Chapter 146: The Fourth Person

The Fourth Person

Yanxia Town was not large, so there was only one inn. And that inn, rather than being called an inn, was just a very ordinary two-story building.

The first floor was for eating, and the second floor was for accommodation. So, as for the rooms, not to mention any superior rooms, even the most ordinary rooms, one look up and one knew how many there were without anyone saying.

So, at this moment, hearing what the young man, who was the only waiter and manager of the inn, said, Nie Jinxuan was instantly dumbfounded!

One room?

What should she do? Herself, Yin Fengzhan, and Zhongli, there were three people in total now... Could it be that the three of them had to squeeze together?

No, no, no, this was absolutely impossible! Even if she agreed, given Yin Fengzhan's princess-like illness, he wouldn't be able to stand squeezing with others!

Otherwise, let Yin Fengzhan live by himself? What about her? It's not summer yet, and it's still very cool at night...

For a time, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but feel conflicted. Yin Fengzhan also didn't speak, and as for Zhongli, he didn't have the right to speak, so the three of them stood in front of the counter, silent.

The three of them didn't speak, and seeing this situation, the young manager, who was only in his twenties, was also somewhat embarrassed. But just as everyone was at their wit's end, a clear voice suddenly came from behind:

"Hehe~, I just heard what happened, aren't the three guests looking for a place to stay? What's so difficult about that~!"

The one speaking was a young woman holding a child, who looked to be only about twenty years old. With fair skin and delicate features, she was quite elegant. And seeing that she had just walked out from behind the counter and was intimate with the young manager, she was clearly the landlady of the inn.

And at this moment, as soon as these words fell, the landlady handed the child in her arms to her husband, then walked to the counter and said to Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan:

"Looking at it, these two guests should be husband and wife. Since they are husband and wife, naturally they should stay in one room. As for this guest, if you don't mind, I can help you find a place downstairs to make do for the night, what do the three of you think? After all, being away from home is not easy, the shop will still charge you for one room, how about that?"

The landlady was quite straightforward. But hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was stunned. She couldn't help but want to speak and refute, but before Nie Jinxuan could speak, she heard Yin Fengzhan beside her purse his lips and nod directly.

"Hmm!"

Yin Fengzhan agreed quite readily, and at this moment, Nie Jinxuan was dumbfounded. She turned to look at Yin Fengzhan, but then Yin Fengzhan didn't even look at her and followed the landlady upstairs directly.

……

After some tossing and turning, the room was finally settled, and then the landlady said some words and turned and left. And as soon as the landlady left and the door closed, Nie Jinxuan frowned and looked at the man who was already sitting down.

"Yin Fengzhan, why didn't you refute just now?"

"Refute what?"

"Naturally... that you and I are no longer husband and wife!"

"Then didn't you not say it just now either?"

Asking back without raising his head, after speaking, Yin Fengzhan's deep and cold eyes shifted, and he looked straight at Nie Jinxuan.

"However, you can say it now if you want. Anyway, the one who will be going out will be you!"

Yin Fengzhan said it lightly. But hearing this, Nie Jinxuan widened her eyes, and then ran to Yin Fengzhan in a few large strides.

"Hey, Yin Fengzhan, what do you mean? Are you clearly bullying people?"

"When did I bully you? I'm just telling you, I don't have the habit of yielding, so you can tell the truth, but you bear the consequences yourself!"

Yin Fengzhan was clearly using his status to suppress others. After all, as a Prince, he was naturally more noble than Nie Jinxuan, a divorced Princess Consort, so it went without saying that as soon as Nie Jinxuan said they were not husband and wife, the one who would be kicked out of the room would definitely be her, Nie Jinxuan, not him, Yin Fengzhan!

Therefore, hearing this, Nie Jinxuan felt fire rising in her heart. She turned around abruptly, but in the end, she folded back.

"Hmph! You want me to say it, and then you occupy this place yourself. Let me tell you, Yin Fengzhan, there's no way!"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan walked to the side to pack her things, and looking at her back, which was still spitting fire, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"I didn't ask you to say it, you said it all yourself!"

Yin Fengzhan's voice was unexpectedly small, so small that Nie Jinxuan only heard him muttering, but didn't know what he was saying. Therefore, as soon as Yin Fengzhan finished speaking, Nie Jinxuan widened her eyes and shouted:

"What did you say?"

"……"

Yin Fengzhan didn't speak, and afterward, Nie Jinxuan glared at him for a long while, then rolled her eyes at him, and turned to continue packing her things.

……

The room problem was finally solved under Nie Jinxuan's anger and frustration. Subsequently, the thoughtful landlady prepared hot water and some food, and although the food was average, in this small place, it was clear it was the best thing in the shop.

