The Three Little Ones parted ways with Princess Yuan An at the Wannian County Government Office.
Princess Yuan An's case was different from Ankang's; it was a murder case.
However, Princess Yuan An did not mention the specific details.
Princess Yuan An had only briefly reviewed the case files earlier and didn't know much, and her will to solve the case was weak, so she probably wouldn't find anything.
As the Three Little Ones exited the Yamen, they were followed by eunuchs responsible for records, a squad of Flower-Clothed Eunuchs for escort, and two constables assisting with the investigation.
Together, these people formed quite a formidable procession.
After leaving the Yamen, they headed to the nearest victim's house to see if they could glean any more information.
Along the way, Ankang humbly sought advice from the two constables on how to solve cases.
The two constables were very forthcoming and respectful.
"This, young lady."
One of the more articulate constables answered Ankang's questions.
"In the past, when we investigated cases, it was simply about 'asking'; we would first conduct interviews and gather as many clues as possible.
"Generally speaking, asking questions is usually enough to get a general idea. There aren't many complex cases that require extensive and meticulous investigation."
The constables were well aware that many people had read stories and dramas and thought that solving cases was incredibly mysterious.
But in reality, no matter the task, constant repetition always leads to the most efficient processes.
As constables, they simply became proficient through their daily routines.
And this knack for efficiency was what everyone found novel.
These two constables were also afraid that Ankang, being a young lady from an official family, was deeply influenced by stories and dramas and had unreasonably high expectations of them, so they directly and clearly explained these matters.
The capital is vast, and there are many people.
The Wannian County Government Office received countless reports every day, making it impossible to solve them all.
When they encountered someone reporting a case on the street, they would try to mediate if possible, and it was best if the matter didn't reach the Yamen.
For cases reported to the Yamen, they would categorize them by priority and urgency, then assign personnel to investigate.
Public order in the capital was good, but murder cases often occurred.
Petty theft and fraud happened daily.
Under such circumstances, the Yamen could only first focus its efforts on solving more serious murder cases, then assign new recruits to practice on the lowest-difficulty cases.
A serial burglary case like the one Ankang had was considered a relatively high priority among theft cases.
Because it involved the word "serial," its nature was more serious than ordinary cases.
However, the problem was that the monetary value of the case was not too large, so the manpower allocated to it had always been limited, and coupled with the genuinely scarce clues, it had not been solved yet.
On the way, Ankang listened to the constable sharing his experience in solving cases.
Of course, the other party had been reminded by his superiors to only say what should be said, and he dared not bring up any forbidden topics.
Every profession has its dark side, especially for constables who frequently deal with the dark underbelly of society; this is even more so.
After hearing a general overview of the case-solving process, Ankang stroked Li Xuan, falling into her own thoughts.
From the case files and the constables' words, Ankang did not detect any abnormalities.
The case assigned to her was just a normal case.
The families who lost items were all ordinary people, at most a few wealthy merchants, with no connection to any important figures.
"I'll decide after seeing it with my own eyes," Ankang murmured to herself.
Li Xuan, in Ankang's arms, had been observing her.
At this moment, Li Xuan knew that Ankang's curiosity had been ignited.
He could clearly feel that Ankang's curiosity was not just about the case.
Indeed, every month, Emperor Yongyuan always came up with some new tricks for the competition, and this month was probably no different.
The group arrived at the home of the first victim.
This was an antique shop, and also the victim with the most significant losses.
Although the lost antiques here were small items, they were all quite valuable, and the value of the lost property exceeded that of the other several families combined.
"Let's go inside and take a look," Ankang said, and the two constables skillfully opened the antique shop's door to invite the shopkeeper for questioning.
...
And just as the Three Little Ones began their interviews with the victims, someone was already holding a celebration banquet.
Changan County Yamen.
The Eldest Prince and the Sixth Princess were currently completing the handover with Magistrate Zhang of Changan County.
"Magistrate Zhang, the culprit has been apprehended, so my case can be considered closed."
"Naturally, and congratulations, Your Highness."
Magistrate Zhang of Changan County deftly stamped his official seal on a case closure document.
He handed the document to the Eldest Prince, appearing even happier than him.
"Thanks to Your Highness's divine case-solving ability, to think that the culprit was apprehended in just one day, bringing the truth to light for the common people—truly swift and decisive."
Magistrate Zhang gave a thumbs-up, marveling, clearly very impressed with the Eldest Prince.
"You flatter me, Magistrate Zhang, you flatter me."
The Eldest Prince replied courteously, then looked at his Sixth Sister beside him, and the siblings couldn't help but smile smugly.
Once they left the palace, it was their home turf.
Especially since the Eldest Prince and the Sixth Princess were fortunate enough to draw cases in Changan County.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Changan County was the territory of their birth mother, Consort Zhang's family.
Didn't the magistrate also share the surname Zhang?
Outside the palace, Consort Zhang's family influence proved to be of great use.
The Eldest Prince had drawn a somewhat complex murder case.
A woman had an affair and conspired with her lover to poison her husband and seize his family property, but her husband discovered it.
The husband, who was in the freight business, knew some strongmen who traveled all over and hired them to abduct the adulterous couple.
He had originally intended to use this leverage to control the adulterous couple and make the lover pay a ransom.
