Chapter 32: No Good Banquet 11: Confrontation
As soon as he finished speaking, you could hear a pin drop in the courtyard, and even the cicadas in the trees lowered their voices.
Being accused to his face, County Magistrate Feng's face darkened. He slapped the armrest of the imperial chair, then stood up and pointed at He Xuan, saying in a clear voice, "How dare you! Where did this troublemaker come from? How dare you speak nonsense here!"
Facing County Magistrate Feng's fury, He Xuan simply shrugged. "Look, you don't want to be wrongly accused without any evidence." Not wanting to dwell on this point any further, he walked to a spot a few steps behind Zheng in the courtyard and stopped. "I'm not speculating wildly, but I have a few questions that I haven't clarified. Zheng, if I remember correctly, at the flower viewing banquet the day before yesterday, when you arrived with the flowers you had picked, you personally handed the red milo flower to General Yang. Why did you do that? Was it General Yang you originally intended to kill?"
Zheng lowered her head and spoke after a long pause. Her voice was so soft that it seemed to float on water. "That flower is bright and beautiful, a perfect match for General Yang. It's also the most precious of all. That's why I wanted to give it to him... As for the rest, I don't know. It really has nothing to do with me..."
He Xuan stared at her for a moment, then turned and bowed slightly to County Magistrate Feng. "Sir Feng, the iris flower in County Magistrate Zhao's hand wasn't given by Zheng. It's inappropriate to accuse Zheng of murdering him. Furthermore, while the iris flower may attract grass bees, it's the grass bees themselves that are the key to this case. Only by discovering the connection between the grass bees and Zheng can we prove that Zheng was the perpetrator. In my humble opinion, it would be best if everyone remains in the Zhao residence and is not allowed to leave. We should assign additional personnel to tightly seal off the place. Once the source of the grass bees is confirmed, we can then let everyone leave."
County Magistrate Feng suppressed his anger, his expression slightly ferocious. His eyes seemed to be filled with poison as he stared at He Xuan sinisterly. "I am kind-hearted and do not want to trap so many irrelevant people within the courtyard walls, so I wanted to imprison Zheng. Now, I think that inviting you to stay in the prison temporarily will provide peace and quiet, which will be more conducive to the investigation of this case. What do you say?"
He Xuan suppressed his smile and locked eyes with Magistrate Feng across the courtyard, his gaze unwavering. He rubbed his fingers together, remaining silent for a moment, his thoughts unsettled. Magistrate Feng stared at the young man, his mind agitated, his usual affability gone.
The surrounding officials all had different expressions. Qu Zhubu stood beside County Magistrate Feng, his brows lowered, as if he had anticipated what had just happened, and he put on an air of calm and indifference. County Lieutenant Bi had a strange expression on his face, and upon closer inspection, the corners of his lips were slightly raised, almost like a smile. Fang Yan stood in the far corner, his expression constantly shifting, sometimes in disbelief, sometimes bewildered, sometimes despairing and heartbroken, as if he were performing a jugglery act.
General Yang fought in the corner with his arms folded, his expression solemn and his eyes alert.
The morning light was warm, illuminating everything, but it seemed unable to dispel the lingering chill of the night. Zheng turned her head and looked at He Xuan, who was not far away. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her gratitude was beyond words. She shook her head gently, her hair twitching with the movement, and her lips moved slightly: "Forget it."
He Xuan couldn't read her lip language, but it fell completely into the eyes of Xun Shu behind He Xuan.
Forget it...How can I just forget it?
Xun Shu looked at her and suddenly remembered his master five years ago. Back then, his eyes were like Zheng's, full of helplessness and determination. She was still young then, unable to understand his emotions or his worries. But if she were given another chance, she thought she would choose a completely different path.
Xun Shu's gaze turned to He Xuan again.
As a commoner questioning the county magistrate, wasn't he afraid that the county magistrate would punish him? Or was he confident that the county magistrate would not take it seriously?
Xun Shu couldn't see his expression, but he knew that he was so direct and sharp just because he didn't want to leave Zhao's house, and even wanted everyone to stay here.
