Chapter 16
"It seems that the last person to see Master Feng enter the forest, besides Mrs. Gu, was this Pei Liuniang." After listening to the entire interrogation, Chief Clerk Tao said, "Master Li, do you have any clues?"
Officer Li Jie was looking through the transcript recorded by his deputy.
"Since Gu and Pei Liuniang were the last people to see Feng Duojin, they are naturally the most suspicious."
"But, Master Feng may not have really been harmed by them. Or maybe it is really as they said. Master Feng encountered a snowstorm after entering the forest and was trapped somewhere in the forest, unable to return." Master Tao shook his head.
"On such a snowy day, if they had killed someone and hidden him somewhere in the forest, and then used Master Tao's words to explain it away, it would have been enough to conceal their tracks."
"Master Li, do you think that Gu and Pei Liuniang teamed up to kill Master Feng?" Tao Zhubu was surprised.
Li Jieguan glanced at Tao Zhubu and said nothing.
Feng Duojin was originally a dishonest person. If there was anyone who caused trouble during the escort of prisoners with him, it was not the prisoners, but him, the escort adjutant.
He had previously forced a woman named Fang to death, and after a period of silence, Feng Duojin returned to his old ways and targeted Pei Liuniang. This was also witnessed by everyone, and was confirmed by the prisoners and Pei Liuniang's confessions.
Feng Duojin told his officers that he was going into the forest to look for mountain treasures, but in fact he went into the forest to follow Pei Liuniang.
According to Pei Liuniang, she was harassed by Feng Duojin in the woods for a long time and was deeply troubled and unable to escape. It was when Gu accidentally witnessed this scene that Feng Duojin stopped. After that, she had to give up her original intention and instead went into the snow forest to hunt for mountain animals.
Combining the testimony of the police officer and Gu's confession, and considering Feng Duojin's personality, it is very likely that he would act like a hero and boast in front of others and actually go into the woods, but he would not go into any place that is too dangerous.
Because Feng Duojin is not only greedy for beauty, but also cares about face and is afraid of death, he would not seriously undertake the heroic feat of crossing the snowfield alone.
According to his character, even if he left his post without permission, he would only wander around in the woods, but he would not leave the forest area he had designated for the woodcutting team when they set out, and then pretend that nothing had happened and come back.
But when the officers chopped down the firewood and asked the prisoners to carry it back to the post station, they blew a few whistles, but Feng Duojin was nowhere to be seen. This was inconsistent with Feng Duojin's style of doing things.
Unless, at that time, Feng Duojin was dead and could not hear the whistle of the official signaling to return to the post station.
Therefore, Li Jieguan suspected that some of the prisoners who were dissatisfied with Feng Duojin took this opportunity to kill Feng Duojin.
Among them, Pei Liuniang had the greatest motive for killing Feng Duojin.
"Impossible." Master Tao, understanding Li Jieguan's intention, shook his head. "When Gu met Master Feng, she was still alive and heard him speak. After Master Feng left, Gu and Pei Liuniang returned to the gathering place together. This was confirmed by all the officials and other prisoners. If Pei Liuniang killed Master Feng, how can we explain Gu's ability to see a living Master Feng?"
"What if Gu said this on purpose? In fact, the Feng Duojin she met was already dead?"
"You mean, Gu deliberately gave a false confession in order to protect Pei Liuniang?" Tao Zhubu was surprised.
Li Jieguan nodded.
"Then why would Gu, who didn't even know Pei Liuniang, protect her? What's her motive?"
"Because Pei Liuniang murdered Feng Duojin and was caught on camera by Gu, she threatened her with murder to silence her, forcing Gu to give in and perjure herself."
"Lord Li's speculation is based on the premise that Pei Liuniang killed Master Feng. So, I'd like to ask, how could a frail woman like Pei Liuniang kill a strong official like Master Feng? How did she do it?"
Facing the questioning of Tao Zhubu, Li Jieguan recalled Pei Liuniang's frail appearance during the escort, and he became hesitant.
This is exactly what he can't understand.
Facing Master Feng, who has several times more physical strength than herself, with iron chains on his feet and no weapons, how can Pei Liuniang, who is alone and weak, restrain the opponent?
