Indeed, why was the case of a murdered imperial official not reported to the Xingyu Yamen, but instead brought before Marquis Zhongyong?
All eyes turned to the Master Secretary.
The Master Secretary, surnamed Qin and named Lu, had followed the County Magistrate for many years.
Qin Lu kowtowed. “The County Magistrate’s wife hails from the border region. When the city fell years ago and enemy troops slaughtered the citizens, it was the Marquis who arrived in time to save her entire family. Out of gratitude for the Marquis’s life-saving grace, she couldn’t bear to see his heroic reputation tarnished upon his triumphant return. Thus, she ordered this humble servant to seek help here.”
Marquis Zhongyong’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
Qin Lu glanced at the Marquise before speaking. “During the day, the Marquise implied that the Magistrate and Shaofuren were having an affair. That very night, the Magistrate was murdered.”
He repeated every word the Marquise had said to Ye Zhen verbatim.
“And yesterday, this humble servant happened to see this Embroidered Pouch on Guard Wu. Since Guard Wu is a servant of the Marquis Estate, the Magistrate’s wife feared that reporting to the authorities would implicate the Marquis. Torn between her benefactor and her husband, after careful consideration, she decided to temporarily suppress the news and sent me here with the evidence, requesting that you privately deliver justice for my master.”
Marquis Zhongyong understood completely.
The County Magistrate’s wife suspected the Marquis Estate of killing the Magistrate, yet wanted to curry favor with him by settling the matter privately.
The Marquis glanced at his personal guard. “Take him away for interrogation.”
Guard Wu was quickly escorted out.
The Marquise collapsed to the ground, her face pale. “My Lord, there must be some misunderstanding here.”
Marquis Zhongyong helped her up and seated her back in the chair, his expression unreadable.
When he turned to Old Madam Wang, his gaze softened considerably. “I apologize for troubling you to come all this way, Aunt. How much do you know about this matter?”
Old Madam Wang then had her matron recount everything that happened the previous day, including the details of Ye Zhen’s injuries.
“This old woman has no intention of interfering in the Marquis Estate’s affairs, but since Tingge’er lost his mother early, I’m the only elder from her maternal family who can consider things on his behalf. If I have overstepped, I hope the Marquis will be understanding.”
Marquis Zhongyong waved his hand. “Please don’t stand on ceremony, Aunt. I know you have his best interests at heart.”
However, what the matron said differed greatly from what his wife had led him to believe.
He pointed at Zizhu and ordered again, “Interrogate her.”
The Marquise could barely remain seated.
She knew perfectly well that Marquis Zhongyong’s interrogation of Zizhu wasn’t because he doubted the matron’s words, but because he suspected her, his wife.
Fortunately, all those she trusted had weaknesses she could exploit.
Ye Zhen watched the Marquise calmly.
During her days confined to the broken-down house, the matrons guarding her had been fond of gossiping to pass the time.
The affair between Master Secretary Qin Lu and the County Magistrate’s wife Yu Shi, caught in bed together, had been juicy gossip for quite some time.
Last night, when Guard Wu left, Qin Lu had been observing everything from the shadows.
Ye Zhen followed Qin Lu to Yu Shi’s room, confirming that the rumors from her previous life were true, before going to the County Magistrate’s residence.
Qin Lu and Yu Shi had been childhood sweethearts. While Qin Lu was away pursuing his studies, the County Magistrate had forced himself on Yu Shi and married her.
After marriage, he never treated her well, and Yu Shi had long hated the Magistrate to the core.
For love, Qin Lu abandoned his studies and worked his way into the Magistrate’s confidence. For years, neither had taken action against the Magistrate nor attempted to escape.
Ye Zhen guessed they were unwilling to give up their power and status.
Therefore, she left evidence implicating the Marquise, thinking that if Qin Lu was ambitious enough, he would likely take the gamble.
Today, when Qin Lu appeared at their door, Ye Zhen knew her guess had been correct.
They didn’t plan to report to the authorities but sought benefits from Marquis Zhongyong instead.
Thus, they would surely insist that the County Magistrate was killed by Guard Wu, so they could obtain compensation from the Marquis.
Guard Wu was the Marquise’s trusted confidant, who always acted on orders—something even Marquis Zhongyong could deduce.
Just as the Marquise attempted to shift all blame onto Guard Wu, Ye Zhen interrupted her, redirecting the Marquis’s attention to Qin Lu.
Naturally, Ye Zhen had also considered that Yu Shi and Qin Lu might report directly to Jingzhao Prefecture. In that case, the evidence she left behind would be sufficient to implicate Guard Wu.
As she pondered, a personal attendant entered. “My Lord, he has confessed.”
Guard Wu insisted that he had received favors from Xie Yunzhou in the past and thus harbored resentment toward the County Magistrate for publicizing Xie Yunzhou’s affairs. He claimed to have killed out of vengeance for Xie Yunzhou.
