Xiao Fengque sneered:
"Nobles and nobles who valued their lives but were not very careful would intentionally keep several body doubles of similar size and age, fearing that they might be killed in the blink of an eye. They would then throw them out to die in their place at crucial moments."
"For example, the stand-in in this mourning hall has been kept for at least twenty years."
Xiao Fengque walked to Xie An's side, measured his hand, and made a slashing motion. Then he took Xie An's hand and "slashed" the back of his hand as well.
“The Prince of Nanxiang took great care of him,” Xiao Fengque said leisurely. “Even the scars were drawn exactly the same. No wonder he managed to keep it from Madam Du.”
Madam Du's face darkened for a moment.
"Damn it!" exclaimed a burly man. "These bastards really know how to have fun!"
“So… his death was actually…” The village woman narrowed her eyes, a hint of understanding flashing in them.
“That’s right!” Xiao Fengque casually tossed Xie An’s hand aside and pointed at the corpse from a distance. “The cause of death for this scapegoat wasn’t Tian Juan’s doing, but rather suicide by poison!”
"Dr. Mei, when was the deceased actually poisoned?"
Doctor Mei held up one finger and pointed: "Judging from the spread of the poison, it should have occurred in the first half hour after the poisoned dart was thrown."
“That’s right.” Xiao Fengque’s eyes showed a look of pity. “At that time, we were waiting in the hall with you all. Young Hero Heng even complained that the host was so rude and hadn’t come yet after waiting for so long.”
The scene flashes by of a burly man wearing a helmet sitting quietly in a dark room, accompanied by Xiao Fengque's powerful voice:
"Actually, at that time, this scapegoat was in the bedroom not far from us, swallowing poison and waiting for it to take effect!"
Xiao Fengque looked at the steward lying on the ground, his face ashen, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes: "In order to frame us for the murderer, the assassin waited until we were all there before taking the poison. He waited in the room for half an hour, and only came out to see us after he was sure he was going to die!"
"You son of a bitch!" roared He Chongtian, the chivalrous knight from Lingbei. "How dare you plot against me!"
Doctor Mei said coldly, "The Prince of Nanxiang wants to use us to get rid of Tianjuan. We will spare no effort to prove our innocence. You've got a good plan."
The old butler remained silent, while Madam Du's face was grim, her anger barely concealed.
“We’ve always been puzzled,” Xiao Fengque said, circling the corpse. “None of us saw where that poisoned dart came from. What kind of unparalleled master could have deceived thirteen pairs of eyes?”
"Only now do I understand that the poisoned dart was shot by the deceased himself."
Xiao Fengque stretched out one hand and showed it to everyone. A piece of wood was held between the fingers of that hand.
"I carved this on the spot last night, and its length and size are similar to a poison dart. As you can see, it can be completely hidden when tucked between your fingers."
"The order is different from what we thought. The deceased didn't first get hit by the dart and then scream and cover his eyes; instead, he feigned a scream and, under the guise of covering his eyes, forcefully stabbed the poisoned dart into his own eye!"
With each word Xiao Fengque spoke, his gaze swept over one person. Each word was like a knife, scraping against the ears of everyone.
Such cruel suicide is truly shocking.
He Chongtian frowned: "He's quite the man, actually able to do such a thing to himself."
The village woman, Yan Sandao, also pinched her nose: "That bastard! He almost fooled me!"
Xiao Fengque's eyes were filled with a mixture of pity and disgust: "This person was already poisoned, and the poison in his eyes triggered the poisoning, which is why he died so quickly."
The renowned physician Mei said leisurely, "I found it strange yesterday. While the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea poison is indeed extraordinary, it doesn't have the ability to kill instantly. If it were shot into the heart or a major acupoint, death might be quicker. How could it kill instantly if it hit the eyes?"
“You said yesterday that Prince Nanxiang has not eaten or drunk anything for two days.” Xiao Fengque turned to the steward. “This armor is so heavy. How could someone who hasn’t eaten or drunk anything for two days possibly walk around in it? On the contrary, a poisoned person still has some strength before the poison takes full effect.”
A chorus of curses erupted in the hall. Xiao Fengque waved his hand and looked coldly at Madam Du; "So, the question now is—where is the real Prince of Nanxiang hiding?"
"Don't make things difficult for the madam," the old steward suddenly sneered. "In this world, only I know where the prince is!"
Xiao Fengque's expression changed drastically: "Not good, stop him!"
Yan Sandao delivered a flying kick, disfiguring the old steward's jaw. But he was a step too slow. A sinister smile appeared on the steward's face, his neck lolled to the side, and he was lifeless.
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