Outside, rumors ran wild, and within the General's mansion, undercurrents of tension simmered.
Xiao Xiang arrived to return a book. "Eldest sister, this storybook is exceptionally interesting. I was so engrossed in the exciting parts that I couldn't sleep. I stayed up all night to finish these few books. Now that I've returned them, wouldn't Eldest sister lend me a few more?"
"Certainly, take whichever book you wish to read," Xiao Man said, leading Xiao Xiang toward the study. Hidden beneath Xiao Xiang's long sleeves was a forged Phoenix Seal. She intended to swap the forged seal for the one Xiao Man possessed, thereby absconding with the true seal without alerting anyone.
However, upon entering the study, she was astonished to find two more decorative items resembling Phoenix Seals. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Where did so many Phoenix Seals come from?
"The small trinkets in Eldest sister's room look quite amusing," Xiao Xiang remarked, casually picking up one of them. She examined it and found it to be a replica, merely similar in appearance.
"Oh, those? Ying Xue brought them back when she went out shopping. I found them quite useful, so this girl bought a few more. If you like them, I can give you one," Xiao Man said, as she opened the chest of storybooks, allowing Xiao Xiang to choose freely.
"Trinkets Ying Xue brought back from outside?" A tempest raged in Xiao Xiang's heart. Could the Phoenix Seal have fallen into external hands? But that didn't seem right. The Phoenix Seal had been taken away by the previous Empress of Blue Moon. If anyone were to possess it, the Xiao family father and daughter would be the prime suspects!
"Yes, she said these small novelties are popular recently," Xiao Man replied without turning around. "What storybook would you like to read today?"
Xiao Xiang hid the fake she was holding. She had initially believed the one in Xiao Man's possession was the genuine article, only to discover it was also a replica. Where, then, was the real one? Could it be in Xiao Zhen's possession? But she had thoroughly searched Xiao Zhen's study and found nothing. As for Xiao Man's Water Moon Pavilion, she had searched it no less than ten times. If the Phoenix Seal were truly with Xiao Man, she would have found it by now!
Xiao Xiang casually selected two storybooks and took her leave. Upon her return, she disguised herself as a maid and secretly slipped out of the General's mansion, unaware that her every move was being observed.
"Strange, why would the second sister of Princess Yongning need to disguise herself as a maid to leave the mansion?" Si Ye asked, perplexed. He had been ordered to protect Xiao Man, though in reality, his task was to monitor her every action. Si Ye was secretly pleased; his master had finally seen through this woman's true colors. Once he found evidence of Xiao Man betraying his master, Xiao Man would be doomed.
Xiao Xiang went to the market. Indeed, she found stalls everywhere selling items shaped like Phoenix Seals: ornaments, pendants, and specially made seals, in all sorts of varieties, making it a dizzying spectacle.
Xiao Xiang picked up a Phoenix Seal ornament. "Boss, how much is this?"
"Ten copper coins," the stall owner replied with a smile. "These are selling particularly well recently, with many buyers. I've just received a new batch, and only these few are left."
"I'll take one."
"Certainly," the stall owner said briskly, wrapping the item.
As Xiao Xiang paid, she asked, "Where do you source your goods from? I find them appealing and would like to buy more to give as gifts."
The stall owner chuckled. "Tell me how many you need, and I'll fetch more. I'll be here again tomorrow, waiting for you."
Xiao Xiang took out two taels of silver. "Just tell me where you get your supplies from."
The stall owner's eyes gleamed, and he eagerly reached for the silver. However, Xiao Xiang quickly retracted her hand. The stall owner chuckled, "Actually, we all source our goods from the Long Sheng Trading Company on East Street."
Long Sheng Trading Company. Xiao Xiang tossed the silver to the stall owner and turned towards East Street. Long Sheng Trading Company... it seemed to be the Cen family's business. Could the Phoenix Seal be with the Cen family?
When Xiao Xiang arrived at Long Sheng Trading Company, she found it shuttered and closed, not open for business today. She found this strange and approached to knock. However, the door was ajar. A gentle push, and it swung open.
The interior was eerily silent. Xiao Xiang looked around, certain no one was present, and then, to avoid being recognized, she secretly entered, closing the door behind her. She also pulled out a piece of cloth to cover her face.
However, as she stepped further inside, she felt something soft beneath her foot. Looking down, she saw blood. Xiao Xiang's heart leaped in alarm. She then realized that Long Sheng Trading Company was not closed for business but rather that everyone inside had been murdered! Someone had arrived at Long Sheng Trading Company before her.
Xiao Xiang immediately turned to leave but heard footsteps outside, followed by shouts: "Surround the place! Don't let anyone escape."
Xiao Xiang's heart pounded. She hurried further inside, opened a window, and leaped out to escape.
The Jingzhao Prefecture received a report of a murder on East Street, with casualties at Long Sheng Trading Company. Ling Xuan immediately led his men to the scene, surrounding Long Sheng Trading Company. They discovered a woman fleeing from the premises. Ling Xuan ordered his men to pursue, but the woman's martial arts skills were so exceptional that they could not catch her.
Ling Xuan was somewhat annoyed. He had to return to investigate Long Sheng Trading Company. Upon entering, he discovered that everyone at Long Sheng Trading Company, from the shopkeeper to the lowest-ranking employee, a total of seven people, had been murdered. All seven appeared to have been interrogated, bearing numerous wounds.
"Sir, what is happening lately? Such major cases are occurring frequently in the Imperial Capital," the constable said, trembling. The case of the painted boat massacre still had no leads, and now Long Sheng Trading Company had been wiped out. At this rate, the Prefect's hat might be in jeopardy!
Ling Xuan's expression was solemn. His gaze fell upon the footprints on the ground. The footprints were small, likely belonging to a woman. The woman must have just entered, discovered the people inside murdered, and intended to leave. That's when they arrived, and the person fled through the window.
"Make a cast of the footprints. Even if this person is not the murderer, they undoubtedly know the reason behind the massacre at Long Sheng Trading Company."
"Yes, sir."
"I will pay a visit to the Cen family," Ling Xuan said, turning to leave. Long Sheng Trading Company was a Cen family enterprise. With all its staff murdered, it was only right and proper for him to visit the Cen family and inquire about the specific situation.
When Ling Xuan arrived to pay his respects, Cen Yu had already received news that all the staff at Long Sheng Trading Company had been murdered. Just as he was preparing to send someone to investigate, he heard that an officer from the Jingzhao Prefecture had arrived, which gave him a headache.
"Please usher him in."
"Master Cen."
"Constable Ling," Cen Yu said, his androgynous face betraying no hint of emotion. "Is Constable Ling visiting today for a particular reason?"
"We received a report of a murder at Long Sheng Trading Company. When we arrived at the scene, we found all the staff at Long Sheng Trading Company murdered. A masked woman rushed out from inside and fled. That person was incredibly fast, and we were unable to catch her. Therefore, we wished to ask Master Cen if the shopkeeper of Long Sheng Trading Company had any enemies, or if the Cen family had offended anyone? Do you have any suspects?"