Chapter 360
"Third brother, don't be rude." Hu Yan quickly stepped forward and winked at Constable Hu.
Constable Hu then noticed Zhan Feiyu walking behind and his heart skipped a beat. If it were Zhao Yi and a few other dandies, Constable Hu would have pushed them away even if it meant being blamed by them.
Prefect Zhang had been murdered, and the killer was likely Vice Prefect Pang. In this chaotic situation, how could he let Zhao Yi and the others cause trouble at the crime scene? But Zhan Feiyu had come despite the heavy rain, and Constable Hu knew he couldn't stop her.
He strode over and cupped his hands in greeting, "Miss Zhan, Lord Zhao has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the inner chambers of the prefectural yamen until the officials from the Provincial Administration Commission arrive."
Zhan Feiyu did not intend to make things difficult for Constable Hu. She took out her Jinlongwei token, "Constable Hu, there's no need to stop me. If Lord Yao blames me, I will take full responsibility."
"Yes, Miss Zhan, this way." Constable Hu led the way, looking at Zhao Yi and the others beside him, and reminded them in a low voice, "Young Master Zhao, you and your companions may only stand under the corridor, and are not allowed to enter the study."
"Constable Hu, rest assured, we understand the boundaries and will not make things difficult for you." Zhao Yi replied, and Hu Yan and the others nodded in agreement.
Walking along the covered corridor towards the inner chambers, Hu Yan deliberately slowed his pace and winked at Zhao Yi, muttering, "Isn't this like 'at the end of one's rope, when all seems lost, a new path appears'?"
Liu Xiaowu chuckled slyly, "Man proposes, heaven disposes. Tsk tsk, if I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have tossed and turned all night yesterday."
Liu Xiaowu and Hu Yan were good friends with Zhao Yi, and their fathers also had close ties with Vice Prefect Zhao. Once Vice Prefect Pang succeeded Prefect Zhang as the Prefect of Suzhou, the fate of their families would be predictable.
"Speak and act with caution. Let's discuss everything after the dust settles," Zhao Yi was indeed much more composed. He glanced at the people beside him, "Control your expressions, don't cause any trouble."
Indeed, Prefect Zhang had died unnaturally. If they were smiling, it would surely bring disaster to their families.
The constables guarding the study outside were taken aback and looked at Constable Hu, "Head?"
"Go and report to Lord Zhao," Constable Hu instructed in a low voice, then said to Zhan Feiyu, "This is Prefect Zhang's study. The Lord usually handles official business here. The body is still inside, and the coroner should be here soon."
As the study door was pushed open, a strong smell of blood wafted out. Zhan Feiyu stood at the entrance, looked inside for a few moments, then took out a handkerchief and wiped the soles of her shoes clean before stepping inside.
Constable Hu and the constables beside him were stunned. No one had expected Zhan Feiyu to be so brave as to enter the study where the body was still present.
Zhao Yi, Liu Xiaowu, and the other dandies, though usually boisterous, did not have the courage to get close to Prefect Zhang's corpse. After all, the bloody scene was too terrifying.
Zhan Feiyu walked along the wall, avoiding the scattered items on the floor. Prefect Zhang's body lay supine on the ground. The fatal wound was a piercing through his chest by a huanghuali wood carving, which was carved in the shape of green bamboo, its tip as sharp as a weapon.
"This 'Four Gentlemen' screen was the Lord's favorite. It was transported from Jiangnan," Constable Hu explained in a low voice. Prefect Zhang's body lay on the screen. Looking at the shattered tea set, writing brush, inkstone, ink, and books on the ground, it was evident how intense the argument had been before.
Squatting down, Zhan Feiyu carefully observed the posture in which the body had fallen. She looked back at He Sheng beside her, "He fell after being pushed, and hit the screen, but was accidentally pierced through the chest by the wood carving."
He Sheng, who had received professional training in the Jinlongwei, carefully observed the messy study and then estimated Prefect Zhang's height and the position of the screen.
The screen had carved columns on both sides with intertwined lotus patterns, and the base was carved with kui patterns. The carved green bamboo extended from the bottom of the screen to the middle, resembling a standing long sword.
"Is Prefect Zhang's right hand clutching the tassel?" He Sheng gestured for Zhan Feiyu to look at Prefect Zhang's tightly clenched right hand. A sapphire blue tassel could be seen from his fingers.
Zhan Feiyu, with her almost photographic memory, looked closely and recalled, "The jade pendant worn at Vice Prefect Pang's waist has a tassel of this color."
