Nanny Qin was stunned.
This person was very young. He looked even younger than Xu Zhiheng. However, when he looked over, his gaze was like a cold pool that chilled her to the bone. She had never seen this person before and didn't know his identity. However, her intuition told her that he was more dangerous than Xu Zhiheng.
Nanny Qin was a widow when she was young. However, she was beautiful when she was young. After her husband died, it wasn't like she couldn't get married. However, she wasn't willing to give her son to a distant relative. Other men were willing to marry her, but they weren't willing to raise a burden. Only Blacksmith Niu was willing.
However, Nanny Qin looked down on Blacksmith Niu's status and thought that he was poor. Later, when she entered the He Estate and her life became better, she gave up on the idea of marriage. However … there was an unclear relationship between her and Blacksmith Niu. Nanny Qin originally didn't care much about Blacksmith Niu. However, after He Wanru's accident, Blacksmith Niu gave her a way out. During the days when the two of them went through thick and thin together, Nanny Qin did develop some true feelings for him. This young man hit the snake where it hurts. He immediately threatened Blacksmith Niu's life. Nanny Qin was much more passive.
She said, "Concubine Mother He … Concubine Mother He made a mistake and was punished by the Madam. Concubine Mother He's body was weak and couldn't endure it, so she passed away." After saying this, she looked at the young man and sized up his expression.
The other party's expression was still indifferent and his voice was calm. "I don't have the patience to listen to your nonsense. If you think this person's life isn't enough, I can add the lives of Wu Han and his son."
As soon as he said this, Nanny Qin cried out, "No!"
Wu Han was her son. This person … threatened her with the lives of his son and grandson. The other party wasn't Xu Zhiheng. If Xu Zhiheng killed her son and grandson, he would still be afraid that Nanny Qin would fight to the death and reveal the truth. However, this strange man didn't seem to care.
He didn't have any information on her, but he knew her like the back of his hand.
Nanny Qin fell to the ground. In an instant, her heart was filled with despair.
"Don't worry, I don't intend to take your life." He leaned forward slightly and stared into Mother Qin's eyes. There seemed to be a sharp glint in his clear, watery eyes. "Xu Zhiheng's people have been keeping an eye on Wu Han and his son to force you to show yourself. But if you tell me what you know, I can save their lives. "
Granny Qin was shocked. This condition was too tempting.
For the first time in her life, she was bold. "How can this servant believe you?"
The other party smiled carelessly and stretched out his hand. The black-robed man behind him stepped forward and handed him a bracelet. The young man waved the bracelet in front of Mother Qin.
Qin Mama was shocked.
This bracelet was made by someone when her grandson was born. She even asked an eminent monk to consecrate it so that it could protect her grandson's safety and health. Now that she had fallen into the other party's hands … she knew that there was no way she could negotiate with the other party. The only thing she could do was to convince the other party to let her family and Blacksmith Niu go.
"I'll tell you … I'll tell you everything." Mother Qin mournfully said, "Concubine He was executed by the eldest brother. The family law was just a cover. Concubine He was locked up in the mansion and was afraid that outsiders would find out. She was fed medicine every day and passed away after a few days. "
The young man was not surprised and only asked, "Why did Xu Zhiheng execute He Wanru?"
"Because … because Concubine He made a big mistake and had to die."
"What mistake?"
Mother Qin's hand trembled. She took a deep breath as if she wanted to give herself a bit of courage. After a while, she said, "Because Concubine He killed Young Mistress."
When these words came out, the room became silent.
Luan Ying and Fei Nu behind them were shocked. Everyone in Shuo Jing knew that the Young Mistress of the Xu family was blind and couldn't see clearly. She accidentally fell into the pond and drowned. But now, it was said that the Young Mistress died in the hands of a concubine. How absurd was this? No matter what, the Young Mistress of the He family, He Rufei's younger sister, had a high status. If she died because of jealousy with a concubine, it was too absurd.
No wonder Xu Zhiheng couldn't wait to execute He Wanru and all the people who knew about it. Otherwise, if the imperial censor reported that he didn't manage the family strictly, Xu Zhiheng would lose his black hat. However, if the He family didn't know, why would they send another daughter over when one of their daughters had already died? If the He family knew, why would they let it go so easily?
