The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 119 Suspicious Cause of Death, Lizhou Incident

Shen Yanzhi went to great lengths to hide these things, so they must be very important.

After reading the contents of the envelope several times, Shen Hanyu's expression became somewhat solemn.

"What's wrong girl?"

Miao Cui noticed that Shen Hanyu's expression had turned quite unpleasant after reading these letters.

Shen Hanyu shook her head: "It's nothing, it just feels a little strange. Is everything arranged?"

"It's all arranged. We can go over in the middle of the night."

Shen Hanyu hummed in agreement and carefully put away the envelopes. The letters didn't reveal anything useful about what had happened in Lizhou, and the most important information should only be known to Shen Yanzhi.

In the middle of the night, they first went to the Shen family ancestral graves.

"We used the sleeping potion on that guy and also sent people outside to keep watch, so no one will be allowed to come over."

Shen Hanyu held incense sticks and lit them in front of Shen Yanzhi's grave. After offering the incense, Shen Hanyu said, "Let's dig it up."

Shen Yanzhi's grave had clearly been disturbed, and considering the letters she had seen today, she decided to check what was inside the grave.

Unless absolutely necessary, Shen Hanyu would not want to dig up her father's grave.

"Father, I'm sorry."

Shen Hanyu now suspects that the real cause of Shen Yanzhi's death is definitely not as simple as drowning.

Several people took shovels and began digging. It was a dark and windy night, so they stayed there, carefully removing the soil from the coffin bit by bit.

Shen Hanyu climbed down, and they all put on thick cloths to cover their mouths and noses.

"Girl, please stay away, we're about to open the coffin."

Shen Hanyu nodded and took a few steps back.

The coffin lid was opened, but Shen Hanyu didn't smell anything. Miao Cui's eyes widened.

"Girl, it's empty inside."

Shen Hanyu rushed over and searched the coffin with both hands and feet. The coffin was empty, with only the burial items that had been placed inside remaining.

Shen Hanyu personally witnessed Shen Yanzhi being placed in the coffin; there is absolutely no mistake about that. However, Shen Yanzhi's body has now vanished without a trace.

Shen Hanyu watched, her heart pounding wildly.

Sure enough, something fishy happened. Shen Yanzhi's death was not simple. First, Qi Liansheng died in Lizhou, and then it was her father.

"Cover it up and put everything back as it was."

Shen Hanyu slowly climbed up and sat on the ground, supporting her head with her hands.

"Jin Chui, do you know about what happened in Lizhou?"

Shen Hanyu was still young when Qi Lian died, and her memory of that part is not clear.

Jin Chui slowly shook his head: "I rarely hear news from Lizhou. I'll send a message to ask you, young master. Perhaps you know something."

Shen Hanyu did not refuse, perhaps Pei Du really did know something.

The tomb was restored to its original state, and incense was lit again before Shen Hanyu left with her entourage.

She didn't sleep all night, constantly thinking about Shen Yanzhi and Qi Liansheng.

She could have someone investigate Qi Liansheng's information, but she was afraid of finding nothing and alerting him.

So, is seeking help from Li Huaijiang the only option?

Shen Hanyu freshened up. She wouldn't hand over this evidence now. She had already come to Suzhou, and Li Huaijiang probably wanted her to see this.

Since Aye's matter was related to the royal family, Shen Hanyu dared not think too much about it. After washing up, she asked Miaocui to prepare to leave Suzhou and return to Chang'an.

They were out for a month, and returned earlier than expected.

"Has the young lady found the item?"

Shen Hanyu nodded: "We can't find anything else here, so we can only go back to Chang'an and try to find a solution."

The longer she stays here and the deeper the investigation goes, the more dangerous it becomes. It's better to stay in Chang'an, where there are more people. Since Li Huaijiang wants to bring her into the game, he won't let her die so soon.

Having figured all this out, Shen Hanyu knew what she had to do.

Lin Yunshan was somewhat surprised to hear that Shen Hanyu wanted to return to Chang'an. Shen Hanyu hadn't stayed here for long, and he hadn't seen her go looking for anything; she had only gone out once.

Shen Hanyu still used the identity of Miss Luo the Third. She said that there was an emergency at home and she wanted to go back as soon as possible. She also did not want Shen Yanzhi's matter to involve Lin Yunshan.

If it weren't for Lin Yunshan, Shen Hanyu wouldn't have known that Shen Yanzhi had also investigated Qi Liansheng's cause of death.

"My family is pressing me for a meeting, and I'm really sorry to have bothered the prefect these past few days."

The carriage was already prepared outside. Shen Hanyu was truly decisive and efficient, leaving as soon as she said she would.

Lin Yunshan didn't want to stop her, so he saw Shen Hanyu off.

Inside the carriage, Shen Hanyu continued reading the letters exchanged, trying to glean something from them.

Miao Cui didn't know what had happened in Lizhou, so they couldn't offer Shen Hanyu much help.

"If we stay there, I'm afraid it will implicate Prefect Lin. I'm already being watched, so it's best not to drag others into it."

I don't know what the situation is like in Chang'an during this month away, but I hope Xu Zhun can manage.

On her way back, Shen Hanyu received news that she had passed the county examination, which was expected, as she ranked quite high. Wei Ming also passed the exam.

Of the thirteen people who participated in the scientific expedition, all of them passed the county-level examination.

The happiest person right now must be Princess Yongning.

The results of this county examination brought Princess Yongning a great sense of relief.

However, the prefectural examination is in another month, and the discussions in the court will subside after the entire children's examination is over.

Having returned safely to Chang'an, Shen Hanyu first went to the residence she had prepared and informed Xu Zhun.

Xu Zhun didn't expect Shen Hanyu to come back so quickly, so he rushed over in a hurry.

"The Marquis's residence hasn't noticed you're missing, but they've been wanting you to come back for a visit. I reckon it's still about the betrothal gifts; they're quite persistent about it."

"I understand. I'm so grateful to you and Wei Ming for covering for me during this time."

Xu Zhun waved his hand: "By the way, why did you come back so quickly? Has everything been resolved in Suzhou?"

"solved."

Since Xu Zhun was unaware of the Crown Prince's affairs, Shen Hanyu didn't say anything more.

The important thing now is not the Marquis's residence, but to meet with Li Huaijiang first.

After hiding the envelope in a safe place in the new house and making sure no one would find it, Shen Hanyu turned and went to the girls' school.

If you want to see Li Huaijiang, the girls' school is a good place to go.

Whether Li Huaijiang was waiting for her on purpose or not, the person who only worked sporadically actually showed up.

Upon seeing Shen Hanyu, Wei Ming ran over and exclaimed, "You're back from Suzhou?"

She spoke very softly. During this time, Shen Hanyu had been pretending to be sick at home, but only Wei Ming knew the real reason.

Shen Hanyu nodded: "You go back first, I'll talk to you later. I'm going to see the princess now."

Li Huaijiang leaned against a pillar, waiting for Shen Hanyu to come over.

Their eyes met, and Li Huaijiang straightened up and walked out, with Shen Hanyu following after her.

Wei Ming scratched his head as he watched their retreating figures. When did these two become so familiar with each other?

After catching up with Li Huaijiang, Shen Hanyu finally spoke: "What the princess wants me to see is my father's matter, isn't it?"