Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Jinling, Tianjing Lane.

This is an old alley in Jinling City, about the width of three horses running parallel to each other, and the road surface is paved with long strips of bluestone with fine joints.

After countless years of being trampled and rubbed, the raised areas on the bluestone have been polished to a faint glow.

After last night's rain, the bluestone on the road radiated a moist and cold light, making this old alley more unpredictable and cold.

Some passers-by gathered at the entrance of the alley to watch the excitement, but no one went into the alley to see what was going on, as if this Tianjing Alley had long been filled with bad luck, so they dared not step in.

Jia Cong squeezed through the crowd at the alley entrance and walked into the alley alone.

The entire alley was empty. From afar, in the middle of the alley, one could see a house with people often coming in and out.

There are indeed quite a few abandoned houses in this alley, with weeds growing on the eaves, paint marks on the doors and windows, and government seals on the doors.

After being ravaged by time, wind and rain, some of the seals have fallen off and are fluttering sadly in the wind.

There were still some houses with residents in the alley, but their doors were all closed, with only one or two vigilant and cold faces occasionally flashing through the windows.

Several Jinyiwei from the Qianhu Suo passed by in the alley. When they saw Jia Cong, they came forward to inquire about his identity, but they were all blocked by the commander-in-chief's token on Jia Cong's body.

He walked to the front of the house and found two yamen runners from Yingtian Prefecture guarding the door.

This was also an abandoned house with dead grass growing on the eaves. The seal on the gate had been torn off, and under the door stood a broken lantern, swaying and squeaking in the wind.

A word "Cui" can be vaguely seen on the lantern. This should be the surname of the officer of the Water Conservancy Bureau who lived here in the past. I'm afraid he has not had a good end now.

At this time, a Jinyiwei came out from the door. It was Liu Yong, a captain of Jinyiwei who was familiar with Jia Cong.

When Liu Yong saw Jia Cong, he asked in surprise, "Master Jia, why did you come here? It's not peaceful here today."

Jia Cong replied, "I passed by nearby and heard that a murder had occurred here. I heard that it was done by Liu Ao's subordinates, the Water Rakshasa.

At present, Liu Ao has invaded the coast of Songjiang River. The Firearms Department has not yet prepared its artillery for training, and the artillery has not been transported to Songjiang to repel the enemy.

The power of artillery is now known to the whole country. I don’t know if there is any connection between Liu Ao’s men entering the city to harass the city at this time.”

Liu Yong was somewhat surprised and said, "No wonder the adults came to see what was going on. However, this murder case should have nothing to do with the deployment of artillery. No matter how powerful the Water Rakshasa is, it has no intention of attacking artillery."

In fact, Jia Cong brought up the cannon just to get information from Liu Yong.

Liu Yong and Jia Cong were old acquaintances, and the commander valued Jia Cong very much. Since he asked about this matter, Liu Yong revealed a few words.

"The person who was killed was a girl of fifteen or sixteen, tall and slender, in her prime, she should have been just an ordinary person, it was a real crime.

The killing method was indeed from the Japanese warriors, but I don’t know why Shui Luosha killed people….”

When Liu Yong said this, Jia Cong was slightly shocked. A girl of fifteen or sixteen years old, with a tall figure, this description makes her look a bit like Zou Miner.

Zou Min'er is tall and graceful, and stands out among the many ladies in Qingyin Pavilion.

Among all the women Jia Cong met in Jinling, she was the only one with such an outstanding figure.

He comforted himself in his heart that this was probably just a coincidence.

But thinking about how Zou Min'er was recognized by someone a few days ago, and the woman named Wu who recognized her suddenly disappeared for no reason, Jia Cong became more alert.

Now according to Liu Yong's description, the physical signs of the female corpse found in Tianxiang are indeed similar to those of Zou Min'er. Although he cannot be sure, his heartbeat is unconsciously speeding up.

He thought about rushing to Qingyin Pavilion to find out what was going on, but after calming himself down, he decided to figure out what was going on.

……

Jia Cong asked, "Brother Liu, can you please help me? I want to see the female corpse."

Liu Yong looked surprised. He didn't expect that Jia Cong, an outsider, would suddenly want to see the body of the deceased. This seemed a little against the rules.

Normally, a murder in Jinling City would be handled by the Yingtian Prefecture Yamen, and the Jinyiwei had no responsibility to intervene.