Xiao Jue's eyes slightly moved. Mother Qin's words confirmed his guess.
"Why did He Wanru kill Young Mistress Xu?" He changed his words, "Why did Xu Zhiheng kill Young Mistress Xu?"
Mother Qin was shocked and quickly said, "No, young master, Concubine He killed Young Mistress. It was a matter between women and has nothing to do with other people. Why would the eldest brother kill Young Mistress without any reason? The eldest brother is kind and gentle, how could he do such a thing? "
Xiao Jue looked at her indifferently, "I said before, I don't have the patience to listen to your lies."
In the next moment, the sword in Fei Nu's hand was pressed against Blacksmith Niu's neck.
Blood flowed down his neck. No one could be indifferent in a life and death situation. The man, who had always been calm and composed, couldn't help but reveal a trace of panic in his eyes. Mother Qin was so scared that her face turned pale, "No, stop!"
Fei Nu's sword didn't go any further. Xiao Jue said, "I'll ask one more time. Why did Xu Zhiheng kill his wife?"
If Mother Qin was still hesitant and unwilling to tell the truth at this juncture, it seemed that the matter she was hiding was not a small secret.
Mother Qin closed her eyes and seemed to be in a panic. The other party's sword seemed to be slowly pressing against Blacksmith Niu's neck. The bracelet engraved with scriptures was clearly in front of her eyes … She suddenly said loudly, "I don't know … I don't know … I was too scared. I advised her not to do it … but she said that it was the eldest brother's idea and that it didn't matter. She would do as the eldest brother said and nothing would happen. I was very far away and I was very scared. I only vaguely heard Concubine He say to Young Mistress, 'General He …' "
Xiao Jue suddenly looked up. In an instant, his eyes were as sharp as a knife, so piercing that Mother Qin didn't dare to speak. He asked, "What did you just say?"
Mother Qin trembled as she said, "Concubine He said to Young Mistress … General He …"
At that time, she was scared to death. Although there were many swords in the residence that didn't see blood, Mother Qin had never directly touched a human life. Of course, she also wanted He Wanru's position in the Xu family to be stable. However, Mother Qin clearly saw that with He Wanru's family background, she would never be able to become Xu Zhiheng's wife. Therefore, when He Wanru told her that she wanted to kill He Yan, Mother Qin was shocked and tried her best to persuade her to give up the idea.
However, He Wanru steeled her heart and refused to listen to her. Mother Qin felt that it was strange. In the end, He Wanru finally revealed the truth. This matter was ordered by Xu Zhiheng and the person who wanted to kill He Yan was Xu Zhiheng. However, He Wanru refused to say why Xu Zhiheng wanted to kill He Yan. She only said that it was a secret between her and Xu Zhiheng.
At that time, Mother Qin had actually already realized that something was wrong.
Unfortunately, He Wanru had been spoiled by her family when she was young and married into the Xu family. Xu Zhiheng had a gentle temperament. Even the head of the family, He Yan, didn't care about the family's affairs. He Wanru was ambitious and brainless. She didn't listen to Mother Qin's words. By the time Mother Qin wanted to do something, it was already too late.
When He Yan was drowned that day, Mother Qin hid among the old women outside and was extremely shocked. He Wanru's battle array was too big. With so many people … it was as if she didn't have any scruples. She vaguely heard the conversation between He Wanru and He Yan. It was as if they were talking in riddles and didn't speak clearly. However, Mother Qin clearly remembered that He Wanru called He Yan "General He."
"General He" was General Feihong, He Rufei, and He Yan's elder brother. What did this have to do with He Yan? At that time, Mother Qin didn't understand in her panic. It wasn't until she escaped from the Xu family and wandered around with Blacksmith Niu that she carefully thought about this matter and smelled a trace of something unusual. She seemed to have caught a glimpse of this secret, but … this was really too sensational. Once this secret was exposed to the world, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Therefore, Mother Qin would never speak of this matter unless it was absolutely necessary. Now, every time she thought of the scene that day, she felt a chill all over her body.