Regarding this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but thank her repeatedly, which made the landlady feel embarrassed, and then she enthusiastically talked to Nie Jinxuan a few more times before turning and leaving.

Sharing a room and bed with Yin Fengzhan was not the first time. So Nie Jinxuan couldn't say she was nervous, but after all, the two had divorced, and during the day in the carriage, such things had happened... Therefore, after the initial anger, Nie Jinxuan felt a bit embarrassed.

She felt shy in her heart, but had to appear natural on the surface. And compared to Nie Jinxuan's slight discomfort, Yin Fengzhan was much more casual. Subsequently, after a simple wash and eating something, he took off his clothes and lay on the bed!

And looking at Yin Fengzhan occupying the bed first, Nie Jinxuan rolled her eyes at him, then walked over and sat down next to Yin Fengzhan.

"Get up, it's so early, why are you sleeping?! I still have things to tell you!"

Nie Jinxuan was not polite, but hearing this, Yin Fengzhan just raised his eyelids a little and glanced at her.

"Say what?"

"Naturally, the case!"

Rolling her eyes at Yin Fengzhan for the Nth time tonight, but after speaking, Nie Jinxuan turned her gaze to look at his previously injured leg, and then reached out to roll up his trouser leg. Only when she saw that the wound had healed did Nie Jinxuan purse her lips and put the trouser leg back down.

Nie Jinxuan's movements were quite natural, and at this moment, just as Nie Jinxuan was checking his wound, Yin Fengzhan had been looking at her quietly with his eyes lowered, and finally, until Nie Jinxuan put down the trouser leg, Yin Fengzhan withdrew his gaze instantly and sat up directly.

At this time, seeing Yin Fengzhan get up, she poured him a cup of water and said in a low voice:

"You heard everything Magistrate Liu said today, what do you think of this matter?"

"Too many doubts!"

"Hmm, that's how it is~!"

Handing the cup in her hand to Yin Fengzhan, Nie Jinxuan also poured herself a cup, and then continued:

"Magistrate Liu said today that when the two scholars came to shout that their companion had fallen into the lake. Then clearly, those two scholars should be Huang Hu and Wang Fang. But this is a bit strange. They traveled together to this place, Jin Jingyuan fell into the lake, so why didn't Huang Hu and Wang Fang seek help nearby, but instead ran down the mountain? After all, listening to Magistrate Liu's meaning today, the place where they fell into the lake was on the mountain, and it should be some distance from the town..."

"So, just from this point, the behavior of Huang Hu and Wang Fang back then was very bizarre. Of course, it cannot be fully confirmed now, perhaps the place where they were boating had no one around, or the two couldn't find anyone to help. However, compared to this matter, another detail Magistrate Liu said today made me very concerned."

Speaking of this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but frown slightly, and at this moment, looking at her side profile, Yin Fengzhan drank some water.

"What matter?"

"The corpse!"

Turning to meet Yin Fengzhan's eyes, Nie Jinxuan narrowed her eyes instantly.

"Magistrate Liu said today that Jin Jingyuan's corpse was found by a stream connected to the lake the next day. But when it was found, the corpse had already been gnawed by wild beasts in the mountain, and Magistrate Liu's original words were that the stomach was ripped open, and there was no good place on the whole body... So Yin Fengzhan, think about it, since the corpse was already destroyed so severely at that time, how could they be sure that the deceased was Jin Jingyuan?"

"Are you saying that the person who died might not be Jin Jingyuan?"

"Is it impossible?"

Refuting Yin Fengzhan without thinking, Nie Jinxuan continued:

"When Jin Jingyuan, Huang Hu, and Wang Fang traveled together to this place, perhaps Jin Jingyuan already had suspicions that Huang Hu and Wang Fang were going to take action against him, so Jin Jingyuan made preparations in advance. Therefore, after falling into the lake, Jin Jingyuan, after deceiving Huang Hu and Wang Fang, went ashore and hid, and then found someone of similar build to himself that night, killed him, put on his own clothes, and dragged the corpse to the stream connected to the lake..."

"Subsequently, Jin Jingyuan attracted some wild beasts, the beasts discovered the corpse and gnawed on it. In this way, when it was discovered the next day, the corpse was unrecognizable, but the clothes and the things worn on the body were still there, and these were enough to make people think the deceased was Jin Jingyuan himself! Then, after this matter passed, Jin Jingyuan took the opportunity to return to the capital, but at this time found that the Jin family was no longer what it used to be, dead or exiled, so Jin Jingyuan was naturally angry and started planning revenge... And in this way, it can also explain why the murderer is so cruel!"

Nie Jinxuan boldly stated her inference. But as soon as her words fell, Yin Fengzhan shook his head immediately, handed the water cup in his hand to Nie Jinxuan, let her put it on the table on the side, and said in a deep voice:

"Not necessarily!"

