Chapter 672: Examining the Corpse

Zheng Xuhong, standing below the throne, was startled and his expression turned grim. He raised his head and said to the King of Joseon, "Your Majesty, this is no rumor. The news just came from the Park family—they say the man is truly dead."

Hearing this, the King of Joseon's expression also darkened. He looked at Zheng Xuhong and asked, "What exactly happened? Speak quickly."

Zheng Xuhong was helpless but could only say, "They say that today, after Park Jeongyang returned home, he did nothing at all—he simply locked himself in his room, and the servants dared not disturb him. Only when it was nearly time for the evening meal did a servant finally dare to go in. But upon entering, they found he was already gone—they say he took his own life."

The King of Joseon listened with a grim face, and only after a long pause asked, "How did he die? Poison, or hanging?"

Though he was shocked, though he still could not believe it, the facts were right before his eyes—Park Jeongyang was truly dead. The Park family would not lie about such a thing, nor could they. A man alive is alive; a man dead is dead.

At this moment, the King of Joseon's heart was filled with shock.

Though Park Jeongyang's death pleased him. Lately Park Jeongyang had been leaping about with great vigor, the vanguard of the elders faction—now that the man was gone, it was truly good.

But how had the man died, and what was hidden behind it all?

This made the King of Joseon unable to help but worry.

Moreover, under the present circumstances, Park Jeongyang's death was hardly a good thing. It was far too provocative, too jarring to the nerves—good for no one.

"They say he stabbed himself in the back with a knife—five stabs in all—and died by his own hand." Zheng Xuhong hesitated, then spoke with a strange expression.

Zheng Xuhong himself did not believe this. What kind of person chooses to commit suicide by stabbing themselves in the back? How awkward, how painful would that be?

If I already wanted to die, why would I stab myself in the back and suffer that agony?

Sure enough, hearing this, the King of Joseon's eyes went wide. He rose from his seat, stared at Zheng Xuhong before him, and asked in disbelief, "Do you believe it?"

"Your subject does not believe it." Zheng Xuhong said with a helpless look. "This looks like murder through and through—how could it possibly be suicide? No one commits suicide by stabbing themselves in the back; it's far too troublesome. Everyone who kills themselves seeks a clean, painless end—stabbing oneself in the back is both difficult and painful. But what the Park family reported is suicide, and no one else can say otherwise."

The King of Joseon glared, angrily slapping the table and saying, "Covering up! This is simply covering up the truth! Who did this?"

"This cannot stand—we cannot let it go—it must be investigated thoroughly!"

Zheng Xuhong stood to the side, somewhat embarrassed.

It was the first time he had seen his own king so furious.

In Zheng Xuhong's view, Park Jeongyang's death was a good thing—these past days the man had been jumping up and down, everywhere at once.

"Your Majesty, this matter may not be easy to investigate." Zheng Xuhong said hesitantly. "The case happened inside their own home. Now that the man is dead, Park Jeongyang's family is insisting it was suicide. Even if it was murder, any evidence may have already been destroyed—getting to the bottom of it will be extremely difficult."

Hearing this, the King of Joseon's face instantly turned black. How could he not know?

But he was simply too furious. In this whole affair, he felt that something was subtly off—it might well lead to trouble. This ill premonition was far too strong.

"Do you believe Park Jeongyang would kill himself?" The King of Joseon stared straight at Zheng Xuhong and asked.

"Your Majesty, your subject certainly does not believe it. Park Jeongyang was at the height of his glory—not only did he hold power at court, his relations with Great Ming were excellent, and they say he was about to marry the daughter of a wealthy and prominent family. Your subject truly cannot imagine why Park Jeongyang would kill himself at such a time." Zheng Xuhong spoke his innermost thoughts in full detail.

"Exactly." The King of Joseon nodded in agreement, his tone softening somewhat, and said, "We all know it was not suicide—it was murder. Though I do not know why, there is a bad premonition in my heart. This death of Park Jeongyang is likely the beginning of some trouble. That is why I wish to investigate."

"Zheng Xuhong, go yourself. You must investigate thoroughly and find out how Park Jeongyang died. If he was murdered, then what is the one behind it all plotting? Find out!"

Zheng Xuhong was full of dark lines.

He truly did not want this task. The king could sense this was the beginning of trouble, and Zheng Xuhong was no fool—he too knew this was the beginning of trouble, and certainly a very great trouble at that.

