Chapter 35: Questioning in the Funeral Hall
White banners fluttered in the mourning hall, and He, Qu Ling and Qu Lianjia came to thank the guests.
Although Qu Xin said that he would let Aunt Miao handle the funeral, it was just said in anger.
Aunt Miao also had work to do, which was to arrange for monks to perform rituals.
Qu Ling was adding paper money into the copper basin when the flames suddenly shot up, making her white clothes glow red.
"The Shaoqing of the Dali Temple has come to offer condolences."
Qu Ling's fingertips trembled slightly.
He hurriedly signaled the maid to take the girls back behind the screen.
I was very surprised.
The Marquis's Mansion is a concubine's daughter, so at most they can send a female relative to fulfill their relationship with the Marquis's Mansion.
What is this Shaoqing of Dali Temple doing here?
Qu Ling stood behind the screen and couldn't see the person clearly.
Through the outline, I could see a figure as thin as a pine tree or a crane in front of the coffin.
"Mr. Chi is thoughtful." He addressed him by his official title.
There must be some unsolved mysteries in the assassination of the princess, and Qu Ling was at the scene, so he wanted to ask a few questions.
Chi Yuan took the three incense sticks handed to him by the servant and bowed solemnly three times to the coffin.
When the incense was placed in the censer, he suddenly said, "I have a few words to ask Miss Qu."
It is true.
He didn't want to listen at all, for fear of causing trouble.
"This is a very important matter. I will take everyone away from here." He quickly ordered the servants to retreat to the door, and she walked around the screen and took Qu Lianjia away.
Through the screen, Chi Yuan could only see Qu Ling's hazy figure.
"Excuse me, sir." Her voice came through the screen, and no emotion could be heard.
Her voice was very nice, and an idea came to Chi Yuan's mind.
His fingertips moved unconsciously, and he asked, "Was your sister really killed by Wei Mingshan?"
"yes."
The paper money burned with a crackling sound.
Chi Yuan asked again, "Did Wei Mingshan kill her on his own initiative, or did he kill her accidentally?"
No sound came from behind the screen.
After a while, Qu Ling said, "Your Excellency should ask Wei Mingshan, why are you asking about me?"
"Wei Mingshan said that he only wanted to kill the princess, and it was Miss Qu who rushed over herself."
Chi Yuan suddenly walked around the screen and stood in front of Qu Ling. "He said, it was you who pushed Qu Lianxue over there."
Qu Ling was not frightened by his abrupt action. He raised his head and met Chi Yuan's inquiring gaze. "The words of a desperado cannot be trusted."
This was the first time she saw Chi Yuan's eyes and eyebrows so clearly from such a close distance.
Chi Yuan also lowered his eyes to look at her. The woman in front of him was not wearing any makeup, and was wrapped in plain clothes, but she had rouge on her lips.
He remembered Qu Ling's words in front of the Buddha in Nanchan Temple.
No one can escape.
So, has it started?
Chi Yuan heard from his men the news they got from the Dingxiang Marquis Mansion.
She knew that the Marquis's wife treated her badly.
The illegitimate son of the second branch of the Qu family made a few vague remarks in the capital and was then blocked in the alley by him.
With a little intimidation, he said everything.
Not only did the Marquis' wife treat her badly, she also used a cruel trick to drive her out of the capital.
Even in Jiangzhou, he bribed her closest wet nurse, poisoned her, and instigated her relationship with the Marquis's Mansion.
These were only a small part of what the bastard had glimpsed in that short time.
How painful and sad are her days most of the time?
"Wei Mingshan is dead," Chi Yuan looked away. "The princess was assassinated. The case is closed."
Qu Ling's eyelashes trembled slightly. So he came here today just to ask a question?
"The decree to confer you the title will be issued soon." Chi Yuan wanted to leave first, but he couldn't help but want to say a few more words to her. "Congratulations, young lady."
"Thank you." Qu Ling accepted his favor generously.
Chi Yuan did not stay in the Marquis' Mansion for long. After coming out, he did not return to the Dali Temple, but went straight home.
The case was closed this morning, and his superior allowed him to rest for half a day.
As soon as I entered the Marquis's mansion, I saw the respected nanny waiting beside the wife of Marquis Jingwei. "Madam, knowing that the eldest son is taking a day off today, she specially prepared lunch and asked the young master to come."
Seeing that Chi Yuan didn't move, the nanny hurriedly said, "The second young master went to the academy and won't be back for lunch."
Alas, our blood brothers are like our enemies.
She also advised the lady not to go too far, but the lady just wouldn't listen.
"If there's anything, mother, just tell me."
The nanny's heart sank, but she still said attentively, "Madam just wants to have a meal with the young master."
"I'm afraid I'm not worthy enough to enjoy my mother's food." Chi Yuan looked cold and strode away.
The nanny looked at his back and smiled bitterly.
It was also because the lady was confused. In order to fight for the position of the crown prince for the second son, she did not hesitate to add those unclean things to the eldest son's food, just to make the eldest son behave improperly when meeting the emperor.
If you offend the Holy Emperor, you can imagine the consequences.
Fortunately, the eldest son was cautious. After seeing the clues, he directly sent someone to deliver the snacks to the Imperial College. Instead, Chi Che lost face and did not even go to the Imperial College. He only studied in an academy outside the capital.
When the truth was revealed, Lady Jingwei Hou only felt sorry for Chi Che. "How could he be so cruel to his own brother? He even put dirty snacks into his mouth. What a heartless person."
Marquis Jingwei was usually afraid of his wife, but he was also angry at that time. "How dare you say that? A Yuan was appointed to an official position in front of the emperor, and you dare to have evil thoughts about the matter, even if it is a big deal. Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble to the Marquis' Mansion?"
Seeing that Marquis Jingwei was really angry, she didn't dare to curse anymore.
After a while, he turned around and said, "Ayuan is my son. I love him dearly. I can't help it. Ache doesn't study hard. I'm afraid he won't be able to pass the imperial examinations in the future."
She just said that Chi Che was not paying attention and refused to admit that he was stupid.
"Ayuan has obtained an official position, which will bring honor to the family. In the future, he may be able to become a marquis or a prime minister with his own ability. The position of the crown prince should be given to Ache. If both children are well, I, as a mother, will be at peace after my death."
These words still reached Chi Yuan's ears.
He just smiled, as if he didn't care much, but after that, he never stepped into his mother's yard again.
The wife of Marquis Jingwei sat in the main seat in the flower hall, and the table full of delicious food had already gone cold.
She stared at the empty hall door, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"Where is the eldest young master?" There was anger in her voice.
The nanny knelt down tremblingly, "Madam, the eldest master said..."
She really couldn't come up with anything nice to say.
The wife of Marquis Jingwei grabbed her silver chopsticks and slammed them on the table, causing the dishes to jingle. "He really thinks he's such an important person. I've lowered my dignity to invite him, and now he has to give me a hard time?"
"I even had Ah Che go to his grandparents' house for dinner, because I was afraid he would be upset if he saw his brother!"
She started crying and said, "He is not my son at all, he treats me like an enemy."
"Madam," the nanny said cautiously, "How about I go and ask..."
"No need!" Lady Jingwei sneered. "Since he doesn't want to listen to me, don't blame me for making the decision on my own. He's already twenty-one, and the marriage must be decided."
The nanny lowered her head and didn't dare to answer.
She knew what the lady was thinking, but she didn't dare to persuade her.
I don’t know how long the girl that the lady has chosen can survive the harsh conditions in the Marquis’ Mansion.
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