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Chapter 352 Change the status of the prince and re-enter the Wei Mansion

Wu Chengsi clenched his fingers, something happened at the birthday banquet.

He quickly calmed down and moved his eyes around the hall, closely observing everyone's expressions.

Most people's expressions were shock, surprise, and disbelief.

There are only three exceptions.

The eldest daughter of the Wei family quickly glanced at her father.

There is a handsome man in the second section, his expression is lost and his eyes seem to have lost their luster.

Xu Guogong was the last person who behaved abnormally.

There was no shock on his face, only panic and anxiety, and he yelled:

"That's nonsense. Yaosheng was sitting here just now, and this is my father's residence. How could a dead person appear?"

The short and thin man shouted: "It's true. His body is in the apricot garden northwest of the back house. I saw it with my own eyes."

Xu Guogong said in shock and anger: "How did you get to the back house?"

"It's from Yanshe... who sent someone to call me over." The short and thin man answered hesitantly.

"What did he ask you to do?" Xu Guogong said sternly, as if he was interrogating a prisoner.

The short and thin man hesitated for a moment and said, "He said he had something important to tell me."

Princess Taiping suddenly asked in a low voice: "Zhili, who is that person?"

Zhili said without hesitation: "He is the supervisory censor Lu Youdao."

Wu Chengsi glanced at Zhili appreciatively. He often heard Princess Taiping say that the maids around her each had a specialty.

When I saw it today, it turned out to be true.

Xu Guogong was still questioning Lu Youdao, and Princess Chengyang suddenly said: "Since a murder has occurred, it is best to send someone to notify Jingzhao Mansion or the Ministry of Punishment as soon as possible."

Xu Guogong said hurriedly: "Wait a minute, let's take a look first and see clearly before we talk!"

Yaruo, who was standing at the door, ignored Xu Guogong and ordered one of his men to go to Jingzhao Mansion to report the crime.

She felt that she was unhappy in Xu Guogong's mansion, and she wanted to make everyone in the mansion unhappy too.

"Stop talking nonsense, you all go with me to see the corpse, no one can leave, maybe the murderer is among you!" she said coldly.

After saying that, he ordered the guards of the East Palace to block the door out of the mansion, and then led the people to the back garden, and many guests followed him.

Princess Taiping's eyes were shining. She and Wu Chengsi had the same idea. They felt that this matter must be related to Cai Yang's behind-the-scenes organization.

So she quickly followed him.

As a follower, Wu Chengsi naturally followed closely behind.

When he left the hall, he looked back and found that Duke Xu and the eldest daughter of the Wei family seemed to be arguing about something.

The eldest daughter of the Wei family has always had a strange reaction. After learning that her husband was dead, her first reaction was to go see Xu Guogong.

Could it be that she suspected that Duke Xu had killed Yan Yaosheng?

Wu Chengsi quickly ruled out this possibility. If Xu Guogong was really responsible, he would never have killed Yan Yaosheng and left the body alone.

Moreover, Xu Guogong’s reaction didn’t look like that.

At the end of Xu hour, the sky was already dark.

The wind in the apricot orchard was very strong, and the leaves were all withered. The cold wind in the air swept through the garden, making a low whine, as if singing an elegy for the dead bodies in the garden.

All the guests and their entourage held lanterns and torches and formed a circle, illuminating the apricot garden with bright light.

Everyone finally saw Yan Yaosheng.

Yan Yaosheng died tragically.

There is a rockery in the apricot garden, and there is a sharp, slender stone pillar on the south side of the rockery.

Yan Yaosheng's whole body was stuck on the stone pillar like that, as if he was pierced by a huge stone finger, from his back to his chest.

The expression on the face of the deceased was very painful, and the pain was mixed with sadness. The mouth was full of blood, flowing from top to bottom, all the way to the ground.

There was a trace of tears in the corner of his eyes, as if he had cried before he died.

Wu Chengsi was stunned. This was the first time he saw such a dead person. Why did Yan Yaosheng cry before he died?

In his impression, this man from Zhongshushe was definitely a gentle and gentle man, and he was as handsome as a jade.

There was always a smile on his lips. What tragic thing happened to him that made him shed tears before he died?

The other guests were also shocked and confused about Yan Yaosheng's death.

Yaruo hesitated for a moment, then planned to go forward and check Yan Yaosheng's body.

Princess Taiping scolded: "Don't move around. The body of the deceased cannot be moved casually. Don't you know?"

Yaruo's cheeks turned red and she hummed, "I just came closer to take a look, and I didn't say I wanted to move."

Princess Taiping added: "That won't work either. There may be clues around the body. Everyone should immediately retreat three feet away from the body to avoid destroying the clues."

Everyone felt that what Princess Taiping said was reasonable, and because of her noble status, they all retreated, except Yaruo who refused to leave.

