Although Jiao Lianping was an arrogant and overbearing dandy, it was the first time as an official's son that he had witnessed someone die so tragically before his eyes. "Harm does not extend to women; why did she have to do this?"
Zhan Feiyu looked at the pool of blood by the well, then cast an unhurried glance at the guard who had also climbed out of the well, dripping wet. He spoke to the sighing Jiao Lianping, "Perhaps she was worried that the Qiu family would neglect the third branch in the future, so she wanted to establish a master-disciple relationship first."
Madam Qiu had previously agreed to the conditions of Dou Shi and Xu Shi, but it did not include her son taking on disciples. It only offered opportunities for the male heirs of the third branch to study.
However, studying and entering officialdom were completely different matters. Otherwise, there would not be the saying of a "poor scholar."
Furthermore, Dou Shi and Xu Shi also knew clearly that even if the children of the family later obtained official positions, due to the crimes of the third branch, they would only be minor officials. Even a seventh-rank county magistrate would be a pipe dream.
But if Mo Ge'er became a disciple of Qiu Wangshu, it would be different. Not looking at the monk's face, but at the Buddha's face, with Qiu Wangshu's protection in this small territory of Qianzhong Circuit, his future would be within reach.
Suddenly thinking of something, Jiao Lianping turned his head abruptly, his eyes fixed on Zhan Feiyu. This was a perfect example. A village girl became a disciple of a Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy, and even Lord Qiu treated her with respect. Dou Shi was perhaps trying to follow the same path.
Zhan Feiyu paid no attention to Jiao Lianping's enlightened expression and suddenly ordered He Nuan, "A Nuan, arrest this guard."
Uh...
Everyone present was stunned. Even Xu Shi, who had collapsed on the ground, forgot to wipe her tears. Everyone saw He Nuan suddenly make a move, and the guard who had been rescued didn't even have time to react before He Nuan tied him up with the rope on the ground.
"What is this?" Old Master Xiang was completely confused, but since it was Xiang family's guard who was tied up, Old Master Xiang couldn't help but feel uneasy. Could Dou Shi's death be related to this guard?
Qiu Huaixin also finally calmed down from this change. He frowned as he glanced at Dou Shi's corpse, then asked Zhan Feiyu, "Is there something strange about this guard?"
Although Dou Shi had accidentally fallen into the well, her actual cause of death was the stab wound on her neck. The meridians of her neck were severed by sharp scissors, leading to excessive blood loss and death.
"I'm not sure," Zhan Feiyu replied.
Jiao Lianyu and Qi Changlin also reacted. The two of them looked at the still bewildered guard simultaneously. Either this person had undergone special training and was so calm, or he was innocent, which was why he showed no panic or unease.
He Nuan walked back to Zhan Feiyu's side and whispered, "Just a common martial artist."
If he were a master, he might be a trained assassin sent by someone. But when He Nuan tied him up, she took the opportunity to check his pulse. This person had no internal energy in his body and did not know internal martial arts. He was just a rough man who knew some boxing and kicking.
It was normal, after all, Old Master Xiang was just a merchant. The guards he hired with money were mostly of this level.
"She was still alive when she fell into the well, but she was already a corpse when she was pulled out. If it wasn't an accident, this guard is the murderer," Zhan Feiyu said, and Qiu Huaixin and the others nodded in agreement.
There were only two possibilities for this matter. One was accidental suicide. When Dou Shi fell into the well, she was probably flustered and forgot that she was still holding scissors, accidentally cutting her own throat.
The other was murder. The guard who jumped into the well to save her first was the most suspicious. After jumping down, he took the opportunity to kill Dou Shi.
"Report it to the authorities," Qiu Huaixin said. If he had known that it would result in a death, he would have just pretended to agree earlier. Unfortunately, it was too late to regret it now.
Seeing that Zhan Feiyu did not speak, the others naturally would not speak. Since a murder case had occurred, it had to be reported to the authorities.
After all, she was a female family member of the Qiu family's third branch, and it was not appropriate to leave her body lying on the ground like this. With Qiu Huaixin's permission, Old Master Xiang had people bring a door panel to place Dou Shi's body on, and then carried it to an unused empty room, waiting for the coroner and constables from the yamen to arrive.
Then, they sent people to the Qiu family's third branch to deliver the news. Whether it was suicide or murder, the third branch also had to set up a mourning hall, and the younger generation of the family had to wear mourning clothes. Qiu Jingyuan also had to come.
As for the guard, although he was tied up, he remained calm. He probably had a clear conscience and was therefore open and honest, and was not afraid of meeting the officials at the yamen.
