Chapter 2, The Unresolved Deep Alliance of the Linked Circles
The little deer can be considered half an assistant to Ah Yuan, always staying by Ah Yuan's side, having already seen the situation clearly. It jumped over and quietly asked, "Miss, have you offended this magistrate?"
Zhu Huifei protested upon hearing this: "This was brought to me by my cousin Xie Yitang from Beijing, and there are plenty more at Jingdianshi, so why must you deceive me?"
As Zhu Huifei was busy tightening her grip, she suddenly felt a certain part of her wrist being poked by Ah Yuan's fingertip, as if stung by a wasp, a sharp and fine pain causing her to hiss in a breath. By the time she realized it, the book and the painting scroll were already in Ah Yuan's hands. She opened the book, glanced at it hurriedly, then quickly closed it, glaring fiercely at Zhu Huifei, her face already flushed with a rosy hue.
Zhu Huifei rubbed his sore backside and ultimately did not dare to reach out to stop him. He stood there in a daze for quite a while and asked Zhu Jifei: "Second brother, you wouldn't really be doing anything to the Linghe Essence, would you?"
Since he was not among those suitors who came to visit after Ah Yuan woke up, it is very likely that Xiao Lu was right.
Zhu Huifei felt considerably more at ease with his younger brother by his side. Upon seeing Zhu Jifei go to make arrangements for their father's funeral, he also took a moment to give a few instructions to Madam Zhu and the various stewards. The rooms of Madam Zhu and two or three concubines had already been searched, and nothing inappropriate had been found, so there was no need to take them back to the yamen for the time being
Zhu Huifei said: "He is using public office to settle personal scores and even wants to search my house"
Li Feiyuan never thought that his young county magistrate could truly handle this matter regarding the royal family members. Upon hearing this, he readily took the opportunity to say: "If the second young master insists on this... then please arrange it as soon as possible!"
Zhu Huifei shouted: "This was sent to me by your esteemed historian. Are you also going to investigate it?"
... ...
Li Fei cleared his throat, and Ah Yuan hurriedly gestured to Xiao Lu to stop her overly exuberant laughter, then walked over and asked: "What empty bottle?"
Jing Zhiwan did not shy away from the confusion and anger in her eyes, quietly gazing at her, the corners of her lips curling into a cool smile, yet her words were sharp: "If you are to investigate the case, then investigate it; merely engaging in verbal sparring is truly unbecoming of someone in public office, and is no different from those unruly and rude women of the marketplace."
Zhu Huifei was wiping the sweat from his forehead, and upon hearing this, he became furious: "This contains a thousand-year-old ginseng and a hundred-year-old reishi mushroom; one pill is almost worth a large piece of gold. You say it’s worth half a bowl of rice? Brother Jing, are the grains of rice in your house cooked with gold dust?"
He said this and ordered the constables to guard that house, taking Jing, Zhi, and Wan out, and then they went to sit in another room and wait
A Yuan suddenly felt a jolt in his heart, as he found the words inexplicably familiar, as if he had heard them at some point in time, yet when he concentrated and thought carefully, he could not recall when that might have been
Jing Yi Yi bowed slightly and said with a charming smile, "Young Master, this is also a routine matter for us."
The corners of his lips held a smile, yet his words struck towards Ah Yuan with the severity of an axe, showing no restraint
Li Fei had already spotted the falcon circling above their heads and asked, "A Yuan, what is going on?"
A Yuan held the pill, smiling leisurely, "I do not know whether this medicine contains the blood of the spirit crane, but I only know that the scent of this medicine is different from what your father usually takes"
She steeled herself, took a scroll of painting, and presented it before Jing Zhiwan, allowing the vibrant spring scenery to face his refined and ethereal countenance. With a smile, she said: "Jing Dianshi, as an official of the court, how can you associate privately with a suspect and transmit such disgraceful items? If this were to spread, would it not become a laughingstock? In the future, how will you, Dianshi, have the face to lead your subordinates in capturing criminals and protecting the people?"
Li Fei had heard it clearly and let out a "tch" sound, immediately commanding, "Go search Zhu Jifei's room!"
Jing Yi looked at his suddenly bruised eye sockets, inhaled through his teeth, and silently touched his own face, feeling a bit of pain for this noble young man who had a thick build but delicate skin
Jing Zhi's late eyes were as deep as water, and her voice was clear and faint. "Oh, since the eldest son is the aggrieved party, he must be eager to uncover the truth. Please, let the eldest son lead the way, and allow the former constable to conduct a search. This will not only clear away any suspicion but also leave those who make baseless speculations at a loss for words"
Jing Yi walked alongside her and whispered with a smile, "A Yuan, having such a well-connected official here is not a bad thing for us."
A Yuan's heart stirred, and he hurried over to see that two crane keepers were urgently driving the little rascal out with sticks in hand. Inside the enclosure, more than ten gray cranes were still frantically flapping about, but their wing feathers had been nearly completely cut off, rendering them unable to take flight and escape
Although Li Fei was extremely reluctant to offend the royal family, the clues clearly pointed to the Zhu brothers. He could only say: "Bring Zhu Huifei back to the yamen first, and we will deal with him after a thorough investigation!"
