Chapter 202: Previous Events

"Why is the constable targeting Li Heng? Has something happened?"

The moon was bright and the stars sparse. Kang Xian's voice came from the room. Zhou Pei hid under the window, listening intently. The princess was growing increasingly curious about this young master.

She guessed it might be related to some development in the assassination case from a few days ago, but as she listened, it turned out to be something entirely different.

"Apparently, it's about a case from last year, which is somewhat connected to Song Xian's assassination, and also seems to involve the disappearance of another official and a family massacre..."

The one answering in the room was Uncle Agui, who was always highly trusted by the Consort Grandpa. Listening to him speak, Zhou Pei blinked in astonishment outside, momentarily stunned. Inside the room, Kang Xian had probably also frowned.

"How did it get so serious?"

"The matter isn't actually certain; there's no concrete evidence. But Chen Feng, I've known him before; he's very capable at solving cases. What he's investigated so far isn't much, but it made me recall some other things."

"Oh?"

"Master, do you remember that Young Master Ning was very interested in martial arts around this time last year?"

"Haha, of course I remember." Inside, Kang Xian chuckled, "It's just that much of what he knew about these matters was inaccurate; I don't know what legendary tales he read. At the time, I even told Duke Qin—seeing how mature he was in many things—that he was quite lively about this. But with his resourcefulness, it wouldn't be strange for him to find ways to learn martial arts later on. It seems he genuinely learned some now, but overall, after hearing the details of the assassination a few days ago, what I admire most about Li Heng is probably his decisive nature."

"Indeed. However, Master should also remember that he once asked about Song Xian and the assassin at that time..."

"I don't believe he's involved in this."

"I also find it hard to believe. However, this connection only came to me today after hearing what Chen Feng said. Chen Feng doesn't know this; what he was investigating at the time wasn't Song Xian's assassination, but the disappearance of an official named Gu Yanzhen."

Kang Xian pondered, "Gu Yanzhen... I've met him a few times. He was quite talented. Did he pass the highest imperial exam?"

"Last year, he filled a vacancy and returned to Jiangning between March and April to visit friends. He was scheduled to take office as the magistrate of Leping County in July, but he disappeared after leaving Jiangning in June. Later, his and his servant's bodies were found outside the city, and a family named Yang was also massacred. At the same time this occurred, several servants in Gu Yanzhen's household were also killed, apparently silenced because they knew something. The one who struck was the same female assassin who killed Song Xian, leading to the belief that Gu Yanzhen's death was also linked to her. Chen Feng found some suspicious items at the time, but the authorities couldn't apprehend the assassin, so the case was hastily closed. Due to limited clues, the investigation couldn't proceed further then."

"How does this matter involve Li Heng?"

"The family who died with Gu Yanzhen at that time were not good people. The Yang brothers, Yang Yi and Yang Heng, were notorious strongmen in Jiangning, known for their their ferocity. Most minor gangs wouldn't dare provoke them. Their family—Yang Yi also had two adult sons who reportedly had good martial skills, plus a wife—totaled five people. This family usually didn't cause trouble, but it's said that every now and then, they would take on kidnapping and extortion jobs. The authorities hadn't been able to convict them, and they likely had many murder cases on their hands. The most probable speculation at the time was that this family had taken a commission from Gu Yanzhen to kidnap someone within the city..."

As Lu Agui reached this point, Kang Xian suddenly snorted in the room: "He was an imperial official, yet he conspired with such ruffians!"

"...Who they kidnapped is now hard to ascertain. The most likely person, Master, you also know: Miss Nie Yunzhu of Zhuji."

Silence fell in the room for a moment. Kang Xian was likely processing this information, connecting the events slightly with Ning Yi. Then Lu Agui continued speaking.

"Apparently, in previous years in Jiangning, Gu Yanzhen had some connection with Miss Nie, who was still at the Golden Wind Pavilion. After he passed the imperial exam and returned to Jiangning, he remained infatuated with Miss Nie, but she had already reformed her life by then..."

"Hmph, I know of Gu Hong as a talented scholar. Many women in the pleasure quarters probably had close ties with him. But his liking for Nie Yunzhu shows some discernment; although she came from a courtesan background, Yunzhu's character and conduct are truly commendable."

"Indeed, as far as I know, Miss Nie and Young Master Ning already had a close relationship at that time. But even so, it seems Gu Yanzhen was still reluctant to give up on Miss Nie. It's said he even proposed to her on the street and was slapped. Chen Feng, combining this with Gu Yanzhen's past actions, speculated that Gu Yanzhen might have hired the Yang brothers to kidnap Miss Nie. However, subsequent investigations showed that Miss Nie had not gone missing at the time, so he then investigated men who had a relationship with Miss Nie, but found nothing."

"...The Yang brothers kidnapped Li Heng?" Without needing much more, Kang Xian already understood this speculation. "What happened next? The Yang family, were they all wiped out?"

"All five family members, no one was spared."

"...In which month last year did this occur?"

"June."