Constable Hu was stunned. He often saw Vice Prefect Pang in the prefectural yamen. Vice Prefect Pang's white jade auspicious pendant was indeed adorned with this sapphire blue tassel, which his wife had personally made, a story that was often told with admiration.
"Miss, look at Prefect Zhang's left sleeve," He Sheng spoke again.
Zhan Feiyu's gaze followed. It was still early, so Prefect Zhang was not wearing his official robes but a grey straight robe. The fabric of the robe was Jiangnan's ancient silk, woven from silkworm silk layered and intertwined, but it was less prone to wrinkling than ordinary silk.
Prefect Zhang's left sleeve was wrinkled. Judging by the pattern of the wrinkles, it was very likely that someone had forcefully grabbed Prefect Zhang's arm, causing the robe to wrinkle.
Zhan Feiyu nodded understandingly. At this moment, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the study.
"My Lord." The constables guarding outside immediately saluted.
Zhao Yi, Liu Xiaowu, and the other dandies also saluted. However, seeing Vice Prefect Zhao's complexion as dark as the bottom of a pot, the dandies felt a chill run down their spines.
"Nonsense!" A scolding voice rang out. Vice Prefect Zhao, dressed in official robes, looked at Zhao Yi and the others with cold anger, "I have repeatedly ordered that unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter the inner chambers. Who gave you permission to come? Get out immediately!"
"Yes." Zhao Yi dared not linger. The few exchanged glances and then, as if their feet were greased, turned and left. However, they did not go far. After turning a corner where Vice Prefect Zhao could no longer see them, they immediately stopped.
Zhan Feiyu also emerged with He Sheng, "Lord Zhao."
Frowning, Vice Prefect Zhao looked unhappily at Zhan Feiyu emerging from the study, but he knew she had the Jinlongwei token, so Constable Hu and the others dared not stop her.
"Miss Zhan, since you have seen it, please leave quickly. Investigating cases is the responsibility of the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen. Are you trying to overstep your bounds?" Vice Prefect Zhao said with a stern face, his intention to dismiss her evident.
Zhan Feiyu had heard before that Vice Prefect Zhao was incorruptible, and now she witnessed it firsthand. "Please forgive my intrusion, Lord Zhao. Sheng, let's go back."
Vice Prefect Zhao's expression remained grim. He watched Zhan Feiyu and He Sheng leave before turning to Constable Hu and saying, "Lock the study door. No one is allowed to enter without my permission!"
"Yes, my Lord." Constable Hu took the order. Looking at the hurriedly departing Vice Prefect Zhao, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Miss Zhan did not make a fuss, otherwise Lord Zhao would not have been able to escape trouble, as she was a disciple of Scholar Gu.
...
Seeing Zhan Feiyu approach, Zhao Yi, who was waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward, "Please forgive me, Miss Zhan. My father has always acted this way and did not intend to target you."
"It's nothing." Zhan Feiyu smiled indifferently, her eyebrows raised, and asked, "Where is Vice Prefect Pang being held?"
Miss Zhan intends to see Vice Prefect Pang? Liu Xiaowu and the others looked at her with admiration. They were most afraid of the rigid Lord Zhao. Miss Zhan had just been driven out, and now she intended to go back. This was willful defiance!
If it were before today, the constables and minor officials might not have revealed confidential yamen matters to Zhao Yi. But today was different. Prefect Zhang had died unexpectedly, and Vice Prefect Pang was likely the murderer. Vice Prefect Zhao was now the highest-ranking official in the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen, making it much easier for Zhao Yi to inquire about anything.
"He is temporarily held in the prison," Zhao Yi did not conceal anything.
In fact, Vice Prefect Pang was only suspected of murder, but he had not confessed. However, Vice Prefect Zhao, being impartial, had directly imprisoned him according to the law.
However, due to Prefect Zhang's death, he was held in a solitary cell, guarded by constables and jailers, and no one was allowed to visit.
"Please lead the way, Young Master Zhao. I intend to visit my maidservant," Zhan Feiyu smiled charmingly. This excuse sounded legitimate, but anyone with a brain would know she was going to see Vice Prefect Pang.
Zhao Yi hesitated. He was truly afraid of Vice Prefect Zhao using family discipline, as this would be a case of repeated disobedience!
But thinking of Zhan Feiyu's identity, Zhao Yi gritted his teeth, "Miss Zhan, this way!"
