Chapter 188 Lian San

Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang immediately went to look for the housekeeper. At this time, the housekeeper's room was in a mess, with no trace of its former grandeur.

In just two days, Old Lady Feng died, Feng Erlang also died, and rumors that the Sui Hou Pearl would bring a curse spread like wildfire. The servants were in a panic, fearing that they would be the next to die.

Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang asked several people in a row, but they all said that they had not seen the housekeeper. Li Huazhang knew something was wrong and immediately sent someone to look for him. After an incense stick of time, the person who went out came back and said that Feng Dalang had gone to discuss something with the housekeeper at noon. After that, no one had seen the housekeeper.

After the death of Old Lady Feng and Feng Erlang, the housekeeper of the Feng Mansion also disappeared.

Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang went to look for Feng Dalang. When Feng Kun learned that the butler was missing, he was also surprised: "The butler is missing, this shouldn't be the case? He was fine when he left me at noon."

Li Huazhang glanced through the room and noticed that there were many account books piled on the Luohan bed in the back room. Li Huazhang remained calm and asked, "What do you want the housekeeper to do?"

"Just ask about the affairs of the mansion." Feng Kun said as a matter of course, "After all, I am the head of the Feng family now, and it is my turn to take over the affairs of the outer courtyard."

Ming Huashang silently calculated the time in her mind. It was noon. Feng Erlang had just been arrested and they were still interrogating at the crime scene. Feng Dalang was already in a hurry to take over the power of the outer courtyard. What a deep affection between family members.

Li Huazhang asked, "How long has the housekeeper been in the Feng family?"

"It's been about twenty years." Feng Kun said, "As far as I can remember, the housekeeper has been working for my father."

It has been twenty years, which is a big deal. To put it bluntly, Old Lady Feng can live without two sons, but she cannot live without a housekeeper. Li Huazhang stopped at the door of the inner room and said, "It seems that we came at an unlucky time. Mr. Feng seems to be busy?"

Feng Kun glanced at Luohan on the bed and said with a smile, "I'm not busy. I just need to take some time to check the accounts of the mansion."

Li Huazhang nodded and said, "Do you mind if I take a look?"

Li Huazhang's expression was calm and his tone was calm. He looked no different from usual, but Feng Kun inexplicably felt dangerous. Feng Kun frowned, but still endured it and smiled, "I dare not, Prince Yong, please do as you please."

Li Huazhang went forward to look through the account books. Ming Huachang picked up a few books from the side and flipped through them. He found that the earliest in the account book was only up to the fifth year of Tianshou. Before that, it was blank. Li Huazhang also discovered this problem and asked, "Why is there no record of the fourth year of Tianshou?"

Feng Kun shook his head, looking as if it had nothing to do with me: "I don't know either. The prince and princess also know that I didn't interfere in the affairs of the mansion before. I just moved these account books from the steward's room."

It was also a coincidence that the account book for the fifth year of Tianshou was intact, but none of the books for the fourth year of Tianshou and before were found. Li Huazhang put down the account book, his expression still so graceful and calm, and asked: "Does Feng Dalang mind if I take these back to the government office?"

Feng Kun looked embarrassed: "This... Prince Yong, these account books are the most important things right now. I am new in charge and I don't know anything about the affairs of the External Court. If I don't have the account books, I'm afraid no one will listen to a word I say. I hope Prince Yong won't embarrass me."

Li Huazhang was indifferent: "Is the account book more important than the murder case? Your father and brother just died, and you are not in a hurry to avenge them, but you are holding on to the account book instead?"

Feng Kun was silent. He laughed dryly twice and said, "Of course I am sad, but the dead cannot be resurrected, and the rest of us still have to live. The Feng family just lost the Suihou Pearl and has already lost most of their wealth. If I don't calculate it carefully, I'm afraid these people in the mansion will have to starve to death."

Li Huazhang nodded, looking very good-tempered: "Feng Dalang is right. Then I will only take away the five-year account book of Tianshou. It should not interfere with your housekeeping, right?"

When Feng Kun heard that the account was from the fifth year of Tianshou, almost ten years ago, he thought it was useless. He said indifferently, "Prince Yong has spoken, and I will obey. Prince Yong, take it."

Feng Kun looked calm and didn't seem to be pretending. Li Huazhang calmly withdrew his gaze and signaled the yamen runner to move the account books.

Ming Huashang carefully picked out the account books for the fifth year of Tianshou. Li Huazhang paced in the room and said casually, "Feng Dalang, what do you think about the death of Old Lady Feng and Feng Erlang?"

Feng Kun tried his best to hide it, but still revealed a trace of disdain: "I don't know how the old lady was killed, Feng Kun got drunk and fell into the water. Alas, the Feng family has had bad luck recently. I have to ask a senior monk to come and perform a ritual some other day."