Wu Xiyue sneered: "You are standing there, do you want to deliberately destroy the evidence?"

Yaruo said angrily: "Why should I destroy the evidence?"

"Maybe you killed Yan Yaosheng, so you want to destroy the evidence!"

Ya Ruo gritted her teeth and stared at Wu Xiyue for a while, and finally like everyone else, she stepped aside.

Wu Xiyue discovered earlier that the prince's concubine was arrogant towards everyone, but she was a little afraid of herself. She felt very proud and said loudly:

"Everyone is not allowed to leave here from now on. We will cooperate with the people from Jingzhao Mansion in the investigation."

The man surnamed Zhang frowned and said, "What about the people who didn't come?"

Wu Xiyue's face darkened, and he said fiercely and domineeringly: "Who didn't come?"

The man surnamed Zhang said: "None of the Wei family's father and daughter came over."

Someone shouted: "This is not normal. Someone in their family died, why didn't they come?"

The crowd suddenly whispered.

At this moment, an angry voice sounded: "Who said we didn't come?"

Turning around, I saw Mr. Xu and the eldest and second young ladies of the Wei family walking over together.

Yaruo glanced at the crowd and said sharply: "Where are the Xue brothers and sisters? Why didn't you see them?"

Wu Xiyue said: "When I came here, I saw them talking in a stone pavilion. Maybe they will come later."

Yaruo said coldly: "It's also possible that he simply fled out of fear of crime!"

Miss Wang said calmly: "What crime are you afraid of? Does Her Highness the Crown Princess think they are the ones who killed her?"

"That's right, Xue Ne has been sitting in the hall and has no chance to kill anyone!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Yaruo said loudly: "Then we can only rule out the elder brother. Maybe it was the younger sister who killed him. Isn't it strange that he died as soon as she came?"

Princess Taiping sneered and said: "It's not that he died as soon as she arrived. The body was discovered after she arrived. We don't know when Yan Yaosheng died."

The mustache beside Yaruo smiled slightly and said: "At least one thing is certain."

Xu Guogong asked in a panic: "Which point?"

"Yan She died after he left the hall. I happened to notice him when he left the table. It was only half an hour ago. Therefore, it can be inferred that the time when Yan She died was very short."

Everyone nodded, and Mustache's analysis was irrefutable.

Wu Chengsi noticed that Duke Xu was relieved.

Moreover, while others were paying attention to Yan Yaosheng, the head of the Wei family stared blankly at the rockery behind the body, wondering what he was thinking.

Driven by the mustache, everyone expressed their opinions.

Wu Chengsi continued to pay attention to everyone's reactions. Except for Xu Guogong, the eldest lady of the Wei family had a sad expression, which was normal.

The second young lady kept looking towards the garden gate, probably waiting for Xue Ne.

Princess Chengyang looked at Yan Yaosheng's body with a somewhat regretful expression.

Could it be that the two of them knew each other?

Suddenly, Wu Chengsi thought of the eldest princess's romantic affair, and thought to himself: "Maybe this romantic princess has an affair with Yan Yaosheng."

The strangest thing is the handsome man in the second range.

His eyes never left Yan Yaosheng, and his expression was far more sad than the eldest daughter of the Wei family.

Wu Chengsi was almost certain that this handsome man must know something, so he immediately asked the little maid next to him: "Zhili, who is that person?"

Zhili followed his gaze for a while and whispered: "Are you talking about Uncle Xiao?"

"Xiao family? Which Xiao family?"

"It's the Xiao family that is as famous as the Wei family. These two families are Guanlong aristocratic families inherited from the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The Xiao family is still the former royal family. Although it is a little lonely now, its strength is not weaker than that of the Wei family."

After a pause, she added: "This uncle of the Xiao family is called Sun Lang. Like Yanshe, he is also a son-in-law."

Wu Chengsi frowned. He looked very talented, but he didn't expect that he would have another son-in-law.

Could it be that they are both sons-in-law and have established a deep friendship with each other, which makes them so sad?

Not long after, the Xue brothers and sisters arrived.

The two of them were far away from each other, and it was clear from Xue Yujin's livid face that the conversation between them was not pleasant.

The second young lady of the Wei family ran to Xue Ne like a bird returning to its nest and hugged his arm tightly.

Xue Yujin's face became even colder, and after looking around, he walked to Wu Xiyue's side.

After a while, the people from Jingzhao Mansion finally arrived.

Because the case occurred in the Duke's Mansion, a judge named Xie came to the Jingzhao Mansion.

It was already the time for the lower office. Judge Xie must have been called over from home.

However, facing such a large group of distinguished guests, he naturally did not dare to complain.

Wu Xiyue was very considerate and said: "The case is very serious. You don't have to worry about our identities. If you have any questions, just ask. If you want to investigate, just investigate."