There seems to be a secret in this house, related to County Magistrate Feng, related to Zheng Shu... and perhaps also related to He Xuan.
He Xuan must be hiding something from her. She doesn't like being deceived, but at this moment she is still willing to help him, to lend a hand to Zheng Shu and to help Zhao Yuanan once again.
Xun Shu sighed inwardly and took a heavy step forward. She walked over to He Xuan, then to the crowd, and asked softly, "Are County Magistrate Feng so sure that County Magistrate Zhao died from the Baicao bee poison?"
He Xuan didn't expect Xun Shu to speak at this moment, and was quite surprised. He swallowed the words he hadn't said, tilted his head slightly to look at Xun Shu, and his eyes were once again filled with a smile, sparkling, and encouragement was in the corners of his eyebrows and eyes.
County Magistrate Feng looked at the two young men, his brow furrowed. "This official believes that this matter has been concluded. The body of a slug wasp was found at the scene, and County Magistrate Zhao's death is similar to that of those who have died from slug poisoning."
"The coroner mentioned that Magistrate Zhao's death was similar to that caused by a fatal poison. What if Magistrate Zhao died from accidentally taking a fatal poison?"
"Ridiculous! No poison was found in the food at the scene, nor was there any fatal flaw!" County Magistrate Feng took a deep breath, looked at the girl in front of him, and slowed his voice. "Miss Xun, I know you accidentally helped County Lieutenant Fang solve Madam Zhao's case, but human life is at stake, and solving a case is no joke. Just now you were accusing Bai Xing of not taking conjecture as fact, but now, you're obstructing the investigation based on a hypothesis without any evidence. Isn't that ridiculous?"
"It's not that I don't have evidence, nor am I being unreasonable!" Xun Shu spoke slowly, his eyes clear and resolute. "Although the symptoms of poisoning by Yibu Jue and Baicao Bee are very similar, the onset time is different. Yibu Jue will die immediately after being poisoned, but being stung by a Baicao Bee is different, and it takes half an hour to detoxify. Everyone was at the scene the day before yesterday. After County Magistrate Zhao was stung by the poisonous bee, County Magistrate Feng sent people to find medicine. Then Zheng and the maids rushed to the hall, and only then did County Magistrate Zhao fall to the ground and die. The time from the bite to the collapse was almost only a moment, far less than the time it takes for the Baicao Bee poison to take effect."
County Magistrate Feng looked impatient. "Perhaps County Magistrate Zhao was in poor health, so the poison took effect sooner than it normally does. Furthermore, the food at the scene has been inspected, and no Yibu Jue or other poisons were found. If County Magistrate Zhao died from this poison, where did it come from? Could it have been created out of thin air?"
How could Xun Shu know where the poison was? She had only sensed something was amiss and now, wanting to help He Xuan, spoke up. As County Magistrate Feng prepared to send someone to take Zheng away, Xun Shu's mind raced. Just as she was getting extremely anxious, she suddenly met He Xuan's gaze, and her mind gradually calmed down.
She figured out a solution.
He Xuan first brought General Yang into everyone's sight, and then separated the relationship between Mi Luo and Baicao Feng. He just wanted to stay in this house, so she just needed to help him stay. There was no need to determine what killed County Magistrate Zhao at this moment.
After figuring this out, Xun Shu spoke again, "Actually, there's another way to determine the true cause of County Magistrate Zhao's death. Although Yibu Jue and Baicao Feng died in the same way, and both bodies' blood is highly toxic, Yibu Jue's poison dissipates after three days, while Baicao Feng's doesn't. Over a day has already passed. All we need to do is wait until tomorrow evening and feed the rats with the blood from County Magistrate Zhao's body. Then we'll know the true cause of his death."
