Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The coroners in Shuntian Prefecture were quite experienced and quickly arrived at their conclusions:

"Reporting to my esteemed lords and generals, according to my examination, the deceased should have died about half an hour ago. The fatal wound was the knife wound in the left chest that pierced through the heart."

In addition to the knife wound, there were severe impact marks on the area where the victim's left arm connected to his head, suggesting that he had fallen from a height.

Furthermore, judging from the secondary damage to the stab wound on the deceased's chest, the deceased must have been stabbed first and then fell from a height, causing the wound to reopen considerably.

Upon hearing the coroner's words, many people in the hall couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

It is undoubtedly murder.

However, Weng Ziqin was not satisfied. He had originally planned to examine the body himself, but ultimately gave up because Jia Zhen's mangled appearance was nauseating. He then asked the coroner, "Is this all you can find?"

"Reporting back to you, sir, based on the deceased's remains, this is indeed all I can deduce."

However, if we could visit the crime scene, we might find something new.

Inspecting the crime scene was naturally essential for investigating the murder, and Jia Lian immediately beckoned to Lai Sheng's wife: "Take the Prefect and all the constables to Tianxiang Tower!"

"Yes."

……

Upon hearing the news of Jia Zhen's death at the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu and his sisters were all shocked.

But they could only stay at home and wait for news.

Faced with such a horrifying situation, Grandmother Jia would not allow her young ladies to get involved.

As Jia Baoyu was already a teenager, and his cousin had died, if he insisted on his decision, Grandmother Jia might not object.

But Jia Baoyu had no intention of going to Ningguo Mansion.

It was nothing more than a look of shock and concern on his chubby, round face.

In reality, whether Jia Zhen lived or died was of no concern to him.

He was a philosopher who didn't even care about his own life or death, let alone Jia Zhen, whom he considered utterly vulgar and rotten.

The only things that could concern the dignified Master Bao were his beautiful daughter and a handsome and elegant man.

In Fengjie's courtyard, Wang Xifeng was completely different from Jia Baoyu; she enjoyed getting involved in and watching the excitement.

However, for various reasons, she ultimately chose to stay at home.

However, her gaze never left the Ningguo Mansion, and she kept sending Ping'er, Xiao Hong, and others to find out what was going on.

After finding out the details, she guessed in front of Ping'er alone: ​​"In my opinion, this matter is probably not simple!"

Everyone in our two households knows what kind of person Master Zhen is. He's all about drinking and womanizing. He even went after Rong'er's wife. He's a real beast.

But then again, someone like him, who doesn't hold an official position outside the government, probably wouldn't offend any powerful figures. Why would anyone want to kill him?

There's probably more to this than meets the eye. Just wait and see; the final findings might just surprise us.

Ping'er was kinder than Wang Xifeng, and faced with such a horrifying event, she could not speculate.

Looking up at Wang Xifeng, whose eyes were gleaming with fire, she asked in confusion, "What are you thinking about, Grandma?"

"No, it's nothing."

Wang Xifeng paused, looking dazed. She suddenly remembered what Jia Lian had told her yesterday about the matter between the father and son in Ningguo Mansion, saying that the bigger the commotion between the two, the more advantageous it would be for her.

How could Jia Zhen have been murdered tonight?

This is a huge deal, isn't it?

It is easy to imagine that once this matter spreads throughout the capital tomorrow, the Jia family will become the focus of discussion among all the mansions in the city.

In this case, will it really be as the heartless person said, that the Empress Dowager will consider the face of the royal family and let bygones be bygones?

Furthermore, Jia Zhen's sudden death made Wang Xifeng, who found Jia Lian's actions increasingly mysterious and seemingly divinely aided, engage in wild speculation:

Could this be related to someone who has no conscience?

This inexplicable and terrifying thought had barely surfaced when she forcefully banished it from her mind!

I must be crazy to have such suspicions. It's heartless of me to do this; there's no reason or motive behind it.

It's better to suspect Rong-ge'er than to suspect someone who has no conscience.

Jia Zhen's covetousness of Rong'er's wife has been going on for quite some time, and many people in both households have been secretly gossiping about it. It's impossible that Rong'er didn't know.

It's absolutely impossible for him not to feel hatred.

Adding to the incident that he and his son caused yesterday, Rong'er is indeed the one with the most reason and the most motive in this matter.

But Rong-ge'er is the most spineless person. Would he really dare to do such a rebellious thing?

Wang Xifeng was bold, and her thinking was naturally bold as well. Despite knowing only what she knew, she boldly speculated on all possibilities.

Gossiping is human nature.

"By the way, I heard your second master is back, and he even led troops to completely surround our own house?"

Upon hearing Wang Xifeng's question, Ping'er immediately told Wang Xifeng what she knew.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's swift, meticulous, and determined plan to bring the culprit to justice, Wang Xifeng felt increasingly that her previous ideas were ridiculous.

Thinking this to himself, he couldn't help but smile and say, "With your second master here, the murderer will surely be caught soon. Do you remember the time when Madam Yang in the master's room plotted to poison your second master?"

In the end, not only did it fail, but your second master saw through it on the spot.

Sigh, sometimes I can't help but wonder, is our second master still the same person we knew when we were kids?

Wang Xifeng sighed with emotion.

After all, she had always believed that she was smarter than Jia Lian. If it weren't for Jia Lian's appearance and the Jia family's social standing, she wouldn't have been willing to marry him!

Unexpectedly, after only a few years of marriage, she has been completely subdued by this jerk?

