The Delicate Lady Coroner Chapter 75: Sihexiang 15

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Chapter 75 Sihexiang 15

Ning Xiao walked up to Huo Weilou at this time, leaned forward and said, "My subordinates asked his parents that he was indeed at home on the day that the second lady of the uncle's house had an accident."

Huo Weilou nodded, his expression was very ordinary, "Then how did you learn that Wei Ling was in trouble?"

Wei Ling died by the Yuxi River. Although there were many people watching at the time, no one knew Wei Ling's identity. And as soon as he was brought back to Yizhuang, someone from Zhongqin's Mansion came to take Wei Ling's body. The body was taken back. After taking her back to the house, the old lady of the uncle's house did not organize the funeral. Except for the most familiar people who came to visit, no one else knew that the lady of the house was murdered and died. Now that it has been many days, there is almost no news in the public. Lu Wenhe How did you know that something happened to Wei Ling?

Lu Wenhe said calmly: "Not much is known about this matter, but it is somewhat spread among the aristocratic families. I met Prince Zhongyi the day before yesterday, so I know about this matter."

Lu Wenhe just said that Prince Zhongyi bought his paintings, and that he also went to the cultural gathering in Uncle Zhongyi's mansion, which sounded flawless.

Huo Weilou said, "I see, I have misunderstood Mr. Lu."

Lu Wenhe straightened his back and his expression became three points lighter, "I don't dare. Something happened to Miss Wei. It would be great if I could help. It's a pity that I don't have much interaction with her."

Huo Weilou nodded, glanced at his left hand that fell by his side, and said calmly: "In that case, you can go home. This case has nothing to do with you. If I really want to ask you something, Just send someone to your house to look for you."

Lu Wenhe breathed a sigh of relief, bowed his hands, turned around and retreated.

After he left, Huo Qinghong said: "This is Lu Wenhe, but it's different from what I thought."

Ning Xiao asked: "Master Hou, do you really think he has nothing to do with the case?"

Huo Weilou said coldly, "If Wei Ling only admired Lu Wenhe, he wouldn't be so secretive about buying paintings. Wei Ling even had to hide it from his maid. I guess he There are more than just two sides to a person."

Huo Weilou pondered for a moment and then ordered: "Send someone to keep an eye on Lu Wenhe and find another opportunity to test his skills, especially to see if his left hand is injured."

Ning Xiao responded, and Bo Ruoyou stepped forward and said: "Master Hou, I'm afraid I have to go to the uncle's house to ask. Wei Ling admires Lu Wenhe. It's impossible for the people in the uncle's house, especially the personal maid, to know everything. ”

Huo Weilou nodded. At this time, a guard came in from outside. He said something to Eunuch Fu first. Eunuch Fu came in and said, "Master Marquis, Lord Sun is here to visit."

Sun Zhao came with Wu Xiang. Huo Weilou ordered the two of them to enter. Sun Zhao said: "I went to the uncle's house yesterday and I don't know if anything was found. Wu Xiang of the Li family has already taken people to ask. , Miss Li also answered all the questions asked."

Huo Weilou asked, "How did you say that?"

Sun Zhao looked at Wu Xiang, who said: "It was the first time I went to Li's house. Miss Li's family was clearly at the house, but she didn't see her behind closed doors. She went with the embroiderer that day and just saw her. Li The young lady said that the last time she saw Miss Feng was at the Lantern Festival Poetry Recital. After that, the poetry club had not held a meeting and she was not in good health, so they never met her. She also said that she had a very good relationship with Miss Feng on weekdays. But she didn’t know why she was killed. She did know that Miss Feng had a cinnabar mole on her back, but she never told anyone about it."

"Miss Li also said that Miss Feng didn't have many good friends, or that she kept the secret of who she was close to, so she never said anything useful. In addition to this young lady, the Li family also There is a young master, Miss Li's brother, who also recognizes Miss Feng. We also asked him, but he knew even less about Miss Feng and basically didn't know anything about her."

