Chapter 134

First Volume, Chapter 134: Someone Ate Themselves to Death

Gao Song, seated in the corner, shot Li Rui a telling glance.

Although Li Xu had repeatedly warned Li Rui to keep a low profile before leaving home, Gao Song's status and position overshadowed Li Rui's; even if Li Rui resented it deeply, he had no choice but to act as Gao Song's lackey.

He rushed to the entrance of the Wine House in two strides, shouting at the several commoners wailing and weeping: "Stop crying! What exactly happened?"

The two middle-aged men remained silent, but the woman wiped her nose and tears as she cried out in protest: "My husband ate here, then went home and complained of stomach pain—within moments he was dead. The city's Physician said he was poisoned by spoiled food. My husband was in his prime, the pillar of our household—how can he just vanish like this? I beg you, my lords and young masters, give me an explanation."

At these words, murmurs spread through the crowd.

Li Rui feigned moral righteousness and said gravely: "Woman, you've come at the perfect time—the Jingzhao Yin is right here—he will surely uphold justice for you."

Hearing the Jingzhao Yin was present, the woman seized the opportunity like a drowning person clutching at a straw, her eyes brightening.

Qi Cheng stepped slowly from the shadows, hands behind his back, walking with measured steps to stand before the woman, radiating official authority: "Base woman, you claim this man fell ill suddenly after eating at the Wuhu Restaurant—do you have proof? And who is this city Physician you mention? If you speak truthfully and every word is accurate, I shall certainly uphold justice for you."

The woman, overjoyed yet full of sorrow, replied: "I, a humble commoner, know nothing of medicine. The city Physician's diagnosis is proof enough—it was none other than Master Lü of Green Herb Hall."

Upon hearing "Master Lü," the guests who had previously doubted now turned pale, staring at Qin Feng as if he were a murderer.

Instantly, accusations erupted from all sides.

"Master Lü is a famed Physician of Jingdu—he would never make a mistake! This man must have been poisoned by the Wuhu Restaurant's ingredients!"

"If Master Lü diagnosed it, there can be no doubt."

"Thank heaven I ate little earlier—if I'd eaten more, I might have met the same fate."

Seeing the guests erupt in righteous fury, Qi Cheng felt a surge of satisfaction and turned sharply to Qin Feng: "Qin Feng, how do you defend yourself?"

Yet Qin Feng showed no panic; instead, he crossed his arms, leaned against the counter with narrowed eyes, wearing the expression of someone watching a play—as if this had nothing to do with him.

Ever since Gao Song and the others arrived uninvited, Qin Feng had guessed they'd cause trouble—but he hadn't expected someone would actually die.

Facing Qi Cheng's accusation, Qin Feng grinned: "False accusation. Yes, it's definitely a false accusation."

More than half the patrons on the first floor were literati, and literati had their own pride.

Someone had just died here, yet Qin Feng was still smiling—some straightforward literati immediately shouted in outrage.

"Qin Feng! You've gone too far—how can you laugh like this? How can you treat human life so lightly? I once thought you were different from the Noble Youth of Jingdu, but now I see I was wrong—you have talent, but no virtue!"

"Exactly! As the son of the Minister of War, do you think you can treat human life as worthless? Unthinkable!"

Bombarded by the literati's furious scolding, Qin Feng spread his hands, as if innocent: "I was just sitting at home, and disaster fell from the sky."

Seeing the moment was ripe, Gao Song stepped forward, feigning fairness: "Everyone, don't rush to judgment—send for Master Lü of Green Herb Hall to confront Qin Feng directly. That way, Qin Feng will have no choice but to accept the truth."

The crowd, already inflamed, immediately cheered in agreement.

"Bring Master Lü!"

The commotion on the first floor was so loud that not only the guests in the Yajian on the second floor, but even Ji Wang, in the Guibin Shi on the third floor, came to investigate.

Although Shedynasty was currently beset by internal and external crises, and death was common, this was Tianzi Jiaoxia—any death case was a major matter and could not be ignored.

Ji Wang frowned slightly and asked gravely: "Qin Feng, what is going on here?"

Before Qin Feng could speak, Qi Cheng had already stepped forward to bow deeply to Ji Wang: "Your Royal Highness, this man was a diner at the restaurant who died after consuming spoiled food. As Jingzhao Yin and Father Official of the capital, I must enforce the law impartially and uphold justice for this pitiful commoner."

Qi Cheng had made his position clear, and since this matter fell squarely under the Jingzhao Yin's jurisdiction, even if Ji Wang wished to speak in Qin Feng's favor, he could no longer intervene.

Princess Qiyang, standing beside Ji Wang, snorted disdainfully as she looked at Qin Feng: "I told you this brat would cause trouble sooner or later! I never misjudged him. Yun'er, rest assured—if he's truly entangled in a death case, I won't let you be forced into marriage with him."

Xie Yun'er first looked bewildered, then blushed deeply: "Qiyang, what are you talking about? What do you mean 'forced into marriage with him'? I don't understand."

Princess Qiyang said nothing further—this betrothal had not yet been officially confirmed by the Empress, and the Xie Family did not yet know.

At that moment, an elderly gentleman in his early sixties, with a goatee, entered the Wine House slowly, escorted respectfully by several literati.

Master Lü was a name Qin Feng had heard often—he was merely a Physician, but his ancestors had served as Physicians in Gong Zhong, and his reputation in Jingdu was immense.

Not only commoners, but even Qi Cheng bowed and greeted Master Lü with respect, acknowledging his esteemed status.

"Master Lü, was this man's illness truly caused by food poisoning?" Qi Cheng asked respectfully.

Master Lü narrowed his eyes, adopting an air of profound mystery: "Are you, Commander Qi, questioning my Medical Skill?"

Qi Cheng quickly smiled apologetically: "Never, never—I merely wish to be certain, given the fatality."

After the flattery, Qi Cheng whirled sharply toward Qin Feng and roared: "Qin Feng, what do you have to say now!"

Facing the angry stares from all directions and Qi Cheng's aggressive accusation, Qin Feng scratched his buttocks, took his time answering, then turned and shouted to Lin Quqi: "Lin Brother, go find my father—tell him I've been bullied, and to bring men!"

Lin Quqi didn't understand Qin Feng's plan, but given the gravity of the situation, notifying Qin Daren was certainly the right move—he didn't hesitate and walked off.

The crowd was stunned that Qin Feng was resorting to brute force, and their anger flared—every literati present launched into furious condemnation.

"Disgusting!"

"Killer must pay with his life, debtor must repay his debt—do you really think having Qin Daren backing you lets you treat human life as worthless?"

"Commander Qi, you are Jingzhao Yin—you must uphold justice. We are all witnesses."

Qi Cheng had been waiting for this—he saw Qin Feng refusing to cooperate, so he stopped wasting words and barked to the constables waiting outside: "What are you waiting for? Arrest the murderer!"