The little rascal saw that strangers kept their distance, so it flew back over and landed on Ah Yuan's shoulder, its hook-like sharp beak skewing her hat.
Two brown pills, with a pleasant aroma
Such small fists, when they strike the body, should be like Miss Fu's, soft and light, leaving one enchanted and entranced, rather than causing a deep, aching pain.
As Ah Yuan was rubbing his forehead, Li Fei, as the local magistrate, upright and loyal, was the first to regain his composure. Although his gaze had not shifted from the painting for even a moment, he coughed once and, in a measured tone, spoke with an official air: "Nonsense! Nonsense! Since this is a family of poetry and propriety, how can one behave so indecorously? Ahem... Is there another painting that may be related to the case? Let us open it and take a look."
Li Fei walked up to A Yuan and asked in a low voice: "Have you met before? Is there any animosity?"
As a member of the Zhu family and a minor county magistrate, Li Fei would never dare to resort to torture for interrogation, so he attempted to find a breakthrough with Ling You. He said: "I have already dispatched people to search for Ling You everywhere. If he has not yet left the Qin River, we must find him."
He seemed to have planned to take a rest, casually draping a plain white robe over himself as he walked over, without wearing a crown on his head, only securing his hair with a white jade hairpin. A Yuan glanced at the white jade hairpin and immediately understood that this Jing Zhiwan was indeed worth Li Fei's effort to cultivate a good relationship with.
His voice was clear and gentle, which should have made one feel at ease and tranquil, but Ah Yuan always seemed to detect a hint of mockery in it. She glanced at him again and lazily said: "I do not understand medical principles. Why does Jing Dian Shi think that a mere warrior like me would be knowledgeable in medicine?"
Do not mention the two constables; even Jing Yi could not hold back his laughter.
Zhu Huifei spat and said: "What are you looking at? Confucius said, 'Food and sex are inherent to human nature.' Who doesn't love this? If it weren't for this, how could your parents have given birth to you... Making such a fuss, it is evident that you are someone who lacks experience"
Until Li Fei and Jing Zhiwan took the Zhu brothers away, Ah Yuan remained standing in place, lost in thought.
The fawn noticed that its master had an unusual expression and hurriedly came over to snatch the scroll from Ah Yuan's hand. Ah Yuan was unable to stop it in time and had already had the string loosened by the fawn. With a "whoosh," the entire scroll of paintings cascaded down, instantly revealing everything.
A Yuan kicked the overturned Dan Furnace, his smile radiant, "Because your mind has already been refined by this Dan Furnace! A normal person would not kill their father, but would a normal person use carrots and mushrooms to refine medicine?"
However, a man and a woman were engaged in marital activities on a soft couch, while another woman was intently peering in from the partially concealed flower window, displaying an expression of serene longing
A woman lying on a spring bench, a man standing beside her legs, and garments scattered on the ground... suddenly come into view
He rubbed his handsome, jade-like nose bridge, smiled again, and unexpectedly swept his sleeve and walked out of the room
The little deer whispered from behind: "This group of people has such a narrow perspective! Our estate has so many of these things that even ten baskets wouldn't be enough to hold them. The Su Nu Eighteen Styles have been changed by the young lady into the Su Nu Thirty-Six Styles. Look at how shallow these people's understanding is, fighting over such trivial matters!"
Although Zhu Huifei obtained this scroll, he hurried back home upon hearing of his father's sudden death and did not take the time to examine it properly. Now, seeing a charming young maid holding this picture, he momentarily forgot about his father's death and stared blankly at it.
"It's nothing," Ah Yuan looked at her, his scattered gaze gradually converging into a clear smile, "I was just thinking, perhaps you were right."
A Yuan listened with amusement, "Since Manager Wang is not at ease, let us go to the yamen together! However, the Zhu family is quite prosperous, so there is no need to worry about having no place to be buried. Selling those dozen or so plucked cranes as geese for people to drink with should be enough to buy a thin coffin..."
Upon closer inspection, Ah Yuan noticed that some of the cranes had their legs wrapped in gauze, still bearing dried bloodstains. She asked the crane keeper, "Is this from your master? Have there been any records of blood collection in the recent instances?"
This ... ... '' Jing Yi was taken aback for a moment, '' Such a gentle and polite person, he must be from a prominent family, could it be? ''
Li Fei couldn't hold back and let out a laugh, "Well, that might actually be ... ..."
A Yuan said: "Today is the first time I have met him, you should be able to see that clearly, right? Have I offended him in any way?"
Her fingers were slender and long, yet she held the sword with great steadiness. When the sword hilt made contact with the shoulder of the steward, he felt a chill emanating from the sword blade through the sheath, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue near his ear. Startled, he instinctively recoiled and immediately led the way respectfully, no longer daring to glance at the young master.
If one were to consider a prosperous future, after much contemplation, returning to be the eldest daughter of her original family would undoubtedly signify a bright future. Although her father has passed away, her mother is skilled in social maneuvering and is renowned throughout the land. She herself is also talented and beautiful. The Emperor of Daliang is a subject under the original lady's skirt—perhaps he is even her subordinate, which would explain why he foolishly allows her to choose from among the princes and noblemen.