This again found nothing. Bo Ruoyou thought about what she saw on the boat, but she wanted to ask Miss Li about what happened that day, so she told what she saw on the boat at Weiyang Lake. Wu Xiang Surprised, "I haven't heard Miss Li mention this, but it's been a long time, maybe she didn't think of it. I'll ask again tomorrow."

Huo Weilou pondered for a moment, "Firstly, the Li family wants to inquire again. Secondly, Lu Wenhe has some doubts, and the uncle's house also needs to ask questions. Wei Ling admires Lu Wenhe. If what Lu Wenhe said is true, will there be anything else?" People secretly used her admiration for Lu Wenhe to make a fuss. No other suspicious points have been found in Wei Ling for the time being. Only her admiration for talented people is very likely to give the murderer an opportunity."

After a pause, Huo Weilou continued: "As for the Feng family, Feng Wodan behaved quite strangely on February 2nd. It seemed that he deliberately got rid of his maid. She might also want to have a secret. People, we need to focus on exploring this point."

Ning Xiao immediately said: "I'll take care of it."

After running for most of the day, the sun was already setting in the west. Huo Weilou had intended to let them have a meal in the palace, but suddenly the servant came to the palace. The servant came in a hurry, and in front of Sun Zhao and others He said: "Master Marquis, come into the palace quickly, His Majesty is waiting for you."

Bo Ruoyou was waiting aside, feeling a little nervous when he saw this. Could something have happened?

The **** who came next to Emperor Jianhe was Fu Quan. He was the same generation as Eunuch Fu. He rushed Huo Weilou first. Seeing this, Huo Weilou had to change his clothes and prepare to enter the palace. Just as he was changing clothes, Fuquan glanced at him. Bo Ruoyou, "This girl is——"

Eunuch Fu said with a smile: "This is the new masterpiece that Mr. Hou found."

Bo Ruoyou was surprised by Fu Quan's blessing. Fu Quan was slightly surprised for a moment. When he wanted to ask again, Huo Weilou had already come out. He told Eunuch Fu a few words, looked at Bo Ruoyou again and left the house. .

As soon as he left, Ning Xiao spoke. Seeing that it was getting late, Ning Xiao said, "It's too late to go to the uncle's house now. Let's go to the uncle's house tomorrow. We will go to the uncle's house tomorrow and then order the Feng family and the Li family." People come to the government office to ask questions."

Sun Zhao and Wu Xiang agreed, and everyone stood up to say goodbye. Eunuch Fu sent everyone to the door of the house. Bao Ruoyou took the carriage that came in the morning and went home. However, when he left Lanzhengfang, he saw Before it got dark, Bo Ruoyou suddenly had a thought. She opened the curtain and told Uncle Liang, "Uncle Liang, don't go home yet. Go to Changshun Street on the east side of Yuxi River."

Uncle Liang agreed and walked to Changshun Street. The Moyi Painting and Calligraphy Museum was on Changshun Street, not too far from home, so it didn't waste time.

Lu Wenhe's paintings were sold on consignment here, and Wei Ling often came here to ask about Lu Wenhe's poems and paintings. The place where he was killed happened to be by the nearby river. Although Bao Ruoyou followed him to the Feng family and the uncle's house in the past few days, , but had not yet gone to the place where Wei Ling was killed. Although it was impossible to leave any clues, but now that her clue was unclear, she had the idea of ​​​​taking a look around.

When the carriage stopped in front of Mo Yi Painting Gallery, there was a man in green shirt talking to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper didn't know what he saw, and he burst out in exclamation, "Good, excellent, especially this word, it's so lifelike. If it goes well this time, I'll give it to you directly..."

The voice suddenly dropped, and Bo Ruoyou didn't hear it clearly. When he got off the carriage and walked to the door, he saw the man in green shirt responded with a gentle smile. The shopkeeper said: "I know you have a younger sister. I'm very sorry." It’s easy, don’t worry, I will definitely sell you a good price for the paintings you guard against in the future.”

