That afternoon at four o'clock, inside the Iron Hand's residence.
People gradually emerged from the courtyard. Su Xiao was sitting behind a desk, with dozens of sheets of parchment spread out before him.
"So, you were the last person to see the little princess?"
Su Xiao tossed aside the parchment in his hand and looked up at a maid kneeling in front of him.
"Yes, my lord."
The maid was extremely nervous. Her breathing was rapid, and her heart rate had climbed above 140 beats per minute. She was deliberately concealing something.
"Guards."
Su Xiao spoke, and two guards entered the room. He waved his hand, leaving the two guards somewhat bewildered. The maid kneeling on the floor was equally confused.
"My lord, what exactly should we..."
One of the guards spoke in a low voice, choosing his words carefully.
"Kill her."
"Huh?"
The two guards froze, while the maid sank back on her knees.
"I...I only stole the princess's hair ornament. I...I don't deserve to die, do I? Sob..."
Obviously, the trivial matter the maid had been desperately concealing was this.
"Take her away."
Su Xiao rubbed his forehead lightly. He had already obtained plenty of similar useless clues.
"Then, my lord, should we..."
One of the guards placed his palm against his neck and made a throat-cutting gesture.
"Detain her."
Su Xiao leaned back in his chair. This was the most troublesome mission he had ever encountered, bar none. To this day, he had not found a single clue. The little princess seemed to have been killed by a "ghost," and not a trace had been left at the scene.
Just as Su Xiao was growing unbearably frustrated, a royal guard pushed open the door.
"My lord, we have a clue."
A royal guard handed Su Xiao a