Chapter 2: 002 Meddling in Other People's Business

"Young Master Tang, it's been a long time!"

The guard at the palace gate casually rested his hand on Tang Meng's shoulder, his saliva nearly splashing onto her face.

Tang Meng immediately flashed a smile and said, "Didn't we just see each other the day before yesterday? The Emperor has urgent business with me, so I must be going!"

With that, she pushed the guard's hand away and slipped away as if her feet were greased.

Should she blame herself for being too approachable—a dignified Imperial Justice who had become so familiar with a mere gate guard—or should she blame herself for being too beautiful, unable to escape the clutches of men even while disguised as a man?

Tang Meng rubbed her chin with a thoughtful expression and headed toward the Imperial Study.

Disguising herself as a man had allowed her to escape the fate of a political marriage princess, but as a son of the Tang family, she was still inextricably linked to the Imperial Family. Even though she was working in the palace, she could essentially be considered a hostage; who could blame her when her father held the military power so tightly?

Several consecutive violent murder cases had occurred in the Imperial City recently, and the killer seemed to be the same person. The Emperor had already sought her out three times. If this case wasn't solved soon, she feared her position as Imperial Justice would be hard to maintain!

"Brother Tang!"

Looking toward the sound, she saw a middle-aged, burly man approaching. He was sturdy and fierce, with a square face and a solemn, humorless expression.

The only person who would call her "Brother Tang" was that single-minded fool, Li Xiu!

"Ah, Brother Li, long time no see! When did you return to the Imperial City?" Tang Meng asked in surprise. Li Xiu had been guarding the borders for a long time, hadn't he?

"I just returned the day before yesterday. The Emperor transferred me back to guard the Imperial City. Why have there been so many murders occurring one after another lately? Just what is the deal with that Jade-Faced Wooden Fox?"

"Brother Li, you've learned so much just as you've returned. Truly commendable, truly commendable!" Tang Meng remained her usual unserious self.

All six murder cases in the Imperial City shared a common characteristic: the killer had left behind a wooden fox. Tang Meng had three in her possession, and the other three were with Bailiff Luo.

Li Xiu said sternly, "I'm being serious with you! The Emperor has set a deadline for this case. If it isn't solved within three days, you'll be in for it."

Tang Meng rubbed her chin and asked, "What position did the Emperor assign you this time?"

Li Xiu curled his lip in helplessness and said, "Imperial Justice's Guard!"

"Oh my, what merit does Tang Meng have to deserve such a thing! The Emperor is truly underutilizing your talents!" Tang Meng was blooming with joy in her heart. Li Xiu had never liked her style and had voiced objections many times regarding her holding the position of Imperial Justice.

"I advise Brother Tang to solve this case as quickly as possible so that I can return to the borders sooner," Li Xiu said seriously.

"Fine, fine, fine. I'll go to see His Majesty right now. I'll take the opportunity to tell the Emperor that Brother Li serving as my guard is truly a waste of talent!"

Having said that, Tang Meng waved her hand and headed toward the Imperial Study, a bright smile on her face.

As she walked, she heard the faint sound of weeping coming from a cluster of flowers.

After a moment of hesitation, she walked over, but the moment she saw the person, she immediately regretted it.

In front of her was the current Crown Prince, Ling Siye. Dressed in magnificent robes, with a face like jade and a tall, upright posture, he was offensively handsome. However, the Crown Prince's temperament was also offensive.

Tang Meng had a mental ranking of whom one should not provoke in the Imperial City, and Crown Prince Ling Siye had sat firmly at number one for many years.

He could practically cover the sky with one hand in the Imperial City. The Emperor had only him as a son and doted on him completely. He was capable of any debauchery or cruelty that the heavens would not tolerate. His favorite pastime was meddling in the affairs of others; he acted solely on whim and interest. If you tried to reason with him, sorry, but he *was* the reason.

"Your Highness, please spare this servant! For the sake of the child, please spare me!" A small palace maid in pink was kneeling on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly until her forehead was covered in large patches of blood.

"For the sake of the child?" Ling Siye gave a cold, sinister smile and kicked out, his foot landing squarely in the maid's lower abdomen.

"Ahhhhhhh..." The screams gradually grew quieter. A large red stain spread between the maid's legs, slowly expanding. Her face had already turned deathly pale, and she had lost all consciousness.

Ling Siye snorted coldly and tossed out a single sentence, "This Prince hates children most of all. If you want to bear this Prince's child, there is only one path: death!"

Tang Meng's fists had long been clenched tight. Watching this incident of a double death right before her eyes, she desperately wanted to rush out and kick him a few times, but she had to endure!

However, Ling Siye had already discovered her.

"Come out."

Tang Meng was startled and turned to flee.

But before she could take a few steps, her collar was gripped heavily.

"So it is Young Master Tang!" Ling Siye's icy voice came from behind her, making Tang Meng feel an intense sense of loathing.

Don't look back; no matter what, she couldn't look back. If her face was seen, she would have no way to defend herself and wouldn't be able to deny it anymore.

Caught off guard, Tang Meng struck back hard with both elbows, hitting Ling Siye squarely in the ribs. Taking advantage of the opening, she immediately used her lightness skill to leap forward, flying desperately. No matter what, she dared not look back, forgetting that what lay ahead was the Eastern Palace.

Ling Siye let out a cold laugh and lightly tapped his toes to give chase. A small flying dagger appeared out of thin air in his hand, and with one strike, it hit Tang Meng's right shoulder.

Tang Meng landed in pain, still refusing to look back, and continued to run forward.

Ling Siye also landed, leisurely tidying his disheveled robes. Another small flying dagger appeared in his hand; he threw it casually, yet it happened to strike Tang Meng's left shoulder.

Tang Meng bit her lip hard, her pace slowing more and more. How could such a notorious, despicable, and shameless person not have poison on his flying daggers?

"Ah!" She finally couldn't help but scream; a blade had also struck her right leg, and it hurt considerably!

The pain was so intense she nearly fainted. Looking up, she saw the palace ahead was indeed the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. Her vision went completely black, and she collapsed straight to the ground!

She knew it—she shouldn't have meddled in others' business, and she certainly shouldn't have been curious!