Hua Liuli's decision not to pursue the matter further didn't ease the worries of the envoys from the Daimao Kingdom; instead, it made them even more anxious. If she had made demands, it would indicate that there was still room for negotiation. However, when one was not even willing to make any demands, it signified that the situation had become more severe.
He Yuanting, born into the royal family, had no knowledge of how to win a young lady's heart. He looked at the beautiful young lady from Great Jin in front of him and felt somewhat at a loss.
Seeing that the other party intended to leave, He Yuanting wanted to keep her but didn't know how to speak up.
"Third Prince," The Crown Prince stepped forward, blocking He Yuanting's line of sight, "Our family's Junzhu is weak, she should return home and rest."
"Junzhu..." Before he could say anything, He Yuanting saw the coldness in the elegant gentleman's eyes. His lips moved slightly, "Junzhu, take care."
"Farewell," Hua Liuli smiled and as she passed by Liu Mingshi, she paused for a moment and turned her head to look at him.
Liu Mingshi took a step back and bid her farewell with a gesture.
Witnessing this, Hua Liuli's lips curled up, and she left alongside the Crown Prince.
Once they were in the carriage, Hua Liuli relaxed her posture, "I heard people say that the scholars of the Daimao Kingdom are noble and fearless, even in the face of death. But today, it proved that they are nothing like what they say. They are not as lively and humorous as the scholars of our Great Jin."
"The Daimao Kingdom's emperor is incompetent, while their crown prince is mediocre. Not to mention their emphasis on culture over martial arts, the power struggles among the civil officials are also fierce," The Crown Prince noticed that once she was alone with him, she would unconsciously shed the pretense she had in front of others; the smile on his face grew warmer, "Liuli, why did you spare that person surnamed Liu?"
"My mother, a remarkable general, is not someone whose achievements can be denied by a few words from such a person. Just and unbiased historical records will prove her greatness," Hua Liuli smiled, "Moreover, his disdainful yet fearful attitude pleased me."
"Just because of these reasons?"
Hua Liuli met the Crown Prince's gaze and knew that he had already seen through her intentions. She had no choice but to reveal her true thoughts, "A crown prince who was cultivated by someone like him would never be a match for you, Your Royal Highness."
Only a timid Daimao Kingdom would not join forces with Jinpo and become an enemy of Great Jin.
"If it can make Liuli happy, it doesn't really matter if you want to deal with him," the Crown Prince chuckled, "Daimao's internal affairs are already in chaos; without someone surnamed Liu, there are still those surnamed Li, Wang. You don't need to worry about them."
"How can I not worry?" Hua Liuli said, "As a subject, I still hope to see Great Jin prosper under the rule of His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince silently looked at her for a while before saying, "Alright."
The carriage suddenly fell silent. Hua Liuli lowered her head and looked at the Crown Prince's beautiful, clean hands. In a daze, she thought: How lovely these hands are. I really want to hold them.
Her fingers moved slightly as she discreetly moved back.
"Benwang won't let Liuli down."
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, his laughter was like invisible sugar gently enveloping Hua Liuli's heart. She looked at the smiling Crown Prince and felt like she would never want to imagine this stunning man with other women.
"Liuli?"
Hua Liuli was startled and snapped back to reality. She looked at the Crown Prince's moist lips, wondering when he had stopped addressing her as Junzhu and started addressing her by name?
The carriage continued to move forward, while the two palace maids kneeling in the corner remained quiet. Hua Liuli's gaze shifted slightly downward and looked at the neatly arranged collar of the Crown Prince's garment.
The Crown Prince noticed Hua Liuli suddenly shaking her face with her hands. He couldn't help but smile, "What's wrong with you?"
"It seems a little bit of water has gotten into my head, so I'm trying to shake it out."
"En?" The Crown Prince's voice was deep and pleasant, causing the guqin strings in Hua Liuli's heart to throb wildly. She wished she could play the song 'phoenix seeking his mate'.