Ah Yuan felt embarrassed and hurriedly urged, "Little Deer, put it away first..."
Jing Zhiwan smiled gently, "Young Master, there is a scent of spirit crane blood in the bottle, which does not conflict with the elixir refined from radishes, mushrooms, and chicken blood."
Putting aside the sword in hand, returning to Bianliang City, day after day in the bridal chamber, night after night with a new bride, the young man surrounded by admirers, choosing fine wines and delicacies at will, it is simply ... ...
Zhu Huifei's forehead immediately broke out in large beads of sweat. He leaped up and shouted, "It only counts if I join in! Don't even think about framing me! Ah—"
The eyes of several men turned in unison towards the girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old. Even Jing Zhiwan, who had been waiting outside, had approached the door, her clear gaze quietly fixed on the pair of master and servant, a slight chill in the air
A Yuan said: "Replying to the esteemed sir, it is likely that the little badger heard Young Master Zhu refer to it as a thrush, and specifically flew closer to let him see clearly whether it is a hawk or a thrush..."
Upon closer examination, it is evident that Zhu Shi is wholeheartedly devoted to alchemy, and he does not impose strict discipline on his two sons. Zhu Hui Fei is indulgent and extravagant, spending money as if it were dirt, and he spends his days in the company of fine wine and beautiful women, living a life of utmost pleasure. Even if there are occasional disputes, they do not drive him to madness or lead him to commit patricide
A Yuan steadied herself, yet felt that the scene was watching her again in the evening light. The clear and淡目光 seemed to carry no meaning, yet it made her feel as uncomfortable as if pricked by a needle.
Zhu Huifei was almost so enraged that he coughed up blood. When he looked up, he saw County Magistrate Li Fei and Clerk Jing Zhiwan approaching, as if he had seen his own family. He hurried over, adjusted his expression, and said: "Esteemed sirs, the former constable indulged the flat-haired beast raised by her to harm others, yet what punishment should be meted out for this?"
Zhu Huifei pointed at Ayuan and said, "Isn't this ambiguous fellow deliberately causing us trouble? Let me tell you, kid, if you dare to take personal revenge, just watch how I deal with you! That Jing Dianshi of yours is a good friend of mine!"
The little deer rolled its eyes playfully, casting a triumphant glance at Ah Yuan.
A Yuan adjusted her hat, looked at her eagle, and smiled, saying: "After looking around, my little rascal is still the most kind-hearted and gentle."
Why did her mother feel it was an enjoyment? She used to feel it was an enjoyment as well. However, after she woke up and was touched a few times by those lovers with whom she had once been intimate, it felt as if a caterpillar was crawling from the soles of her feet up her spine, and then from her spine to the back of her head, a chilling sensation that she could not endure for even a moment, forcing her to cover her head and flee in a state of panic.
Zhu Jifei was taken aback, "This is the spirit crane marrow that my father usually consumes. I have never taken it, yet I do not know where it came from..."
Perhaps she was mentally unwell in the past, which led her to believe that those matters were enjoyable; however, it seems that she may only be unwell now.
The crane has long legs and a long neck, with its extended beak measuring about 4 inches in length, which is no different from the common gray crane. However, it possesses a large circle of bright crimson around its neck and head, which suggests that it is the red-necked crane used by the Zhu Shi for blood collection and medicinal practices
Oh! Ah Yuan ignored the reproachful gaze cast by Zhu Hui Fei, walking leisurely to the edge of the bed with his arms crossed, and said, "Good friend... very well. I will inform the county magistrate and have Jing Dian Shi avoid it."
Zhu Huifei rushed in front of her, his chubby finger almost pointing at her nose, "You are spouting nonsense!"
A Yuan asked: "How do you recognize that this is the essence of the spiritual crane?"
A Yuan scraped off some of the outer layer of a pill, sniffed it, and asked Zhu Jifei, "Is this yours?"
Yet the sound of the crane's cry arose, mingling with the flapping of wings, adding to the clamor
He was giving orders on one hand, while on the other hand, he had already pulled Jing Zhiwan over and quietly asked, "Do you really have many of these scrolls? If there are no scrolls, the books would be quite good as well..."
A Yuan finally confirmed that Jing Zhiwan not only did not like her, but might even loathe her, yet could only shake her head and say: "No."
A Yuan replied in a low voice: "My lord, two pills were found under Zhu Jifei's pillow, and they have the same scent as the pills that were swapped with Zhu Shi's. However, my lord, have you ever seen anyone place potentially lethal pills under their own pillow, waiting for someone to search?"
When A Yuan walked in, the room was filled with the strong scent of medicine, and a furnace of elixirs had been kicked over, causing the pills to roll all over the floor. It turned out that Zhu Huifei was the eldest son of the Zhu family. The room was quite large, but it was a separate chamber designated as an alchemy room, indicating his intention to inherit his father's legacy and continue the practice of alchemy until death.