Feng Kun's father and brother had just died, but from his tone, he didn't seem to be very sad, but rather happy. He was in the mood to check the account book and care about Sui Houzhu, and he didn't seem to be worried.

Ming Huashang picked out the account book and motioned for the yamen runner to take it away. He asked casually, "Two people from the Feng family have died in succession, and the murderer has not been found. Others in the Feng family may also be in danger. Feng Dalang, aren't you afraid?"

Feng Kun shrugged: "What if I'm afraid? What if I'm not afraid? I still have to live my life as usual."

Li Huazhang raised his eyebrows and said, "Feng Dalang is very courageous, but two people in the Feng family have died, and we cannot take risks with human lives. How about I leave two officers and soldiers to protect Feng Dalang and his family?"

Feng Kun frowned when he heard this: "This... there are women in the mansion, it is not convenient for the officers and soldiers to follow, Prince Yong should keep it for himself."

Li Huazhang said, "I will have them pay more attention to protecting Feng Dalang during the day and guarding outside the courtyard gate at night. They will never affect the reputation of the female relatives. Feng Dalang can rest assured."

Feng Kun still refused: "I will be the head of the Feng family in the future. If someone sees me being followed by soldiers and I have to ask for their permission to go in and out, how can I face them? The Feng family has guards, and I will arrange for servants to patrol. I appreciate the kindness of Prince Yong."

Feng Kun was an adult man after all. If he didn't want to, Li Huazhang couldn't force him to do it. Li Huazhang said, "Since Feng Dalang has made other arrangements, I can't force him. I hope Feng Dalang will pay attention to his safety and protect the women in the mansion. But the murder scene still needs to be sealed off. I will arrange for officers and soldiers on duty. It won't affect the Feng family. Feng Dalang, don't worry."

Feng Kun was eager to get away from those unlucky places, and he didn't care at all: "Prince Yong, please do as you please."

Li Huazhang said politely, "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Feng. I have one more thing to ask you, Mr. Feng. Did you notice anything unusual in the tea I gave to Old Lady Feng on the third day of the Lunar New Year?"

Feng Kun was stunned for a moment, his eyes rolled, and he asked, "Why does King Yong ask this?"

"It's a routine inquiry," Li Huazhang said. "After all, Feng Erlang's death was such a coincidence. Maybe it was the same murderer who deliberately disguised it as an accident. The murderer is still at large. Catching him early can prevent the next tragedy."

Feng Kun rolled his eyes and said, "I don't know how to solve cases. I don't understand accidents or murders. But on the third day of the Lunar New Year, you all saw me going upstairs and downstairs. The tea was ready, so I brought it upstairs. I had no idea how the old lady died. I even closed the door and went to bed early yesterday, so I don't know what happened in the waterside pavilion. King Yong won't suspect me, right?"

Li Huazhang smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, Feng Dalang. Everyone asks these questions. It's just a routine."

Feng Kun didn't know whether he believed it or not, but he looked relieved and said, "I am innocent, I believe that the King of Yong will be able to see clearly. I still have a lot of accounts to sort out, so I can't accompany the King of Yong. If the King of Yong needs anything, please send someone to find me at any time."

After Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang came out, Ming Huashang said to Li Huazhang with certainty: "He didn't tell the truth."

Li Huazhang knew this, and he sighed, "But the Feng family is already his. Even if we have doubts, we can't do anything to him without solid evidence."

"What a coincidence." Ming Huashang said, "Old Lady Feng, who didn't like him, died, his capable brother died, and even the housekeeper who had worked in the outer courtyard for many years and knew the details of the Feng family suddenly disappeared. In just two days, the Feng family was completely run by Feng Kun. From this perspective, Feng Kun's luck is really good."

Li Huazhang did not comment. He glanced at the sky and said, "This is such good luck, there must be something fishy going on. It's so late now, I wonder if they have found the butler's whereabouts?"

Ming Huashang gently held his hand and comforted him, "Don't worry, we will definitely catch the murderer. With more clues, I should be able to draw a portrait."

Li Huazhang remained silent. He did not doubt Ming Huachang's ability, but he was worried that the murderer would strike again during this period. However, daydreaming was useless. Only action could solve the problem. Li Huazhang suppressed his impatience and asked, "What else do you need?"

"I need to find out the previous owner of Suihou Pearl." Ming Huashang said, "It all started when Old Lady Feng took out Suihou Pearl. Perhaps this is the root of all the problems."

"Okay, I'll go with you to check the files." Li Huazhang said, "It just so happens that I also want to go back to the government office and do something again."

"What?"

"Autopsy."

·

Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang spent a day inspecting Feng's house. When they returned to the governor's mansion, it was already dark. When the people in the governor's mansion learned that Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang had returned, they came to report one after another. Li Huazhang first ordered people to find all the files from Tianshou five years ago. He and Ming Huashang walked to the morgue while listening to the yamen runners' reports.