"That's impossible." Kang Xian shook his head. "In May, Li Heng was still asking about martial arts. He was clearly just a frail scholar then, and Song Xian's assassination case also happened in May. Even if he found a martial arts master then, or even directly became a disciple of that female assassin, his skills wouldn't reach a high level. How could anyone master martial arts in just one month? ...Oh, if that female assassin exterminated the family and then killed Gu Yanzhen, that's somewhat possible..." Kang Xian's conjecture was certainly plausible, but then Lu Agui denied it: "But the strange thing is, the deaths of the Yang family and Gu Yanzhen were very likely not the work of a martial arts master. According to Chen Feng's investigation at the time, it's highly probable that a person who was at a disadvantage killed the Yang family, and also killed Gu Yanzhen and one of his guards that same night... a total of seven people."

Zhou Pei, outside the window, had wide eyes. She was hiding there specifically to hear these things and never imagined her master could be involved in such matters. As expected, shortly after, the two people in the room likely made a deduction.

"It was Li Heng who did it?" "I believe it's possible, but the exact sequence of events is now very difficult to reconstruct..."

"What about Chen Feng's thoughts?"

"One day, someone was kidnapped by the Yang brothers. This family was notorious criminals—four men and one woman—all killed by that disadvantaged person. If Young Master Ning was the one kidnapped, he didn't even know martial arts at that time. Chen Feng made this speculation because after killing the Yang family, this person was also severely injured. However, that person made a choice then: he stayed near the Yang brothers' residence instead of leaving, setting up some traps and spending an unknown amount of time waiting for Gu Yanzhen, the one who hired them, to arrive..."

Kang Xian nodded: "...Ruthless and thorough, eliminating the root of the problem." "Some traces were left at the scene, indicating that while that person was in the nearby woods, he vomited twice in the same spot and chewed a large quantity of bitter leaves. This suggests he was severely injured then, possibly experiencing continuous pain leading to vomiting. To stay conscious and wait for the arrival of the person who hired the killers, he chewed leaves. This kind of thing is not something an ordinary person could do. I myself doubt I could manage it in such circumstances. Most importantly, since he had already killed the Yang family and was severely wounded, a normal person's first choice would naturally be to leave..."

As Lu Agui spoke, Zhou Pei, outside the window, had already slightly opened her mouth, completely overwhelmed by the implications of his words. Kidnapped by desperate criminals, then killing their entire family, and while severely wounded, sitting in the woods chewing leaves to numb the pain—combining this with the image of her young master in her mind, she was momentarily at a loss for how to describe the shock. Had her master truly done such a thing? Now that she thought about it, she felt it was very possible; that master might indeed be capable of it.

"That feeling of being targeted from behind is very uncomfortable. Such a mindset is fundamental for those who accomplish great things," Kang Xian said, then a realization dawned in his voice, "Oh, right, his hand was burned, and a bone was broken, but he didn't say much about it then..."

Lu Agui probably nodded: "Young Master Ning inexplicably disappeared for several days then. When he returned, he said he sustained some injuries while helping a friend, and his hand remained bandaged until before the new year. Chen Feng doesn't actually know about this; I only recalled it after hearing him speak. This way, everything aligns."

"Naturally, Chen Feng cannot know about this," Kang Xian said, then paused. "This matter... there's no evidence?"

"Actually, I'm just guessing; it might even be a coincidence. Chen Feng also discovered Young Master Ning's relationship with Miss Nie these past few days, which piqued his interest and led him to investigate further. If it were to be brought up, I fear it wouldn't be easy."

"Whether it's easy or not, or if it's true, the matter cannot be brought up. An imperial official hiring criminals for kidnapping—that Gu Yanzhen deserved to die himself, and the Yang family naturally got what they deserved. But..." Kang Xian said, then stopped again. "Haha, I've been wondering these past few days: on the day of the assassination, Li Heng's actions were mostly clever, but his skills had surprisingly become agile and formidable. He truly lives up to the name 'Bloody-Handed Butcher,' doesn't he? Very impressive... Well done. Agui, go handle this matter. As for Chen Feng... can he be reasoned with?"

"His persistent investigation is simply a constable's habit; he's not rigid in character. And if you explain to him about Young Master Ning's famine relief proposals from back then, he'll know what to do."

"That's good then. From his deductions, I gather he's quite capable. Since you're familiar with him, find out what his ideals are as an official. As he's a capable person, find a way to get him a better position in Jiangning Prefecture, a way to promote him. Anyway, most of those in power now are merely occupying positions without performing duties; we shouldn't let talent go to waste."

Hearing that the man was reasonable and could be communicated with, Kang Xian's demeanor softened. If Lu Agui had said the man was too rigid, pursuing justice regardless of everything, then what the old man would have prepared to do at that moment likely wouldn't have been good. Lu Agui simply said "Yes," nodded in agreement, and then the sound of the door opening was heard.

Zhou Pei, having heard these words, was still reeling in shock as she thought them over. At that moment, she quickly tried to stand up and run away, but having squatted for too long, she moved and promptly sat back down on the ground. She quickly scrambled on all fours to the side, and then heard Lu Agui's voice calling "Princess!"

The young woman hung her head, knowing it was useless to try and escape. Then, Kang Xian's voice rang out from the room, not with much surprise, simply saying, "Pei, come in."

"Ugh..." The young woman pinched her ears and grudgingly walked in. "I won't be a traitor, Consort Grandpa, please don't silence me..."

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