Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Impossible!
Wang lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them.
Her fingers slowed as she twirled the white jade beads. “Your Highness is right. My brother has always been dull-witted. He has finally reached this age and managed to get a low-ranking position of the seventh grade.”
I had hoped to make a name for myself in Xuzhou, but things didn't go as planned...
I never imagined that I would end up like this after only a few days in Yangzhou.
Before she could finish speaking, her gaze met Xiao Yunzhan's directly. "But Your Highness asked what the Wang family's next move would be."
As a woman who has been married for so many years, I have long since stopped getting involved in my parents' affairs. How could I possibly know what they are thinking?
"Why don't you tell me, Your Highness, what will happen to the Wang family next?"
Xiao Yunzhan rested his elbows on the edge of the table, and the black jade thumb ring on his thumb slowly rotated with the movement of his thumb.
He nodded with an expression of realization, "Since you don't know anything, then I can help you guess."
If I were in the position of the head of the Wang family, the most important thing I should do right now is to be law-abiding and keep to my own business.
The Grand Canal was indeed a lucrative business, but it was a business that no one could afford to touch.
If the Wang family doesn't know their place and insists on getting involved in things they shouldn't, they'll inevitably suffer a setback sooner or later.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Wang's hand as she fiddled with the beads, and continued, "I'm sure the head of the Wang family understands the principle that one wrong step can lead to total defeat."
If things really come to a complete defeat, not only will we be letting down our ancestors, but those in the clan who are waiting to share the spoils will probably tear the person in charge to pieces.
This is a bad deal no matter how you look at it.
After hearing this, Wang suddenly smiled bitterly, and tears began to fall again: "If the head of the family truly has the foresight of the prince, then my brother..."
My brother wouldn't have ended up like this.
Xiao Yunzhan seemed not to see her tears, and instead raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
So, you're saying you know that Wang Jingzong's trip to Yangzhou this time wasn't just for a funeral?
Wang wiped away her tears, sighed, and said helplessly, "Your Highness is joking."
Although I am his younger sister, I have long been married into the Xu family and am an outsider.
My elder brother works in Xuzhou and we don't even exchange letters normally. How could he possibly confide in me?
I was just guessing that he might want to use the trip to Yangzhou to make more connections and pave the way for future jobs.
"But you just said that if the head of the Wang family had been farsighted, Wang Jingzong would not have died."
Doesn't this imply that Wang Jingzong's death was related to something the Wang family wanted to do?
Wang said, “Your Highness, looking across the entire Yangdu City, the only people I know who have a grudge against my brother are you.”
So you guys are the first ones I suspect.
But I heard your conversation with Biying from inside the house.
"Young Master Xie is right. You've only been in Yangzhou for a short time and aren't familiar with the layout of the Xu residence. It's simply impossible for you to hide your brother's body in the master's coffin without anyone noticing."
As she spoke, she suddenly put the string of white jade beads into her palm, "And Your Highness, you just reminded me that my Wang family intends to get involved in the canal transport."
My brother's visit this time was a cover for a secret scheme, using the pretext of attending a funeral.
Therefore, his death was inextricably linked to the canal transport system.
She paused briefly, then began to twirl the white jade beads again. "Zhang Xuren, the governor of Yangdu, has been hiding ever since the day my master had his accident. He didn't even show up when my brother came."
If there's nothing wrong with this, who would believe it?
My only regret now is that I don't have any evidence, otherwise I would definitely make him pay for my brother's life!
Pei Zhiwei had been quietly observing from the side. Seeing that Madam Wang spoke with sincerity but never mentioned any specific clues, she asked, "Madam Xu."
Since you suspect Zhang Xuren, has your brother mentioned anything related to Zhang Xuren to you in the past few days while he was at home?
Or have you noticed anything unusual, even a small detail? Feel free to mention it.
Wang frowned, thought carefully for a long time, and finally shook her head helplessly. "These past few days, my brother has been so busy that he hasn't had a moment to spare. Apart from advising me to rest, he hasn't said anything else to me."
Besides, my mind has been foggy the whole time; I can't even remember what I did, so how could I notice anything unusual?
Pei Zhiwei looked at Xiao Yunzhan and saw him shake his head slightly, indicating that he had no other questions. She then stood up and curtsied to Madam Wang.
"Madam Xu, if you remember anything else, please send someone to inform us immediately."
Wang nodded gently, her voice filled with exhaustion, "Then I'll have to trouble you all. If you can find the real culprit, the Xu family will definitely reward you handsomely."
As soon as the three of them stepped out of Wang's courtyard, they saw Pei Lin and Liu Jingchang returning from outside, both with solemn expressions on their faces.
Pei Zhiwei quickly went up to him and asked, "Father, have you finished checking Wang Jingzong's guest room? Did you find anything?"
Pei Lin sighed, "There were obvious signs of ransacking in the guest room, as if it had been thoroughly searched."
We didn't find anything suspicious; it must have already been taken by that person.
He did have quite a few clothes, which didn't look like they were his own, but rather like they had been prepared in advance by the Xu family.
“It was indeed prepared by the Wang family.” Pei Zhiwei took over the conversation and told Pei Lin about the situation she had just inquired about with Bi Ying and the Wang family.
After saying that, she turned to Liu Jingchang and said, "Lord Liu, we need to focus on investigating Biying's husband, Wang Fuxing, who is in charge of purchasing."
Let's see where he was last night, and see if anyone can vouch for it.
Also check if he has any close relatives in the Xu household, especially if any of his brothers work there.
Liu Jingchang nodded immediately and instructed the yamen runner beside him, "Investigate as Madam Pei instructed, and be sure to do it thoroughly!"