Judge Xie cupped his hands and said, "Then I will be offended."

The officials of Jingzhao Mansion immediately started investigating according to the procedures. Someone checked the body, and Judge Xie personally asked everyone for their testimony.

When asked about Ya Ruo, Mustache whispered a few words in her ear. Ya Ruo's face lit up, and she waved to Judge Xie and said, "Come here."

Judge Xie trotted to her side and said respectfully: "I wonder what your Highness the Crown Princess's orders are?"

Yaruo said coldly: "I want to report someone to you."

Judge Xie hurriedly asked: "I wonder who your Highness wants to report?"

Yaruo turned her eyes to Xue Yujin, pointed at her and said, "This is Miss Xue's family!"

Xue Yujin was already angry, but when he saw that Ya Ruo was not finished, he said angrily: "What on earth do you want?"

Ya Ruo smiled and said: "I just reported some inside information that I know to Jingzhao Mansion, why are you so excited?"

Judge Xie hesitated for a moment and asked Xue Yujin: "Xue County Master, I wonder where you were when the crime occurred?"

Before Xue Yujin could speak, Wu Xiyue was already furious.

"You bastard, just because someone said something casually, you dare to question County Master Xue, do you think I'm a dead man?"

Judge Xie yelled in his heart: "Didn't you say before that I don't have to worry about my identity? This job is really impossible!"

Complaints were complaints. In order to keep his job, he had no choice but to endure it and turned his attention to Ya Ruo.

"I wonder if there is any evidence for His Highness's report against County Master Xue?"

Ya Ruo angrily said: "Do you think I will just point out others without evidence?"

Judge Xie cursed a few times in his mind and said, "I don't dare... I don't dare."

The body is bowed low.

Ya Ruo snorted and said: "Since I have spoken, I naturally have sufficient evidence. Let me ask you, what is the most important thing in a murder case?"

Judge Xie hesitated for a moment and said cautiously: "Is it the cause of death?"

Yaruo scolded: "Idiot, the most important thing is to find out the reason why the murderer committed the murder. I really don't know how you, an official, did it!"

Wu Chengsi was speechless. The reason for the murder was important, but the cause of death was equally important. It was a pity that Judge Xie was a petty person and could only say what was right.

Yaruo snorted and said:

"The most common cause of murder is vendetta. The person I want to report has a deep hatred for Yan Yaosheng. Do you think this is evidence?"

Judge Xie glanced at Xue Yujin, nodded repeatedly and said: "Of course."

Seeing that everyone was looking over, Yaruo was very proud and pointed at Xue Yujin and said:

"Everyone should know that Miss Xue's family is opposed to her brother's association with the second Miss of the Wei family."

A man in green robe smiled and said: "I'm afraid no one in Chang'an City knows about this."

Yaruo snorted and said, "Then do you know who set up the bridge between Xue Ne and the second lady of the Wei family?"

The man in green robe was surprised: "Could he be from Yanshe?"

Yaruo sneered and said: "It's Yan Yaosheng, so Xue Yujin must hate Yan Yaosheng very much, and she has a reason to kill Yan Yaosheng!"

Many people echoed loudly, and even Wei Xuanzhen and Miss Wei looked at Xue Yujin.

Miss Wei Er pulled Xue Ne and said, "Could it be that your sister really killed my brother-in-law?"

Xue Ne said angrily: "Don't listen to her nonsense. How could Yujin kill someone?"

Unlike others, Wu Chengsi was thinking about another thing.

Yaruo actually knew that Yan Yaosheng was the matchmaker between Xue Ne and Miss Wei Er, which showed that she was indeed keeping an eye on the Xue Mansion.

Wu Chengsi was even more worried about what she said before that could bring the Xue family back to its original shape.

At this time, Princess Taiping whispered: "Second cousin, everyone seems to be suspicious of Yujin, what should we do?"

Wu Chengsi whispered a few words to her, and Princess Taiping smiled slightly and said loudly: "Thank you, judge!"

Judge Xie followed the call and saw that it was Princess Taiping calling him, and immediately ran over.

"I wonder what your Highness the Princess' orders are?"

Princess Taiping said: "It's been so long, haven't you found out the cause of death?"

Judge Xie said: "Returning to your Royal Highness, the fatal wound should be the stone pillar that pierced Yan Sheren."

Yaruo laughed and said, "Are you still asking about such an obvious thing?"

Princess Taiping ignored her and continued: "Are there no other wounds on the deceased's body?"

Judge Xie was stunned for a moment and said, "Wait a moment."

The officer who was inspecting the body was called over and asked, "Are there any other wounds on the body?"

The officer replied: "There is a bruise on the chest and several broken ribs. Preliminary judgment is that the deceased should have been kicked."