That day, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Young Mistress Xu was forced into a pool of cold water and never came out again. However, everyone who was present at that time was already dead in the eyes of others. Even He Wanru didn't expect that Xu Zhiheng would make a move on her not long after he took his wife's life.
It was all karmic retribution that was fated in the underworld.
No one spoke in the room. Mother Qin couldn't help but raise her head to look at the other party. Her heart was on tenterhooks. This was her biggest secret. She didn't know who the other party was or why they wanted to know.
"Continue," Xiao Jue said.
It was better to have someone speak than to remain silent. Mother Qin simply said everything, "After Young Mistress died, I predicted that concubine mother He would most likely be silenced by the eldest son. I was afraid and wanted to ask concubine mother He to escape with me, but she refused. At that time, all the servants in the residence, especially those who were present in concubine mother's courtyard that day, were forbidden from leaving the residence. When I escaped, I asked around and heard that all the servants in concubine mother He's courtyard had been replaced … they were all dead. "
"My lord …" As Mother Qin spoke, she wiped away her tears, "This is all I know. Although I served concubine mother He before, concubine mother He refused to tell me why the eldest son wanted to kill Young Mistress. I'm only a servant of the Xu family. I don't know anything. I beg you to let us go! "
Xiao Jue stood up and looked at the two of them, saying, "You two can stay here for the time being." Then he walked out of the room.
The imperial bodyguards outside the door followed him in. Xiao Jue walked forward. This wasn't a Xiao family, but a courtyard. Luan Ying and Fei Nu walked beside Xiao Jue. They were both shocked.
Xiao Jue walked to the end of the courtyard and stopped at the flower wall. He had already arrived. There were only green leaves on the flower wall. There were no red flowers. His voice fell in the wind, carrying a biting cold. "Luan Ying, when was He Rufei and Young Mistress Xu's birthday?"
Luan Ying replied, "It was the spring equinox. On that day, First Madame He and Second Madame He gave birth at the same time. He Rufei and Young Mistress Xu were born at the same time. Their birthdays were all the spring equinox. "After saying this, she and Fei Nu looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
When they were in Jinling, they already knew from Hua Youxian that "He Rufei" at that time was a woman. Now, He Rufei's actions in the battle of Hua Yuan clearly indicated that he wasn't "He Rufei" at that time. Xiao Jue had always ordered Luan Ying to investigate the women who were close to He Rufei. But now, it seemed that there was no need to investigate anymore. Although Mother Qin only said "General He", these three words were already very clear.
He Rufei at that time, He Rufei who studied in the Xianchang School, He Rufei who went to the Cloud Pavilion with the other youths in Jinling, and He Rufei who had outstanding military achievements in the Fuyue Army, was actually Young Mistress Xu's cousin who was born at the same time as He Rufei. And now, Young Mistress Xu was already dead. No one in the world knew this secret, so He Rufei became the real "General Feihong".
"Continue to investigate everything related to Young Mistress Xu's life," Xiao Jue said, "The relationship between Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei may not be simple. Xu Zhiheng should know about He Rufei and his cousin's identity swapping. "
Luan Ying nodded in agreement. Suddenly, she thought of something and hesitated for a moment before saying, "But young master, Miss He bribed the Xu family's manservant to ask about Mother Qin's whereabouts. I think it's because of this. He Rufei and Young Mistress Xu's identity swapping was a secret, so how did Miss He know? And why did she investigate this matter? He Rufei and the Xu family both had their eyes on Miss He. Previously, this subordinate thought that their real target was young master, but now it seems that this might not be the case. "
"What role did Miss He play in this?"
Luan Ying was much older than Xiao Jue and had practically watched Xiao Jue grow up. Many times, she was not as nervous about Xiao Jue as Chi Wu and Fei Nu. She said whatever was on her mind.
Xiao Jue didn't say anything. On the other hand, Fei Nu couldn't help but say, "Miss He and Young Mistress Xu have the same name."
