Knowing Nothing
The curtain of the carriage fell, concealing Yu Linlang's mocking expression at that moment.
There was no need to express such shallow familial affection now.
She was merely a wandering ghost from another world, with no real connection to the Yu family anymore.
Yu Shoudao intended to show kindness, but he had obviously chosen the wrong recipient.
The daughter of the Yu family had died in the desolate Snake Valley, alone and forgotten, as early as twelve years ago.
This belated fatherly love was even more disgraceful than Cao Zheng's betrayal. If that child had truly been alive, would she even want it?
Yu Shoudao had no idea what Yu Linlang was thinking. He was too busy, his feet barely touching the ground, as he quickly left his daughter behind once again.
Meanwhile, the corpse was transported back to the governor's office for re-examination, and the official autopsy report was submitted to Lu Qian and Mu Zhao.
After the two of them reviewed it, they handed it over to Yu Shoudao.
Yu Shoudao read the report, his face pale as sweat poured down like rain. "Sir, this report states that the corpse has no substantial external wounds, except for the heart and lungs being completely removed."
"This..." Yu Shoudao hesitated, looking up with distress. "Could it really be, as others have claimed, the work of a demon? Should we notify the Demon Suppression Department?"
"Governor Yu, you are the highest authority in Weizhou. Why are you, like those ignorant women and children, so quick to blame demons and spirits?" Mu Feng sipped his tea, then scoffed, inserting himself into the conversation.
"The Demon Suppression Department? That place is nothing more than a decoration. Do you really think they can catch demons and exorcise spirits? It would be more useful to invite some monks and Taoists instead."
"Young Master Mu, I have examined all the coroners' reports. The victim's injuries show no signs of hesitation; the hands and feet were intact, and there was no head trauma. However, the abdomen was completely torn open, and all internal organs were removed! If this isn't the work of a demon, then what is?"
"I don't believe in demons or monsters," Mu Feng scoffed. "They're nothing more than stories, rumors spread by people to stoke fear."
Mu Feng then cast a sidelong glance at Yu Shoudao and smirked. "Sir, it seems your courage is not even as strong as your own daughter's."
Yu Shoudao turned to Lu Qian and Mu Zhao, his face solemn. "Lord Lu, what do you both think?"
Lu Qian pondered for a moment. "It would be best to have Lao Li examine the body once more and see if he can find any additional clues. Governor Yu, you should also send more personnel to search the area near the crime scene. Try to locate the victim's family and gather information about their background."
Mu Zhao nodded in agreement but remained silent.
Yu Shoudao hesitated. "Then... does this mean His Highness and the Emperor do not believe a demon is responsible for these crimes?"
Lu Qian sighed. "Just now, His Highness ordered an investigation into the small building where the body was found. The guards reported that it had been vacant for over a month and was recently sold. The new owner is preparing to renovate it in the next few days, which is why it has remained closed."
"If this truly were the work of a demon, why would it dispose of the body in such a conspicuous place, right in the middle of the city? And why choose an abandoned building that hasn't even reopened yet?"
Yu Shoudao felt overwhelmed. "Lord Lu, what are you suggesting?"
"It's clear," Lu Qian said, "that the murderer wants to create a spectacle—to draw attention."
"So, Lord Lu believes someone is deliberately pretending to be a demon while committing these murders?"
Mu Feng rolled his eyes dramatically. "You just figured that out? I knew from the beginning that this was nothing more than a human pretending to be a ghost. There are no demons."
Mu Zhao set down his teacup and raised his gaze slightly, his eyes calm yet piercing. "On that note, Governor Yu, I have a question out of curiosity. Do you know whether your daughter has any expertise in forensic examination or medical skills?"
Yu Shoudao was completely baffled. How would he know?
In truth, today was the first time he had ever met this daughter.
Yu Shoudao felt as though he had been sweating nonstop. In front of these noble figures, he found himself unable to answer even the simplest of questions.
Lu Qian looked at his expression and said knowingly, "Previously, His Highness mentioned that when Miss Yu examined the child's body, she was able to describe the fatal injury with precise accuracy, down to its exact size and location."
"Old Li, the coroner, later confirmed that the fatal wound Miss Yu mentioned was indeed close to the fontanelle of the parietal bone. While Old Li could determine the cause of death through standard examination, Miss Yu described the injury with astonishing precision—down to mere inches—before any official autopsy was conducted."
"Governor Yu, do you understand what Lord Lu is implying?"
Mu Feng smirked. "Mr. Lu is saying that your daughter may have exceptional medical knowledge, particularly in forensic examination. She might even be more skilled than the old coroner, who has decades of experience."
"This… this…" Yu Shoudao stammered. How was he supposed to answer that?
"Governor Yu, don't tell me you have no idea that your daughter is a doctor?" Mu Feng nearly burst into laughter.
What kind of situation was this?
He didn't even know his own daughter's abilities?
Yu Shoudao flushed with embarrassment. "It seems I have made a fool of myself before the esteemed lords. It's just… my daughter has been away from home for many years and only recently returned. I truly don't know much about her."
So, asking him was completely pointless!
In truth, Yu Shoudao knew nothing about his own daughter.
Mu Zhao glanced at him and said, "Let Lord Lu handle this case. He is one of the most skilled investigators in the capital. He has solved hundreds—if not thousands—of complex and mysterious cases. Assign your best yamen officers to assist him."
"Ah, yes, yes!" Yu Shoudao quickly responded, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "Then… I will assign Officer Wu Yong and his best men to Lord Lu's command."
"Solving the case is important," Lu Qian said, his brows furrowed in concern, "but disaster relief is even more urgent. If my calculations are correct, the first shipment of relief grain should have arrived by now—yet there's been no word."
Mu Zhao's expression turned cold, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Don't worry. It will arrive before noon tomorrow."
Yu Shoudao's heart clenched. He cast a nervous glance at Prince Mu. Considering how much relief grain had been transported from the capital, and how many corrupt officials would have wanted a share of it…
Perhaps only Prince Mu had the power to ensure its safe delivery.
Thinking back to the past, this man had once been a legend—a warrior who led his troops into battle with a gun in hand, moving through enemy lines as if death meant nothing to him.
On the battlefield, he was a living myth.
Though he had since retreated to the capital due to health reasons, his influence remained unparalleled. The emperor trusted him deeply, and no one dared to act recklessly in his presence.
Now that Prince Mu had taken charge of disaster relief, not a single grain of food would go missing.
"You must ensure the proper registration of refugees," Mu Zhao reminded Yu Shoudao with a sharp gaze. "The city cannot accommodate them all, nor can they be left outside to fend for themselves."
"Have you thought of a plan?"
Yu Shoudao hesitated before answering carefully, "The initial plan is to register them and, where possible, return them to their original residences. Of course, some will be allowed to stay in the city..."
"That's it?" Mu Zhao sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.