There is a god in the sky

Chapter 45 The Murder of a Wealthy Family in Jianzhou (Part 8)

The book-reading man asked the shopkeeper with a gossipy air, "What's the background of this woman?"

The shopkeeper knew they were important customers, so he didn't hide anything and told them, "She's the sister-in-law of the former prefect."

"Former? Lord Liu?"

"Yes."

Liu Engui's career progressed smoothly and rapidly, and naturally, his entire family benefited as well.

His wife is the daughter of a clerk in the Jianzhou government. Now that his official position is higher than that of his father-in-law's family, the Han family is also trying to curry favor with him.

After reading the book, he understood. "So that's how it is. Even if Lord Liu himself stood before my young master, he would still have to be very polite. Who do you think you are?"

Han Rong wasn't stupid. The master and servant were dressed in rich clothes, had an extraordinary air about them, and were unfamiliar faces. They really might be important figures from somewhere.

Unable to do anything to Shen Lan, the maid Xiao He sullenly retreated behind Han Rong.

At this moment, Constable Lei arrived with his constables.

Han Rong let out a dry wail, turned around, and hugged the maid's shoulder, crying.

"You're really going too far! You're robbing people in broad daylight! I'm reporting this to the authorities!"

Lei Dajiang came over and asked, "What brings you all here...?"

Han Rong took the initiative, accusing Shen Lan and her group of robbers, and not only insulted her but also her brother-in-law.

Liu Engui's name still held considerable sway in Jianzhou City.

But Lei Dajiang has no intention of being a good person today.

He cupped his hands in greeting to Han Rong, "Miss Han, the yamen has a case and would like you to come and ask a few questions."

"What?" Han Rong looked up in astonishment.

Lei Dajiang said politely, "You must have heard about the Wu family's case. I heard that you went to the Wu residence to cause trouble that day, and Lord Xiao wants to ask you questions in person."

Han Rong's expression alternated between pale and flushed.

When she heard that Xiao Ji wanted to ask her questions, she subconsciously tidied her makeup.

“Since this is an official questioning me, I should cooperate. Let’s go.”

As she passed by Shen Lan, she glared at her fiercely.

Shen Lan knew she was Liu Engui's sister-in-law, and her gaze was even colder than hers.

She pointed a finger at Han Rong's lower back, and before Han Rong could react, she left with Fu Qingyan and his servant.

The three of them found a teahouse to stay in.

The teahouse was packed with guests, and the storyteller was recounting the massacre of the Wu family.

"When Boss Qian carried a slab of tofu and pushed open the Wu family's gate, a strong smell of blood hit him."

It was barely light when he went inside. He called out a few times but no one answered.

Mr. Qian was an old acquaintance of the Wu family, living on the same street, so there was not much to hide.

Just as they rounded the screen wall, they tripped over something and spilled tofu all over the ground.

Before he could even feel sorry for himself, he met a pair of bulging eyes, wide as saucers, which scared him so much that he wet his pants...

One guest, feeling nauseous upon hearing this, threw sunflower seeds onto the stage, saying, "Old Fan, stop telling these disgusting jokes, or you'll be coming after me for the tofu money in the middle of the night!"

The guests burst into laughter.

The deaths of the Wu family members are nothing more than gossip fodder for outsiders.

Shen Lan sat by the window, her gaze sweeping across the street below.

The prosperity and bustle of the prefectural capital are incomparable to those of Aoki Prefecture.

Jianzhou City was famous for its tribute tea, attracting numerous tea merchants, and the streets were frequented by merchants from the Western Regions.

"How did that Miss Han get involved with the Wu family?" Fu Qingyan kept thinking about this question.

Shen Lan rested her chin on her hand and said calmly, "Perhaps it's because of the infighting among the Liu family's wives and concubines."

Fu Qingyan asked curiously, "How did Miss Shen know?"

"On one side is Madam Liu's sister, and on the other is the concubine's family. Isn't it normal for them to have conflicts?"

Guan Shu retorted, "But I haven't heard that Lord Liu brought a concubine surnamed Wu with him when he went to the capital."

Guan Shu traveled south and stayed in Jianzhou Prefecture for a few days. He also visited Lord Liu with his cousin.

At that time, the Liu family was about to set off. He had spoken with the servants of the Liu family and learned that Lord Liu was only taking one wife and three concubines to the capital.

Shen Lan lowered her gaze, staring at the teacup in her hand. After a long while, she said softly, "Then we'll have to wait and see."

Fu Qingyan was getting into a story when he heard the storyteller change the tale, only to discover that he was actually the protagonist of that story.

"Upon hearing that the Marquis's heir had eloped with a courtesan, abandoning his promising background and position, the Marquis was furious and petitioned to replace the heir and remove his eldest son from the family genealogy."

Alas, I wonder if that prince regrets it now. After leaving home, he is nothing more than an ordinary mortal.

"Life is tough for ordinary people everywhere..."

Shen Lan glanced at Fu Qingyan and asked him, "Do you regret it?"

Fu Qingyan silently gulped down a cup of tea. "Miss Shen, please don't make fun of me."

If he and You Niang were truly in love, perhaps he wouldn't regret it. But he's already in this situation, how could he not regret it?

Guan Shu said angrily, "Young Master, we must hurry back to the capital! Master must have been bewitched by Concubine Jiang. The Second Young Master is an illegitimate son."

Fu Qingyan was filled with shame and indignation.

He left home with the belief that he would never go back, so how could he have the face to go back now?

Shen Lan gave him a suggestion: "You'd better write a letter back first, telling your father that you are still alive, but you are seriously injured and unable to travel. You will need to recuperate for several months."

Several months later, Lord Xiao will return to the capital. You can go with him and then take him to the Marquis's residence to vouch for you.

Remember, whatever you do, don't tell your dad that you were tricked by your lover. He'll just think you deserved it.

Fu Qingyan, seeking enlightenment, asked, "Then how should I say it?"

"Tell me that you were traveling south, intending to travel around and then return, but you encountered bandits, were murdered and robbed, and were even dumped in a mass grave. If it weren't for Lord Xiao's timely rescue, you would be dead. Tell me the most tragic story possible."

"Will my father believe it?" Fu Qingyan asked anxiously.

Did you leave a letter for your family when you left home?

Fu Qingyan blushed and said, "No."

"How did they know you eloped with a woman?"

Fu Qingyan glanced at Guan Shu, who said helplessly, "Before that, the young master told the Marquis that he wanted to marry You Niang, and was beaten by the Marquis. He once declared that he would be with You Niang for life, and if the Marquis did not agree, he would leave the Marquis's mansion."

Shen Lan couldn't help but clap her hands, "Young man, your love-struck mind is truly unmatched."

She shook her head and laughed, "No matter what stupid things you did in the past, hurry up and make amends now."

You can have someone hide a letter in the room, saying that you're heartbroken and want to travel, so the Marquis won't worry.

Fu Qingyan looked at him pitifully, "My dad won't believe it."

His father knows his personality perfectly well.

"Have Lord Xiao send another letter, saying that someone outside is deliberately spreading rumors that you eloped with a courtesan to smear the Marquis's mansion. The Marquis will choose to believe you for the sake of his family's reputation."

"That'll be fine?"

Shen Lan was also unsure, because she had never met the Marquis of Pingyang and did not know his personality.

"Give it a try." It's better than doing nothing.

Fu Qingyan hurriedly poured tea for Shen Lan, raised his cup and said, "Thank you, Miss Shen, for not only saving my life but also giving me advice. I will use tea instead of wine to express my gratitude for your great kindness."

Shen Lan took a small sip and thought to herself: I'm not that noble, I just hope to get more help.