Although Pei Liuniang killed her enemy with her own hands and her methods were not to be underestimated, that was after she hired the killer who was the best thief in the world to wipe out the Pei family.
If she had the skills to kill people herself, why would she ask others for help?
From this point of view, Pei Liuniang does not seem to have the ability to kill Mr. Feng.
After reasoning based on the facts, Li Jieguan fell silent again.
"Master Li, as long as Master Feng is not found, there is a chance that he is still alive."
"Master Tao's words make sense. As for all these mysteries, I'll take them to the forest tomorrow to track down Feng Duojin. After the inspection, we'll make a decision."
The two people who were going to the snow forest again tomorrow were now leaning on their beddings and warming themselves around the fire.
Gu Ran was not surprised that Li Jieguan and others wanted to take her and Pei Liuniang back to the snowy forest where Feng Duojin died.
From the information revealed by the official at the banquet last night, plus the information provided by Pei Liuniang during her confession, and the situation when she met Feng Duojin and Pei Liuniang, it can be known that Pei Liuniang was harassed by Feng Duojin after entering the woods.
Now, like Pei Liuniang, she is one of the two eyewitnesses who last saw Feng Duojin before he disappeared.
In this case, if Feng Duojin's body was found, it would be easy to identify the murderer.
The trouble is that Feng Duojin's body has not been found.
Even if she is found, it is impossible to confirm that the murderer is Pei Liuniang. The key lies in the appearance of her as an eyewitness.
Gu Ran guessed that Li Jieguan would definitely suspect that Pei Liuniang was in cahoots with him.
However, this speculation is also untenable.
First of all, she had no grudge against Feng Duojin, so why would she harm Jie Yaguan and bring trouble upon herself?
Secondly, she had no relationship with Pei Liuniang, so how could she be willing to help Pei Liuniang kill people?
So perhaps she would settle for the second best, thinking that she witnessed Pei Liuniang killing Feng Duojin, and Pei Liuniang did not want to kill more people and cause trouble, so she used threats and bribes to make her keep silent and give false testimony.
Of course, if Li Jieguan wants his speculation to be true, he must first find Feng Duojin.
If Feng Duojin is found alive tomorrow, everyone will be happy. If Feng Duojin is found dead, then the next step in the interrogation by Officer Li Jie and others will probably be to find a breakthrough from her.
Feng Duojin was of course dead, and they knew where his body was.
It has been snowing for two days now, and it is probably covered by heavy snow.
So, did they really want to lead them to that low hill to let Li Jieguan and others find Feng Duojin's body?
Gu Ran couldn't help but look at Pei Liuniang.
Pei Liuniang noticed her gaze and looked over, smiling faintly: "You did a good job."
Gu Ran said nothing, his eyes falling on his hands that were warming by the fire.
"Tomorrow, you will follow the officer's instructions. Just walk straight and speak straight, except..."
Apart from everything that happened when they met her, they only told each other's stories. As for Feng Duojin's body, it was naturally better not to let them find it.
If Feng Duojin's body is found, who knows what the coroner will find to incriminate others.
It would be best if Feng Duojin's whereabouts remained unknown - although they were suspicious, they had no evidence.
Pei Liuniang didn't finish her words, but Gu Ran understood in his heart.
With Aunt Mai and her daughter by her side, Pei Liuniang lowered her voice and did not say anything extra, but Gu Ran could still hear the joy in her voice, and the coldness in her eyes when she looked at him also faded a lot.
It was because I really gave a false confession according to what she said and became an accomplice in the true sense, so my vigilance towards myself was lowered!
That night, Gu Ran rubbed his hands and feet to warm them up before getting into bed.
Although she no longer dared to go directly into the workshop as before, she could still take out the orange peel paste she had made earlier from the workshop.
Since the frostbite healed, I use less orange peel paste. Only a thin layer is enough. Therefore, there is still a lot of paste made at one time in the mortar. Even if it is used up, people can go in and grind it again even if they are not allowed to enter the workshop.
After Gu Ran rubbed his hands and feet to warm them up and got into bed, he picked up some orange peel paste and applied it to his hands and feet.
