Chapter 182: War
The death of Old Master Feng was like a bolt from the blue. At this moment, everyone upstairs seemed to have finally reacted. Baozhu knelt on the ground and cried silently. The housekeeper panicked and called out "Master". Feng Kun pushed the people in front of him aside and rushed to Old Master Feng's side in a hurry. He almost stumbled in the process. "Dad, what's wrong with you? You can't die!"
Feng Kun shook old lady Feng's body vigorously, wishing to wake her up. Feng Kun could no longer bear it and pushed Feng Kun away: "Stop it! Father was a man of foresight and foresight, how could he die like this? Call a doctor quickly, maybe he can still be saved!"
It didn't seem like Feng Kun used much strength, but he took two steps back and tripped over the crutches on the recliner, knocking over the small table next to him. The teapot on the table fell to the ground and broke, with tea dripping through the gap.
Feng Kun fell to the ground, pointed at Feng Lu and cursed: "Feng Lu, you are rebelling. When my father is gone, I am the heir of the Feng family. How dare you disrespect your elder brother?"
Feng Lu turned a deaf ear to Feng Kun's scolding. He knelt beside Old Man Feng, his fingers trembling all the time, and he seemed to have completely lost his mind: "Father, you can't die. What will we do if you die?"
Seeing that the murderer had not been caught yet, the Feng family was about to start a quarrel. Li Huazhang quietly called in soldiers, and after everything was under control, he took control of the situation with lightning speed: "That's enough. Murder cases should be handed over to the government, and those who are not involved should get out first. I will definitely find out the murderer, recover the Suihou Pearl, and give the Feng family an explanation."
Feng Kun and Feng Lu were of course unwilling to leave, and even Baozhu cried and wanted to stay, saying that old lady Feng had lived a glorious life and could not leave in poverty, and that she wanted to change old lady Feng's burial clothes. At this time, Li Huazhang's six months of rectification of Shangzhou's internal affairs and military affairs were useful. The entrance to Zhaixing Tower and the staircases of each floor were guarded by people from the governor's mansion. Since the governor's mansion. The Feng family would not listen to reason, Li Huazhang asked the soldiers to "invite" everyone down to mourn, and soon, the third floor was empty.
Li Huazhang ordered the soldiers to seal off the scene, and no one was allowed to enter the third floor unless he was with them. After taking control of the murder scene, Li Huazhang asked someone to take his token back to the government office and urgently invite a coroner to perform an autopsy.
The lights in the Zhaixing Tower were bright, like a torch burning in the wind in the dark winter night, foreshadowing that tonight would be uneasy. Feng Kun, Feng Lu, Baozhu, the housekeeper and others were forced to go downstairs. Ming Huashang took a look, whispered to Li Huazhang, and then went downstairs to rest, using the excuse that she was afraid to look at the corpse.
With such a big incident, everyone was in a state of anxiety and no one was in the mood to pay attention to etiquette, so Ming Huashang was able to move freely. She noticed Feng Kun followed Baozhu into the greenhouse, so Ming Huashang asked Jinbao and the guards to follow her closely and walked quickly towards the greenhouse.
A thick cotton curtain hung at the entrance of the flower room, blocking the heating inside, and also blocking the sound and sight. Ming Huashang approached gently and heard the people inside seemed to be arguing about something. The voices were muffled as if they were separated by a layer of gauze. I am the head of the Feng family. If you don't know what's good for you, be careful or I will sell you to a kiln!"
The woman cried in her voice, "Da Lang is so powerful, just sell me off. I am just a worthless person, if I die sooner, I can go to the underworld and reunite with my parents sooner."
Baozhu rushed out after she finished speaking, suddenly opened the door curtain, and bumped into Ming Huashang who was eavesdropping outside. Oh no, she happened to walk in here. Ming Huashang immediately adjusted her expression, and said in a harmless and bewildered manner, "You scared me, I thought there was no one inside. I came here to wait for His Highness, and Baozhu, you are here too, please talk to me."