"I'm just joking," Hua Liuli lifted the curtain of the carriage window and said hurriedly, "Your Royal Highness, my home is almost here. I will be getting off now."
After speaking, she lifted her skirt and jumped off the carriage.
"Junzhu, please be careful..." The attending eunuch stared blankly as Fushou Junzhu quickly left with her few maids.
Fushou Junzhu's body is so weak. Can her body handle jumping off the carriage when it hasn't even stabilized?
He secretly turned his head and glanced at the carriage. The thick curtains covered the scene inside.
What did His Highness do to scare the young girl like this?
"Junzhu," Yuan Yi grabbed Hua Liuli's wrist and gritted her teeth, "Your health is not good. Take it slow."
"I'm afraid that if I walk slowly, I'll make mistakes," Hua Liuli patted her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart.
"Has Junzhu taken a liking to the Third Prince of Daimao?" Yuan Yi asked.
"The Third Prince of Daimao?" Hua Liuli pondered, "Is he good-looking?"
"Rosy lips, white teeth, and delicate features. Isn't that Junzhu's favorite type?" Whenever Junzhu encountered men like that on the street before, she would throw a few more glances at them. But today's Third Prince of Daimao is even more stunning, yet Junzhu didn't even react?
"Is that so..." Hua Liuli stopped in her tracks, deep in thought. The situation is serious. With the Crown Prince around, she couldn't even notice other men.
Not only that, she even had the thought of unbuttoning the Crown Prince's collar and stealing a few glances. Hua Liuli was indeed a bit flirtatious, yet she was also a morally upright person who appreciates beauty without being disrespectful. What happened today?
Could it be because the cuju match was too intense, making her blood boil?
"Are there any handsome men in the major pleasure houses and dancing establishments in the capital recently?" Hua Liuli attempted to save herself.
"Junzhu, have you forgotten?" Yurong reminded her in a low voice, "Recently, all the major entertainment venues are conducting the 'Cultivate a Civilized Capital' campaign. Musicians and dancers are not allowed to have personal contact with guests."
"It's been so long, and they're still doing that?" Hua Liuli sighed, "When the envoys from various countries leave after the Hundred Nations Banquet..."
"Forget it," Hua Liuli shook her head quickly, "I've already promised..."
She had already promised the Crown Prince not to keep male pets for the next five years. A virtuous woman should keep her word. How could she go back on her word?
"Forget it," Hua Liuli sighed, "Let's just go back home and read books."
The accompanying maids all revealed shocked expressions. Junzhu voluntarily suggested reading books?
"Junzhu, what kind of books do you want to read?" Yurong and Yuan Yi asked the same question at the same time.
"Scriptures," Hua Liuli said with a weary expression, "The kind that helps people cultivate their character, calm their minds, and reduce desires."
After the envoys from Daimao returned to their residence, the gentle-natured He Yuanting flew into a rage.
"All of you are pillars of our Daimao. You should act cautiously and be mindful of what should be said and what shouldn't!" He Yuanting's gaze swept over the crowd, looking tired, "Wei Mingyue is the number one female general of Great Jin, highly respected by the people. Even if you don't like the customs of Great Jin, you shouldn't say such things outside!"
No one dared to utter a word.
Rubbing his throbbing temples, He Yuanting felt disheartened, "Go back and rest, all of you."
"Your Highness, please calm down," one of the envoys said, "The situation hasn't reached the worst point yet. I've heard that the Emperor of Great Jin has started to suspect Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue because of their outstanding achievements."
"As long as they are still generals, we cannot offend them," He Yuanting waved his hand, "Tomorrow, I will personally apologize to the Hua family."
"Your Highness, how can you endure such grievances..."
"People are mere pawns to be sacrificed," He Yuanting smiled helplessly, "What grievances can't be endured?"
They had already stooped to the point of using the beauty trap tactics to seduce Fushou Junzhu, what grievances couldn't he endure?
