"I don't believe it! How could my mother kill herself!! Report to the official, go and report to the official!! Ruan Biyun knelt on the threshold of Chunxi Courtyard with an unkempt face, crying hoarsely.

The surrounding maids and women were in a mess, and some of them were weak and trembling and rubbed over to put down the Jin family on the beam, probed their noses, and then howled: "It's out of gas!" O wretched lady—"

Ruan Biyun tripped on the threshold and staggered in, crying unconscious.

coincided with the busiest time, Ruan Qingzhi hurried over with a large group of people. A little guy ran out of the courtyard and stumbled out, bumping into Ruan Hongyu impartially, and Liu immediately slapped him: "The next thing that doesn't have long eyes!" ”

The little girl was so frightened that she fell to her knees and cried: "The villain didn't mean to, Mrs. Jin hanged herself, and the second lady asked her to report to the official!" ”

"Fuck you!" Ruan Hongyu got up from the ground and opened her mouth to scold, "Hanging? How could she have hanged herself? She is so thick-skinned, she dares to steal men in public! ”

The little girl wiped her tears: "Second Miss said the same thing......"

"Alright," Ruan Qingzhi opened his mouth to interrupt his crying, "If you want to go to the official, you can go quickly, don't rub around here!" ”

The little guy hurriedly agreed and jumped up and rushed out, and Banyue pulled Ruan Qingzhi to the side and asked urgently, "Could it be for us?" Do you want to send a message to Yehan? ”

Ruan Qingzhi thought for a while and nodded: "Nine times out of ten, it's against us." You send a message to Yehan and ask him not to return to the house for the time being. ”

"I said it was up to him...... Hey? Banyue was stunned, "Don't let him come back?" ”

Ruan Qingzhi nodded without explanation, and pulled Yiyun to follow Liu and walked in.

At this time, the initial panic in the Chunxi Courtyard had passed, and the Kim family was placed on the bed as if asleep, but the bulging eyes on the blue and black face and the mouth that could not be closed looked a little terrifying.

Ruan Biyun had been rescued, lying on the ground and crying with grief, supported by four or five girls next to her, and the whole room wiped her tears.

As soon as she saw Ruan Qingzhi enter the door, Ruan Biyun immediately got up and rushed over and plunged into her arms: "Sister, my mother is dead!" ”

The maids and wives in the room suddenly whimpered, and even Liu's eyes were wet.

The sudden death of a mother in the prime of life, leaving several underage children to lean on each other for warmth, is really sad enough.

Ruan Qingzhi gently hugged Ruan Biyun and patted her to soothe, and whispered with tears in her eyes: "It's almost okay, if you cry again, your eyes will be swollen and your face will not look good." ”

"Sister, we don't have a mother!" Ruan Bijun still cried incessantly, and those who heard it wept and those who saw it were sad.

Ruan Qingzhi also cried: "Yes, why are there no good people...... Isn't it just a shame and it's not the first time, why can't you think about it so much, my mother! ”

I cried for a long time with quality and quantity, and finally a few mothers-in-law wiped their tears and came to persuade them. Ruan Qingzhi hurriedly lowered her voice and said to Ruan Biyun, "Is it enough?" My feet are sore! I'll beat you up if you cry again! ”

Ruan Biyun forcibly stopped crying, and she hiccuped with grievances: "Sister, sister, I ......"

"You're pretty sharp, there shouldn't be any problem, I trust you!" Ruan Qingzhi sincerely comforted.

Ruan Biyun slowly let go of her hand, burst into tears and let her mother-in-law pull her to the chair and sit down, looked up at the bed, and cried breathlessly again.

Ruan Qingzhi had never dealt with this kind of scene as an ordinary junior, and she was a little overwhelmed for a while, so she had to cry too.

cried in a different way, cried and fell to the ground and was helped up to continue crying, the neatly combed pigtails were crumpled into a mess, and the image was not inferior to Ruan Biyun.

Liu and Chu Jianniang, who came over later, were all born in a small portal and had never seen the world, so they had to pull their children to cry with them, and none of them were willing to come out to take charge.

It wasn't until the old lady came in a hurry supported by Mama Zhou that everyone stopped crying a little and got up to greet them in a hurry.

"What's going on?!" The old lady asked sharply.

