Chapter 17: The Interception

Zhao Tianjiang’s attempt to intervene came too late. He forcefully suppressed his rising fury, clenching his fists hidden within his wide sleeves. Making a scene now would only arouse suspicion. Just a glance wouldn’t hurt; let them see for themselves. Once they left, he intended to set fire to their beloved daughter’s body, reducing it to ashes.

Yuan Bai Mo gazed at his sister’s emaciated form in the coffin, tears streaming down. Memories of their childhood playing together flashed vividly before his eyes. His sister was still so young...

"Forensic examiner, conduct an autopsy," Yuan Bai Mo commanded, tilting his head back and wiping the tears flowing from his eyes as he spoke to the plain-clothed man standing quietly nearby.

Zhao Tianjiang was stunned—this was truly shocking.

A forensic examiner? They had actually brought one? No, under no circumstances could the body be examined. The consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhao Tianjiang rushed forward to block him, his face darkening with displeasure. "Brother, what do you mean by this? Bai Rong is already dead; why desecrate her body?"

Yuan Bai Mo gave Zhao Tianjiang a cold, disdainful look. Hmph. His words sounded righteous, but an outsider might think he was protecting his sister-in-law.

If not for the letter they received from Er Dong yesterday, the Yuan family wouldn’t even know Bai Rong was dead. Zhao Tianjiang clearly had no intention of informing them promptly. It seemed he planned to cremate the body first and then announce the death—a truly malicious act.

"Chancellor Zhao, I am Bai Rong’s eldest biological brother. Since her death is shrouded in mystery, as her brother, I must uncover the truth and seek justice for my departed sister." Yuan Bai Mo’s eyes were like cold, unyielding jade, piercing and chilling.

Yuan Bai Mo addressed himself formally as "this general," showing he no longer regarded his brother-in-law as an equal, and thus would no longer be polite.

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Tianjiang summoned dozens of guards who quickly surrounded the funeral hall, encircling the coffin tightly.

"As long as I am here, no one is allowed to touch Bai Rong’s body. No one." Zhao Tianjiang’s dark gaze swept over everyone, especially the Duke Yuan and Yuan Bai Mo.

The atmosphere instantly thickened with tension, the air crackling with the potential for violence.

Just then, a loud shout came from outside: "The study is on fire! The master’s study is on fire!"

Zhao Tianjiang was alarmed. The study was where all his precious belongings were kept—treasures as important as his own life!

"Guard the coffin here. No one is to disturb the lady’s remains, or else... hmph!" The guards understood the unspoken threat perfectly.

Zhao Tianjiang strode away swiftly. Yuan Bai Mo snorted coldly; he had never taken these guards seriously, nor had he regarded Zhao Tianjiang as a threat.

"Autopsy!" Yuan Bai Mo ordered again. Though the forensic examiner was apprehensive, knowing the Duke Yuan was present gave him confidence. He stepped briskly toward the coffin.

Dozens of guards drew their weapons, glaring fiercely.

Yuan Bai Mo was no ordinary man. A seasoned warrior who had fought countless battles, he acted decisively and ruthlessly, adept at killing without hesitation. Now a high-ranking fourth-grade general, his internal energy was fully charged, ready to advance to fifth grade at any moment. In the Great Moon Kingdom, achieving fifth-grade warrior status at his age was exceedingly rare. This was why he had commanded troops from such a young age. Years of battlefield experience had honed his skills to an extraordinary level; even when facing a higher-ranked opponent, he was not easily defeated.