Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 385 - 319: Is He Really Here to Investigate? (5000 Word Mega - Vote Request)_3

Chapter 385: Chapter 319: Is He Really Here to Investigate? (5000 Word Mega Chapter Vote Request)_3

Fumo Xiaowei Zhen Chun was slightly stunned, while Zuo Daoxing and Yu Yunhuang, who were confronting each other, exchanged glances. They had not noticed these dust particles before.

Previously, everyone’s attention had been on the deceased chef and the several Neishi who had died from poisoning.

After the three of them left, Li Xuan dissected Fei Yuan’s chest to examine the food in his stomach. All kinds of pastries inside were not digested, confirming that Fei Yuan had indeed consumed them about two hours ago.

Li Xuan conducted a poison test and found a potent toxin.

Then he asked, "Was there anyone else present at the scene besides Crown Prince? I need to inquire about the situation at the time of the incident."

"There were two Neijian accompanying the Crown Prince, as well as Neishi Xi Huaien, the head eunuch of the Ciqing Palace." Yu Yunhuang coldly replied, "They are all currently being detained in a room in Eastern Palace."

"I request that you bring them to me." As Li Xuan said this, he patted his deflated belly, "Could you also bring me some food? Two roasted pigs would be most appreciated. Steak would satisfy me too, but I would need the whole slab."

"You want to eat now?" Initially, Yu Yunhuang thought she had misheard, but when she saw Li Xuan nod emphatically, anger flared in her eyes, "This is a critically important place in the royal city, and we are in the midst of an investigation."

And did he say two pigs and an entire steak was just a ’little’ food? Is he actually here to solve the case?

Li Xuan, rubbing his belly, shook his head, "Without food, I find it hard to investigate. There is a saying, isn’t there? An army marches on its stomach."

About six hours ago, he had swept through all the food Peng Fulai and Yue Qianqian had brought. But the result was only half satiation, and upon arriving at the palace, he began to feel hungry again. Li Xuan had been enduring it until now, but he couldn’t hold on any longer.

※※※※

A little later, the Emperor and the cabinet ministers along with the Shangshu of Six Ministers were gathering in the Taihe Gate.

The Taihe Gate might contain the word "gate," but the central part is a not-so-small hall, with two gates on either side. And this hall named "Taihe Gate" could accommodate hundreds of people for a political meeting.

Everyone had initially gathered to discuss the military alert from the northern Xuanfu. However, at this moment, no one, including Shaobao Yu Jie, was interested in those Meng Wu scouts who appeared in Xuanfu or arguing over military resource allocation.

At this moment, almost everyone in the hall was watching Wang Chuanhua, the Eunuch Lead of Duzhi Bureau, who was currently reporting.

"So, Li Xuan entered the East Palace an hour ago? Why are you only reporting this now?" The Emperor on the throne looked at Wang Chuanhua, expectation flickering in his eyes, "Also, did Li Xuan find anything?"

"As the ministers were discussing military matters, I did not dare to interrupt." After Wang Chuanhua finished this sentence, his expression became somewhat strange, "I am not certain about what Earl Jingan found. But according to my two subordinates who followed, Earl Jingan has been eating after he investigated the case for one hour."

"He’s eating?" Wang Wen, the Jing Shen Hall Scholar and Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, looked at Wang Chuanhua in disbelief, "Eating in the East Palace, at this time? Isn’t he a martial cultivator from the fifth house level? Didn’t he eat enough before coming to the palace?"

Martial cultivators from the fifth house level could not forgo food, but theoretically, they could go three to five days without eating and feel fine.

After some hesitation, Wang Chuanhua decided to be upfront, "Earl Jingan has quite the appetite. He has already eaten two whole roasted pigs and a cow. Just now, Earl Jingan requested the imperial kitchen to prepare another dish of roasted pig."

The Emperor on the throne, as well as everyone present, were dumbfounded upon hearing this.

At this moment, if Li Xuan were present, he would likely use phrases like ’disheveled in the wind’ and ’fuck me sideways’ to describe the emotional state of the present ministers.

Shaobao Yu Jie, who had eloquently commended Li Xuan several days ago, was momentarily dumbfounded, unsure how to react.

Xiao Ci, the cabinet deputy minister and the Minister of Revenue, snorted, "This is absolutely childish! Is he here to investigate or to gorge himself? Does he have any idea how serious this murder in the Eastern Palace is?"

Gao Gu, Deputy Auxiliary of the Cabinet and Shaobao, bowed slightly to the Emperor, "I’ve heard that Earl Jingan is only nineteen this year, still a boy. Despite his abilities, it may not be possible for him to conclusively solve the case of Fei Yuan’s murder given the urgency of time. I still recommend Servant Zuo Baoyuan from the Ministry of Punishments. Zuo Baoyuan is insightful, observant, prudent, and reliable, capable of bearing this great responsibility."

Jingtai Emperor’s mouth twitched; this was his Earl Jingan? However after hearing Gao Gu’s words, he frowned and looked at Yu Jie, "Minister Yu, what do you think?"

Yu Jie guessed the Emperor’s thoughts – the sovereign likely preferred not to replace the investigator. The Emperor didn’t necessarily place much trust in Earl Jingan’s abilities but needed to use his status as Hufa of Neo-Confucianism to soothe public opinion outside the palace and reassure the officials knocking at the Wu Gate.

After thinking for a moment, he slightly bowed and said, "Earl Jingan solved several major cases in Nanjing, preventing a significant catastrophe in Jiangnan. His reputation is surely not undeserved. I urge Your Majesty and the other ministers to wait and see."

Shaobao Gao Gu and the Minister of Revenue, Xiao Ci, immediately looked dissatisfied. Shang Hong, a Daxueshi from Zuochun House, also frowned slightly.

But before these three could speak, Jing Shen Hall Scholar and the Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Wen, stepped forward and said, "I also think that there is no need to replace him. The cases solved by Earl Jingan Li Xuan in Nanjing, each and every one of them has substantial evidence, which shows his exceptional abilities.

Moreover, Zuo Daoxing, the Deputy Commander of the Dudu Tongzhi who assisted in the investigation, and Princess Changning Yue Yunhuang, who are both decisive and adept at solving major cases, are accompanying him. With their supervision, there will be no oversights. Why would we replace him just after inviting him?"

The emperor nodded slightly upon hearing this, "Then let’s wait a little longer."

He then gazed in the direction of Hanyuan Pavilion with a calm expression.

The words of Wang Wen resonated deeply with him. With Zuo Daoxing supervising, no matter how absurd Li Xuan’s behavior, nothing could go wrong.

At that moment, in the Hanyuan Pavilion of the East Palace, Li Xuan had finally eaten his fill. He took out a handkerchief to wipe off the oil from his hands, and then turned his gaze to Xi Huaien, the eunuch leader of the East palace who had been brought over.

"Eunuch Xi, could you tell me again what happened before and after the incident?"