Peace in the Su residence didn't last long.
Early the next morning, before Iris was fully awake, the front gate was nearly smashed open.
No reward came.
Instead, a squad of elite soldiers in black iron armor stormed in. Their faces were grim, and the blades at their waists bore royal totems—radiating a suffocating scent of blood.
"Su Mo, receive the edict."
The leading general didn't even look at her.
"His Highness Prince Chen summons you for an immediate audience."
Prince Chen?
Iris's mind buzzed.
Who…?
Oh. Right.
The Seventh Prince—her system's ultimate target.
Her heart sank.
What's going on? I haven't even started looking for him. Why is he coming for me first?
Had the original Su Mo offended him? Or… had that white-robed noble she robbed and "assaulted" run off to complain?
Either way, judging by the soldiers' posture—more like a raid than an invitation—this was not a tea visit.
Iris had no choice. She braced herself and was shoved into a fully enclosed black carriage.
…
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped before the most mysterious temporary palace in the capital.
A guard every three steps. A sentry every five.
Even the birds overhead seemed within range of hidden archers.
Iris was led into a magnificent, gold-gilded hall.
It was terrifyingly silent. Only her footsteps echoed.
Every guard kept their head lowered, barely daring to breathe.
"Kneel," the eunuch commanded in a shrill voice.
Iris didn't dare resist. She dropped to her knees and stared at the polished gold tiles reflecting her trembling silhouette.
She was only a powerless commoner now. In the face of true imperial authority, forensic skill meant nothing.
"Raise your head."
A familiar voice came from above—low, magnetic, laced with lazy amusement.
Iris froze.
That voice…
Why did it sound so familiar?
She lifted her head, trembling.
The next second, her pupils constricted violently.
On the high throne sat a man.
Gone was the simple moon-white robe. He now wore a black princely python robe embroidered with four-clawed golden dragons. A purple-gold crown on his head. A jade belt at his waist.
That breathtaking face carried a half-smile as he looked down at her.
It was him.
The white-robed noble whose fan she had stolen.
The one she'd mocked as a coward.
The one she'd—in the carriage—accidentally "molested."
At that exact moment, the system in her mind went mad.
[Ding! Target Locked!]
[Target: The Seventh Prince, Prince Chen]
[Identity: Your mission objective / the prince who holds power over life and death]
[Favorability: -10 (He remembers your rudeness and offenses vividly)]
[System Warning: Gain his trust immediately and assist his ascension! If executed, mission fails instantly!]
Iris's world collapsed.
Heaven… are you playing with me?
That fussy rich kid was Prince Chen?!
Then all those things she'd said… all those things she'd done—
"Weren't you quite bold in the mortuary?" Prince Chen drawled. "Why won't you look up now?"
In his hand was that old folding fan—the very one she had dirtied.
He'd kept it.
Miss Su, weren't you impressive?" he continued lazily. "You ordered me to tear clothes,
mocked my courage, and even..."
His gaze drifted pointedly to his belt.
"Trying to break my jade belt."
"Your Highness, spare my life!"
Iris reacted instantly.
She slammed into a perfect full kowtow, forehead hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
"Your Highness, please spare my life! I was blind and foolish, and I beg for Your Highness's mercy."
A wise person bowed to circumstance.
If he was both her mission target and the client who could take her head, pride could go straight out the window.
Prince Chen watched the woman below—kneeling perfectly, admitting fault at lightning speed. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Where did that fearless forensic woman go—the one who dared to challenge heaven and earth?
Why was she suddenly so… spineless?
"Enough. Get up."
He tossed the fan onto the table.
"If I truly wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing here."
Iris let out a shaky breath, wiped cold sweat from her brow, and slowly stood.
"Thank you for sparing my life, Your Highness. May I ask why I was summoned?"
Prince Chen's playful expression faded. His eyes sharpened.
"Since you have the skill to examine corpses," he said coldly, "I'll give you a chance to atone through service."
He waved a hand.
Several guards carried in a stretcher covered with white cloth. A faint smell of blood spread through the grand hall.
"Recently, young maidens have been disappearing one after another in the city. This body was found this morning."
He pointed at the corpse, voice icy.
"The coroners of the Capital Prefecture are useless. They cannot determine the cause of death. If you can find a lead, I'll overlook your previous disrespect."
He leaned forward slightly, eyes locking onto Iris's, pressure crushing.
"But if you turn out to be all talk…"
"I won't hesitate to send you to the dungeon."
Iris looked at the corpse. Then at the man above her.
On the system interface, the words Assist Prince Chen glowed brightly.
Whether to survive.
Or to return home.
She had no choice.
This job—she was taking it.
Iris straightened. The fawning expression vanished, replaced by calm, icy professionalism.
"I will do as Your Highness commands."
She wrapped cloth strips around her hands and walked toward the body.
"As long as it is a corpse," she said steadily,
"there is no truth I cannot find."