However, after the coroner of Yingtian Prefecture examined the corpse, he found that the murder method was similar to that of Japanese warriors and involved the female bandit Shui Luosha who had recently sneaked into Jinling City. That is why the Jinyiwei intervened.

If there were only his Jinyiwei people at the scene, and Liu Yong had always had a personal relationship with Jia Cong, he would not mind doing a favor.

However, there are people from the Yingtian government investigating the scene now. If an outsider were to examine the body in public, it would definitely give people something to talk about.

Therefore, it is normal for Liu Yong to be a little hesitant.

Jia Cong said: "To be honest with you, Brother Liu, one of my friends has not been doing well recently and may be in danger.

I just heard your description of the deceased, and it is somewhat similar to my friend, so I want to take a look at the body to confirm it. I hope Brother Liu can help me."

Liu Yong was also surprised when he heard this. Seeing Jia Cong's solemn expression and deep worry on his brows, he knew that something was unusual.

Since Jia Cong suspected that the deceased was his friend, it would seem understandable if he took a look at the body.

Liu Yong said, "Since Lord Jia has such concerns, of course we can check it out. But I would like to remind you that the victim's face was slashed and her death was quite tragic."

When Jia Cong heard this, the hairs on his body stood up and his face turned ashen.

He suppressed his thoughts and asked, "Why is it like this?"

Liu Yong sighed, "It must be that the murderer didn't want anyone to recognize her. I hope it has nothing to do with anyone your Excellency knows."

……

Jia Cong took a deep breath and followed Liu Yong into the old house. In the main hall of the house, there was a corpse covered with a white cloth.

The slender and graceful figure of the female corpse could be vaguely seen, and Jia Cong's heart was once again drawn to it.

The two men walked to the side of the corpse. Perhaps because of the rain, the bloody smell on the corpse had become very faint.

Liu Yong glanced at Jia Cong, to remind him that he would uncover the shroud. After all, the victim was disfigured, and ordinary people would definitely feel uncomfortable seeing it.

Jia Cong nodded silently and watched Liu Yong slowly uncover the white cloth covering the corpse.

Jia Cong felt a chill running straight to his head. The female corpse's face was covered with knife marks, with the skin and flesh rolled up. It was a horrible sight and his original appearance could not be seen at all.

Jia Cong just glanced at the face briefly, then turned his eyes away and looked carefully at the figure of the female corpse.

There was a knife wound on the chest of the female corpse. The knife went through her chest and abdomen, slanting downward. The incision was narrow and smooth.

Seeing Jia Cong observing the knife wound, Liu Yong said, "According to the coroner's examination, this knife wound is unusual and is most likely caused by a Japanese warrior."

After hearing what Liu Yong said, Jia Cong did not reply, but examined the corpse very carefully, and even grabbed the palm of the female corpse and looked at it.

Liu Yong was in the Jinyiwei and was often exposed to danger. In the Jinyiwei prison, torture was rife, so he was accustomed to seeing blood.

But this is the first time I've seen someone so deliberately disfigured that their face is beyond recognition. It's really weird and scary.

He saw that Jia Cong was only nervous at the beginning, probably because he was worried about the victim, someone he knew.

But after he lifted the shroud himself, faced with such a horrific scene, the young man showed no fear at all, and even squatted down to carefully examine the corpse.

Liu Yong really admired his courage and calmness.

He thought of how Jia Cong had fought against the Jurchens in Liaodong. This man who had emerged from military battles was indeed extraordinary.

……

Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief after carefully examining the body.

The female corpse's face was scratched and could not be recognized at all.

Although she is tall and has a similar figure to Zou Min'er, she is thinner and seems to come from a poor family.

Although Zou Miner is tall, her figure is slim and slender yet plump, which is very different from the victim.

Jia Cong and Zou Min'er have been spending more time together these days. In order to conceal their relationship from outsiders, Zou Min'er often plays pipa music for him whenever they are alone in a private room.

Therefore, Jia Cong paid much attention to Zou Miner's hands. Her hands were very beautiful, with slender and long fingers, soft and flawless, like jade onion tubes, which made people unforgettable at first sight.

The victim's fingers were thin and rough, probably because she often did rough labor, which hardened her finger bones. They were completely different from the delicate hands of Zou Min'er who was good at playing the pipa.