Ming Huashang looked inside and covered her mouth in surprise and embarrassment. Her eyes kept moving between Baozhu and Feng Kun. "Mr. Feng, you are here too. If you have something to say, shall I go to another place?"
How could Baozhu let Princess Yong avoid her? She quickly adjusted her expression and restored the smartness of a maidservant, but she still looked reluctant: "What are you talking about, Princess? I just happened to meet Dalang here. It's nothing. It's cold outside. Princess, please come inside and sit down."
Feng Kun didn't expect to meet Princess Yong here, but luckily she didn't hear anything. He had just finished acting as a master in front of Baozhu, and suddenly saw Ming Huashang, and couldn't help but feel embarrassed. He bowed to Ming Huashang, and then, using the difference between men and women, he quickly tucked his tail in and left.
After Feng Kun left, Ming Huashang sat down in the greenhouse. Baozhu was very tactful in pouring tea for Ming Huashang and moving the charcoal basin. She didn't look like she had just experienced something unpleasant. Ming Huashang watched her movements and said, "I don't have an appetite now. Baozhu, stop busying yourself and sit down and talk to me."
Baozhu responded, brought a plate of cakes to Ming Huashang, and sat down opposite him, but she didn't sit down, just leaning against him. Ming Huashang asked, "What does Feng Dalang want to talk to you about? I seemed to hear a quarrel when I walked over just now. Are you okay?"
Baozhu shook her head, forced a smile, and said, "It's okay. Dalang was anxious because of what happened to the old lady, so he spoke to me in a higher voice. Actually, it's okay, Princess, don't worry."
"That's good." Ming Huashang nodded, as if she had just noticed the snacks that Baozhu brought over, and asked curiously, "Why are there fresh pastries here? Oh, they're still hot."
Baozhu said, "Princess, this is the snack I just took from the kitchen. It was almost midnight and I felt a little sleepy. Seeing that Erlang was working hard, I went to the kitchen to find some food and walk around to wake myself up. When I came back, I heard someone setting off fireworks. I followed the sound and ran over to see the prince, the princess, and Erlang. Later, the prince said that the Zhaixing Tower was dangerous, so I asked someone to put the cakes in the flower room and followed him to the Zhaixing Tower. Who would have thought..."
As Baozhu finished speaking, her eyes dropped and her voice became lower and lower. Ming Huashang sighed and said, "I'm sorry. No one could have expected this to happen. Now we can only catch the murderer of Master Feng as soon as possible to comfort Master Feng's spirit in heaven."
Baozhu lowered her eyes and said, "Yes, Suizhu has disappeared and the murderer is still at large. It's really painful to think about it. Justice is clear and retribution will come. I also hope that the murderer can be caught as soon as possible so that the people in heaven can rest assured."
Ming Huashang held Baozhu's hand and said, "Don't worry, my second... His Royal Highness Prince Yong is very good at solving cases. He is known as a detective in Chang'an and has solved many old and unjust cases. Now the soldiers have surrounded the Feng family. No matter who stole something or killed someone, they can't escape from this house. I believe he will find out the truth soon."
Baozhu pursed her lips, smiled slightly, and whispered, "Your Highness is wise."
Ming Huashang changed into a comfortable posture and asked casually: "Baozhu, what did you see when you ran upstairs?"
Baozhu sighed, "I saw that the old lady didn't move, and I felt something was wrong, so I rushed upstairs regardless of the prince's order. But there was only one light on the third floor, and the light was very dim. I saw the old lady lying on the recliner, so I hurried over to call her, not paying attention to anything else. I called the old lady two or three times, but she still didn't respond, so I felt disappointed. At this time, Erlang came up, and then the prince and the princess came."
"Was there anyone upstairs when you arrived?"
Baozhu shook her head: "I didn't see it."
