Chapter 62: I have a friend who seems to...

Biezhi had heard about the Suzhou Bian family massacre, originally from Qin Xiao.

Late at night on the tenth day of escorting Qin Xiao to Hezhou, Qin Xiao and his personal guard visited the two families who had been brutally murdered. While inspecting the crime scene, the guard mentioned whether someone had used the same tactics as the Suzhou massacre. Both the tools and the methods were identical.

That's how she learned of the incident. However, nearly nineteen years had passed since the Suzhou massacre. If it weren't for the Hezhou massacre, no one would have mentioned it again, let alone reopened the investigation.

One hundred and twenty-seven people were murdered in one night. Even the family of the Bian family's wet nurse, who worked for the Bian family, was brutally killed outside Xiyun Town. Biezhi had been roaming the martial arts world for years, but this was the first time he had witnessed such a brutal style of action.

He wondered who the Bian family had offended to bring about such a horrific massacre. But Xiang Lin suggested that the one hundred and twenty-seven people killed in the Bian family massacre also included the Bian family's wet nurse.

If so, wouldn't that mean someone is missing?

Fu Huaiqing tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, his eyes fixed on the stern-faced Xiang Lin.

If not the wet nurse, who else could it be?

The day after the Hezhou massacre, Xiang Lin was ordered to investigate. He felt something was amiss, as if he had seen a similar scene somewhere before. When he described the Hezhou scene, Fu Huaiqing recalled the Suzhou massacre, mentioned by Qin Xiao years earlier after he became the Junior Justice of the Dali Temple. That same night, Fu Huaiqing summoned Song Minghui, then the Suzhou prefect, for questioning.

Years ago, the Suzhou case had shocked the court and the nation, and the previous emperor ordered a thorough investigation. The Suzhou government expended considerable manpower and resources, spending nearly six months to unravel the links. It then took another six months to track down the bandits, who were determined to keep them from escaping.

Song Minghui also claimed that the clues they had found at the time led them to the bandits, who claimed they had coveted the Bian family's assets and, upon hearing they were about to leave Suzhou, had become interested.

Naturally, Song Minghui didn't believe such a ridiculous excuse.

The Bian family has been in Suzhou for centuries, their ancestors incredibly wealthy. Twenty years ago, the Bian family's head had been wealthy for nearly ten generations, and over the years, they had provided countless resources to the people of Suzhou. The people of Suzhou said that if the Bian family ate a mouthful of meat, they would also have a drop of soup. Even the fact that Suzhou Prefecture consistently ranked first in tax revenue was due to the Bian family.

For years, the Bian family had been completely unharmed, so it was unlikely that bandits would murder them because they were planning to move out of Suzhou.

However, Song Minghui's further investigation yielded no further clues; all leads were tied to the bandits.

The Suzhou family massacre case had caused widespread public outcry, and the late emperor demanded a conclusion within a year. If a conclusion was not reached, the people of the country would be in turmoil. To avoid unrest, Song Minghui had to rely on the current evidence.

Fu Huaiqing then used the Hezhou case as an excuse to overturn the Suzhou massacre. The two cases were investigated in tandem, hoping to uncover the long-forgotten Suzhou massacre through the Hezhou case, or perhaps to prove that the Bian family massacre was indeed the work of bandits.

Over half an hour earlier, after Qin Xiao's report, he had a vague feeling something was amiss. Before leaving to search for another branch, he ordered Song Minghui to come. Upon arriving at Qinghe Courtyard, Song Minghui was in his study. Song

Minghui remained silent for a long time in response to Qin Xiao's speculation, before slowly revealing the secret he had concealed for years.

When he realized the discrepancy between the death toll and the actual death toll, fearing the secret disc would be intercepted, he did not immediately report it. Instead, he ordered his trusted aides to secretly search for clues. He then rode into the palace under the guise of a trip to Beijing to report the news. While reporting to the late emperor, he mentioned the disappearance of one of his men, and the late emperor ordered that this individual's whereabouts must be found.

However, nearly a year passed, and Song Minghui had found no news. As the deadline for closing the case approached, he deliberated for a long time, unwilling to pursue the search further. He sent a secret letter to the late emperor, arguing that no news would be the best news for "him" who had escaped death. The late emperor acquiesced, and thus the Suzhou massacre case was closed.

