Chapter 1649: Excluded from the Secret

Chen Guanlou observed Fourth Master Zhang closely and could tell the other party was not lying.

The Marquis's Mansion was actually planning to marry off their daughter, and to a merchant at that.

"Who invited that Third Miss Mei? To invite a girl from the second branch of the Mei family to a banquet at the Marquis's Mansion—that's quite interesting!"

He teased with a sarcastic tone, his purpose being to provoke Fourth Master Zhang.

Fourth Master Zhang fell for it as expected. "She was a guest brought by my second elder sister; how would I know what she was thinking? Don't ask me. As for Zhu San's case, he brought it upon himself; it has nothing to do with the Marquis's Mansion."

"Do you really think Zhu San had the guts to commit murder in the Marquis's Mansion?" Chen Guanlou asked with a half-smile.

Fourth Master Zhang snorted, very displeased. "At first, I didn't believe he had the guts to kill either. But the facts are right before our eyes; I can't just bury my head in the sand and defend a murderer."

"Zhu San couldn't even curry favor with your Marquis's Mansion fast enough; how would he dare to commit a crime there? Use your brain and think it through."

Chen Guanlou was truly disgusted; the other party was blinded by a single leaf, far too stubborn.

"What good does it do for me to think? He was drunk and committed the crime while intoxicated; that is a fact." Fourth Master Zhang had clearly already concluded that Zhu San was the killer.

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue twice and reasoned with him: "First, Zhu San is not lacking for women. He has money and often visits brothels; there is no such situation where he couldn't hold back after a long time. Second, Zhu San holds his liquor well; I have drunk with him, and when he gets drunk, he just sleeps. Third, Zhu San said he remembered nothing after drinking the hangover tea; don't you think these symptoms look like he was drugged?"

"Are you suspecting that our Marquis's Mansion drugged him? Absurd!" Fourth Master Zhang was furious. One could insult him, but not the Marquis's Mansion. "Chen Guanlou, don't you go too far. He is merely a merchant; is it worth it for the Marquis's Mansion to drug him?"

"If someone intended to make him a scapegoat, do you still think there was no need to drug him?" Chen Guanlou countered.

"Impossible!"

Fourth Master Zhang denied it flatly, his face turning ashen, anger flickering in his eyes and burning ever brighter.

Chen Guanlou didn't care about the other party's feelings at all and continued to twist the knife. "Actually, you are also suspicious, aren't you? Someone is stirring up trouble in the Marquis's Mansion, and your second elder sister is very likely involved. Otherwise, how do you explain her bringing Third Miss Mei to the banquet?

You have achieved nothing, and the Marquis's Mansion certainly wouldn't consult you on important matters. This means you are excluded from the secret. The Marquis's Mansion is hiding an unknown secret."

"Stop spouting nonsense and sowing discord; I won't fall for it."

Fourth Master Zhang's expression shifted unpredictably; he still looked very angry, but there was a hint of deep thought and doubt in his eyes.

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Fine, out of respect for your face, I won't talk nonsense. I came today just to kindly remind you to watch out for those around you. Don't let yourself be used as a target."

"You, being kind?"

Fourth Master Zhang clearly didn't believe it; what kind of kindness could a weasel have when paying a New Year's call to a chicken?

He didn't believe a single word.

Chen Guanlou finished his tea. "Whether I am kind or not is unimportant. You continue playing; I shall take my leave. Give my regards to your eldest brother; I wish him a long life."

Having said that, he rose and left.

Just as he reached the door, Fourth Master Zhang suddenly called out, "What did you mean by your words just now? Speak clearly."

Chen Guanlou turned his head to look at him. "Zhang Laosi, if you are so curious, why not go back and ask your eldest brother yourself? Ask him exactly how Third Miss Mei died. Farewell!"

Just as he stepped outside, he ran into the gambling den's shopkeeper.

"Master Lou is here! A rare guest! Master Lou, care to play a few rounds?"

"Are you sure you welcome me to play a few rounds?" Chen Guanlou looked at the other party with a smile that was not quite a smile.

The shopkeeper was over forty and had seen all sorts of situations. He laughed heartily. "Master Lou, you joke. Your presence brings light to my humble establishment. If you are willing to stay and play a few rounds, I couldn't ask for more. How about I find a few more people and set up a game?"

"How big of a game?" Chen Guanlou asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper suppressed his excitement and said softly, "Ten thousand is not too little, one hundred thousand is not too much. Whatever kind of game you want, we have it here. I wonder what you think?"

Chen Guanlou scoffed.

A one-hundred-thousand-tael game!

Heh!

Bragging without even drafting it.

He could certainly come up with it, but the key was, could that bunch of spoiled brats come up with it?

Spoiled brats certainly weren't short on money, but their pocket money wasn't enough to play a one-hundred-thousand-tael game with him. Let alone one hundred thousand, they couldn't even afford to play for thirty or fifty thousand. Playing for a few thousand was about as far as it went.

Anything over ten thousand taels, and they would definitely have their legs broken upon returning home.

Spoiled brats might be useless, but they weren't stupid!

"Not interested, going back to sleep."

"Master Lou, tell me, what would count as interesting? Today, I will definitely satisfy you." The shopkeeper refused to give up. It was rare to encounter this master; he had to keep him.

"You tell me first, who all is there?" Chen Guanlou asked.

The shopkeeper immediately reported a few names.

Upon hearing them, Chen Guanlou recognized them all; they were regulars in the circle of spoiled brats.

"How much money could a game like this have?"

Chen Guanlou was very dismissive and complained bitterly.

"Not playing! I advise you to give up on me. As a Ninth Rank martial artist, gambling for me is like an open-book exam. Are you sure you want to keep me?"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper was immediately sheepish.

He was slightly embarrassed. "Alright then! Master Lou is right; it was my perspective that was too small. Please, walk slowly!"

Chen Guanlou returned directly to the Heavenly Prison.

Fourth Master Zhang did not return to the Marquis's Mansion until after noon the next day.

He had been dwelling on the words Chen Guanlou said, and the questions in his heart left him unable to eat or sleep in peace.

Taking advantage of his eldest brother being at home, he went to the study, using idle chatter as an excuse to bring up Zhu San's case.

"Eldest brother, that Zhu San doesn't seem to be the murderer; could we have made a mistake?"

"The person died on his bed, and the murder weapon was in his hand. If he isn't the murderer, then who is? Don't listen to the nonsense of people outside." Master Zhang the Eldest scolded angrily.

Fourth Master Zhang was sheepish; he really shouldn't have trusted Chen Guanlou's judgment.

"Eldest brother, don't be angry; I was just asking casually. By the way, why did the second elder sister bring the girl from the Mei family's second branch to the mansion as a guest? Could it be that she wants to arrange a marriage with our Marquis's Mansion?"

"Why are you asking about this?"

"I'm just curious."

"Where does all this curiosity come from?" Master Zhang the Eldest stiffened his face. "If you have nothing to do, go out. If you are truly bored, go inspect the shops and manors outside and check the account books."

Fourth Master Zhang slunk out of the study, his mind churning, frowning in deep thought.

The servant asked him where he was going next.

He said irritably, "Tell the steward I am going to inspect the shops and manors; tell him to get everything ready."

Since everyone was hiding things from him, he would pretend everything was normal and that nothing had happened. He would use the opportunity of checking the accounts to hide away, and return only after the case was closed.

He had originally wanted to make a trip to the Mei family, but now he had lost the heart for it.

There would certainly be no answers on the Mei family's side.

Since Chen Guanlou was so curious, let him investigate. He didn't believe the other party could uncover the truth. ===== CHAPTER 1650 =====