Thinking of that girl who made everything else in the world pale in comparison, He Yuanting's heart couldn't help but skip a beat several times.
There are people in this world who can make your heart flutter with just one glance.
Liu Mingshi returned to his own room, feeling both ashamed and guilty. He tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall asleep, constantly recalling the words he had said at the teahouse that day.
He recalled being cautious initially, but the young civil official beside him kept mentioning the flaws of women from the Great Jin.
He talked about women socializing with men to paint and write poetry, their frivolous behavior and indulgence in pleasures, and even some noble ladies keeping male companions in their private estates.
Later, he even spoke about the absurd actions of the female general. So he couldn't help but complain about these things.
No, that civil official was clearly deliberately leading him to say these things!
He suddenly sat up from the bed. Not caring about the late hour, he put on his outer robe and prepared to find this young civil official. He suspected that something was wrong with this person!
Just as he opened the door, he saw someone running towards him, panting and looking terrified, "Liu Daren, something terrible has happened. Wang Daren has hanged himself."
"What?!"
Liu Mingshi was shocked. Wang Daren was the young civil official who had deliberately led him to say those things!
He followed the person and rushed to Wang Daren's room. Wang Daren's body had already been taken down, and the rope hanging from the ceiling swayed gently, casting a sinister shadow on the wall in the flickering candlelight.
"Is... is he still alive?" Liu Mingshi's throat felt dry.
The physician who came with the envoy team shook his head, "Wang Daren has no pulse."
Liu Mingshi's teeth rattled and his heart turned cold. This was a massive conspiracy!
He Yuanting also arrived, his hair disheveled and his outer robe loosely hanging on him due to the rush. He raised his hand to stop the crowd behind him from rushing into the room, "Report to Great Jin's Ministry of Justice immediately. No one is allowed to enter."
He looked at the people in the courtyard, his eyes shining with an alarming intensity, "No one can leave this courtyard either."
"Your Highness..." an envoy said, "Why should Great Jin's officials interfere in our affairs?"
"This is the capital city of Great Jin," He Yuanting said, looking at Wang Daren's body in the room, his face pale, "Naturally, they will be the ones to handle it."
In the middle of the night, Zhang Shuo, who was deep in his sleep, heard urgent knocks on the door.
"Daren, something big has happened!"
Zhang Shuo got up from the bed. His department had been so busy lately that he had been sleeping at the Ministry of Justice. He didn't expect to be woken up in the middle of the night, "What happened?"
He opened the door and rubbed his head.
"An envoy from Daimao has died in their residence."
"What?" He exerted force on his hand, and the few remaining strands of hair on his forehead finally met their demise. He lowered his head, his lips trembling as he said in a low voice, "Summon Pei Daren and Gou Daren. We must go there immediately."
Although the Emperor didn't currently intend to meet with the envoys from Daimao, if an envoy died in their capital city, it would become a matter involving both countries.
At the entrance of the Daimao envoy's residence, Zhang Shuo saw the equally anxious Prefect of Jingzhao. Thinking about the few strands of hair on the other person's forehead, which weren't much different from his own, Zhang Shuo let out a deep sigh.
Those who always worried had less hair, indeed.
Pei Jihuai strode into the inner courtyard. Noticing that the Third Prince of Daimao was also present, he raised his hand and took off the sword at his waist before handing it to his subordinate. He approached and saluted, "I am Pei Jihuai, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Greetings to His Highness, the Third Prince."
"Deputy Minister Pei, there's no need for such formality," He Yuanting said wearily, "Take Pei Daren to the scene for investigation."
Pei Jihuai entered the room and glanced at the scene. He saw a farewell letter left by the deceased on the table. He put on silk gloves and opened the letter.
As he read the contents of the letter, his brow furrowed instantly.
What did it mean to acknowledge offending General Wei, unable to face one's country and family, and be willing to die as a form of apology?
