Chapter 369
Previously, in the case of Prefect Zhang's death, Zhan Feiyu, holding a token of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, was able to enter the crime scene. However, this time was different. The official in charge of the investigation, Lord Yao, a second-rank official of the imperial court, would surely be blocked from entering if Zhan Feiyu were to go.
"Does Lord Zhu still intend to protect Qian Shipeng? Is it a case of silencing witnesses from the capital?" Zhan Feiyu pondered with a frown. Qian Shipeng had been bribed by the barbarians years ago and had been gathering and transmitting intelligence from Longyou Road for them.
However, the Qian family were merchants, and Qian Shipeng was merely a concubine's son. The people he could contact were limited in status. Even with wealth, the intelligence he could gather was all insignificant. This was why Qian Shipeng wanted to marry Qiu Jingyuan and obtain the list of barbarians in Qianzhong Road. He had ambition but lacked opportunity.
He Sheng spoke, "The Forbidden Dragon Guard has not sent any news yet. However, our men have been keeping an eye on Governor Pang in the prison. The past two days have been calm with no abnormalities. It is also possible that the other party avoided the eyes of the Forbidden Dragon Guard and killed Qian Shipeng to silence him."
Governor Pang had connections with the palace. However, he was well-hidden. The people sent by the palace secretly contacted Prefect Zhang, which was also to keep Governor Pang hidden. Unfortunately, man proposes, but heaven disposes. Prefect Zhang had sensed Governor Pang's abnormality years ago.
The Forbidden Dragon Guard also prevented anyone from silencing witnesses, so they had been sending people to monitor the Suzhou Prefecture prison. Besides the constables and yamen runners at Governor Pang's residence, there were also Forbidden Dragon Guard members secretly keeping watch.
He Sheng estimated that the other party had also sensed something was wrong and had not shown themselves. Who would have thought that Qian Shipeng would suddenly die at this juncture? This indirectly indicated that the mastermind was hidden very deeply.
"First, send people to Governor Pang's residence to understand the details of Qian Shipeng's murder..." Zhan Feiyu gave He Sheng a few more instructions.
After they left, Zhan Feiyu pondered for a long time, reviewing all the events that had happened in Suzhou Prefecture in his mind. Unfortunately, Governor Pang had not confessed, Qian Shipeng was dead, and the mastermind sent by the palace was hidden deeply. The waters in Suzhou Prefecture were becoming increasingly murky.
...
As night fell, in the rear courtyard of the Suzhou Prefecture yamen.
The room was brightly lit. After returning from Governor Pang's residence, Lord Yao had been poring over the investigation materials from the past few days, including those from Prefect Zhang and Governor Pang, as well as detailed intelligence reports on officials like Governor Zhao.
"My lord, it is late," the attendant who had been waiting quietly reminded him in a low voice. His lord had rushed to Suzhou Prefecture by carriage and horse, and upon arrival, had taken over the case of Pang Xian'an. To this day, he had not even had time to rest.
Lord Yao looked up, only then feeling the dryness and discomfort in his eyes. "Indeed, I am old. I cannot defy age."
"Why does my lord say that? My lord has not slept for more than two hours these past few days. Even a man of iron would not be able to endure it." The attendant picked up the teapot warming on the charcoal stove, poured a cup of ginseng tea, and handed it over. "Before we departed, my lady instructed me to have my lord drink a cup of ginseng tea before sleeping."
"Wait a moment longer. Your elder brother should be back soon." Lord Yao slowly sipped the ginseng tea. This was ginseng tea prepared by the imperial physician at his wife's request, which aided sleep. However, Longyou Road was not peaceful, and even drinking more ginseng tea would be useless.
As expected, after about a quarter of an hour, a figure in black close-fitting attire appeared in the room. Judging by his features, he bore a strong resemblance to the attendant serving Lord Yao.
"My lord, your subordinate discovered that not only outside the Suzhou prison, but also at Governor Pang's residence and the yamen, there are people keeping watch. Besides several groups whose abilities were insufficient for my subordinate to detect their movements, there are at least three more waves of masters lurking in the shadows."
"So many people?" the attendant beside him exclaimed in surprise. It was no wonder he was so shocked. Counting them like this, there were at least seven or eight forces watching. This made the attendant worry about Lord Yao's safety. Prefect Zhang was dead, Qian Shipeng was dead. Who knew if those madmen in the shadows would make a move on his lord.
Lord Yao smiled slightly on his originally emaciated face. "The more people, the better the water becomes murky. They restrain each other, and no one dares to act rashly. His Majesty must have the Forbidden Dragon Guard here, and the palace has likely sent people to watch, possibly more than one prince. The barbarians might have also sent people. This Suzhou Prefecture is not peaceful."
