Inside the manor, there was still a cheerful atmosphere and constant discussions.
Those who had witnessed the previous incident were in high spirits and boasted to others in vivid detail.
He described in detail what the legendary Prince Lin looked like, how he slapped the young master of the Zhou family in public, and did not give the steward of the Lu family any face. Everyone around listened with great interest and exclaimed in amazement.
Some smarter ones have already started thinking of ways to see the true appearance of Prince Lin with their own eyes so that they can join in the fun.
Manor, inner courtyard.
In the quiet long hall.
Lin Jiangnian sat quietly on a sandalwood chair, a steaming cup of tea beside him. Not far away, outside the courtyard, a faint commotion could be heard, as if someone was trying to break in but was blocked outside the door.
There was no one else in the long hall except two maids and servants.
The weather in early winter is especially cold.
Lin Jiangnian has been sitting here for half an hour.
Apart from the two servants, there was no one to entertain them, and Lu Fusheng was nowhere to be found.
"Is this the Lu family's way of entertaining guests?"
Lin Jiangnian muttered to himself, glancing at the two maids not far away. He then stood up and was about to leave when a servant in gray walked in, bowed to Lin Jiangnian, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I've been waiting for you!"
"My master is waiting for you in the back hall, to welcome you and to discuss important matters!"
Important matters to discuss?
What is Lu Fusheng's purpose?
Lin Jiangnian's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "Lead the way."
The servant bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, please follow me."
As he spoke, the servant led Lin Jiangnian out of the backyard, through the corridor in the back hall, and all the way to the outside of the room in the back hall.
There was no one on the road. This place seemed to be a place of residence, and it was silent at this moment.
The servant led Lin Jiangnian outside the inner room and said, "Your Highness, the master is waiting for you in the room. Please come in!"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at the room not far away, then at the servant who was bowing his head beside him, and suddenly chuckled: "Is your master really waiting for me in the room?"
As soon as these words came out, the servant shuddered, and a trace of panic flashed across his eyes: "Your Highness, what do you mean? My master has been waiting for you in the room for a long time..."
"Are you taking me for a fool?"
Lin Jiangnian sneered. There was no one here and the surroundings were quiet. It clearly didn't look like a place for meeting guests.
It would be strange if Lu Fusheng could meet him in such a place.
With a casual lie, the person revealed his true colors.
"Tell me, who sent you here?"
Lin Jiangnian took a step closer and narrowed his eyes: "What's your purpose?"
The servant was obviously panicked: "I, I don't know anything, Your Highness..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the servant turned around and tried to run, but was grabbed by Lin Jiangnian's hand and pressed against the wall.
"Mercy, Your Highness, mercy, I, I'll tell you, I'll tell you..."
The servant was terrified and confessed everything with a look of horror on his face: "Yes, it was Master Zhou..."
"Master Zhou?"
"Master Zhou, Master Zhou Huiguang..."
The servant was terrified and confessed everything at once: "You beat Master Zhou before, and Master Zhou holds a grudge against you, so he set up the Hongmen Banquet to teach you a lesson..."
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows: "You mean, the person in the room is Zhou Huiguang?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Lin Jiangnian stared at the terrified servant in front of him, not seeming to be lying. He glanced at the room not far away and then urged: "You, go open the door!"
The servant was forced to walk in front tremblingly. Lin Jiangnian followed him to the door of the room. The servant knocked on the door timidly.
"Come in."
The voice coming from the room was Zhou Huiguang's.
The servant pushed open the door carefully, and the aroma of food and wine wafted from the room. The table was filled with delicious food. A young man dressed in brocade clothes, with a red and swollen face, looking funny and embarrassed, appeared in sight.
It was Zhou Huiguang.
Zhou Huiguang was sitting at the table. The moment he looked up and saw Lin Jiangnian outside the door, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, and then disappeared.
Lin Jiangnian stood outside the door, looking at Zhou Huiguang in the room, somewhat stunned.
What's going on with this guy surnamed Zhou?
A real Hongmen Banquet?
However, Lin Jiangnian did not notice the presence of any expert around the courtyard.
"Zhou Huiguang, what are you trying to do?"
Lin Jiangnian looked him over.
Zhou Huiguang snorted coldly: "What? You don't dare to come in?"