Although the letter seemed like a confession, anyone who read it would only feel that the Hua family was being tyrannical. Merely speaking a few unpleasant words led to the death of an envoy.
He folded the letter and looked up at the marks on the beam where the hanging rope was tied. He climbed up and examined the spot, then jumped back down, "Your Highness, the disorderly marks on the beam indicate that the deceased struggled before death."
"What does that mean?"
"It doesn't necessarily mean anything," Pei Jihuai replied, "Whether it's suicide or homicide, experiencing extreme pain and struggling is normal."
He Yuanting's gaze fell to the cuff of Pei Jihuai's sleeve. When Pei Jihuai was speaking, he had tucked the letter left by Wang Daren into his sleeve.
Pei Jihuai pretended not to notice He Yuanting's gaze and spoke as usual, "We will seal this room and have our country's top mortician examine the body."
"Oh, right," Pei Jihuai said, "Until the cause of death is determined, everyone present is considered a suspect. Therefore, the contents of the farewell letter cannot be shown to you for the time being. I hope you all understand."
"What do you mean, Pei Daren?" one of the envoys couldn't help but ask, "Are you implying that others are not suspicious?"
In fact, what he wanted to say was: Are the people from Great Jin not suspicious?
"Don't get agitated, Daren. I didn't say that the culprit must be among you," Pei Jihuai said expressionlessly, "You can think positively. Perhaps the deceased really did commit suicide."
The Daimao envoys did not argue anymore.
He Yuanting remained silent for a moment, then had someone bring Wang Daren's books and handed them to Pei Jihuai, "There are samples of Wang Daren's handwriting inside. Pei Daren, please compare the handwriting. I hope that after the case is solved, Pei Daren can return Wang Daren's farewell letter intact."
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will definitely investigate the case thoroughly and provide you all with the truth."
He Yuanting took a deep breath, "Very well, Pei Daren, I'm counting on you."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Great Jin: Why do I feel like I've ended up with the setting of an antagonistic nation?
Daimao: That's right.
Jinpo: I dare not speak.
Hua Liuli's decision not to pursue the matter further didn't ease the worries of the envoys from the Daimao Kingdom; instead, it made them even more anxious. If she had made demands, it would indicate that there was still room for negotiation. However, when one was not even willing to make any demands, it signified that the situation had become more severe.
He Yuanting, born into the royal family, had no knowledge of how to win a young lady's heart. He looked at the beautiful young lady from Great Jin in front of him and felt somewhat at a loss.
Seeing that the other party intended to leave, He Yuanting wanted to keep her but didn't know how to speak up.
"Third Prince," The Crown Prince stepped forward, blocking He Yuanting's line of sight, "Our family's Junzhu is weak, she should return home and rest."
"Junzhu..." Before he could say anything, He Yuanting saw the coldness in the elegant gentleman's eyes. His lips moved slightly, "Junzhu, take care."
"Farewell," Hua Liuli smiled and as she passed by Liu Mingshi, she paused for a moment and turned her head to look at him.
Liu Mingshi took a step back and bid her farewell with a gesture.
Witnessing this, Hua Liuli's lips curled up, and she left alongside the Crown Prince.
Once they were in the carriage, Hua Liuli relaxed her posture, "I heard people say that the scholars of the Daimao Kingdom are noble and fearless, even in the face of death. But today, it proved that they are nothing like what they say. They are not as lively and humorous as the scholars of our Great Jin."
"The Daimao Kingdom's emperor is incompetent, while their crown prince is mediocre. Not to mention their emphasis on culture over martial arts, the power struggles among the civil officials are also fierce," The Crown Prince noticed that once she was alone with him, she would unconsciously shed the pretense she had in front of others; the smile on his face grew warmer, "Liuli, why did you spare that person surnamed Liu?"
"My mother, a remarkable general, is not someone whose achievements can be denied by a few words from such a person. Just and unbiased historical records will prove her greatness," Hua Liuli smiled, "Moreover, his disdainful yet fearful attitude pleased me."
