"What do you mean?" Song Qingshu asked in confusion.
Zhao Min stood with her hands behind her back and looked at the vague outline of the palace in the distance. "If he had disguised himself as a normal court official, we would have found him long ago. Now that we have investigated a few more suspicious people, we still can't find him. There are two possibilities. Either he is not in Shangjing at all, or … his status is higher than the people we found before. Only then would he have enough resources and ability to hide his tracks."
Song Qingshu's eyes lit up. He couldn't help but think of the detective dramas in his previous life. Ordinary people would leave behind a lot of clues and traces when they committed crimes, but some experts would not leave any traces or clues for the police. But this would expose their identities to a certain extent. Such a brilliant anti-investigation awareness was most likely someone from within the legal system.
Now that he thought about it, Murong Jingyue's matter was similar. The more perfect the concealment, the more a fox's tail would be exposed.
"Who do you think killed Yelu Yixin's son?" Song Qingshu suddenly thought of this matter. He wanted to see if he could get any information from Zhao Min that he didn't know.
Zhao Min also frowned slightly. "Of course it's not Yelu Qi or Xiao Banhe. I thought it was you who did it. Since you say it's not, then it's worth thinking about. Yelu Yixin has political enemies in Shangjing, but I can't think of anyone who would dare to kill his only son and do something so irreconcilable."
"Yes, the waters in Shangjing are getting muddier." Looking into the distance, Song Qingshu's expression was also grave.
Zhao Min muttered to herself for a moment and suddenly said, "I haven't been able to find any news of Murong Jingyue. I suspect that he might be hiding in the imperial palace. Tonight, you and I will go to the imperial palace to investigate."
"Ah?" Song Qingshu was dumbfounded. He remembered that he and Xia Qingqing had agreed to go to the Imperial Palace to look for Yuan Chengzhi that night. If the girls met up at that time, although they might not end up fighting, that kind of scene would not feel good.
"Why? You don't want to?" Zhao Min frowned slightly.
"That's not it." Song Qingshu reacted quickly and quickly found an excuse. "After all, the palace is heavily guarded. It's fine if I go in and out alone, but if I bring someone with me, the probability of being discovered will be greatly increased. It would not be good if I act rashly and alert the enemy."
Zhao Min looked at him indifferently. After a long time, she nodded and said, "What you said is not unreasonable. How about this, you can go and investigate by yourself. The palace is so big, and it will be faster for you to go alone. When the time comes, you can search carefully to see if there are any clues."
Song QingShu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Zhao Min did not insist. Otherwise, he really did not know how to deal with the situation.
"I'll go check on the Xixia diplomatic mission first to see if they have anything to do with this murder case. I have a feeling that the murderer this time is inextricably linked to Murong Jingyue," Song Qingshu said.
"That's good. Anyway, we don't have any clues about Murong Jingyue for the time being. It's easier to analyze with more information." Zhao Min agreed. Although she was smart enough, she couldn't speculate where Murong Jingyue was hiding without enough information.
When Song Qingshu was about to walk out of the pavilion, Zhao Min suddenly said, "If you don't come back at night, remember to inform me in advance. I waited for you all night yesterday."
Song Qingshu looked back in surprise. Zhao Min had already picked up a cup of tea and drank it as if she hadn't said a word. Song Qingshu suddenly felt very soft. What she said just now was like a wife saying to her husband who didn't come back at night.
"What are you waiting for? Go and check." Zhao Min didn't know why she said that. She had to hide the blush on her face by drinking tea. But when she found that he kept staring at her, she couldn't help but become angry.
"Okay, I'll go." A smile gradually appeared on Song Qingshu's face. He walked a few steps and then turned back. "By the way, there are so many places to check in the imperial palace today. I probably won't come back."
Zhao Min snorted coldly. "It's none of my business whether you come back or not."
Song QingShu's breath caught in his throat, but he liked her tsundere look very much.
After Song Qingshu came out of the small courtyard, he went all the way to the Announcing Emblem Courtyard. The people of the Western Xia Country's diplomatic corps were settled here.
"The one who killed Yelu Sui was neither Yelu Qi nor me. Maybe someone in the Western Xia Country didn't want to see the marriage succeed." Thinking of the possibility that Xia Qingqing had mentioned before, Song Qingshu's eyes became sharp.
He tiptoed and snuck in silently. He found that the soldiers of the Announcing Emblem Courtyard were almost twice as many as usual. Maybe too many things had happened in Shangjing recently. First, the Southern Song Dynasty's diplomatic corps was robbed and killed. Then, Yelu Sui was also killed. They were worried that something might happen to the Western Xia Country's diplomatic corps, so they sent more people to protect them.
As he snuck in, he found that the people of the Western Xia Country's diplomatic corps were gathered in a study. There were also Western Xia soldiers guarding outside. But this was not a problem for Song Qingshu. He quickly found a gap between the guards and cut in. Then, he hung upside down under the beam outside the window and began to eavesdrop.
With his current skills, even if there was a wall between them, the conversation inside could not be hidden from his ears.
"There are more and more Khitan soldiers outside." Duan Yanqing's voice was very distinctive.
"Humph, they keep saying that they are here to protect us. We have so many masters here. Why do we need them to protect us? I think they are here to monitor us! "Yunzhong He's shrill and feminine voice was also very obvious.
"Well, it's none of our business whether they are protecting us or monitoring us. There's no need to shout." Princess Yinchuan's clear voice rang out.
