Ch. 535 - Ask Ping’er, You-Shi Strikes with a Storm of Jealousy

He should know that this was a blatant killing in front of the officials!

Especially in front of middle and senior officials like Sun Shaozong, who was known for his *’Divine Judgment!’*

This was simply provoking the authority of the court!

It could even be said that he was trying to kill in a scheme!

Either the killer has become so angry that he has lost his sanity, or he has some forced reason; otherwise, there should be no normal person who would choose to act recklessly in this situation!

The most easily triggered motivation for Zhou Xi's actions today was undoubtedly the word *’emotional grief,’* which was why Sun Shaozong immediately identified Shen Lian as the number one suspect.

However, after Shen Lian was cleared of suspicion, the motive for this *’love killing’* became difficult to establish. There was a man in the world who was highly skilled in martial arts and willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of a woman who had made a mistake. It was already very rare to encounter. He wouldn't have been encountered by Yun’er for two consecutive times, would he?

Excluding the possibility of *’love killing,’* based on the situation at the time, the only thing that could form a killing mechanism was probably the word *’shut off.’*

The culprit should have taken some kind of risk and acted boldly because he didn't want Zhou Xi to fall into the hands of the government for some reason.

Otherwise, he could have waited for Zhou Xi to be released, and then he would have taken action without even realizing it. Alternatively, he might as well have hoped that Zhou Xi would die in prison!

A secret that was related to a solar eclipse could be guarded at the cost of one's life and must not be disclosed to the government.

These conditions combined, no wonder Sun Shaozong suspected the Crown Prince case, or that he was the White Lotus Sect's internal traitor.

But upon careful consideration, he felt it was unlikely.

Firstly, the plan for the Crown Prince case was meticulous, and Sun Shaozong still had nowhere to start. He was just a lackluster scholar; how could he have had the opportunity to access the confidential information in it?

As for the traitors of the White Lotus Sect…

Now that Auntie Li has been captured alive, what was the point of intercepting and killing other spies who have been caught?

Sun Shaozong successively denied two speculations in his heart and then asked Yun’er for some details, but he gained almost nothing.

"Brother."

As he was pondering whether he had missed any doubts, Xue Pan approached and rubbed his hands, saying, "Do you think the person who killed that man might be the one who attacked me back then?"

Although he had the wrong idea, Sun Shaozong was surprised that this guy could be suspected of being involved in a love affair.

"There is indeed such a possibility," Sun Shaozong nodded without hesitation as he glanced at Shen Lian from the corner of his eye…

Shen Lian hasn't caused any big trouble yet. For the sake of Lu Jianxing's face, he let the culprit carry this blame together.

"I knew it was like this!"

Xue Pan let out a strange cry and kicked Yun’er's chest with his leg up. He cursed and said, "Damn it, how many wild men have you seduced with your cheap hooves carrying me on your back?"

Seeing this, Shen Lian, next to him, almost couldn't help but step forward to stop him. Fortunately, Sun Shaozong took the lead and grabbed Xue Pan.

Just as he was about to scold this foolish guy for a few words to stop acting around, suddenly came the shouting of Qiu Yunfei from outside, "Your Excellency! Another person has died!"

Another person was killed again?!

Sun Shaozong suddenly stood up and walked out. He collided head-on with Qiu Yunfei at the door and immediately asked, "What's going on? Who's dead again?"

"Your Excellency."

Qiu Yunfei hurriedly said, "I followed your instructions and went to Scholar Zhou's house. Before I could come forward and call, I saw thick smoke rolling in the yard..."

When he saw that there seemed to be a fire in Zhou Xi's house, Qiu Yunfei immediately sent someone to smash the door, but to his surprise, there was no response inside.

Lu Jianxing made a decisive decision and climbed over the wall to open the door, allowing Qiu Yunfei and others to enter.

And as everyone searched for thick smoke, they found the backyard study and saw several men and women faintly lying in the fire.

Qiu Yunfei immediately ordered the Yamen guards to go in and get the people out.

But at that time, the fire was not small; how would the Yamen guards dare to go in and take risks?

As they were pushing and shoving each other, it was Lu Jianxing who wet his body with well water and rushed into the fire, carrying out the three men and two women who had fallen inside. However, these people had already died and had no survivors.

"According to the investigation, both men and women were servants of Scholar Zhou's family, and the fatal injury was a knife wound in the neck."

"The other person had severe facial burns, making it difficult to distinguish their original appearance, but it can be basically concluded that they were not servants of the Zhou family."

"His fatal injury is also not a burn; he likely committed suicide by taking poison."

*Outsiders who committed suicide by taking poison?*

*Severe facial burns?*

After a moment of contemplation, Sun Shaozong spoke up and asked, "Is there any combustion aid on that person's body? Have you ever found a murder weapon nearby?"

"Indeed, nothing can be concealed from you, My Lord!"

Qiu Yunfei chuckled and said, "That guy poured lamp oil on his head, so only his upper body was severely burned, but his lower body was still fine. As for the weapon, the firewood knife in the firewood room has traces of being cleaned, but there are no traces of being polished."

After a pause, he added, "According to my investigation, this person should be a martial arts practitioner and has a habit of wearing a ring normally."