Liu fell to the ground and cried: "Old lady, Sister Jin, she ...... The cantilever committed suicide! ”

Ruan Biyun suddenly stood up, cried and shook her head: "No, it is impossible for my mother to commit suicide, it must not be suicide!" ”

The old lady frowned: "Who found out first?" ”

Luan Yin hurriedly said: "It's Xiao Pei next to Madame, who came to find the second lady as soon as she found out, and then everyone knew." ”

The old lady walked to the side of the bed and looked at it, frowning: "For what?" I heard it before dawn and made a fuss? ”

Liu Shi hurriedly picked up the important things in the morning, and Ruan Hongyu summed it up on the side: "So Mrs. Jin committed suicide because she felt that she had no face to see people!" ”

"Impossible!" Ruan Biyun wiped her tears and cried, "Mother was still saying that this incident was not her fault in the morning, and my father would not be without distinguishing between right and wrong...... How could she kill herself in the blink of an eye! Someone else must have hurt her! ”

"What's harmful!" The old lady put on a straight face and said majestically, "It's shameful to that point, how can she still have a face to live!" It's strange if you don't kill yourself! Tell the housekeeper to instruct him to go down and arrange for someone to procure the longevity wood and white flags. A flat wife doesn't have to go around reporting the funeral, just say it to her relatives! ”

The little guy next to him promised to immediately run to call the housekeeper, of course, there were also people who rushed to greet Ruan Wenzhong, who had returned from the scattered dynasty, and the prime minister's mansion was busy and orderly.

Until the porter heard the word, saying that Master Jingzhao Yin Shen was here.

"What is he here for?!" The old lady's face sank.

Liu hurriedly replied: "It seems that the second lady asked someone to report to the official." ”

"Yes," Ruan Biyun wiped her tears and stood up, "I am the official who called someone to report it." My mother is gone, and I don't feel at ease. Whether my grandmother believes it or not, she has to let the people in the yamen take a look, so as not to save any headless public cases in the future. ”

The old lady leaned on the corner of the table and looked at her coldly: "Yes, the second girl's idea is getting bigger and bigger." - Xiaomei, go and invite Lord Shen in! ”

The maids and wives hurriedly ran to welcome the guests, and here Chu Jianniang lay on the edge of the bed and cried: "Sister Jin has suffered so much in the Jingzhao Yamen before her death, and now that she is gone, do you want those servants to come to see her body!" ”

Ruan Van Chung, who hurried back, heard this, and his face immediately became more difficult to look at.

The deceased is the greatest, and the matter of "autopsy" is taboo at all times. Two years before this dynasty, there was also a story of a filial son who resisted the government to perform an autopsy on his deceased father and died of a pillar, and the folk felt that his pure filial piety was a good story.

This is still the case for men, let alone deep women. When I was alive, I wanted to wear a veil when I went out, but after I died, I had to let the people of the government perform an autopsy, how can there be such a reason!

"Yun'er, this is inappropriate." Ruan Wenzhong frowned.

Ruan Biyun knelt down and cried and mourned: "It's not that my daughter doesn't know that there are so many things wrong, but my mother is really strange!" Father, I would rather bear the name of unfilial piety, and I would rather my mother hate me in the spirit of heaven, and let the truth be revealed to the world! The murderer killed my mother, and I would not let him go unpunished! ”

Ruan Wenzhong frowned and before he could speak, Jing Zhaoyin had already heard a cheer from outside the door: "It is worthy of Miss Ruan Er, she understands things better than ordinary people!" ”

"Lord Shen." Ruan Wenzhong stood up and arched his hand, "Children are talking nonsense, where can you deserve a praise!" ”

Jingzhao Yin Zhengse said: "Miss Ruan Er is not an ordinary child. Xiangye, although it is said that the deceased is the greatest, but as a relative, if he knows the cause of death but refuses to bother to bring the murderer to justice, isn't this a kind of contempt for the deceased? Miss Ruan Er reported to the official for an autopsy, which seems to be unkind, but it is precisely to make the death of her deceased mother a child's heart! ”

Nguyen Van Trung was not moved by his reasonable persuasion. He said coldly: "The child is not sensible, so Lord Shen should not protect her and speak." Jing's wife really committed suicide because of trivial matters in the house, and there is no more secret. Adults have worked this trip, butler, prepare the carriage and horse expenses, and invite Lord Shen to go to the front hall for tea! ”

"Daddy!" Ruan Biyun didn't comply, stood up and hurriedly pounced: "Since Lord Shen and they are already here, how can we send people away directly!" It's better to let them take a look, and if something happens in the future, there will be an explanation! ”