After saying this, the shopkeeper caught sight of Bo Ruoyou. He was startled. While rolling up the scroll in front of him, he said to the man in green shirt: "Okay, I will go find you when there is news. The sky is not dark either." It's early, you can go back."

The man smiled and thanked him, turned around and saw Bao Ruoyou. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he nodded to Bao Ruoyou before walking out. The shopkeeper stepped forward respectfully. Come on, "Miss, why are you back?"

Bo Ruoyou and Huo Weilou had just arrived in the morning, and the shopkeeper could not mistake her. She was the only one who came. The shopkeeper was a little unsure, but Bo Ruoyou looked at the man who left, "This Are you also here to sell paintings and calligraphy on consignment?"

The shopkeeper knew that she had heard their conversation, so he said generously: "It's mainly imitation paintings. His own paintings are also very good, but he has no talent and reputation, and he can't sell any of his paintings. The imitations of paintings are excellent, especially landscape paintings. Several high-priced antique landscape paintings in Xiaoren's shop are all made by him."

"That's such a pity." Bo Ruoyou said.

The only one who came was Bao Ruoyou. The shopkeeper was not as frightened as he was in the morning, and his words were more casual, "It's not a pity. After all, I still have this craft, and at least I met a villain with such a conscience. The shopkeeper, if he meets someone who has no conscience, just give him a few taels of silver for a painting, but the villain will directly give him at least 10% to 20%."

Bo Ruoyou smiled and said, "Friendliness brings wealth, and the shopkeeper is kind, and the business will naturally get better and better."

The shopkeeper bowed happily and said, "Please give me your kind words." After saying that, he asked with some uncertainty: "What is the young lady doing now? She's not here to buy paintings, but it's still about that girl? ”

Bo Ruoyou came twice. No matter whether there was Huo Weilou or not, the shopkeeper always looked calm, but there was no cover. Bo Ruoyou said: "No, it's for that talented man from mainland China."

The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows, "Girl, do you want to buy his paintings?"

Bo Ruoyou smiled gently and said: "I won't buy it, but I want to see his paintings and poems. There are often people who speak like the person he is, so I think the same goes for his paintings..."

The shopkeeper had suspected that Lu Wenhe was related to the girl they were questioning in the morning, and now he was even more sure. He was a little worried that he would get into trouble, "It's okay for the girl to see it, but...it's just a small shop but she doesn't know anything. ”

After Bao Ruoyou assured him, the shopkeeper asked Bao Ruoyou to wait.

The shopkeeper entered the inner room for a moment and quickly took out a stack of poems and two paintings. "These are all imitations, made by three people. Lu Caizi's genuine ones sold well, but the others are still there. After all, these imitations are not as good as ancient paintings. The lady should know that in this industry, the longer the time, the greater the reputation, the more valuable the things. These imitations are only wanted by those who like Lu Caizi but have no money to buy the real thing. They can cost more than ten taels at most. Just silver."

Bo Ruoyou flipped through the collection of poems at random and saw that most of Lu Wenhe's poems were works with exquisite meaning and unrestrained passion. His diction was magnificent and his intentions were lofty. Some of his works were fresh and elegant in describing scenery and chanting about things, while others were open-minded and compassionate in criticizing the ills of the times. The works were written by Bo Ruoyou, who was not good at poetry. After reading them one by one, I couldn't help but be attracted by Lu Wenhe's literary talent.

His life is not ugly, and he is even quite handsome, but he does not look very outstanding. The heroic and broad-mindedness in his poems is not reflected in his eyebrows, and he lacks the aura of literary pride. At first glance, Sometimes, one would even be surprised that someone who could write these poems could be so magnanimous. But thinking of Lu Wenhe's background, Bo Ruoyou felt a little relieved.

It can be considered that he comes from a noble family, but his family is in decline and he has to sell poems, calligraphy and paintings to make a living. Just like when Wei Ling mentioned that he would spend money to buy his paintings and calligraphy, he was not only unhappy, but angry. Such a person may only He would hide his ambitions deep in his heart and not dare to show them on his face. Bo Ruoyou felt a little sad. He turned over the pages and suddenly saw a poem about homesickness and nostalgia.

