Chapter 431: 199. Wei Clan Reopening the Case?

199. Wei Clan Reopening the Case?

Morning, Jiangzhou government office, back door.

Ouyang Rong lowered his head and tied a lotus-white sachet at his waist.

Under the silent gaze of Xie Lingjiang beside him, he was ready to go beside the carriage, preparing to head to the Inspectorate.

Before boarding the carriage, he stopped and shouted.

"Junior sister."

"Hmm?"

Xie Lingjiang came back to her senses, a nasal sound.

"Come with me."

"What?" She didn't react.

"I said, come with me."

Xie Lingjiang's expression was suspicious:

"You didn't like me following before, why did you change your nature today?"

Ouyang Rong didn't answer, asking softly:

"You should have heard the message a female official from the Inspectorate ran over to pass just now."

"Didn't hear it." Xie Lingjiang stiffened her face: "Am I the kind of person who eavesdrops?"

"It was a message from Female Official Rong, asking me to attend a discussion, saying there was an important matter."

Xie Lingjiang blurted out: "I know this..."

Halfway through, she immediately closed her mouth, she had let it slip, after all, if she didn't eavesdrop, how would she know the content...

Xie Lingjiang blushed slightly, turning her gaze away.

Ouyang Rong's expression didn't change at all, there was no dissatisfaction, and his tone remained the same:

"Junior sister, remember what I told you this morning about what happened last night?"

"Senior brother is talking about Wei Shaoqi? The Third Young Master of the Prince of Wei's mansion?"

"Yes." He nodded: "If nothing goes wrong, he should be there too, as for the discussion."

Ouyang Rong's words stopped.

Xie Lingjiang's curious expression immediately converged.

She remembered what someone had mentioned this morning about the investigation from last night.

She pursed her lips, didn't speak, and boarded the carriage on her own.

Ouyang Rong followed.

The carriage they were riding left the Jiangzhou government office, didn't immediately go to the Inspectorate, but made a big circle, returned to the Yinbing Studio of the residence in Huaiye Lane, took something, and grabbed a Confucian-clothed little female Daoist who was sleeping in the wardrobe... and continued on their way.

And before leaving the residence in Huaiye Lane, Xie Lingjiang called a reliable servant to pass a message to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

The two and one ink essence, riding in a carriage, drove slowly toward the Inspectorate.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was somewhat silent.

Ouyang Rong closed his eyes to rest.

Xie Lingjiang placed the long piano box horizontally on her knees, with both hands tucked into her sleeves.

The little Miaosi, sitting on Xie Lingjiang's shoulder, dangled her small legs, looking curiously at the silent senior brother and junior sister.

Miaosi lowered her head and looked curiously at the long sword box, but unfortunately, it was blocked by the chest of the Xie clan noble girl, so she could only tilt her head and stretch her neck to look.

"Where are we going?" she muttered.

"Inspectorate," Xie Lingjiang said softly.

Miaosi hammered her palm in realization: "That bad woman's territory?"

Her eyes shone: "Xie girl, are we going to show our power and defeat the bad woman?"

Before Xie Lingjiang could speak, Miaosi was grabbed by Ouyang Rong and couldn't break free.

"Xie girl, defeat the bad man first, woo woo, he only knows how to bully the soft, unite, we must unite..."

Before she finished speaking, the little spirit was pinched back into its original ink ingot form.

And at this moment, the carriage also stopped.

They had arrived at the Inspectorate.

Xie Lingjiang took the original ink ingot of Miaosi from his hand and stuffed it into her sleeve.

Miaosi could provide spiritual ink, increasing the combat power of some Confucian Qi-refiners.

Inside the carriage, the newly promoted female Sage sat upright, with a sword box on her knees, not moving.

Ouyang Rong got up and walked off the carriage.

His wrist was grabbed.

Ouyang Rong looked back.

Xie Lingjiang looked up at him, pursing her lips tightly.

