Conan's physique? The Crown Princess is involved in a murder case again

Xu Xingyin stuck out his tongue embarrassedly and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. This matter concerns the foundation of the country. You and I are husband and wife, so there are some things I have to say."

Seeing this, Jing Zhichen stopped teasing Xu Xingyin and instead restrained his expression and spoke seriously.

"I have figured this out. As for my father, I will go and pay my respects tomorrow."

When Xu Xingyin heard this, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes and he quickly said.

"I feel relieved if Your Highness thinks this way."

After achieving their goal, the two continued to walk side by side on the street, and Xu Xingyin's mood was obviously much more relaxed.

She held Jing Zhichen's hand and pointed to the street vendors and lively performances for him from time to time.

A slight smile gradually appeared on Jing Zhichen's face. Although he was still a little distant and calm, it was not difficult to see that he had gradually come out of his previous depressed mood.

The two were enjoying their stroll when they saw Aoying walking towards them excitedly.

"My Lord..." Aoying paused, and changed his words in the face of Jing Zhichen's warning look, "Sir, I have found the one you asked me to find."

Jing Zhichen raised his eyebrows, and he and Xu Xingyin looked at each other, and saw nervousness and anticipation in each other's eyes.

Finally, there are new clues about the person who is hiding behind the scenes and causing trouble.

Jing Zhichen said decisively, "Let's talk about it after we return to the East Palace."

The three of them hurried back to the East Palace, and after Jing Zhichen had dismissed his attendants, they allowed Ao Ying to speak about the clues.

Aoying didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

"I have found the 'Zhou Lizhen' that Your Highness asked me to look for last time."

Jing Zhichen asked, "Where?"

"This girl's name is Zou Lizhen. She is now in the residence of Zheng Yuan, the director of the Imperial College. She is one of Zheng Yuan's favorite concubines. She has been in the residence for more than three years and is quite favored by Zheng Yuan. There are also rumors that Zheng Yuan spent a lot of money just to repair the house for Zou Lizhen."

Jing Zhichen asked again, "Can you confirm that this is the person?"

Aoying nodded, "I compared the small statue of Zou Lizhen and found it is exactly the same as the nun who fell off the cliff and disappeared in Funing Temple."

Xu Xingyin frowned and said, "It's really the same method."

Hearing Xu Xingyin's complaints, Jing Zhichen couldn't help but curl his lips and say, "Doesn't the Crown Princess always say that it doesn't matter how many methods there are, as long as they work?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xingyin glared at Jing Zhichen unhappily. This man is really becoming more and more unruly!

After being glared at by Xu Xingyin, Jing Zhichen stopped teasing and turned to Ao Ying and asked again.

"Which nun fell off a cliff and disappeared?"

"The Buddhist name is Jingchen. She was originally the daughter of the Liu family in the capital, Liu Qingqing. After Liu Qingqing got married, she had a disagreement with her husband and chose to divorce. At that time, her father was in a critical period of promotion, so he sent her to the Funing Temple, where she was accompanied by ancient Buddhas and green lamps to protect the reputation of the family."

Xu Xingyin frowned and said indignantly, "This Lord Liu is really a man of means. For the sake of his future, he can even sacrifice his daughter's lifelong happiness."

"In this world, for the sake of power, people's hearts are far darker than we see."

Jing Zhichen, however, was very open-minded. After summarizing this sentence, he began to analyze.

"Liu Qingqing was dissatisfied with her father's actions and wanted to leave Funing Temple. Lu Jiamu and his accomplices used the name of fake death to help her get out. As a price and reward, Liu Qingqing needs to transform into Zou Lizhen and become their hidden stake in Zheng Yuan's mansion. The Imperial College is the highest institution of learning in Dayan and has trained countless young talents. In the Imperial College, Zheng Yuan has the highest official position besides Shangguan. Shangguan is the fifth emperor's brother's in-law and has always been indifferent to fame and fortune. Starting with Zheng Yuan and winning over the emerging forces in the court is indeed a good idea."

Xu Xingyin also agreed, "Lu Jiamu's method of planting secret agents must have been learned from Zhang Zishi, right? It is exactly the same as that of the 'skinny horse', except that all of Lu Jiamu's secret agents are volunteers."

Jing Zhichen nodded and signaled Xu Xingyin to continue analyzing.

Xu Xingyin also pursed his lips and thought for a while, then said:

"The most urgent task now is to find out how Zhou Lizhen entered Zheng Yuan's mansion! Since Zhou Lizhen is a concubine, her status must not be high, but she was able to enter Zheng's mansion legitimately, not as a mistress. This means there must be a middleman, and this middleman is crucial to this case!"

Ao Ying showed a bit of embarrassment on his face and looked at Jing Zhichen hesitantly.

Jing Zhichen was puzzled by his gaze and spoke.

"Just be frank. There is nothing that needs to be hidden from the Crown Princess."

Aoying's expression paused and his face changed several times. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke with gritted teeth.

"I have found out that the reason Zhou Lizhen was able to enter the Zheng residence smoothly seems to be related to Xu Xiuzhu, Duke of Xu."

Jing Zhichen and Xu Xingyin were both stunned when they heard this. Xu Xingyin's father Xu Xiuzhu was actually related to this case?

Jing Zhichen's eyes also flashed with a deep light, and then he asked, "Have you investigated this matter clearly? After all, Xu Xiuzhu is my father-in-law. If there is any misunderstanding, it will inevitably implicate the Crown Princess."

Aoying nodded solemnly and said, "I dare not say anything nonsense. Zheng Yuan met Zou Lizhen, who was disguised as a dancer, when he was drinking with Duke Xu. At that time, Zou Lizhen was of low status and it was difficult to carry her into the mansion. It was Duke Xu who helped her to get into the Zheng mansion smoothly."

After hearing this, Xu Xingyin frowned, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

Although her relationship with Xu Xiuzhu was not good, he was still her father. If he was involved in such a case...

Xu Xingyin took a deep breath, looked at Jing Zhichen and whispered.

"Your Highness, this matter actually involves the Duke's Mansion, so I want to investigate it myself. To avoid making a big move and implicating innocent people."

Jing Zhichen did not refuse, but touched Xu Xingyin's head and spoke.

"Okay, just remember to be careful and don't put yourself in danger."

Seeing this, Aoying interrupted at the right time.

"I have found out that the Zheng Mansion will hold a coming-of-age ceremony for the young lady tomorrow, and it seems that the Duke's wife has been invited. If the Crown Princess wants to investigate quietly, tomorrow may be a good opportunity."

Xu Xingyin thought for a moment and nodded, "Thank you Aoying for reminding me. I will go and test the depth of this matter tomorrow."

Jing Zhichen didn't object, he just gave a reminder.

"Then go ahead. I will arrange for someone to protect you secretly. But you must be careful and don't act rashly."

"I understand, Your Highness."

……

The next day, Xu Xingyin returned to the Duke's Mansion early in the morning.

It happened that Chen was going to attend the banquet, and the Crown Princess returned to her parents' home. This was no small matter, and the Duke's Mansion was busy from early in the morning.

Chen immediately forgot about attending the banquet and hurried out to greet the guests in person with a smile on her face.

"Jiaojiao is back, why didn't you send someone back to inform me in advance? Mother could have made preparations earlier. Why are you in such a hurry? Did you have another argument with the Crown Prince?"

Xu Xingyin curled her lips and started acting coquettishly to Chen.

"Look at what mother said. How can I be such a person who doesn't know the difference between the important and the unimportant? Besides, I have never provoked His Highness before!"