Chapter 101 Doesn't it feel uncomfortable?
Liu Jingchang kept an eye on the constables searching the Xu residence, while Pei Lin, along with Xiao Yunzhan, Pei Zhiwei, and Xie Ji, and two constables behind them, went to find Wang Shi.
Before they even reached the front of Wang's house, they saw Biying standing under the eaves, clutching a handkerchief in her hands and rubbing it back and forth in front of her. She was pacing back and forth with small steps, and the silver hairpin in her hair was swaying gently with her movements.
But when she looked up and saw a group of people approaching, her previously tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and her whole body relaxed.
She quickly stepped forward, curtsied to Pei Lin, and said in a standard manner, her voice carrying a hint of weariness: "My lords, the lady is resting in her room. Please allow me to go in and inform her."
After speaking, without waiting for Pei Lin's response, she turned around and gently pushed open the door.
Pei Zhiwei watched her retreating figure, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Biying's reaction was something her father had seen too many times in the cases he had handled in the past.
The suspect's anxiety about things that hadn't happened yet, but his calm demeanor when things actually broke out, would have been a sign of someone else giving up entirely.
However, Biying is backed by Madam Xu, and this woman probably has ample backup plans, which is why Biying acted this way.
Pei Lin didn't hesitate much and followed Xiao Yunzhan and Pei Zhiwei into the house.
Biying stood beside the chaise longue. She didn't turn around when she heard them come in, but simply said softly to the person on the chaise longue, "Madam, Lord Pei and the others have arrived."
Wang Shi lay on her side on the couch, covered with a thin, moon-white satin quilt, still holding the string of white jade beads in her hand. When she heard the sound, she only gave a soft "hmm" and didn't even open her eyes.
Biying took two steps back to the side and stood properly at Wang's feet, her head bowed, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes.
Pei Lin didn't let the yamen runners come forward, but stood a few steps away from the chaise longue. "Xu Wangshi, do you know your crime?"
Only then did Madam Wang slowly open her eyes, her gaze first falling on Biying, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "It seems that your husband's family is still unreliable."
Biying lowered her head even further. "Biying is dull-witted. After serving by your side for so many years, I haven't even learned a fraction of what you have to offer."
Wang sighed softly, her voice tinged with regret: "Back when you chose Wang Fuxing, I told you that he was ambitious but brainless, cowardly, and unreliable."
You just wouldn't believe me and insisted on marrying him, and now..." She stopped there and waved her hand.
She turned to Pei Lin and asked, "What did the Wang brothers, Fuxing and Wang Fuxing, say to you? Do they have any concrete evidence?"
Pei Lin took out the plain handkerchief and unfolded it in front of Wang Shi: "This handkerchief is printed with the pattern of the dagger that killed Wang Jingzong. Do you recognize it?"
Wang's gaze fell on the handkerchief. She examined it carefully for a moment, confirming that the pattern was indeed the same as her dagger. The languid look on her face slowly faded.
She slowly sat up straight on the chaise lounge, supporting herself with her legs, and dangled them off the couch.
Biying immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and skillfully helped her put on her shoes.
Immediately afterwards, Wang pulled a dagger from under the thin blanket.
It turns out that she had been pressing the weapon under her body the whole time.
The dagger had a black lacquered wooden sheath, on which were carved intricate and delicate patterns.
Because it was carried by Wang Shi closely all the time, its luster is now comparable to that of black jade, and it looks quite heavy.
Pei Zhiwei was amazed. The dagger looked hard and thick, but it didn't feel uncomfortable under her. How much did Wang Shi treasure this dagger?
As soon as the constables saw her brandish the weapon, they immediately tried to snatch it from her.
Wang suddenly laughed, "What's the panic?"
"I'm just a weak woman, powerless as a chicken. Are you all men afraid I'll hurt someone?"
Without thinking much, a young constable took a step forward to grab the dagger.
To everyone's surprise, Wang Shi, who had just been all smiles, suddenly changed her expression, her eyes filled with ferocity and disgust, and she shouted sharply, "Insolence!"
Is this something you filthy creatures are allowed to touch?
"Get out of my way!"
After all, she was the legitimate wife of the Wang family of Hedong, and the air of authority she had cultivated over the years as the mistress of the house was so powerful that when she suddenly unleashed her power, the yamen runner was frozen in place, and no one dared to step forward.
Xie Ji stood behind, his eyes wide with anger. He was about to retort when he suddenly remembered the look in Xiao Yunzhan's eyes that warned him not to interrupt, so he had to swallow his words back.
Fortunately, Pei Lin spoke up in time. Although his tone was gentle, it carried the oppressive feeling unique to prison officials: "Xu Wangshi".
No matter how valuable the dagger's origin, it is now the murder weapon used to kill Wang Jingzong, and there's nothing about it that shouldn't be touched.
When Wang looked at Pei Lin, her face returned to its previous gentleness, even with a hint of a smile: "Lord Pei comes from the prestigious Pei family, so he is certainly qualified to touch this dagger."
I can give it to you.
Pei Zhiwei panicked upon hearing this. She knew her father's martial arts skills best, and if Madam Wang suddenly made a move, her father probably wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.
She quickly spoke before Pei Lin could, saying, "I also come from the Pei family. If Madam Xu trusts you, why not give me this dagger..."
