Chapter 71 Pei Changfeng's Revenge
Pei Changfeng frowned, knowing that this was a necessary procedure for the Dali Temple to interrogate people. Although he was unhappy, he answered seriously: "It should be that the princess's people accidentally put the medicine in the wrong place, and my colleague Bai Jitong took it by mistake. If you don't believe it, just check it out. Pei was just an ordinary guest visiting the Bo's mansion that day, and I don't have the ability to predict this matter in advance."
What he said made sense. As soon as Rong Guozhen's eyes swept over Bai Jitong, he confessed everything, "Sir, it was indeed me who had a love affair with the princess, I..."
Bai Jitong was about to speak but stopped, finally gritted his teeth and said, "I didn't say anything because this matter would damage the reputation of the princess, so I dare not say more."
After all, he is a man and can endure some minor grievances!
Rong Guozhen: "I won't just listen to your words about right and wrong. I will have someone check it out."
Liao Cheng didn't dare to confront Dali Temple head-on, so she threw a wink at Pei Changfeng and followed him downstairs.
Only Rong Guozhen and Pei Changfeng were left. Rong Guozhen carefully looked at the young junior in front of him and had a guess in his mind that his people found three different kinds of medicine in the dishes, one was an aphrodisiac, and the other two were poisons. If nothing unexpected happened, one of the poisons was aimed at Pei Changfeng.
A newly-appointed scholar, who wants to kill him? Is it a new grudge? Or an old one?
Having worked in the Dali Temple for decades, Rong Guozhen still had some intuition that Lu San’s death might have nothing to do with Pei Changfeng, but someone took advantage of this incident.
"Although Pei has only been in Beijing for a short time, I have heard of Lord Rong's good reputation. He is known for his integrity and fairness. I also believe that Lord Rong will be fair to the next person."
After hearing Pei Changfeng's words, Rong Guozhen couldn't help laughing, but it wasn't a happy laugh after being flattered, but a laugh with a hint of sarcasm, "You have the support of the Marquis' Mansion and His Majesty as your backer, and you still care whether I am fair or not?"
Hearing this, Pei Changfeng was puzzled. "Although the Marquis is my grandfather, this matter only concerns me. What does it have to do with the Marquis' Mansion? Lord Rong mentioned His Majesty again. To be honest, I only saw His Majesty from afar on the day of the palace examination. How could His Majesty be my backer?"
"There's no point in talking any more." Rong Guozhen didn't want to waste words with him.
Rong Guozhen's words made Pei Changfeng somewhat confused. He was worried that he had been sucked into some vortex and would face a fate beyond his control. He thought about it over and over again but still could not figure out what he had done wrong.
Forget it, fate is unpredictable. Even if there are any twists and turns, he can only face them head on.
Liao Cheng and Bai Jitong came out very quickly. It was obvious that what Pei Changfeng said was right. The medicine Liao Cheng had given had reached Bai Jitong.
Liao Cheng couldn't help laughing, pretending to be aggrieved and shy, "Originally I was interested in Pei Tanhua, but Bai Zhuangyuan is not bad either."
Hearing this, Bai Jitong couldn't help but shudder. He planned to remind Pei Changfeng to be careful when he went out later. Liao Cheng had ulterior motives and it was not just about having a romantic encounter with Pei Changfeng.
Pei Changfeng could naturally think of what he could think of. If there was really no way, he would seek help from the Marquis' Mansion. Even though the Marquis' Mansion had some concerns about Yang Ying's previous incident, they would not stand idly by and watch him die.
"Okay," Rong Zhenguo just finished listening to what his men said, "None of you are suspects, so I won't bother you any more. Please go back."
Bai Jitong and Pei Changfeng went out together, with Mu Chen walking at the back. Liao Cheng lost interest in flirting with anyone and was anxious to go back and rest.
People from the Marquis' Mansion and the Bai family came to pick them up. Pei Changfeng and Bai Ji were separated. The person who came to pick them up from the Marquis' Mansion was Pei Changfeng's second uncle Yang Yuanwen.
Yang Yuanwen obviously had something to say. After getting on the carriage, he first asked about Pei Changfeng's health, and then said, "Have you been in touch with Ling'er recently? His mother misses him very much. I heard that someone who was going to the birthday party with you had an accident, so I came here without stopping. Where is Ling'er? Is he there too?"
"He's not here." Pei Changfeng knew what Fan Ling was thinking. He thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, do you know any news about the Zheng family?"
"What do you mean?" Yang Yuanwen frowned, "Why are you asking about the Zheng family?"
