Pengze County

Hu Jinghui said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I have invited Prince Changle to identify her, but the villains disfigured the corpse, making identification difficult. However, there is an item on the body that can confirm Princess Yiyang's identity."

Wu Zetian asked, "What item?"

Hu Jinghui presented a jade bracelet to Wu Zetian with both hands. Wu Zetian took it and examined it, then nodded slightly. "That's right. I bestowed this upon Princess Yiyang during this year's Lantern Festival. What happened... what exactly happened?"

Wu Zetian stood dazed in the hall. The succession of terrible news had thrown her mind into chaos.

Seeing this, Zhang Jianzhi said, "Your Majesty, the Turkic delegation has now been killed, and the Princess has been assassinated. Once Jieli Khan learns of these events, war will surely reignite. This is an urgent matter!"

Wu Zetian came back to herself. "Then what is your recommendation?"

Zhang Jianzhi replied, "Prepare the border defenses against a Turkic invasion, then select a capable senior minister to solve this case swiftly."

Wu Zetian asked, "Who can take on such an important task?"

Zhang Jianzhi answered, "There is only one person in this dynasty."

Wu Zetian said slowly, "Issue an edict. Summon Di Renjie to the capital!"

Xiaonan Village in Pengze County was a tiny settlement with only a dozen or so households. Today, the villagers had all gathered together. It turned out that the wife of a villager named Zhou Er had hanged herself.

Inside Zhou Er's home stood an elderly man in a green official robe and official cap, with a long beard beneath his chin. He looked somewhat plump. The old man slowly opened his tightly shut eyes, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. Then he said, "I'm getting old. Standing for a little while