Chapter 284: The Eighth-Ranked Assassin in the Jianghu Arrives

Chapter 284: The Eighth-Ranked Assassin in the Jianghu Arrives

"Were all the fishing village villagers killed?" Xiaoyue could hardly believe it. She stared at Xiaoyu Heng, her brows furrowed.

"Yes, earlier Heng'er had sent a few people to protect them at all times, but for some reason, they followed someone else and ran off at the city gate. By the time our men found them, they were already dead behind a noodle shop outside the city," Xiaoyu Heng said.

"So, these people disappeared when we returned from the city gate to Nandun Village?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Probably around that time, Aunt," Xiaoyu Heng nodded.

"It seems someone has been watching us all along, plotting against us!" Xiaoyue nodded, then looked at Xiaoyu Heng and said, "Heng'er, take some men and bring Wan Yu here. Have him stay temporarily at the city lord's residence."

"Yes!" Xiaoyu Heng accepted his aunt's command and immediately got up to head outside.

"Princess, take a look at this report," Wen Xu handed over a case file, which was the forensic examiner's autopsy report: "Wan Wenxiu, three and a half months pregnant, was stabbed seven times?"

"Yes, five stabs to the chest and two to the back, but each stab avoided the fetus in her womb," Wen Xu explained.

"Forensic examiner, are there any legends or taboos here in Yunzhou?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Your Highness, there are no such taboos in Yunzhou," the forensic examiner quickly replied.

"No taboos, yet each stab avoided the fetus. Then, there are only two possibilities!" Xiaoyue said.

"One, the person who killed Wan Wenxiu was someone very familiar with her, someone who cared about the child but had no choice but to kill her, hating her deeply! The other possibility is that the woman protected the child with her hands... Did she love the child that much?"

As Ruo Xi Baby pondered, Ci Xin approached.

He took Xier from Xiaoyue's arms and said, "Xier, you are truly brilliant!"

"Actually, Mother's thoughts are the same as mine!" Ruo Xi Baby looked at her mother.

Xiaoyue, having heard Xier's words by the dock, naturally dared not let Xier know that she could hear her thoughts.

"Yes, your mother is a very intelligent woman!" Ci Xin nodded, then turned to Zhang Baiyun and said, "Wan Wenxiu cared deeply about the child in her womb, so when she was attacked, she used her hands to shield the child while pushing the assailant away. As a result, her hands were almost completely mutilated!"

"So, the assailant was actually aiming for her womb but missed?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Yes, look at the bottom of the case file," Ci Xin nodded.

"Zhang Baiyun, you are highly suspicious!" Xiaoyue said.

"Your Highness, I truly did not do it. Over the years, even when Wenxiu was more irritable, I endured it. You may not know, but Wenxiu once saved my life!" Zhang Baiyun explained.

From Zhang Baiyun's account, everyone learned the following.

When Zhang Baiyun was still a child, his family was destroyed, and he fainted from hunger in a ditch. If it weren't for the Wan Family saving him, he might have died back then.

Zhang Baiyun grew up in the Wan Family. He was diligent and studious, determined to achieve scholarly honors and repay the Wan Family.

Thus, over the years, he worked hard and finally earned his scholarly honors. Several years ago, he was appointed as the city lord of Yunzhou City.

When he became the city lord, the Wan Family married their eldest daughter to him. In the years since, Zhang Baiyun had always treated Wan Wenxiu exceptionally well, showering her with affection.

"How long has Wan Wenxiu been married to you?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Your Highness, Wenxiu has been married to me for four years," Zhang Baiyun replied.

"Four years, and only this year did she become pregnant!" Xiaoyue's eyebrows raised slightly.

On one side, Ci Xin smirked slightly: "Xier, your mom is really sharp!"

"You've said that a bunch of times!" Ruo Xi Baby glanced at him, wondering why he seemed to have checked out since they went out, not caring about anything. So, Ruo Xi Baby pressed her little hand on his head: "Your brain's still here, not left back in the Imperial City!"

"Xier!" Ci Xin nearly snapped at the little girl, who was sharp-tongued and knew how to handle him.

Just as Ci Xin was about to spank Xiao Xi'er, Xiao Xi'er tilted her head and looked at him.

"Imperial Tutor, what are you doing?" Xiaoyue turned her head sharply.

Even Wen Xu glanced over: "Imperial Tutor, why are you bullying the little princess?"

So, Wen Xu picked up Ruo Xi Baby again.

Nanny Gui wanted to hold her, but it wasn’t her chance.

The late-night interrogation came up empty, so Zhang Baiyun was detained first.

The next day, they would continue the interrogation.

Back in the room, Xiaoyue sat on the bed, trying to get Xiao Xi'er to sleep, while Nanny Gui and Hongmei waited nearby.

"Go rest, Hongmei. Tomorrow, check everyone in the city lord's mansion—don’t miss a thing," Xiaoyue said.

"Yes," Hongmei nodded.

"This time, I think someone’s up to something big!" Nanny Gui said.

"Yes, I think so too!" Xiaoyue nodded.

She remembered when Ruo Xi Baby was born, she said Shangguan Jinghong would take control of Great Wei.

But Ruo Xi Baby didn’t say who else Shangguan Jinghong was working with.

Right now, aside from the prime minister, there’s no one else!

But if it was the prime minister, Xiaoyue had no idea what he wanted. And she didn’t know what the queen was after either.

If the queen raised Ting Er right, as the eldest prince with talent, he’d be the perfect heir.

But now, Xiao Yuting was heading the wrong way, which made Xiaoyue feel sad and confused.

Who is it?!

Who’s pulling the strings in this big game?

With these thoughts, Xiaoyue leaned back against the headboard and drifted off.

As for Ruo Xi Baby, her sleep schedule was irregular; she lay awake, thinking.

Nanny Gui and Hongmei guarded them day and night, and now they couldn’t hold on and fell asleep.

Something moved on the roof.

Ruo Xi Baby thought for a moment, and with a thought, a surge of mysterious energy shot out, directly hitting the person who had just removed a tile.

"Crash, crash!"

There was a noise on the roof, and someone rolled down.

Instantly, more than a dozen guards sprang into action from all directions.

After dealing with the intruder on the roof, the guards tightened security, and the room stayed silent.

"Are you saying that last night, a skilled assassin sneaked in to carry out a hit?" Xiaoyue asked.

"Yes, but the guards caught him. He's ranked eighth in the martial world, a master of stealth. He rarely takes action unless the price is high!" Hongmei explained.

"Let's go find out what price he put on this princess and Xier's lives!" Xiaoyue said, picking up her daughter and heading outside.