zChapter 792 - The People That Were Killed (1/2)
The People That Were Killed
Since the murder had occurred during a palace banquet during a new year’s celebration, the eunuch did not know if news of this should be reported. But at the very least, he understood that it could not be openly reported in front of so many people, thus he only reported it to Zhang Yuan. Feng Yu Heng, however, had noticed that Zhang Yuan had been called over. The movement of the eunuch’s lips was seen, and she was given a start. Her brow immediately furrowed.
Xuan Tian Ge saw this from the side and curiously asked: “What is it? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Feng Yu Heng shook her head and began to guess at the identities of the two young misses that had been killed. She also guessed at the motive but did not know the essential points. At this time, Zhang Yuan had given it some serious thought then handed this information to the Empress. The Emperor had drank too much and no hope could be placed in him. Moreover, the ones murdered were two young misses. Having the Empress make an appearance to handle it would be more appropriate.
The Empress had been sipping tea and chatting while watching the play with Imperial Concubine Gu Xian. Zhang Yuan coming to report this news caused her head to hurt. It was the new year. Why could things not be a little more peaceful? For some reason, she subconsciously turned her gaze toward Noble Lady Yuan but saw that she was carefreely watching the play and looked to be without a single worry.
Imperial Concubine Gu Xian asked: “What is it?”
But before the Empress could reply, a commotion broke out from the seats in the back, as a madam asked the people near her for help: “My daughter went missing. Has anyone seen our family’s Huan’er?”
Feng Yu Heng looked at the madam that was anxiously looking for her daughter and thought that she looked familiar; however, she could not attach a name to the face. She could only ask Xuan Tian Ge: “Which manor is that madam from? Did she bring her daughter into the palace today?”
Xuan Tian Ge took a look then said: “It’s the wife of the minister of the Board of Punishments. Today, she brought her daughter of the first wife into the palace.” At this time, she furrowed her brow and said with a bit of disdain: “Everyone says that the madam of the minister of the Board of Punishments is not one that can be brought out into the public. Normally, she just loves to bluster loudly. Why is it that she doesn’t know to keep quiet in this sort of setting? If her daughter has gone missing, go and look for her. What is she acting up here for? Not to mention disrupting the playing, it’s not like her daughter’s life will be lost.”
Feng Yu Heng knew that although girls of Da Shun were rather open-minded, being able to go out onto the streets, have their own shops and did not need to be evasive when speaking with men, it did not mean that they were as open-minded as the people of the 21st century. Normally speaking, if the family’s daughter went missing, they should silently go and search on their own. If they truly could not be found, then they should think of something else. To begin with causing a scene, even if that young miss was found, it would cause them to be castigated. For example: Where had she gone? Who did she go with? With these thoughts, good news would not make it out the manor’s gates before bad news had spread over a thousand miles. The people’s thoughts were rather wild. With a young miss going missing, all kinds of thing could come to mind. With these being spread, all manners of stories would be spread. Within a couple days, it would become a secret that everyone knew about.
But Feng Yu Heng was not worried about that young miss’ reputation. Instead, she connected it to the news that the eunuch had just brought to Zhang Yuan. She began to worry about that young miss’ life.
The daughter of the minister of the Board of Punishments, the Board of Punishments was a job that caused offense. It was inevitable that she had been implicated by her father’s work. At this time, the servant at Xuan Tian Ge’s side said to her: “Palace princess, you’ve forgotten that the young miss of the first wife from the minister of the Board of Punishments’ manor was raised later on. It’s possible that this madam is deliberately putting on a play.”
Xuan Tian Ge tapped her head and remembered, urgently going to gossip with Feng Yu Heng: “How could I have forgotten about that. The young miss of the first wife from the minister of the Board of Punishments’ family was born from a concubine. The head madam of the manor could not give birth many years ago, and it was believed that she would never have any hope of giving birth to a child in this life. With nothing that she could do, she sent her servant to her husband’s bed, and she gave birth to a child that she took care of. Later on, she thought of a way to force the concubine to hang herself. But a few years ago, her fortunes turned, and the body that could not get pregnant for many years suddenly became pregnant. Not only did she give birth to her own children, but they were twins of opposite sexes. With her own children, how could she like the one that was born from a concubine, but the young miss of the first wife was one that she had raised since it was born. She could not just kick her back down to the position of daughter of a concubine. Lord minister also really liked that daughter and could not possibly agree. As I see it, it’s most likely that she is deliberately trying to ruin that girl’s reputation.”
Huang Quan and Wang Chuan listened from the side and helplessly shook their heads. Huang Quan spoke earnestly, sighing: “This is the same level of disgusting as the Feng family from back then.”
Feng Yu Heng snorted coldly, “It’s still a little bit away from the Feng family. At least the father has a bit of a conscience.” After speaking, she turned to Xuan Tian Ge and said: “I fear that things might not be as simple as the feelings of resentment from their courtyard. This play will get more and more lively.”
“Hm? Where is this coming from?” Xuan Tian Ge was puzzled. At this time, the Empress and Imperial Concubine Gu Xian stood up. To the side, Zhang Yuan supported the Emperor and prepared to leave Ming Zhi Palace. There were also numerous hidden guards that had come out to protect him. Upon exiting the theatre hall, a group of imperial guards immediately surrounded them and mightily brought the Emperor away.