Feng Qing Shaoyi

Chapter 100 Clues
When Pan saw the woman, she quickly got up and snorted coldly at the woman: "Su Wanqing, you don't come early or late, but you come at this time to see my joke, right?"

The woman seemed to know that Mrs. Pan would say that, and she smiled with an unchanged expression: "My daughter-in-law heard from the servants that there are distinguished guests coming today, so she came to have a look because she thought it would be rude."

"Hmph, those servants are good people, rushing to inform you of the news, and they don't seem to be so attentive to me." Pan said with a hint of sourness in his tone.

After speaking, Pan also glanced at the servants around, and the servants seemed to know that Pan was watching them all lowered their heads and pretended not to know anything.

Seeing this, Mrs. Pan became even more furious. Who was the old lady of the Fang family? Usually, every time they saw Su Wanqing, they would be courteous and courteous, even rushing to pass on a message.Instead, they all hid away when they saw her as if they didn't see her. What's the matter, she can trap them.

Su Wanqing just smiled slightly when she heard the words, turned her head to look at the three people in front of the door, saw a familiar elegant face inside, and shouted in a daze, "Master Jijiu."

When Jiang Wen heard Su Wanqing calling his official name, he raised his hand and saluted in response, and Su Wanqing also came back to his senses and quickly bent down to salute in response.

"What kind of official is Jijiu? Is there someone who respects Zi?" Pan asked aloud when she saw Su Wanqing salute.

Su Wanqing smiled ashamedly at Jiang Wen first, and then answered Pan's answer: "Jiujiu is the highest official position in the Imperial College, and it is in charge of the university's law and teaching exams..."

"Got it, got it, isn't he a gentleman from the Imperial College, what a rare person." Before Su Wanqing could finish speaking, Pan impatiently took over the words. She didn't understand official positions but she knew what teaching exams were. Wasn't Jingzi just taking the exam back then, so Jiang Wen was just a gentleman.

Qi Ze was a little helpless when he heard that, the Imperial College is the highest institution in Southern Chu, and as an Imperial College Jijiu, his status is extremely high, and Pan's words made it look like he was just an inconspicuous teaching teacher in an ordinary private school.Thanks to Jiang Wen's high quality, he didn't have the same knowledge as Pan's.

Su Wanqing was also a little embarrassed, but she still didn't speak, and smiled at Jiang Wen to indicate that she didn't mind.Jiang Wen also waved his hand indifferently.

"Then what about you guys?" Pan looked at Qi Ze and Chu Kainan with some complacency. A gentleman is definitely not as high-ranking as his son, so his friends must also be a group of low-ranking ones, not worth mentioning. .

Because of Pan's unreasonable trouble just now, Chu Kainan didn't have any good feelings for Pan, so he replied angrily: "Minister of the Ministry of Punishment."

"Oh, it turned out to be an executioner who killed criminals, no wonder he was so strong, he pushed me to the ground at once." Pan said with a little disdain.

Chu Kainan: "..."

he?An executioner who kills criminals?In the eyes of this shrew, he, the servant of the Ministry of punishment, is just an ordinary pawn and trafficker who works hard, right?At any rate, he is a third-rank servant, who would dare to disrespect him like this in the Ministry of Punishment.Those who disobeyed him were ready to be tortured to death by him, she, a shrew who didn't know the so-called dare to say that.

The more Chu Kainan thought about it, the angrier he was, he planned to go forward to teach Pan what it means to not dare to mess with those who work in the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Just as he was about to go forward, Qi Ze and Jiang Wen secretly grabbed his sleeves.Seeing this, Chu Kainan also glared at Pan and ignored her, a shrew really wasn't worth him doing it himself, why bother with a woman.

"What about you?" Pan looked at Qi Ze and asked.

"Minister of the Ministry of War." Qi Ze smiled lightly.

"A member of the Ministry of War? Isn't Jing Zi in the Ministry of War?" Pan muttered with her head lowered, and then asked Su Wanqing, "Is the Minister of the Ministry of War a senior official?"

