Chapter 96: Liquor Offering

The fallen leaves rustled, the sun set in the west, and the trees rustled quietly. Before it got completely dark, Ming Huazhang finally arrived in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Ming Huazhang took Ming Huashang to pay respects to the wife of Duke Cheng and Duke Cheng, thanking them solemnly before leaving. When the two of them left, Ming Huashang asked in surprise, "Second brother, why did you take so long?"

She thought Ming Huazhang would come to pick her up in the afternoon at the latest, but he didn't show up until almost dark.

Ming Huazhang walked in the chilly autumn wind, his tone cool and calm, and said: "The Imperial College has almost finished asking questions at 5 pm I was planning to come pick you up, but the palace summoned me at short notice, so I was delayed."

Ming Huashang was surprised to hear that Ming Huazhang had just left the palace: "You just left the palace?"

Ming Huazhang nodded. They had already walked out of the Duke Cheng's mansion. People were coming and going on the street. Ming Huazhang didn't want to talk about the palace anymore, so he said, "You get in the car first, and we'll talk about the rest when we get back."

Ming Huachang also knew that walls have ears, so she suppressed her worries and held Ming Huazhang's hand to get on the horse. Ming Huazhang waited for her to sit down before walking to the other side, sweeping his long legs and sitting on the horse neatly and calmly.

Ming Huashang endured all the way, and finally the carriage drove into the Duke of Zhen's Mansion. Ming Huashang didn't even have time to return to his own yard, and chased after Ming Huazhang: "Second brother, wait for me!"

Zhaocai jumped out of the car at the back and said hurriedly, "Madam, where are you going? You haven't had your meal yet!"

Unfortunately, the figure in front of him didn't show any sign of lingering and said without even turning his head, "Send you to Qinghuiyuan."

"Qinghuiyuan again." Zhaocai couldn't help but say, "She's in Qinghuiyuan during the day and at Qinghuiyuan at night. Now she even has to go to Qinghuiyuan for meals. I think Qinghuiyuan is more like my wife's residence!"

Ming Huashang had no idea what the maid was saying to her. At this moment, all her attention was focused on Ming Huazhang. She asked hurriedly, "Second brother, what did the palace say?"

Ming Huazhang sighed barely audibly, his brows showing a rare trace of fatigue. "The serial murder case has been reported to the palace. When the empress heard that the granddaughter of Duke Cheng was murdered, she took it very seriously. She ordered the Yulin Army to patrol the city and assist Jingzhao Prefecture in protecting the safety of Chang'an and calming the people. At the same time, she also ordered the crown prince to supervise the case and ordered Jingzhao Prefecture to solve the case before the end of the year."

Ming Huashang uttered a low "ah", and her first reaction was, "Sister Ren and Jiang Ling are in the Yulin Army, right? When we catch the murderer in the future, can we ask them for help?"

Ming Huazhang glanced at her calmly and said, "You're already thinking about how to catch someone when you haven't even figured out what to do yet?"

Ming Huashang smiled, jumped up and down and threw herself on Ming Huazhang's arm: "Of course you can. I believe that you can solve the case in time and catch the real culprit."

Ming Huazhang sighed: "I wish I could be as optimistic as you."

As they were talking, the two of them had already walked into the courtyard. Ming Huashang had been looking at the files these days, and had basically stayed in Ming Huazhang's room all day. Ming Huazhang was not on guard against Ming Huashang, and even gave her the key, so she could look through whatever she wanted.

Ming Huazhang followed her into the house and sighed when he saw her throwing things around. He leaned over to help her pick up her cloak, folded it carefully, and changed her coat and shoes before walking back slowly.

Ming Huashang was lying on the table, halfway through the portrait she was painting. Ming Huazhang stood to the side, watching for a while before saying, "Is that Cheng Siyue?"

"Yes." Ming Huashang dipped the brush into the ink and continued to write on the rice paper. "Doesn't it look like it?"

Ming Huazhang was silent for a moment, looking at the calligraphy that could only be understood but not expressed in words, and said tactfully: "Very straightforward."

Ming Huashang put down her brush, lifted up the rice paper and looked at it. She was very satisfied with her painting. "I think it's a good painting. I stayed in the Duke Cheng's mansion for a day and learned a lot about Cheng Siyue. I'm sure I can paint her charm."

