Chapter 152: Chapter 80 A Skull_1
The moon climbed over the parasol trees, the wind was cold and the dew heavy. In the swaying shadows under the long street eaves, the young man in a crimson robe and silver blade harbored a smile at the corner of his lips, his eyes more intoxicating than a clear, drunken night.
The regal beauty of the children of government officials was striking no matter where they stood, yet at this moment, in the eyes of everyone at the medical center, they were as grim as the lords of the netherworld, Yama in the hall, even their smiles tinged with a trace of chill.
Du Changqing’s face was not looking good.
Putting aside these unfounded accusations, why was Lord Zhao Ning’s Princely Heir here tonight? He should know these matters weren’t under the jurisdiction of the Palace Front Office, so what heat was he trying to add to?
Du Changqing steadied his spirit and chuckled, "Esteemed gentlemen, there must be some misunderstanding here. I have been managing this medical center for many years, always with diligence and integrity. The idea that I could kill someone and bury the body is impossible. This must be a mistake."
Pei Yunmeng was unmoved, "The Military Inspection House received a complaint alleging that your medical center has committed murder and concealed the body on the premises. I have come specially to investigate."
"Who is spouting nonsense?" Du Changqing flared up at the accusation, "Who? Who is the damn snitch?"
Pei Yunmeng paid him no mind, instead, a figure slowly emerged from the group of Pawn Shop Soldiers.
The man was clad in indigo long robes, his fair and amiable face filled with concern. As he approached, he called out "Shopkeeper Du."
"Bai Shouyi?" Du Changqing was taken aback and then burst out cursing, "It was you who made the accusation? You ungrateful cur, did your conscience get eaten by your father? How dare you slander my medical center without cause! Shameless!"
"Shopkeeper Du, what I said is the truth."
"Nonsense! Which eye of yours saw someone in the medical center committing murder?"
"I didn’t see it myself, but others have."
Du Changqing sneered, "Then tell me, who is it?"
Bai Shouyi slowly smiled, his eyes narrowed as he looked over Du Changqing’s shoulder. Du Changqing frowned and turned to follow his gaze, only to see Xiang Cao supporting Xia Rongrong standing in the interior of the shop, having seemingly followed them out at some point.
"Cousin?"
Xia Rongrong’s eyes brimmed with tears as she timidly glanced at Lu Tong and spoke softly, "Cousin, it was me, I personally saw Doctor Lu rising in the night to kill and bury a corpse in the yard... the body is hidden under the plum tree by the window..."
"What?"
Du Changqing felt a shock in his mind, stumbling two steps backward as his thoughts tangled chaotically.
Xia Rongrong had personally seen Lu Tong commit murder?
He instinctively looked up, his expression a mix of shock and doubt, looking at the woman standing by the door, holding a lantern. The moonlight cast a faint, slanted silhouette of her on the ground, her charms fluttering with the wind, her face bright and fair, her coldness unchanged.
Lu Tong looked at him, her tone calm, "Shopkeeper Du, I did not commit any murder."
Du Changqing opened his mouth but could not produce any words.
On the side, Pei Yunmeng chuckled upon seeing this, "Whether or not there’s been a murder, a search will reveal the truth."
He gave an order with a raise of his hand, "Search."
The soldiers from the Military Patrol House surged forward, storming into the medical center.
The sounds of rummaging and clattering erupted in an instant.
Ah Cheng hurried to steady the medicine cabinet that the soldiers had toppled, stamping his feet in distress, "These are all medicines; if they’re ruined they can’t be used!" The soldiers paid no heed to the words of a young shop assistant, pushing him aside and lifting the felt curtain to proceed further in.
Yin Zheng helped Ah Cheng up, Du Changqing was both anxious and angry, unable at the moment to attend to Lu Tong. He pointed at Bai Shouyi and scolded Xia Rongrong, "Look at the fine mess you’ve made, conspiring with this scoundrel to scheme against our medical center? Have you gone mad?"
Xia Rongrong was already frightened, and upon hearing Du Changqing’s words, she felt even more aggrieved, beginning to sob softly. Bai Shouyi, seeing this, came over with a soothing voice to smooth things over, "Shopkeeper Du, such words are unjust. With a murderer hiding in the medical center and burying a body, it was right to report it to the Patrol House. If Shopkeeper Du scolds Miss Xia like this and protects the murderer, could it be that you are also involved?"
His insinuations struck at the heart, and Du Changqing’s face changed color in an instant.
Shen Fengying’s gaze also turned toward him.
Lu Tong watched with cold eyes as Bai Shouyi played his act, then took a couple of steps back. One of the soldiers, thinking she was trying to flee, drew his blade and menacingly shouted at her, "Where are you going?"
With a "bang,"
the Silver Meeting Knife’s scabbard shifted slightly, blocking the threatening blade.
Pei Yunmeng cast a cold glance at the soldier who had drawn his weapon, and the soldier hastily bowed, "Sir."
He said, "Stand down, I’ll keep an eye on her."
"Yes, sir."
Lu Tong lifted her gaze.
In the hazy night, the clusters of silver patterns on his crimson embroidered outfit sparkled brightly, standing there like a jade tree facing the wind, ever captivating.
Pity he was also the empire’s hound.
Lu Tong diverted her eyes, "The wind is picking up, I would like to wait inside the house, if the noble sir permits?"