"The Minister of the Ministry of War belongs to the third rank, and the official position..."

"Just tell me if you're taller than Jingzi's. I know you're a lady who knows a lot. I'm not your student. I don't want to be a gentleman at home." Pan rolled her eyes and answered.

"...Yes, higher than Jingzi's official position." Su Wanqing responded with a smile.

"Higher than Jingzi's official position, isn't that Jingzi's boss?" Pan immediately smiled obsequiously, and walked to Qi Ze's side, "Hey, so it's Jingzi's boss. What are you doing here, my family Is Jingzi very good in the Ministry of War? When will he be promoted? My lord, let me tell you that my family Jingzi is outstanding, and it would be a pity not to give my family Jingzi a promotion." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to grab Qi Ze's arm .

Qi Ze tried to show his most natural smile, avoided Pan's hand calmly, and said slowly: "Master Fang performed well in the Ministry of War, and he is highly regarded by Lord Shangshu."

Fang Jingzi's performance in the Ministry of War is indeed excellent, and he occupies a pivotal position among the grain and grass escort officers.Otherwise, Zheng Shen wouldn't have cared so much about the Fang family's affairs and let her come in person. It's a pity that such an illiterate mother was on the table.

"I knew, did the lord come here to give my family Jingzi a promotion?" Mrs. Pan hurriedly flattered her, not at all the embarrassment of scolding Qi Ze and the others just now, and Qi Ze and the others were amazed by the thick skin.

"...Yes, I came here this time to investigate Mr. Fang's talent, so that Mr. Shang Shu can be promoted later." Qi Ze made up a lie without blushing.

If it is said that they came here to investigate the case of the Cao family, presumably the Pan family will kick them out in person.Then it would be better to follow her wishes and say that it is to investigate Fang Jingzi's talent, so that they can still investigate properly.Moreover, Zheng Shen has the final say on this matter of promotion, not her, and she is powerless even if she wants to be promoted.

After hearing this, Mrs. Pan smiled happily, not doubting him.

Su Wanqing just smiled softly when she heard the words and didn't take it seriously, she knew it was a bluff.The official promotion of the Ministry of War can only be decided by Shangshu, and Fang Jingzi did not investigate anything in Fang's house, even if he wanted to find talents, he would not use this method.The lord came here for other things.

Seeing Su Wanqing's nonchalant smile, Qi Ze knew that Su Wanqing knew that she was lying, and that she already knew that she came here for other things.

"Madam Fang, can we investigate now?" Qi Ze asked with a smile.

"Yes, yes, you can investigate anywhere you want." After saying that, he wanted to go with Qi Ze and Chu Kainan.

When Chu Kainan saw it, he stopped him and said, "Mrs. Fang can't follow. If you delay your son's promotion, I'm afraid Mrs. Fang will be to blame."

Pan looked at Qi Ze and Chu Kainan and smiled obsequiously, "Success, I just don't follow, please feel free, my lords." After speaking, she turned and left.

After turning around, he muttered with disdain: "Cut, what's the big deal. It's just a little higher than the official Jingzi, what kind of adult airs. When the time comes, Jingzi's official position will be higher than yours, and you will even give it to the old lady." Not even a pair of shoes.”

Qi Ze had internal strength and naturally heard Pan's words, but he still smiled indifferently, as if it was in vain.

Just when Qi Ze and Chu Kainan were about to continue walking, they heard that familiar soft voice.

"I don't know what the two adults are talking about coming to Fang's house today? But what happened to Jingzi?" Su Wanqing asked with a little worry.

Qi Ze looked at Su Wanqing for a while and replied: "No, Mrs. Fang knows the news that Mrs. Cao's wife Chen Shu died on the bed some time ago."

"Know a thing or two."