Indeed, although Cheng Siyue's facial features in the portrait are crooked and difficult to describe, there is a unique temperament between her eyebrows. Ming Huashang took out Chu Jun's portrait and placed it side by side with Cheng Siyue, and asked: "Chu Jun and the previous cases are all missing leg bones, but Cheng Siyue is missing fingers. The constable said that it was not done by the same person. What do you think, second brother?"

"This is ridiculous." Ming Huazhang sat down beside her and said, "Whether it is the same murderer depends on the characteristics of the method. How can it be simply divided into body parts? There are many extremely vicious murders, but this is the only case of bone extraction. The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice all agree that it was done by the same person."

Ming Huashang shared this view, but she had some small doubts: "Is Chu Jun the same?"

Ming Huazhang raised his eyebrows and asked, "What do you think?"

In fact, Ming Huazhang also had this feeling. According to Ming Huachang's description of Cheng Siyue's body, the murderer could cut the tendons of the fingers and remove the finger bones intact. How could he use brute force to break the kneecap when killing Chu Jun? A person's knife-wielding habits cannot change so much.

Ming Huashang didn't say anything final, but just said, "We have to see Huang Caiwei before we can decide. Has the Imperial College's chief priest agreed that we can go and question her?"

Ming Huazhang sighed softly: "Never."

"Ah?" Ming Huashang was surprised. "Another murder has happened, and the murderer may be in their Imperial College, and he still doesn't agree?"

Ming Huazhang was helpless: "After I checked the place where I saw the murder, I immediately went to visit the chief priest, but he was very angry and said that the murderer had no connection with the Imperial College. As for the matter of Lady Huang, he was unwilling to say anything more."

Ming Huashang sighed, unable to understand a father who, for the sake of his own reputation, did not even care about the cause of his daughter's death. Ming Huashang said, "Forget it, let's not talk about him. Second brother, did you gain anything from the Imperial College today?"

Ming Huazhang said in an orderly manner: "Yesterday at 9:00 pm, the Imperial College was dismissed, and Cheng Dalang saw Cheng Siyue when he went out. Many people can testify to this. At that time, Cheng Siyue was alone, without any maids. The servants saw that she was the wife of the Duke's Mansion, so they did not dare to stop her and let her in. His third sister was spoiled by the family, but he did not expect Cheng Siyue to be so bold. He watched Cheng Siyue get on the carriage at the door and then went back. I asked the supervisors in his dormitory, and the time and itinerary were consistent. "

Ming Huashang asked hurriedly, "Where is the driver who took her away? Have you asked him?"

"I have asked him." Ming Huazhang said, "He has his own horses and drives around Chang'an, picking up passengers for long and short distances. He specifically picks up passengers and their wives who don't have carriages but need to go out. He said that he was looking for business near the Imperial College that day when he was stopped by a servant of the Imperial College and asked to take a lady home. When he walked to the East Market, the lady said she wanted to go to the East Market to buy cloth and asked him to stop at Qinrenfang. The driver didn't take it seriously and dropped the lady off and left."

Cheng Siyue got off the bus? Ming Huashang asked, "Has anyone seen her since then?"

"Not yet." Ming Huazhang said, "I sent people to inquire along the way to see if they can find any witnesses. Also, the driver's words cannot be trusted. I have sent people to inquire at the East Market Carriage and Horse Shop today. I estimate that there will be news tomorrow."

Ming Huashang was really impressed by what he heard. Look at Ming Huazhang's efficiency. He didn't say a word, but many things were already done. What was especially rare was that as the chief judge, he had a fair and humble heart.

Even if the person is a witness, he will be suspicious; even if the person is a bad guy, he will wonder if the other person has been wrongly accused. Such a smart, hardworking but not arrogant person, who practices more than he speaks, is truly reliable.

Ming Huashang said sincerely: "Second brother, it's great to have you."

Ming Huazhang disagreed: "The court handed such an important case to me. As the chief official of Chang'an, I can't even catch the murderer after such a long time. How can I be good?"

Ming Huashang said nothing more. When she was young, she thought that she must find someone who was cute, handsome, funny, or someone who could accompany her and spoil her every moment to spend her life with. Later, as she grew up, she saw all kinds of men and all kinds of marriages. Suddenly, she felt that being reliable was the highest compliment for a man.

He is not a god, and he cannot call the wind and rain, make everything go smoothly, or protect his wife from any wind and rain, but he is worthy of trust and entrustment. As long as you are with him, you will believe that no matter what storms they encounter in the future, they will be able to get through them together.