"Chu Ling crosses the clouds...Chu Ling, is Lu Caizi a native of Chuzhou?"

When Bao Ruoyou asked, the shopkeeper smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know about this little guy. He said he is Lu Jijiu's nephew. Maybe he is from Chuzhou?"

Bao Ruoyou nodded and went to look at the other poems. After looking at the incense stick for a long time, he gathered the poems together. These poems were all from the same set, but the imitators were different. , the quality of the writing can still be distinguished. Bo Ruoyou looked at it and took out the last one, "This book is very well written."

Bao Ruoyou flipped through the rubbings of the calligrapher from the previous dynasty bought by Wei Ling, and naturally knew how sharp the calligrapher's brushwork was. She was slightly moved in her heart, and actually planned to buy this book of poems. When paying the money, the shopkeeper smiled and said: " Miss, you have good taste. This collection of poems is written by the man you just met. He can imitate several kinds of characters, and each of them is written extremely well."

As if he wanted to show off his keen eye for people, the shopkeeper added: "He is also very good at painting. From painting, to inscriptions, to seals, to mounting, there is nothing he can't do. He is really an all-rounder, so The villain valued him. When he brought the first painting over to ask the villain to help sell it, the villain knew that he was great, and the price was higher than he expected."

Bo Ruoyou was slightly surprised. She originally wanted to buy a book of poems to get to know Lu Wenhe, but she didn't expect that she had met the scribe of the book of poems just now. It was really fate, "The shopkeeper is also his boss. ”

As Bo Ruoyou pointed to the two paintings, the shopkeeper unfolded the scroll and said, "One was shown to the young ladies and adults in the morning, and the other was an earlier imitation. It was not done well and has never been seen. Sell ​​it."

When the second painting was opened, Bo Ruoyou saw that a few strokes in the lower right corner had not been cleaned. Even she could see the flaws. Others who knew how to paint were naturally more discerning. The shopkeeper pointed at the painting and said, "Although painting There are flaws in it, but the young lady should be able to tell that the talented man from mainland China has quite a style in painting. You can tell by looking at his composition and brushstrokes——"

Bo Ruoyou seemed to understand but asked, "Can he draw people?"

The shopkeeper nodded, "Paint, of course -"

Bo Ruoyou's eyes were slightly bright, but the shopkeeper said: "He is very good at painting goddesses, but he is not very good at painting pictures of ordinary ladies and beauties."

These words made Bo Ruoyou's eyes dim. If he really likes women in red skirts and beauties with cinnabar moles, for a person who devotes himself to poetry, calligraphy and painting, it is impossible not to show the slightest clue. But Lu Wenhe didn't paint Beauty pictures.

Nodding, Bo Ruoyou looked at the imitation painting without any mistakes, "Is this painting imitated by the young master just now?"

The shopkeeper laughed when he asked this question, "No, no, it was copied by someone else. He is arrogant and imitates other people's paintings, but he doesn't imitate Lu Caizi's paintings. He said that he has the skills, so why not imitate them?" The work of everyone in the previous dynasty."

Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. If you were really arrogant, why did you expand Lu Wenhe's poetry collection?

Thinking like this in his heart, it would be a bit rude to say it out loud. Bo Ruoyou smiled lightly and said nothing. Holding the collection of poems in his hands, he felt that he had gained something. Seeing that it was getting dark, he said goodbye to his boss and asked him not to have to. When Lu Wenhe mentioned this matter, the boss was afraid of getting into trouble, so he was naturally in a hurry to respond.

Bao Ruoyou left the calligraphy and painting hall, first passed two alleys to the Yuxi River, and then asked someone to go upstream to the abandoned dyeing workshop. Before arriving at the dyeing workshop, the night had completely fallen. They were all remote, and Bo Ruoyou was thinking, it was almost dark when Wei Ling came that day, how could she dare to walk to such a remote place alone?

Unless there is someone she trusts to accompany her, or she has a reason to come even if she is afraid.

