CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 230 A CUNNING PLAN

This question stumped Li Yangsong.

Throughout history, it has not been difficult to test for poison, but determining the type and components of the poison is not easy.

At the government office, they can currently only infer from the symptoms of the deceased roughly which category it belongs to.

Some poisons leave no visible injuries on the corpse and do not cause bleeding, like pufferfish poison.

While other poisons, such as arsenic, often cause bleeding from the seven orifices, and clearly did not cause Liu Yan’s death.

"Is it too hasty to attribute the blame to Wanbin Building just because pufferfish is poisonous? Is Mr. Li unfit for office as a new official or still hasn’t learned how to solve cases?" Fu Zhen looked over unceremoniously.

Li Yangsong was so scolded that he blushed with embarrassment: "The General’s wife’s words have some truth."

"Just some truth?" Fu Zhen said, "The Ning Family has a code of conduct. Since we open our doors to guests, we will never allow any accidents to happen, let alone cease doing business after such a case?"

"If you, sir, cannot impartially investigate this case and restore the Ning Family’s reputation, then you would be oppressing civilians!"

Li could still blush, at least indicating there was sense to be reasoned with.

"What do you mean by this?" Just as Fu Zhen finished speaking, Zhang Feng stormed in, glaring at Fu Zhen: "Are you the newly married daughter-in-law of the Pei family?"

Although Pei Zhan is not the Great General, his appointed title of General Pingxi is indeed a true first rank, and Fu Zhen is also a true first-rank Imperial Decree lady.

What rank is Zhang Feng? He is only third rank!

In normal times, if he dared to start a fight, wouldn’t it be an insult to Pei Zhan?

But right now Fu Zhen couldn’t afford to clash with him.

She said, "I am. And you are?"

"I am Zhang Feng, General Dingyuan! Formerly Vice General at the imperial court, I have rendered great services to the Emperor! You, junior, speak so boldly, this incident happened at your Wanbin Building, and the pufferfish was cooked by your chef. Now that someone has died, you accuse others of framing you, are you trying to shirk responsibility?"

Fu Zhen originally did not want to argue with his rudeness, but he actually called her a junior?!

Fu Zhen said, "So you are Zhang Shicheng’s father! In fact, the other day, Heir of Princess Rong even asked me to find a position for Zhang Shicheng with General Pei. Is Zhang Shicheng’s post secured yet?"

Zhang Feng hadn’t expected her words to be so sharp, and suddenly felt as if he had been slapped, his face turning purple-red.

Fu Zhen sneered, "Since I couldn’t help fulfill her wish, I won’t hold it against Old General Zhang’s rudeness to me.

"However, since you say such things, it seems you can produce solid evidence proving Liu Yan was poisoned by pufferfish?

If you can’t present it, and falsely accuse my Wanbin Building of causing Liu Yan’s death without proof, then I might suspect this is your Zhang family deliberately targeting my Wanbin Building!

"How could I not counter-charge you with provoking trouble and abusing your power!"

Zhang Feng usually prides himself on his old relationship with the emperor and being the father-in-law of the Heir of Prince Rong, so he was very arrogant. How could he have expected that this little woman, Fu Zhen, would be so commanding, not conceding a single point, and hitting the nail on the head with every word?

Zhang Feng couldn’t contain himself: "How dare you, junior..."

"Zhang Feng!" Fu Zhen slammed the table and looked at him with a lowered voice, "Are you here to act against the superior and teach me a lesson, or to discuss serious matters?

"Mr. Liu was your nephew, and now he’s dead. Are you here to find the real culprit to avenge him or to oppress me to show off your power?!"

Fu Zhen has always known that outsiders do not think much of her as the wife of the General Pingxi, but she never cared about how others viewed this marriage.

But when bullied, she couldn’t stand it!

The others present involuntarily lowered their heads when they saw Fu Zhen act like this.

Zhang Feng was stunned.

In his heart, he was initially not convinced.

Yang Zhan was beaten by Pei Zhan, and Mrs. Zhang was scolded by Princess Rong. The back residence of Prince Rong’s Mansion is now filled with smoke and fire, making this situation unfavorable for Mrs. Zhang. Mrs. Zhang’s disadvantage directly affects the Zhang family, and all of this began because Yang Zhan was beaten, did it not?

Didn’t Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan beat Yang Zhan?

So today, as soon as he heard the Liu Family come to seek help, he immediately brought people to stand up for them!

Although Liu Yan was not a member of his Zhang family, he was a relative, being the maternal family branch of Mrs. Liu.

Liu Yan died after eating from Wanbin Building, so was he not using this opportunity to seek justice against Fu Zhen for the sake of his daughter and son-in-law?

Upon Fu Zhen’s arrival, he had not paid attention to her. This little girl, not from a prestigious background, how capable could she be?

Yet, who knew she would speak with such overwhelming aura!

He angrily said, "Then why don’t you provide evidence that the pufferfish wasn’t poisonous! If you can prove your innocence, I naturally will withdraw the complaint!"

Fu Zhen sneered, "Whoever doubts must provide the evidence. If everyone accused me like General Zhang does, and I had to prove my innocence each time, wouldn’t we be overwhelmed with work?"

Zhang Feng was choked.

At this moment, Guo Song hurriedly entered and gestured to Fu Zhen from the crowd’s edge.

Fu Zhen gave Mrs. Ning a signal with her eyes and then walked to a corner.

Guo Song said, "Someone has already been sent to invite the General. Someone from the Ministry of War is conducting an inspection today, and the General will come after.

"Additionally, I have gathered information on Liu Yan and his men.

"Liu Yan’s father is the biological brother of Mrs. Zhang, holding a sinecure at Honglu Temple. Liu Yan has only one brother, who is handicapped, so he has never married. The Liu Family relies on Liu Yan to uphold their family. Mrs. Zhang has always favored Liu Yan, yet he was the one who died this time.

"As for the other three, they are the sons of local wealthy merchants."

"Were there any dealings with Prince Rong’s Mansion or the Xu family?"

"No," Guo Song shook his head affirmatively, "Their wealth is far from sufficient to associate with Prince Rong’s Mansion and the Xu family. Even the Liu Family must flatter families like theirs."

Fu Zhen knitted her brows tightly together.

Given the Liu family’s circumstances, Liu Yan was to carry on the family line. Now that he’s dead, how could the Liu family relax? They are sure to pursue this to the end.

Although the case centers on the pufferfish, there are still many doubts.

At present, it can almost be inferred that the murderer must be among the three who accompanied Liu Yan, with Lu Qi and another person who wandered into the kitchen being the most suspicious. But the fact that they dared to make a move at Wanbin Building, causing such a huge fuss, suggests that killing Liu Yan was not their idea.

The mastermind behind this won’t be acting just for a merchant; Lu Qizhou and the others must be under someone’s instruction.

Moreover, it’s likely that the whole situation targets Fu Zhen herself.

The one who directed them knows that if Liu Yan dies at Wanbin Building, the Zhang family will never let it rest, and although Mrs. Ning is Pei Zhan’s mother-in-law, the Pei family couldn’t unreasonably protect anyone when involved in a murder.

If Mrs. Ning were imprisoned, Fu Zhen, the General’s wife who "married up," would lose even more face!

According to many people’s thinking, if this happens, wouldn’t the whole Pei Yu couple and Pei Zhan be gossiped about whenever they go out? And the entire family would certainly be dissatisfied with Fu Zhen? Fu Zhen’s maiden family has no support, and if her in-laws and husband alienate her further, wouldn’t life become unbearably difficult?

What a sinister plot!