Ruan Rong

Whew~

With a long string of cries, the twenty-two riders gradually came to a stop outside the Ministry of Justice's main hall. One guard had been left behind at the Ruan Residence to give Ruan Gu a horse to ride, so there were still twenty-two riders.

The guards were one thing—every one of them was an Imperial Army soldier skilled with bow and horse—but even the delicate-looking Ruan Gu possessed such fine horsemanship, which made Sun Shaozong look at her in a new light.

Unlike the men of this era, he did not look down on women from the bottom of his heart. After swinging down from his saddle, he gave Ruan Gu a thumbs-up and sincerely praised her. "Miss, you truly are an excellent rider. At first, I was worried you might fall behind, but it seems women are no less capable than men."

Hearing the words "women are no less capable than men," Ruan Gu smiled so broadly that her little mouth would not close. Still, she put on an indifferent, haughty expression, lifting her nose as she said, "What's so impressive about that? If we hadn't learned your Great Zhou customs these past few years, every woman in Qian Xiang Country could ride a fierce horse and draw a stiff bow!"

As she spoke, she nimbly dismounted as well, strode to the foot of the steps, and called out to the yamen runners guarding the entrance, "Please inform Detective Li Jiuming that an old friend's..."

She had originally intended to say "an old friend's child," but from the corner of her eye, she saw that Sun Shaozong had followed her over. She changed her mind at the last moment and generously announced, "Tell him that Ruan Rong, the daughter of an old friend, requests an audience."

Seeing that every member of this group rode horses and carried blades, the yamen runner guessed that they were no ordinary people. He did not dare make things difficult for them, so he respectfully agreed and hurried inside to report.

Ruan Rong turned back and waited expectantly for a while, but Sun Shaozong never asked a question. Finally, unable to hold back, she pouted. "Hey! Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

Sun Shaozong smiled faintly. "Ruan Rong. That name sounds much better than Ruan Gu."

Ruan Rong immediately beamed again, revealing two rows of pearly teeth. Somewhat embarrassed, she explained, "I didn't mean to deceive you. It's just that a girl's name shouldn't be told to a stranger."

"So we're friends now?"

"Of course!"

Ruan Rong patted her chest with great spirit. "If you run into any trouble in Qinglin Prefecture in the future, just mention my... my father's name!"

Sun Shaozong could not help laughing, but he also noticed that when she patted herself, the fullness beneath her clothes swayed about. It was rather substantial in size, and its shape was also...

Damn it.

At a time like this, I still have the leisure to ogle a little girl?!

Sun Shaozong silently cursed himself for being ridiculous and hurriedly shifted his gaze away from Ruan Rong's chest. With a double meaning, he praised, "Miss Rong truly has remarkable courage. Even with your father imprisoned, you can still laugh and talk as though nothing happened."

On the surface, those words were praise, but beneath them lay a hint of probing.

As a criminal investigator accustomed to life and death, it was not strange for him to remain calm under pressure. But Ruan Rong's family had suffered such a grave misfortune, yet she was still bouncing around full of energy. That was rather strange.

"What is there to fear? At worst, he'll lose his post. Great King has been on the throne for over ten years, and aside from unforgivable crimes like treason, he has never severely punished civil officials." Ruan Rong spoke without a care. "Naturally, it would be best if we could clear my father's name. But if he really loses his office, then he can go home and rest for a few years."

So that was it.

Only then did Sun Shaozong let down his guard.

As the two chatted and laughed at the foot of the steps, a thin, middle-aged detective hurried out from inside. Just as he had one foot through the gate and one foot outside, he spotted the more than twenty guards beside Ruan Rong and paused in surprise.

"Uncle Li, I'm over here!"

Ruan Rong happily called out, waving her little hand about like an olive branch. If several yamen runners had not been blocking her path, she likely would have been unable to resist rushing inside.

A trace of bitterness appeared on Li Jiuming's face. His steps hesitated slightly, but he eventually came over and affectionately nodded at Ruan Rong. "Why did you come here, girl? Don't worry. Your father was merely implicated. Once the case is cleared up, he'll be fine."