"It's like this," Pei Changfeng coughed lightly, "I'm not asking, it's Fan Ling. Recently, Minister Zheng has been looking for opportunities to target him and wants to take him to see the princess. He asked me and there's no way to avoid it, but uncle, you also know that my only support now is the Marquis' Mansion. You are his biological father, you should be able to find a way."
"That old bastard actually dared to let my son be the princess's lover," Yang Yuanwen's face immediately turned red with anger. His daughter was already ruined, and now Fan Ling was the only one left, and he was so outstanding, so he naturally valued him. "Our Yang family has been in the capital for so many years, and we are a marquisate after all, so we should not be without any connections. When I find out, I will send someone to tell you immediately, and you can tell Ling'er, and by the way, persuade him to recognize his ancestors as soon as possible. Recently, the emperor seems to have loosened up on the issue of inheriting the title."
The Yang family is now defeated only because old Marquis Yang is old and the younger generation of the Yang family is dwindling in talent. If the emperor agrees to the inheritance of the title, and with the support of the two younger generations, Pei Changfeng and Fan Ling, it is inevitable that there will be a chance for the family to shine again in a few years.
"This is a good thing. I will tell him. I'll trouble my uncle to investigate the Zheng family's affairs."
"Of course," Yang Yuanwen just remembered that he had something else to do recently. "Oh, there's one more thing. Yang Ying has tried to commit suicide several times recently. Why don't you do your uncle a favor and marry her as your co-wife? If you really can't make her a concubine...it's not impossible."
Pei Changfeng frowned, firstly because Yang Yuanwen asked him to marry Yang Ying, and secondly because Yang Yuanwen's attitude was not like that of a father towards his daughter, but more like he wanted to get rid of some garbage.
"No," Pei Changfeng said succinctly, "I refuse."
"Her mother's dowry includes a salt plantation and five thousand taels of silver," Yang Yuanwen tried to persuade him. After all, Yang Ying's reputation was already bad, and he couldn't really let her marry Liu Yaoyang. After thinking about it, it would be best to give it to Pei Changfeng. If he didn't like it, he could just leave it idle, like an object that he couldn't use. "You really don't want to consider it?"
"Don't think about it." Seeing that they had arrived at his residence, Pei Changfeng bent down and got off the carriage, "Uncle, take care."
Faced with his firm attitude, Yang Yuanwen was helpless. He had no choice but to go back and talk to that unreasonable shrew Dai and have Yang Ying sent to a nunnery for asceticism.
It was already daybreak. Su Wanwan was waiting at the door with an anxious look on her face. When she saw Pei Changfeng, she almost cried, "Are you really okay? Come in and let me check you."
In order to ease her mind, Pei Changfeng asked her to have a thorough check-up. After the check-up, he hugged Su Wanwan and lay down, "You can still sleep for an hour."
"Why don't we ask someone to go to the Hanlin Academy to ask for leave today?" Su Wanwan suggested, "Otherwise, what if he gets sick from exhaustion?"
Pei Changfeng patted her shoulder without answering.
An hour later, Pei Changfeng got up. Su Wanwan was asleep, so he tiptoed out of the room.
Sure enough, no one asked for leave today.
Bai Jitong yawned continuously and looked at Pei Changfeng.
At noon, Pei Changfeng came to him and asked, "Are there any progress on yesterday's case?"
"Yes," Bai Jitong replied, "It was the wife of Master Lu San who ordered someone to do it. The reason was just because Master Lu San favored his concubine and neglected his wife, and treated them three badly, so she had the idea of murdering her husband. This woman, her jealousy is really too strong."
Pei Changfeng shook his head. "The simple phrase 'favoring the concubine and destroying the wife' cannot cover everything. Maybe Master Lu San beat and scolded his wife and children in the house. Otherwise, he just ignored her. She wouldn't be like this."
"You are quite thoughtful," Bai Jitong smiled and told his guess about Liao Cheng, "It is absolutely impossible that she is just attracted by your appearance. She wants to marry you. After all, you have no status and no background. You won't be able to control her in the future. You have to be careful."
Pei Changfeng nodded, indicating that he understood.
After finishing his shift, Pei Changfeng met with Fan Lingxian, and based on the information he provided, he privately found an old man named Wang Gui.
"His daughter was raped by Song Ming's father, and then went to the Song family as a concubine. Not long after, there was no news from her. If nothing unexpected happened, she should be dead." Fan Ling whispered.
Pei Changfeng looked at Wang Gui. Wang Gui's eyes were very cloudy, and he must have been almost blinded by sleep. One of his legs was in a strange posture, as if it had been broken by someone.
Hearing the voice, Wang Gui spoke excitedly, "Xin'er, is that you, Xin'er? You're back to see your father..."