"To be honest, this case has been investigated by Master Chu, and now all signs point to the Fang family. Master Chu has rich experience and rarely makes mistakes. It is very likely that Chen Shu died of poisoning in Fang's house. We are here this time In order to find clues, I hope Mrs. Fang can understand."

Su Wanqing was very surprised, "My lord means that there is a murderer in Fang's family who killed Mrs. Cao's wife." Then she lowered her eyes, "Since the cause of death is in Fang's family, the two adults should investigate slowly. The minister's wife believes that the lord will give the Fang family an explanation."

"For Mrs. Xie Fang's understanding, we will act impartially and give the Fang family an explanation." Qi Ze said, bowing his hands.

As expected of the female gentleman that Jiang Wen valued, if it was an ordinary woman, she would have fallen to the ground in fright, saying that this matter had nothing to do with them.But Su Wanqing is calm and composed, this kind of calm demeanor cannot be learned by ordinary girls.

Seeing Qi Ze salute her, Su Wanqing hurriedly returned the salute and said: "Well, this is what a courtier's wife should do, and she must not interfere with the two adults' work. What's more, the two adults came here in low clothes and did not bring officers and soldiers. How can I accept my lord's thanks before my wife is grateful for your face?"

Qi Ze nodded and smiled when he heard the words, it seems that Su Wanqing is really a woman who understands the court affairs and is well-informed, no wonder the master of the Fang family values ​​her so much, knowing that his son is going to marry Su Wanqing, he hurriedly prepares the dowry gift.There is a talented wife who knows how to advance and retreat in the family, what more can a husband ask for?
Originally Chu Kainan was able to come here with an official order and lead troops, but considering that the Fang family is just some weak women and children, he chose to investigate in disguise because he was afraid that such a big commotion would scare them.

When Su Wanqing turned to leave, Chu Kainan looked at Su Wanqing's gentle and calm back and sighed: "Although Fang Jingzi has a mother who is illiterate, but God gave him a good wife who understands the general situation, which is also considered to be right." He made up for it."

Qi Ze looked at Su Wanqing's back and chuckled, "But when I meet such a mother-in-law, I'm afraid I'll be wronged by such a good girl, and I'm afraid her life will be difficult."

Chu Kainan also nodded, with a regretful tone, "Yeah, what a pity for such a good woman." Then he looked at Qi Ze, "Let's go, Shaoyi, we still have tasks to complete, if that shrew comes to disturb you It’s not convenient for us to investigate.”

Qi Ze nodded, and then the two began to check each room step by step.

The two considered that the death of the statement might have been deliberately murdered by someone in Fang's family. After all, it is well known that cinnabar is poisonous, and the possibility of being deliberately murdered is relatively high.Generally, after the victim is murdered, the criminal will throw the evidence in a place that is not easy to detect, so the two began to search for it from a more hidden place.

But the two of them walked almost all over the relatively hidden places in Fang's mansion, but they couldn't find any clues.These include the corners of the courtyard, the places with lush trees, and the soft ground that has been turned over, the places where the servants of the Fangfu lived, and even the upper beams and corners of the dressing table in the women's boudoir. pass.

Because Qi Ze was a woman, Chu Kainan took the case seriously, so the two of them didn't feel embarrassed about entering a woman's boudoir.But after searching for such a long time, there is no sign of cinnabar poison, which makes people feel a little strange. Could it be that they didn't search carefully enough?
But they even searched for the land in the courtyard and the women's boudoir, why can't they find it?Could it be that they went in the wrong direction from the beginning?

Chu Kainan looked down at his muddy and messy clothes, then raised his head to look at the well-dressed and spotless Qi Ze who was drinking tea calmly in the gazebo not far away, and said, "Shao Yi, you are not enough. It’s funny, I was actually asked to dig the soil by myself.”

Recalling that at that time, he was alone using a shovel to turn up the dusty clod regardless of his image, and the unscrupulous Qi Ze beside him was quietly watching him turn over the soil, without any intention of helping, he felt a little angry.