Such a person, whether as a brother, husband, superior or subordinate, will make people feel at ease. They dare to entrust important matters to him, and dare to trust that he will not betray them no matter what happens.

If there were such men around Huang Caiwei and Cheng Siyue, why would their wronged souls remain unable to see the light of day for so long?

Ming Huashang looked down at Cheng Siyue's portrait and said, "This is the second time the Imperial College has been involved. Huang Caiwei is also the daughter of the Imperial College's chief academic officer. Isn't the Imperial College appearing too often?"

"I also think the murderer is related to the Imperial College," Ming Huazhang said. "Students cannot leave the Imperial College at will, but officials such as the chief clerk, doctors, and teaching assistants can. There are also slaves serving in the Imperial College. They are all possible perpetrators. In addition, students cannot be completely ruled out. Although the Imperial College is strictly managed, there are still ways for them to leave. These people must be carefully investigated."

Ming Huashang frowned as she listened: "This is too offensive."

The Imperial College was different from ordinary schools. It was the highest institution of learning in the imperial court. The students there were all sons of dukes and high-ranking officials, as well as students from Japan, Silla and other countries. If you investigate these people, you will get into trouble if you are not careful.

Ming Huazhang lowered his eyes and grinded ink. His profile looked like jade in the candlelight, cold and clear like porcelain. "What's the big deal about the tree enemy? If the murderer is in the Imperial College, this is already the best case scenario. What I'm really worried about is that the murderer is someone along the way who found Cheng Siyue alone and decided to kill her on the spur of the moment."

The former case can be identified as a suspect if the investigation is slow, but the latter case is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The Queen's ultimatum to Jingzhao Prefecture was issued a year ago, and Jingzhao Yin shamelessly pushed the entire incident onto Ming Huazhang, making it appear that it was Jingzhao Prefecture's achievement, but Ming Huazhang was guilty.

Ming Huashang pursed her lips. She could not accept that those women died tragically while their murderers were still at large, basking in complacency. She also could not accept that Ming Huazhang was such a good man. He could clearly become a good official who would contribute to the country and benefit the people, but he had to fail so early and become a victim because of the ugly practices in the officialdom.

It would be better if we could narrow down the suspects and focus on observation, rather than questioning them one by one and making enemies for Ming Huazhang. Ming Huachang realized that it was urgent to draw a portrait of the murderer, but there were only two samples at present, which was still too few.

She needs Huang Caiwei's information.

The next day, Ming Huazhang left the house at dawn as usual. Ming Huashang had no excuse to follow him and could only stay in the house, but she was not idle. She learned from Jiangling's experience and gave copper money to the beggars in Chang'an City, asking them to help her keep an eye on Huang Jijiu's family, especially Mrs. Huang.

The chief priest was so stubborn that even Ming Huazhang couldn't convince him, let alone Ming Huashang. There was no point in trying to convince the chief priest, so it was better to find another way.

She just couldn't believe that her father, for the sake of his reputation, didn't want anyone to investigate the cause of his daughter's death. Could her mother be so hard-hearted?

Ming Huashang was very lucky. On the third day, she received news that Mrs. Huang had gone out. Ming Huashang immediately asked someone to hire a carriage and went to the East Market to "encounter" Mrs. Huang.

Because of the serial killer incident, everyone in Chang'an was in danger these days, and many women did not dare to go out. But life had to go on, and after hiding for two days, those who needed to go out to make a living still had to go out. Madam Huang also took many maids and guards to the East Market to buy cloth.

The weather was getting colder and colder, and it was time for the family to change into winter clothes. There were so many people in the Huang family, from the young ladies and concubines to the servants, and she had to worry about the seasonal clothes. Madam Huang was looking at the fabrics in the silk shop, and the waiter's voice came from behind. Madam Huang turned around and saw that it was a young lady, so she didn't take it seriously.

The East Market is close to the palace, where many dignitaries gather. It is not uncommon for a well-dressed lady to go shopping with her maid. Unexpectedly, the young lady looked around the store and slowly walked towards her.

Madam Huang did not raise her head and moved aside. However, the young lady did not observe the tacit social distance in Chang'an. She stopped in front of Madam Huang and asked in surprise, "Madam, are you the wife of Master Huang Yue, the chief academic officer of the Imperial Academy?"

Madam Huang looked up in surprise, glanced at Ming Huashang, and nodded perfunctorily: "It's me."

