Chapter 186 Spirit Snake

Feng Lu is dead.

Feng Lu's body had been picked up and placed on the open shore. The coroner hurried over with a box on his back. Not long ago, he was performing an autopsy on Old Lady Feng. Just one day later, he had to face the body of Old Lady Feng's second son. This feeling was really indescribable.

The shore was blocked by yamen runners, who drove away the slaves and servants who had come after hearing the news, but there were still many people gathered outside, watching the coroner perform the autopsy from a distance.

Ming Huashang stood in the waterside pavilion. Like the Zhaixing Pavilion, it was not big, but it was decorated in a simple and elegant style. It was obvious that money had been spent on it. The waterside pavilion was built of wood and was built entirely on the water. The east side was connected to the shore through a winding corridor, and the west side was connected to a platform. It was open to the sky on three sides, with an excellent view. One could enjoy the view or go fishing here.

The room was covered with wooden boards to insulate against the cold, so it wasn't too cold with a brazier. The east wall of the waterside pavilion was the main entrance, the west wall was the terrace, and the north wall was a bed, separated by a screen. Outside the screen was a small square table with two mats facing each other. It would be quite pleasant to boil tea around the stove and listen to the sound of water in winter. But at this moment, wine utensils were placed all over the table, and three wine bottles fell to the ground, as if they were accidentally knocked over by someone. There was also a wine bottle on the terrace outside, with wine stains on the bottom of the cup, and it looked like a set. Ming Huashang squatted down, picked up each wine bottle, sniffed it, and carefully put it back in place.

Ming Huashang walked around the house and finally stopped in front of the door, carefully looking at the traces around. The main door of the waterside pavilion was bolted. According to the servants, the door was bolted from the inside when they arrived. They knocked on the door but no one answered. They shouted but no one answered. They could only find a few servants to kick the door open. In addition to the marks left by kicking the door, there were also a few shallow white marks on the bolt. Ming Huashang was looking carefully when Li Huazhang came in from the shore and saw her movements and asked, "Did you find anything?"

Ming Huashang stood up and shook her head: "Not yet. Have you finished the examination of Feng Lu's body? What did the coroner say?"

"Without the consent of Feng's family, we could not open his body, but there was mushroom-like foam on his mouth and nose, his hands were clenched, his eyes were open, his abdomen was swollen, the body spots were light, there were goose bumps on his arms, and there was mud and algae in the gaps between his nails. The initial inference was that he fell into the water and drowned. Combined with the empty wine pot and dropped wine glasses in the waterside pavilion, the coroner believed that Feng may have fallen into the water after getting drunk. It was dark and no one noticed him. He was too drunk to climb ashore, so he drowned."

"What about the time of death?"

"His palms turned white, but his eyes are not cloudy yet. The temperature dropped last night. Judging from the water temperature, he must have been in the water for about six hours."

"Six hours..." Ming Huashang murmured, "We came to Feng's house at Chenzheng today to look for Feng Lu, and we picked him up at about 4:00 Chen. If we count back six hours... that means he fell into the water and drowned around Xushi last night."

"This is just a rough estimate. We still need to ask for the exact time." Li Huazhang took out a list and said, "I have written down the names of people who met Feng Lu yesterday. Take a look and see where to start asking."

Ming Huashang was good at questioning, and Li Huazhang always let Ming Huashang make the decision. Ming Huashang silently admired Li Huazhang's high efficiency. In less than an hour, he controlled the scene, completed the autopsy of the body, and even checked the deceased's previous relationships.

Who can beat him?

Ming Huashang took the list, weighed the names one by one, and complained to Li Huazhang softly: "Yesterday we just agreed to come to question Feng Lu, and he

He just slipped and drowned, what a coincidence. It's already December, and the murder of old lady Feng has not been solved yet. Just one day later, another case was added. I'm afraid your evaluation this year is hanging in the balance."

Li Huazhang was very indifferent to this: "The purpose of the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation is to urge officials to be diligent and caring for the people. As long as the people of Shangzhou live and work in peace and contentment, I don't care whether the evaluation is high or low."

"You're fine, but Shangzhou is a lower-ranking state. If you get a lower grade in the assessment, it will be difficult for you to return to Chang'an."

Li Huazhang suddenly asked back: "What are you going back to Chang'an for?"

"Your uncles, aunts, cousins ​​are all in Chang'an, don't you want to go back?"

"No." Li Huazhang said calmly, "After leaving Chang'an, I realized how short-sighted I was. When I was Jingzhao Yin, I thought I had a lot of experience in governing the people and handling internal affairs, but when I came to the outer states, I found that Chang'an and Luoyang were only a very small part of the territory of the Tang Dynasty. The experience that worked in Chang'an was completely ineffective in the outer states."

