tallest building

Chapter 355 Suspicious Matters

The two men were moved to tears by Grand Tutor Dong's words, but although they stood up, they dared not sit down.

"The person Chen asked us to investigate is Wen Mingqian, who serves the Empress. Of course, when we returned to the capital, we heard that Wen Mingqian is now the Noble Lady Wen in the palace."

"Why is the Chen family investigating her?" Grand Tutor Dong certainly knew Wen Mingqian and had met her a few times.

My impression of Wen Ming is that he is humble, respectful and polite, which pleases the Empress. He also has a prodigy son, but that's about it.

However, Grand Tutor Dong also knew that Wen Mingqian was no simple man and must be cunning, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten to where he is today.

"Hui... Madam Chen asked us to investigate where Wen Mingqian gave birth to his child when he went from the capital to Shuangxi. And where is Zhang Ma, who was with them, from? What was she like ten years ago?"

Although we don't know why we need to investigate this man surnamed Wen, since we've been ordered to do so, we can only follow orders.

We first went to Shuangxi, where many people recognized them. After investigating for a few days, we learned that Wen Mingqian didn't give birth in Shuangxi. She gave birth on the way, and when she arrived in Shuangxi, Zhang Ma was already by her side..."

One of them coughed twice as he spoke.

Another person quickly chimed in: "And back then, Zhang Ma wasn't as fat as she is now; she was actually quite thin. She just didn't see many people at first, living a secluded life. There's an old woman selling needles and thread on Shuangxi Street who everyone knows. She said that Zhang Ma used to speak with a Beijing accent, but she gradually changed it later. And... and she's probably not a woman at all, but someone in disguise."

The first time the old woman saw her, she only noticed that her joints were large, her voice was strange, and she didn't have pierced ears. Half a month later, when she saw her again, she had two pierced ears.

Firstly, very few women in this world don't have pierced ears, and besides, who gets their ears pierced in their forties?

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Dong couldn't help but frown slightly.

A woman who doesn't resemble a woman, speaks with a Beijing accent, and keeps to herself to avoid attention can only suggest that her identity is suspicious.

"We wanted to continue our investigation, but unexpectedly, the old woman who sold needles and thread suddenly died by the river. In the end, we almost met our end as well. It was clear that someone didn't want us to continue our investigation."

Fortunately, we were both quick-witted enough to fake our deaths and escape. However, we didn't dare to linger in Shuangxi, so we left there and followed the route that Wen Mingqian and the others had taken years ago.

It turned out that the place they had traveled was exactly the same place where Shen Fu had gone back then..." The man couldn't help but swallow as he said this.

"We were among the Imperial Guards who were ordered to pursue them, so we recognized them. I suppose Chen asked us to investigate because of this."

I still remember how we chased them all the way to the dilapidated temple in Tu County, where we found traces of a woman giving birth. We then pursued them north for another thirty li, eventually surrounding Bu Yuegui and the others. The rest is history…”

"At the end of the sixth month, we received a message by carrier pigeon at Yunyang Post Station. It was sent by Chief Steward Hu. The higher-ups said that they had failed and that we must not return to the capital. They also said that if they found conclusive evidence that Zhang Ma was Wei Fu, they should find a way to inform the Grand Tutor."

We both remember someone jumping off a cliff wearing Wei Fu's clothes, their face so badly disfigured that it was unrecognizable. At the time, we were certain it was Wei Fu. But now, thinking back, the old woman selling needles and thread described Zhang Ma's appearance back then as being exactly like Wei Fu.

Later, we met a shepherd there. He said that after the court officials left, he herded sheep at the foot of the cliff and found half a wooden plaque. He wanted to exchange it for money, but no one was willing to buy it, so he had kept it in his box. We looked at it; it was a plaque belonging to a palace guard. Although it was incomplete, with only the two characters "Li Qiu," we knew it belonged to Li Qiugui.

He had followed Bu Yuegui in fleeing the capital, but three people were missing when the bodies were being counted. The latter two deserted halfway, but were eventually caught. People assumed that Li Qiugui had also deserted, but was lucky enough not to be caught. Now, it seems he most likely died in place of Wei Fu. "You mean Wei Fu is still alive, and is Zhang Ma, who serves Wen Mingqian?" Grand Tutor Dong's eyes narrowed.

"That must be it. The Chen family must have noticed it too, which is why they sent us to investigate," the two men said. "Otherwise, why would they do this for no reason? Besides, if there's nothing hidden here, how did that old woman selling needles and thread die? And why are we being hunted down?"

"Wei Fu was utterly loyal to the Shen family. Now that the Shen family is dead, how could he possibly survive?" Grand Tutor Dong's voice was aged yet sharp. "There can only be one reason why he isn't dead..."

It was completely dark when a cool breeze blew in through the crack in the door, causing the candle on the table to sway gently.

Before Grand Tutor Dong could finish speaking, the two men dared not respond.

After a long while, Grand Tutor Dong finally spoke again: "You two are quite clever. Knowing that you wouldn't see me for no reason, you went to Gang'er's place on purpose."

"Grand Tutor is wise! In fact, we must apologize. We were desperate at the time and had no choice but to lie to Young Master Dong and say that we were sent by your esteemed family."

They knew they couldn't possibly see the Dong family on their own, so they took a detour to the place where Dong Gang had been exiled.

Dong Gang certainly wouldn't have expected anyone to dare impersonate the Grand Tutor's Mansion and swindle him. Besides, these two people were used to doing things and couldn't see any flaws.

The two men returned to the capital with the letter written by Dong Gang, and as expected, they entered the Dong residence without any problems.

"You should all stay here! Don't go out of the mansion," said Grand Tutor Dong.

The two men were naturally extremely grateful. They believed that if Grand Tutor Dong spared them, he would ensure their safety.

If what they say is true, then they have done a great service, and countless riches and honors await them.

Grand Tutor Dong summoned someone to lead the two men to their place.

"Grand Tutor, the water is cold. Let me get you some hot water." The maid who was washing his feet noticed that the water was cold and quickly dried Grand Tutor Dong's feet and put on his slippers.

"No need to change it, this will suffice," said Grand Tutor Dong. "It's getting late, help me to bed!"

The maids who served him all knew that Grand Tutor Dong's daily bedtime and wake-up time were almost always fixed, without fail.

So they made the bed, moved the pillows, and helped Grand Tutor Dong lie down. After that, they carefully lowered the bed curtains and left a lamp on the table.

The wick should be dimmed so that it can burn all night.

"You may all leave! Two night watchmen will suffice in the outer room," said Grand Tutor Dong. "Be quiet, don't disturb me."

There are some things he needs to think about carefully.