"Presumptuous!" The old lady scolded sharply, "You are becoming more and more ignorant!" As a child, you refuse to keep your mother's dignity is already very disrespectful, and now you don't even care about the face of the prime minister's house? ”

Ruan Biyun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly sat down on the ground again, and cried: "Grandmother, mother, she died unjustly-"

When she cried, the maids and ladies next to her had to follow. Chu Jianniang came over to comfort the angry Ruan Wenzhong, and said to Jing Zhaoyin: "My lord, forgive me, the second lady of our family is so sad and confused!" ”

"I'm not confused!" Ruan Biyun raised her head crying and looked at Ruan Qingzhi: "Sister, what do you say?" Mother left without knowing anything, and the three of us sisters and brothers will never have a mother's pain from now on, shouldn't we ask for the truth! ”

Ruan Qingzhi had been honestly napping in the crowd before, but at this moment, she was suddenly called, and she couldn't help but tremble in fright, and raised her head blankly: "Huh? What the...... Is it time to kowtow? ”

"Sister!" Ruan Bijun cried even harder.

With Yun hurriedly coming over and telling what happened just now, Ruan Qingzhi had to wipe his eyes, and said helplessly: "Yun'er, such a big matter, grandmother and father should be in charge!" ”

As soon as the words fell, Feng Ming immediately became difficult: "Miss, what do you mean by this?" Do you also want to stop the yamen from conducting an autopsy? Do you have a ghost in your heart......"

"Feng Ming!" Ruan Biyun scolded sharply and stopped the words behind the little girl.

At this time, several people from the Jingzhao Yamen had already looked at Ruan Qingzhi unceremoniously.

Ruan Qingzhi met Jing Zhaoyin's gaze, wiped her tears again, and her eyes were red: "My lord, forgive me." My sister doesn't usually do this, she just feels so uncomfortable that she is confused, and my grandmother, father and I will persuade her well. Adults come from afar to work hard, let's go to the front hall for a cup of tea first. ”

"Tea is free." Jing Zhaoyin glanced at her mockingly, and then looked at Ruan Wenzhong: "Don't hide it from the Prime Minister, the lower official wants to investigate the cause of Mrs. Ruan's death, not only because the second lady reported to the official, but also some side matters." Like what...... A few days ago, the old lady and the eldest lady were attacked on the road unscathed, but all the gangsters died. ”

Ruan Wenzhong's face was gloomy: "That incident, the prime minister remembers that you have already decided the case, and said that it was my prime minister's servant who fought the thieves and bandits bravely. ”

"Yes," Jing Zhaoyin said calmly, "Indeed. But today, the lower officials want to meet the venerable envoy who fought bravely against the thieves and bandits, and ask about some things. ”

Ruan Wenzhong was furious: "So, you are not here to avenge Jing's wife, but to look for trouble in the Prime Minister's Mansion!" ”

Jing Zhaoyin frowned in embarrassment, and Ruan Biyun cried again: "Father, how can this be troublesome? If there are really such dangerous people in our house, then that is the real trouble! Would you like to watch the people in the house die one after another for no apparent reason? ”

Ruan Wenzhong's gaze subconsciously fell on Ruan Qingzhi's body.

The old lady just turned around and talked to Mama Zhou, as if she hadn't heard the movement here.

Seeing this, Ruan Biyun stood up silently and nodded slightly to Jing Zhaoyin.

However, in the end, it was the daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jing Zhaoyin did not let the officials come forward to examine the autopsy in public, and only sent two mothers-in-law to take a look, and concluded: "Mrs. Ruan did die of suffocation, but in addition to the strangulation marks on her neck, there are two finger prints, and there are bruises on her wrists and waist." ”

Ruan Hongyu shouted: "I know this!" It's because she stole a man, and her father beat her! ”

One sentence explained all the causes and consequences, and the faces of everyone present were very ugly.

Ruan Biyun wiped away her tears and said: "My father never beat my mother!" That madman didn't actually come close to his mother......"

"How do you know?!" Ruan Hongyu was not convinced and shouted loudly.