Song Minghui also said that he would never forget the scene he witnessed when he visited the Bian family, even after nearly nineteen years.

Blood stained the Bian family compound, and the pungent odor could be smelled even before setting foot on the street. The yamen runners who went to collect the remains woke him up every night, only to see the heads of the Bian family patriarch and his wife hanging from the door plaque. Inside the house, the Bian family's wife's body was clutching her six-month-old daughter. The infant's head was nowhere to be found. The runners searched the entire residence but could not find the head of the young Bian girl.

And Song Minghui made no mention of the wet nurse's child.

Fu Huaiqing remained silent for a long time before saying, "Find out the current whereabouts of those who escaped the massacre."

"I've already sent people to investigate," Xiang Lin paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "The clues are lost in Suzhou."

It was as if the man had vanished into thin air, with no trace of him, not even a record of him leaving the city

. This didn't surprise Fu Huaiqing. Nineteen years ago, the Suzhou provincial government couldn't find anything, so Xiang Lin and his companions, who had lived in the capital for so long, would have a hard time finding any clues overnight.

Without raising his eyelashes, he quietly pondered, his peripheral vision catching sight of Biezhi, whose brows furrowed slightly. Fu Huaiqing glanced at her. "Did the wound get torn?"

"What you're talking about," Biezhi thought, "is a little strange."

Fu Huaiqing's eyes narrowed. "Something's wrong."

Biezhi remained silent.

She simply felt that something was amiss, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

From the bandits she had encountered, they acted cautiously, yet they all possessed a certain undeniable bandit streak, their decisiveness and brutality aside.

Even if the act happened late at night, it wouldn't be so unnoticed that the bandits could kill without anyone noticing.

Unless—

someone had drugged the Bian family's neighbors.

"We can check if anyone has purchased large quantities of drugs on the black market."

"For the Suzhou case, we'll investigate Helan Daisong and Zhang Yan as the starting points."

Two voices, one hot and one cold, rang out simultaneously.

The moment the words fell, their eyes met, and the courtyard fell into silence.

Fu Huaiqing understood her meaning almost instantly and glanced at Xiang Lin.

Xiang Lin, receiving her gaze, immediately bowed and accepted the order. As he left, he subconsciously glanced up at the slightly stunned girl. She looked at His Highness with her lips slightly parted, as if she was extremely surprised.

"What does this have to do with Zhang Yan?" Biezhi couldn't figure out Zhang Yan's involvement. She still had the impression that he had ordered someone to assassinate her for no apparent reason. As she pondered, the story between him and Jing Qing suddenly flashed through her mind, and her eyes trembled slightly. "Is the Suzhou incident related to the Xilan Kingdom?" "

Two months before the Bian family incident, Xilan Kingdom General Helan Daisong entered our court through the Xu family and stayed in Suzhou for a few days." Fu Huaiqing lowered his eyes and glanced at the tea that was stirred by the breeze. "Regardless of whether the Bian family tragedy is related to the Xilan Kingdom, we must find out the purpose of his entry." And

by the way, see if there are any other connections.

Suddenly, Biezhi's thoughts were overwhelmed. She had no idea that there were so many things behind it.

After a moment of silence, she asked, "Have you found my senior brother?"

Fu Huaiqing sipped half a sip of tea and clenched his fingertips slightly. He looked at Biezhi, who looked thoughtful, and said in silence, "He is still in the capital and has not left the city." Biezhi

breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the answer.

As long as he has not left the city, it will only take a few days to find his whereabouts.

As her thoughts drifted, a faint chill suddenly lingered around her. Biezhi's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the cold. She subconsciously looked at the source of the chill and met Fu Huaiqing's dark and deep eyes. She blinked in a daze.

What happened again?

Who offended him again?

The man remained silent, and the doubts in her eyes grew.

Instantly, noticing the confusion in the girl's face, Fu Huaiqing's eyes darkened beneath his half-closed lids. His larynx rolled up and down, forcing out a low, hoarse voice: "Is he so important to you?"

"Huh?" Biezhi was momentarily stunned, but she quickly understood who he was referring to and instinctively replied, "He is indeed very important."