"Sir, we have found the medicine you requested. The sachet you brought back and the sachet that Old Lady Feng wore when she died are the same as the medicine on the prescription. They are all commonly used tonic medicines and are not poisonous."

"The coroner examined Mrs. Feng's clothes, socks, and even the insoles, but found no poison."

"I searched the Shangzhou household register for the names you asked me to check yesterday, but I couldn't find those people. Maybe they are not from Shangzhou?"

After listening to them, Li Huazhang replied one by one: "Keep the sachet as evidence, and let the coroner continue to check what kind of poison Old Lady Feng was poisoned with. There is no need to check the people on the list for now, and look for the files from Tianshou five years ago."

Everyone followed the order and went. When they arrived at the morgue, Li Huazhang stopped in front of two stretchers and asked, "Are these Feng Rong and Feng Rong?"

"yes."

Li Huazhang put on gloves. The coroner saw him and wanted to take over. Li Huazhang waved his hand and said calmly, "You all go and do your work. I don't need anyone here."

The coroner and the yamen runners looked at Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang, and showed hesitation, but they did not dare to disobey Li Huazhang, so they bowed and left. When there was no one else in the room, Li Huazhang said, "I want to perform an autopsy, and it may take a while. Why don't you go back to the room and wait?"

"No, I need to see the body to complete the portrait." Ming Huashang didn't feel anything strange about the body. She stood beside the stretcher and asked, "Who do you plan to examine first?"

"Feng Lu," Li Huazhang said, "I didn't take a close look when I was at Feng's house because I was afraid of leaking the news. When Feng Lu was first picked up, I noticed sawdust in the cracks between his fingernails. Later, I found a chance to check it out, and it was the same material as the wooden piles under the waterside pavilion."

"Oh?" Ming Huashang asked hurriedly, "You mean, Feng Lu didn't fall into the water by accident?"

"Even if he really fell into the water accidentally after drinking, he grabbed the wooden stake, so how could he have drowned?" Li Huazhang said, carefully examining Feng Lu's mouth and nose through his gloves. "But he did show signs of drowning, and his physical signs also showed that he had entered the water before his death. I suspect that someone might have held his head down to prevent him from floating up, and he drowned."

Ming Huashang nodded, looking thoughtful. Li Huazhang moved to the other side, looked up at her, and asked, "Do you have any suspicions?"

Ming Huashang sighed, "Yes, but it's still hard to be sure. It's not that there are no clues about the Feng family, but there are too many, so it's hard to judge. Many people didn't tell us the truth. They mixed a few lies with the truth for their own purposes. I have to eliminate the motives of others before I can draw the person who committed the murder."

"Are you sure it was just one person who committed the crime? Could it be a gang?"

"It should be one person." Ming Huashang said, "Do you remember what I told you? When I first entered Zhaixing Tower, I felt that the scene of Grandma Feng's death was too common. I had the same feeling when I entered the Waterside Pavilion today. It's hard to say anything else, but these two murders must have been committed by the same person."

Li Huazhang nodded. He always trusted Ming Huachang's judgment in this regard. Li Huazhang continued to examine the body. The two stopped talking. For a while, the only sound in the morgue was the sound of tools being put away.

Ming Huashang stared blankly for a while, then suddenly sighed. Li Huazhang had already finished examining Feng Luan's body and was washing his hands. Hearing Ming Huashang sigh, he raised his eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

Ming Huashang shook her head: "Nothing, just a few details that I just can't figure out."

Li Huazhang could probably guess what was troubling her, because he was also stuck with the same problem. But Li Huazhang believed that all tricks needed to be implemented in reality, and no matter how the murderer planned, the corpse would not lie.

By the time Li Huazhang had finished examining Old Lady Feng's body, it was almost midnight. The two of them came out of the morgue. The sky was as dark as the abyss, and fine snow was falling from the sky. Ming Huashang tightened his collar and said, "It's really cold this year. I heard that Shangzhou didn't snow in previous years, but this year it's the second snow."

Li Huazhang took off his cape and put it on her, holding her hand tightly and said, "I asked someone to prepare hot soup. You are tired after a day's work. Go back and warm yourself up and go to sleep first."

Ming Huashang shook her head: "I haven't read the files yet. Human lives are at stake. How can we delay? Let's go to the government hall first."

Li Huazhang knew that he could not persuade Ming Huashang, so he simply gave up and the two walked hand in hand to the hall. Li Huazhang opened the door for her, and Ming Huashang hurried into the house to shake off the snow. She saw the files all over the floor and was surprised, "Wow, so many!"