"Of course. Scholars all over the world are trying their best to stay in Chang'an. If nothing else, they will go to Luoyang. The ability of officials in the official residences in Chang'an is far different from that in other states."

"But the vast majority of the people live in the outlying states where the administration is poor and the officials from the capital are unwilling to go," said Li Huazhang. "Shangzhou is still in the hinterland, and many of the petty officials here can't even read. They can't read and understand the court's decrees, so even if they arrive, they can't implement them. The power at the grassroots level has long been controlled by the local elites. I don't rule out that there are good local elites, but the vast majority of the local elites are like the feudal families. How can the people live a good life when their lives are controlled by these people? This is still the Central Plains. Going further, to the border areas, what kind of life do the people live?"

Ming Huashang had finished reading the list. She folded the paper and gave Li Huazhang a half-smile, "Be careful with your words. You are still standing on the Feng family's territory, and you dare to say bad things about them?"

Li Huazhang snorted disdainfully, "It's just the truth."

He wanted to roll his eyes but held back, forcing himself to act like a gentleman, just like when Ming Huashang had just come to cling to him, he was clearly not used to close contact but was too embarrassed to refuse. Ming Huashang chuckled, pounced on him and pinched his face hard: "You're so cute, make that expression again."

Li Huazhang felt embarrassed by what she said, and pulled her hand with a straight face: "Stop making trouble."

Ming Huashang knew that there was something else going on outside, so she quickly withdrew her joking intention and asked, "Who was the first person to discover Feng Lu?"

"Ziyu," Li Huazhang said, "is the maid who fell on the terrace when we came in."

Ming Huashang nodded and said, "Let's go ask her first."

Ziyu was being held in an empty room by the police. Ming Huashang came in and saw her dazed and trembling. She said to the police, "Bring a cup of hot water to Miss Ziyu."

When Ziyu saw Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang, she stood up nervously and rubbed her clothes with her hands: "Your servant... Your servant is here to see the prince and princess. Your servant really knows nothing..."

"Don't be nervous." Ming Huashang took the hot water from the yamen runner and put it in Ziyu's hand. She pulled her to sit down and said, "We are just here to get clues, not to doubt you. Sit down first, we will talk slowly."

Ziyu sat down in a daze, sipping hot water. Ming Huashang waited until she had recovered enough before asking, "Are you the first person to come to the waterside pavilion today?"

Zi Yu nodded cautiously, "Yes. The servant said that a distinguished guest had arrived and was waiting to see Erlang in the front hall. The second wife asked me to go to the waterside pavilion to find Erlang. I called out several times outside the waterside pavilion, but Erlang didn't answer. I leaned over the crack of the door and looked. It seemed that no one was on the bed, but the door was bolted from the inside. I panicked a little, so I called for help. We called out for a long time together, but Erlang still didn't answer, so the servant ruthlessly broke the door open. We searched the room, but didn't see Erlang. Everyone dispersed to look for him. I noticed that a lotus flower was broken in the water. I was curious, so I went to take a look. Who would have thought that when I opened the door, I would see..."

Ziyu's testimony matched that of the other servants. They all said that the door was locked from the inside when they arrived, and that it took several people working together to break down the door, which could not be false. The pavilion was built alone on the water, with no way out except the main door, which was locked from the inside. It seemed that Feng Erlang had died accidentally.

Ming Huashang asked, "When did you come to the waterside pavilion?"

"I didn't check the time." Ziyu said, "The Second Madam sent me out as soon as she heard that a distinguished guest had arrived. I ran all the way here, ordered a cup of tea at the waterside pavilion, and then went to call for help."

Ming Huashang silently calculated in her mind that they came to Feng's house, waited for a cup of tea to find Mrs. Feng, and then came to the waterside pavilion with Mrs. Feng. At that time, the door had been knocked open. Calculating the distance, it was about the same as Ziyu said.

Ming Huashang asked again: "When did Feng Erlang come out last night?"

"It was probably around 12:00 p.m. Erlang and the Second Madam had just finished their meal and were chatting in the room. I went to the kitchen to deliver something, but when I came back, Erlang was gone, and the Second Madam was sitting in the room alone, not in a good mood. The other maids quietly told me that Erlang had a few words with the Second Madam and left, and the Second Madam was angry. I didn't dare go in to disturb the Second Madam."

Ming Huashang asked, "Has anyone seen him since Feng Lu left until this morning?"