Ouyang Rong was silent for a while, revealing some smiles:

"If it were a Hongmen Banquet led by the Wei clan, she wouldn't have called me over; she could have just brought people to the door directly. We are just being prepared for the unexpected."

Xie Lingjiang slowly let go of her hand:

"Is the distance enough?"

"More than enough."

Ouyang Rong took out a sandalwood elixir box from his bosom, tossed it casually, and stuffed it back into his bosom.

"Wait for me."

Under Xie Lingjiang's gaze, he walked off the carriage without looking back.

Ouyang Rong walked into the Inspectorate, finding that the vigilance around was much stricter than usual.

Every ten steps, there was a female official or guard standing guard.

However, he came often, and many female officials knew him, and perhaps there were some reminders from Rong Zhen, so Ouyang Rong was able to pass all the way.

He was not in a hurry, walking in the corridor, occasionally stopping to exchange pleasantries with several familiar female officials, before walking into the heavily guarded discussion hall.

"Why did you come so late?"

At the very head of the hall, a cold, palace-dressed young girl stood up and asked.

There were three other people in the hall.

Slightly chubby young man Lin Cheng, Wang Lengran whose face was impatient.

And the cynical young man in brocade clothes seen last night.

Wei Shaoqi.

"Something came up, delayed a bit, just arrived on time, didn't know you were in a hurry.

"By the way, Female Official Rong, Brother Lin, have you eaten breakfast? Brought you some, oil-sesame cakes from the shop at the entrance."

"No need." Rong Zhen waved her hand: "Sit down, let's get to the point."

"Wait."

Wei Shaoqi didn't speak, but Wang Lengran beside him shouted, raising an objection:

"Female Official, for no reason, why is he here? Today, didn't Wei Third Young Master say it was an important confidential matter?

"Inviting Spirit Platform Official Lin, this official understands, after all, it involves some cases, and he is a recognized expert recognized by the Dali Temple in the capital. But inviting him, Ouyang Lianghan..."

Wei Shaoqi looked sideways.

"I called him here."

Rong Zhen turned to look at him seriously:

"Senior Secretary Ouyang can also solve cases, and he has served as a chief official in Xunyang and Longcheng, and is most familiar with this place. Regarding what Wei Young Master wants to say, perhaps he can provide some suggestions."

Seeing Rong Zhen express her stance.

"Fine."

Wei Shaoqi nodded: "Female Official Rong considers things thoroughly. This young master believes in Female Official Rong."

Wang Lengran had to shut up.

First, he secretly glared at Ouyang Rong, who brought oil-sesame cakes to "pollute" the hall's air, and then, Rong Zhen said solemnly, asking:

"The clues Wei Young Master mentioned in the letter..."

Wei Shaoqi rubbed his face and stood up without a word.

"Bang—!"

A heavy slap on the table interrupted Rong Zhen's words:

"Female Official, you must uphold justice for my Wei clan! My sixth brother is missing in Jiangzhou, and it is very likely he was harmed by a villain!"

"Your sixth brother?"

"Correct, it is my sixth brother, Wei Shaoxuan. At the end of last year, he and his teacher came to Jiangzhou to travel and have been missing and not returned since. At present, it can almost be concluded that he has been harmed, and he encountered a vicious villain..."

Rong Zhen pursed her lips to digest it, and waved her hand:

"This is another case, let's discuss it later. Today we are gathered here, first to discuss the Butterfly Loves Flower owner case, this is the top priority,

"I understand the pain of losing a brother, but I also hope Wei Young Master can distinguish between primary and secondary."

Wei Shaoqi took a deep breath.

Only to see his slightly red eyes still staring straight at Rong Zhen:

"Female Official, what if I say, accompanying my sixth brother and his teacher in their disappearance, there was also... a tripod-sword?"

"Tripod-sword?!"

Rong Zhen stood up instantly, blurting out in shock.

