The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 99

Her father had instructed her not to use her weapon-controlling skill after entering the capital. But she had already used it. Her father didn’t come to the capital, and the Fourth Prince hadn’t woken up. If she didn’t use this skill, she wouldn’t be able to handle the Duke’s illegal gold mining with just her wits. After all… she wasn’t that smart.

Taking a deep breath, Song Jin suddenly raised her hand and grabbed the steward by the neck. This sudden move drew everyone’s attention. The Crown Prince watched, his mind racing. He was almost certain that the person inside the Fourth Prince’s body was a woman who didn’t know martial arts. But in that instant… If this woman didn’t know martial arts, how could she lift the strong steward of the Duke’s Estate so easily? Even with martial arts, a woman’s strength couldn’t match a man’s. Yet the steward didn’t even have a chance to resist. Could he have been wrong? No, he had to go back and recheck the storybooks to be sure.

The commoners, who had been hesitant moments before, now watched with burning eyes. The assassins, holding their swords, also stared at the steward. The steward… Damn it! Who was holding a dagger to his back? If not for the dagger, he wouldn’t have been caught off guard by the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince was nothing! But now, he didn’t dare move. One wrong move, and the dagger might pierce his flesh. Whoever was behind him was a master. His martial arts weren’t low, and the assassins were even better. Yet, this person had appeared without a sound.

“Your Highness, there’s no need for this. I’m just…” the steward, with the dagger pressed against him, stammered.

“I only want to find the real killer and give an explanation to my father and the people. Why do you keep obstructing me? I already said the killer is in the study. Why have you sent so many assassins to block the way? What’s your intention?” Song Jin demanded.

The commoners suddenly understood. The real killer was here. No wonder the Duke’s Estate didn’t let them in.

“We want the truth!”

“Hand over the killer!”

“Yes, hand them over!”

Someone in the crowd shouted, inciting the assassins to glare at them. But this time, the commoners didn’t back down. They shouted even more fiercely, supported by the sight of the Fourth Prince holding the steward by the neck.

Song Jin could only rely on Lu Zhan. The Capital Magistrate’s officers wouldn’t obey her. Holding the steward’s neck, Song Jin ordered, “Go in and search. Based on my deduction, the killer is under twenty, of noble status, about your height, and slightly slimmer. Look for someone who fits this description.”

Lu Zhan nodded and stepped into the courtyard. Though he still didn’t know what Miss Song’s plan was, he just followed orders. After all, his brain wasn’t that sharp either.

As soon as Lu Zhan stepped forward, several assassins blocked his path, their swords and sabers gleaming. Song Jin tightened her grip on the steward’s neck. “What? You won’t let us investigate?”

The steward’s face turned purple under Song Jin’s grip. Seeing the steward unable to control the situation, the Duke coughed and stepped forward, pretending he had just arrived. “What’s going on here!” the Duke shouted. Everyone turned to look at him. The Duke walked straight to the Crown Prince. “I apologize for my incompetence, causing Your Highness distress.”

He had just spotted the crimson stain on the Crown Prince’s shoulder. The blood had dried, turning dark red. Trembling, the Duke looked at the Crown Prince uneasily. “Your Highness, this…”

The Crown Prince was different from the Fourth Prince. He was the Emperor’s favorite. If something happened to him…

The Crown Prince was contemplating when to publicly distance himself from the Duke to avoid misunderstandings. When the Duke inquired, the Crown Prince immediately replied coldly, “No need for your concern. Just make sure your assassins don’t brandish their swords in front of us anymore, and I’ll be grateful.”

The Duke, initially just nervous, now felt his hands trembling. He had sent the assassins to intercept the Fourth Prince. But it was supposed to be an interception, not an assassination. The Crown Prince knew that. All the assassins he sent were dead. He had no idea what had happened. Only that the assassins had gone berserk and attacked the Fourth Prince. And the Crown Prince arrived after the Fourth Prince had dealt with them. How could his men have injured the Crown Prince?

After a moment of panic, the Duke calmed down. The Crown Prince was setting him up! Very well, then! I intended to support you, and this is how you repay me. Taking a deep breath, the Duke regained his composure and said, “Your Highness, I have a physician in my mansion. It’s best to have your wound treated to prevent infection.”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “No need. If you’re worried about me, have your men step aside. Once the investigation is over, I’ll leave.”

The Duke, looking concerned and helpless, sighed and turned to the assassins. “You scoundrels, who sent you here? Step aside!” The assassins didn’t move. The Duke’s face darkened. “Are you rebelling? Is there someone more authoritative than me here?”

The assassins hesitated. The Duke roared, “Step aside! The Emperor is personally overseeing this case. If you delay the investigation, you’ll all face punishment, and I will too. Do you want the entire Duke’s Estate to be buried with that wretch?”

The assassins finally decided, sheathing their weapons and leaping away. In an instant, they were gone. The commoners looked around, amazed at the disappearance. How magical.

Song Jin still held the steward by the neck as Lu Zhan walked towards the study. The Duke smiled at Song Jin. “Your Highness, please calm down. These people were certainly called by my unworthy son. Delaying your investigation is my fault.”

Song Jin sneered. “These people were called by you. You used them to block us, buying time to enter the study and make your arrangements.”

The Duke’s smile froze. He had indeed made arrangements, sending his third son into the study. Song Jin watched him, smirking internally. She had a knack for exposing lies, a trait she’d had since childhood. Why else would she be called an honest girl!

“Have you made your arrangements, Duke? Can we go in now?”

The Duke, looking aggrieved, replied, “Your Highness, your words are unjust, but the investigation is more important. I won’t argue. The innocent will be proven innocent. Please, proceed.”