After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 524 The Real Culprit Who Killed Xiong Kai

Niu's gaze softened considerably when she looked at Ding. "I've remembered what you said. Why don't you stay for a meal later?"

“good good”

Xiong Feng didn't return until it was time for dinner.

Looking at her handsome grand-nephew, Madam Ding clicked her tongue and said, "He's really good-looking! He takes after his father! Sister-in-law, Feng'er is getting on in years, is he engaged yet?"

Niu lovingly placed a piece of meat on Xiong Feng's plate, "Not yet! Does your sister-in-law know of any good families in Zhaohua County?"

"How would I know! But I have a pretty niece on my mother's side."

"Cough cough cough," Xiong Dao coughed a few times, interrupting Ding Shi's words.

Xiong Feng had someone bring Xiong Dao a bowl of soup to soothe his throat, and this interruption prevented Ding from continuing her story.

After finishing his meal, Xiong Dao immediately took his leave.

After leaving the county government office's backyard, Ding scolded Xiong Dao with dissatisfaction, "I hadn't even finished speaking, why did you stop me from saying it!"

Xiong Dao was speechless. "Mother, are you crazy? Feng'er is a county magistrate now. Even if he can't marry a daughter of an official, he can't possibly marry his uncle's cousin. How is he supposed to respond to what you're saying?"

It wasn't that he looked down on his cousin's daughter, but rather that they were not a good match.

Ding disagreed, saying, "What's wrong with your cousin's daughter? She's capable and filial, and her family has become wealthier over the years. If this marriage goes through, it will also bring us closer to the eldest son's family. Don't you understand?"

Xiong Dao laughed, "Mother, stop daydreaming! It's an insult to talk about this. I think you should stay away from the county town from now on."

Today he finally understood the Niu family's attitude. They were indifferent to them. At this time, constantly trying to get close would only annoy them. It was better to stay quiet and not bother them. If something happened in the future and they needed to ask for help, the Niu family wouldn't be able to refuse them.

Unfortunately, Ding couldn't understand at all, nor did he heed Xiong Dao's words.

After Niu and Ding's group left, they immediately told Xiong Feng the news they had received.

“Feng’er, you said your father had just returned to Zhaohua County back then, what enemies could he have?” Madam Niu was completely puzzled.

A maid came to report that Mo Chunxiang had started making a scene again.

Niu left, cursing and swearing.

Xiong Feng's eyes became more thoughtful. After thinking for a while, he went to see Su Yongzhang in person and decided to visit Su Sheng at his home.

Having known each other for so many years, Su Sheng knew some things and readily agreed.

Because Su Yongzhang is the county magistrate, he can only live in the county. These past few days, Su Sheng and Su Yu have been helping Su Yongzhang with his residence in the county town, which is just a few steps away from the county government office.

After learning of Xiong Feng's purpose, Su Sheng thought for a while and told him some things he knew from back then.

"If you ask me who your father's enemies are in the county town, I certainly don't know. But if you're talking about things in the military camp, I do know quite a bit. It's just that there are some things your uncle says that you might not be able to accept."

Xiong Feng clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Uncle, please speak frankly. I am honored."

Su Sheng once again marveled at Xiong Feng's ability to produce a good bamboo shoot despite his bad reputation. Considering his feelings, he didn't say anything too harsh. "Back then, your father was exiled there, a criminal. He arrived earlier than us. At first, we were all together. Later, Shen Yi and Zhu Yixuan became junior commanders. We all followed Shen Yi, while he went to Zhu Yixuan's side."

At that time, Zhu Yixuan had Bai Feng by his side. After Bai Feng died, your father became Zhu Yixuan's confidant. During the war, your father plotted against us a lot, but fortunately we were prepared and managed to escape.

Honestly, we wanted to kill him back then, but no one dared to break the military rules. Later, when the war ended and everyone returned to their hometowns, Zhu Yixuan invited us all to his wedding, but he didn't call you "father." At that time, we guessed that they might have fallen out.

After all, Zhu Yixuan is the kind of person who won't do anything without personal gain. He wouldn't bother with people who aren't of use to him. However, there's something that's always bothered me. On the day of Zhu Yixuan's wedding, Bai Feng's mother killed Madam Zhu because someone told her that Bai Feng's death wasn't an accident, but that Zhu Yixuan was responsible. We've been wondering who that person could be, and the most likely candidate is your father.

Your father most likely knows the truth and, in order to get revenge on Zhu Yixuan, tells Madam Bai this secret. Madam Bai is full of resentment because of her son's death, so it's no wonder she goes crazy when she learns that the murderer who killed her son is going to marry a noble lady.

After Madam Zhu's funeral, your father got into trouble. I don't know if our guess is right, but those people in the army were all in cahoots. We don't know the specifics of their grudges.

Upon hearing this, Xiong Feng immediately stood up and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Uncle, for telling me the truth."

Su Sheng raised an eyebrow, "Don't you have any doubts?"

Xiong Feng shook his head, his expression solemn.

“Uncle and my father have no grudges. Even if they don’t get along, it’s nothing like a life-or-death revenge. Besides, I trust your character, and you wouldn’t stoop to lying to me.”

Over the years, Su Sheng had frequently delivered goods to the capital, and they had met more than once or twice. He knew what kind of person Su Sheng was, but they had never had any in-depth conversations.

Su Sheng sighed again, "Good boy, be careful if you investigate. Zhu Yixuan is very dangerous. Although the Zhu family has weakened a lot, its foundation is still there. Don't confront Zhu Yixuan without solid evidence."

Xiong Feng bowed in gratitude once again.

By the time he left the Su family, he already had the answer in his heart.

It is customary for a new official to host a banquet for local officials and gentry upon taking office.

Su Yongzhang made the arrangements, and when he saw that Xiong Feng had placed Zhu Yixuan at the top, he was startled and hesitated for a long time before sending out the invitation.

On the day of the banquet...

Almost all the guests have arrived.

Xiong Feng and Su Yongzhang raised their glasses and drank heartily with everyone. After looking around, they asked, "We've heard that the Zhu family is the most prominent family in Zhaohua County. May we ask who the head of the Zhu family is?"

A middle-aged man quickly stood up and respectfully bowed to Xiong Feng. "Sir, my elder brother has been ill for years and has been seeking medical treatment everywhere. He passed away a few days ago. When he was not in Zhaohua County, I was in charge of managing the family business."

"You are?"

"Zhu Lei, a commoner."

Xiong Feng didn't say much, but Su Yongzhang, with a sincere expression, asked with concern, "I heard that the head of the family is both literate and martial, and in good health. How did he fall ill?"

Zhu Lei sighed and shook his head. "He said it was an old ailment he brought back from the battlefield. He sought medical treatment from doctors all over the country. This is not a secret in the county."

Everyone agreed.

Su Yongzhang did not ask any further questions.

After the banquet, Xiong Feng immediately went to all the clinics in the county town and investigated them one by one.

Su Yongzhang was waiting for the results at the county office. When he saw him return, he casually poured him a cup of hot water. "How was it?"

Xiong Feng downed the drink in one gulp. "It's him!"

"You found evidence?" Su Yongzhang was shocked, but not at all surprised.

Xiong Feng toyed with his teacup for a moment, then slowly said, "Doctor Zhou from the county town examined Zhu Yixuan. Zhu Yixuan's health is fine, but he is unable to have any more children."

Su Yongzhang choked on his saliva, coughed violently a few times, and was quite taken aback. "So he's been going around seeking medical treatment for a child all these years!"