Ouyang Rong and Lin Cheng widened their eyes, their expressions shocked.

"Wei Young Master just said tripod-sword, didn't say it wrong, right?"

"Correct."

Wei Shaoqi shook his head.

Wang Lengran beside him narrowed his eyes, sizing up everyone's expressions.

"Where did this tripod-sword come from? Is it new or old?"

Rong Zhen frowned, chasing after him continuously:

"Why did you Wei clan report this matter only now?"

Wei Shaoqi nodded and shook his head:

"This was my sixth brother's opportunity in Longcheng, it's not convenient to say more, this is a secret of the Wei clan, I hope the lords here will not spread it after walking out of this hall, otherwise... Father will definitely be unhappy. Everyone, just give us the Wei clan some face.

"Back to the point. My sixth brother disappeared along with this tripod-sword!"

"Longcheng?"

Ouyang Rong frowned, unable to help but interject:

"Isn't that the jurisdiction where I served as Magistrate? Wait, what does this tripod-sword have to do with the Gu Yue Sword Shop of the Liu family back then?"

Wei Shaoqi and Wang Lengran remained silent, but their gazes fell on Ouyang Rong's face, sizing up his expression, wanting to find some clues from it.

Ouyang Rong's face was full of suspicion, looking at them, his eyes becoming more and more suspicious:

"Could it be that back then the Liu family..."

Wei Shaoqi ignored him and looked at Rong Zhen.

The cold, palace-dressed young girl looked at Ouyang Rong, who was shocked and suspicious, and waved her hand to signal him not to be anxious.

She turned back and said solemnly:

"Wei Third Young Master, do you mean that in the case that I and the Astronomical Bureau are investigating, the tripod-sword used by the Butterfly Loves Flower owner was originally your sixth brother's opportunity?"

"Correct, it is very likely the same tripod-sword. After all, the time of disappearance matches, and tripod-swords are rare in the world; there is no such coincidence that multiple tripod-swords appear in the same region in a short time."

Pausing, Wei Shaoqi noticed the subtle change in Rong Zhen's expression and sneered:

"Female Official wouldn't suspect that the Butterfly Loves Flower owner is my missing sixth brother, would you?

"Is his brain broken? The Great Zhou Songde Heavenly Pivot and the Four Directions Buddha statues were supervised by our father, why would Sixth Brother threaten to destroy the Donglin Great Buddha for no reason?"

Rong Zhen was noncommittal: "Continue."

Wei Shaoqi frowned and informed:

"This was discovered by Father after reviewing the archives of the Astronomical Bureau. The characteristics of the tripod-sword used by this Butterfly Loves Flower owner are exactly the same as the characteristics of the tripod-sword reported by the informant beside Sixth Brother back then!

"It is the tripod-sword that our Wei clan spent huge manpower and material resources to obtain, and it has now been stolen by thieves."

"When was your sixth brother confirmed missing?"

"Mid-year, September, he didn't return at the agreed time. Father had already clarified this matter, so he sent me to Jiangzhou to investigate and report the case."

"So, you suspect the murderer is the same person?"

"Correct, that's right." Wei Shaoqi slapped the table heavily: "The case of Wei Shaoxuan's disappearance and the Butterfly Loves Flower owner case, the real culprit is very likely the same person!"

Speaking of this, he paused slightly, narrowed his eyes and said:

"Female Official Rong doesn't want to ask us Wei clan for clues... Actually, I and the Prince's Mansion don't know much about the Butterfly Loves Flower owner case, but, the real culprit of the two cases above, this Butterfly Loves Flower owner, likely committed another case. This case, we Wei clan truly know quite a bit, and want to report it to Female Official."

"What case?" Rong Zhen stared at Wei Shaoqi like a torch: "What other case does this thief have?"

Wei Shaoqi didn't answer, scanned the whole room, and his gaze also swept across Ouyang Rong's face, who was lowering his eyes and saying nothing. He said word by word:

"The case of Zhu Lingxu father and son defecting!