Although he didn't know what this kid was up to, Lin Jiangnian didn't have time to deal with him.
"If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
Lin Jiangnian turned around and prepared to leave, but he heard Zhou Huiguang's deep voice behind him: "Don't you want to know why the Third Prince is trying so hard to kill you?"
Lin Jiangnian paused and glanced back at Zhou Huiguang: "If I remember correctly, you are the Third Prince's man, right?"
Zhou Huiguang sneered: "Li Qianlin is, but I am not."
"So?" Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows.
"I have something very important to tell you... Do you dare to listen?"
Faced with Zhou Huiguang's extremely low-brow and childish provocation, Lin Jiangnian remained silent. He really didn't want to communicate with such a mentally retarded and dissolute young man, but there was indeed something strange about Zhou Huiguang before him.
Lin Jiangnian glanced around the room again, still not noticing anyone else's presence. He then looked at Zhou Huiguang's slightly smug and provocative expression, the redness and swelling from the slaps still visible to the naked eye.
"Okay, then I'll listen to you."
After confirming that there was no ambush in the room, Lin Jiangnian wanted to hear what Zhou Huiguang had to say.
Could it be that this guy is enduring humiliation and wants to be a traitor?
Stepping into the room, Lin Jiangnian glanced around, then sat down at the table and glanced, "Are these all prepared for me?"
"That's right."
Lin Jiangnian's eyes became even stranger: "Is there anything wrong with your brain?"
Zhou Huiguang glared.
"I slapped you a few times, and you still treated me to a meal? Do you have some special fetish?"
The anger on Zhou Huiguang's face was obviously hard to hide, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by an indescribable sneer.
"I never thought you were actually the Prince of Lin!"
Lin Jiangnian was too lazy to listen to his meaningless nonsense: "Tell me, what is your purpose in trying so hard to trick me into coming here?"
"Don't worry, I have my own purpose..."
Zhou Huiguang said this, inadvertently glancing at the door behind Lin Jiangnian. This glance did not escape Lin Jiangnian's attention.
He immediately realized that something was wrong. Was this kid plotting against him?!
But for a moment I couldn't think of what tricks this kid could play?
"It seems that you are not very honest!"
Lin Jiangnian said calmly, standing up and preparing to leave.
Not knowing what this guy wanted to do, Lin Jiangnian prepared to escape first.
But then he heard Zhou Huiguang's grim laugh: "Do you think you can still leave?"
Lin Jiangnian frowned: "What do you mean?"
There was no one in the room except Zhou Huiguang, and there were no Tibetans outside the yard... What kind of nonsense was this kid saying?
At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the yard not far away, as if someone was walking towards this place.
Hearing this voice, Zhou Huiguang's eyes lit up instantly, and the hatred and murderous light in his eyes were no longer concealed: "Lin Jiangnian, your death has come!"
"What the hell is Prince Lin? Today I will..."
Just when Zhou Huiguang was looking proud, his face suddenly changed. He subconsciously covered his neck and then spat out a mouthful of black blood.
Then, black blood began to flow out of all seven orifices almost at the same time, which was extremely terrifying.
"W-What's going on?!"
Zhou Huiguang's expression suddenly became panic, as if he realized something, and his eyes were filled with fear, and finally terror. He stared at Lin Jiangnian unwillingly and reached out to grab him.
"You, you..."
In the end, he failed to do it. He took two steps forward and fell to the ground with a thud, not breathing anymore.
Die with eyes open.
Lin Jiangnian was stunned as he looked at the scene in front of him.
Things happened so fast that he was even a little confused.
Zhou Huiguang, what are you doing?
Suicide in front of others?!
Do you want to scare him to death?
The next second, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, and several figures appeared outside the door.
Accompanied by a scream of fear.
"Mr. Zhou? What's wrong with you?"
"What the hell is going on?!"
“Kill, kill people!!”
A shrill scream brought Lin Jiangnian back from his brief trance.
He glanced at Zhou Huiguang lying in a pool of blood, then looked at the several figures that appeared at the door, among whom were Li Qianlin and Gao Wenyang.
I understood everything in an instant!
This is a carefully planned frame-up!
A frame-up that cost Zhou Huiguang's life!
…
"Brother Zhou?!"