"Not necessarily?! What does this mean?"

"It's just that your inference just now, saying that the person who died back then was not Jin Jingyuan, I think it's unlikely!"

"Why?"

Reaching out and putting the water cup Yin Fengzhan handed over on the side, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and ask back, and then she heard Yin Fengzhan say:

"Very simple. Because if Jin Jingyuan knew back then that Huang Hu and Wang Fang intended to harm him, he wouldn't have traveled with them. After all, Jin Jingyuan was just a scholar, so how could he be on guard against Huang Hu and Wang Fang at all times on this journey? This is the first point. Second, even if Jin Jingyuan discovered Huang Hu and Wang Fang's intentions after getting on the boat, he wouldn't be able to hide. Then, according to your inference, after Jin Jingyuan fell into the lake, he tried to deceive Huang Hu and Wang Fang, then may I ask, how did he deceive them?"

"Besides, if Huang Hu and Wang Fang really wanted to put Jin Jingyuan to death, then when the two ran down the mountain to find people from the government, they must have first confirmed that Jin Jingyuan was dead! Otherwise, just watching Jin Jingyuan fall into the lake, they couldn't be sure if Jin Jingyuan was really dead, so once they brought people back, and Jin Jingyuan was alive, wouldn't that expose their scheme?"

"So, in my opinion, the person who died back then was indeed Jin Jingyuan, it's just that we can't be sure yet whether Jin Jingyuan's death back then was an accident or done by Huang Hu and Wang Fang! Therefore, everything depends on going up the mountain tomorrow to take a careful look before we can make a detailed judgment!"

Yin Fengzhan's inference was reasonable and well-founded, so after hearing this, Nie Jinxuan nodded in agreement, and then pondered again.

For a time, the room fell into silence, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan were both immersed in the mystery of the case, pondering. Only the flickering candle flame made a slight crackling sound from time to time, adding an indescribable color to this quiet night...

Finally, after a long while, Nie Jinxuan frowned somewhat conflictedly, then turned to look at Yin Fengzhan, but then met those deep and enchanting eyes.

"What... what are you looking at me for?"

"……"

Nie Jinxuan asked loudly, but hearing this, Yin Fengzhan pursed his thin lips and turned his head to the side. Seeing this situation, Nie Jinxuan, who had originally felt a bit shy, widened her eyes and couldn't help but scold:

"Acting like a bear again! Would it kill you to say one more word?"

Scolding in her mouth, Nie Jinxuan stood up abruptly, but after walking two steps, she turned back, reached out and pulled the only quilt on the bed... But then, the moment Nie Jinxuan wanted to turn around, she was grabbed by Yin Fengzhan by the corner of the quilt.

"Put it down!"

"Why should I put it down? It's fine that the bed is occupied by you, why should the quilt also be occupied by you?"

"Without the quilt, how am I supposed to sleep?"

"None of my business!"

After speaking, Nie Jinxuan struggled forcefully, making a move to grab the quilt, but Yin Fengzhan, who had been prepared, was one step ahead of her, and then reached out with his large hand, pulling the quilt and Nie Jinxuan, who was holding the quilt, into his arms.

Instantly, Nie Jinxuan's face felt hot, and then she struggled to get up, while shouting:

"Let go, Yin Fengzhan, you bastard! Fighting with a woman for a bed and a quilt, are you still a man?"

Nie Jinxuan shouted loudly, but no matter how she struggled, Yin Fengzhan held the quilt and her tightly, refusing to let go. Subsequently, after Nie Jinxuan had shouted enough, he said coldly:

"No one stipulated that being a man means you deserve to suffer!"

"You..."

With one sentence, Nie Jinxuan was almost angered to the point of internal injury. Subsequently, Nie Jinxuan made a move, pushed Yin Fengzhan away, and jumped out of his restraint.

"You... you... Yin Fengzhan, you are ruthless!"

Pointing at Yin Fengzhan's nose and shouting breathlessly, Nie Jinxuan turned around and walked away angrily.

……

Without a quilt, sleeping on the chairs pieced together, this night, logically speaking, Nie Jinxuan would definitely toss and turn. It's just that what Nie Jinxuan didn't expect was that she slept quite soundly this night. Although the hard chairs underneath made her very uncomfortable, it was far better than she imagined!

And subsequently, after waking up at dawn, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but stretch lazily, and then opened her eyes to see that there was actually a quilt covering her warmly.

Instantly, an indescribable warmth surged in Nie Jinxuan's heart, her full lips pursed, and she couldn't help but sit up.

"Dead bastard, still knows..."

Nie Jinxuan said in a low voice, but before she could finish, she was stunned.