In less than fifteen minutes, Prefect Jiao rushed to the Xiang residence with a group of officials from the prefectural yamen.
Originally, the matter of breaking off the engagement had ended with the death of Xiang Changshou, but now a murder case had occurred. More importantly, the second son of Lord Qiu was involved.
"I almost shook my old bones apart." Vice Prefect Zhang looked distressed. Because the incident was sudden, they had all ridden horses. They usually traveled by sedan chair, and the experience of riding horses was...
Minister Teng and Minister Wei also dismounted and looked at Prefect Jiao, who was walking in with a stern face. The two exchanged glances and, unlike Vice Prefect Zhang, did not complain and strode after him.
"Well, wait for this official!" Vice Prefect Zhang looked speechlessly at his colleagues and could only endure the discomfort and follow.
Old Master Xiang did not dare to exchange pleasantries now. As he quickly accompanied Prefect Jiao and the others inside, he explained the whole story in detail.
"Minister Wei, you take your men to the crime scene first," Prefect Jiao ordered with a solemn face. He then said to Minister Teng, "Minister Teng and Coroner Huang will examine the body first. Constable Wang, you take your men to seal off the Xiang residence. No one is allowed to leave or talk freely without my order."
The ministers and the constables and yamen runners who followed immediately took their orders and left. Prefect Jiao, along with Vice Prefect Zhang and the clerks, continued to the front courtyard. Although Old Master Xiang had already explained, Prefect Jiao still needed to hear the testimonies of Qiu Huaixin and the others.
Since a death had occurred, no one was in the mood for pleasantries. After Prefect Jiao entered the room, Zhan Feiyu and Qiu Huaixin greeted each other and got straight to the point.
After everyone had been questioned, including the servants who were present at the time, Prefect Jiao's solemn expression finally eased.
The matter of breaking off the engagement was related to the Jiao family, and the third young master Qiu had come to the Xiang residence to pay respects to Lianyu. If anything truly happened, Prefect Jiao was worried that the Qiu family would vent their anger on Jiao Lianyu. If he incurred the displeasure of the Provincial Governor, Jiao Lianyu's future would be in jeopardy.
...
When Zhan Feiyu left the Xiang residence and went to the prefectural yamen, it was already half an hour later.
At the time of the incident, Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan were in the mourning hall paying respects, so Dou Shi's death was not related to her. Zhan Feiyu was able to leave first, while Qiu Huaixin and the others were still in the prefectural yamen recording their statements.
"Eldest Young Master?" Zhan Feiyu looked surprised at Qiu Bingde, who had gotten out of the carriage.
He Sheng whispered, and Zhan Feiyu then learned that Qiu Bingde had arrived a quarter of an hour ago but had been waiting in the carriage and had not entered the prefectural yamen.
Walking over leisurely, Qiu Bingde smiled gently, "It's already late in the morning. Why don't I play the host?"
"How dare I refuse the invitation of Eldest Young Master?" Zhan Feiyu smiled and accepted. "I heard that the rice flower fish in Qianzhong Circuit is exceptionally delicious. Eldest Young Master will have to treat me today."
It was still the First Rank Tower. As soon as Zhan Feiyu entered the private room, she knew that Qiu Bingde had arranged it in advance. The incense burner emitted a faint scent of plum blossoms, and in the celadon vase with string patterns on the high table by the window were two blooming lotus flowers.
Not to mention the tea on the table. After the attending maid brewed the tea, she retreated to a corner and stood there. The tea had a faint aroma, and it seemed to be the floral tea that ladies drank.
"Miss Zhan, please," Qiu Bingde invited Zhan Feiyu to sit down and said helplessly, "Years ago, my father wanted to prevent Huaixin from interacting with Jiao Lianyu, but I stopped him. Now, it has brought trouble to Huaixin."
Although Qiu Huaixin did not intend to pursue a career through the imperial examinations, as a son of the Qiu family, Qiu Huaixin would sooner or later have to support the family. It was fine for Lord Qiu to manage the Qiu residence now, and Qiu Bingde would also take care of his younger brother when he inherited the position of family head.
But by the next generation, when the nephew took charge, he would be a generation apart from his uncle Qiu Huaixin.
Qiu Bingde's original intention was to let Jiao Lianyu be Qiu Huaixin's whetstone, to let him know the dangers of human nature, and then to use the Qiu family's connections to recommend Qiu Huaixin for an official position, even a nominal post in a clean government.
But now, with Dou Shi's death and her connection to Qiu Huaixin, it was a stain. With the accusation of forcing an elder to death being thrown at him, even if Dou Shi died accidentally, it would still ruin Qiu Huaixin's future career.