Qi Ze just glanced at Chu Kainan indifferently, and said, "I see that you are doing your best by yourself, so I feel embarrassed to intervene."

Chu Kainan: "..." Oh, Shaoyi, it turns out that you are still embarrassed, which is really rare.

If he had known earlier, he would have brought officers and soldiers over, so at least he didn't need a third-rank servant to dig the soil himself.It's really tiring to work in the criminal department, and he needs to do everything.To interrogate all kinds of prisoners with torture tools, and to look at all kinds of bloody corpses, I almost can't eat food, and now I need him to dig the soil.

What crime did he do? Cao Wanzu wiped his tears and snot from his pants this morning, and now he has to dig up the soil, making his body covered in dirty soil. He lost the face of a third-rank official.Just when Chu Kainan was silently complaining in his heart, he heard Qi Ze's voice.

"Han Fei, could it be that the cinnabar poison was not secretly obtained? Otherwise, there would be no evidence. Although it has been half a year, if it has been done, it should have left clues. How could it not be found?" Qi Ze put down his teacup and said seriously.

"Shaoyi, what you said makes sense." Chu Kainan immediately realized, "Although Chen Shu had a big fight at Fang's house half a year ago, I haven't heard of any feud between Cao's and Fang's before. , it is indeed unlikely that someone secretly poisoned with a grudge, and in such an obvious way."

"You said that if you have a guest at home, where would you normally meet?" Qi Ze said to Chu Kainan with a smile.

"Main hall." Chu Kainan said decisively with downcast eyes.

That's right, it should be the main hall.Since there is no hidden place, there is a great possibility of an open place that people usually go to. This is also a point that the two of them overlooked.

They all thought that Zhu Sha was bought secretly, but the two families had no grievances, and such an obvious way of killing made people wonder if this time it was just an accident.Although most of the homicides in the files of the Ministry of Criminal Justice are intentional murders, there are also a small number of homicides that are just accidents, so the possibility of accidents cannot be ruled out.

If it was really an accident, then the places that are usually the easiest to ignore can provide some clues.And people walk around every day, and the only place that people don't notice is the main hall.

Chu Kainan didn't even have time to change his clothes, so he walked towards the main hall with Qi Ze.Because each family will set up a main hall to entertain distinguished guests, and they all choose the north side with excellent Fengshui, with bright light and facing south.So the two quickly found the main hall of Fangfu.

Perhaps it was because Su Wanqing secretly ordered not to disturb Qi Ze and Chu Kainan's investigation, and specially sent someone to clear the venue and let the servants go back to their rooms, so the normally lively main hall became a little deserted at this time.

The layout of the main hall of Fang Mansion is similar to that of Quexi Hall of Qi Mansion. There are neatly arranged chairs on both sides, and there are couplets and plaques in front, which looks very grand.

Because half a year has passed, the maids usually clean the main hall, so even if there is any evidence, it is almost wiped out.

In order to ensure that every tiny corner can be found, the two began to conduct a carpet search inch by inch, striving not to let go of every detail.

Chu Kainan has rich experience, so he naturally knows which corner is more likely. After searching for a while, Qi Ze heard Chu Kainan's call.

"Shaoyi, I found it."

Qi Ze heard the sound and walked over, just in time to see Chu Kainan squatting down at an unnoticed corner, carefully squeezed a grain of cinnabar with a clean handkerchief, and put it on the table.

Maybe after a long time, it was left in the corner after being cleaned by many maidservants.This grain of cinnabar is slightly blackened, but it is still cinnabar to people at a glance.

Qi Ze took out the medicine bag from Cao's house, the cinnabar inside was of high quality both in terms of texture and color, exactly the same as the cinnabar in the handkerchief.

"It seems that this cinnabar has been forgotten for a long time, it should have been half a year ago." Qi Ze said, "Did anyone get sick in Fang's house half a year ago?"

