"Sir, I've found it!"
In the inner residence of the capital government, the newly appointed capital governor, Zhang Huanfa, was holding a cup of tea and was about to drink it when a black-clothed constable rushed in. He knelt on one knee and spoke.
"Speak!" Zhang Huanfa stopped and put the cup of tea on the table.
"Yes sir!" The constable said, "Sir has ordered me to investigate the foreign population of Yongle Workshop. In the past half a month, a distant relative of an old night watchman at the east of the workshop came to visit. It's a little girl around ten years old."
Zhang Huanfa was overjoyed. He didn't think that the task given to him by his superiors would be completed so quickly. His expression did not change. He said, "Just a little girl? I'm afraid it doesn't match the 'criminal' that the Judicial Department said. It seems that I was overthinking. "
The constable nodded. "I was thinking the same thing, but …" He hesitated.
"But?"
The constable thought for a moment and said, "I heard that there was a murder at the old night watchman's house. It was said that the old night watchman wanted to sell the little girl to the son of the workshop manager of Yongle Workshop to be a servant girl. Unexpectedly, the little girl would rather die than submit and accidentally stabbed the workshop manager's son to death. Even the old night watchman was not spared!"
"What?" Zhang Huanfa glared at him. "When did this happen?"
"It was, it was said that yesterday …" the constable stammered.
Zhang Huanfa was instantly enraged. "What is the Arrest Office doing? I haven't heard any news about the murder yesterday. Where are the people from the Supreme Court?"
"It seems, it seems like no one went to report it." The constable said in a small voice.
"Bang!"
Zhang Huanfa slammed the table so hard that tea splashed everywhere. He said angrily, "Don't tell me that the little girl has disappeared again." The strong aura of a cultivator was revealed and the air around him was unusually turbulent.
The constable was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly said, "Sir, please calm down. I heard from the Arrest Office that the workshop manager stopped the report and said that he wanted to personally arrest the murderer … I believe that this case is not as simple as it seems. The workshop manager of Yongle Workshop must be hiding something. It's just that his identity …"
"Can a mere workshop manager go against the heavens?" Zhang Huanfa said coldly.
The bailiff complained incessantly in his heart. He braced himself and said, "That Fang Zheng has a younger brother who works at the Minister's Mansion."
Zhang Huanfa was startled. He frowned and his anger magically disappeared. He slowly sat down and said, "This matter can't be blamed on you. It's been hard on you to make this trip. That's right, don't make this matter public. The Minister's Office is the same as the Judicial Department, they are both His Majesty's right-hand men. Before we know what case the Minister's Office is handling, we must not leak this information. "
"Here!"
The constable's heart relaxed, and with a knowing expression, he immediately bowed and retreated.
After he left, Zhang Huanfa's eyes flashed. After thinking for a long time, he got up and returned to his bedroom. He changed into casual clothes and left the mansion through the back door, heading straight for Yongle Lane.
…
Yongle Workshop.
"This child, you didn't even inform us before going home. Who are these two?"
First Madame Gong Sun said as she looked over. The youth was wearing a greyish-white shirt, a silver-blue jade belt around his waist, and a pair of dragon-scale boots. His figure was straight and slender, but slightly thin. He wore a cross-shaped crown on his head, and a lock of hair stuck to his forehead. His face, which seemed to have been sculpted by a top-notch craftsman, had a faint smile on it. Combined with his devilish aura, he had an astonishing charm.
But the most unforgettable thing about him was his eyes. They were dark, deep, and bright, as deep as the night sky. There was no other pair of eyes like this in this world.
The young girl wore a half-arm long gown on the outside, and a thin and translucent wide-sleeved gown embroidered with pink butterflies on the inside. Under the violet flowing skirt, one could faintly see her fair and smooth jade-like legs. Her three-inch golden lotus was wrapped in a pair of white embroidered shoes. Her figure was graceful and graceful, especially the pair of full breasts that seemed to be on the verge of bursting out.
Her fine black hair was tied up in a bun, with a light blue pearl flower pinned on it. Her skin was fair and supple, full and moist. Below her delicate eyebrows was a pair of phoenix eyes, like two pools of limpid autumn water. As they moved, they were naturally seductive, captivating one's soul. The bridge of her nose was high, her lips were red, and her teeth were white. She was extremely charming and beautiful.
Seeing this, First Madame Gong Sun exclaimed in her heart, "What a beautiful couple, they are really a match made in heaven."
"Mother, this is Brother Yan and Miss Tang. They are students sent by the Inner Academy to assist the Judicial Department in handling the case."
Zhu Hou pointed at First Madame Gong Sun and said, "Both of you, this is my mother." Although he was sent by the Academy, he would not really treat Yan Li as a subordinate. After all, the status of students from the Inner Academy was too high.
"Hello, First Madame." The two immediately smiled and bowed.
"Ah!" First Madame Gong Sun responded with a smile, "These two children are really good looking. My Zhu Hou rarely brings outsiders home. He treats you like an outsider, so you don't have to be polite with me. Let me treat you well today."
She was not an ordinary villager's woman. With one look, she could tell that the two were extraordinary. They were worlds apart from the subordinates that Zhu Hou usually brought home. Once she heard that they were indeed not ordinary people, she immediately glanced at the things in Zhu Hou's hands and could not help but frown. She said, "Honored guests are here, and you only buy these things to treat them? This little rascal is really too worrisome. Quickly bring the guests inside to have a cup of hot tea. I'm going to the market. We'll talk about the old night watchman when I come back … "She then left without waiting for the three to respond.