"That still depends on that Huang..."

Ruan Rong got halfway through her words before suddenly remembering that they were standing outside the Ministry of Justice. She hurriedly lowered her voice and continued, "That still depends on whether that Huang fellow tries to obstruct things! Uncle Li, let me introduce you. This is Sun Shaozong, Captain Sun of the Great Zhou Embassy. The people behind him are all his subordinates..."

At the words "that Huang fellow," a hint of worry appeared on Li Jiuming's face. But when he heard "Great Zhou Embassy," his expression changed drastically. Without another word, he pulled Ruan Rong aside and sternly scolded her about something.

Though he could not hear what was said, Sun Shaozong privately guessed that Li Jiuming was probably reprimanding Ruan Rong for getting involved with people from Great Zhou. To be honest, he was worried that Ruan Rong might "defect" over this and abandon their alliance, which did not even have a written agreement.

Fortunately, Ruan Rong puffed out her cheeks and showed no sign of backing down. Instead, she began arguing with Li Jiuming, exchanging words with him.

After a while, Li Jiuming finally sighed helplessly. Turning to Sun Shaozong, he said with a stiff expression, "Captain Sun, for Rong'er's sake, ask whatever you wish to know. But let me make this clear beforehand: this is the first and last time!"

Sun Shaozong was overjoyed and was about to ask what clues the Ministry of Justice had uncovered. But the words reached his lips, and he suddenly changed his mind. Testing the waters, he asked, "Detective Li, would it be possible for me to go inside and examine the assassin's corpse?"

Compared to asking questions through an intermediary, he trusted his own eyes and experience more.

"Examine the assassin's corpse?"

Li Jiuming frowned and was about to refuse when Ruan Rong beat him to it, grabbing his sleeve and pleading sweetly, "Uncle Li, please help him!"

"Ah..."

Li Jiuming could not help sighing again. He beckoned to Sun Shaozong and said, "Come on, then. But only you two may enter. Everyone else must remain outside."

"Thank you, Detective Li!"

Sun Shaozong was delighted. While thanking Li Jiuming aloud, he secretly gave Ruan Rong a thumbs-up.

Ruan Rong haughtily lifted her little nose and urged Li Jiuming to lead them both into the Ministry of Justice.

"Even if you look at the body, I'm afraid you won't find any clues."

After passing through the gate, Li Jiuming led the way while unable to resist saying, "Though Qian Xiang Country cannot compare to Great Zhou in producing such outstanding talents, we still have two or three coroners skilled at examining corpses. Even they failed to find the slightest trace of evidence. What could an outsider like you possibly see?"

Sun Shaozong casually humored him, but from Li Jiuming's words, he deduced that the Ministry of Justice had likely made no progress at all so far. His heart grew heavier.

Now, he could only place his hopes on his investigative experience, far beyond that of this era.

The three of them wound through the compound for roughly a quarter of an hour before arriving at a secluded courtyard.

Li Jiuming stopped outside the courtyard gate and turned to instruct Ruan Rong, "Girl, stay here. I'll take Captain Sun inside."

Looking at the several thin coffins in the courtyard, Ruan Rong had actually guessed something. Still, she could not help asking, "Why?"

"What's inside isn't suitable for a girl to see. If it frightens you, how am I supposed to answer to your father?" Li Jiuming spoke in all seriousness, but his words had completely the opposite effect.

On the way here, Sun Shaozong had already realized that Ruan Rong was a strong-willed girl. Yet Li Jiuming's words carried a faint disdain for women. How could Ruan Rong possibly accept that?

Sure enough.

The moment she heard this, Ruan Rong's little face tightened. She said indignantly, "Uncle Li, don't look down on people. So what if I'm a girl? I'm far braver than your Little Brother Li!"

With that, she charged inside without a care.

"Rong'er, Rong'er! Come back, hurry and come... This girl!"

Li Jiuming called after her several times, but how could he stop her? Left with no choice, he could only hurry after her.