However, starting today, you probably won't act foolishly anymore!" A Yuan turned to Li Fei, "There is a lingering medicinal scent in the empty bottle; it should be the one that contained the fake Linghe Essence. Zhu Huifei has recently taken Linghe blood consecutively, yet he used chicken blood to refine medicine, which raises significant suspicion! Please, my lord, detain Zhu Huifei and conduct further questioning and investigation!
Zhu Huifei turned his head and roared at the servant huddled outside the house: "Where is Lingyou?"
Jing Zhiwan lazily glanced at her and said, "I have heard that the former constable is quite knowledgeable in medicine, so he should be able to discern things more clearly."
Li Fei, who is usually a gentleman of propriety, was left mesmerized by such paintings; Jing Zhiwan, who appears aloof and proud, not only collects those books and paintings but also disseminates them; and those public officials, each of them clearly regards such matters as the utmost joy in the world
Zhu Huifei exclaimed: "What do you mean I have a strong suspicion? Have you lost your mind because of a woman? Why would I want to kill my father?"
Jing Yi stepped forward to take a glance, having already inhaled a breath, "Is this the elixir that allows Lord Zhu to ascend to immortality?"
In the room, there are still Li Fei, Zhu Jifei, and two officials, all fixated on the painting, unable to take their eyes off it for a moment
A Yuan could not recall anything from before the illness, and there was not a single noble or high-ranking official in the capital whom he recognized. He had no interest in chatting over tea or engaging in small talk. Once the brothers had finished weeping over their father-son bond, he proceeded to have the officials lead them to search the house.
Jing Zhiwan was jealous of Ah Yuan's beauty ... Hmm, in comparison, it seems that the possibility of unrequited love leading to hatred is even greater.
A Yuan was too lazy to pay attention to his dazed expression and stepped forward to examine the items that the servant had pulled out from under the pillow
Li Fei was puzzled, "But I see that he treats others well, how could he..."
Madam Zhu is tolerable, but at this moment, the steward Wang who reported to the authorities called out: "Eldest son, the second son has ulterior motives. If you keep him by your side, be careful not to end up like your father, left with no place to be buried..."
Jing Yi, upon seeing the scene, hurriedly whispered: "My Lord, the magistrate, this Madam Zhu is a secondary wife, not the biological mother of the second son of the Zhu family. The biological mother of Zhu Huifei has long since passed away, and Zhu Jifei is the child of a concubine."
When Ah Yuan arrived at Zhu Huifei's house, he heard Zhu Huifei roaring incessantly, causing a real thrush outside to flap its wings in terror, wishing only that it were not bound by a thin iron chain at its feet, unable to escape the earth-shattering howls.
Li Fei did not understand the deeper meaning behind their words, but he noticed that the two were exchanging sharp remarks like needles and wheat awns. He hurriedly said, "Even if it is something belonging to Zhu Hui Fei, we must first take it back to the yamen together. Someone, take the suspect and the evidence back to the county yamen first"
It seems that she is the one with the problem
The little rascal may not fully understand what Ah Yuan is saying, but it perceives that the master seems to be praising it. Immediately, it becomes excited, flaps its wings, and then spirals down towards the nearby fence.
Zhu Huifei angrily said: "Nonsense! If I had reacted a moment slower, I fear my eyes would have been pecked out by it!"
The fawn gave her a thumbs up, smiling obsequiously, and said softly: "When it comes to the study of this matter, Miss, if you claim the third place, no one would dare to claim the second! The first is our lady!"
The young servant murmured: "Master Lingyou often stays in the house to refine medicine for the young master and rarely goes out. However, ever since the incident with the master, it seems that Master Lingyou has not been seen again... Perhaps he has gone to Miss Fu's place..."
Since Ah Yuan arrived in Qinh County, although she has encountered some desperate fugitives, her exceptional skills and boldness, along with the protection of Li Fei, have ensured that she has never suffered any losses. Upon hearing this, she rubbed her temples and said, "Oh... do you really believe that he wouldn't directly throw us out as scapegoats when the pressure from the superiors becomes intense?"
A Yuan could only nod, "Hmm, the future ... ... "
A Yuan exchanged a glance with Jing Yi, who understood immediately and promptly took a public servant with him, heading straight for the Flower Moon Pavilion
A Yuan ignored him, observing that this side was nearly finished, and thus collected the two pills as evidence. He instructed, "Let’s go, search the young master’s bedroom again!"
The two individuals engaged in conversation spoke in extremely low voices, which Zhu Huifei could not hear. Observing their intimate gestures and close proximity, he could not help but express disdain, saying: "This effeminate person is clearly useless... Look at how this person has suddenly become enlightened, immediately starting to flirt with the maid beside him!"
Gentle and courteous
At most, he has offended his sycophants..." Little Deer pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped his thigh, "I see! Although I have never seen him at the original residence, it is possible that the young lady has encountered him outside. However, the young lady does not favor this type of sickly beauty, hence she has neglected him. He yearns for what he cannot have, and out of love, he has developed hatred. Now, upon seeing the young lady again, he naturally looks for faults everywhere..." He yearns for what he cannot have, and out of love, he has developed hatred. Now, upon seeing the young lady again, he naturally looks for faults everywhere..."
