Chapter 958: Chapter 958: The Origin of Hu Li

Lu, Monarch Lu Xiang??

Young Master Jiang turned his head in shock to look at Shu Yu.

If he remembered correctly, Jiangyuan County had indeed recently been granted a noble title for a Monarch. This person had been exiled to the southwest, but later earned imperial recognition for inventing the heating pack.

Could it be her?

It must be. Earlier, she mentioned leaving Jiangyuan County last year, which explained her lack of knowledge about the changes to the black market guards. So that’s what she meant.

The others had overheard Hu Li’s words too, and turned their surprised gazes towards Shu Yu.

Young Master Jiang had brought someone so significant?

But she didn’t look the part of a wealthy lady at all. What noblewoman doesn’t scream in fear at the sight of a corpse, but instead walks up to inspect it? What noblewoman jumps into a cellar without hesitation, not even blinking at the sight of a dead body? What noblewoman hears about Little Ya’er’s disappearance and immediately leads the search?

Shu Yu ignored the curious stares of others as she led Hu Li towards the Cui Family, explaining the situation along the way.

Hu Li’s expression grew grim, “Ms. Tang truly has a vicious heart–killing once wasn’t enough, she did it again. The Wang Family came to the authorities to report a case earlier, but we couldn’t find anything. I never thought the body would turn up here.”

Shu Yu first took him to see Li Xiaoshan’s corpse. Hu Li and several officers squatted down, examined it, then moved to the cellar. After lingering there briefly, they carried Old Man Cui’s body back up.

But Shu Yu narrowed her eyes, watching the officers who followed Hu Li.

In normal circumstances, when a murder occurs, four or five officers coming would be typical. But the problem was these individuals–they weren’t the usual constables from the county office. On the contrary, they were… Lord Xiang’s men.

At the very least, aside from Hu Li, Shu Yu had seen two of these men around Xiang Weinan before–they were his close confidants.

“What are you staring at?” Hu Li waved his hand in front of her and said softly, “If you keep staring like that, I’ll have a hard time explaining this to Young Master Meng later.”

Shu Yu couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Seeing no one nearby, she lowered her voice and asked, “Why weren’t the constables from the office sent here?”

Hu Li sighed deeply, knowing he couldn’t hide it from her.

“Naturally, there are other matters at play. Otherwise, why do you think we arrived so late? The constables from the office acted right away, heading out of the city to apprehend the culprit. But I heard about the murder happening here and thought it’d be a good chance to investigate something else, so I delayed gathering people before coming here.”

Shu Yu, “Investigate something else? What is it?”

This area…

Shu Yu suddenly turned her head sharply to look in the black market’s direction. Could it be connected to the black market?

Hu Li’s next words confirmed her suspicion, “Didn’t you just say that the Cui Family’s granddaughter was found in that forest? Originally, I struggled to find an excuse to go there, but now I’ve got one.”

Shu Yu couldn’t help but swallow nervously. Could it have something to do with that mirror she sold? Were they here to investigate her?

She discreetly took a deep breath and asked softly, “What exactly are you investigating in that forest?”

“That will have to wait until later; it’s not convenient with so many people around.” Hu Li knew Shu Yu was one of them–last time, she had played a key role in recovering a painting from the black market.

Shu Yu glanced at Daniu and Young Master Jiang, who were walking towards them, then suppressed her doubts and nodded firmly.

Only then did Hu Li squat again and continue examining the body.