"Regardless of whether anyone is sick, let's go to the dining hall to find out. If someone in the house is really sick half a year ago, there should be some evidence there." Chu Kainan stared at the cinnabar in the handkerchief and said seriously.

The Fang family is an aristocratic family, so if someone gets sick, they will only boil medicine in the dining hall of Fang's mansion.Moreover, people come and go in the dining hall, so things are more likely to be left behind, so there should be leftover medicine dregs after boiling the medicine.

After the two walked out of the main hall, they found a little maid who was sweeping the floor and asked the little maid to take them to the dining hall.

The little maid was a little young, very young and innocent, and when she saw the two of them, she blushed and led them to the dining hall.On the way, Chu Kainan kept teasing the girl, causing the little maid to bow her head and walk forward with a blushing face.

Qi Ze glanced at Chu Kainan, his clothes were all messed up like this and he still didn't forget to tease other girls, this Chu Kainan is really hopeless.But this is really due to Chu Kainan's handsome face. Although the clothes are dirty, it still can't hide the aristocratic temperament of Chu Kainan.

After the little girl brought it to the place, Chu Kainan took out a jade pendant from her arms and handed it to the little girl, with a teasing smile on her handsome face, "The little girl gave it to you, thank you for leading us."

The little maid glanced at Chu Kainan, took the jade pendant and blushed and ran away quickly.

Qi Ze looked at the figure of the little maid running away quickly, then turned his head to look at Chu Kainan who was still smiling coquettishly.Although Chu Kainan's trick is not very good, but the little girl seems to be using this trick now.

Chu Kainan turned his head and looked at Qi Ze with a teasing smile: "Shaoyi, if you want to marry that Xu family girl back home, you still need to spend some time thinking, but you can ask me for a way. In this way, you don't have to sneak around Apologize to people."

Qi Ze: "...can we not mention this matter?"

"Okay, how can we bring up our children's private affairs in court affairs? Of course, investigation is more important." Chu Kainan patted Qi Ze on the shoulder and laughed teasingly, thinking that Qi Ze was shy because of this.

Qi Ze just glanced at Chu Kainan, then walked forward.

Chu Kainan stopped joking, put away his smile and began to investigate seriously.

The dining hall is very clean and tidy, and the things are neatly arranged. It should be cleaned every day.It was just after noon, and the stove was cleaned very clean, with some faint water stains.

Behind the door of the dining hall, there are two pots of boiling medicine that are very conspicuous. One is boiling medicine, and there is a burst of medicinal fragrance from it from time to time, while the other is placed in the corner. Just haven't used it for a long time.Near the corner of the medicine pot, there is still a piece of boiled Chinese medicinal materials, and the Chinese medicinal materials are covered with a layer of dust, which is very mottled.

Looking at the medicine pot in the corner, I knew it had been used a long time ago and never been used again.If the time is exactly half a year ago, then it means that someone at home did get sick half a year ago.

Chu Kainan picked up the Chinese herbal medicine in the corner with another clean handkerchief, and said, "Shaoyi, I will take this piece of Chinese medicine back for investigation first. Although I don't know if it is a medicine jar from half a year ago, but according to the situation Looks like it should be. If the cinnabar is found from this investigation, then there is indeed a murderer in Fang's family who killed Chen Shu, and this murderer is the person who took cinnabar half a year ago."

Qi Ze nodded, the amount of cinnabar in the Cao family's medicine package was too large, if it was an accident, it would be dealt with.Then this will not be voted by others, only those who got sick and took cinnabar half a year ago.And this only needs a little investigation by the Criminal Ministry to know, and she just needs to wait for the news quietly.

"Let's go, since we have found the clue, then we can leave." Chu Kainan said while stuffing his handkerchief into his bosom, and walked out the door.

Before leaving, Qi Ze took a look at the pot of medicine that was being boiled. There are still people in Fangfu who are sick.However, there is no cinnabar in the medicine, so it should have nothing to do with this case, and it is unknown who is sick.

(End of this chapter)