Pei Changfeng looked at Fan Ling, and Fan Ling shook his head.
"Old man."
Hearing the voice, Wang Gui asked vigilantly: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Do you want to avenge your daughter?" Pei Changfeng asked, "As far as I know, your daughter is dead."
Fan Ling couldn't help but pull Pei Changfeng's sleeve.
Wang Gui had already guessed this. He raised his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Who are you?"
"I'm here to help you get revenge," Pei Changfeng sat down on the dusty chair, "How about using your life to avenge your daughter?"
"I do!" Wang Gui was excited, almost without hesitation, "I only have Xin'er as my only daughter, but she was killed by that beast. Poor Xin'er kept lying to me, and ended up losing her life!"
Pei Changfeng said: "Go and beat the drum to complain tomorrow, and I will find a way to help you."
Wang Gui touched his leg. This leg was broken when he appealed for justice last time. But for the sake of his daughter and Xin'er, what did it matter even if his other leg was broken?
In addition to Wang Gui, Pei Changfeng also privately found several families whose daughters had died tragically in the past few days. In the end, Wang Gui was the only one willing to come forward to testify.
Daughters are worthless in this world, and no one is willing to pay an extra price for a daughter who has already died. Only Wang Gui is willing to do so, because Wang Gui has only one daughter, and other than that, there is a life.
The day came when the drums were beaten to appeal for justice.
As soon as the drum sounded, the people around gathered around. Some people remembered Wang Gui and were very surprised. "Didn't he beat the drum once before? It seems that he was beaten and thrown out. Why is he here again today?"
"What kind of injustice is this? Why did he come here twice? Is it really a big case?"
Gradually more and more people gathered around.
Pei Changfeng smiled at Rong Guozhen, "It seems like there will be something exciting to watch?"
Because of official business, Rong Guozhen went to the Hanlin Academy accompanied by Pei Changfeng.
The people's discussion naturally did not escape Rong Guozhen's ears. He frowned and looked, only to see Wang Gui being dragged on the ground by a tall yamen runner.
"It's you again, you old fool. Are you trying to blackmail us? I told you that your daughter ran away, but you didn't believe me and insisted that she was murdered. How can you be so stubborn, old fool?"
Wang Gui was kicked twice and spit out a few mouthfuls of blood. He grabbed the yamen runner's trouser leg tightly and said, "My daughter was murdered! She was murdered! I want to seek justice, I want to seek justice!"
"Get out of here!"
Rong Guozhen stood up and said, "Stop it!"
"Who are you to teach me how to do things?"
Rong Guozhen took out the token, "Rong Guozhen from the Dali Temple."
The yamen runner's legs went weak and he almost fell down, "Rong, Master Rong."
Rong Guozhen helped Wang Gui up, "Old man, what happened?"
Wang Gui confessed the whole story of his daughter's tragic death, "My daughter was only fifteen years old, that bastard, that bastard!"
After listening, Rong Guozhen said to his men, "Go check who this Song Xiu is."
At this time, the prefect also ran out. Seeing Rong Guozhen, he was a little surprised, "Mr. Rong, why are you here?"
The prefect glanced at Wang Gui and said, "Don't listen to this old man's nonsense. His daughter is not dead at all. She just ran away with someone else and didn't tell him. You don't need to worry about such a small matter. Just leave it to me."
"Give it to you, and then break his leg?" Rong Guozhen sneered, "No matter what his daughter is like, you shouldn't condone your men to do evil."
The prefect laughed, "But this matter should not be handled by the Dali Temple. If you don't trust me, you can sit in and see how I judge the case."
The Dali Temple does not interfere in civil cases, but Rong Guozhen can attend as an observer.
The prefect did not investigate the matter to give face to Zheng Rong. However, Wang Gui dared to come again. There was already public opinion, and with Rong Guozhen involved, he had to investigate. Anyway, the blame could be put on Rong Guozhen, and he could also gain a good reputation.
After listening to Wang Gui's confession, the prefect said to Rong Guozhen, "Song Xiu is not from the capital. Logically, this matter should not be handled by the officials. However, I heard from my subordinates that Song Xiu has lived in the capital for many years. We can arrest him and question him."
Rong Guozhen didn't ask him why he didn't ask before. He was used to seeing these officials' behavior and was not surprised.
Not long after, Song Xiu was caught. She was shirtless and had several bloody marks on her body from being scratched. It was obvious that she had been having sex in bed.
Song Ming also hurriedly followed behind him. He had taken a leave of absence today and did not expect something like this to happen. He shouted anxiously, "Why did you arrest my father? Let him go!"
Pei Changfeng chuckled in the shadows, Song family, prepare to be the first to take revenge.
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