Lord Yao's calculation was actually conservative. He had not yet included the various local forces in Longyou Road. The Yang family of the General's Mansion would not fail to send people. Prefect Zhang, by blood relation.
...
Chapter 369
Previously, in the case of Prefect Zhang's death, Zhan Feiyu, holding a token of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, was able to enter the crime scene. However, this time was different. The official in charge of the investigation, Lord Yao, a second-rank official of the imperial court, would surely be blocked from entering if Zhan Feiyu were to go.
"Does Lord Zhu still intend to protect Qian Shipeng? Is it a case of silencing witnesses from the capital?" Zhan Feiyu pondered with a frown. Qian Shipeng had been bribed by the barbarians years ago and had been gathering and transmitting intelligence from Longyou Road for them.
However, the Qian family were merchants, and Qian Shipeng was merely a concubine's son. The people he could contact were limited in status. Even with wealth, the intelligence he could gather was all insignificant. This was why Qian Shipeng wanted to marry Qiu Jingyuan and obtain the list of barbarians in Qianzhong Road. He had ambition but lacked opportunity.
He Sheng spoke, "The Forbidden Dragon Guard has not sent any news yet. However, our men have been keeping an eye on Governor Pang in the prison. The past two days have been calm with no abnormalities. It is also possible that the other party avoided the eyes of the Forbidden Dragon Guard and killed Qian Shipeng to silence him."
Governor Pang had connections with the palace. However, he was well-hidden. The people sent by the palace secretly contacted Prefect Zhang, which was also to keep Governor Pang hidden. Unfortunately, man proposes, but heaven disposes. Prefect Zhang had sensed Governor Pang's abnormality years ago.
The Forbidden Dragon Guard also prevented anyone from silencing witnesses, so they had been sending people to monitor the Suzhou Prefecture prison. Besides the constables and yamen runners at Governor Pang's residence, there were also Forbidden Dragon Guard members secretly keeping watch.
He Sheng estimated that the other party had also sensed something was wrong and had not shown themselves. Who would have thought that Qian Shipeng would suddenly die at this juncture? This indirectly indicated that the mastermind was hidden very deeply.
"First, send people to Governor Pang's residence to understand the details of Qian Shipeng's murder..." Zhan Feiyu gave He Sheng a few more instructions.
After they left, Zhan Feiyu pondered for a long time, reviewing all the events that had happened in Suzhou Prefecture in his mind. Unfortunately, Governor Pang had not confessed, Qian Shipeng was dead, and the mastermind sent by the palace was hidden deeply. The waters in Suzhou Prefecture were becoming increasingly murky.
...
As night fell, in the rear courtyard of the Suzhou Prefecture yamen.
The room was brightly lit. After returning from Governor Pang's residence, Lord Yao had been poring over the investigation materials from the past few days, including those from Prefect Zhang and Governor Pang, as well as detailed intelligence reports on officials like Governor Zhao.
"My lord, it is late," the attendant who had been waiting quietly reminded him in a low voice. His lord had rushed to Suzhou Prefecture by carriage and horse, and upon arrival, had taken over the case of Pang Xian'an. To this day, he had not even had time to rest.
Lord Yao looked up, only then feeling the dryness and discomfort in his eyes. "Indeed, I am old. I cannot defy age."
"Why does my lord say that? My lord has not slept for more than two hours these past few days. Even a man of iron would not be able to endure it." The attendant picked up the teapot warming on the charcoal stove, poured a cup of ginseng tea, and handed it over. "Before we departed, my lady instructed me to have my lord drink a cup of ginseng tea before sleeping."
"Wait a moment longer. Your elder brother should be back soon." Lord Yao slowly sipped the ginseng tea. This was ginseng tea prepared by the imperial physician at his wife's request, which aided sleep. However, Longyou Road was not peaceful, and even drinking more ginseng tea would be useless.
As expected, after about a quarter of an hour, a figure in black close-fitting attire appeared in the room. Judging by his features, he bore a strong resemblance to the attendant serving Lord Yao.
"My lord, your subordinate discovered that not only outside the Suzhou prison, but also at Governor Pang's residence and the yamen, there are people keeping watch. Besides several groups whose abilities were insufficient for my subordinate to detect their movements, there are at least three more waves of masters lurking in the shadows."
"So many people?" the attendant beside him exclaimed in surprise. It was no wonder he was so shocked. Counting them like this, there were at least seven or eight forces watching. This made the attendant worry about Lord Yao's safety. Prefect Zhang was dead, Qian Shipeng was dead. Who knew if those madmen in the shadows would make a move on his lord.