Putting aside their brother-sister bond, she also wanted to quickly find Jingqing and thoroughly question him about the situation.

Fu Huaiqing: "..."

His jawline tightened slightly, his expression a controlled indifference.

Just then, Cheng Jin arrived, reporting the courtier's request for an audience. Fu Huaiqing's gaze, fixed on the girl's flawless face, shifted slightly, and he stood up to leave.

Watching the man's tall, cold figure retreat, his back cold and indifferent, seemed to carry a subtle hint of anger. Seeing him leave without a word, Biezhi felt strange.

Why was he so angry for no reason?

Hua Chao on the side wanted to say something but stopped herself.

After thinking about it, Biezhi suddenly reacted.

No way, it can't be that serious...

He got angry just because I mentioned that Jingqing was important to him?

Hua Chao saw that her expression was getting more and more wrong, and hurriedly said: "If His Highness told the lady that Miss Lin or other women were very important to him-"

Hearing her hurried words, Biezhi thought about it.

What if Fu Huaiqing said such words to her.

Biezhi was silent for a moment and didn't want to think about it anymore.

She felt something was wrong just thinking about it.

She wanted to find trouble with him.

However, Biezhi didn't forget what she said just now. If she found trouble with him again, she would be in trouble.

After thinking for a while, her slightly frowned brows relaxed, and she said to Hua Chao: "Please find a doctor for me in two days."

She still had to ask if there was any way to cure the man's inhumanity.

Fu Huaiqing, who hadn't anticipated Biezhi's intention to consult a doctor, caught a glimpse of Fu Shuning squatting outside, waiting. He paused for a moment, "Aren't you going back to the palace?" "

I've finally come back, so of course I have to chat with my brother first." Fu Shuning jogged to keep up with him. Within two or three steps, his pace slowed, and her eyes curved. "I heard from Mingzhan that my brother has been out of the palace lately. He's extremely bored here all alone. I plan to return to the palace later to keep him company."

Fu Huaiqing gave a faint "hmm," understanding.

"I felt I hadn't had enough fun out there. I'm glad I got back in time, otherwise I would have missed what happened between my brother and Miss Biezhi." Fu Shuning followed him closely, occasionally glancing up at him before continuing on. She didn't get a response, but she wasn't discouraged. She asked, "Has my brother really decided on her?"

Instantly, Fu Huaiqing paused and glanced at her.

A sharp gaze fell upon her face. Fu Shuning pursed her lips, realizing he'd read her thoughts. After a brief silence, she asked the question she'd been hesitating about for so long, "Is Nianchu really not okay?"

Fu Shuning naturally hoped her brother would get what he wanted, but she couldn't bear to see her friend so frustrated. After sending her off, she decided to ask again, to fight for her.

"When you were young, brother often visited Lord Lin's residence, and you and Nianchu could be considered regulars. And compared to Qin Wan, you two are childhood sweethearts." Fu Shuning, seeing his helpless expression, couldn't help but say a few more words.

"If I had feelings for her, I wouldn't have waited until now," Fu Huaiqing said calmly, casually withdrawing his gaze from her and heading towards the study.

Fu Shuning pursed her lips slightly.

She could see this clearly.

Just like the girl currently living in Qinghe Courtyard, it was obvious that her brother was more reluctant to let go.

Fu Shuning hadn't forgotten the drifting apart between Lin Nianchu and her brother, precisely when she first expressed her feelings. A young woman's first stirrings of love, she received no response, only a growing detachment.

She understood her brother's feelings then,

and their connection remained locked in their youth.

On the rare occasions when Lin Nianchu accompanied him to the Prince Su's mansion, her brother wouldn't linger long, often simply nodding before leaving with the courtiers, leaving her no time for reflection.

Four years ago, at some point, her brother and Qin Wan seemed to be growing closer. Although Su Ci and Qin Xiao were also present when they traveled, everyone felt a sense of unease. After

all, only she was the only woman seen by her brother's side. Rumors began to spread throughout the capital, and Lin Nianchu became depressed for a while. Fu Shuning, displeased with her behavior, suggested they go on a trip together, but she initially declined, considering it a matter of time.

Later, his brother, against all odds, decided to enroll Qin Wan in the Imperial Academy as a teacher, a move that caused a huge stir.