Following Li Huazhang's instructions, the recorder moved out all the files from Tianshou five years ago and piled them from the corner of the table to the floor. Li Huazhang closed the door, hummed softly, and continued to wipe the water off Ming Huashang's hair: "Don't worry, I'll ask the maid to bring the hot soup here, you warm it up first. Is it still cold? How about sending two more charcoal basins?"

"No, there are so many scrolls here, be careful not to burn them."

Li Huazhang insisted: "Your health is the most important."

The two were arguing when suddenly a yamen runner came running over in the snow and shouted hurriedly, "Governor, big news! The Feng family's housekeeper has been found!"

Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang paused, looked at each other, and Li Huazhang hurried out: "Where is he?"

"Outside the city, but..."

Ming Huashang realized something was wrong and immediately wanted to change her clothes: "What happened to him? I'll go with you."

"No need." Li Huazhang stopped Ming Huashang and said, "Just focus on reading these files. I'll go outside the city. Don't worry, I can handle it."

Ming Huashang was worried: "But it's so dark and it's snowing outside..."

Li Huazhang held her hand, tucked her hair behind her ears, and said, "I believe in you, and you have to believe in me too. We should divide the work and do what we are best at, so that we can solve the case as quickly as possible. When I'm not around, you have to take care of the government office."

Ming Huashang knew that what Li Huazhang said made sense. She was not good at riding and shooting, and following him would only slow him down. She did not force him to go out of the city with her, and repeatedly reminded him, "Be careful on the road, do what you can, and don't try to be brave, understand?"

Li Huazhang agreed to all of them. He picked up the cloak from the side and while getting dressed, he instructed, "Call Jinbao and Jixiang over here and make sure they watch the princess drink the hot soup. Also bring two charcoal basins and talk to her. Don't let her get too tired."

The attendant agreed. Ming Huashang wanted to send him off again, but was stopped by Li Huazhang at the door: "It's cold outside, don't come out. If you need anything, use a pigeon to contact us. Do what you can and don't stay up too late."

Ming Huashang stood at the door, watching him walk into the snow without looking back. Jinbao, Jixiang and Ruyi came over with food boxes, and seeing Ming Huashang standing motionless at the door, they said, "Madam, Erlangjun can do whatever he wants, nothing will happen. It's cold outside, you can wait inside."

Ming Huashang was dragged into the room by the maids and allowed to be manipulated by them. Her mind was already far away. She didn't know the situation of the housekeeper, but from what the yamen runners said, she was afraid that the housekeeper's situation was not optimistic. In just three days, three people had died. Even Liao Yushan, who had predicted the murder and intended to kill the king, did not act so frequently and cruelly.

Was the real murderer just too lucky, or did they overlook something?

Ming Huachang could not hide her anxiety, but she knew that she had to keep calm at this critical moment. She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and opened the file.

There is no use losing your temper. The only way to solve the problem is to find the murderer as soon as possible.

When they asked the Feng family for the account books today, they actually had no intention of finding out anything from the account books. Old Mrs. Feng was shrewd and cunning, and she must have handled the account books long ago and would not let anyone catch the evidence. But this left a new flaw. All the account books before the fifth year of Tianshou were gone, which meant that the Feng family must have had a large amount of expenditure or income in the fourth year of Tianshou, so large that even the account books could not be wiped out, so the Feng family had to destroy all the account books before the fourth year of Tianshou.

This is how things are in the world. If you try to cover up a black spot and spend a lot of time and effort on repairing it, it will only leave a bigger black spot.

Ming Huashang focused on finding the money-related lawsuits in the fourth year of Tianshou, and gradually forgot her anxiety and immersed herself in it. Jixiang saw that Ming Huashang was fascinated by it, and was afraid that she would damage her eyes, so he poured a cup of tea and placed it next to her: "Madam, you have been staring for a long time, take a break."

Ming Huashang woke up from the case file. She rubbed her eyes, handed the scroll to the maid, and said, "Put this scroll aside. How long have I been reading it?"

Ruyi deliberately joked: "It's been a long time. The rooster just crowed and it's almost dawn."

Ming Huashang raised her eyebrows, but ignored the maid's kindness and joked along with her: "Really? Why didn't I hear the ringing?"

"Yes, my lady, you didn't notice." Ruyi said with a smile, "Jixiang, you can imitate the sound of a rooster, right? If you imitate it again, we will pretend that we didn't see it and it was you who hit me."

Jixiang was embarrassed and said, "Don't give me that, I don't have any!"

"Hurry up, my wife is waiting."

Ruyi kept teasing, and Jixiang couldn't resist, so he pinched his nose and imitated the sound of a rooster. The maids laughed out loud, and Ming Huashang couldn't help laughing while holding the teacup. But as she laughed, her eyes slowly darkened.

She seemed to understand.

Ming Huashang was just about to call for help when he heard footsteps outside. He looked up and suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Princess, it's bad. The brothers guarding the Feng family reported that they found Feng Dalang dead!"