The hairpin is exquisitely carved, translucent and warm, complementing Jing Zhiwan's slightly pale face, adding an air of delicate elegance. The aloofness in her brows and eyes further reveals a certain distinctive nobility. The value of this hairpin truly matches that of an equivalent amount of gold.
The little rascal, having landed on the beam in the corridor, was also quite startled. It suddenly spun in the air and landed steadily on the opposite wall, its round yellow eyes wide with astonishment as it faced the direction of the room. Soon, however, they turned to disdain, though it was unclear whether this was due to the thunderous roar from within the house or the caged songbird outside.
Hello, you ... ...
It is quite common for wealthy families to have the habit of taking medicine to strengthen their health, and it is not unusual to find various pills in their homes; however, the fact that these harmful pills are not only poorly stored but also seemingly placed under the pillow in plain sight, as if to ensure that others notice them, is indeed rather perplexing
Zhu Huifei angrily said: "You just mentioned that the empty bottle picked up from the ground has the scent of spirit crane blood..."
Jing Zhiwan smiled faintly, "I have a slight understanding of medical principles, which is how I was able to identify the ingredients of the elixir. If the constable, who is not knowledgeable in medicine, can still discern the differences in the medicinal flavors, could it be that he truly has the nose of a dog?"
Zhu Huifei said a few words to Zhu Jifei, rubbing his red eyes as he stepped forward and asked: "Why are you searching my brother's room?"
A Yuan smiled and said: "There are not many who would dare to use chicken blood to deceive the noble offspring of the clan. Moreover, where did the spirit crane blood that Ling You replaced go?"
The false spirit crane marrow that caused Zhu Shi's death also contains spirit crane blood, with a similar scent. Only by taking the medicine daily would Zhu Shi remain unsuspecting, ultimately leading to his demise from the medication. The master of the Zhu family is solely focused on achieving immortality, neglecting all other matters, and is particularly attentive to the medicinal materials used for alchemy, treating them as if they were his lifeblood, personally overseeing every detail. The spirit crane blood is the most critical component, and the collection of blood is strictly regulated, with records kept for each instance, making it nearly impossible to steal. Ling You understands alchemy and is able to exchange for spirit crane blood, thus creating the possibility of refining false spirit crane marrow. The spirit crane blood is the most critical component, and the collection of blood is strictly regulated, with records kept for each instance, making it nearly impossible to steal. Ling You understands alchemy and is able to exchange for spirit crane blood, thus creating the possibility of refining false spirit crane marrow
A Yuan did not respond and rudely reached out.
He groaned softly, raising his rapidly bruising eyes, and was met face to face with a pair of round, brownish-yellow eyes glaring at him, their sharp yellow beak resembling a hook, seemingly about to peck at him.
Didn’t we just say that the original constable is taking personal revenge? Who knows, they might also find a few poisonous pills...
Zhu Huifei, enraged and embarrassed, said: "This is not the main point! The main point is that this elixir contains the blood of a spiritual crane, and its color is different from ordinary pills! This is the elixir my father took; what is strange about finding two of them under my second brother's pillow?"
A Yuan said: "Well, considering your father's current condition, the effectiveness is indeed remarkable. Should we also entomb your family's spirit crane in a golden coffin and send it underground to continue its service?"
Zhu Jifei tightly grasped his elder brother's arm and said, "It is fine to go, but I must bring a servant to accompany us."
Li Fei laughed heartily and then realized the implied meaning of Ah Yuan's words, "Do you think someone took advantage of his naivety to harm Zhu Shi?"
Zhu Huifei, filled with anger, stamped her feet. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly turned around, picked up a book from the table and two scrolls of paintings.
However, Ah Yuan is talented and knowledgeable, appears to be financially secure, and is not an ordinary person. It is to be expected that he would feel displeased about having an additional superior.
Ah Yuan's temples throbbed a few times as he glanced sideways at the little deer, "Me?"
Hmm?
The fawn poked her waist and asked softly, "Miss, what is wrong?"
Jing Zhiwan did not deny his grievances, casting her a lazy glance and saying leisurely: "Well, I can only make do. I have gotten used to making do!"
In the event of theft, robbery, or murder occurring within the jurisdiction, it is the responsibility of the constables to solve the case and apprehend the criminals, often under strict deadlines. If they fail to complete their tasks by the deadline, it is common for them to face corporal punishment or salary deductions. Nowadays, with the addition of a chief constable, although their powers have been restricted, it has also alleviated some of their risks
A Yuan said: "This requires further verification. At the very least, that Master Ling You, who practices alchemy, is definitely involved in this matter"
Li Fei nodded with emotion, "It is indeed rare... this chicken blood mushroom Dan is not something an ordinary person could conceive. However, Jing Yi went to the Huayue Building to find Ling You, but it seems he returned empty-handed. That Fu Manqing was originally a woman of the world, fickle in her affections; having already formed a bond with the young master of the Zhu family, how could she possibly take an ordinary alchemist seriously?"