The old lady coughed and said coldly: "The Jin family has a big temperament, and it is reasonable for him to die of humiliation. As for the scars, naturally they were left by that madman, so could Lord Shen have any objections? ”

"Don't dare," Jing Zhaoyin bent down and arched his hand, "May I ask the old lady, where is the gangster now?" ”

Ruan Wenzhong said coldly: "That's the death contract slave in the mansion, and the prime minister has already asked someone to drag him out and kill him." ”

Jing Zhaoyin bowed his hand to Ruan Biyun again: "In this case, there should be no doubt about Mrs. Ruan's death. Presumably the second lady is too worried. ”

Ruan Biyun wiped away her tears and didn't answer, Jing Zhaoyin continued: "It's just that the case a few days ago still has to be investigated. Please forgive me, the male servants in the house, whether old or young, must come out to take a look. ”

"I'm waiting here!" Ruan Qingzhi lowered his head and sneered.

In order to invite Jing Zhaoyin to come to check on the cold night, even the corpse of his mother was to be used, and this Ruan Biyun was also a talent.

Ruan Wenzhong over there obviously didn't buy this account either, and looked at Jing Zhaoyin's face was not good: "So, which case is Lord Shen here for today?" ”

Jing Zhao Yin didn't scare him, and his face was righteous: "Jing Zhao Yamen has never been afraid of trouble. Even if there are 100 cases at the same time, we can also investigate 100 cases at the same time. Xiangye, are you not allowed us to handle the case? ”

"Don't dare." Ruan Wenzhong gritted his teeth, "Butler, go get the roster and call someone!" ”

The housekeeper moved quickly, and it didn't take long to call all the male servants from all the houses and courtyards in the mansion over, and dozens of people stood in the courtyard.

The housekeeper called out the people one by one according to the roster to introduce the age and temperament, and Jing Zhaoyin listened very carefully.

Although there are a lot of people, there are not many people who can make Jing Zhaoyin interested in asking more questions, so the introduction is almost over in half an hour.

All the names mentioned in the booklet were there, and the officials of the yamen also read them carefully, and they did not deliberately omit them.

"Xiangye, are all the male servants in the house here?" Jing Zhaoyin's face was a little embarrassed.

Ruan Wenzhong and the old lady glanced at each other, and both of them were a little hesitant.

At this time, Ruan Hao stood up and saluted solemnly: "Lord Hui, the people on the roster are here, but in addition, there are two secret guards of the second sister and a slave in the courtyard of the eldest sister who are not on the book. ”

"Huh?" Jing Zhaoyin immediately became interested.

Ruan Biyun hurriedly summoned Ah Bao Ah Hu out, and explained softly: "My lord Mingjian, the folk girl was not there on the day the carriage was attacked. I followed Wang Shangshu's car, and then went directly to the palace, which Mrs. Wang, Miss Wang Si, and the Queen Mother can testify. ”

She's not there, and of course her secret guard isn't there, so there's no problem with that explanation.

Ruan Qingzhi frowned, and stopped talking.

Jing Zhaoyin looked at her, and his face was already very unkind: "What does Miss Ruan say?" ”

Ruan Qingzhi glanced back at Ruan Biyun, and hesitated for a while before speaking: "As far as I know, foreign men are not allowed to enter the inner courtyard of the palace, right?" So Yun'er, when you entered the palace to accompany the Queen Mother, where were Ah Bao and Ah Hu? ”

"They," Ruan Biyun paused, "...... Naturally, they were waiting outside the palace. ”

Ruan Qingzhi nodded, and made a "you know" expression to Jing Zhaoyin.

The dark guard, who came and went without a trace, couldn't tell where he went. That's it.

"No, we can tell!" Ah Bao stood up, "After the second young lady entered the palace, my two brothers did not hang out, but went to Zizhu Lane to accompany the young lady's master. At that time, there happened to be a group of bandits to chase and kill Mr., so the two of us took Mr. all the way to escape, hiding from Zizhu Lane to the barren mountains on the outskirts of the city, and finally lost the enemy, resulting in Mr. being captured by the bandits, and his life and death are still unknown. ”

"Who testifies?" Jing Zhaoyin asked.

Ah Leopard hesitated for a moment and lowered his head: "Unless you find Mr., or catch that gang of bandits......"

Ruan Qingzhi sighed: "Lord Shen, there are a lot of thieves at the feet of this Son of Heaven!" There are two in one day! ”

Jing Zhaoyin's face was ugly, and he stared at Ah Hu and asked, "In other words, you don't have any certificates." ”

Ruan Qingzhi hurriedly spoke for the two of them: "If there are no witnesses, physical evidence is fine!" Since you two are being chased by bandits, you won't be hurt at all, right? It's okay to show the wound to Lord Shen! ”

Ah Leopard and Ah Hu glanced at each other, looking embarrassed.

