Xie Residence
"Young Master, I went to the Yi Zhuang to examine the corpse. The deceased was left-handed and not Wang Ningqing. According to the pigeon group's intelligence, that corpse should be Wang family's advisor, Feng Ke," Liao Kong reported.
"I fear Wang Ningqing has already left the city. This is merely a delay tactic," Xie Jiayan recalled the two men in black that night.
Since they already knew Wang Ningqing had faked his death to escape, why hadn't they leaked the news?
During the investigations these past few days, he hadn't found any trace of those two again. It seemed he was indifferent to whether Wang Ningqing lived or died, or what Wang Ningqing's objective was.
Was he lurking in the shadows with an attitude of non-involvement, or was he lying in wait for an opportune moment? He hadn't expected such a formidable figure to be hidden in the capital.
"Have Xu Qing notify the pigeon group to pay attention to Wang Ningqing's whereabouts. If there's any news, report it immediately," Xie Jiayan instructed.
"Young Master, there is one more thing."
"Speak!"
"You asked me to keep an eye on those investigating this case. I discovered that the young servant by Sixth Mistress's side and a coroner from the Ministry of Justice also went to the Yi Zhuang. They should have also discovered that the deceased was not Wang Ningqing."
"Do you recognize that coroner?" Xie Jiayan worried this coroner might interfere.
"The young servant is named Li Fu, the brother of Chi Hua, Sixth Mistress's maid. His parents are dowry servants of Madam Cui. His father works as a shopkeeper in the Weiyuan Pavilion, and his mother is a managing nanny in the Duke's manor. This fellow usually roams the streets and mingles with petty thugs. He's often beaten by his father. Later, he started working for Sixth Mistress and has been doing quite well. It was he who investigated the matter of Fourth Master Yu previously..."
"Who gave you the audacity to investigate people around her?" Xie Jiayan's voice suddenly turned cold.
Liao Kong didn't immediately understand who "she" was that his young master was referring to. He paused for a moment before realizing.
"I wasn't investigating Sixth Mistress's people. I discovered Li Fu was investigating, and I feared he might ruin the Young Master's grand plan, so..."
"This must not happen again!"
"Yes!" Liao Kong quickly agreed.
"Also, there's one more thing," Liao Kong hesitated but felt he still had to inform his young master.
"Madam Gu and the guard Jing Zhan are engaged today," Liao Kong said cautiously.
Of course, this was also discovered while investigating Sixth Mistress—no, investigating Li Fu.
"Jing Zhan?"
Xie Jiayan had heard this name from Gu Tingyun. When he was previously staying at the Gu residence, Jing Zhan had gone out to handle some business for Uncle Gu.
Later, at the Gu family's old madam's birthday banquet, due to the disturbance caused by the Feng family, he didn't want to intrude and left early, thus he hadn't met him.
Having been praised highly by Gu Tingyun, and being someone Uncle Gu would marry his daughter to, this Jing Zhan should also be no ordinary person.
"Yes, all those present today were Gu family elders, and also young ladies who are close friends with Madam Gu..."
Everyone in the capital knew that Madam Gu and Yu Liu Niang were close. Liao Kong dared not mention Yu Liu Niang again, so he could only say it this way.
Liao Kong's last sentence was spoken in a very low voice, but Xie Jiayan still heard it.
"I know."
Liao Kong said "yes" and then withdrew.
Actually, while gathering information, he had inadvertently learned another piece of news. He heard that Old Madam Gu and Lord Gu were both very satisfied with Sixth Mistress.
Young Master Gu was also very unusual towards Sixth Mistress, being very attentive these past few days. The Gu family planned to propose marriage to the Duke's manor once Young Master Yu returned to the capital.
He also heard that Madam Mo hoped Sixth Mistress would marry her brother, and she didn't forget to write to her brother daily from the Gu family's estate, informing him of Sixth Mistress's daily life.
But the young master had forbidden him from investigating Sixth Mistress's affairs. To avoid angering the young master, it was better not to say anything.