A Yuan smiled and said to the little deer: "Another bowl of fresh mushroom soup, but do not add pork. I have heard that eating too much pork not only makes one gain weight, but also makes one foolish, foolish like a pig..."
A Yuan looked at the chicken lying upside down, its head hanging over the edge of the bowl, with a lifeless expression. The broth appeared greasy, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. He quickly took the chicken soup, turned the chicken over, and asked Xiao Lu to bring a bowl rinsed with clean water, personally serving the soup.
Who has asked?
Ask him if he is still accepting apprentices. It is truly a pity that your talent for storytelling is wasted as my maid
This enchanting spring scene is even more captivating than the splendid beauty outside.
He disregarded the soreness in his backside and hurriedly made his way to the front to lead the way, moving much more swiftly than the steward who was being forced to act under the threat of A Yuan's sword
The painting faced outward, and the little deer was the last to see it. She lowered her head to take a closer look at the painting, but smiled dismissively, saying, "This... indeed isn't anything remarkable... when it comes to this aspect, our young master is far more knowledgeable than you all!"
A Yuan asked: "What is this?"
A Yuan nodded, "It is hard to tell if he is momentarily insane, but he is indeed somewhat foolish. This chicken blood mushroom pill is not something an ordinary person can concoct!"
Zhu Huifei's face twisted in anger, yet the injury only throbbed more painfully as he hurriedly covered his eyes and said: "What a joke! I am the legitimate eldest son of the Zhu family, what do I lack? Why would I harm my father? It is clearly because he wants to compete with me for women that he is deliberately opposing me!"
As for the current case, it appears to be primarily a family feud. Once the reasons are thoroughly investigated, it can be handed over to the Office of the Imperial Clan for resolution, making it less urgent for the time being
As Zhu Huifei cried out in agony and rolled to evade, Zhu Jifei had already helped him up from behind, saying: "Brother, brother, don't be afraid, it's just an eagle... it seems to be the eagle raised by the original constable"
Looking at A Yuan's calm and delicate fingers holding the sword, Zhu Hui Fei did not even dare to extend his fist. His gaze swept over Li Fei, who was biased towards A Yuan, and then rushed towards Jing Zhi Wan, who was leaning against the door. "Brother Jing, what do you think of this matter? If my father was truly harmed by a villain, we would be the victims. How is it that this Officer Yuan has brought the murderer to our heads?"
Zhu Huifei's eyes nearly went blind, yet his ears were still not deaf, and the speed of his thinking was much more agile than his robust body, almost immediately exclaiming: "You, you, you suspect that I am framing my second brother?"
Jing Zhiwan glanced around, then looked at a plate of peanuts and a plate of boiled chickpeas on the table. She frowned slightly but did not say anything. After greeting Li Fei, she took a seat next to him, right beside A Yuan
Li Feiyuan was indeed biased towards A Yuan. Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on his face as he said: "Young Master, it seems you have misunderstood! This falcon was raised by A Yuan to assist in hunting down the culprit and solving the case; it will not harm anyone"
Zhu Huifei rolled up his sleeves, eager to rush forward and give her a good beating, so she could experience just how fierce Zhu Dazhongzi's fists could be and how formidable his presence was. However, as he took a step forward, his rear, which had been kicked by A Yuan, tilted slightly, and he found himself limping, rendering his grand momentum completely ineffective
Radish! Mushroom! Zhu Huifei is going crazy, "There is also crane blood inside! Why don't you say there is chicken blood inside!"
A Yuan said: "Your father's death is suspicious. Instead of trying to uncover the truth, you are obstructing the officials in their investigation at every turn, which shows that you have something to hide. If not you, then who should we investigate?"
With a loud "bang," he was so overly excited that he collided with the door frame and fell heavily to the ground
Jing Zhiwan was picking up a pill from the ground, crushing it, smelling it, and said: "The materials used are quite good; the value of one pill should be equivalent to half a bowl of rice"
While speaking, a faint aroma of meat wafted through the air. Li Fei hurriedly asked, "Who is cooking soup at this time?"
That esteemed official... Hmm, just look at that sour face of his; he might have truly been rejected by me. Ah Yuan laughed mischievously, "Although he has a good appearance, he is sickly and lecherous. Having seen and experienced much, I certainly do not find him appealing!"
A Yuan said: "Master Zhu, I did not say such a thing. The truth is still unclear, and everyone is a suspect. Not only you, but even your mother's house will inevitably undergo a routine search. If we keep dodging like this, could it be that there is indeed something unspeakable in your room? Brother Jing, we should take a careful look around later."
A Yuan threw a big eye roll and asked the person in charge outside, "Aren't you going to take us to the young master's bedroom?"
The crane keeper muttered, "Didn’t I just ask that?"
A Yuan stood in place, watching them walk a considerable distance before finally rubbing his forehead, rolling his eyes at Jing Zhiwan's back, and letting out a "tch" sound
You ... ...
Zhu Huifei stepped forward and seriously examined the pill, then said: "Indeed, this is the essence of the spirit crane. Although it is considered precious, for a family like ours, what do we lack? Even if my father sent a few to my second brother, what is so surprising about that?"
