Chapter 34 chapter eight

The official sedan chair stopped at the mountain gate of Zhaogong Temple, opposite to the mountain gate was Feng Dainian's official office.The backyard of the official office is his mansion. Di Gong and Ma Rong got off the sedan chair.Feng Dainian led several assistants to wait in front of the screen wall of the gate. The horoscope of the official office faces south, and the weather is Cui Wei.The tall Huizhou carved brick gatehouse is simple and unsophisticated.Outside the door, a pair of discreet stone lions glared angrily, very mighty. ——Two teams of soldiers lined up in the yamen hall early, with soap coats and fire sticks in neat order.

Feng Dainian led Di Gong and Ma Rongjin to the study for tea. ——Shun the Wanzi verandah in the gate, leading to a hanging flower and moon cave gate in the left chamber.Outside the gate is the inner garden of Feng Mansion, which just bypasses the public hall of the government office and goes directly to the study in the inner courtyard. The study is furnished elegantly.The rosewood screen, tables and chairs are spotless.On each side is a copper 狻猊, curling up green smoke.The stacks of ancient books on the three bookshelves are arranged in an orderly manner according to classics, history, learning, and collections.Many books have their covers opened, with strips of ivory leaves sandwiched between them.On the table are lake pens, Duan inkstones, Xuan paper, Hui ink, and the four treasures. There are three or five chairs in front of the table.Although it is midsummer, the study is very cool and shady, with a pleasant fragrance.

"Master Di is joking. I have always received guests in this study, and there is no quiet and elegant place in the courtyard." After the little boy offered tea, Di Gong said: "Feng Xianggong has a large collection of books, and he is diligent and diligent in learning, which is very respectable." Feng Dainian said: "I'm ashamed to say that I'm in charge of the political affairs of this Leyuan by myself, and the rules and books are separated. In the past few years, I have no time to read. It's still Mr. Tao who often comes to read, and the little girl Yuhuan. Mr. Tao only chooses Study classics and history. My daughter likes to read other anthologies of predecessors, especially poetry. In the past two years, I have also learned some golden needle poetry styles, and occasionally learn to write poems."

Di Gong said with a smile: "No wonder Feng Xianghui chose Jia Xiucai as his son-in-law. If the daughter is influenced by Jia Xiucai's guidance, literature and art will inevitably improve. —— Jia Xiucai must also be the son of an official. It is the right family." Feng Dainian said: "To tell the truth, Master Di, this Jia Xiucai is not a son of an official, but his family is in decline. He was already at the end of his rope before he got engaged to his little girl. It was also a fate in his previous life, and the two red ropes were tied early. He lost money in a bet, so he came to ask me that day I plan to go to Hangzhou for a rural examination by borrowing money. But I fell in love with my little girl at first sight. The little girl is nineteen years old, and I have talked about several marriages with her, but they have not been successful. Since I met this Jia Xiucai, I have agreed. I will ask Mr. Tao De to be bigger It is a matchmaker, and the marriage is drawn together. It is also a match made in heaven, and I hope that the two of them will be harmonious for a hundred years after marriage."

Di Gong ordered Ma Rong to go to the yamen hall to see that the layout of the opening of the trial was complete. Feng Dainian understood and quickly changed the subject: "Qiuyue died suddenly last night, Geyuan was shocked, what advice does Master Di have?" "The county magistrate of Luo only asked his subordinates to handle Li Lian's suicide case before he left. Unexpectedly, Qiuyue's sudden death was involved last night. Both enemies were killed in the Red Pavilion, and the grievances and creditors are not happy with each other. The subordinates intend to ask first. Break up Li Lian's suicide case. If the plot is related to the Qiuyue case, it will be combined."

Feng Dainian said: "It's up to Mr. Di to deal with it. I'll follow you around and wait for your orders." "Feng Xianggong has seen Li Lian himself, what is his impression?" Di Gong asked suddenly. "The humble official only saw Mr. Li once, and it was the day after the collision. Mr. Li was a young man, proud of his talent, and self-conscious, and it was the time when he was rising. He thought he paid me thirty taels of silver. It's like nothing, it's like giving alms, it's unbearable. But I don't care about humble positions, and I should be a generation of fathers, and his father Li Jingwei is my old friend."

"Feng Xianggong still knows Li Lian's father?" "Master Li was a young man who was a romantic young man. He went to and from Leyuan and attracted many infatuated women. The romantic charm is still there. Later, he served as the left minister of the imperial court, worked hard for the king's affairs, and served as an imperial envoy several times, specializing in local areas. He came to Jinhua after he left Beijing. I have been living for the rest of my life, and I have never seen each other again, but I have exchanged letters." "The county heard that Li Jingwei retired because of his illness. If he thinks about it, there may be some grievances. He is not very old."