And since you will be going out and getting cold again tomorrow, you need to apply more makeup and take precautions in advance.
The next day, when Gu Ran got up, it was still snowing outside. When the snow stopped, the guard outside came in with the officials and asked her and Pei Liuniang to go out.
This time, because we were looking for someone, we didn't bring any prisoners with us.
The team was led by Li Jieguan, who sent four officers, two of whom had been to the forest on the day Feng Duojin disappeared.
The whereabouts of the escort officer was unknown, which was a big deal for the post station. Chief Secretary Tao also assigned four postmen to assist in the investigation.
Including her and Pei Liuniang, there were eleven people in total, and they walked straight towards the forest where they had been looking for firewood.
The cotton shoes that had just been dried made a squeaking sound as they stepped on the snow. Gu Ran hugged his prison uniform tightly and answered Li Jieguan's questions as he walked.
As for Pei Liuniang, she followed them silently, watched by other officials.
The group stopped when they arrived at the place where they were cutting firewood. After asking Gu Ran about the situation at that time, the officer who had been to the woods and participated in the search yesterday added some information.
"That's right, Master Li, Master Feng asked us to stop right here."
Feng Duojin was their leader, so naturally they obeyed his orders. The officer recounted the prisoners' story to the officer and added, "The four male prisoners are strong and will help us chop wood. The four female prisoners will continue to search for firewood in the designated forest. When they hear the whistle, they will immediately return to regroup."
Li Jieguan looked around, then looked back and forth. "Then what did Feng Duojin tell you before he left?"
"It's New Year's Eve, and since the kitchen isn't stocked with meat, he wants to go into the woods to try and catch a pheasant or rabbit." The officer pointed, "He went in that direction."
Everyone looked in the direction the officer pointed.
"I was also going in that direction to look for firewood." Pei Liuniang said softly at this time, shrinking her neck a little timidly.
Gu Ran sneered in his heart: What a good actor.
Li Jieguan glanced at her without saying anything. He then turned to Gu Ran and asked, "What about you? Gu, where did you go at that time? Where did you meet Feng Duojin?"
"Lord Li, please allow me to think about it."
Gu Ran saw Pei Liuniang glance at him quickly and then lowered her head.
"Yes, I remember looking for it from here..."
"Then lead us there."
Li Jieguan ordered the officers to go their separate ways. Two officers and two postmen took Pei Liuniang first, and he and the two officers and two postmen took Gu Ran and set off behind, each going in two directions according to their own routes.
Gu Ran did not lie. He led everyone along the route he remembered and led them to the low slope.
Seeing the snow wall at the bottom of the low slope, Gu Ran immediately remembered that the rabbit nest was still there, but he didn't know if the rabbits inside were still there. He had to find a time to dig out the rabbits later.
Of course, Gu Ran did not stop, nor did he climb up the slope. Instead, he went around the slope and went up to the woods on one side.
"That's where I met Master Feng and Pei Liuniang."
Just as Gu Ran finished speaking, Pei Liuniang led everyone through the woods and said, "Master Feng and I stopped there, and then we met Gu Erniang."
After the two teams joined together, Li Jieguan's expression became even more gloomy.
"Then, which direction did you see Feng Duojin go?"
Gu Ran and Pei Liuniang both turned around and pointed to the forest on the other side of the low slope.
Li Jieguan strode to the center of the low slope, looked up and down, and then the commander assigned one person to guard one prisoner. He asked four of the other seven people to go in the direction Gu Ran pointed, and he took the other two and walked down to the woods below the low slope.
Gu Ran was ordered by the officers to walk out of the woods and onto the low slope.
Gu Ran pursed his lips as he watched Li Jieguan and two officers walk down the low slope, checking the surrounding environment as they walked.
This Li Jieguan is very suspicious.
After going down the low slope, Li Jieguan and his men began searching in the woods until they found the place where Feng Duojin's body had rolled down. They began to use swords to clear the thick snow on the body, and soon revealed the fallen tree stumps and dead branches next to the body.
not good.
If they keep searching like this, Feng Duojin's body will soon be exposed.
Gu Ran's heart began to beat rapidly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