If he stayed out of it, perhaps all would be well. But now, investigating Park Jeongyang's death meant throwing himself into the middle of it—he might well become the very center of this trouble.

Who would want to be involved in this mess?

Especially someone like Park Jeongyang—dead is dead.

But raising his head to look at the King of Joseon, seeing his king's face full of gravity and his eyes slightly red as he stared at him, Zheng Xuhong was utterly helpless.

This was not allowing him to refuse. If he refused at this moment, the king would likely brand him as a member of the elders faction.

Though deeply unwilling in his heart, Zheng Xuhong could only steel himself and say, "Very well, your subject will go at once."

With that said, he strode out toward the door, his steps resolute.

Watching Zheng Xuhong's retreating figure, the King of Joseon finally let out a slight sigh of relief and sat back down upon the throne.

At Park Jeongyang's residence.

By now, an atmosphere of grief had already risen throughout the household. The mourning hall had been erected, funeral banners hung high, and unburned spirit money was caught by the wind, scattering and flying up into the air.

Monks for chanting sutras had long since been summoned, and mournful funeral music was already playing—the whole scene was one of a grand funeral in progress.

The members of the Park family knelt before the mourning hall with sorrowful faces, their weeping rising into a chorus.

Many people had arrived at the gate—carriages and horses flowed in an endless stream, all coming to pay their respects to Park Jeongyang.

Of course, rather than paying respects, it was more like watching the spectacle. Some had also come to probe the truth—no one believed Park Jeongyang would kill himself at such a time.

His career was at its peak, and he was about to marry a great beauty—suicide? Was he mad?

And stabbed five times in the back—who would stab themselves in the back five times to commit suicide? Isn't this just covering up the truth?

Everyone also wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. But with Park Jeongyang lying there in the mourning hall, no one truly dared to go near.

To go up to Park Jeongyang's side and examine him at a time like this—what would you be trying to do?

For the moment, no one in the Park household dared to act rashly.

Just then, a carriage stopped at the gate.

A fat man stepped down from the carriage, his eyes red, turning back and reaching out a hand to gently support someone.

A woman dressed entirely in white stepped down from the carriage.

Not only was this woman in a white dress, but she also wore a white veil over her head, making her impossible to see clearly.

After the fat man walked through the gate, tears instantly streamed from his eyes, and he wailed in grief, "My son-in-law! My dear son-in-law! How could you do such a thing? Why?"

"You shouldn't have—you truly shouldn't have!" As he spoke, the fat man beat his chest and cried loudly, "It pains me to death!"

The woman in white beside him carefully supported him, reaching out from time to time to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.

At first, everyone who saw this scene was somewhat confused. But once the fat man began to wail, they all understood—this man must be the great Ming merchant known throughout the realm, Chen Facai.

Seeing Chen Facai, everyone's eyes lit up.

In recent days, Park Jeongyang's rise had been extremely fierce. Everyone knew that behind it all was this Boss Chen Facai, who had been pulling strings and spending no small amount of money for Park Jeongyang—devoting himself wholeheartedly to the cause.

Countless people envied Park Jeongyang for finding such a good father-in-law. Even more enviable was the fact that the Ming woman Park Jeongyang was to marry was said to be very beautiful, very young, and well-educated and refined.

Just that reputation alone was enough to inspire envy—many hated him with a burning jealousy, cursing Park Jeongyang countless times in their hearts: Old man, why don't you just die?

Everyone wished they could take her place.

This was a perfect opportunity to gain both wealth and beauty, but they could only curse inwardly.

Originally, no one had a clear idea in mind, but at this moment, seeing the woman in the white dress, they felt even more jealous.

Park Jeong-yang really stepped in dog shit!

As the saying goes, to look alluring, wear mourning white.

At this moment, the woman in the white dress was truly beautiful to behold.

Although they couldn't see her face, her figure alone made it clear she was absolutely a great beauty—slim and graceful, simply the finest sight in the mortal world.

Add to that her sorrowful expression, a tear-streaked face that invited pity and affection, and she became even more captivating.

Though she was Park Jeong-yang's widow-to-be, she hadn't even crossed the threshold yet, had she?

This could satisfy one's desires perfectly. Besides, he wasn't such a petty man—never mind that she hadn't married in; even if she had, so what?

