Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 375 Another secret
After leaving Qingping Residence, Xiao Wang went to a carpenter's shop and ordered a wheelchair.

He returned to the Xiao residence before sunset.

When Xiao Wenyi learned that he had brought back a young woman, he became curious and had someone summon him for questioning.

Xiao Wang directly told Xiao Wenyi about An Mei's identity and background.

"What are your plans for settling her in?" Xiao Wenyi asked.

"Let's send her to a country estate to be raised first. When she gets a little older, we'll see where she wants to go, and then I'll make arrangements for her."

Xiao Wenyi nodded, indicating her approval of his approach, and then asked about Jiang Qiuyu.

Xiao Wang truthfully recounted the entire process of his meeting with Jiang Qiuyu.

After hearing this, Xiao Wenyi just smiled and said, "That's good. You must be tired after running around outside. Go and get some rest."

Xiao Wang felt that the relationship between his grandfather and Jiang Qiuyu was strange. His grandfather seemed to admire Jiang Qiuyu, but Jiang Qiuyu seemed to ignore his grandfather.

Unable to understand the reason, he had no choice but to put the matter aside for the time being.

"Grandfather, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"You said."

Is General Fu's mother still alive?

“He passed away a couple of years ago.” Xiao Wenyi looked at him, puzzled. “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Wang took out the family letter: "Grandfather, please take a look."

Xiao Wenyi took the letter, unfolded it, and read it carefully.

After reading the letter, he looked up at Xiao Wang and asked, "Is this the root cause of Fu Hui's death?"

Xiao Wang nodded.

"The Dali Temple is still investigating the case of Fu Hui's murder, but there has been no progress. Fu Zheng couldn't wait any longer and insisted on taking his son's body back to be buried. The Emperor took pity on him for losing his son in his old age and has agreed to his request. Fu Zheng will bring people to the Dali Temple early tomorrow morning to take Fu Hui away."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wang immediately became anxious: "We can't let him take Fu Hui away!"

Xiao Wenyi looked at the letter in her hand, as if weighing something, and spoke after a long while.

Even tigers don't eat their cubs, so what secret is hidden in this letter that could drive father and son to kill each other?

Recalling Yan Ciwan's plight, Xiao Wang suddenly posed a hypothetical question: "What if they weren't biological father and son?"

The reason why the King of Xizhou was able to kill Yan Ciwan was because he believed that Yan Ciwan was not his biological daughter. Could Fu Zheng have the same reason?

Xiao Wenyi said in a deep voice, "As far as I know, Fu Zheng only had one wife named Wang Su. In the spring of the year after Fu Zheng went to Youzhou with the army, Wang Su gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, she suffered a difficult childbirth and hemorrhage, and eventually died. When Fu Zheng returned victorious, his son was already more than three years old. After that, Fu Zheng never remarried, and he didn't even have a proper concubine. Everyone praised him for being devoted to his old love and for being a good man who valued loyalty and affection."

Where is Wang Su's family home?

"Wang Su was from Yizhou. Ten years ago, when Fu Hui was coming of age, the Wang family was preparing to come to Chang'an to celebrate with him. Unfortunately, they were attacked by bandits on the way, and the whole family was killed. When the news reached Chang'an, Fu Zheng was furious and personally led his troops to wipe out the bandits. With the banditry eliminated, the local people applauded, and the emperor even issued an edict to reward Fu Zheng."

The more Xiao Wang listened, the stranger it seemed: "Is all of this really just a coincidence?"

Xiao Wenyi initially thought it was just a coincidence, but looking at the yellowed letter in his hand, he couldn't help but suspect that there might be more to the Wang family's deaths than met the eye. Xiao Wang analyzed, "Assuming Fu Zheng was responsible for the Wang family's deaths, what was his motive? Was it the same as killing Fu Hui, to silence them? But the Wang family always lived in Yizhou, which is so far from Chang'an. Even if Fu Zheng had some unspeakable secret, it shouldn't have reached Yizhou."

Xiao Wenyi said slowly, "I'll find an opportunity to test Fu Zheng tomorrow."

He returned the letter to Xiao Wang.

"You should keep this letter safe, and remember not to let anyone else know about it."

"Yes."

In the morning, Uncle Jiu took Anmei to the country estate in a horse-drawn carriage.

Meanwhile, Fu Zheng arrived at the Dali Temple with a squad of Imperial Guards, intending to take away Fu Hui's body. This had already been approved by the Emperor, so no one dared to obstruct them, and Fu Zheng proceeded unimpeded to the Anxi Hall where the body was kept.

When he pushed open the door, he saw Xiao Wenyi, dressed in a black official robe, standing beside Fu Hui's body, and he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

"Lord Xiao, what brings you here?"

Xiao Wenyi remained as kind and approachable as ever, smiling as he said, "I heard that General Fu is coming today to retrieve Fu Hui's remains, so I have been waiting here for his arrival."

Fu Zheng looked at him warily: "Are you trying to stop me from bringing Ahui back?"

"General Fu is joking. The Emperor has already agreed to this matter, how dare I stop him? I am here to remind you that the case has not yet been solved and the real culprit is still at large. If General Fu takes the victim's body back for burial now, it may cause us to miss some crucial evidence."

Fu Zheng sneered: "Don't try to scare me with those words. It's your Dali Temple's incompetence that you failed to find the real culprit. You are the ones who should reflect on yourselves! My Ah Hui died young, which is already pitiful. I can't let him lie here all alone. Now I'm going to take him back and give him a proper burial. If any of you dare to stop me, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Xiao Wenyi sighed helplessly: "Alright, since General Fu insists on this, there's nothing I can do. But to avoid future disputes, I would appreciate it if General Fu would sign this document."

He pulled a document from his sleeve and handed it to Fu Zheng.

Fu Zheng took the document and looked at it. He found that it was a certificate. Once he signed it, it meant that he was aware of all the consequences of taking the victim's body away in advance.

"The sage has already agreed to let me take Ah Hui away, is there any need to sign something like this?"

Xiao Wenyi said calmly, "Family members must sign a document to take away the victim's body. This is the rule of the Dali Temple. I will not stop you from taking Fu Hui away, and I ask General Fu not to make things difficult for us."

Fu Zheng read the certificate again from beginning to end, but couldn't find any problems.

In the end, he took the pen and quickly signed his name.

When Xiao Wenyi saw his signature, the two characters "Fu Zheng" were written with vigorous strokes and a sharp, powerful style, which was very similar to Fu Zheng's personal conduct.

He accepted the document: "Thank you, General Fu."

Fu Zheng tossed the calligraphy brush aside: "Can I take my son home now?"

"Of course, please help yourself."

Fu Zheng strode forward, carefully picked up Fu Hui, and placed him on a stretcher. Two Imperial Guards then carried the stretcher out of the Dali Temple.

A coffin was already placed outside the Dali Temple; it was specially prepared by Fu Zheng for Fu Hui.

The Imperial Guards placed Fu Hui in the coffin and then carried it back.