The constable obeyed and ran off.
Pei Lin looked at Pei Zhiwei, "Why do you think Wang Fuxing has brothers?"
Pei Zhiwei: "If this was really done by Wang Fuxing, then those who hide corpses together and pretend to be the dead to confuse the public must be from the same interest group."
Regardless of who Wang Jingzong was backed by, he was a legitimate official, and ordinary people would not conspire with him.
Compared to that, the possibility of conspiring with one's own brothers is much greater.
Liu Jingchang nodded unconsciously, also finding this explanation quite reasonable.
A short while later, the constable returned in a hurry, holding several confessions in his hand, and said breathlessly, "Sir."
The brothers, as instructed, first investigated people who resembled Wang Jingzong in build. Since this Wang Fuxing was the third steward in the mansion, they had already finished questioning him as well.
According to Wang Fuxing, he stayed in his room all night, and his brother Wang Fulong can testify that the two of them talked all night.
Wang Fulong also said that he stayed in Wang Fuxing's house all night.
When the brothers heard that the adults wanted them to investigate Wang Fuxing's whereabouts, they suddenly felt that the two brothers were very suspicious.
Tell the younger one to come back and report quickly.
Because Wang Fulong's build is extremely similar to Wang Jingzong's!
The group exchanged glances, all understanding the other's thoughts.
Pei Lin spoke first: "Bring these two here, keep a close eye on them on the way, and don't let them collude on their stories."
Also, ask the servants in the manor if anyone saw the two brothers last night.
The constable went off again to carry out his orders, and this time he returned not long after, bringing two men with him.
As instructed by Pei Lin, the constables first took Wang Fuxing to an empty room, and then took Wang Fulong to another room to prevent the two from having contact.
As soon as Wang Fuxing entered the room, he saw Pei Lin and Liu Jingchang, and quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "This humble subject, Wang Fuxing, greets Lord Liu and this lord."
Although he did not know Pei Lin, he knew Liu Jingchang, and seeing Pei Lin sitting at the head of the table, he knew that Pei Lin's official position must be higher than Liu Jingchang's.
Pei Lin sat in the chair, his gaze fixed on him. "Where were you last night? Is there anyone else who can testify?"
Wang Fuxing hurriedly replied, "Your Honor, I stayed in my own room all night. My brother Wang Fulong can testify to that!"
He came to my room before 1 AM, and we chatted all night until early this morning when I went to the front yard to receive Lord Liu, at dawn.
Pei Lin: "Brothers?"
Wang Fuxing: "Yes, we are brothers!"
Pei Lin picked up the confession from the table, gently placed it on the table, and said in a deep voice, "According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, this case is a murder case, and brothers cannot testify against each other."
Upon hearing this, Wang Fuxing's expression changed drastically. He abruptly raised his head and blurted out, "How is that possible? There's no such rule!"
Pei Lin snorted coldly, staring intently at him: "Is there no such rule? As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, would I lie to you?"
Or did someone tell you that as long as you two brothers testify for each other, everything will be fine?
Wang Fuxing's eyes flickered, and he hurriedly shook his head: "No...no one told me. I just feel that why can't my own brothers testify?"
We really did stay inside all night and didn't go out!
"Then tell me, why did Wang Fulong come to see you last night?" Pei Lin continued to press.
When asked this, Wang Fuxing calmed down a bit.
"He...he came to borrow money from me!"
He's a spendthrift and always comes to me for money.
I have a family, and it's not a long-term solution for me to keep supporting him. Biying has argued with me about it several times already.
Last night I tried to persuade him to stop acting so recklessly and to find him a wife to keep him in check. I said that all night long.
Pei Lin nodded and then asked, "Now you know that even brothers can't be witnesses."
Think again, did anyone else see you last night and can prove that you and Wang Fulong stayed inside the house the whole time and didn't go out?
Wang Fuxing was panting heavily, his mouth agape as he stammered "I..." for a long time, before finally letting out a frustrated "Sigh."
“Biying stayed with Madam all night. It was just the two of us brothers in the room, no one else!”
"Are you sure?" Pei Lin's gaze remained sharp, as if trying to see through his lie.
Wang Fuxing nodded emphatically: "I'm certain! This humble citizen wouldn't dare lie!"
Pei Lin waved his hand at the constable: "Take him away and keep a close watch on him. Don't let him have any contact with anyone."
The constables stepped forward and dragged Wang Fuxing out.
Wang Fuxing kept shouting, "My lord, I really didn't lie!"
After Wang Fuxing was taken away, the yamen runners brought in Wang Fulong.
As soon as Pei Zhiwei saw him, she secretly exchanged a glance with Xiao Yunzhan.
Sure enough, Wang Fulong's figure was almost identical to Wang Jingzong's. If they were wearing similar clothes, it would be difficult to tell them apart from a distance.
As soon as Wang Fulong entered, he quickly knelt down and said, "This humble subject, Wang Fulong, greets all the esteemed officials!"
Pei Lin looked at him and cut to the chase: "Are you and Wang Fuxing brothers?"
"Yes, we are brothers!" Wang Fulong nodded hurriedly, his eyes full of caution.
Pei Lin picked up the statement on the table and handed it to him: "You told the bailiffs that you stayed in Wang Fuxing's room all night and talked with him?"
Wang Fulong quickly replied, "Yes, that's right!"
I went to my brother's room before 1 AM, and we chatted until early this morning before parting ways!
Pei Lin: "According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, this is a murder case, and brothers cannot be witnesses."
Upon hearing this, Wang Fulong's expression was exactly the same as Wang Fuxing's, and he even blurted out, "Impossible!"
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