"Yes." Although Yunzhong He was lustful, he did not dare to have any disrespectful thoughts in front of this incomparably beautiful Princess Yinchuan. How could he dare to say no after hearing her words?
"I'm curious about who killed Yelu Sui this time. Was it because of Yelu Yixin, or did they want to ruin the marriage between our Western Xia and Liao?" Li Qinglu stood up and opened the window. She said with a frown.
Fortunately, Song Qingshu sensed that she was coming to the window. He curled his abdomen in advance and tightly clung to the roof beam. Today, Li Qinglu was wearing a traditional Western Xia dress. She wore a red dress and her hair was combed into countless delicate braids. She really looked like a fairy in flames.
However, Song Qingshu had no time to appreciate her beauty. He was worried that she would suddenly raise her head. If that happened, he would have nowhere to hide.
Hearing her words, Song Qingshu understood that Yelu Sui's death was not caused by the Western Xia's envoy.
"Is it possible that Prince Liang is behind this?" Ye Erniang said hesitantly.
Li Qinglu glanced at her and said lightly, "Prince Liang is the pillar of our Da Xia Kingdom. How could he do this kind of thing that is detrimental to the national interests? Don't mention this kind of thing again."
"Yes!" Being glanced at by her, Ye Erniang felt a chill in her heart. She hurriedly bowed and said yes.
Outside the window, Song Qingshu secretly thought that the Prince Liang mentioned by Ye Erniang was the younger brother of the Western Xia Emperor. It seemed that he was also interested in inheriting the throne. Naturally, he did not want to see the Crown Prince get strong support through the marriage. Li Qinglu immediately stopped her from continuing. This was also a common practice. She was probably afraid that there were spies in the room, so she deliberately said such words to numb him.
"Is it really a power struggle within the Western Xia Kingdom?" Song Qingshu frowned. He always felt that it was not so simple.
Suddenly, Li Qinglu said, "Relatively speaking, I am more suspicious that it was done by the Jin Kingdom. After all, the Jin Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom are enemies. Destroying the marriage between the two countries is the most beneficial for the Jin Kingdom."
Outside the window, Song Qingshu secretly shook his head. This time, the Jin Kingdom did want to destroy the marriage between the two countries, but they sent me. The branch of the Washing Clothes Brothel in Shangjing City is under my control. They did not do it at all.
Li Qinglu then said, "Also, in the Southern Song Dynasty, I saw traces of the Imperial City Department in Shangjing City not long ago. You should know that the Imperial City Department is full of the Xue Family, and the Xue Family is Jia Shidao's ally. If the marriage is successful, then the Jin Kingdom and the other countries will be doomed. Han Xingzhou, who presided over the Southern Song Dynasty's northern expedition, will also rise. I am sure that Jia Shidao will not want to see this situation …"
Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat. Yes, Xue Yi's people had just killed the Southern Song Dynasty's delegation. According to Qin Keqing, they were here for the Mandarin Duck Knife. This time, it was very likely that he was the one who killed Yelu Sui and stole the knife!
With a plan in mind, when Li Qinglu turned around, Song Qingshu took the opportunity to leave the Announcing Emblem Yard and then went to the place where Xue Yi's people were staying.
When he found the place, he was surprised to find that Qin Keqing and the others were already gone. What surprised him even more was that they did not change places voluntarily!
The room was in a mess. Many tables, chairs, and windows were broken. Obviously, there had been a fierce fight. There was a lot of dark red blood on the floor. He did not know whether it was Qin Keqing's or the attackers'.
"I wonder if Qin Keqing is okay." Song Qingshu did not care about the others, but he had a relationship with Qin Keqing after all.
But then he thought about it. Xue Yi's people were very good at martial arts, and Jia Zhen's martial arts were also good in the martial arts world. It should not be difficult for him to protect his companions.
"Who attacked them?" Song Qingshu felt more and more clearly that there was a mysterious force in Shangjing City that was like a giant beast that chose people to devour. Unfortunately, he still knew nothing about it.
After looking around again, he still could not find any valuable clues. Song Qingshu could only return to the Washing Clothes Yard's stronghold and go to the palace with Xia Qingqing to solve Yuan Chengzhi's matter first.
Upon seeing him return, be it the lively Xia Qingqing or the cold Icy Snow, both revealed a hint of delight. "Did you find anything?"
Song Qingshu roughly told them the information he got from the Xixia diplomatic mission and what he saw in the stronghold of the imperial city. Of course, he did not mention the matter with Zhao Min.
"Now it seems that the clues are broken again." Icy Snow sighed softly. She blamed herself for losing her husband's treasured saber.
Song Qingshu hurriedly comforted her, "Don't worry, I will find the Cold Moon Saber."
"Thank you, Qingshu," Icy Snow said softly.
Song Qingshu smiled mischievously. "Sister-in-law, how do you plan to thank me?"
Noticing Xia Qingqing's playful gaze, Icy Snow blushed. "You are always so frivolous."
Song Qingshu laughed. "Sister-in-law, take your time to think about it. When Qingqing and I come back from the palace, we will look for you." After saying that, he left with Xia Qingqing.
"This person ~" Icy Snow stamped her feet and blushed as she watched the two disappear. But no matter how cold her temperament was, she was still a young and upright woman. When she thought of what happened that night, her heart could not help but beat faster.
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