Zhu Huifei felt a sense of calm and clarity upon hearing this, and he immediately realized that it was not a significant matter to be outmatched by this boisterous former constable from the marketplace. He quickly said, "Brother Jing is absolutely right, absolutely right! I will take you all to my place right away!"
A Yuan turned his head to look at him, suspecting whether there was an issue with his eyesight
At this moment, the young deer had just turned from the kitchen, carefully holding a large pot of chicken soup in her hands, her little face smiling a bit stiffly, "Esteemed guests, young master, come and taste the young deer's culinary skills!"
The county magistrate and that esteemed gentleman, the chief clerk...
A Yuan stuck out his tongue and whispered, "I asked the little deer to make me chicken stew with radish, but unfortunately, she couldn't find a young chicken, so she directly bought a big rooster instead. She had someone kill it, scald it, and pluck the feathers, and now it's simmering in the kitchen. It looks quite large, and I estimate it will be ready soon, just in time for a late-night snack with the adults."
Zhu Huifei was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed: "You... you are taking personal revenge! I will go to confront your county magistrate!"
The county magistrate, having a late-night meal on a whim, naturally did not warrant the arrangement of tables and chairs in the back hall to serve him. The room they currently occupied was a partition connected to the kitchen, typically used by clerks and constables residing in the county office for their meals. Although the tables, chairs, and utensils were complete, they were ultimately simple and could not be compared to those in the capital. Moreover, as the saying goes, a gentleman stays away from the kitchen. Jing Zhiwan, despite his deliberate low profile, clearly came from an extraordinary background and naturally looked down upon such simplicity.
Not long after Ah Yuan and the others sat down, Jing Zhiwan also arrived
It is his unfulfilled desire that has given rise to hatred from love
The little deer recalled that now the scene was that Miss Jing Zhiwan was her direct superior, but then she felt a headache, "But if he makes things difficult for you everywhere, what should we do?"
Jing Zhiwan seemed somewhat surprised, her clear and elegant brows raised slightly, followed by a gentle smile. "Former Constable, do you think this is a joke? The very essence of it is a tremendous joke. Speaking so righteously to others, yet unaware of whether the former constable feels any shame or not?"
Hmm?
A bottle and two collected pills have been presented by the servant using a tray
Li Fei was very pleased and responded repeatedly, saying: "Why not prepare some more food and wine and invite Jing Dianshi to join us? Firstly, he has just arrived today, so we can treat it as a welcome for him; secondly, it seems that there is some discord between you two, and since you will be working together more in the future, it would be better for me to act as a mediator and help resolve the issues between you."
Jing Yi tilted his head to look at her, suspecting that there might be an issue with her eyesight. He was born in the grasslands and had spent a long time in the public sector, possessing a keen eye that quickly discerned that Jing Zhiwan was not an ordinary person. For someone like him, a lowly constable, the only goal was to maintain a stable job and ensure his own safety; if he could also establish some connections to secure a worry-free life in the future, that would be even better.
A Yuan smiled, revealing a pair of charming dimples, and said leisurely: "According to the laws of the Great Liang, a search of your residence requires your presence. Young Master, there is nothing in your house that you would want to hide, is there? Why are you in such a hurry?"
As the young deer just reached the door, he initially thought he had misheard. After listening to Jing Zhiwan elaborate on the formula for the elixir, he couldn't help but double over with laughter, "Carrots, mushrooms, and chicken blood? Hahaha, why doesn't Young Master Zhu just make a soup to drink? It would surely be more delicious and palatable than this dark and murky concoction, wouldn't it?"
He touched his buttocks and looked at Ah Yuan's fair, slender hands with a puzzled expression
Li Fei also stared blankly, lost in thought, murmuring: "It is a disgrace to culture, a disgrace to culture... It might be related to this case, let's first take it back to the county office"
The messenger sent to invite the renowned physician Zuo Yanxi to identify the medicine has already returned, and the conclusion reached is exactly as Ah Yuan anticipated: a significant portion of the Zhu Shi's Ling He Sui has been swapped out, and the counterfeit medicine contains extremely high levels of mercury and toxic substances. The medicine that Zhu Shi usually takes is already quite potent, and consuming just two pills can be fatal. However, the substituted counterfeit medicine seems to also be referred to as Ling He Sui, as it contains Ling He blood and other similar medicinal materials, and at first glance, the smell does not differ much.
Li Fei did not dare to blame Jing Zhiwan for her interactions with the suspect, yet he also avoided her and quietly summoned Ah Yuan to discuss matters
Zhu Huifei snorted dismissively, "Hmph! The government’s lackeys truly live up to their reputation; their dog eyes and dog noses are indeed exceptional! I warn you, if you wrong my second brother, just wait and see how I deal with you"
However, Lingyou is a pharmacist invited by Zhu Huifei, and there is no conflict of interest between him and Zhu Shi. When it comes to the motive for murder, it can only be attributed to Zhu Huifei.
A Yuan let out a soft "ah," while the little deer deftly shook their hand, unfurling another scroll of painting.
A Yuan, do you truly believe that Zhu Huifei is suspicious
Jing Zhiwan gently stirred the pill again, her brows and eyes radiating warmth like the sun in spring. "Young Master, you are correct; this contains chicken blood."
