Real Empress from a Noble Family

Chapter 156 The Murder

Qiu Yelan and Jiang Yashuang were both taken aback, “Who did it?”

“I won’t come to you if I know.” Qiu Feng frowned. “I was on the other bank at that time and the river was flooding. By the time I managed to get to the other side, the person had left and Concubine Mo was dying... I pulled her ashore. It seemed that she wanted to say something but... Now the body is not far away from the farm.”

Jiang Yashuang frowned, “Was it an accidental attack or murder?” Concubine Mo came out with the Duchess of Huainan. She must have been specially dressed, with silk and jewelry all over. It was possible that they caught the eyes of robbers.

“I think it was the latter.” Qiu Feng pondered, “Because the person was so quick at action. After I rescued Concubine Mo, I went to chase him, but he disappeared completely!”

Qiu Yelan wondered, “Could it be a bandit?”

“A bandit would only want money. In that case, he would knock out Concubine Mo and take away the jewelry. There was no need to kill the person.” Jiang Yashuang shook his head, “After all, Concubine Mo was dressed as a noblewoman, and the bandit would also be afraid of being wanted... So Master Qiu is right. It was more likely a murder.”

“Do you suspect Mistress Kang?” Qiu Yelan asked in a deep voice.

Qiu Feng glanced at her, “Mistress Kang? Who is she?”

“Don’t you know Mistress Kang?” said Qiu Yelan in surprise. “Then why did you come to me?”

Qiu Feng frowned, “I was not able to catch the murderer and Concubine Mo died. I remembered you were also on the Jinxiu Slope and was afraid the murderer would harm you, too, so I went to find you. When I knew you were here and the servants of the Jiangs’ were still looking for Concubine Mo, I wanted to tell them through you where Concubine Mo was and remind you of the danger by the way.”

“Thank you very much.” said Qiu Yelan.

Jiang Yashuang suddenly asked, “Did you know Concubine Mo?”

“No.” Qiu Feng said briskly. “Actually, I didn’t know who she was when I saved her. When I was looking for Princess Ningyi yesterday, I met your servants and heard them talk about the person they were looking for and thought the woman should be Concubine Mo.”

“If Concubine Mo was murdered, then the Duchess of Huainan...” Qiu Yelan felt a headache. “Was it Kang Lizhang who did it? But it was too obvious! And where did she get help?”

She suddenly thought of Tianya who handled affairs for money.

“People in this organization are eligible to be praised by Qiu Feng.” Qiu Yelan thought for a while and asked, “Could it be Tianya?”

Qiu Feng frowned at the words and made no answer.

Jiang Yashuang said, “It was possible. In this case, Mistress Kang is the most suspected. She was born of a good family and had the blood of your family. The reason why she is only a mistress is that there can only be one princess, two senior concubines and three concubines. There was no vacancy for her. Now the princess and one senior concubine are gone. If she was clear of suspicion, she might have the opportunity to fill up the vacancy of a senior concubine.”

“But who introduced her to Tianya?” Qiu Yelan murmured.

“It might be that Tianya had found her!” Qiu Feng suddenly sneered. “It seemed that Madame Lu had saved a lot of private savings for this granddaughter at that time. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been chosen!”

Qiu Yelan and Jiang Yashuang were both dumbfounded, “Tianya found her?” What a killer organization! They did door-to-door selling! There was none of the mysterious indifference that killers should have!

“They have rules. They don’t kill, rob or steal out of the task.” Qiu Feng said, “So when they can’t get what they want, they will try their best to make it become a part of the task!”

Qiu Yelan was stunned, “Is there such a thing?”

Qiu Feng exhaled with a bit of sorrow in his eyes, “When I was a green hand, I knew nothing about Tianya and was tricked into the organization. I had thought they were eliminating the bad and the evil. Later, I found that they had been helping the evil... Even my best friend was murdered by them! I have been looking for their leader since then... I got to know a little about Tianya during those years. They often look for those who are rich but have made enemies with others for various reasons. Then they give them a bluestone token and tempt them to go to Tianya for help... You said Mistress Kang?”

“She does have some private savings.” said Qiu Yelan thoughtfully. “Two years ago, the mother and daughter suddenly disappeared from our sight. Now the whereabouts of my aunt is still unknown. I was wondering how she could do it herself. Now it seems that it may have been done by Tianya!”

She mused, “The news should be told to Her Highness first...” She looked at Jiang Yashuang.

Jiang Yashuang understood, “Master Qiu does not want to take credit. I will explain it to my sister.”

Qiu Yelan suddenly thought of something, “Where are Childe Xun and Childe Li?”

“They went back to the city after saying goodbye yesterday.” said Qiu Feng. “I like the scenery of the Jinxiu Slope, so I stayed.”

After he left, Jiang Yashuang pulled Qiu Yelan by the hand and said, “Let me see you off. I’ll tell my sister about the matter so that Master Qiu will not get involved.”

“Well, the outing has turned into a mess now!” Qiu Yelan fretted. “It turned out that Gu E’nuo and her people were blessed by the misfortune. Otherwise they are having the headache now!”

Jiang Yashuang smiled, “It seems like there was so much trouble. But what does it have to do with us? We’ll just stay here for a couple of days because of the heavy rain.”

He added, “It is the Duke’s family that is in trouble.”

“But I hope I won’t be related to Mistress Kang.” Qiu Yelan rubbed her eyebrows. “I really don’t know what she wanted me to do. The Duke of Huainan was really too indiscreet. He should believe a mistress and allow her to take the princess, the concubines and others for the outing! Who is the real lady and who is the mistress?”

