Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 240 Clues
Xue Yulin frowned and said angrily: "This is a letter written to me by Song Niang. Why should he read it?!"

"Madam Xie is a suspect in the murder of the envoy. The Grand Council is taking this action to prevent her from spreading information and affecting the government's investigation of the case."

Xue Yulin became even more excited: "Song Niang can't be the murderer of the envoy!"

Xiao Wang did not deny it directly, but followed the other party's words and asked: "Why do you think so?"

"Mrs. Song often mentioned the Envoy to me. She really respected the Envoy very much. She was unhappy because she was about to get married and could no longer be filial to the Envoy. It was not until I promised her that I would often accompany her to her parents' home to visit the Envoy that she became happier. She was still thinking about the Envoy in her heart when she was about to get married. How could she possibly murder him?!"

Xiao Wang said calmly: "These are not enough to serve as evidence to help Madam Xie clear her suspicion."

Xue Yulin clutched the envelope and jade pendant tightly and asked, "Then what evidence do you have to prove that she really killed someone?"

"She herself has admitted that she did stab Envoy Xie."

Xue Yulin opened his eyes wide, in disbelief: "How is this possible?! Song Niang is so gentle and kind, it is impossible for her to kill someone!"

"The fact that she used a knife doesn't mean she has definitely killed someone, but she is indeed the most suspicious person now. If you want to prove her innocence, you have to produce solid evidence."

Xue Yulin naturally couldn't produce any evidence.

He slumped down in a chair, opened the envelope with trembling hands, and began to read the letter carefully word by word.

Xiao Wang retreated silently.

He left Xue's house and rode back to the inn. On the way, he passed a pastry shop and smelled a strong aroma. He stopped his horse and wanted to buy some pastries to bring back to Yan Ciwan, but he saw a long line in front of the pastry shop.

He led the horse over and after asking, he found out that this pastry shop was a time-honored local brand, famous for its delicious taste and affordable prices, especially its hibiscus pastry, which was unique. However, due to limited quantity, each person could only buy three pieces per day, so many people lined up here every day to buy them.

Xiao Wang stood at the end of the line and moved forward little by little. After waiting for more than half an hour, it was finally his turn.

Fortunately, there were only three hibiscus cakes left, so Xiao Wang bought them all, and also asked the waiter to weigh a pound of pea cakes and almond milk cakes.

He carried the wrapped pastries, mounted his horse, and returned to the inn with the sound of horse hooves.

Xiao Wang knocked on the guest room door.

The person who came to open the door was Chao Lu. When she saw Xiao Wang coming back, she immediately stepped aside and invited him in.

At this moment, Yan Ciwan was sitting at the table drinking medicine. Her brows were frowned because of the bitterness. When she saw Xiao Wang, her brows relaxed a little.

"you are back."

"Well, I picked up some pastries on the way. You can try them." Xiao Wang said as he opened the oil paper package to reveal the pastries inside.

Yan Ciwan quickly picked up a piece of almond milk cake and put it in her mouth. The rich sweetness of milk diluted the bitter taste of medicine, and she praised it sincerely.

"good to eat!"

Xiao Wang pointed at the three hibiscus cakes and said, "It is said that this is the most famous cake in the local area. Many people line up to buy it."

Yan Ci Wan picked up a piece of hibiscus shortbread, a milky white shortbread with red hibiscus flowers printed on the surface. When she took a bite, the layers of shortbread made a crunching sound. The inside was filled with a filling made of hibiscus flowers and honey. It was sweet but not greasy, and had a refreshing floral fragrance.

Her eyes suddenly lit up and she immediately spoke to Xiao Wang and Chao Lu.

"This is really delicious, please try it."

Three hibiscus shortbread cookies, just enough for each person.

After eating, Yan Ciwan picked up the teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and breathed a sigh of relief. It would be great if he could have such delicious pastries every day. Then even if he took medicine, it wouldn't taste so bitter.

But queuing up to buy pastries was too troublesome, and she couldn't trouble others just to satisfy her appetite. She secretly decided in her heart that after her injury healed, she would queue up to buy the hibiscus pastry again.

The three of them sat at the table, eating cakes and drinking tea while talking about the case. Xiao Wang repeated what Xie Chusong had said.

After listening to this, Yan Ciwan looked thoughtful.

At this time, Chaolu had already finished the lotus shortbread in her hand. She wiped her fingers clean and analyzed while holding the teacup: "I have examined the body of Envoy Xie. His wound is wider than that of a paper cutter. The murderer should not be Xie Chusong."

Yan Ciwan pondered, "It should be that Xie Chusong stabbed Xie Shijun with a paper cutter first. After Xie Chusong left, another person sneaked into the study and stabbed Xie Shijun to death with a knife. The two wounds overlapped, and outsiders thought that Xie Shijun was stabbed to death by someone, so Xie Chusong believed that he was the murderer."

Xiao Wang said slowly: "Prince Xie was stabbed by Xie Chusong, he must have taken Datura stramonium, so he was powerless and was almost pushed to the ground by Xie Chusong. If we find the origin of Datura stramonium, we may be able to find the real culprit."

"When we went to see Envoy Xie in the evening, he was still arguing with Xie Chusong in high spirits, which means he was not poisoned at that time. Let's check what he had eaten in the evening."

"Ah."

Xiao Wang stayed in the inn and had lunch with Yan Ciwan and Chao Lu. In the afternoon, Xiao Wang went to the governor's mansion again.

He found Afeng and asked about what Xie Tanyu had eaten on the night of the incident.

Afeng still remembered what happened on the day of the incident and he gave his answer without hesitation.

"The envoy was in a bad mood after the quarrel with Song Niang. I sent him dinner, but he didn't eat a single bite. He probably only drank tea that night."

Xiao Wang asked what kind of tea it was.

"It's just the most ordinary white tea. The tea was brewed in the afternoon. I went in to change the tea in the evening." Ah Feng looked at him anxiously and asked carefully. "Is there something wrong with the tea?"

Xiao Wang did not answer, but continued to ask: "What was the envoy doing when you went in to change the tea?"

"He was writing a memorial at his desk, but I didn't dare to look at it, so I don't know what was written in it."

Xiao Wang asked again: "Who is responsible for making tea?"

"It's Aqin. She has been ill these past two days and has been bedridden."

"Take me to see her."

"Yes."

Afeng led the way, taking Xiao Wang through courtyards, and finally came to a remote house. The house was inhabited by young maids. They were all busy outside, and the house was quiet.

Knock knock knock, Afeng went forward and knocked on the door.

After a long while, the door was opened and a young maid with a haggard look came out.

She was quite beautiful, but at that moment she was leaning against the door frame, her face pale, and she looked like a fragile willow in the wind, making me feel pitiful.

"Uncle Feng, do you have any instructions for me?"

A Feng introduced: "A Qin, this is Xiao Jia Liu Lang. He heard that you were sick and came to see you."

Ah Qin looked at Xiao Wang and saw that he was looking at her. She immediately lowered her head and brows and said shyly, "I am just a lowly servant. How could I trouble Xiao Liulang to come and visit me in person?"

Xiao Wang said in a gentle tone, "I wonder what disease you have? I know a little bit about medicine, so I can treat you."

Unexpectedly, as soon as Aqin heard this, she immediately took a step back.

She realized that her reaction was inappropriate and immediately explained, "Thank you for your kindness, Xiao Liulang. I am suffering from a woman's disease, so I am afraid it is inconvenient for you to treat it."

(End of this chapter)