Following this, increasingly outrageous rumors followed.

They all knew the rumors were just rumors, and that there was no romantic relationship between their brother and Qin Wan. However, the gossips of the capital were rampant, and those with nothing better to do naturally enjoyed discussing these matters. As rumors spread, everything changed.

Seeing his friend gradually becoming thinner, Fu Shuning, regardless of her willingness, sent a letter with his seal to the Lin family and took her on a trip out of the capital.

This time, he had returned to the capital with some careful considerations. He

had never imagined that the circumstances this time would be different from the previous ones.

The presence of a young girl in Prince Su's mansion was no secret in the capital, and it seemed someone was fanning the flames. The current discussion wasn't about her brother and Qin Wan, but rather the identity of the young woman in Prince Su's mansion. Some began to dismiss the rumors about her brother and Qin Wan as mere rumors.

Naturally, Lin Nianchu had heard the news as well.

Fu Shuning, recalling her tears, sighed as she glanced at her brother as he gradually retreated.

When her brother was no longer in sight, she glanced sideways at Cheng Jin, who was waiting nearby, then back at the nearby Qinghe Courtyard wall, curiosity growing.

"What kind of person is she?"

Cheng Jin followed her gaze, thought for a moment, and said seriously, "Miss Biezhi's personality is such that you should be able to get along with Your Highness."

Fu Shuning knew what kind of person Cheng Jin was. He always spoke the truth and would not go against his conscience. Hearing him say this, her curiosity grew, "How did my brother and she know each other?"

Hearing this, Cheng Jin fell silent.

He didn't know if he could tell the princess.

Fu Shuning saw his hesitation, his eyes quickly swept around, and whispered as usual: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else."

Looking at the curiosity on the princess's face, Cheng Jin pondered for a while, cut off the beginning and end, and said that His Highness happened to encounter Biezhi's affairs when he disguised himself as a deaf person because of some things, and picked out some things to say.

Hearing that Biezhi liked men with handsome looks, Fu Shuning nodded approvingly.

She liked him too.

Hearing that Biezhi had complained about him in front of her brother for nine and a half days out of ten, Fu Shuning felt a little unclear emotion in her heart, as if she had found a backer.

Thinking of this, Fu Shuning resolutely decided to go and communicate with Biezhi when she was free.

However, what she didn't expect was that it would be five days later when she was free.

As the day for the Xilan Kingdom's prince and princess to enter the capital approaches, the court and the country are extremely busy. The court officials who have come to the Su Palace's study to discuss matters have not left for a long time. Even the imperial doctors of the Imperial Medical Bureau are kept busy.

When Biezhi heard Cheng Jin mention that Princess Duanhui would come to Qinghe Court later, she felt strange. Logically, she should be in the palace with Fu Huaiqing right now.

However, the one who arrived earlier than Fu Shuning was Xiao Ming, the director of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Xiao Ming looked at the wound on Biezhi's arm that was beginning to scab, changed the herbal compress for her, and wrote a new prescription for Hua Chao. After instructing her on the use of the medicine, he said to Biezhi, "The girl's injury has almost healed. After the wound heals for another half a month, I will prescribe a new prescription for the girl."

Biezhi tore off the gauze, stood up and thanked him.

Xiao Ming waved his hand, packed up the medicine box he had brought with him, and suddenly remembered something else, "I heard that the young lady was planning to find a doctor to ask about something?"

Biezhi didn't expect that he also knew about this.

She was planning to ask a doctor, but since it was a special time, in order to avoid unnecessary things, she decided to wait until later.

After looking at each other for a moment, Biezhi suddenly felt that he was really stupid. With the imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau here, why not just ask them? Why bother asking doctors outside? It wouldn't look good if it got out.

"Master Xiao." Biezhi picked up the teacup on the table and handed it to him again, "There is something I want to know, are you free?"

Seeing the girl's eyes suddenly light up, Xiao Ming nodded hesitantly, "Of course I am."

Biezhi pulled the chair towards him, looking at him with a burning gaze, "Does your lord have any knowledge about men's matters?"

"Ah?" Xiao Ming was stunned.

"I have a friend," Biezhi said without giving him time to react. He pondered for a moment and said, "He seems to have some hidden illness in that area.