When Liu Yong saw Jia Cong stand up, he asked quickly, "Master Jia, this woman is someone you know."

Jia Cong said, "Fortunately, it's not someone I know. Thank you, Liu Yong, for your accommodation. I'll take my leave first." As soon as Liu Yong saw Jia Cong finish his words, he hurried out of the old house, as if he was in a hurry to go somewhere.

……

Jia Cong walked quickly out of Tianjing Lane. The wind blew from the lane entrance, cooling the cold sweat on his forehead.

If the female corpse just now was Zou Miner, he didn't know how to face it.

He walked quickly towards Qingyin Pavilion. The bustling pedestrians on the road and the calm and gentle expressions on their faces gradually calmed Jia Cong's originally troubled mood.

Not long after leaving Tianjing Lane, we passed by a fish market, where precious seafood from the nearby sea of ​​Songjiang was sold, and a faint fishy smell was floating in the air.

The worker carrying the fish basket and the boss shouting orders were full of the daily life of the common people, which made his previously stiff heart relax a little.

When he saw the gate of Qingyin Pavilion, he quickly entered the pavilion.

First, I went to the door at the end of the lobby, which led to the backyard where the lady of the pavilion lived.

He gave a piece of silver to the strong woman guarding the gate and asked her to tell Zou Min'er that he wanted to see her.

Then he went up to the third floor of Qingyin Pavilion and walked step by step towards the private room where he would meet Zou Miner.

Jia Cong felt his heart beating faster, and he actually felt a thrill of joy at the prospect of seeing Zou Miner soon. He had never felt this way before.

Perhaps it was the mutilated female corpse in Tianjing Lane that shocked his mind and made him eager to see Zou Miner.

When he pushed open the door of the private room on the third floor, he found that Zou Min'er had been sitting there, as if she knew he was coming.

Jia Cong was surprised and felt relieved. He couldn't help but stare at her.

Black hair like clouds, fair and beautiful face.

The ingot-shaped earlobes are flawless white, reflecting the pale pink color, and the pearl earrings on the earlobes shine with a soft light, adding a touch of beauty.

She was wearing a pine green plum branch jacket with a round-necked snow-white thin silk lining, which set off her slender and graceful, yet plump body in an extremely charming manner.

Zou Miner looked at him curiously and felt that Jia Cong was a little strange today.

He stared at him blankly, his eyes filled with strange heat and joy. He had never looked at himself like this before...

Zou Min'er felt her face burning and avoided Jia Cong's gaze.

Jia Cong smiled and asked, "Why are you here?"

Zou Miner replied, "You haven't come over these past two days, so I've been staying in the backyard. Today our people brought a letter from Songjiang, so I came out to sit for a while. I didn't expect you to actually come."

Zou Min'er asked Jia Cong with a puzzled look on her face: "What's wrong with you today? You're so weird?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Nothing happened. I'm glad you're safe. What did the letter from Songjiang say?"

Zou Min'er heard Jia Cong say that as long as she was safe, which was a nonsensical sentence, but she could tell that he cared about her. She felt happy in her heart, but did not want to think too much about it.

"The letter from Songjiang said that hundreds of Japanese pirates under the command of Liu Ao, the great pirate from the East China Sea, have recently attacked the coast of Songjiang and have engaged in several tug-of-war battles with the Songjiang Guards."

Jia Cong had learned this news from the Jinyiwei in the past two days, so it was not surprising.

Zou Miner continued, "The newly drawn image of Zhou Zhengyang has been sent to our people in various places. We are searching everywhere according to the new image. As long as he has not gone out to sea, we will find his trace sooner or later."

After Zou Miner finished speaking, she saw that Jia Cong was a little absent-minded, her eyebrows slightly frowned, and she felt confused.

But Jia Cong said: "The news reported that the Japanese pirates under Liu Ao attacked Songjiang. It's not just that. A fierce bandit named Shui Luosha under his command also sneaked into Nanjing recently.

Last time, your identity was recognized by Mrs. Wu, and then Mrs. Wu disappeared for no reason and her whereabouts are still unknown. I have been worried about this.

A female corpse was found in Tianjing Lane this morning. According to the investigation of the Jinyiwei, the murderer might be the water Rakshasa under Liu Ao's command.

