Chapter 73 The Face of the Xu Family
Everyone turned around at the sound and saw Wang being supported by two maids.
Her originally pale face had regained some color, but her lips were still trembling, and her hand holding the handkerchief was clenched tightly.
Her eyes, which had been filled with fear, now held a resolute determination as she stared directly at Liu Jingchang.
“Lord Liu,” Wang said, enunciating each word clearly.
"If you want to take Wang Heng away, I have no objection, after all, he is involved in the case."
But you absolutely mustn't take all the servants in the mansion to the county government office.
Liu Jingchang frowned, about to speak, when Xie Jixian couldn't help but speak, his tone full of sarcasm.
"What Madam Xu said is interesting?"
The news that your second son of the Xu family first murdered his father, then killed his aunt, and finally held a knife to your neck to escape has already spread throughout the neighborhood.
Your eldest son was even more direct; in front of so many people, he stabbed his own younger brother to death with a few blows.
"Given this situation, the Xu family's reputation has long been shattered; what's there to fear about being laughed at?"
Wang's face paled for a moment. She straightened her back, glanced at the servants below who were watching her, and raised her voice slightly.
"Which family doesn't have a few misguided beasts?"
Xu Ren did something wrong, so he should be punished.
But Xu Li is different!
He did it to save me, but even more so to avenge my master. This is putting righteousness before family, and it is the purest and most filial act!
The people of Yangdu City all have a scale in their hearts, and they know who is right and who is wrong.
But if you take everyone away, it won't just be 'the Xu family has produced beasts,' it will be 'the Xu family has corrupt practices and problems exist from top to bottom.'
I cannot accept this!
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, but she took a deep breath and tried her best to calm herself down.
"The master has just passed away, and the Xu family cannot afford to be associated with a reputation for 'disgraceful conduct'."
Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to face my father in the afterlife.
Liu Jingchang was speechless, pointing to the bloodstains on the ground, his tone turning somber: "Madam Xu, four people in the Xu family have lost their lives!"
Xu Fengyan, Chen Gong, Liu Shi, and Xu Ren, and now even Xu Li is going to be imprisoned.
How can you investigate these matters if you stop me from taking my servants with me?
How can we console the spirits of the deceased in heaven?
"I won't stop you from investigating the case." Wang wiped away her tears, but her gaze remained fixed.
"But Xu Ren has already confessed that he killed the master and Steward Chen, and he also stabbed Aunt Liu to death on the spot. There are witnesses and physical evidence."
He died himself; isn't that retribution?
Why are you still fixated on the servants in the manor?
Most of them are elderly people who have served the Xu family for over ten years; they have nothing to do with these things!
"It's alright?" Liu Jingchang sneered.
"I ask you, why did Xu Ren specifically want to kill Liu Shi?"
Just because Liu said a few words about him?
Furthermore, Wang Heng reported to him that the government had already investigated the case of patricide, so why didn't he run away, but instead rushed to the main hall to beat you and kill Liu Shi?
These are all suspicious points! How can we know if there's anything hidden if we don't interrogate the servants?
Wang pursed her lips, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Interrogation is possible, but you cannot take the person away."
You can take Wang Heng away, but the others... need to be interrogated in the mansion.
Furthermore, Wang Heng cannot be tortured.
Liu Jingchang frowned even more deeply: "Whether the government uses torture or not is none of your business to interfere in handling cases?"
“I won’t interfere,” Wang said, waving her hand with a slight tremor.
"But Wang Heng was part of my dowry that I brought with me from the Wang family. He has been frail and has a heart condition since childhood."
If he were subjected to torture, his body wouldn't be able to withstand it, and someone would definitely die.
According to the laws of Daliang, those who have congenital illnesses and honestly confess should not be subjected to torture.
I'm informing you in advance, lest you accidentally kill an innocent person and cause further trouble.
"My beloved?" Xie Ji's back teeth ground together.
"Wang Heng is part of your dowry, and he's also the deputy steward of the Xu family!"
Do you think he would be coerced by Xu Ren to kill Han Yan just because he stole a jade thumb ring from Master Xu?