She didn't want to make close friends, but the other party seemed to be unable to read her expression and kept talking to her. If this was a woman who wanted to make friends, Mrs. Huang would have just given her the cold shoulder, but the other party was a young and charming lady who was witty and had a sweet laugh. What could Mrs. Huang do?

Mrs. Huang was so harassed that she had no choice but to ask, "Did you take the wrong road? Chang'an is not peaceful now. Where are your relatives? I will send someone to take you back."

Madam Huang thought that the order to expel the guests was very clear, but she didn't know that Ming Huashang was waiting for her to say this. Ming Huashang immediately said, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. There has been a lot of commotion in the city these past two days. Everyone says that the villain is targeting the women of the rich and powerful to kill. Some even say that the villain has magic. No matter how sensible and polite the girl is, once he is targeted, she will run away like a demon and be killed and her bones taken out. I was so scared after hearing what the maids said that I would rather come to a crowded place to get some sunshine."

Mrs. Huang's mask-like smile froze slightly, and her face showed some unspeakable expressions. Ming Huashang noticed it, but still pretended to be ignorant and complained: "I wonder when Jingzhao Prefecture can catch the murderer? In the previous case, because the chief of Jingzhao Prefecture was implicated, officials were replaced like a revolving door, and the result was that it was delayed for four years and the murderer was still at large. If it is the same this time, how long will the murderer be at large?"

Madam Huang finally realized something was wrong. She stopped smiling and looked at Ming Huashang coldly: "Young lady, you have a sharp tongue. May I ask who you are?"

Ming Huashang stopped playing dumb and smiled at her, saying, "I am the sister of the current Jingzhao Shaoyin, Ming Huashang. The cases of Madam Cheng San, Miss Chu Jun and your daughter will be handled by my brother."

Madam Huang understood Ming Huashang's intention, her face changed suddenly, she turned around and left without caring about the cloth. Ming Huashang called out to the furious Madam Huang from behind and said, "Madam, it has been four years, your daughter has been tortured to death, and now she has to bear the shame and curse, while the culprit is still at large. Do you know how Madam Cheng's body was found? It was thrown in the alley in front of the city gate, openly provoking the government. Madam, are you willing to accept this?"

Mrs. Huang's shoulders were tense, and even from behind one could tell that she was in a very bad mood, but she did not continue to walk out.

When Ming Huashang entered the store, she asked Zhaocai and Ruyi to stop the person. Now there were only the two of them in the room, and Ming Huashang was not afraid of others hearing the details of the case. In fact, Ming Huashang did not know the circumstances of Huang Caiwei's death, but she had seen Cheng Siyue with her own eyes. Ming Huashang made a bold guess based on her vague idea of ​​the murderer and took a gamble. Judging from Mrs. Huang's performance, she was right.

Ming Huashang walked up slowly and said, "My brother tried to talk to Huang Jijiu several times, but he refused every time. We really have no choice but to resort to this. Madam Huang, I want to help my brother, and I also really want to help Madam Cheng and Madam Huang clear their names. You and I both have something to ask for, so we can work together. Madam, can you take me back to the Huang family so I can learn about Caiwei's whereabouts?"

·

Huang family.

Madam Huang brought a young lady into the mansion, so naturally no one dared to say anything. Madam Huang brought Ming Huashang to Huang Caiwei's concubine's room, unlocked it, and said, "This is where she lives. Her father was the chief academic officer of the Imperial Academy, with many students from all over the world, but he had a daughter like her who died in an unclear way. Her father always regarded her as a stain, and never allowed us to mention her. He would get furious when talking about what happened four years ago. It can be considered a blessing in disguise, as her concubine's room has been preserved intact, and no one has touched anything inside."

Ming Huashang thanked him and stepped through the threshold despite the dust and cold. Ever since Huang Caiwei's death, this courtyard had been completely forgotten. It was locked all year round, and even the housekeepers did not dare to approach it.

Time has taken away the colors of this place. The originally soft and bright curtains have become gray and worn. The laughter of young girls can no longer be heard in the palace, and the wind chimes are covered with thick dust.

Ming Huashang picked up a necklace made of shells and asked, "Did Mrs. Huang make this herself?"