As a result, an accident occurred halfway, and the adulterous couple both died, while the group of bandits fled.
No one knew the details, and outsiders only thought that when this adulterous couple eloped, they were robbed by bandits who then murdered them for their money.
This case initially had no suspicious points and was about to be closed, but it was chosen as one of the cases for this month's competition.
Afterward, the First Prince used his connections, and the Sixth Princess also abandoned her own case, doing her utmost to help the First Prince investigate, quickly uncovering the details of the husband hiring killers and even tracking down and capturing all of the bandits.
Finally, with conclusive evidence, the husband could only admit that he had indeed hired people to abduct the adulterous couple, but he absolutely did not instruct them to kill.
The killing was indeed the bandits' own doing.
After they abducted the woman, seeing her beauty, they became lustful.
However, they played too roughly and caused the woman's death.
Knowing that the woman was their employer's wife and that they had messed up the job, they simply decided to go all the way, killing the adulterer as well before returning to continue their carefree life in the jianghu.
They were well aware that people like them could not stay in the capital for long, especially after committing a crime.
Anyway, they had received a deposit beforehand and had their fun, so they wouldn't lose out.
Unexpectedly, the net of heaven is vast, and the First Prince, using the Zhang family's influence, still managed to capture them.
Speaking of which, these people were also foolish; instead of fleeing far away after committing a crime, they actually returned to their old lair not far from the capital, thinking that the husband, as an accomplice, couldn't do anything to them, so they never thought of leaving.
Otherwise, the First Prince wouldn't have been able to apprehend them in just one day.
But thanks to them, the First Prince was the first among all the princes and princesses to solve a case.
Moreover, according to intelligence from the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Princess, no one was faster than him, not even Princess Ankang.
The First Prince felt that this month's victory was secured.
After all, the competition rules did not mention prohibiting the use of family influence, so it couldn't be considered a foul.
The eunuch responsible for recording naturally wrote down all of the First Prince's actions, but the First Prince felt he had nothing to be ashamed of.
Isn't one's family's influence also a part of one's strength?
"Big Brother, it seems we're set this month."
The Sixth Princess said excitedly.
"Yes, Sixth Sister."
"I'd like to see how others can snatch my victory in this situation?"
The First Prince's eyes were sparkling with spirit, feeling so invigorated for the first time.
It was only the second day, and he had already completed the competition; for the remaining time, he could move freely.
He called it observing others' investigation progress.
"Oh, right, Sixth Sister."
"Your case..."
The Sixth Princess, with a wave of her fair hand, said boldly:
"No more investigating, what case is there to investigate."
"Big Brother, let's go find Fourth Brother to play!"
The Sixth Princess said happily.
It's a rare chance to leave the palace, who wouldn't want to have a good time?
But as soon as the Sixth Princess spoke, the First Prince subconsciously looked at the eunuch responsible for recording.
He saw the eunuch's pen flying, having already written something, and immediately stopped thinking further.
"Alright, let's go find Fourth Brother."
The First Prince took the Sixth Princess's hand, quickly bid farewell to Magistrate Zhang, found a few horses, and prepared to ride with his sister to Wannian County.
Watching the First Prince and the Sixth Princess's retreating figures, Magistrate Zhang couldn't help but sigh with emotion, but he didn't say much more, preparing to attend to his official duties.
He and Consort Zhang's Zhang family were tied together like grasshoppers on a string; now seeing the First Prince's triumph, he too was happy.
But...
Although their time together wasn't long, Magistrate Zhang felt that this First Prince seemed to yearn more for freedom in the outside world.
That yearning was very pure and very strong.
Can such a person truly do what he needs to do next?
...
Some families rejoiced, others grieved.
While the First Prince was riding high in life, the Three Little Ones emerged dispirited from a pharmacy.
This was the last victim's shop they visited today.
This pharmacy had lost several valuable medicinal ingredients; although the quantity wasn't large, it was still worth some silver.
More importantly, these medicinal ingredients were rarely stocked each quarter, and now that they had been cleared out, the pharmacy owner had to re-order a batch at a high price to replenish them.
According to the pharmacy owner, those few medicinal ingredients were rarely bought, but the shop had to keep them in stock because people who came for these ingredients were usually in urgent need, and not having them would cause great inconvenience to customers.
But the Three Little Ones had visited all day without getting many valuable clues, which explained why the case had remained unresolved for so long.
The thief was like he had grown wings, leaving no traces in his coming and going.
Even among those who lost items, some didn't notice it immediately.
Leaving the pharmacy, it was already late.
Princess Ankang, seeing that it was almost time for her appointment with Princess Princess Yuan An, led her people back to the Wannian County Government Office.
Princess Princess Yuan An, however, was already waiting there early, and it was unclear if she had truly investigated the case today.
Upon seeing Princess Ankang, Princess Princess Yuan An quickly approached her.
"Sister, it's time to go to the East Market now, isn't it?"
"If we don't go now, we'll miss the courtesan parade."
Both of them had dressed as men today specifically to go watch the excitement in the evening and find a suitable shop to observe from.
Princess Ankang had given her word, so she naturally wouldn't break it.
"Since you're ready, Younger Sister, let's go."