Clods of dirt trembled on the imperial highway, dry grass swayed, and thirty-seven riders galloped past.
Jia Huan reined in his horse and gazed at the towering, magnificent walls of Langya City.
They had not stopped to rest, changing horses three times at relay stations along the way, yet it had still taken two full days to arrive.
Time was tight. Had he not publicly pledged under penalty of military law to solve the case within eight days, he would never have been assigned it.
Jia Huan said sternly:
"Enter the city. First, to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Hundred-Household Office!"
"Yes, sir!"
Langya Commandery's seat was a thousand-year-old city, and the court had established an Embroidered Uniform Guard Office in its southern district.
Inside the office, a dark-faced middle-aged man cupped his fist in greeting.
"My surname is Xie. Hundred-Household Commander Jia, thank you for making such a long, arduous journey!"
"After the commandery princess was murdered, the servants first reported it to the prefectural office, and the Prefect sent an urgent dispatch to the Capital overnight. Do you have written authorization to assist with the investigation, Hundred-Household Commander Jia?"
His implication was that his superiors had not notified him to take charge, so he bore no responsibility for any mistakes.
"No," Jia Huan admitted frankly.
Hundred-Household Commander Xie breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile:
"If needed, the Langya Guard Office will cooperate!"
Jia Huan asked:
"Hundred-Household Commander Xie, have you investigated any leads?"
Hundred-Household Commander Xie gave a bitter smile and answered succinctly:
"There is nothing to investigate. The killer struck at night. The martial guards and maids at the Princess's Residence all died horribly. There were no witnesses."
Jia Huan nodded. Finding that he could obtain no information here, he immediately headed for the