This explanation could not withstand close scrutiny.
The attendant awaited Marquis Zhongyong’s instruction on whether to continue the interrogation.
Marquis Zhongyong lowered his eyelids slightly. “Take him away.”
This tacitly acknowledged Guard Wu’s account, and the Marquise secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Shortly after the attendant left, he returned.
“My Lord, please forgive my negligence. Zizhu could not endure the pain and bit her tongue to end her life.”
Marquis Zhongyong had forced enemy nations to surrender cities and offer beauties. Those who served as his personal attendants would hardly allow a prisoner to commit suicide during interrogation so easily—especially not a maid without the strength to truss a chicken.
Clearly, the attendant had deduced Marquis Zhongyong’s intentions and had no plans to make Zizhu’s revelations public.
Without lifting his eyelids, Marquis Zhongyong said sternly, “Go receive your flogging.”
The Marquise sighed in relief once more.
The Marquis was still protecting her after all.
Old Madam Wang, shrewd with age, could easily see that Marquis Zhongyong intended to suppress the matter.
She rose and said, “At my age, I grow terribly drowsy after sitting for just a short while. I shall take my leave now. When you have time, Marquis, please summon my unfilial son to join me for a simple family meal. It has been a long time since you last tasted my cooking. On that day, you brothers should share a few drinks properly.”
Her implication was clear: she had come today out of personal ties between the families and would not disclose the affairs of the Marquis Estate, nor would she allow her son, the censor, to expose them.
Marquis Zhongyong also stood and escorted her outside the manor.
Upon returning, he questioned the attendant briefly before reentering the room.
Those inside had not moved. Marquis Zhongyong addressed Qin Lu, “I have failed to maintain strict discipline in my household, allowing a servant to commit a grave wrong. I will personally execute him to atone for the County Magistrate’s life. I acknowledge your lady’s kindness. Please convey that I will endeavor to fulfill any wish she holds as compensation.”
Qin Lu had come today seeking wealth through risk, never expecting to actually secure a promise. He departed joyfully.
Upon returning, he and his lady would publicly declare that the County Magistrate had died suddenly.
Ye Zhen remained kneeling.
Marquis Zhongyong motioned for her to rise. “I will investigate the matter of the bookshop. I heard your injuries are quite severe—return to your room and rest. Once we return to Jingcheng tomorrow, I will summon a palace physician to treat you.”
Ye Zhen expressed her thanks and, pulling Wan Xing up, walked out together.
She was not particularly surprised by this outcome.
The Marquise had entrenched herself in the Marquis Estate for many years and would not be easily overthrown.
This time, Ye Zhen had not been locked in a dilapidated room, Wan Xing was still alive, and Marquis Zhongyong had come to realize that the Marquise was not truly flawless. It could be considered an initial victory.
The rest could be pursued gradually.
As the Marquise prepared to speak, Marquis Zhongyong’s gaze sharpened abruptly. “You may return to your room as well.”
Thus, only Marquis Zhongyong, Xie Tingzhou, and the attendants remained in the room.
“Why have you decided to stay? Do you truly not intend to return to the border?”
Marquis Zhongyong asked Xie Tingzhou.
Xie Tingzhou’s gaze was indifferent. “Do you still have the leisure to concern yourself with my affairs?”
“Who killed the County Magistrate?”
Knowing that Guard Wu had gone to the county town, Xie Tingzhou must have sent someone to follow him, which was why Marquis Zhongyong asked this question.
The person being questioned glanced sideways at Fuguang. “I don’t know. Investigate it yourself.”
He had suspicions but no evidence yet.
Fuguang felt somewhat ashamed, as he had only been focused on surveilling Guard Wu.
Marquis Zhongyong stopped questioning and slumped back into his chair.
“With this great victory, barring any surprises, Da Yuan won’t resume warfare anytime soon. A military officer like me, who only knows how to fight, will have to stay in Jingcheng. The Emperor is wise, but if I make no mistakes at all, I’m afraid he wouldn’t feel at ease using me. Sheltering my wife, colluding with the Master Secretary to cover up the truth of the County Magistrate’s murder, and helping the Master Secretary secure the County Magistrate position to seal his lips—these make for good leverage.”
Even without thorough investigation, he knew that Qin Lu wouldn’t have come in place of the County Magistrate’s wife unless their relationship was unusual.
He gave Xie Tingzhou a resentful look. “But I don’t feel at ease keeping him elsewhere. I plan to send him to the border. If you’re there, you could help keep an eye on him.”
Xie Tingzhou scoffed. “Wake up. It’s not even nightfall and you’re already dreaming. This Heir isn’t here to watch people for you.”
The border was essentially their territory. Even if he wasn’t there, Qin Lu couldn’t cause much trouble.
He glanced toward the coffin. “Aren’t you going to check on your precious son?”