Do you even believe what you're saying?
Also, this morning at the brothel, his agility was incredible; he was faster than anyone else at scaling the wall and running. You're saying he has a heart condition?
Wang's expression remained unchanged as she calmly explained, "Wang Heng has a heart condition, which is why his father had him learn some martial arts to strengthen his body. What's so strange about that?"
Whether you believe it or not is a matter for the government; I've just said what I needed to say.
"If something happens to him at the county government office because I didn't warn him beforehand, I won't be able to explain it to his father."
"Confess?" Xie Ji raised an eyebrow. "Then how can you prove he's had a heart condition since childhood? You can't just say he does, can you?"
“I have evidence,” Wang immediately replied.
"Wang Heng suffered from a heart ailment when he was young, and he consulted many doctors at the Wang family's old residence. The medical records are all kept at the Wang family's old residence. Lord Liu can send someone to check them."
He has been with me in Yangzhou for over twenty years, and every year he has consulted a doctor to check his pulse. The medical records in the mansion are also there, and you can go and get them to look at them at any time.
Every consultation fee and every prescription is remembered clearly.
Liu Jingchang stared at her, his tone full of disapproval: "Madam Xu, you should know that these medical cases you mentioned don't count."
Only after an official physician from the government has personally examined him and confirmed that he is truly ill can the diagnosis be considered valid.
“That’s the government’s responsibility, it’s none of my business.” Madam Wang lowered her eyes, her voice softened, but she did not back down.
"I was just fulfilling my obligation to inform you in advance."
Xie Ji was speechless, so he could only grin and tease her: "Madam Xu, you're quite the interesting mistress of the house."
He thought of everything for his servants.
Liu Jingchang's face grew increasingly grim, and his tone of voice was noticeably less polite than before. "Madam Xu, are you clearly trying to make things difficult for me?"
What if I insist on taking all the servants to the county office for questioning today?
When Wang looked up again, her eyes had changed. "Lord Liu, if you do this, you're going against me, a newly widowed woman."
I am the mistress of the Xu family. Although the Xu family are merchants, please do not forget that I am a direct descendant of the Wang clan of Hedong.
Although I've been married into the Xu family for over twenty years, my family... shouldn't just stand by and watch me be bullied like this right after losing my husband."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jingchang could no longer contain his anger.
Just as he was about to lash out, Xiao Yunzhan suddenly stepped between him and Madam Wang, speaking calmly: "Lord Liu, don't be hasty."
It's not unreasonable for Madam Xu to be concerned about the Xu family's reputation.
"Since that's the case, then as Madam Xu suggested, we should have more yamen runners stay at the Xu residence and question them one by one."
Wang was taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiao Yunzhan to speak up for her.
"Thank you for your understanding, Prince Rui."
Liu Jingchang and Xie Ji were both stunned. Just as they were about to speak, Xiao Yunzhan gave them a wink and said to Liu Jingchang, "Let's talk in private," before turning and walking out of the main hall.
Although Liu Jingchang was puzzled, he still followed them out. Xie Ji pursed his lips and followed as well.
Pei Zhiwei did not go out; she remained in the main hall, her gaze fixed on Madam Wang.
At this moment, Wang was being helped to sit down by her maid. She held the tea that the maid handed her, but she didn't drink it. She just stared blankly at the teacup.
Although her complexion was not good, her eyes were steady, even revealing a calmness devoid of joy or sorrow.
She doesn't look like someone who has just experienced the tragic death of her husband and the killing of her stepsons.
Pei Zhiwei walked over and sat down on the chair next to her, her voice softening: "Mrs. Xu, you were so frightened just now, are you feeling unwell now?"
If you're tired, you might as well go back to your room and rest for a while. As for the questioning by the constables, you can have the supervisor keep an eye on things beforehand.
Wang raised her head, looked at Pei Zhiwei, and forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern, madam. I'm just a little tired, nothing else."
"Just now at the door, I must thank you, madam, for helping me up; otherwise, I probably would have fallen."
"It was nothing," Pei Zhiwei shook her head and said softly.