...
A moment later, Suzhou Prefectural Prison.
With the Jinlongwei token, absolutely no jailer or guard dared to stop Zhan Feiyu. She was quickly led to a solitary cell at the innermost part of the prison.
"Miss Zhan, the person is held here. If you need anything, just call out, and I will hear you," the jailer said with a fawning smile, and wisely retreated to stand a short distance away. The jailer would certainly not hear what Zhan Feiyu said to Vice Prefect Pang from this distance.
Vice Prefect Pang, a stout and plump man, sat cross-legged on the straw. He looked up at Zhan Feiyu, then like a wooden Buddha, his eyes were vacant, and his expression was calm.
Through the prison bars, Zhan Feiyu observed Vice Prefect Pang, who had become a prisoner. Was this the justice of heaven, retribution that never fails! Previously, he had favored Qian Shipeng and had A Nuan imprisoned. Now, the tables had turned.
In the silence, Vice Prefect Pang did not speak, and Zhan Feiyu also remained silent. However, her gaze lingered on the auspicious pendant at his waist for a moment. It was indeed a sapphire blue tassel.
Looking at the hem of Vice Prefect Pang's official robe, it was stained with some ink. In the study, the writing brush, inkstone, ink, and paper were all scattered on the floor. It was likely that the ink had been stained at that time.
Two quarters of an hour later, Zhan Feiyu, who had not spoken a word, prepared to turn and leave.
Vice Prefect Pang couldn't help but frown and instinctively said, "Miss Zhan, are you here to mock me?"
Zhan Feiyu paused, then smiled, "Lord Pang, what do you mean? Although you..."
...
Seeing Zhan Feiyu approach, Zhao Yi, who was waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward, "Please forgive me, Miss Zhan. My father has always acted this way and did not intend to target you."
"It's nothing." Zhan Feiyu smiled indifferently, her eyebrows raised, and asked, "Where is Vice Prefect Pang being held?"
Miss Zhan intends to see Vice Prefect Pang? Liu Xiaowu and the others looked at her with admiration. They were most afraid of the rigid Lord Zhao. Miss Zhan had just been driven out, and now she intended to go back. This was willful defiance!
If it were before today, the constables and minor officials might not have revealed confidential yamen matters to Zhao Yi. But today was different. Prefect Zhang had died unexpectedly, and Vice Prefect Pang was likely the murderer. Vice Prefect Zhao was now the highest-ranking official in the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen, making it much easier for Zhao Yi to inquire about anything.
"He is temporarily held in the prison," Zhao Yi did not conceal anything.
In fact, Vice Prefect Pang was only suspected of murder, but he had not confessed. However, Vice Prefect Zhao, being impartial, had directly imprisoned him according to the law.
However, due to Prefect Zhang's death, he was held in a solitary cell, guarded by constables and jailers, and no one was allowed to visit.
"Please lead the way, Young Master Zhao. I intend to visit my maidservant," Zhan Feiyu smiled charmingly. This excuse sounded legitimate, but anyone with a brain would know she was going to see Vice Prefect Pang.
Zhao Yi hesitated. He was truly afraid of Vice Prefect Zhao using family discipline, as this would be a case of repeated disobedience!
But thinking of Zhan Feiyu's identity, Zhao Yi gritted his teeth, "Miss Zhan, this way!"
...
A moment later, Suzhou Prefectural Prison.
With the Jinlongwei token, absolutely no jailer or guard dared to stop Zhan Feiyu. She was quickly led to a solitary cell at the innermost part of the prison.
"Miss Zhan, the person is held here. If you need anything, just call out, and I will hear you," the jailer said with a fawning smile, and wisely retreated to stand a short distance away. The jailer would certainly not hear what Zhan Feiyu said to Vice Prefect Pang from this distance.
Vice Prefect Pang, a stout and plump man, sat cross-legged on the straw. He looked up at Zhan Feiyu, then like a wooden Buddha, his eyes were vacant, and his expression was calm.
Through the prison bars, Zhan Feiyu observed Vice Prefect Pang, who had become a prisoner. Was this the justice of heaven, retribution that never fails! Previously, he had favored Qian Shipeng and had A Nuan imprisoned. Now, the tables had turned.
In the silence, Vice Prefect Pang did not speak, and Zhan Feiyu also remained silent. However, her gaze lingered on the auspicious pendant at his waist for a moment. It was indeed a sapphire blue tassel.