Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife

Fortunately, he had mobilized the Hidden Guard in advance to guard that ship, otherwise it would have been burned to ashes by a fire.

When Li Qingmu arrived at Vice Governor Shi’s place, he saw a sixty-year-old official lying on the table with a long cut on his neck, blood splattered everywhere.

He thought it fortunate he didn’t let Long Yue come along, otherwise after witnessing such a scene, she might not be able to eat for days.

Liang Kang dared not approach, covering his nose, his face pale, shouting to those behind him, "What are you standing there stunned for? Quickly go and find the forensic doctor! Are you all just here to slack off?"

Li Qingmu interrupted him, "No need, I’ll handle it myself!"

"What? Prince, it’s filthy here, blood everywhere, if it stains you..."

"Get out!" Li Qingmu shouted impatiently.

"Okay." Liang Kang had long wanted to leave, and immediately ran out to the courtyard to get some air.

Soon, only Li Qingmu and Qi Jingyu were left in the room. Li Qingmu checked the bloodstains and analyzed, "Vice Governor Shi was just killed not more than fifteen minutes ago; the blood hasn’t coagulated yet."

Then he turned Vice Governor Shi’s neck, continued, "This person shows no signs of struggle, but died with his eyes open, likely killed by someone he knew, at least they were acquainted."

"The thief entered through the front door, said something to him, and slit his throat while he was distracted. Must be an expert. Have Liang Kang check if anyone entered Vice Governor Shi’s room just now."

Qi Jingyu wasn’t skilled at investigations, seeing the Imperial Uncle analyze seriously, teased, "Didn’t expect the Imperial Uncle to know about forensic work, impressive."

"Alright, stop flattering. That thief struck decisively, clearly not wanting us to continue investigating. We must quickly find this person, follow the trail to their patrons, and catch them all!"

Qi Jingyu covered his mouth and nose, exited the room, and Li Qingmu was just about to leave when he noticed a bit of white at Vice Governor Shi’s mouth corner. Looking closely, it was white paper.

So he immediately used a knife to pry open Vice Governor Shi’s mouth, retrieved a palm-sized note with still wet ink, on which was scrawled: "I might already be exposed, quickly send Three to protect..."

There was no further message, and Li Qingmu frowned in thought. These people were indeed colluding; just didn’t know who this Three was, could it be the same person who killed him?

Probably not. If it was Three, he wouldn’t have put the paper in his mouth, so there must be another person involved.

Qi Jingyu, not hearing footsteps behind him, turned back to see the Imperial Uncle holding a small note, curiously asked, "Imperial Uncle, any new discoveries?"

"Hmm, found a note from Vice Governor Shi’s mouth, telling someone codenamed Three to come protect him, but I don’t think Three is the one who killed him..."

Li Qingmu shared his thoughts, finally asked, "So, has Liang Kang found out if anyone entered Vice Governor Shi’s room just now?"

"Imperial Uncle, I haven’t had time to ask yet." Qi Jingyu looked embarrassed, quickly went outside to have Liang Kang check.

They returned to the government office hall, sat silently on the Taishi Chair originally belonging to Liang Kang, and after a long time, Liang Kang finally arrived late, bowed and reported: "Prince, I questioned everyone in the government office, and none saw anyone enter Vice Governor Shi’s room, what do you think..."

This was waiting for Li Qingmu to decide the next steps, Li Qingmu snorted coldly, suddenly smashing the teacup on the ground: "You’re quite the official, aren’t you? Someone barges into your government office, kills a person, and you can’t find out who did it! What if next time they come to assassinate you, hope you can maintain this investigative efficiency!"

Liang Kang was scared, his legs trembling, mind absent, indeed, what if next the killer wants to kill me? No, I must immediately deploy personnel to strengthen the office’s defenses.

Indeed, the higher the rank, the more afraid of dying. Liang Kang hadn’t cared much before, but now Vice Governor Shi died in his own room. If he remains complacent, he might be next.

Having vented, Li Qingmu said, "From today, you won’t be Left Commander anymore, go guard Yunzhou City’s gate for three years, during which you cannot be reassigned, resign, or leave your post!"

"Yes! I’ll go immediately." Liang Kang retreated with regret.

Not losing his life here was a great blessing; anyway, these years he earned enough, what’s the big deal about being a City Gate Officer?

Qi Jingyu shook his head speechlessly, asked, "Imperial Uncle, removing him, someone must replace his position, no? Otherwise, how does the important Cao Yun Government Office operate with such a key post vacant long-term?"

Li Qingmu had already planned for this, chuckled and said, "Didn’t you just find someone? That Fang Shijie has reliable character, both literary and martial, isn’t it simple for him to be the Left Commander at the Cao Yun Government Office?"

"..."

Qi Jingyu was too choked to speak, after a while, said with grievance, "Imperial Uncle, I just found someone and you nailed him to Yunzhou, how do I use him in the future?"

"Simple, the Cao Yun Government Office is a lucrative post, if that lad serves here as Left Commander for a few years, remains indifferent to money, beauty, and doesn’t accept bribes, he’ll pass the test; then you can promote him to your side, right?"

Qi Jingyu thought it made sense, though the lad seemed decent, once in office, surely people would cozy up, gift, even seduce him. If he withstands such temptations, he truly would be useful.

Otherwise, leaving him by his side, not withstanding the court factions’ enticements, wouldn’t he be a ticking bomb?

Betrayal by the most trusted person is not a good experience.

But appointing a Left Commander at the Cao Yun Government Office requires drafting an edict, he didn’t carry the Jade Seal, can’t be sent here. Such an important item, if stolen en route, wouldn’t it make him a laughingstock?

After expressing his difficulty, Li Qingmu chuckled and said, "This can be handled, I’ll use your name to issue a temporary decree, telling them the official edict will follow, isn’t that fine?"

Appointing court officials so cavalierly perhaps only the Imperial Uncle would do.

Currently, there’s no other way, Qi Jingyu thought, had to first follow the Imperial Uncle’s plan, and issue an official edict later, since the refined iron powder case needs continued investigation; it’s fundamental to the Dazhou Dynasty.

If those refined iron powders were obtained by those with malicious intent and a large number of weapons were forged, sooner or later they’d revolt!