"What does Mr. Feng have?"
"It was just like that at the scene. I was so anxious to call the old lady that I didn't move the objects around me."
Ming Huachang sighed in his heart. It was really a ghost. At 11:30 pm, saw with their own eyes that Old Master Feng stood up, drank water, and sat on a recliner to rest. During this time, Zhaixing Tower was under strict surveillance. From the window, they could see that no one entered or left the third floor. But when they rushed upstairs at midnight, Old Master Feng died in front of everyone. The most ironic thing was that he still maintained the same posture as before, as if he was killed in his sleep.
Ming Huashang hesitated for a moment and asked, "Have you been in the greenhouse since you came out of the Zhaixing Tower?"
Baozhu nodded: "Yes. Although the old lady didn't allow anyone to follow, I was worried that the old lady would get up at night, so I didn't dare to go far and kept guarding downstairs."
"It's really hard work." Ming Huashang said seriously, "You are a girl, keeping watch with a group of men, it must be very tiring."
"It's okay." Baozhu said calmly, "I'm used to it."
Ming Huashang asked concernedly, "I heard that Feng Dalang wants to take you as his concubine, but you have to stay with them tonight. Are you okay?"
Baozhu shook her head, with an expression that was about to smile but not smile: "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I'm fine. Dalang said that just to praise me. He is the master, he has all kinds of women, why would he be obsessed with me? Besides, there are so many people here. Dalang has dignity and won't do anything to a maid. Just stay away and don't distract the master."
Baozhu said it lightly, but in just one sentence, there was so much grievance and compromise hidden. Ming Huashang did not continue the topic, but asked, "Just now, Feng Dalang and Feng Erlang almost quarreled. It didn't seem like a new conflict, especially Dalang, who was particularly emotional. What did they do tonight? Did they have a conflict?"
Baozhu frowned and thought for a while, then said with embarrassment, "I didn't see it. I was busy until midnight, and then I came to the flower room. After the prince and princess left, Erlang went out for a round after a cup of tea. Not long after, Dalang said he wanted to change clothes and went out as well. Dalang came back after a long time, and he didn't look very good at the time. I thought Dalang was in a bad mood, so I didn't dare to go up to him and offend him. After a while, Erlang came back from his round. It was almost midnight, and everyone was alert and staring at the Zhaixing Tower. I saw that they were all very tired, so I went to the kitchen to get some hot food back. Who would have thought that I would hear the sound of fireworks as soon as I entered the garden. I ran over quickly, and the princess knew everything that happened afterwards."
"Dr. Feng went out for a while, and he looked unhappy when he came back?" Ming Huashang asked, "Why? Did he encounter something outside?"
"I don't know." Baozhu shook her head, hesitating to speak, "I don't want to gossip about the master, but Dalang has an impatient temper and a bad temper. He has a sullen face nine out of ten days. Even if no one provokes him, he will find a reason to vent his anger."
Ming Huashang sighed, "So that's how it is. Tonight he was upstairs, clashing with Erlang in front of so many people, and even knocked over his walking stick and teapot. He's really... impatient."
Ming Huashang said it tactfully, Baozhu smiled, revealing a subtle expression that was not convenient to say more. Ming Huashang glanced outside and said, "Your Highness has not come down for so long, I have to go and take a look. So many things have happened today, you must be tired, go back and rest. The murderer has not been caught yet, you should be careful at night, don't act alone."
"Thank you, Princess." Baozhu stood up and saw Ming Huashang out, "Take care, Princess."
Ming Huashang walked out while chatting with Baozhu. She opened the door curtain and saw many guards standing outside, far more than the number of people she brought with her. The leader saw Ming Huashang coming out and saluted, saying, "Greetings, Princess."
Ming Huashang asked hurriedly: "Why are you here? Where is he?"
The guard said in a serious tone, "His Royal Highness Prince Yong asked me to come here to protect the princess."