Zi Yu thought for a moment and said, "Maybe. I have been serving the Second Madam and I don't know what is happening in the Waterside Pavilion. But at 11:00 pm, the Second Madam sent someone to ask Er Lang to come back. Er Lang said he had drunk some wine and would not come back. He wanted to stay at the Waterside Pavilion. The Second Madam kept complaining about the coldness of the Waterside Pavilion and the discomfort of sleeping. She didn't rest until 11:00 pm."

Ming Huashang asked, "Who told you to pass on the message? Was this exactly what Feng Lu said?"

"I asked Manao to go." Ziyu pursed her lips and said uncertainly, "I don't know if it was Erlang or not. It was very cold outside, and Manao was too lazy to wear a coat. When she came back, she was so cold that she couldn't even speak clearly. She also complained that it was dark and cold outside, which was scary enough. Erlang sent her back without even letting her in. She never accepted such errands again."

Ming Huashang responded softly, comforted Ziyu with a few words, and let her go. Li Huazhang saw that she was in deep thought, so he waited for a while and asked, "Who do you want to call next?"

Ming Huashang came to her senses and said, "Let's call her Agate."

Manao was taking care of the unconscious Second Madam Feng when she was suddenly informed that Prince Yong and Princess Yong had summoned them. She was completely stunned. When she came over, she was still trembling with fear and bowed with trepidation: "This servant has met Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

Manao lowered his eyes and did not dare to look up. Li Huazhang had a beautiful face, but when he was silent, he was indeed very intimidating. Ming Huashang could only be more gentle and amiable, and called him up with a smile: "Don't be nervous, we just want to ask a few questions. Yesterday, it was you who came to the waterside to look for Feng Lu?"

When Manao heard Ming Huashang ask this, her voice trembled: "Yes, I am a servant."

"Who asked you to come?"

"Second wife."

"When did you come?"

Manao thought for a moment and said, "About 2:00 p.m."

"What did the waterside pavilion look like when you arrived?"

"It was pitch black on the lake, only the lights were on in the waterside pavilion. The wind on the shore was very strong, like a knife, quite scary." Seeing that Princess Yong had a sweet smile and a friendly attitude, unlike Prince Yong who was so cold, Manao gradually became bolder and talked more. "The Second Madam said that Erlang was not in a good shape to stay outside at night, so she asked me to call him back. But Erlang seemed very impatient to talk to me. When I came, I called him several times, but he didn't respond. I saw that there was a light inside, and Erlang should not be asleep, so I wanted to push the door in. But the door was already locked, and I couldn't open it. Erlang said inside that he was drunk and would not go back tonight."

"Is this what Jiro said?"

Agate nodded blankly: "Yes."

Mrs. Feng Er had been nagging a lot this morning. Ming Huashang thought Feng Lu had said a lot, but she didn't expect the conversation to be so brief. Ming Huashang asked, "Are you sure it was Erlang's voice?"

Manao was stunned by the question: "Yes, I have served the Second Madam for so long, how could I not recognize Erlang's voice. But..."

After Ming Huashang's reminder, Agate seemed to realize something. Ming Huashang asked hurriedly, "But what?"

"But Erlang's tone is a little strange." Manao frowned and said, "Maybe it's because Erlang is drunk."

"Has anyone seen Feng Lu since you left?"

Manao was embarrassed: "Princess, I don't know about this."

"Thank you very much. Your words have helped us a lot." Ming Huashang said with a smile. Manju also smiled. Suddenly, Ming Huashang changed the subject and asked, "Did Feng Lu and Mrs. Feng Er quarrel last night?"

Manao was startled, and when he tried to calm down, it was too late. Ming Huashang figured out the result and asked with satisfaction, "What were they arguing about?"

"This..." Manao was getting more and more embarrassed, hesitating and unwilling to say. Ming Huashang understood and winked at Li Huazhang, who got up helplessly and closed the door.

Manao looked at this scene in shock. Ming Huashang winked at her and said, "Now there are only three of us. No one else knows. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on Prince Yong and prevent him from telling anyone. You can rest assured."

Manju pursed her lips and said hesitantly, "Actually, I didn't hear anything... Erlang and the Second Madam were fine when they were having dinner. After dinner, Ziyu cleared the table and I went to the room to serve tea. Erlang asked the Second Madam..."

Manao glanced at Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang carefully as he spoke. Ming Huashang realized something and smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, we are not the kind of people who are petty and cannot distinguish right from wrong. Your Highness, what do you think?"

She seldom called him His Highness, but it was quite easy for her to do so when she was acting. Li Huazhang glanced at her calmly and nodded slightly: "Just say what you want to say. Even if you curse me, I won't pursue it."