Li Qianlin quickly stepped into the room. When he saw Zhou Huiguang lying on the ground, no longer breathing, his eyes open, he was in disbelief. When he finally realized what was happening, he suddenly turned his head and stared at Lin Jiangnian in the room. He was extremely shocked and shouted angrily, "You, you actually killed Young Master Zhou?!"
Gao Wenyang followed in. He glanced at Zhou Huiguang, who lay in a miserable state on the ground, and stared at Lin Jiangnian in shock and anger: "You are so cruel! You actually killed her."
Lin Jiangnian looked at the two people in front of him. Both of them had expressions of shock and anger on their faces, and there was no flaw at all.
He shook his head calmly: "I didn't kill him."
"You are the only one in this room. If not you, who else could it be?!"
Li Qianlin stared at Lin Jiangnian, feeling shocked and angry, and at the same time, he felt a chill all over his body!
He had long known that Prince Lin had an outspoken personality and never considered the consequences of his actions, but he had never expected him to be so reckless.
In public, he actually killed Zhou Huiguang at the Lu family wedding!
Such cruel means and outrageous behavior are simply horrifying.
"Young Master Zhou only offended you with his words earlier, but I didn't expect you to go so far as to kill him without mercy... This is unforgivable!"
Gao Wenyang stared at Lin Jiangnian with a face full of grief and anger, and scolded him angrily.
"I know who murdered him."
Lin Jiangnian glanced at the two of them and ignored them. He turned around and walked to Zhou Huiguang who was lying in a pool of blood, frowning as he examined the body.
Black blood flowed from all seven orifices, accompanied by a strong fishy smell, and it was obvious that he died of poisoning.
This poison is so vicious!
When he first came into contact with it, Lin Jiangnian realized how powerful this poison was and how rare it was in the world.
Lin Jiangnian stared at Zhou Huiguang's eyes, which were still open, without saying a word.
So, who is it?
…
On the other side, the people who had arrived at the door with Li Qianlin and Gao Wenyang also realized what had happened.
Looking at Zhou Huiguang who died with his eyes open in a pool of blood, their faces were filled with disbelief?
Zhou Huiguang, dead?!
Yes, who killed him?
Prince Lin? !
When they arrived, Zhou Huiguang and Prince Lin were the only ones in the room, and the dishes and chopsticks on the table were the same. Although they didn't know why Prince Lin was sitting with Zhou Huiguang for dinner, the scene before them explained everything...
Zhou Huiguang was killed by Prince Lin?
shock!
Shocked!
This news spread quickly in the manor as if it had wings.
By the time Lin Jiangnian finished his autopsy, countless figures had already gathered in the courtyard outside the room. The crowd parted, and Lü Fusheng, with a solemn expression, hurried into the room. Seeing Zhou Huiguang lying in a pool of blood, his face changed. He quickly stepped forward, and after confirming that Zhou Huiguang was completely dead, his expression finally became extremely grim.
Today is a big day for the Lu family, but they didn't expect such a murder to happen!
Being stained with blood on such a happy day is not only unlucky, but also tantamount to severely slapping the face of his Lu family!
"What the hell is going on?!"
Lu Fusheng's face was terribly gloomy. He glanced around and spoke coldly. A servant had already come forward and whispered something to Lu Fusheng.
After he finished speaking, Lu Fusheng's expression changed completely.
He turned his head to look at Lin Jiangnian in the room, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. After a moment, he spoke in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Prince Lin, would you like to give me a reasonable explanation?"
Lin Jiangnian looked at the gloomy Lü Fusheng and said calmly, "What explanation does Minister Lü want?"
"Why is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Lin here? And what does the death of Master Zhou have to do with His Royal Highness?"
Lin Jiangnian asked, "Master Lu, do you think that it was this prince who killed Zhou Huiguang?"
Lu Fusheng was silent for a moment. "I naturally don't want to believe it, but I hope His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Lin can give a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, with so many colleagues and seniors from the capital present here today, it will be difficult to convince them."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head nonchalantly: "I didn't kill him. As for why I'm here..."
"You'll have to ask the Minister of the Chancellery!"
Lu Fusheng's eyes fixed: "Me?"
"Not long ago, someone from the palace came to report that the Minister wanted to invite me over."