She was about to step forward when Xiao Yunzhan blocked her way.
He had long legs and took long strides; he only needed one step to reach Wang Shi. Before Wang Shi could react, he reached out and took the dagger from her hand.
"I am still a member of the Xiao family of Liang."
I want to see what's so special about this dagger.
"This thing actually picked on someone."
As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and the dagger slid out of its sheath with a "whoosh".
He examined the blade closely, and suddenly his pupils contracted sharply.
On the inside of the dagger's guard, near the blade, there was a small engraving of the character "崔"!
Seeing his reaction, Wang knew he had seen that word and couldn't help but laugh: "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand."
I've kept this dagger close to my body for over twenty years; it wasn't something I recently conspired with someone to get.
Pei Lin seized the opportunity to press further: "So, you're admitting that you murdered Wang Jingzong?"
Wang did not answer directly, but glanced at the yamen runner standing beside her and said meaningfully, "Lord Pei, there are some things I'm afraid to say..."
Pei Lin thought for a moment, then waved to the constables: "You all go out first and keep watch outside the courtyard. No one is allowed to come in without my permission."
The constables responded, turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind them.
With only a few people left in the room, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
Wang unconsciously twirled the white jade bead in her hand and slowly said, "Since you were able to find that handkerchief, you must have also found out that I have other things."
Pei Lin didn't reply, but simply raised his chin slightly, signaling her to continue.
Wang placed the white jade bead on her knee and said, “I know that you came to Yangdu this time not only to investigate the robbery of the Uyghur merchant caravan.”
Your main purpose is the canal transport.
The Uyghur caravan is just a front you're using."
Xiao Yunzhan raised an eyebrow and did not deny it: "Your information is indeed accurate."
Madam Wang smiled and said, "I was born into the Wang family and then married into the Xu family, where I stayed for more than 20 years."
Whether it's the Wang family's movements or the shady dealings between people in Jiangnan and Huainan.
Even if I were the most foolish person in the world, over the past twenty years, I should have amassed a considerable amount of evidence that most people couldn't access.
Pei Zhiwei's heart stirred.
Sure enough, this Wang family member held many crucial clues about the Grand Canal transport!
But before she could think further, Wang changed the subject: "However, I have a request."
Pei Lin seemed to have anticipated her question, "What are your requirements?"
Lady Wang straightened the white jade beads in her hand. "I want Prince Rui to write a letter in his own hand and give it to His Majesty, so that His Majesty can issue an edict to pardon my crime."
"As soon as the imperial decree arrives, I will present all the evidence with both hands and without reservation."
Xiao Yunzhan sneered as if he had heard a joke: "You murdered your own brother, which is an unforgivable crime. How dare you hope that His Majesty will pardon you?"
That's utterly outlandish!
Madam Wang looked at him with disapproval and said seriously, "Your Highness is mistaken!"
Wang Jingzong was a pawn sent by the Wang family of Hedong. His purpose was to use the relationship between the Xu family and me to interfere in the Huainan canal transport, which was eroding the foundation of the main force!
"Killing him was an act of upholding justice by sacrificing family ties, and it rid the court of a scourge. How could it not be a great achievement?"
Xiao Yunzhan wanted to retort, but Pei Lin spoke first, "Is the evidence you have enough to make His Majesty agree to pardon your crime?"
Wang's face revealed a confident smile: "Lord Pei, I am not some ignorant little girl. Why would I speak up if I am not sure?"
What I have in my hands can not only uproot the power that the Wang family of Hedong has cultivated in the canal transport over the years.
Along with that, they could also deal with the Zhang family, the Gu family, and other powerful families in Jiangnan who had long controlled the canal transport.
If His Majesty knew, he would be overjoyed; how could he not pardon me?
She paused for a moment, then continued, "You should have already sent people to search the Xu residence, right?"
Don't waste your time; the evidence isn't even in the mansion.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that these are the results of my more than twenty years of business calculations.
Nobody knows where it is except me.
If I don't survive, all the evidence I've painstakingly gathered over the years will vanish with me.
"Then, it won't be so easy for you to investigate the canal transport issue again."
Pei Zhiwei's suspicions deepened as she looked at Wang Shi's confident and fearless demeanor.
What exactly was this woman's plan that she had been scheming for over twenty years?
In any case, it certainly wasn't to gather evidence related to the canal transport system so that it could be used as leverage to escape, as it is now.
She glanced at Xiao Yunzhan and saw him frowning in thought, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
After all, the matter of the Grand Canal is of great importance, and if the evidence in Wang's hands is lost, the subsequent investigation will only become more difficult.
Xiao Yunzhan was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "You can have me write a letter, but you have to show some sincerity first."
Wang blinked, as if she had expected him to ask this: "I naturally have sincerity."
Take Zhang Xuren for example. Under the guise of being the governor of Yangzhou, he engaged in countless shady dealings for the Zhang family of Jiangnan through the Grand Canal.
I have the accounts for these matters.
As if suddenly remembering something, she said happily, "Oh right, aren't you still investigating the Liu family's pharmacy in Yangdu?"
Xiao Yunzhan and Pei Zhiwei's expressions froze; neither of them had expected that she would have evidence of Liu's Pharmacy.
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