It is truly like a ridiculous era from a bygone age
The so-called gentleman does not stand beneath a precarious wall. Upon seeing the chubby young master of the Zhu family potentially causing their house to collapse, they should keep their distance, and they can still enjoy some tea and engage in conversation. Li Fei was also puzzled by the unexpectedly appearing Jing Dian Shi, as he was eager to uncover the background of Jing Zhiwan and the reasons for her appointment.
Li Fei then reassured, "Zhu Huifei, we are merely asking you to assist in the interrogation. The truth will naturally require further investigation."
Jing Zhiwan clearly recognized her and had long been aware of her identity, which allowed him to speak in such a mocking manner
When the little deer was taken aback, A Yuan had already elegantly tossed his head and left gracefully
Moreover, there is the mood to ask others for spring palace pictures, not to mention that one has actually given a scroll to Li Fei
Upon entering Zhu Jifei's bedroom, the two constables, having received their orders, had already begun to search everywhere.
Zhu Jifei rubbed his red eyes and said: "Brother, I don't know where that pill came from. Moreover, she also searched your room..."
A Yuan Youyou said: "Then... shall I throw him again, is that alright?"
A Yuan said: "Since there is suspicion, it is only proper to follow the usual procedures"
A Yuan said: "Little Deer, you should go find that storyteller at the teahouse!"
No matter how faint his voice was, A Yuan could still discern that there was no goodwill in his words, and could not help but purse his lips as he looked at him
A Yuan recalled Jing Zhiwan's gaze, which was so淡 that it bordered on indifference, and pinched his own nose, reluctantly saying: "But I will leave it to your discretion, my lord"
A Yuan smiled with her eyes curved like crescent moons, clearly looking very beautiful, while Zhu Huifei's eyes were blazing with anger, wishing he could smash that smiling face to pieces with a punch. ... However, the more furious he became, the more the pain on his face reminded him that the one who had been beaten into a pig's head was none other than him, Zhu Huifei, the young master of the Zhu family.
A Yuan was taken aback
Ah Yuan smiled at him, "Qinhe is a small place, and the county office is not spacious; the historical records can only be made do with..."
Li Fei looked at Zhu Huifei's distorted features and then at the elegantly standing A Yuan, reminiscent of a jade tree. Considering that A Yuan was originally a woman, he couldn't help but cover his mouth and cough lightly, managing to suppress a laugh as he asked A Yuan: "What suspicions does he have?"
However, whether it is hatred or annoyance, Ah Yuan patted her sword and did not feel the need to retreat or be afraid. She went to examine the empty bottle she had picked up in the corner, also crushed a pill to inspect it, and then said: "Although I am not well-versed in medicine, I can indeed smell the flavor of chicken from this pill... Little Deer, I want to eat chicken stewed with radish tonight"
Li Fei smiled and said: "Jing Dian Shi is knowledgeable and talented, and has a considerable understanding of the affairs in the capital, certainly not a mere creature of the pond. A Yuan, you should interact with him more; it will greatly benefit your future!"
Jing Zhiwan smiled at him and spoke gently: "It is not so. The radishes of yesteryear and the freshly picked mushrooms, aside from being fresher and tastier, are truly not as nutritionally rich as rice"
A Yuan touched his own face and made a face at Li Fei, "Perhaps... he is jealous of my beauty?"
Zhu Huifei smiled proudly, "You, with your narrow-mindedness, really think I am a fool? The materials used for the Spirit Crane Essence are far from ordinary elixirs. Don't be deceived by this small pill; you might not earn enough in a year to afford it! This is because many raw materials for alchemy are of a hot nature and not suitable for prolonged use. Therefore, I sought the tranquil and spiritually endowed Red-necked Crane from overseas, feeding them medicinal materials daily, and drawing their blood every half month. The essence derived from their blood is balanced and harmonious, infused with the spirit of the celestial crane, and with prolonged use, its effects become even more pronounced. Thus, it is named Spirit Crane Essence."
His younger brother seems to be more suspicious. Zhu Jifei observed that he is much more astute than his older brother. If he truly harmed Zhu Shi, it seems implausible to simply place two pieces under his own pillow and wait for someone to come and search.
Li Fei was unable to obtain the painting scroll titled "A Disgrace to Culture" from Jing Zhiwan. Fortunately, Zhu Jifei was considerate and persuaded his brother to give a painting to the county magistrate. Li Fei secretly kept it, feeling quite satisfied, and then recalled the matter at hand
Of course, she has always had issues with her mind; otherwise, she wouldn't be unable to recall even a single past event
Zhu Huifei said: "You... you dare!"
Zhu Huifei stumbled as he crossed the threshold, feeling disoriented for quite a while before finally realizing that Ah Yuan, Jing Yi, and others were standing outside waiting for him
This time, even Zhu Huifei could tell that Jing Zhiwan was mocking Ah Yuan, which was quite satisfying. However, seeing Jing Zhiwan leave the house, he couldn't help but feel anxious and called out repeatedly, "Brother Jing! Brother Jing!"