After about half an hour, the people who were at the Peony Garden that day gradually arrived at the main hall.
Hong Xiaoduo was in the back room, looking at those people through the small window, and saw that they had split into two groups.
Based on their clothing and gender, Hong Xiaoduo deduced that the group of twelve people were the same people from the Peony Garden on the list, some doing odd jobs and others being musicians and dancers.
The other group of nine men were all in their twenties or thirties, dressed in fine brocade and silk robes. Some had jade inlaid on their belts, while others had exquisite patterns embroidered in gold thread on their collars, cuffs, and hems.
He wore a jade pendant and a purse around his waist.
Without even asking, these must be Dong Yuefan's friends.
A yamen runner came to report that everyone on the list had arrived, so Minister Geng led everyone to the main hall.
Because it was Hong Xiaoduo who was going to do that so-called identification technique, there was no formal ceremony or formal announcement.
After Hong Xiaoduo went inside, she walked up to the nine people and slowly looked at them one by one. She didn't intend to judge who might be the murderer from their expressions and eyes. She just wanted to see what kind of companions someone like Brother Dong would have.
After all, from yesterday evening until now, according to information obtained from others, those Dong Yuefan hangs out with are all playboys from Beijing.
The tone when mentioning them was one of disdain.
However, after taking a closer look, Hong Xiaoduo noticed something. These nine playboys, as others had described them, didn't have the kind of sharp ears, monkey cheeks, or shifty eyes. They all had rather decent appearances. As she observed them, the nine men were also looking at her. Their eyes held curiosity and appreciation, but no lewdness.
"纨绔子弟" is a derogatory idiom referring to the sons of wealthy and powerful families who spend their days indulging in pleasure and neglecting their duties. It is also a satirical term for idle and dissolute rich kids.
Hong Xiaoduo had thought the same thing when she first heard the term "纨绔" (wan ku, meaning spoiled brat).
But now, she doesn't think Dong Yuefan is that kind of spoiled brat.
After passing in front of the nine people, Hong Xiaoduo walked to Mu Rongjing's side but did not sit down.
"Everyone is here. Now, let's begin." Minister Geng, sitting at the head of the table, said to Hong Xiaoduo.
As the head of the Ministry of Justice, with officials from the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review also present, and considering that this young lady was brought by Murong Jing, who was arranged by His Majesty, he felt no psychological pressure regardless of whether he believed in her so-called secret technique or whether it was truly useful for the case. In any case, whether he made a fool of himself or became a laughingstock, it wouldn't be his fault.
Even if they are ultimately the ones who have to take the blame, it will be the three departments that share the blame, and His Majesty will be the one to shift the blame. Everyone knows what really happened, so no one will feel aggrieved.
After hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo looked at Murong Jing.
Mu Rongjing stood up and said, "I would like to trouble the three officials to each send one person to accompany me."
Upon hearing this, Minister Geng looked at his right-hand men, and Vice Minister Yue Wenchao immediately stood up.
Ding Zhiyuan got up excitedly and went over; he was the only one from the Dali Temple who came.
The Right Inspector of the Censorate also stood up and walked over.
Mu Rongjing instructed a yamen runner to fetch a stack of papers and writing materials, and then led the group toward the people.
When Minister Geng saw that Hong Xiaoduo was still standing there and showed no intention of going with him, he was a little puzzled.
Hong Xiaoduo sensed the gaze, turned her head, saw the confusion in Geng Shangshu's eyes, and smiled, "In order to avoid the identification results being questioned, it is appropriate for your people to do this kind of thing."
Minister Geng nodded, thinking to himself, "That's quite a thorough consideration."
Then, their attention was focused on what their subordinates and Mu Rongjing and the others were doing not far away. They called the clerk over as well, and took hair and nail clippings from each of the people who had been summoned. They wrapped the clippings in paper and wrote something on the paper. The clerk recorded it on the side.
Those who were summoned did not understand why this was being done, but dared not ask, and even more dared not refuse to cooperate.
Seeing that they had almost finished taking the items, Hong Xiaoduo remembered something and turned to look at Minister Geng: "Minister Geng, I saw in the dossier that no one else was checked for scratch marks on that day, right?"
"Besides the deceased, the only other person at the scene was Dong Yuefan. When the coroner examined the body on the spot, he found skin flakes and bloodstains under the deceased's fingernails. I ordered someone to examine Dong Yuefan, and sure enough, we found scratch marks on his arm. With such obvious evidence, there is no reason to examine other people for similar marks," Minister Geng replied patiently.
Seriously, a mere young girl dares to question his handling of a case?
"So, does Miss Yi Hong mean it's necessary to check everything?" Minister Geng asked in return.
Hong Xiaoduo nodded and said, "I think it is necessary. It would be too hasty to conclude that Dong Yuefan is the murderer just because he has scratches on his arm."
"Are you teaching me how to solve cases?" Minister Geng asked with a cold smile.
"I didn't mean that, but you insist on thinking that way, so I can't help it." Seeing the other party's expression change, Hong Xiaoduo didn't regret it or feel afraid. She responded calmly and respectfully.
"Miss Hong, everything is ready. What's going on?" Ding Zhiyuan excitedly told Hong Xiaoduo after watching the yamen runner finish wrapping the last person's nails and hair, but then noticed that the atmosphere was a bit off.
Minister Geng's face was very ugly, while Hong Xiaoduo's expression was...
"What's wrong?" Mu Rongjing asked, looking at Hong Xiaoduo.
Hong Xiaoduo briefly recounted what had happened. After listening to her, Mu Rongjing, Ding Zhiyuan, Yue Wenchao (the Left Vice Minister), and Yu Anzhong (the Right Censor-in-Chief) all fell into thought.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Minister Geng chuckled inwardly, waiting for this extremely arrogant young lady to be lectured, criticized, and reprimanded in turn.
“Your Excellency, what Miss Hong said makes sense,” Mu Rongjing said, turning to Minister Geng.
What? Minister Geng was taken aback. He never expected that the Prince Mu, who was always known as calm and reliable, would be so easily bewitched by women and lose his mind!
Minister Geng then looked at the others, thinking that surely someone would speak up for him!
But to my surprise, not only did no one stand up to defend me, but what kind of looks did they give me?
"Since Young Master Mu thinks her words make sense, then let's examine it now. Even if a few days have passed, the wound will at most have scabbed over, and it will still be visible." Minister Geng thought angrily, "As expected of someone who relies on the emperor!"
Ding Zhiyuan volunteered to follow the yamen runners and, with the summoned men, went to the next room to undress and be inspected.
Several women were also led by two female officers to another room for inspection.
Before long, the two groups of people returned to the front of the hall.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, among these twenty-one people, the gardener from the Peony Garden of the Music Bureau has a wound on his chest, but it is a burn..."
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