"I dare not," Manao said hurriedly, "Erlang just asked what Prince Yong and Princess Yong asked in the morning, and he didn't mean anything else. Second Madam told the truth, and also said that the kitchen should be checked more strictly in the future to avoid being poisoned. I don't know what angered Erlang, Erlang suddenly got angry, scolded Second Madam, and then strode out the door, and the servants couldn't come back even if they called him back."

"Is that so?" Ming Huashang replied softly, with a sympathetic look on her face. "Second Madam didn't say anything excessive, why did Erlang react so strongly? Men are really unreasonable."

Li Huazhang paused while drinking tea and looked at her dimly. Unfortunately, Ming Huashang didn't even glance at him. Manjue seemed to have met a soulmate and said, "Yes, if we were all family, it would be fine, but Amber is still here. If Erlang embarrasses the Second Madam like this, wouldn't that make people laugh at him?"

Ming Huashang agreed, and Manou complained to Ming Huashang like pouring beans, and unknowingly said a lot of things. After Manou left, Ming Huashang was dry-mouthed, and quickly picked up the teacup and took a big gulp. After she put down the teacup, she found that Li Huazhang looked at her sideways, but didn't say anything. Ming Huashang understood and took the initiative to ask: "What's wrong? Did I ignore you just now?"

Li Huazhang was aloof and noble, and said calmly, "No."

"That's good." Ming Huashang said, "I thought you were angry because I used you as a shield to get information from you."

In fact, Li Huazhang was a little unhappy at first, but after she took the initiative to speak out, Li Huazhang wondered why she only used him as a shield and not other men? Of course, it was because she trusted him enough and was close to him. Thinking of this, Li Huazhang felt that he didn't need to care.

After Li Huazhang finished his self-comfort, he said more, "Could it be that in your eyes, I am the kind of person who cannot distinguish right from wrong?"

This is what she said to Manao just now about Li Huazhang. She still remembers it. Ming Huashang suppressed her laughter, blinked her eyes, and cried out innocently: "Of course I don't think so. It's just that you standing here is like a plaque of "open and aboveboard" in front of me. It's too stressful. The witness dare not say anything. How about you go out for a walk next time when I question you?"

Of course Li Huazhang refused. Comparing the two rooms, it seemed that it was not unacceptable for Ming Huashang to frame him in order to solve the case.

Ming Huashang then called the long-serving servant beside Feng Jue and the servant in the garden, but did not get any useful clues. The long-serving servant did not know why Feng Jue suddenly became upset, but the waterside pavilion was only so big that it could not accommodate many people. Feng Jue was annoyed and did not allow them to follow him. He forced them to leave, leaving himself alone on the water.

After Feng Rong rushed them out, it was so cold that the long-servant could not stand and went back to sleep. He did not know who had come to see Feng Rong. As for the garden servants, theoretically they should patrol the garden every night, but last night it was too cold. They thought that there were so many guards outside and nothing would happen, so they went to find a place to keep warm.

In other words, except for Manao, no one had ever seen Feng Lu after the hour of Xu, and no one had noticed who passed by the waterside pavilion at night.

Before he knew it, it was time for lunch again. Ever since what happened to the Feng family, Li Huazhang no longer trusted the Feng family's food. He had people deliver the food from outside, and even the yamen runners went back to the governor's house in batches to eat, and did not touch the Feng family's rice and water. Jinbao came in to serve the food, and Ming Huashang saw that there were no Feng family members around, so she asked, "I asked you to chat with the Feng family's maids, what did you gain?"

While Ming Huashang was asking questions, he did not forget to secretly help Chen Cang. He let Jinbao blend into the crowd and chat without having to specifically inquire about anything. The information obtained in this way would be the most authentic.

Jinbao was honest and dull. He was only responsible for cooking in the mansion. He was not good at gathering information. She shook her head honestly and said, "There is nothing special. I followed the instructions of my wife and approached the maids in the courtyard of Old Lady Feng. But they all said that there was nothing unusual last night. At 3 o'clock in the first watch, Baozhu checked the room and locked it after making sure everyone was there. They slept in the courtyard all night and did not open the door until the morning, so they don't know anything about what happened last night."

At this point, Jinbao looked around and said in a low voice, "Madam, many people in the Feng family now say that the deaths of Old Lady Feng and Feng Erlang were a curse."

"Ah?" Ming Huashang showed surprise and lowered her voice, "What's going on?"

"Isn't it said that the Suihou Pearl was the Dragon Palace Pearl that the spirit snake received as a token of gratitude to Suihou? But the other princes destroyed Suihou's kingdom in order to monopolize the pearl. From then on, the spirit snake pearl changed from a token of gratitude to a curse. Whoever gets it will encounter misfortune, and the whole family will die mysteriously one by one until the clan is exterminated."