"Oh, since my mother has ordered, the two of you please go ahead." Zhu Hou scratched his head and did not dare to refute.
A burly man in his thirties, a dignified commander of the Judicial Department, was as docile as a sheep in front of First Madame Gong Sun.
"Then we'll have to disturb you." The two followed.
In the time it took to drink two cups of tea, First Madame Gong Sun came back with chicken, duck, goose and other fresh ingredients. She showed off her skills. Delicacies that could not be found in restaurants were continuously served. Even the picky Tang Sanghua was full of praise.
After eating and drinking to their heart's content, First Madame Gong Sun ordered the servants to take away the bowls and chopsticks. Then she ordered tea to be served. Only then did she talk about the old night watchman.
She briefly explained the cause and effect. Originally, she did not know much about the inside story.
In the end, he shook his head and said, "This old man is stubborn, just like your father. I just reminded him yesterday that Li Tianshou isn't a good person at all, and his son is even worse. As expected, disaster came knocking on his door …"
"I'm not very clear about the specific situation. I only know that Li Tianshou's son and the old man both died in the house. They said that it was that girl who did it. After killing them, she fled …"
She coldly said, "Humph, that girl is only ten years old this year. How could she have the strength to kill people? And two at once. In my opinion, it must be that Li Tianshou that bastard wanted to force the purchase. The old man has been stubborn his whole life. Even a few oxen couldn't pull him back. He definitely wouldn't agree. The two sides had a conflict and even that bastard's son died.
It's very satisfying. "Yan Li listened and felt that it was very far away from him. This was a serious murder case among the common people, but in his eyes, it was a trivial matter. It was only two lives. No matter what the inside story was, this matter did not arouse his interest.
Zhu Houjiu was already used to blood and conspiracies. His sense of smell was very sharp. He said, "Li Tianshou's side of the story. Don't listen to it! A murder case happened in the old man's house. Why didn't the people from the Arrest Department come to investigate? They're already holding a funeral? "
First Madame Gongsun faintly sighed. "Ai, how can they investigate? That bastard had a younger brother who was working at the Minister's Mansion. I think even if the capital governor came, he wouldn't dare to investigate."
"Minister's Mansion?" Yan Li suddenly shivered. "Could it be the Minister's mansion?"
"That's right."
Yan Li immediately became spirited. He asked, "First Madame, can I ask a few questions?"
"Why not? Feel free to ask." First Madame Gongsun said with a smile.
Tang Sanghua thoughtfully glanced at him. He knew that he must have thought of something. He listened attentively.
"May I ask when the deceased old man's relative came? Where did he come from? What was his name? Do you know all of this?"
First Madame Gongsun carefully recalled. "It was that day. The door had just opened. The old man came back with a little girl. He said that she was his grandniece from Yongzhou. Her name was Yue-er or something. She was very intelligent. Her parents brought her to seek shelter with the old man. Unexpectedly, they encountered bandits and were killed. She was left alone.
She was very pitiful. "She wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes." I've seen that girl. She's clever and diligent. She's very pretty when she smiles. She doesn't look like someone who would kill. "
She knew the influence of the Minister in Yongling. She didn't dare to let Zhu Hou investigate. She was deeply afraid that he would be implicated. That was why she didn't inform him immediately. But Yan Li came from the Academy. He might not buy the Minister's account. She answered very carefully, hoping that he could help investigate.
Yan Li's heart was as clear as a mirror. He immediately smiled. "First Madame, don't worry. The majestic Imperial City is vast. There is no injustice that can exist. Although I'm weak, I'm willing to try and get to the bottom of this murder case."
"Ah!" Hearing this, First Madame Gongsun felt a bit embarrassed.
Of course, Zhu Hou was also a sensible person. He frowned and said, "Brother Yan, this matter …"
"Master Zhu," Yan Li stood up and smiled. "Please leave this case to me. I won't disappoint you. And I've just eaten such a big table of delicious food. How can I not do my best? "
Hearing this, First Madame Gongsun felt even more embarrassed. Although this was her original intention.
Zhu Hou sighed and pulled him out of the door. He said, "Brother Yan, my mother is a person who can't tolerate sand in her eyes. But she's afraid of implicating me. She doesn't dare to let me investigate. It's good to leave this matter to you. I, Old Zhu, will owe you a favor. "
"Master Zhu is too serious. This is my duty." Yan Li cupped his hands. "There's no time to lose. I want to start the investigation immediately."
Zhu Hou was very moved. He patted his shoulder. "Don't try to be brave. If it doesn't work, give up immediately or inform me immediately."
Yan Li asked for the location of Li Tianshou's house and immediately set off with Tang Sanghua.
On the way, Tang Sanghua sneered disdainfully. "Do you only know how to deceive honest people?"
"What do you mean?" Yan Li strolled leisurely and looked at her with a smile.
Tang Sanghua sneered. "There must be something that can be used in this case. That's why you're so concerned about it. You even put on an impassioned look in front of Zhu Tongzhi. You're really a villain."
"I've never called myself a gentleman." Yan Li said shamelessly.
"That's true." Tang Sanghua chuckled and then asked seriously, "Why are you interested in this case? It's not like you."
She thought for a moment. "Could it be?"
She seemed to think of something and was suddenly shocked. "Do you think that the girl who killed and escaped is a fugitive from Heishan?"
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