"When I arrived, I ran into Zhou Huiguang... I'd like to ask, why did the Minister deceive me?"
"I lied to Your Highness?"
Lu Fusheng was stunned for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "I have never invited Your Highness here."
Someone in the crowd behind him also spoke up to testify: "Yes, the Minister has been waiting with me before, and I have never heard him mention this matter!"
Lu Fusheng stared at Lin Jiangnian with suspicion, but Lin Jiangnian laughed and said, "If you want to know the truth, go find those maids in the hall and ask them."
Lu Fusheng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Go and bring the person here!"
Someone immediately left in a hurry.
Lin Jiangnian stood there with an indifferent look. The servant who led him here was obviously suspicious. He had disappeared long ago and it was probably impossible to find him.
As for the two maids who had witnessed everything in the hall earlier, Lin Jiangnian had a guess. Perhaps...
Soon, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door.
"Master, this is terrible! The two maids in the inner courtyard hall... are dead!"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a commotion all around.
Lin Jiangnian felt calm, it was indeed so!
"Lin Jiangnian, what else do you have to say?!"
At this time, Li Qianlin's angry voice came from the side: "You killed people to silence them. You killed Master Zhou, and in order to cover up your crimes, you even spared the maids in the Lu Mansion..."
"Do you really think this is your Linzhou, where there are no laws?!"
As Li Qianlin started to speak, he immediately resonated with the people around him!
Yes, the evidence is almost conclusive at this point.
Zhou Huiguang died here, and the only suspect was the Prince of Lin. His explanation was completely devoid of any logical evidence, and even the only servant who could testify had been silenced...
Once a person dies, shouldn't he be allowed to say whatever he wants?
Besides, the Prince of Lin was used to being unbridled in Linzhou and treated countless lives as worthless. Zhou Huiguang had always had conflicts with him, so it was completely reasonable for him to be killed by him now.
For a moment, the crowd was excited.
Those who had some friendship with Zhou Huiguang, or even no friendship at all, were filled with righteous indignation and pointed their spearheads at Lin Jiangnian.
Lin Jiangnian stood there, still unmoved.
What happened today was obviously a carefully planned frame-up!
This frame-up was riddled with loopholes, but Lin Jiangnian hadn't anticipated Zhou Huiguang's death and fell prey to it. More importantly, he couldn't explain himself and clear himself of suspicion.
How could he have imagined that Zhou Huiguang would use his own death to make Lin Jiangnian take the blame?
Of course, perhaps Zhou Huiguang was also the unlucky guy who was exploited.
"Your Highness, what else do you have to explain?"
At this time, Lu Fusheng looked at Lin Jiangnian expressionlessly.
Now, all the truth is before our eyes.
All the evidence and motives for the murder pointed to Lin Jiangnian. Today was the Lu family's wedding, and countless prominent families and important officials in the capital had come to congratulate them.
If he couldn't handle today's matter properly, his Lu family's reputation would be severely damaged. It might even cause considerable trouble!
"I said, I didn't kill him."
Lin Jiangnian's expression remained calm, without a trace of panic on his face. He glanced at everyone present and said, "As for who exactly killed Zhou Huiguang, the Minister should investigate thoroughly and clear this prince's name."
His tone was neither cold nor indifferent, and there was no trace of panic in his expression. Many people present saw this scene and had different thoughts.
The Prince of Lin had an extraordinary aura. Even when facing the current Minister of Personnel, he was still not at a disadvantage. He was calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant. His words were well-reasoned and he did not show any fear or uneasiness at all.
Is this really the same person as the rumored Prince Lin?
Many people seemed to be thinking about it.
But at the same time, there were still people sneering.
"It's you who killed Master Zhou. The evidence is irrefutable. What are you still trying to argue about?"
Lin Jiangnian turned his head and glanced at Li Qianlin: "You said that this prince killed him? Did you see it with your own eyes?"
Li Qianlin sneered, "When the others and I arrived, Master Zhou was lying in a pool of blood. You were the only one in the room. Who else could it be if not you?"
Lin Jiangnian said calmly, "Did you see it with your own eyes?"
Li Qianlin was speechless. Gao Wenyang beside him immediately spoke up, "Mr. Zhou died of poison. We certainly didn't see you poison him, but who else could have done it besides you?"