Ming Huashang was anxious and angry when she heard this, and said, "I have people with me, why do I need you to protect me? Stop talking, take me to see him."
Ming Huashang was escorted away by the guards. Baozhu stood at the door and watched them go. Only after she could no longer see the shadow did she let down the thick cotton curtain and go back to her room.
Li Huazhang was still checking the scene on the third floor. Ming Huashang went upstairs with a lamp and saw him half-kneeling on the ground, carefully checking the spilled tea. The charcoal fire had gone out, and there was no heating upstairs. The cold was like a ulcer attached to the bones. Old Mrs. Feng lay on the recliner with her eyes closed, but her limbs were unnaturally stiff, as if she could stand up at any time, which was extremely creepy.
Ming Huashang put down the lamp, picked up her coat and walked to Li Huazhang's side, saying angrily, "It's such a cold night, why don't you ask someone to bring a charcoal basin?"
Li Huazhang knew it was her, and said without turning his head, "I didn't want to spoil the scene, so I didn't let them light it. This is far from being as cold as Chang'an, so it's nothing."
Ming Huashang had seen Li Huazhang's ability to endure. When he was in Chang'an, he would not light charcoal in the winter, calling it training his willpower. Ming Huashang knew that with his personality, he would say it was okay no matter how hard or uncomfortable it was. She squatted beside Li Huazhang, wrapped his hands, and used her body temperature to warm him: "Why is it nothing? If you get frozen, won't I feel bad?"
"I'm fine..."
"Alright." Ming Huashang didn't want to listen, so she interrupted him and said, "I'll stay here with you. I know you're afraid of damaging the scene, so I'll use my hands to keep you warm, is that ok?"
Li Huazhang had no choice but to let her do what she wanted. Li Huazhang checked the things upstairs one by one, while Ming Huashang walked slowly and carefully looked at the crime scene.
Old Lady Feng was indeed a person who enjoyed life. Even though she was only staying overnight, she still decorated the third floor very exquisitely. Ming Huashang swept the curtains and antiques around and stopped beside Old Lady Feng's body.
The third floor is so big, why did Old Lady Feng put the recliner here? Maybe the servants put it there casually, but this place is ventilated and light-permeable. With Baozhu's meticulousness, she would not put bedding here. It can only be Old Lady Feng's own request.
Ming Huashang tried to think from the perspective of Old Lady Feng, why did he choose this place. To guard the Suihou Pearl nearby? It was possible, as this place was only two steps away from the treasure box, and he could see the iron box by turning his head while lying on the recliner. But if Old Lady Feng was worried about the Suihou Pearl, he could have had someone place the recliner close to the iron box, so why leave such a large space in between?
For nighttime comfort? That's even more unreasonable. The empty space here is unobstructed, and the wind from the window can blow directly on you. It has nothing to do with comfort. Ming Huashang thought about it and realized that the only irreplaceable advantage of this position is that you can be clearly seen from the outside when you stand up from here.
Could it be that Old Lady Feng wanted to give a warning for convenience?
Ming Huashang couldn't think of a conclusion for the time being, so she ran over to harass Li Huazhang: "So, what did you see?"
Li Huazhang was using a silver needle to check the cakes and fruits on the tea table. He stood up, looked at the silver needle with a cold glow on his fingertips, and said, "Old Lady Feng's lips are purple and black, and her fingernails and toenails are blue and dark. She must have been poisoned. But I checked all the food upstairs and found no poison. The only thing that was missed..."
Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang lowered their heads and looked at the broken teapot on the wooden board. Ming Huashang asked, "Is there no way to test it?"
Li Huazhang shook his head: "There was only half a pot left in the first place. After Feng Kun broke it, the tea seeped down through the wooden board and went underneath. It's very difficult to test it."
Ming Huashang was not discouraged. She gently held his arm and said vigorously, "Feng Kun should not be so stupid as to personally deliver poisoned tea and then smash it in front of everyone. It may be some kind of poison that can delay the onset. We will definitely be able to find out if we go and ask questions."