"That's just a coincidence." Luan Ying continued without thinking, "I've investigated. Miss He is Miss He, there's no substitute identity. Moreover, Miss He's name has always been this name. There's no other possibility. I originally thought that Young Mistress Xu might have a twin sister, but the age doesn't match. Moreover, the He family's neighbors can testify that Miss He looks like her mother. "
Therefore, He Yan definitely couldn't be Young Mistress Xu's twin sister.
"Regarding He Yan, let's stop here." Xiao Jue said, "I know what I'm doing."
Fei Nu and Luan Ying looked at each other in dismay. No one had thought that such a simple matter would lead to so many follow-ups. Not only did they discover the shocking secret of He Rufei and his cousin's identity swap, now even He Yan's behavior became confusing.
But since Xiao Jue had spoken, they could only do as instructed.
Xiao Jue said, "Watch these two people, don't let them escape."
The two complied.
When Fei Nu and Luan Ying left to do their own things, Xiao Jue looked at the quiet sky.
In the winter of Shuo Jing, there were only a few stars scattered on the black velvet cloth, like the glimmering light of a clear spring in the sky. Under the water, lanterns were lively and bright.
The longevity noodles on the boat were steaming hot, and the cups made of leaves were sweet like honey. The girl's face was hidden behind the lanterns. At that time, the night was too beautiful, and the wind was too cool, so much so that people neglected to notice that her eyes were a little red from the steam rising from them.
He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Isn't today your birthday?"
The girl's eyes curved, "Commander in chief, you're so good to me, thank you."
He slowly lowered his head, and his gaze fell on the reflection of the water in the pond beside his boots.
That day was Jiyang's Water God Festival, the spring equinox.
He Yan's mood was really not good.
Since she wasn't able to find Blacksmith Niu and find Mother Qin's whereabouts, she had many suspicions in her heart. If Xu Zhiheng had found Mother Qin before her, Mother Qin would have been doomed. To her, she would have lost an important witness.
She originally wanted to see Fu Wang, but now she was embarrassingly short of money, and the Xu family's manservant was particularly greedy. If she went empty-handed, she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to get any useful information. Therefore, on the second day He Yan returned from the market, everyone in the He family noticed that she was in low spirits.
"Yan Yan, Father was passing by East Street today. I heard that the young ladies who came to Shuo Jing had a kind of perfume. Father bought one for you. You can apply it on your hands every day, and it will also smell good."
He Yan listlessly said, "Thank you, Father."
He Sui was also very distressed. Originally, this daughter of his was born with the countenance of a flower and the face of the moon. Although her temperament was a little arrogant, she was still a girl, so she was delicate and lovable. Her colleagues and friends all knew that this daughter of his was weak and beautiful. Now that He Yan was back, her temperament was completely different from before. Not only did she wake up in the morning to practice martial arts and chop firewood, she didn't use the rouge and face powder that he bought for her in the past. She wore a plain face all day long, and even picked up a skirt to wear as if it didn't affect her work.
Although this was also very good, the difference was too big. Sometimes, He Yan looked at her and missed the delicate daughter of the past. Therefore, he tried to buy some small things to make He Yan remember that she was a woman. Although he felt that He Yan was also very good like this, General Fengyun was marrying a wife, not marrying a brother back. He Yan and Xiao Jue couldn't go out together. Outsiders would say that He Yan looked more like a man than Xiao Jue. What kind of situation would that be!?
He Yan didn't know that his actions had already distressed He Sui to such an extent. She was only concerned about Mother Qin's matter. Although he knew that Blacksmith Niu would most likely not appear in Changmao Ironworks again, there was still a trace of hope in his heart. After another two days, before the sun rose and He Sui and He Yunsheng left the house, He Yan quietly got up in the dark, folded the bedding, and led Xiang Xiang to the town again.
Therefore, when Qing Mei got up to feed the horse, she screamed like she did a few days ago. This time, she was much more mature than the last time. She didn't cry when she saw that there was no one in the house. Instead, she walked to Chi Wu's room and politely knocked on the door.
Chi Wu opened the door, "What's the matter?"
Qing Mei smiled and scolded him, "Young Master Chi Wu, did you sleep too soundly? Miss took Xiang Xiang out again. Didn't you notice? "
Chi Wu, "… …"
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