"Now that the Xu family has suffered a great change, there must be a lot of things to do in the mansion. Madam Xu must take good care of herself."
The entire Xu family now depends on you for support.
Wang tightened her grip on the teacup, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
"My wife is right, I will definitely get through this."
The master is gone, and Xu Li is here again… The manor cannot afford to fall into chaos again, otherwise we will be letting down the master and the ancestors of the Xu family.”
Pei Zhiwei didn't say anything more, but just sat with her for a while.
Before long, Xiao Yunzhan, Liu Jingchang, and Xie Ji returned.
Liu Jingchang's anger subsided somewhat, though his brows remained furrowed. Xie Ji, on the other hand, looked bewildered, glancing at Xiao Yunzhan every now and then.
“Madam Xu,” Xiao Yunzhan began, his tone still calm.
"The rest is up to Lord Liu and the yamen runners. We'll take our leave now."
Lady Wang quickly stood up and bowed to them, saying, "Thank you for your trouble today, Your Highness and Lord. Please take care."
The three of them left the Xu residence. The wind outside was still a bit chilly, and the carriage was already waiting at the door.
Xie Ji jumped into the car first, and before he was even settled in, he couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yunzhan, why did you stop Liu Jingchang just now?"
That woman, Wang, is clearly problematic!
She keeps saying Wang Heng has a heart condition and is using her family's influence to pressure him; she's definitely protecting something!
Xiao Yunzhan got into the car, leaned against the wall, and fiddled with a jade pendant in his hand. He said slowly, "I know she has a problem, but we don't have any evidence right now."
Continuing to waste time with her will only delay things.
What if she takes advantage of our stalemate to send a message outside and destroy other clues? Wouldn't that be even more troublesome?
Pei Zhiwei also got into the car and sat opposite Xiao Yunzhan. She looked at Xiao Yunzhan with a smile in her eyes: "So, you actually had other plans all along, didn't you?"
Xiao Yunzhan looked up at her, raised an eyebrow, and said with a hint of teasing, "Oh? How did you know I had plans?"
"Who are you?" Pei Zhi smiled.
“Your Highness Prince Rui has always opposed His Majesty since childhood. When has he ever given in so easily?”
Today, they actually compromised for the sake of a mere married daughter of the Wang family of Hedong.
Nobody believes you didn't have ulterior motives.
“That’s right, that’s right.” Xie Ji chimed in from the side, leaning closer to Xiao Yunzhan with a curious look on his face.
"Tell me quickly, what kind of mischief are you up to this time?"
We've known each other for so many years, do you think I don't know what's going on in your head?
Xiao Yunzhan looked at the two of them and suddenly smiled. He put down the jade pendant, leaned forward, and lowered his voice.
“If we keep at it with Wang, even if we force her to confess, we might not be able to find out anything.”
Have you forgotten someone?
"Who is it?" Xie Ji blinked, looking completely bewildered.
Pei Zhiwei paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up: "You mean Liu Yang? Xu Ren's uncle?"
Xiao Yunzhan nodded: "That's right, it's him."
Do you remember how Liu Jingchang described him back then?
Pei Zhiwei lowered her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed out loud: "I remember now!"
Lord Liu said that Liu Yang's family had fallen on hard times, and he went to the Xu residence every day just to beg for money.
"Do you think that since he goes to the Xu residence every day, he must know a lot about the Xu family?"
“Not only that,” Xiao Yunzhan added.
"Xiaodouzi said before that someone paid him to follow Wu Ming, and later it was found that the person was Liu Yang."
Liu Yang said that Chen Gong asked him to do it, but Chen Gong was already dead, so there was no way to verify it.
Now we have Han Yan as a witness who can prove that Liu Yang was involved in the collapse of the decorative structure.
Do you think if we interrogate him, he might spill some more secrets?
Xie Ji understood immediately. He slapped his thigh and grinned, "Great!"
Let's go, let's go to the county government office right now and interrogate him!
People who shamelessly beg for favors every day love to pry into other people's private affairs; you can always find out something from them by asking.
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