"The humble official only knows that Mr. Li is seriously ill. I heard that it has been a year or two to thank guests behind closed doors, and the county magistrate Luo has not been able to see him. It is his uncle Li Dongliang who came to collect the body of Mr. Li's death. We can infer one or two .” Di Gong pulled the words back again: "I heard people say that Li Lian's city is spacious and scheming, and he doesn't seem to be a narrow-minded person. He may not be at the mercy of a fireworks girl." Feng Dainian said with a smile: "It's just that he has a scheming heart and big ambitions. Once he is frustrated by a woman, he will feel ashamed and angry. It's a matter of course."

Di Gong changed the subject again. "When that Li Dongliang left, did he take all of Li Lian's expense receipts and letters with him here?" Feng Dainian said in surprise: "Master Di mentioned it a long time ago, but do you think this is a bag of Laoshi?" He took out a small flat yellow silk bag from the desk drawer. Di Gong opened it and checked one by one, and said: "Li Lian is really very organized. He has recorded all the money and silver expenses here. From compensating the thirty taels of silver for your collision to paying Bailan and Hongliu , Peony's deposit, there are exact amounts, every detail is accurate. ——The strange thing is that there is no silver reward for Qiuyue."

Feng Dainian guessed: "Presumably it should be Gu Quan Qiuyue's identity. And the two of them are no longer casual friends. Li Lian has mentioned several times that he would pay a huge sum of money to redeem Qiuyue, and it is difficult to record the amount of money he spent on Qiuyue. gone." Di Gong asked: "Who said that Li Lian is willing to pay a huge sum of money to redeem Qiuyue?" Feng Dainian pointed to a piece of paper in front of Di Gong and said: "This piece of paper is exactly Li Lian's handwriting. It shows that he was obsessed with Qiuyue at first glance, and his behavior was close to love. Therefore, the humble official sent Qiuyue to question with Luo County Magistrate, and Qiuyue also confessed. Li Lian wanted to pay a huge sum of money to redeem her, but she coldly refused."