It turned out that Yin Fengzhan had already woken up and was washing up on the side, while a quilt was scattered on the bed.

Seeing this situation, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but blink, and at this time, Yin Fengzhan, who was wiping his face, put the somewhat rough cloth aside with some disgust, then turned to look at Nie Jinxuan, and said in a low voice:

"Did you think I would give the quilt to you?"

"You... then where did this quilt come from?"

"The landlady brought it!"

Throwing the sentence coldly at Nie Jinxuan, Yin Fengzhan opened the door and went out. At this moment, looking at his retreating back, Nie Jinxuan grabbed the pillow beside her in anger and threw it directly.

Nie Jinxuan's original good mood was completely wiped out by Yin Fengzhan's words.

Subsequently, the two went downstairs for breakfast together, but as soon as they went downstairs, they found that the local official of Yanxia Town, Liu Fuquan, was already waiting at the door.

Seeing this situation, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but politely greet Liu Fuquan, and after eating a simple breakfast with Yin Fengzhan, the group went directly up Yanxia Mountain.

……

Yanxia Mountain is located south of the capital. The mountain is not very high, but it is full of trees, with all kinds of vegetation growing, including many ancient trees, faintly revealing an indescribable sense of seclusion!

But even so, walking in such a mountain surrounded by dense forest was exceptionally difficult. So, not long after entering the mountain, Nie Jinxuan was already panting. But looking at the bloated Liu Fuquan, he was surprisingly relaxed, walking in front to lead the way, which couldn't help but form a sharp contrast with Nie Jinxuan!

Therefore, seeing this situation, Nie Jinxuan had no reason to say she was tired, so she gritted her teeth and insisted all the way. Finally, after walking in the forest for almost half a day, the group finally arrived at the place where Jin Jingyuan fell into the lake back then.

"Prince, Miss, please look, this is the place where that scholar fell into the lake back then."

Liu Fuquan said with a smile, and at this moment, Nie Jinxuan, who had rushed over, couldn't help but let out a breath, and then looked up at the lake in front of her.

It turned out that there was indeed a lake in front of them. The lake was not large, the blue water was leisurely, and surrounded by dense forest, it faintly revealed an indescribable sense of pastoral landscape, yet also a mysterious implication!

Therefore, after roughly looking at the lake in front of her, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but move her brows, then turned to look at Liu Fuquan and asked:

"Then may I ask Magistrate Liu, does Magistrate Liu still remember what the situation was like when Magistrate Liu brought people over back then?"

"Oh, I remember! I remember that when I brought people over, there was nothing on the lake. It was very calm, and at that time, the small boat the two young masters were sitting on was docked by the lake here... So, at that time, when I saw it, I felt it was bad, after all, there were no signs of struggle, so it was likely that the person was gone, drowned in the lake. So I immediately let Old Gao call people to come and fish for people in the lake, but they were busy for an entire afternoon, and almost turned the bottom of the lake over, but didn't find anyone! Sigh..."

Liu Fuquan vividly described the situation at that time. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan looked at each other tacitly, and then Nie Jinxuan continued to ask:

"Magistrate Liu said, let the guards call people... then may I ask, did you call people from the town?"

"Oh my, Miss, at that time, if you went to the town to call people, then by the time you came back, it would be dark..."

As he spoke, Liu Fuquan stretched out his finger and pointed to several small paths in the forest beside the lake, and then continued:

"Actually, Your Highness and Miss don't know, as the saying goes, rely on the mountain to eat the mountain, rely on the water to eat the water, so the people of our Yanxia Town have always lived by this Yanxia Mountain since ancient times. Many people live by hunting. Therefore, compared to the town, many hunters live in the mountain. So, after the incident, Old Gao and the others immediately went to find some hunters who were at home to help."

"Oh, so that's it, there are people living by this lake... right!"

"Yes, although there are not many people, there are a few households."

Liu Fuquan nodded, hearing this, Nie Jinxuan nodded directly.

"So that's it... That's right, Magistrate Liu, yesterday Magistrate Liu said that when the corpse was found the next day, the corpse was severely damaged, then since that's the case, how did Magistrate Liu identify that the deceased was the friend the two scholars were looking for?"

"Of course I could confirm it! Because at that time, although the clothes on the deceased were torn, it could still be seen who it was! Besides, I said yesterday that the stomach was ripped open, but I didn't say the face was also ruined! Of course, there were also traces of being bitten on the face, but the features could still be seen! So, at that time, when they saw it, the two scholars recognized it immediately~!"

An

"That's right, it wasn't just those two scholars! At the time, there was another person who came with them, and he saw it too! But that person was too cowardly; the moment he saw the corpse, he was immediately scared stiff...!"