Chapter 198 A Twist of Fate
On such a day, there were few pedestrians on the street, and Qiu Heng and Xue Han walked slowly.
"Xue Han, I don't think it's necessary to expend so much effort investigating Granny Su's death." Qiu Heng sorted out her thoughts. "If it's retribution for her evil deeds, then she deserves it. But if it's aimed at me—"
Xue Han looked into the girl's calm eyes.
Qiu Heng smiled slightly: "Didn't you just ask if Granny Su knew my secret? I've been thinking about it, and Granny Su probably thinks I'm not human."
Xue Han's expression changed slightly. He recalled that a few months ago, he discovered that Aheng always soaked in the lake on the day of the full moon, and he had also had the absurd idea that Aheng was a spirit.
Seeing Xue Han's unusual expression, Qiu Heng smiled and said, "Don't you think Granny Su's idea is absurd?"
Xue Han paused for a moment, then nodded: "It is quite absurd. How could anyone think that?"
"So what if I was asked?" Qiu Heng said calmly, taking it all in stride. "Focusing on the big picture and letting go of the small details, knowing that Granny Su was murdered and that there might be an enemy watching me is already a gain."
Xue Han frowned: "If there really is such a person, we can only feel at ease after finding him."
Qiu Heng shook her head: "If the person who attacked Granny Su was trying to find out about me, and it has nothing to do with Granny Su herself, then investigating Granny Su is useless."
Xue Han understood Qiu Heng's meaning.
If the murderer thought that Granny Su might know about Ah Heng's affairs and that's why he approached her, then Granny Su's own network of connections would be worthless.
“If there really is such a person, then he will definitely make a move later. It’s the most effortless to remain still and wait for the right moment to act.” Qiu Heng avoided the muddy road. “It’s also possible that Su Mama’s death has nothing to do with me. That would be the best.”
"Then be extra careful."
Qiu Heng smiled and said, "I'll just be a good sixth young lady."
She was also curious: if that person existed, what would their reaction be if they heard from Granny Su that she was a ghost or spirit?
After bidding farewell to Xue Han and returning to the Earl's residence, Qiu Heng washed her face and combed her hair, returning to her original appearance.
"When Fourth Miss came to see you, I told her that she was so engrossed in studying incense that she forgot everything else, so she didn't disturb you." Fangzhou brought out a box. "This is from Fourth Miss."
Qiu Heng opened the box, and inside were several silk flowers.
"It's so well made, it looks just like a real flower." Fangzhou gently touched the petals and couldn't help but exclaim, "Did the Fourth Sister make this?"
"Whether it's true or not, it's the thought that counts." Qiu Heng really liked the gift she received. "The New Year is coming soon, so I'll make some scented pendants too. Fangzhou, what style do you like?"
"Me?" Fangzhou didn't stand on ceremony with Qiuheng. "I like birds. It's almost Chinese New Year, so magpies would be even better."
“Fangzhou likes the magpie design.” Qiu Heng felt a subtle joy.
Fangzhou had no idea that she was "Magpie," and it felt as if they were destined to be friends.
Fangzhou's eyes lit up: "Birds are so nice. They can fly wherever they want and don't have to work."
"So you wanted to slack off. Then you should take on an apprentice."
"I haven't seen anything suitable. Miss, would you like some mutton soup?"
Unlike the relaxed and cozy atmosphere of Lengxiangju, Xue Han felt cold everywhere he went when he returned to the Imperial City Guard.
If there really was such a person, was it because Fang Xiang fell from power that he noticed Aheng?
Besides Granny Su, were there any other people who were approached?
Xue Han pondered silently, and one person came to mind: Fang Rui.
Besides Madam Yang and Granny Su, the person Aheng had the most contact with in the Fang family was Fang Rui.
Xue Han called Hu Si over: "Arrange for someone to quietly find out if Cheng Susu, the daughter of Vice Minister Cheng, has gone out recently. Be careful and discreet, and don't let anyone notice."
Fang Rui was bought by the Cheng family to be Cheng Susu's maid. If anyone really wanted to get close to her, they would probably have to go through Cheng Susu.
Hu Si agreed, but couldn't help saying, "Sir, if we don't want to attract attention, we might not be able to find anything."
Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. To investigate quickly and thoroughly, one needs the prestige and manpower of the Imperial City Guard. If one investigates secretly, it means giving up these advantages.
Xue Han was well aware of this, but the enemy was in the shadows, or might not even exist. Making a big show of things would only make things worse.
"Let's check it out first."
The people of the Imperial City Guard don't have three heads and six arms, nor do they have the ability to see the heavens. When they encounter something suspicious, they can only investigate first, but no one can guarantee what they will find out.
Fortunately, two days later Hu Si reported: "Sir, Cheng Susu went out a few days ago, and she took Fang Rui with her."
Which specific day?
"The day after Granny Su drowned."
Xue Han tightened his grip on the teacup.
The day after Granny Su was killed, Cheng Susu took Fang Rui out...
"Where did Cheng Susu go, and who did she see?"
"We went to Taoranlou, but we couldn't find out who they met."
Taoranlou is a famous teahouse in Beijing, frequented mostly by wealthy people. Asking about the teahouse's patrons without revealing one's identity will not only yield no information but will also arouse suspicion.
Xue Han hesitated for a moment, then stood up: "Let's go have some tea."
Taoranlou Restaurant is located in a bustling part of the inner city. The waiters are dressed neatly and warmly. As soon as they see Xue Han, they greet him warmly: "Lord Xue, you are a rare guest. Please come in."
In such upscale teahouses, the manager and staff have excellent eyesight, and every distinguished guest who has visited once will leave a lasting impression.
Are there any private rooms available?
"Also, sir, please come upstairs."
Another waiter came over and led Xue Han and Hu Si upstairs.
After entering the private room and waiting for tea and snacks, Xue Han asked the waiter, "Has anyone visited Minister Cheng's residence recently?"
Hu Si lowered his head and took a big gulp of tea.
The adults told them to investigate discreetly; should I be so direct?
The waiter was also taken aback by the question: "This... I can't quite remember..."
"Think about it again, the day of the nineteenth." Xue Han tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his face expressionless.
The man's heart skipped a beat.
He even mentioned the date; Lord Xue clearly already knows. If he lies again, will he be arrested and imprisoned?
He pushed a silver ingot forward and said in a nonchalant tone, "I'm just asking; it has nothing to do with your teahouse."
The shop assistant glanced at the silver, then at Xue Han, and whispered, "Minister Cheng did come that day."
They weren't talking about Cheng Susu, but rather Minister Cheng?
Xue Han remained expressionless: "Who did he come with?"
"They didn't arrive together. Vice Minister Cheng arrived first, and his friend arrived later. Later, Vice Minister Cheng left first, and that person stayed for a long time before leaving."
"man?"
The waiter found Xue Han's question strange and gave him a puzzled look: "Of course it's a man."
Given Cheng's age and status, he wouldn't meet a woman at a teahouse...
"What did that person look like?"
"They were dressed very respectably, but I didn't see what they looked like. They came wearing veils."
At Taoranlou, Minister Cheng was having tea with a friend whose face was concealed. On the same day, his daughter, Cheng Susu, also visited the same teahouse.
Xue Han picked up his teacup and took a sip. The warm tea warmed his stomach as he pondered silently: Was that friend really going to see Minister Cheng? Cheng Susu? Or Fang Rui, who was taken out by Cheng Susu?
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