Xu Yixing returned to the neighboring village and continued his journey early the next morning. However, he changed a car, entered from the east gate, and exited from the west gate. He arrived at a post station, took the same car as yesterday, and continued to head west.
Her destination was Wansong Academy.
The news of Gu Shuang's death would soon reach the Xu Mansion. Even if Dad was a fool, he would investigate the cause. Regardless of whether Dad suspected him or not, he would clear himself of all charges.
Of course I have to tell Xu Yiwen this good news. I can't let him hide away for nothing.
"Swallowed gold?" Old Man Xu heard the tragic news as soon as he entered the court, and he couldn't believe it for a long time. Gu had only been gone for nine days, so how could he die of such a hopeless fate?
"Yes, the doctor at the farm has confirmed it, and our court physician is on the way. They haven't reported it to the authorities yet, and are awaiting your news."
"Why?"
"General, when Madam tried to escape back to the capital last time, you said to have her under strict surveillance, regardless of her status. I think this is why Madam is desperate."
Old Man Xu still couldn't believe it. His worst-case scenario was that Gu was mentally ill, but he had never thought that she would commit suicide.
"What has Yan'er been busy with recently?"
"Ah?" Xu Qian was surprised that the general would actually ask about the Second Young Miss. He was speechless for a moment, but then he realized, "You suspect the Second Young Miss?"
"I don't suspect anyone!" Old Man Xu glanced at Xu Qian unhappily. "But her mother is dead, and she should pay her respects. Go find someone to go to the Seventh Prince's Mansion to pick her up, and check her whereabouts. Wen'er, too. Go quickly!"
Xu Qian took the order and left. He understood the general's intention. The lady was sent away on suspicion of murder, and the two most likely murderers were the two young masters and young ladies.
After Xu Qian brought back the news that the second young lady had left for Wansong Academy to visit the eldest young master yesterday, Old Man Xu remained silent.
"It's not a festival, and she went to visit her brother after he'd only been gone a few days. Xu Qian, are you still investigating?"
"Yes, I checked with the guards at the west gate and the inns along the way. Coincidentally, the second young lady's car broke down on the way yesterday, and she stayed at an inn for the night before leaving. There are witnesses."
Old Man Xu closed his eyes and thought, it is not impossible to go from the inn outside the west of the city to the farm in the east of the city to kill someone, but it will take a long time and require walking through the city. Moreover, the people in the farm have clearly replied that no strangers have entered or left, so it should not be the second daughter.
"Master, actually the second lady had a reason to go see the eldest master. Yesterday was the day of the Sun family's sentence." Xu Qian clasped his fists and saluted, giving the general a very reasonable explanation.
"Well... that makes sense. That's good." Old Man Xu did not go to watch the execution yesterday. He knew that the emperor's decree had been issued. It was only a matter of time. There was no need to pay attention to it.
"Have you been to Wansong Academy? We should ask them both to come back."
"I've already gone, and should be here soon."
Old Man Xu nodded and said nothing more.
He had no intention of concealing Gu's death. As for the Minister's Mansion, it would indeed be a bit tricky, but sending Gu Shuang away was a compromise after discussing with his family. Gu committed suicide, so he really didn't have to take responsibility for it.
As long as the government examines the body and confirms that it is correct, the Xu family will have its second funeral this year. It is truly an eventful year.
When Xu Yixing saw Yiwen, he didn't say anything, but just followed him around Wansong Academy with great interest. It was indeed a good place to study.
"Brother looks thinner. Is the food here bad?"
"It's all the chef's craftsmanship. We have to cater to everyone's tastes, so naturally we won't change it just for one person."
Xu Yixing felt that these words sounded very familiar, as if Lu Anyuan or someone else had said them before.
"Brother has only been here a few days, yet you speak like a saint, always talking in vague and confusing ways. It seems you're going to be the top scorer in the exam next year, right?"
Xu Yiwen smiled shyly. He was still the top scholar. In recent years, even passing the examination for the scholar degree was a lot of effort. He had never thought about making any progress in his studies.
"Are you here today to tell me about the Sun family? Actually, I already know. Half of the people in Wansong Academy are from the capital, and they are well-informed."
"Congratulations, brother."
"Congratulations, sister."
The two looked at each other, and there were many things to say, but nothing was said.
"Actually, I went out yesterday. I went to watch the execution first, and then came out. But my car broke down on the way, and it took me all night to get here. Otherwise, I would definitely be the first one to tell you the news."
The movements Xu Yixing described were all Gao Yao's routes. Someone had indeed disguised themselves as him and attended the execution yesterday, and had indeed driven out of the west gate. So no matter who came to investigate, his timing and movements were correct.
"Oh... that's really hard work for you." Xu Yiwen didn't understand why his sister was telling him all these trivial things. Anyway, his sister was here, that was good. "How is things at home?"
"It's still the same. I guess you'll know soon, brother."
"Hmm?" Xu Yiwen raised his head from the chaos, thinking about the meaning of these words. Before he could figure it out, he saw Xu Shimao running towards him breathlessly from a distance.
"Master, Second Miss, someone is coming to our house!"
"What's going on?"
"Say yes, say..." Xu Shimao glanced at the second young lady. He didn't know why he was a little afraid of the second young lady, but as soon as the second young lady arrived, someone from the Xu family came to report the news. It was too much of a coincidence.
"They say Madam Gu has passed away. Please go back to pay your respects and keep vigil!"
"ah?"
The two of them exclaimed in unison, looking at each other almost simultaneously. The only difference was that Xu Yiwen's eyes were filled with shock and admiration, while Xu Yixing's expression was a genuine act of surprise and disbelief.
"When did it happen and how did he die?" Xu Yiwen first calmed down his surprise. He finally understood why his sister had just said all that nonsense.
"He died last night in a farm east of our city. They said he committed suicide by swallowing gold. The authorities have already gone to examine the body, and I think they will be bringing the body back home soon."
"Oh, suicide? So she also felt that she had committed serious sins and couldn't live."
Xu Shimao was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Is this the time to talk about this?
"Master, you'd better pack up quickly, we should go back!"
However, unexpectedly, Xu Yiwen even rejected Xu Shimao's words somewhat firmly: "I'm not going anywhere. I'll just study here in peace."
Even Xu Yixing was shocked this time. Is this really that tough? You're the only child of our Xu family. If you don't go back, who will be responsible for the funeral? You can't just let me be the filial grandson of the Gu family, right?
"Brother, this is inappropriate. Even if you feel resentful, you still have to consider the family's reputation at this time."
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