"Just because of these reasons?"
Hua Liuli met the Crown Prince's gaze and knew that he had already seen through her intentions. She had no choice but to reveal her true thoughts, "A crown prince who was cultivated by someone like him would never be a match for you, Your Royal Highness."
Only a timid Daimao Kingdom would not join forces with Jinpo and become an enemy of Great Jin.
"If it can make Liuli happy, it doesn't really matter if you want to deal with him," the Crown Prince chuckled, "Daimao's internal affairs are already in chaos; without someone surnamed Liu, there are still those surnamed Li, Wang. You don't need to worry about them."
"How can I not worry?" Hua Liuli said, "As a subject, I still hope to see Great Jin prosper under the rule of His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince silently looked at her for a while before saying, "Alright."
The carriage suddenly fell silent. Hua Liuli lowered her head and looked at the Crown Prince's beautiful, clean hands. In a daze, she thought: How lovely these hands are. I really want to hold them.
Her fingers moved slightly as she discreetly moved back.
"Benwang won't let Liuli down."
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, his laughter was like invisible sugar gently enveloping Hua Liuli's heart. She looked at the smiling Crown Prince and felt like she would never want to imagine this stunning man with other women.
"Liuli?"
Hua Liuli was startled and snapped back to reality. She looked at the Crown Prince's moist lips, wondering when he had stopped addressing her as Junzhu and started addressing her by name?
The carriage continued to move forward, while the two palace maids kneeling in the corner remained quiet. Hua Liuli's gaze shifted slightly downward and looked at the neatly arranged collar of the Crown Prince's garment.
The Crown Prince noticed Hua Liuli suddenly shaking her face with her hands. He couldn't help but smile, "What's wrong with you?"
"It seems a little bit of water has gotten into my head, so I'm trying to shake it out."
"En?" The Crown Prince's voice was deep and pleasant, causing the guqin strings in Hua Liuli's heart to throb wildly. She wished she could play the song 'phoenix seeking his mate'.
"I'm just joking," Hua Liuli lifted the curtain of the carriage window and said hurriedly, "Your Royal Highness, my home is almost here. I will be getting off now."
After speaking, she lifted her skirt and jumped off the carriage.
"Junzhu, please be careful..." The attending eunuch stared blankly as Fushou Junzhu quickly left with her few maids.
Fushou Junzhu's body is so weak. Can her body handle jumping off the carriage when it hasn't even stabilized?
He secretly turned his head and glanced at the carriage. The thick curtains covered the scene inside.
What did His Highness do to scare the young girl like this?
"Junzhu," Yuan Yi grabbed Hua Liuli's wrist and gritted her teeth, "Your health is not good. Take it slow."
"I'm afraid that if I walk slowly, I'll make mistakes," Hua Liuli patted her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart.
"Has Junzhu taken a liking to the Third Prince of Daimao?" Yuan Yi asked.
"The Third Prince of Daimao?" Hua Liuli pondered, "Is he good-looking?"
"Rosy lips, white teeth, and delicate features. Isn't that Junzhu's favorite type?" Whenever Junzhu encountered men like that on the street before, she would throw a few more glances at them. But today's Third Prince of Daimao is even more stunning, yet Junzhu didn't even react?
"Is that so..." Hua Liuli stopped in her tracks, deep in thought. The situation is serious. With the Crown Prince around, she couldn't even notice other men.
Not only that, she even had the thought of unbuttoning the Crown Prince's collar and stealing a few glances. Hua Liuli was indeed a bit flirtatious, yet she was also a morally upright person who appreciates beauty without being disrespectful. What happened today?
Could it be because the cuju match was too intense, making her blood boil?
"Are there any handsome men in the major pleasure houses and dancing establishments in the capital recently?" Hua Liuli attempted to save herself.
"Junzhu, have you forgotten?" Yurong reminded her in a low voice, "Recently, all the major entertainment venues are conducting the 'Cultivate a Civilized Capital' campaign. Musicians and dancers are not allowed to have personal contact with guests."