The Yuxi River is gurgling, and the dyeing workshop is located on the river beach. The wooden door of the outer courtyard has long been damaged. It is now wide open. Standing outside the door, you can see that the wooden racks for drying cloth in the courtyard are still erected, but most of them are lying upside down. On the ground, outside the courtyard wall are several large dyeing vats. The dye mixed in them exudes a rancid smell. On the gentle **** from the dyeing vat to the river beach, the stains left by the dye are particularly obvious. This place is dilapidated and It was dirty, and the surrounding houses were some distance away. Plus, with the sound of running water, I was afraid that even if Wei Ling called for help, no one would hear him.

Bao Ruoyou looked into the yard through the dim light from the distance. He could see clearly up close, but it was pitch black deeper in the yard. When Bao Ruoyou was a little nervous, he suddenly saw a shadow in the yard. The distance flashed by, and her expression changed, "Who is there?"

As soon as Uncle Liang heard this, he immediately came forward and asked, "Is there anyone in the yard?"

A thin layer of sweat broke out on Bo Ruoyou's palms. At this moment, a cat jumped out of the yard. It was a dark wild cat. The black cat scurried towards a hole in the wall next to the courtyard door. Go, get out of the hole in the wall, and look at Bo Ruoyou spiritually. They are a pair of green cat's eyes, facing the dim light in the distance, like ghost eyes, which makes Bo Ruoyou's heart tremble.

"Don't be afraid, miss, it's a cat." Uncle Liang comforted her.

Bao Ruoyou breathed a sigh of relief, "Only cats come to this place." Looking around again, Bao Ruoyou said: "It's getting late, go back, the adoptive father should be worried."

Getting on the carriage, Bao Ruoyou and Uncle Liang went home together.

Bao Ruoyou slept quite uneasily that night, and actually had another nightmare. In the dream, the cat's eyes turned into human eyes, green light flashed, and he looked at her bloody. She blinked, but those human eyes were The eyes turned into smiling eyes again, but the smile was cruel and vicious, and Bo Ruoyou was startled and woke up.

It was still dark, and Bo Ruoyou felt quite uneasy after getting up. She had been scared when she first started the autopsy, but she hadn't been like this for a long time. Could it be that she was frightened when she almost fell into the river yesterday? Already?

Bao Ruoyou caressed his heart and thought for a moment that Huo Weilou had saved him again. He followed Huo Weilou as if all her dangers would be resolved by him. To say that he was her nobleman was an understatement.

Yesterday Huo Weilou didn't say that she was going to the Hou Mansion today, so she went to the Yamen first. As soon as she got off the carriage outside the Yamen, she heard the sound of horse hooves galloping towards her. When she turned around, she saw Ning Xiao coming. .

Ning Xiao was also a little surprised when he saw her, as if he didn't expect her to be so early.

"Deputy Commander." Bo Ruoyou blessed his body.

Ning Xiao waved his hand, "You don't have to be polite to me."

After saying that, something strange flashed across Ning Xiao's eyebrows, and he entered the Yamen without saying much. As he walked, he said: "We have sent people to the Feng family and the Li family to take Miss Li's family and the attendants of the Feng family with them. The maid came to ask questions."

Bo Ruoyou said in his heart that the embroidered clothes envoy had a tough attitude in handling the case. If he asked the Yamen to come to the door, it would take a lot of extra effort. After waiting for two sticks of incense in the back hall, Miss Li was invited first.

Miss Li's name is Yu Luo. She was supported by a maid when she entered the door. She was coughing with a handkerchief as she walked. Her face was pale and her illness was not fake, but there was some panic in her eyes that could not be concealed. Okay. Standing in the hall during the ceremony, I felt pity for him who looked so sick and frail.

Ning Xiao asked Bo Ruoyou to ask, and Bo Ruoyou got straight to the point: "Miss Li, do you still remember that last autumn you and Miss Feng went on a business trip on the boat, but that day Miss Feng fell into the lake? Something?"