Many people harbored this thought in their hearts.

He and Park Jeong-yang were such good friends; he should do something for the dead Park Jeong-yang, so he could rest in peace.

They wanted very much to tell Park Jeong-yang: rest assured, I'll take care of this woman for you.

Many had such thoughts, and some were even preparing to put them into action.

After all, Park Jeong-yang was already dead, and his chance had come. He was no worse than Park Jeong-yang. How old and ugly was Park Jeong-yang? He was more handsome, younger, and not much inferior in official rank.

Not only had the elders faction been stirred, but the younger faction felt the same.

If he could get this woman and also get Chen Facai, what standing would he have?

For a moment, everyone in the courtyard harbored this thought.

Chen Facai led Qingqing as they walked inside, his face full of helplessness.

If there were truly no other way, he really didn't want to bring Qingqing here to show her off to these people.

Chen Facai made a fierce resolve in his heart: daring to look at my Qingqing with such eyes—I'll kill every last one of you later!

You want to scheme against Qingqing? Later I'll make every one of you into another Park Jeong-yang!

The two entered the mourning hall and paid their respects to Park Jeong-yang together.

Chen Facai saw Park In-yong approaching, and seeing this fellow's eyes fixed on Qingqing, his face immediately showed displeasure, and he marked this man with a symbol in his heart:

You'll be the first to die.

Park In-yong was extremely excited inside—indeed, now that his uncle was dead, his luck had turned.

Thinking of the person standing behind him, Park In-yong unconsciously puffed out his chest.

His uncle was dead, so now he was the head of the household. He had already gone to comfort his uncle's dependents—the process of comforting naturally wasn't for outsiders to know, and his body was somewhat worn out from it.

He estimated he would need to comfort them several more times, which might take quite a while, but he savored every moment of it.

The moment he saw Chen Facai and Miss Qingqing, Park In-yong's heart stirred again.

He had latched onto an even more powerful backer. Once his uncle's matter blew over, this Miss Qingqing might not necessarily be beyond his reach. When that time came, this Manager Chen would have to come begging to him, and he would seize the opportunity to demand his daughter.

Thinking of this, Park In-yong felt absolutely delighted.

Just at that moment, another commotion suddenly broke out outside.

Then an old man ran in, coming straight to Park In-yong and saying, "Master, Zheng Xuhong, Lord Zheng, has arrived. He says he's come on the King's orders to investigate the old master's death."

"My uncle clearly committed suicide—what's there to investigate?" Park In-yong snorted coldly.

"Better go out and take a look anyway," the old man said.

At this moment, Zheng Xuhong had already walked in from outside, his steps very firm.

Since he had decided to do this, he needed to act decisively, without dragging his feet.

After entering the mourning hall, Zheng Xuhong looked around and said, "Who is Park In-yong?"

"That's me." Park In-yong quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Greetings, Lord Zheng. May I ask what business brings you to our home? Have you come to pay respects to my uncle?"

"Of course I must offer a stick of incense to Lord Park." Zheng Xuhong nodded and said, "But before that, I must first ascertain the cause of Lord Park's death. Otherwise, I think Lord Park wouldn't be able to accept that incense in peace."

"Lord Zheng, please watch your words." Park In-yong's face darkened as he said in a stern voice, "My uncle committed suicide. What do you mean by spouting nonsense here?"

"Step aside." Zheng Xuhong stared at Park In-yong and said, "This isn't just my view—it's also the King's view. We all believe Lord Park couldn't have committed suicide, so we must investigate the cause of his death."

"If it's confirmed as suicide, then the King is willing to give Lord Park a grand funeral; but if not, then we must also restore Lord Park's honor. If you obstruct further, I'll suspect you have something to hide."

Seeing the other party invoke the King, Park In-yong began to panic.

Though he had been a bit full of himself these past two days, he truly couldn't be arrogant before the King of Joseon. He instinctively turned to look at the old man beside him.

But that old man just kept his head lowered, looking like it had nothing to do with him.

Park In-yong seethed inwardly—you people did this deed, and now you're playing dead like this.

Zheng Xuhong snorted coldly, shoved Park In-yong aside, and led his men forward, walking straight to Park Jeong-yang's corpse. Without the slightest hesitation, he said directly, "Turn Lord Park's body over."