Chapter 252 Some people's thoughts can only be guessed
Zheng Fangxiu was extremely efficient in her work.
Having settled things with Shuntian Prefecture, he didn't care what Lord Li was doing anymore and directly led Hu Defa and the others to Mengshan Villa.
At this time, even the ministers who were still in the hunting grounds hoping to hunt more pigs, rabbits, tigers, and sheep began to receive news and reports one after another.
Yeah, why not watch the excitement!
In particular, this lively atmosphere... is rather subtle.
However, Xiao Qing had some reservations and did not keep the female guests present. Instead, he instructed Princess Xiao Fu to take the young ladies to a newly built garden in the villa to enjoy the scenery.
That place was recommended by Wang Xiang.
For safety's sake, Xiao Qing also instructed Zhao Youchen to lead the Imperial Guards to protect him, ensuring that nothing went wrong.
Yu Zaiting glanced at the young emperor, noting that only Ma Hong stood beside him, while the other guards were from the prince's faction, and unconsciously frowned slightly.
Xiao Chongle, who was always unserious, leaned closer and said, "You've been preoccupied ever since you came back, your eyebrows look like they're tied in knots. Jiangzhou is so desolate, it can't keep you here..." Then he chuckled softly.
Yu Zaiting withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "He can't compare to the carefree spirit of the Marquis of Dinghai, who makes the world his home."
The two children from the Hu family were taken away to be tidied up, and then brought up as well.
Soon after, Zheng Fangxiu and others arrived, and everyone who could attend was present.
This includes, of course, Lord Li of Shuntian Prefecture, who was slow to realize the truth.
This Lord Li is quite interesting.
The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was certainly qualified to participate in the Mengshan Hunt. But this official was a bit stubborn.
He figured he had no daughter of marriageable age anyway, and he was living a comfortable life. As for his career, the only thing he needed to do was maintain the revolutionary camaraderie within the Li Wangsun family.
Accompanying the hunters on a hunt?
Haha, that's not his topic.
Moreover, the young emperor encountered the invasion of the northern barbarians at a very young age, and then fled all the way to the prosperous land of Nanding. If it weren't for the support of Wang Xiang and the southern officials, how could he have sat securely in his position?
Do you really think you can do it all by relying on that young Fu Mingyi?
So he claimed to be ill, but still went to Shuntian Prefecture, claiming that he had stolen half a day of leisure from his busy life.
That's what Lord Li thought. Even if he didn't show it, he subconsciously didn't have much respect for the young emperor and the northern officials.
This feeling is something that can only be understood intuitively and cannot be described in words.
Lord Li believed that the Nan Ding family thought exactly the same thing as him!
I often feel very confident for no reason.
However, today, he did not expect that the usually quiet and unassuming Minister of the Court of Judicial Review would be so domineering and imposing.
No sooner had Zheng Fangxiu taken the person away than he came to his senses and jumped up and down in anger, feeling that he had lost face.
But soon, news came from the Sun family and the Li family at the same time that something had happened at Mengshan Villa and that something had happened to Sun Cheng in his own family. He was dumbfounded.
Although Lord Li has become lax in recent years, he is not entirely without brains.
Both sides can be discussed separately.
But they are connected...
It's terrifying to think about.
Lord Li dared not be presumptuous and quickly chased after Zheng Fangxiu to Mengshan Villa.
What awaited him at Mengshan Villa was completely different from what he had imagined—lifting it high and then gently lowering it.
Before Hu Defa could speak, Madam Sun, undeterred by the presence of societal norms, knelt on the ground hesitantly, tears streaming down her face.
Believe it or not, this Madam Sun is said to be the daughter of the Li family. Sun Cheng only has more contact with his father-in-law because of her, but she doesn't look like Lord Li at all.
They don't look alike, and their temperaments are different too.
A thought flashed through Xiao Qing's mind: she probably looks like her mother.
Oops, I've gone off-topic.
Lord Li had clearly heard about Madam Sun's matter. At this moment, he frowned, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, his thoughts drifting slightly.
“Your Majesty, I am the wife of Sun Cheng. I dare not refute the crimes Sun Cheng committed. However, Sun Cheng had a wish before his death, instructing me that if he were to meet with misfortune, I should personally present this item to Your Majesty, which would be a way to accumulate merit for the Sun family.”
She presented a small box with both hands, lowered her head slightly, and a muffled, suppressed sob could be faintly heard.
Xiao Qing turned her gaze to the side and glanced at Zheng Fangxiu.
Zheng Fangxiu reported, "That is indeed the case. However, Madam Sun refused to hand over the items she presented to the Court of Judicial Review. After repeated inquiries, I had no choice but to bring Madam Sun here. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing nodded, and then Ma Hong came to retrieve it, carefully opening it in front of Xiao Qing.
Inside the palm-sized mahogany box were only a piece of paper and a bronze key.
Xiao Qing unfolded the thin paper and saw that it was a map.
This place...
It looks like a mansion, but I don't know if it is the Sun family mansion.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing that things were getting interesting.
“My husband once said that if no one comes to collect it before 7 a.m. today, all the things he has stored will be destroyed.”
Xiao Qing's expression turned serious.
"Lord Zheng may take a look." She gestured for Ma Hong to hand the map to Zheng Fangxiu.
Zheng Fangxiu is a sensible person.
He glanced at it a few times, then cupped his hands and said, "Your subject will take care of it immediately."
Xiao Qing nodded and said, "I order Commander Zhao to go with Lord Zheng."
There were less than three hours left until Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
The ministers present exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss.
Soon, other guards took over the duties in the garden where the women were staying, and Zhao Youchen left with his men and Zheng Fangxiu and others.
The atmosphere at the scene was slightly tense.
Some people started to think about it.
The original story was that two sons of the Hu family sued Sun Cheng.
But Sun Chengren didn't arrive; the corpse arrived first.
Before Zheng Fangxiu arrived, she had already sent a coroner to examine Sun Cheng. Sun Cheng was in a stable mood and there were no wounds or signs of struggle on his body. It was indeed a case of suicide by poisoning.
The poison used was a bit expensive, but it wasn't a type that the Sun family couldn't obtain. The biggest advantage of this poison was that it was fast-acting and painless.
Sun Cheng is dead. Logically speaking, since the case is now unsolved, the Sun family could at least try to find out the truth.
But Madam Sun confessed everything right away, and it's unclear what she presented.
Zheng Fangxiu then left.
Forget about solving the case, this doesn't even give anyone a chance to argue their case.
This isn't just solving a case; it's practically a closed case.
Moreover, it involves something else.
Xiao Qing glanced at his ministers and ordered that Madam Sun and the three members of the Hu family be taken to be settled first. Then he smiled slightly and said, "It's getting late. Your enjoyment has been disturbed today, so we can't let you go hungry."
Wang Xiang was quick-witted and said, "Your subject will arrange it immediately."
Xiao Qing smiled and said, "I just saw that you gentlemen have hunted quite a lot of game, which is perfect for cooking."
The atmosphere became a little more lively.
Ma Hong then went to prepare the young emperor's lunch.
In no time at all, everything was arranged.
Those who knew were eating and waiting for Zheng Fangxiu and the others to return.
Those who didn't know better would think the food was so bad that it didn't tempt the ministers to even pick up their chopsticks.
Xiao Qing, on the other hand, remained unaffected. She also secretly observed Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi, finding them both to be remarkably composed.
However, some members of the Sun and Li families looked rather odd.
Xiao Qing appeared relaxed, but was wary inside. She briefly exchanged glances with Zhao Ziyuan before moving her bowl back to her own.
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