Li Yuluo was a little surprised when she saw Bo Ruoyou when she entered the door. She didn't seem to expect that a woman from the government would ask questions. Now that she heard this, her face was even more surprised. It seemed that she didn't expect them to know about it. Li Yuluo coughed. A voice said: "I remember, it was a bit thrilling that time, because this Wodan was also slightly ill."

"After she fell into the lake, you stayed with her on the boat to change clothes, right?"

Li Yuluo nodded, "Yes, there is me."

As soon as these words came out, Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, "How can I say this? Is there anyone else besides you?"

Li Yuluo nodded, "Besides me, there is another person who is considered a good friend of mine and has known Wodan for many years. She fell into the lake and we were worried about it, so we stayed on the boat to accompany her."

The Huafang shopkeeper never mentioned this. The Huafang shopkeeper only remembered Li Yuluo.

"What's her name? Where does she live?" Bo Ruoyou asked hurriedly.

Li Yuluo frowned slightly, "What do you want to do? Do you want to ask her what happened that day?"

Bo Ruoyou said seriously: "If necessary, I have to ask."

Li Yuluo sighed after hearing this, "You can't ask her anymore."

Bo Ruoyou was a little confused, and Li Yuluo's eyes darkened, "She died of illness just a month and a half ago..."

"Died of illness?" Even Ning Xiao was surprised.

Li Yuluo wiped the corners of her eyes, "Yes, she has been in poor health since she was a child and suffered from asthma, which makes it very difficult in winter. This time she only survived the Chinese New Year. She is one of the officials, a foreign minister named Xu. Female."

"Xu Kang is your daughter?" Ning Xiao asked.

Li Yuluo nodded, her face filled with sadness. Both Feng Wodan and the girl from the Xu family were her good friends, but they died within two months of each other. It was no wonder that she fell ill.

Bo Ruoyou also felt a bit of sadness in his heart, "My condolences, we asked the shopkeeper on the boat, he only remembered that you stayed on the boat to take care of Miss Feng, and did not mention Miss Xu, so we didn't know. ”

Li Yuluo wiped the corner of her eyes, "Shu'er is in poor health and doesn't have much time to go to the poetry club. I think the shopkeeper didn't have a deep impression on her because of that. However, she and Wodan are also good friends, and they both like Mingyan. She also likes women's things such as rouge and jewelry. She was very envious when she saw that Wotan was in good health and could read and practice calligraphy like a man and travel every day. Wotan's family was in the cosmetics business and would always give us small gifts. It was a good idea, but I didn't expect that they would pass away one after another..."

Li Yuluo's eyes were red, but Bo Ruoyou keenly captured a few key words, "You said they both like bright colors?"

Li Yuluo raised her eyes and looked at Bo Ruoyou, and Bo Ruoyou asked again: "Miss Xu also likes red dresses?"

Li Yuluo was stunned and nodded, "Yes, is there anything wrong?"

When Wu Xiang went to ask her, he obviously didn't reveal much. At this moment, Bo Ruoyou just wished that she was a warrior. She asked again, "Does Miss Xu also have a cinnabar mole on her body?"

Li Yuluo glanced at Ning Xiao and said with some embarrassment: "Yes... indeed... why do you always ask about this? I also asked this about Wo Dan the day before yesterday."

Bo Ruoyou looked complicated, but Ning Xiao had already stood up. At this time, Bo Ruoyou suddenly thought of something and murmured the word "Xu". She asked Li Yuluo, "On what day did Miss Xu leave the city for her funeral?" of?"

Li Yuluo was a little confused, but she still said honestly: "After she died of illness, she stayed at home for many days. The funeral was on the fifth day of February."

The fifth day of February was the day she returned to Beijing.

Bo Ruoyou's eyes changed, as if he was looking at the mournful funeral procession slowly walking out of the city gate under the afterglow, and the small words that were not real when he glanced at the memorial tablet, at this moment As if alive, cold and terrifying eyes jumped into Bo Ruoyou's eyes. She asked in a difficult voice: "Miss Xu, is your name Xu Wanshu?"