They were chased by the "bandits" the whole time, and they fainted before they could make a move. You can't make up for the injuries you suffered that day in Xifangyuan, right?

Ruan Qingzhi looked at the faces of the two, and couldn't help but be embarrassed together: "Why, Yun'er's master was taken captive by thieves, and you protected his old man all the way, but you didn't even get hurt?" Are you not dedicated? As a secret guard, how do you usually protect Yun'er? ”

The faster she spoke, the more painful her tone almost cried, provoking the two guards even more embarrassed.

Ruan Biyun hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Ah Bao Ah Hu is usually very dedicated by my side, and that day he must have been transferred away from the mountain because of the tricks of the gangsters, and I can't blame them for this matter." ”

"Ouch, my second sister, is this a matter of resentment or resentment?" Ruan Hongyu shouted beside her, "Now it's the two of them who are suspicious!" Lord Shen suspected that the two of them were ambushing the old lady and the big sister along the way! ”

"No," Jing Zhaoyin immediately denied, "Xia Guan just wanted to find out the hero who killed all the bandits that day, and there were a few things to ask." ”

Ruan Biyun lowered her head and grabbed the corner of her clothes, timid: "It's not them." Although I also wish they could help my grandmother and sister, but ......"

At this time, the old lady suddenly coughed, and the bamboo cane suddenly walked out: "Lord Shen just wants to find that minion, why do you have to work so hard?" That person is the night cold of Xifangyuan, what do you have to ask him! ”

"It's cold at night." Jing Zhaoyin repeated and looked at Ruan Qingzhi: "Is it the person next to the eldest lady?" It's a hero. Where are the others now? ”

Ruan Qingzhi stepped forward and asked instead of answering: "What's the matter, the slave protector killed a few bandits, but he violated the king's law?" ”

"How can this be?" Jing Zhaoyin smiled humbly, "Such a loyal and brave slave, who doesn't praise it when he sees it?" It's really ...... Hey, didn't you just say it, there were two groups of bandits in one day, and some of them couldn't explain clearly! The above means that everyone who appeared in Zizhu Lane that day had to check the origin, and the lower officials only acted according to the rules and did not have malicious intent. ”

Ruan Qingzhi frowned and was silent, scolding in his heart.

Ruan Biyun turned around sharply and grabbed her sleeve: "What, is there anything difficult about my sister?" Lord Shen just wants to see Ye Han and ask a few words, at most ask about his origin, and he is not the one who wants to rob you, is it not convenient? ”

Ruan Hongyu also exclaimed on the side: "Is it really inconvenient? That night is cold and wears a mask all day long and doesn't dare to see people, is it a bandit? ”

As soon as these words came out, Jing Zhaoyin's gaze at Ruan Qingzhi became even more unkind, and his waist, which had been bent slightly, straightened up.

"Miss Ruan, that person...... Where exactly is it at this moment? He narrowed his eyes and asked word by word.

Ruan Qingzhi refused to look at him, his expression was indifferent: "I told him to go out on errands, and he is not in the mansion at the moment." ”

Jing Zhaoyin chased after him: "Where and what are you doing?" What is the origin of that man? Why didn't it appear in the list of servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion? ”

"Lord Shen!" Ruan Qingzhi was finally annoyed by the question, "If you have evidence to prove that he has committed a crime, I will immediately tie him up and give it to you!" At this moment, you can't tell what crime he has committed, and you can't produce the slightest evidence against him, so why are you struggling here! Good citizens do not need to prove themselves, as a parent, don't you even understand this truth! ”

Jing Zhaoyin's face turned red because of her words, and his anger surged up, so he was no longer polite: "So Miss Ruan really wants to protect that thief?" ”

"Where does the word 'thief' come from?" Nguyen Thanh Chi was-for-tat.

Jing Zhaoyin narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard majestically: "We suspect that not all the thieves he killed that night, but also innocent passers-by. ”

Ruan Qingzhi sneered: "Doubt? Is there any nonsense? ”

Jing Zhaoyin laughed and argued: "So, eldest lady, do you hand over the people yourself, or let the boys go to your courtyard to search?" ”

Ruan Qingzhi's face sank, and he was about to get angry, but he heard the cold voice outside and sneered: "Do you want to search Fangyuan?" Lord Shen, you have to think twice! ”