Anyway, Jinling City has been a little bit unstable recently. Miss Zou had better be more cautious when going out recently. Perhaps it would be safer for her to come back with me to the old house in Xinglongfang and settle down."

……

The horrific female corpse in Tianjing Lane today left Jia Cong with lingering fears. This was the second time he suggested that Zou Min'er go back with him to the old house in Xinglongfang.

Perhaps it was the strange look that Jia Cong gave her today that touched Zou Min'er's heart. She could clearly feel the worry in Jia Cong's eyes, and her heart softened slightly.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I will go back and pack up today, and I will go back to the old house in Xinglongfang with you tomorrow."

Jia Cong was delighted when he heard this and said with a smile, "I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning."

The two of them carefully went over the letters and reports from the states along the river before Jia Cong said goodbye and left.

……

As he pushed open the door of the private room and walked out, he bumped into a maid who was passing by the door.

The maid was knocked back a few steps, the tray in her hands fell to the ground, and the cups of wine on the tray spilled all over the floor.

Jia Cong saw that the maid was tall and slender, and her face seemed familiar.

Suddenly he remembered that when he came to Qingyin Pavilion the day before, he vaguely saw this maid in the corridor, and she even bowed to him.

The maid met Jia Cong, and seemed a little flustered. She lowered her head and apologized to Jia Cong.

Jia Cong felt a little embarrassed. If he hadn't suddenly gone out just now, he wouldn't have bumped into anyone.

He squatted down apologetically and picked up the tray on the ground.

The maid also lowered her head to tidy up the wine vessels scattered on the ground.

Maybe because the two people were too close, Jia Cong accidentally saw the maid applying foundation on the back of her hand, and felt a little strange. Don’t women all apply powder on their faces?
Jia Cong was amused. It was true that all women had an irrepressible love of beauty, even maids who did odd jobs were no exception.
At this time, the maid reached out to pick up the wine glass on the ground, inadvertently revealing the entire back of her right hand.

Jia Cong saw that the powder on her wrist had been washed away by the wine that had just been spilled, revealing a strange scar.

When the two stood up at the same time, they almost touched each other. The other's hair almost brushed Jia Cong's face, making him subconsciously twitch his nose.

Jia Cong handed her the tray he had picked up. The maid bowed to him and said, "Thank you, sir."

The voice was a little hoarse, with a strange magnetism.

When Zou Min'er came out, she saw that Jia Cong had just bumped into someone and it was not a big deal. After saying goodbye to Jia Cong, she returned to the inner courtyard alone.

The maid was a very polite person. When she packed up her things and was about to leave, she bowed to Jia Cong and went down the stairs to the lobby.

There is a reason why Qingyin Pavilion enjoys a reputation in Jinling and becomes a gathering place for literati and elegant guests in the city.

Du Qingniang managed Qingyin Pavilion in a very methodical manner. She not only cultivated talented musicians in the pavilion, but also trained talented musicians in the pavilion.

Even the maid who served tea and wine in the pavilion was so smart and meticulous, and paid attention to etiquette, making people feel at home.

……

After Jia Cong left Qingyin Pavilion, Jiang Liu had received his instructions in advance. After sending Lingguan to the Jia Mansion, he had already driven a carriage and was waiting outside the pavilion.

After the carriage had traveled for a long distance, it passed by the fish market that Jia Cong had passed by when he came.

There was a strange smell in the air.

Jia Cong was born in a small coastal town in the southeast in his previous life and was most familiar with the coastal customs. He suddenly thought of the fishy smell of sea water.

It was this unintentional thought that flashed through his mind, causing Jia Cong to suddenly frown!

He suddenly shouted: "Jiang Liu, stop the car!"

Future, who was driving, hurriedly reined in his horse, turned around and lifted the curtain, and asked, "Third Master, is there anything wrong? Why do you suddenly want to stop the car?"

Jia Cong did not respond to Jiang Liu's words. The fishy smell of the sea water from the fish market just now touched his heart like lightning.

Many chaotic scenes flashed through his mind quickly, and his expression quickly became solemn.

A pair of hands involuntarily clenched together, as if trying to grasp the fleeting inspiration in the mind.

Almost in an instant, his thoughts were connected at once, and all those chaotic thoughts immediately revealed a complete context.

Jia Cong's face changed drastically, and he shouted sternly: "Jiang Liu, return to Qingyin Pavilion immediately, quickly!" (End of this chapter)