Di Gong picked up the piece of paper and took a closer look. There were two overlapping circles hastily drawn on the piece of paper, and the words "Drag Heart Autumn Moon" were written under the circles. —he carefully slipped the paper into his sleeve. "Feng Xianggong, let's go to the government office to try the case now." Ma Rong had already arranged for the trial of the county government. ——The colorful railings and carved couplets in the Yamen Hall are magnificent, with sixteen fringed palace lanterns hanging on them.Huamuzhenguo, listed under the Zhitang, seems to be a big flower hall of a government family.In the middle is a red sandalwood case, shining brightly, on which there are copybooks, pens and inkstones, signing cylinders, seals, cinnabar boxes, and gavels.A piece of indigo cotton satin hangs in front of it, which is very neat. After the public case, Mr. Di sat down high, dignified and dignified.Feng Dainian and Ma Rong split up the two ends of the case and assisted in the trial with cameras.The secretary, Zuoshi, Wenshi, and Baizhi are also complete, and they are all in charge of their own affairs, waiting for Di's public trial. Di Hui met with Tao De, Wen Wenyuan, and Jia Yubo in the government office, and felt at ease.Slap the gavel and order to ascend.First Chuan Wu's work came forward to explain Li Lian's autopsy Wu Zuo kowtowed: "Master Di, the examination of Li Lian's body was completed on the 25th night. The throat was punctured, and the blood loss was excessive. He could have killed himself by cutting himself off. The body has no bruises, damage, or stumps. It's just... just two sides of the neck. The lump is purplish and swollen, which is suspected to be caused by rotting corpse spots, and it also seems to be caused by liver failure and blood stasis. Small doctors dare not make rash judgments, so I doubt it." Di Gong slowly twirled his long, black beard, and fell silent.After a long while, Nai asked, "Qiuyue's corpse has not been filled in yet. According to your judgment, what should be the reason for her death?" Wu Zuo kowtowed again: "Master Di, Qiuyue's corpse can be submitted to the government office at noon. According to the examination by a small doctor, it seems that he drank too much alcohol, and the fire evil attacked the heart, resulting in sudden death?" Di Gong frowned and said: "Qiuyue has always been healthy, why did she die suddenly of heart failure? Although she had a few glasses of strong wine last night, she didn't look abnormal." Wu Zuo respectfully replied: "The evil heat of the autumn moon has been raging for more than a day. It burnt the blood of the camp, and the yin fluid wasted and injured. In addition to the strength of the wine last night, the five internal organs were in disharmony. I was exhausted and finally died." Duke Di asked again: "Then, what about the bruise under her neck and the scratch on her arm?" "According to the little doctor, it should be Qiuyue's attack in her sleep. Suspected of nightmares, she felt suffocated and depressed, so she jumped off the bed. She scratched her throat with her hands and tried her best to breathe, so there were bruises. Later, she passed out on the ground. Scratching and struggling again. The finger marks on the arm have the same cause as the red fluff under the fingernails." Di Gong sneered: "The strangle marks under Qiuyue's neck are different in depth and thickness, but why?" Wu Zuo was startled: "Although this little doctor also noticed it, it's just that the fingerprints are very faint, so I can't examine it carefully." Di Gong waved his hand and ordered Wu Zuo to retreat, feeling displeased.Yinxian has already explained the reason for the scratches on Qiuyue's arm, but this work is also intended to be Zhou Na.Then he turned to ask Feng Dainian: "You can notify Qiuyue's relatives to collect the funeral as soon as possible, and settle the lawsuit. Then choose a date for burial." "Where is Wen Wenyuan?" Duke Di patted the gavel. Wen Wenyuan was startled, and hurriedly knelt on Dan to listen to the announcement. Di Gong said grimly: "Last night, the White Crane Tower banquet was over. You go first. I don't know what to do? It's such a hurry." After hearing this, Ma Rong was right in his arms.If it was the plague pig that had something to do with the murder, Yinxian would be able to vent his anger. "Going back to Master Di to ask, Xiaomin had an agreement with a client to buy me a copybook of Wang Daling's cursive calligraphy. Because the business amount is large, I dare not neglect it. Therefore, I left before the end of the banquet. I remember that I also had a fight with the master at the banquet last night. call." "Where did you go after you left the White Crane Tower?" Duke Di chased after him and asked. "Xiaomin left the White Crane Tower and returned to the Guilingtang shop. The road is not far away, just go north and cross two side streets." "What's the name of the customer, and how long have you been talking about business with you?" Wen Wenyuan cried and said with a mournful face: "Oh, what are you talking about about business. The person who met was just a Yaman, and I saw that he lived in the Taohua Inn. Yun was entrusted by Eryatang in the capital. The Yaman's surname was Huang, and he broke the appointment last night. I waited all night. Feeling angry, I went to look for him early this morning, and he agreed on the twenty-ninth night, but he said that I heard the wrong date." "You didn't step out of the shop last night?" "Master Di doesn't believe my confession? I can make a pledge." Di Gong ordered the secretary to ask Wen Wenyuan to draw a monogram and ordered him to withdraw. "Where is Jia Yubo?" Jia Yubo knelt down respectfully before going up to the hall. "You didn't finish the banquet last night, what did you do after you left the White Crane Tower?" Jia Yubo replied: "I drank a few glasses of strong wine at the dinner table last night. I felt dry and sweaty, and I felt uncomfortable in my stomach, so I went to the latrine. After I finished, I felt dizzy and confused, so I went to the soup pool at the back to take a bath, and then I felt refreshed. Dare not to go upstairs to the hall, so I went back to the Peach Blossom Inn to rest." "There is a path behind the Peach Blossom Inn, which leads directly to Qiuyue's mansion. Do you know?" Jia Yubo panicked: "This Xiaosheng didn't know about it, and he didn't turn around after going to the inn. How did the master connect my residence with Qiuyue's mansion? Could it be that Xiaosheng has something to do with Qiuyue's death." Di Gong sneered: "You also returned to the Peach Blossom Inn and didn't come out again?" Jia Yubo said, "I'll make a bet too, so I won't have to question you again and again." Di Gong announced his withdrawal: "The two cases of Li Lian and Qiuyue are temporarily suspended, and will be reviewed at another day." He then whispered to Ma Rong, "Go to the Peach Blossom Inn to find out that the toothman surnamed Huang is from the capital. And Find out clearly that Jia Xiucai really didn't go out after coming back last night." Feng Dainian was puzzled: "Master Di, why are these two cases still pending? Li Lian committed suicide, which has already been verified. Qiuyue died of illness, and what you said is trustworthy. I don't know what else is unclear? I have drawn the verdict." Di Gong said with a smile: "I'm afraid there are many grievances in this. Both of them died in Honggezi, but last night the county was living in the room where their accident happened, and felt a little strange, so I dare not make a hasty judgment. Further details Exploration. It may be possible to complete the conclusion." Feng Dainian was suspicious, wondering if Di Gong had any new tricks. Di Gong said again: "I want to have a deep talk with Mr. Tao. I don't know if Feng Xianggong can get rid of idlers and set up a room for me?" Feng Dainian agreed, and led Di Gong and Tao De to a small pavilion in the west courtyard of the garden.All the way along the winding bank of the Hengtang, the green willows are low and caged, and sometimes a few servants are seen sweeping the pavilions in the flowers and trees.After walking for a long time, I saw a small pavilion on the water island.Tender white and demon red, surrounded by pavilions, looks like clouds and clouds from a distance, very eye-catching. Duke Di applauded. "Good location." Very satisfactory.