"Since you didn't see it, how can you be sure that it was sent by me?" Lin Jiangnian remained calm.
"You, you are just making up your mind and making a fuss!"
Lin Jiangnian was not in a hurry, and sneered: "Let's talk about whether this prince is making excuses. I want to ask... Zhou Huiguang just died, and you just happened to come here and see this scene. Don't you think this is a bit of a coincidence?"
When these words were spoken, many people around were stunned and thought for a moment.
Indeed, this seems like a coincidence?
"That's because Master Zhou sent someone to invite us over, saying that we hadn't seen each other for a long time and wanted to meet up. When we arrived, we saw you murdering Master Zhou..."
These words were nodded in affirmation by those who arrived at the scene first.
"It's you, on the other hand. Everyone knows you have a grudge against Master Zhou. You suddenly showed up here, saying Master Zhou invited you here. Who would believe you? It's obvious you're lying and trying to cover up the truth!"
Gao Wenyang glared, "Don't think that just because you're the Crown Prince of Lin, you can treat human life with disregard. This is the Emperor's territory, within the Imperial City. Killing someone means paying with your life. Don't even think of trying to get away with it by making unreasonable demands!"
These words were righteous and immediately attracted a lot of responses.
"That's right, even if it's the Prince of Lin, if he kills someone, he must pay with his life!"
"This is the capital, not Linzhou. I will never allow you to trample on the laws of the Daning Dynasty!"
"I didn't expect that Prince Lin would still be so unruly even in the capital, showing such disregard for the royal law. I will report this to His Majesty tomorrow and seek justice for the young master of the Zhou family!"
"I second the motion!"
"Plus one!"
For a moment, all the ministers present spoke out one after another, and the situation became almost one-sided. All the spearheads were pointed at Lin Jiangnian.
Lin Jiangnian looked indifferent. This was not a very clever frame-up. If one thought carefully, one would find many problems and loopholes.
But to these people, the truth doesn't seem to matter.
They didn't know the truth and didn't want to delve into it. They would rather see Lin Jiangnian, the foreign prince of Prince Lin, charged with murder and become a laughing stock in the capital.
Or maybe... die in Beijing!
…
Just then, someone outside the door suddenly shouted.
"Secretary of Heaven has arrived!"
The crowd, originally still excited, suddenly became silent. The crowd quickly parted to form a path, and no one could avoid it.
Several figures wearing black fish-shaped robes filed in. The leader was a middle-aged man in his thirties. He stepped into the room, took a quick look, and then bowed and said, "Master Lu, I heard that there was a murder in your mansion?"
When Lu Fusheng saw the middle-aged man, a strange look flashed in his eyes: "It turned out to be Chen Kuishou. Why is Chen Kuishou here?"
"Today we learned that it was Lord Lu's big day, so we were ordered to patrol the streets outside. Suddenly we heard that a murder had occurred in the mansion, so we came to understand the situation." Chen Kuishou explained.
"I see."
Lu Fusheng frowned. The Secret Secretary had always been at odds with the officials in the capital. He must have other intentions by appearing here today.
but……
As if thinking of something, Lu Fusheng suddenly smiled: "The Zhou family's son has been murdered. Since Chen Kuishou is here, the case will be handed over to Chen Kuishou. I also ask Chen Kuishou to enforce the law impartially and catch the murderer as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, my Lord Shangshu. Handling cases is our duty as the Secret Heaven Division, and we will do our utmost to fulfill it!"
Chen Kuishou spoke calmly with a nonchalant expression.
Taking over cases in Beijing is their job.
However, the officials in the capital have always had grudges with them, so it was a bit strange that Lu Fusheng suddenly handed the case over to their Secret Department so readily today.
But soon, Chen Kuishou was no longer surprised.
…
"Lin, Prince Lin?!"
Chen Kuishou looked up at the handsome, restrained, and impressive young man in front of him, and his expression gradually stiffened.
The murder suspect is...Prince Lin?
After learning this, Chen Kuishou lost all smiles on his face.
He suddenly realized what was going on with that half-smile on Lu Fusheng's face just now.
This old guy actually cheated him? ! !
…
A 6,000-word chapter. This chapter is a supplement. There should be another chapter updated in the evening. After this plot is finished, I will move on to daily emotions and promote the characters.