Before County Magistrate Feng could speak, Fang Yan leaped out from the corner and stood beside Xun Shu, stiffening his neck as he spoke in support of Xun Shu, "Sir Feng, Ah Shu—Miss Xun is right. Lord Zhao was honest and just, and dedicated to the people. Now he has died in such an unclear manner. This is not only a loss for the court, but also for the people. How can we just let it go? In my humble opinion, we must dig deep to find out the truth, confirm the cause of death, and find the murderer to redress Magistrate Zhao's innocence!"
Fang Yan spoke passionately, and there were faint voices of agreement among the crowd.
County Magistrate Feng was about to insist, but General Yang, standing by, spoke up at that moment: "Sir Feng, what these young men say makes sense. There's something fishy about this matter. We shouldn't lift the seal on this house and let everyone leave now." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd in the courtyard, and sneered, "Besides, this incident may be directed at me, Yang. I also want to know who wants to kill me."
County Magistrate Feng struggled to insist, "Brother Yang, this place is dangerous. You really shouldn't stay here any longer. How about I send someone to escort you away first?"
General Yang waved his hand and said, "I have fought on the battlefield for many years, and have slain countless souls. How could I be afraid of this? I will stay in this house and will not go anywhere. Let's see who comes to take my life."
General Yang had spoken, and County Magistrate Feng couldn't say anything more. He glanced around and said coldly, "Since that's the case, we'll hand it over to County Lieutenant Fang to investigate! I want to see what Lord Fang can uncover!" His chest heaved as he sidelong glanced at Zheng, who was still kneeling in the courtyard. His voice was forced through his teeth, "Also, keep a close eye on Zheng. If she causes any more trouble, you'll be held accountable!"
After saying this, County Magistrate Feng snorted coldly, his face gloomy, and he left the courtyard. Qu Zhubu followed him, patting Fang Yan on the shoulder as he passed by and sighing.
Xun Shu's gaze was fixed on County Magistrate Feng's face, watching him approach from afar, a dark aura gradually forming between his brows. She was torn between thoughts, her toes rubbing back and forth on the bluestone slabs, but she didn't call out to him until County Magistrate Feng disappeared at the gate.
The people in the courtyard soon dispersed, leaving only Xun Shu and the other two, the yamen runners guarding the courtyard, and General Yang who stood under the eaves for a long time without moving.
General Yang's face was sullen, and it was unclear what he was thinking. Only after a nearby yamen runner reminded him did he seem to wake from a dream. He looked around and saw that everyone he knew in the courtyard had left. Without stopping, he crossed the courtyard, preparing to leave. His steps were heavy and slow, as if he was weighed down by something.
Xun Shu looked at him, a conflict between her conscience and her desires in her mind. On one hand, there was her master's sincere teachings, which told her not to interfere in the karma of others and to follow the natural laws of heaven and earth. On the other hand, there was the kindness in her heart, and she didn't want to watch these living people die one after another in front of her.
Her thoughts were still unclear, and when she came to her senses, she had already taken a step forward, standing in front of General Yang, blocking his way.
General Yang stopped in his tracks, feeling irritable, and his tone was not very good: "Is there anything else?"
Xun Shu was startled by the questioning. Staring at the black energy spreading to his temples, he couldn't help but blurt out the words in his heart without embellishment: "You will not live long."
As soon as the words fell, heaven and earth fell silent. He Xuan rushed forward, tugged on Xun Shu's arm, and pulled her behind him. Fang Yan also hurriedly ran to General Yang, and before he could lose his temper, he said with a wry smile, "General, calm down. Ah Shu is just this kind of straightforward person. Her mind is different from ordinary people. She definitely didn't mean to curse you. General, please don't bother with this little girl!"
He Xuan quickly explained, "Please forgive me, General. Ah Shu was just exaggerating. What she meant was that things have been unsettled in the mansion lately. You must be careful not to fall into the trap of the bad guys and end up like Magistrate Zhao."
General Yang took a deep breath. He had no intention of getting angry with the young lady. He snorted coldly at the words, "It's absurd to compare me with that weak scholar who can't even lift a chicken! I appreciate your kindness. Don't worry, I will not allow this house to have another murder!"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: The next update will be on Wednesday~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com