The man in green robe shouted: "I understand, Yan Sheren must have been kicked and then hit the raised stone pillar on the rockery when he retreated!"

Wu Xiyue glanced at him sideways and said angrily: "Why are you making such a fuss about something so obvious?"

Ya Ruo said: "Even so, Xue Yujin is still the most suspicious person!"

At this time, many people were paying attention to Princess Taiping. Wu Chengsi couldn't talk to her, so he whispered a few words to Zhili.

Zhili came to Princess Taiping and conveyed the message.

Princess Taiping immediately asked: "Where is the injury on the chest?"

The officials were very capable and immediately replied: "It is three feet and two inches above the ground."

Princess Taiping nodded, came to a tree, and ordered: "Draw the distance between the wound on the deceased's chest and the ground!"

The official immediately followed the instructions, took out his measuring tool, and used a sharp awl to draw a wound on the tree trunk.

Everyone gathered around to see what Princess Taiping wanted to do.

Yaruo asked directly: "What can you prove by marking the wounds?"

The man surnamed Zhang suddenly said: "This wound is so short!"

At this time, Princess Taiping understood what Wu Chengsi meant without further explanation, and smiled and said: "People of different heights kick at different heights. Yujin, you kick against the tree trunk."

Xue Yujin also understood. She was tall and raised her foot to kick her. The foot landed more than two inches higher than the wound.

Yaruo said: "It's also possible that she lowered her legs intentionally!"

Ms. Wang said: "If the kick is tilted downward, the force will be concentrated on the lower body. After Yan Sheren's lower body is kicked away, he will only lie on the ground and will not hit the stone pillars on the rockery."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Wu Xiyue said louder: "The murderer must be very short, and he is most likely a woman!"

Yaruo turned to look at Mustache and found that he had his head lowered and was silent. He felt that it was very boring to stay here any longer. He snorted coldly, turned around and left with the others.

Neither Princess Taiping nor Wu Xi stopped her, and no one else dared to stop her even if they wanted to.

After Xu Guogong saw her leaving, he said loudly:

"Colleagues, it's getting late today, and many of you have to go to the Yamen tomorrow. Why don't you all disperse, and let the people in Jingzhao Mansion handle the case."

Most people nodded in agreement. Many people had wanted to leave for a long time, but they stayed here due to pressure from the crown prince's concubines.

Now that the crown prince and his concubines are gone, how can they be willing to stay any longer?

Princess Taiping glanced at Wu Chengsi and saw that he had no expression, so she did not stop everyone from leaving.

In the blink of an eye, only Princess Taiping, the Xue brothers and sisters, Wu Xiyue and Princess Chengyang were left in Xingyuan.

Wu Chengsi always thought that Wu Xiyue was a little arrogant.

However, at this moment, he was actually beside Xue Yujin and comforting her, which made Wu Chengsi very happy.

Xue Yujin finally left with Wu Xiyue and Miss Wang, without looking at Xue Ne again when they left, which made Xue Ne feel very hurt.

The second young lady of the Wei family squeezed his hand and said softly: "She is your biological sister after all. It's just a little hard to accept for the moment. She will get better in the future."

Xue Ne sighed and said, "I hope so."

Miss Wei Er said softly: "What happened to my brother-in-law makes me a little scared. Can you stay with me tonight?"

Xue Ne hesitated for a moment and nodded in agreement. Miss Wei Er was overjoyed and pulled him out of the apricot garden.

Princess Chengyang finally looked away from Yan Yaosheng, sighed quietly, and said, "Taiping, do you want to go back with me?"

Princess Taiping smiled and refused.

Princess Chengyang nodded and left with the people.

At this moment, Wu Chengsi noticed that the eldest daughter of the Wei family was looking at Princess Chengyang's back with malicious eyes.

This expression disappeared in an instant, and Miss Wei's eyes returned to gentleness.

Wu Chengsi saw all this in his eyes, and his mind was racing. Maybe as he guessed, the relationship between Princess Chengyang and Yan Yaosheng was not that simple.

Likewise, the eldest lady of the Wei family is not as gentle and sweet as she looks.

Xu Guogong looked at Princess Taiping and said with a smile: "Your Highness, it's getting late. You should go back and rest early."

Princess Taiping had already received Wu Chengsi's explanation, nodded and said with a smile: "That's fine."

When Wu Chengsi and Princess Taiping left the gate of Xu Guogong's mansion, Princess Taiping immediately asked: "Second cousin, are we leaving like this?"

Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "Just now was the first scene, and next is the second scene. There should be many secrets in this Duke's Mansion. Let's reveal them next."

Princess Taiping heard the song and understood the elegant meaning. She smiled and said, "You are going to use the identity of the prince next, right?"

"That's natural. To be honest, I'm a little impatient with this guard!"


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