"This young master suspects that there is a grievance in this case, a huge grievance. Zhu Lingxu father and son might not have had the heart to defect; all of this was provoked and framed by villains!

"And this villain, it is said, is the Butterfly Loves Flower owner, or at least has a great connection, committed by the same group."

"Wei Young Master, please speak carefully!"

Rong Zhen stood up and interrupted, saying with a straight face:

"This case has already become an ironclad case. His Majesty and the Government Affairs Hall have already made a decision, it is impossible to take it back, and besides, the people are already dead..."

"This young master knows!"

Wei Shaoqi's eyes showed cruelty, like a wolf looking at an eagle:

"But we Wei clan cannot swallow this breath, we must investigate again, three cases together, investigate them well!"

"The case of Zhu Lingxu father and son defecting, your Wei clan is already involved, and there are conflicts of interest, so even if your testimony is presented, it will not have much persuasiveness in front of His Majesty and the lords.

"However..."

Rong Zhen narrowed her eyes and said:

"You can tell me, why you suspect it is the Butterfly Loves Flower owner, and see if it can inspire the other two cases. If so, it is not impossible... to reopen a part of the case for your Wei clan."

"Good."

Wei Shaoqi nodded, lowering his voice:

"Female Official Rong, please think carefully, that Butterfly Loves Flower owner, why did he kill the Mobile Corps Commander, former Jishui County Commandant Zhao Rushe on the street back then?"

"Maybe a private grudge."

"Is it a private grudge? But why use private lynching so arrogantly? And the timing is too coincidental.

"It just happened to collide with the Zhu Yuheng defection, one after another.

"And Zhu Lingxu, who was far away in Xunyang City, defected on the same day after learning about this. One or two things can be called coincidences, but all these things happened together, is there really no connection at all?"

Rong Zhen lowered her eyelashes:

"I was indeed curious why this thief beheaded Zhao Rushe on the street, leading to the exposure of his identity as a sword-wielder.

"But what does this have to do with Zhu Lingxu's defection?"

Wei Shaoqi said something shocking, holding up a finger:

"According to the report before the disappearance of a Persian merchant who was active in Jiangzhou under our Prince's Mansion, I have reason to suspect that my sixth brother was impersonated back then, and a fake sixth brother entered and exited Zhu Lingxu's mansion.

"Ask yourself, if he really wanted to defect, why didn't Zhu Lingxu coordinate from the inside and offer Jiangzhou early? Instead, he waited until his eldest son Zhu Yuheng defected, and then hurriedly left the city? Is there such a stupid person?

"Zhu Lingxu has a huge grievance!"

Rong Zhen frowned slightly:

"But Zhu Lingxu father and son had a precedent of surrendering and defecting, twice, which is also the reason for His Majesty's immediate fury. Such a villain who jumps left and right, no one can be sure."

Lin Cheng nodded thoughtfully:

"Correct. And it is also possible that the father and son were not of one mind. Zhu Yuheng wanted to defect, but Zhu Lingxu didn't want to defect, and after being implicated, he was terrified and went into hiding, and was beheaded at the city gate."

Wei Shaoqi smiled and nodded:

"Then may I ask, Zhu Yuheng led 1,500 vanguard troops to defect to the Hongzhou rebel army, why was he beheaded on the spot by the Cai Qin rebel army?

"Throughout history, there is still such a stupid thing? Defecting without prior communication and saying hello?"

Everyone frowned slightly.

After speaking, Wei Shaoqi took out a box from his sleeve, opened it, revealing a blood-stained emerald jade ring, and gestured to everyone:

"Female Official, lords, please look, this ring was discovered beside Zhu Yuheng's body.

"This is one of the ironclad proofs!"

The whole room was silent.

Everyone leaned in to look.

Ouyang Rong looked sideways at this familiar object.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 432 =====