"It's been so long, and they're still doing that?" Hua Liuli sighed, "When the envoys from various countries leave after the Hundred Nations Banquet..."
"Forget it," Hua Liuli shook her head quickly, "I've already promised..."
She had already promised the Crown Prince not to keep male pets for the next five years. A virtuous woman should keep her word. How could she go back on her word?
"Forget it," Hua Liuli sighed, "Let's just go back home and read books."
The accompanying maids all revealed shocked expressions. Junzhu voluntarily suggested reading books?
"Junzhu, what kind of books do you want to read?" Yurong and Yuan Yi asked the same question at the same time.
"Scriptures," Hua Liuli said with a weary expression, "The kind that helps people cultivate their character, calm their minds, and reduce desires."
After the envoys from Daimao returned to their residence, the gentle-natured He Yuanting flew into a rage.
"All of you are pillars of our Daimao. You should act cautiously and be mindful of what should be said and what shouldn't!" He Yuanting's gaze swept over the crowd, looking tired, "Wei Mingyue is the number one female general of Great Jin, highly respected by the people. Even if you don't like the customs of Great Jin, you shouldn't say such things outside!"
No one dared to utter a word.
Rubbing his throbbing temples, He Yuanting felt disheartened, "Go back and rest, all of you."
"Your Highness, please calm down," one of the envoys said, "The situation hasn't reached the worst point yet. I've heard that the Emperor of Great Jin has started to suspect Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue because of their outstanding achievements."
"As long as they are still generals, we cannot offend them," He Yuanting waved his hand, "Tomorrow, I will personally apologize to the Hua family."
"Your Highness, how can you endure such grievances..."
"People are mere pawns to be sacrificed," He Yuanting smiled helplessly, "What grievances can't be endured?"
They had already stooped to the point of using the beauty trap tactics to seduce Fushou Junzhu, what grievances couldn't he endure?
Thinking of that girl who made everything else in the world pale in comparison, He Yuanting's heart couldn't help but skip a beat several times.
There are people in this world who can make your heart flutter with just one glance.
Liu Mingshi returned to his own room, feeling both ashamed and guilty. He tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall asleep, constantly recalling the words he had said at the teahouse that day.
He recalled being cautious initially, but the young civil official beside him kept mentioning the flaws of women from the Great Jin.
He talked about women socializing with men to paint and write poetry, their frivolous behavior and indulgence in pleasures, and even some noble ladies keeping male companions in their private estates.
Later, he even spoke about the absurd actions of the female general. So he couldn't help but complain about these things.
No, that civil official was clearly deliberately leading him to say these things!
He suddenly sat up from the bed. Not caring about the late hour, he put on his outer robe and prepared to find this young civil official. He suspected that something was wrong with this person!
Just as he opened the door, he saw someone running towards him, panting and looking terrified, "Liu Daren, something terrible has happened. Wang Daren has hanged himself."
"What?!"
Liu Mingshi was shocked. Wang Daren was the young civil official who had deliberately led him to say those things!
He followed the person and rushed to Wang Daren's room. Wang Daren's body had already been taken down, and the rope hanging from the ceiling swayed gently, casting a sinister shadow on the wall in the flickering candlelight.
"Is... is he still alive?" Liu Mingshi's throat felt dry.
The physician who came with the envoy team shook his head, "Wang Daren has no pulse."
Liu Mingshi's teeth rattled and his heart turned cold. This was a massive conspiracy!
He Yuanting also arrived, his hair disheveled and his outer robe loosely hanging on him due to the rush. He raised his hand to stop the crowd behind him from rushing into the room, "Report to Great Jin's Ministry of Justice immediately. No one is allowed to enter."
He looked at the people in the courtyard, his eyes shining with an alarming intensity, "No one can leave this courtyard either."
"Your Highness..." an envoy said, "Why should Great Jin's officials interfere in our affairs?"