***Tch!***

Qiu Yunfei also suspected that the person who died from poisoning and burned his face was the culprit who had shot Zhou Xi with an arrow before.

It was okay to take the risk of killing someone, but now he has committed suicide without hesitation…

It seemed that even if this matter has nothing to do with the Crown Prince case, the things behind it will never be small!

Thinking of this, Sun Shaozong immediately ordered, "Let's go, take me to the Zhou family to have a look!"

Two flowers bloom, each representing one branch.

Just as Sun Shaozong went to inspect the Zhou family, the eldest wife of Ningguo Mansion, You-Shi, hurriedly arrived at Wang Xifeng's house.

"Ping'er, Ping'er?!"

As soon as she entered the door, You-Shi started shouting. When Ping’er hurriedly came out from inside, she couldn't help but complain, "What about your Second Madam? How great. I worked hard to prepare for her birthday, but when she arrived, she left me behind. The Old Lady kept saying that she wanted a birthday star, but where can I go to change one for her?"

After complaining about all this, You-Shi realized that Ping'er was in a daze, and her expression was also somewhat off. Although she was facing herself, it seemed like her soul was wandering outside the sky.

"What’s wrong?"

"Look at your restless appearance, I haven't heard of any little hooves pouring you wine?" You-Shi said suspiciously

"Nothing... nothing..."

Upon learning that Jia Lian had a crush on Sun Shaozong, it was not only Wang Xifeng who was affected, but also Ping’e,r who was shocked and has not yet recovered.

However, seeing that Lady You became suspicious, she was afraid that this would affect Sun Shaozong's reputation. She quickly perked up and said, "Our Second Madam just had a few more drinks, and when the wind blew, she felt a bit uncomfortable. Now that she has fallen asleep, I'm afraid we can only trouble you to take care more in front."

Upon hearing this, You-Shi felt that the statement was somewhat untrue, but she couldn't find any faults at the moment. Besides, she had other things to ask Ping’er for more details.

So she simply changed the topic and pointed to the corridor, saying, "If your Second Madam can take some time off from her busy schedule, why can’t I rest at your house and walk around? Come, follow me to the corridor to sit down. I happen to have something to ask you about."

Speaking of which, she went to pull Ping’er's sleeve.

After all, she was the master; how could Ping'er resist?

She had to follow You-Shi halfway to the corridor.

You-Shi first pressed her against the railing, then sat down tightly against her, hugging Ping’er's slender waist and pressing her lips together. With great enthusiasm, she bit her ear and said, "I heard from someone before that Brother Lian gave you up and Xiaohong to Sun Erlang together. Isn't this true?"

Upon hearing these words, Ping'er's face suddenly changed, and she was about to jump up from the railing, but she was tightly held down by You-Shi.

"Don't worry, I'm just listening to people chewing their tongues recklessly. I'm afraid you'll be kept in the dark and lose your reputation without realizing it. If it weren't for this, I would have sent those despicable people away when I got back!"

Saying so, but seeing Ping’er's reaction, You-Shi had already believed 80% in her heart.

After Ping'er calmed down, although her face turned red, she felt a sense of relief in her heart. Since this news had already spread to the East Mansion, it must have been spread throughout the Rongguo Mansion long ago.

Since that was the case, what was she doing to cover up?

Anyway, she has already made up her mind. She wanted to escape from Rongguo Mansion!

Therefore, Ping'er gritted her silver teeth and blurted out, "This is not a rumor. The Second Master has indeed promised me to Lord Sun, and Lord Sun has also promised to take me as a Concubine. However, my Madam is still unable to leave me for a while, so she plans to keep me for a few more days."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ping'er immediately felt relief, but it was You-Shi's turn to feel uneasy.

She had heard that Jia Lian had sent Ping'er to warm the bed for Sun Shaozong. She felt a sense of empathy for her, but never thought that Ping'er was going to the Sun Mansion to be his concubine!

At this moment, You-Shi suddenly knocked over the vinegar bottle in her heart, and she kept reflecting on it. She forced a smile and said, "Then I must congratulate you. Although Lord Sun can’t compare to our Rong-Ning Mansion, he is a first-class young talent and a master who adores people..."

The more she said it, the more uncomfortable she felt in her heart, as if someone had stolen something, leaving her feeling empty.

Especially when it came to the words *'who adores people,'* the scene of resisting the lingering emotions that night suddenly came to her mind. For a moment, her body was both lonely and cold, as well as restless.

At the moment when the sky was in a state of ice and fire, suddenly a servant girl flew over and chirped, "Elder Madam, Elder Madam! There is a message from the Aunt. She said that the Old Lady was feeling unwell. Please go and take a look."

Did her stepmother feel unwell?

Did she still need her to go and take a look?

At present, she was living in the Sun family's Mansion. If there was anything she needed to do, just tell the servants of the Sun family. Why find her?

After a moment of contemplation, You-Shi guessed that her stepmother was probably afraid of delaying her third sister's marriage, so she hurriedly called herself over to explain something.

So she ordered, "Tell the person who came here that I really can't leave at the moment. When I handle the matter at hand, I'll go and see the Old Lady."

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