Recalling the absurd events of last night, Wang Xifeng still felt a burning sensation behind her ears and involuntarily glared at Ping'er.

You little brat, you actually dared to lie on top of me and act so disrespectfully!

Ping'er quietly retreated, looking at Feng Jie with innocent eyes, as if to say that she was also a victim...

Wang Xifeng suddenly laughed, then sighed softly: "Ping'er, you've been with me since you were little, and I know I'm not a kind person. But at least with you, I have no selfish motives or reservations."

I consider you my own sister from the bottom of my heart.

My misfortune is entirely my own fault. If, if I could escape this calamity by sheer luck, then so be it.

Otherwise…”

Wang Xifeng looked intently at Ping'er, interrupting Ping'er's attempt to offer comfort, and continued, "If you can't, I want you to promise me one thing."

Ping'er could see Wang Xifeng's seriousness and quickly said, "Please speak, Madam. Don't just say one thing; I'll agree to anything you ask."

Ping'er's reaction touched Wang Xifeng somewhat belatedly.

Adversity sees the truth.

Having witnessed Wang Xifeng's coldness and disdain over the past two days, Ping'er has come to understand her loyalty.

"It's not a difficult thing."

I mean, if I really can't get over this, I'll leave you here.

Given how much your second master dotes on you, if you stay here, you'll at least be guaranteed to become a concubine in the future.

Moreover, with your intelligence and your master's abilities, even if the princess doesn't like you after entering the family, you should be able to protect yourself.

"Now that your future is settled, I can finally rest easy."

Upon hearing this, Ping'er was deeply moved. She quickly pulled down her stool, knelt before Wang Xifeng, and cried out, "What are you saying, Grandmother? I am your maid. Wherever you go, I will go. I have said that I will serve you for the rest of my life."

Although she was also reluctant to leave Jia Lian, Ping'er knew even better that if Wang Xifeng were divorced and sent home, her situation would become even more difficult after losing her reputation.

At that time, Wang Xifeng was even more inseparable from her.

Her loyalty and kindness made it impossible for her to abandon the disgraced Wang Xifeng for wealth and comfort, and to become a heartless person.

"Silly girl."

Wang Xifeng helped Ping'er up from her knees and said with a smile, "Don't be in such a hurry to show your loyalty. I'm not doing this entirely for you."

Although your second master is a man of honor, even if he divorces me, he won't prevent the eldest sister from acknowledging me.

But she was ultimately a member of the Jia family by blood; only by staying here could her future wealth and prosperity be guaranteed.

Moreover, once the princess enters the house, even in order to protect her, I cannot easily see her again.

She's still so young, how can I be at ease? So, I'm keeping you here in the hope that, considering our many years of friendship, you'll treat her like your own child and protect her as she grows up. That would be the greatest repayment you could give me.

Wang Xifeng was not used to saying sentimental things, but at this moment, she had no choice but to.

She is a strong person, and even in the current situation, she has never thought about dying.

The only thing she couldn't let go of was her own bloodline.

Therefore, it was inevitable that tears would fall as she spoke.

Seeing this, Ping'er didn't know how to answer.

If I agree, it will seem like I'm heartless; if I don't agree, then what Grandma said makes sense.

Indeed, although the Second Master is more cunning than the average person, he is, after all, a man, and his main focus is on important matters outside.

If a princess were to enter the household in the future, she would likely be in charge of all matters, big and small, and even the old lady might not be able to control her.

Therefore, if she harbors ill intentions towards the eldest sister, I fear...

Given her status, if she were to do something wrong, even if the Second Master eventually found out, he probably wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

So, after much deliberation, Ping'er nodded through her tears.

Her pitiful appearance made it seem as if she were the one who had been divorced.

Seeing this, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but chuckle. She wiped away Ping'er's tears and said with a smile, "Alright, look at you, I'm still right here."

I'm not one to give up easily. Since your Second Master said he'll handle things outside, I'll wait and see.

"Perhaps your second master has extraordinary abilities and can really resolve this matter for me?"

Wang Xifeng smiled nonchalantly, not wanting to discuss the matter further. She wiped away her tears and suddenly asked, "By the way, where's that little hussy Qingwen? I haven't seen her since the house started falling into chaos!"

"I looked for her just now. The old women said they saw her with the old lady earlier, so she must have gone to Ningguo Mansion to check on things."

"Hmph, that little hussy, seeing that I've lost power, she's become even more disrespectful to me."

Wang Xifeng cursed, but didn't really take it to heart.

She had long seen through it; Qingwen was just a shallow and naive girl who had never seen the world, and her thoughts were completely exposed in front of her.

If it weren't for her exceptionally beautiful appearance, she could easily crush a handful of these little creatures with a single swipe of her hand.

Aside from occasionally annoying her, she didn't feel that these guys who relied solely on their looks posed any significant threat.

Compared to her, Xiangling is the one she still can't see through.

That little girl may seem dull and simple-minded, but she's actually smarter than Qingwen.

This can be seen from the fact that she spent her free time reading and writing, striving to cultivate herself. In contrast, Qingwen had excellent opportunities but only knew how to curry favor and squander her wealth.

They didn't dwell too much on these two precious children of Jia Lian.

After this battle, Wang Xifeng's strong-willed nature and overly shrewd calculations were somewhat diminished.

She also realized that, as a woman, Jia Lian's favor was the only and most important thing.

In crucial moments, he can shield her from the wind and rain. (To be continued)