“He’s probably old and confused.” said Jiang Yashuang. “But if it hadn’t been for Master Qiu, who would have thought Mistress Kang had hired Tianya?”

“Fortunately, Commandery Princess Lihui was knocked out by me. If she were conscious and knew it, she would faint!” Qiu Yelan shook her head. “A man at such an age is still fond of women! It’s hard for him not to have trouble! What a sad story it is for the Duchess of Huainan and Concubine Mo! If it had not been for her mother, Commandery Princess Lihui might also have been killed this time!”

Jiang Yashuang smiled, “Well, I remember what you said. You don’t like me to have concubines. Don’t worry! I will have you as my only wife!”

“Who worries?!” Qiu Yelan gave him a blow angrily. “I’m talking about the Duke of Huainan! Why do you keep talking about yourself?”

Jiang Yashuang laughed, “I often reflect on myself. Isn’t it good?”

“It’s as if I love you so much!” Qiu Yelan looked up, “As if I think of you whatever I hear or see!”

“Aren’t you like this?”Jiang Yashuang smiled, “If so, I didn’t take it wrong; if not, I’d like to take you as such, so long as I’m happy.”

Qiu Yelan laughed angrily, “I don’t love you! You think I love you, but I really don’t love you!”

“It’s not the first time you have played the game.” Jiang Yashuang was not hit at all and said gladly, “I know I have to read the opposite of what you say.”

“You fool!” Qiu Yelan stepped on him and hummed, “Here we are. Zhuang Man and Xue Nongqing stay with me! See you!”

Jiang Yashuang had to stop and regretted, “Why did you call them over? Isn’t that inconvenience to you?”

“The corpse of Princess Huainan was laid in the farmhouse. They are afraid.” Qiu Yelan curled the corner of her mouth. “I caught two fish and cooked for them at Liuhua Waterfall. They thought I was bold, so they moved over...”

“Wait!” Jiang Yashuang was surprised. “You can cook?”

“Of course, I am a nice cook! Leave me in the valley of this season with a bag of salt and I’ll make a feast!” Qiu Yelan said proudly. “Do you think I am as lazy and ignorant as you?”

“What a joke!” Jiang Yashuang said jealously. “I don’t know Zhuang Man and others have eaten... How could it be?”

“How about anatomizing them?” Qiu Yelan made a face at him, “But it’s still no use. They have eaten up every single bit!”

“Wait!” Jiang Yashuang grabbed her by the sleeve and said discontentedly, “When will you cook a meal for me? I don’t want fish. They’ve all eaten. Cook something else. Whatever!”

Qiu Yelan hummed, “No way! Do you think I’m a kitchen maid?”

“Is there such a beautiful kitchen maid?” Jiang Yashuang was so annoying and amusing. “I beg you... even it’s vegetable and tofu! I haven’t tasted your cooking!” When this did not work, he changed his strategy and began to goad her. “Well, I guess what you cooked was hard to swallow and you didn’t want me to suffer, so you gave it to Zhuang Man and others. I know you care about me!”

“Bah!” Qiu Yelan said, “Your sister praised my cooking! You think I am Zhuang Man? Dogs wouldn’t eat her cooking!”

Jiang Yashuang was going crazy. “What? My sister also tasted? They all tasted your cooking yesterday at Jinxiu Slope? I even didn’t see it. How could it be? You are too bad!”

“So what?” said Qiu Yelan triumphantly. “I just like it! Let go. I am going back!”

Hearing what she said, Jiang Yashuang narrowed his eyes and suddenly took her into his arms. Forehead against forehead, he said with a faint smile, “Don’t you know... what would happen if you were bad?”

Qiu Yelan exploded immediately, holding him on the waist and warned, “Dare you do anything, believe it or not, I’ll strangle you!”

Jiang Yashuang took a bite on her earlobe without hesitation!

“You want to die!” Qiu Yelan became so angry that she pinched hard below his ribs. However, it was as hard as steel!

“Did you forget that I am wearing the silk armor?” Jiang Yashuang laughed, “Will you be a good girl?”

Qiu Yelan stamped on his foot, raising her hand and grabbing at his cheeks, “How can you protect here!” She was just about to apply force when suddenly she heard someone say embarrassedly behind her, “Cousin... what are you...”

She quickly put down her hand and looked back. Qiu Jinzhu and her maids, Tinlan and Tinhe were staring at them in a daze at the moon gate!

“Thank you very much, General Jiang. I’ve arrived.” Qiu Yelan coughed, quickly straightened her clothes and turned around as if nothing had happened. “Where are you going?”

Qiu Jinzhu stared at Jiang Yashuang for a while. Seeing that there was some displeasure in her eyes, she blushed and whispered, “I feel a little bored and want to take a walk. I didn’t mean to...”

“All right. There you go.” Qiu Yelan said that just for a shift of the atmosphere. She was not interested in her explanation. The more she heard, the more awkward she would be. She waved her hand and said, “I’m going back to the room.”

Qiu Jinzhu didn’t expect that she wouldn’t even blush. She froze for a while. Seeing her passing her with no guilty conscience, she herself felt dizzy for no reason and said, “Yes!”

But she stood still until Qiu Yelan disappeared behind the moon gate and the young man with an umbrella left swiftly like an immortal. Qiu Jinzhu was a little lost and randomly chose a direction to walk. A thought kept lingering in her mind, “That’s General Jiang? He’s so handsome!” Then she panicked, “He and cousin?”