Mrs. Huang couldn't help but feel tears when she saw her daughter's belongings again after so many years. She turned around and wiped away the tears in her eyes, saying, "It was her. She used to like playing with these little toys, hanging all over the house with jingling sounds. Later, I don't know why she became interested in worshiping Buddha and ran outside all day long. If I had been stricter and not allowed her to go to Qingshan Temple, she would have been married by now, and maybe even had children."

Ming Huashang and Madam Huang sat in Huang Caiwei's room and talked a lot. Madam Huang said that she had deliberately avoided talking about Huang Caiwei's personality, experience, and whereabouts in recent years. She thought she had forgotten them, but now she found that those images were firmly engraved in her mind like a brand, and never left.

Ming Huashang used Mrs. Huang's description to depict Huang Caiwei's image. After putting down the pen, Ming Huashang rubbed his hands awkwardly, and for the first time felt ashamed of his painting skills.

She swore that she would practice calligraphy and painting after returning home, so as not to embarrass herself in front of the wife of the chief priest. Ming Huashang walked over carefully like an ugly daughter-in-law meeting her parents-in-law and asked, "Madam, is that so?"

As the wife of the chief priest, Mrs. Huang had seen many talented scholars and beautiful women, as well as famous works and calligraphy over the years. When she saw Ming Huashang's painting, she paused for a long time and said, "It has the charm of Cai Wei. It's not like her, but it's very similar."

Ming Huashang was silent after hearing this. She looked at the bright and beautiful woman on the drawing paper, not knowing whether to be happy or worried.

The good news was that the wife of the chief priest and the mother of the deceased both recognized that she had painted the divine charm. The bad news was that Huang Caiwei looked very different from Cheng Siyue and Chu Jun, and they had completely different styles.

This dealt a heavy blow to Ming Huashang's almost complete portrait of the murderer. If the murderer killed people to satisfy his fantasy, why did he like three completely different looks? Judging from his method of committing crimes, he should be a clear-headed, thoughtful, and mentally stable person. Why would such a person's fantasy objects jump so much?

Ming Huashang felt frustrated. She had finally entered the Huang family and was unwilling to leave like this. Mrs. Huang said a lot and was a little tired. Ming Huashang sent Mrs. Huang away and stayed in the house, still trying to find clues.

Before Mrs. Huang left, she left her maid behind. Ming Huashang looked around the house. The maid stood aside with her hands behind her, looking frightened and confused. She really didn't know what Ming Huashang wanted to do.

The maidservant asked bravely, "Madam, what are you looking for? I will do it for you."

In fact, Ming Huashang didn't know either. She stood in the dusty pavilion and asked, "Are you familiar with Huang Niangzi?"

The maid looked embarrassed: "My lady is so noble and precious, and I am just a nobody. I dare not marry her."

Ming Huashang changed the question: "How much do you know about the people and things around her?"

This is much easier to explain. The maid said, "Young lady was very favored when she was alive. The chief priest valued her the most and always kept everything close to her. As a result, young lady has been lively and bold since she was a child. She dared to intrude even when the chief priest was entertaining guests. Madam was afraid that she would cause trouble, so she specially replaced the maids around her with quiet and well-behaved ones..."

Ming Huashang was shocked when she heard this. She actually overlooked such an important thing! Ming Huashang asked hurriedly: "Are you talking about swifts?"

The maid nodded: "Yes. Yuyan is good-looking and gentle. The young lady likes to take her with her wherever she goes."

Ming Huashang quickly looked for a pen: "Do you remember what a swift looks like?"

Ming Huashang was about to paint the portrait when a maid ran in from outside and said hurriedly, "Mrs. Ming, hurry up! The master is back! He heard that Madam had opened the young lady's private room and was very angry. I'm afraid Madam won't be able to stay for long."

Ming Huashang stood up in surprise, and at this time the sound of the argument outside was rapidly approaching. Mrs. Huang could not hold it for long, she could not hold it at all!

The maid hurried over to pull Ming Huashang away, but the portrait of Ming Huashang was not finished yet, so how could she be willing to leave like this? As she was pushing and pulling, the door was heavily opened, and the chief priest came in.

Well, no one can leave. Ming Huashang was fearless. She was not afraid when she saw the hostile-looking chief priest, but she was shocked when she saw the young man from a noble family beside Huang Yue.

"Thank you, brother?"

Xie Jichuan stood with his hands behind his back, his peach blossom eyes that looked warm on the outside but cold on the inside showed a rare genuine smile, and he greeted Ming Huashang leisurely, "Second sister, long time no see."