song Jin, with her level of insight, couldn’t read his thoughts or even understand his current expression.

“Minister Zhao, you were the top scholar back then. How far behind was the second place?”

Zhao Jide chuckled, “Not too far. The combined scores of the second and third place might just catch up to mine.”

Song Jin was speechless. She knew Zhao Jide was impressive, but not this impressive. Song Jin had always had a natural respect for academic achievers since she was not one herself. Looking at Zhao Jide with newfound admiration, she asked, “Minister Zhao, has your family already moved to the capital?”

Zhao Jide, unsure of her intentions, simply answered, “When I assisted the Fourth Prince with the Duke’s case, to ensure my family’s safety, Song Dingzhong advised me to bring them along to the capital.”

Of course, Song Dingzhong hadn’t put it that way. He had said that bringing his family to the capital would make the Emperor see how the Duke was so arrogant and unrestrained that it forced a scholar’s family to leave Yuzhou. His family was merely a prop to serve that purpose.

Unaware of how Song Dingzhong’s paranoia and craziness affected others, Song Jin switched the topic to the case.

“Do you have any leads on this case, Minister Zhao?”

Zhao Jide immediately responded, “I have organized the case, and it is highly likely linked to the case from three years ago. However, this time, the culprit died right after committing the crime.”

“Although Cui Liang was a maid in my residence, I don’t know much about her. Minister Zhao, you might have heard about the state of my household.”

After entering the capital, Zhao Jide had heard that the servants in the Fourth Prince’s residence were under the control of his consorts. These servants received their allowances from the consorts, making the Fourth Prince seem like a figurehead. Zhao Jide understood that this was part of the Fourth Prince’s strategy and nodded, “I have already investigated Cui Liang’s family situation.”

Song Jin nodded, signaling him to continue.

“Cui Liang’s family is originally from the capital. Her parents are still alive, and she has an older brother who has been married for several years. Her brother’s child is a seven-year-old girl. Cui Liang’s monthly allowance was handed over to her parents. She was practically being exploited by her family.”

Song Jin hummed in acknowledgment. After the incident, she had questioned the steward. Though he wasn’t loyal to Shen Yue, he divulged non-sensitive information.

“When Cui Liang was brought into the household, the steward bought her from a human trafficker for ten taels of silver. Her parents used that money to arrange her brother’s marriage. Luckily, she wasn’t sold to a worse place and ended up in this residence. Once she started working here, her parents began asking for her monthly allowance again.”

Song Jin paused, and Zhao Jide remained silent for a moment before saying, “So, her death wasn’t due to robbery. Given her looks, it wasn’t due to a sexual assault either. There’s only one possibility: she was silenced by an accomplice.”

“How did you trace this back to Cui Liang?” Song Jin asked.

“Someone saw Cui Liang taking the missing child out of the city gate.”

“Who?”

“An old man who runs a breakfast stall near the west gate.”

“How did he recognize Cui Liang?”

“He didn’t know her, but the child called her ‘Auntie Cui Liang.’ Based on his description, we made sketches of all women with similar names and matched them with her.”

Making sketches of everyone with similar names was indeed thorough work, showcasing Zhao Jide’s efficiency as a top scholar.

“Did Cui Liang know the child’s family?” Song Jin asked, impressed.

Zhao Jide shook his head and sighed. “I personally visited the victim’s family. They claimed not to know Cui Liang or her family. Cui Liang’s family also denied knowing the victim’s family. Cui Liang’s family lives in the east of the city, and the victim’s family lives in the north. It’s unlikely they knew each other.”

Both families denied knowing each other, yet the child called her “Auntie Cui Liang.” It was strange.

At this moment, Wang Liu announced, “Your Highness, Fen Xiang has arrived.”

Fen Xiang, who shared a room with Cui Liang and was her closest friend, entered the room, nervous and anxious. Bowing, she stood quietly, her eyes lowered.

Song Jin got straight to the point, “Cui Liang is dead.”

Fen Xiang, unaware of why she was summoned, was momentarily stunned and then filled with fear and disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she trembled as she tried to comprehend the news.

“When she was found, she was already dead in the woods outside the city,” Song Jin continued.

Fragrance’s tears fell, and she covered her mouth, shaking her head in denial.

“You were closest to Cui Liang. Did she exhibit any unusual behavior recently?” Song Jin asked.

Fen Xiang, still trembling, took a moment to steady herself before shaking her head. “No, everything was normal.”

“Did Cui Liang have any enemies?” Song Jin pressed.

Fen Xiang shook her head vigorously. “Cui Liang was gentle and kind. She got along with everyone.”

Song Jin’s gaze turned cold. “Are you sure? Cui Liang worked for Consort Zhen. The Third Prince had just had an incident, and now Cui Liang is dead.”