Li Huazhang knew Ming Huashang was comforting him. He put away his tools, took off his gloves, and held her tightly with his slender hands: "Okay."
Li Huazhang was shocked when he touched her fingers. He was used to the cold and didn't feel the cold at the crime scene, but Ming Huachang's hands were already cold. If he was alone, Li Huazhang would definitely fight to the end and would not leave until he could find the poison. But she was also here. Li Huazhang knew best how comfortable Ming Huachang's life was originally, but now she had to follow him in the dark and freeze. He was afraid that she would be frozen to death, so he didn't force the result. He ordered people to guard the scene and hurried back.
Now that it was late at night, they had to sleep in Feng's house for the night. The small courtyard left by the Feng family was actually put to good use. After returning to the house, Ming Huashang sent all the maids away and prepared the things she needed for bed. But with Li Huazhang around, Ming Huashang had basically no place to do anything. Li Huazhang changed his clothes, washed his hands, changed the hand warmer and hot water bottle, and even made the quilt warm. Ming Huashang only needed to get in.
Li Huazhang's movements were smooth and orderly. Ming Huashang could only watch from the side but could not intervene. Seeing that he even took out the small clothes she was going to change into tomorrow and folded them, Ming Huashang said embarrassedly, "Let me do it."
"It's okay, I just did it." Li Huazhang said as he sorted out her clothes, "What did you go out to ask?"
Her brother was really capable. He was more careful, meticulous, and quicker than she was. Ming Huashang tried for a long time but to no avail. She simply lay down and accepted the current situation with peace of mind: "I went to talk to Baozhu. She said that Feng Luan and Feng Kun had both gone out after the hour of Hai. Feng Kun came back first, and Feng Lu came back at the hour of Kuaizi. Not long after he came back, the fireworks went off."
Li Huazhang nodded: "Looking at the situation at the scene, I know these two people must be dirty. Feng Kun deliberately knocked over the tea tonight. Was he in charge of the tea throughout the whole process?"
"That's right." Ming Huashang said, "Baozhu wanted to go back to catch the parrot, and he insisted on serving tea to Baozhu. Speaking of which, when I just went down, he and Baozhu were arguing, and he threatened to sell Baozhu."
Li Huazhang sneered and said nothing. "It seems that Feng Kun is hiding a lot of things."
"That's what I thought, too." Ming Huashang climbed onto the bed, yawned, and said with tears in her eyes, "And Feng Luan, we have to question him. It's late tonight, and if I, a woman, go to them, they may not be willing to tell the truth. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to question them."
Li Huazhang nodded and agreed without saying anything. He glanced at the hourglass. After working so hard for so long, it was almost Yin time. Li Huazhang felt sorry for Ming Huashang and said hurriedly, "We'll think about these things tomorrow. Go to sleep."
"You too." Ming Huashang knew Li Huazhang too well. She pulled Li Huazhang aside and said, "You have to sleep with me. Otherwise, I won't sleep either."
Li Huazhang hesitated. He wanted to wait until she fell asleep before going out to check, but Ming Huashang stubbornly pulled him, as if she would not stop until he agreed. Li Huazhang could only take off his shoes and go to bed with her, but as soon as he lay down, Ming Huashang hugged him like a koala, leaving no room for him.
Li Huazhang said helplessly: "Sleep well, and stay at someone else's house. It would be bad if someone saw us."
"I'm sleeping with my husband, so I don't care what others think." Ming Huashang buried her face in Li Huazhang's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Good night, second brother. See you tomorrow."
Ming Huashang had a good sleep, especially since she stayed up so late today. As soon as he finished talking, she fell asleep with her head tilted. Li Huazhang quietly felt her breathing, raised his other hand, and gently touched her hair: "Good night, Shangshang."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