"This is the capital city of Great Jin," He Yuanting said, looking at Wang Daren's body in the room, his face pale, "Naturally, they will be the ones to handle it."
In the middle of the night, Zhang Shuo, who was deep in his sleep, heard urgent knocks on the door.
"Daren, something big has happened!"
Zhang Shuo got up from the bed. His department had been so busy lately that he had been sleeping at the Ministry of Justice. He didn't expect to be woken up in the middle of the night, "What happened?"
He opened the door and rubbed his head.
"An envoy from Daimao has died in their residence."
"What?" He exerted force on his hand, and the few remaining strands of hair on his forehead finally met their demise. He lowered his head, his lips trembling as he said in a low voice, "Summon Pei Daren and Gou Daren. We must go there immediately."
Although the Emperor didn't currently intend to meet with the envoys from Daimao, if an envoy died in their capital city, it would become a matter involving both countries.
At the entrance of the Daimao envoy's residence, Zhang Shuo saw the equally anxious Prefect of Jingzhao. Thinking about the few strands of hair on the other person's forehead, which weren't much different from his own, Zhang Shuo let out a deep sigh.
Those who always worried had less hair, indeed.
Pei Jihuai strode into the inner courtyard. Noticing that the Third Prince of Daimao was also present, he raised his hand and took off the sword at his waist before handing it to his subordinate. He approached and saluted, "I am Pei Jihuai, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Greetings to His Highness, the Third Prince."
"Deputy Minister Pei, there's no need for such formality," He Yuanting said wearily, "Take Pei Daren to the scene for investigation."
Pei Jihuai entered the room and glanced at the scene. He saw a farewell letter left by the deceased on the table. He put on silk gloves and opened the letter.
As he read the contents of the letter, his brow furrowed instantly.
What did it mean to acknowledge offending General Wei, unable to face one's country and family, and be willing to die as a form of apology?
Although the letter seemed like a confession, anyone who read it would only feel that the Hua family was being tyrannical. Merely speaking a few unpleasant words led to the death of an envoy.
He folded the letter and looked up at the marks on the beam where the hanging rope was tied. He climbed up and examined the spot, then jumped back down, "Your Highness, the disorderly marks on the beam indicate that the deceased struggled before death."
"What does that mean?"
"It doesn't necessarily mean anything," Pei Jihuai replied, "Whether it's suicide or homicide, experiencing extreme pain and struggling is normal."
He Yuanting's gaze fell to the cuff of Pei Jihuai's sleeve. When Pei Jihuai was speaking, he had tucked the letter left by Wang Daren into his sleeve.
Pei Jihuai pretended not to notice He Yuanting's gaze and spoke as usual, "We will seal this room and have our country's top mortician examine the body."
"Oh, right," Pei Jihuai said, "Until the cause of death is determined, everyone present is considered a suspect. Therefore, the contents of the farewell letter cannot be shown to you for the time being. I hope you all understand."
"What do you mean, Pei Daren?" one of the envoys couldn't help but ask, "Are you implying that others are not suspicious?"
In fact, what he wanted to say was: Are the people from Great Jin not suspicious?
"Don't get agitated, Daren. I didn't say that the culprit must be among you," Pei Jihuai said expressionlessly, "You can think positively. Perhaps the deceased really did commit suicide."
The Daimao envoys did not argue anymore.
He Yuanting remained silent for a moment, then had someone bring Wang Daren's books and handed them to Pei Jihuai, "There are samples of Wang Daren's handwriting inside. Pei Daren, please compare the handwriting. I hope that after the case is solved, Pei Daren can return Wang Daren's farewell letter intact."
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will definitely investigate the case thoroughly and provide you all with the truth."
He Yuanting took a deep breath, "Very well, Pei Daren, I'm counting on you."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Great Jin: Why do I feel like I've ended up with the setting of an antagonistic nation?
Daimao: That's right.
Jinpo: I dare not speak.
