The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 80 - Murder

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Song Chuyi and her group left the city and reached the outskirts of Tongzhou by dusk.

It was getting late, and if they didn't hurry, it would be pitch dark by the time they reached Tongzhou. The night always brought fear, and Qin Chuan frowned, urging everyone to move faster.

Before they left, not only did Old Lady Song repeatedly remind them, but even Song Chengru and the heir also repeatedly told him to protect the Sixth Miss and ensure no harm came to her. He didn't dare to relax for a moment.

Fortunately, after hurrying along, they finally reached Tongzhou. Many tenant farmers carrying hoes were hurrying home under the stars. Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief and, considering that Song Chuyi had been jolted in the carriage all day, ordered the group to slow down.

However, just as they turned past Douge Village and were about to reach their destination, a large group of people suddenly appeared, running towards them in a panic.

Qin Chuan was terrified and immediately ordered the guards to surround Song Chuyi's carriage. He then rode forward to find a young man dressed in fine clothes.

"From the Changning Marquis' residence?" The young man seemed surprised and, after a moment of hesitation, smiled. "What a coincidence to meet an acquaintance here."

An acquaintance?

Qinchuan was stunned, not understanding what the young man meant.

Nanny Xu had already gotten off the carriage and, after understanding the situation, informed Song Chuyi through the curtain, "I don't know what happened, but there are soldiers nearby... It seems we have encountered someone important."

Hongyu's face turned pale, and she looked at Song Chuyi with a somewhat resentful expression. She knew that following her mistress out would not be peaceful. Sure enough, trouble came even before they reached the villa.

"Manager Qin, there's no need to panic. You don't know me, but I know you." The young man laughed heartily, his fine robe making him look even more elegant under the moonlight. "I heard from Song Jue that Manager Qin is skilled in martial arts. I hope to learn from you next time."

The young man could even call out his name and seemed to be familiar with Song Jue. Qinchuan was even more puzzled but knew the young man had no ill intentions, so he cupped his hands and smiled. "You are too modest, sir. May I know who you are? I am under orders to escort my lady to the villa for recuperation. Please grant us passage."

"Of course, I am Ye Jingchuan." Ye Jingchuan glanced at the Song residence's carriage, his smile deepening. "The Zhennan King's residence and the Changning Marquis' residence have always been on good terms. Since we have met, I should escort the marquis' sisters."

It turned out to be Ye Jingchuan, the second son of the Zhennan King! Qinchuan instinctively wanted to refuse. "It seems the second master is on official business with his subordinates. We wouldn't want to delay you. We have enough guards with us, so there's no need to trouble you, second master."

"It's no trouble," Ye Jingchuan waved his hand casually. "Manager Qin, you may not know, but there was a murder case in Douge Village today. The murderer killed all eight members of the Li family. Such a deranged person is still at large, and who knows what other troubles they might cause. To be safe, let me escort you with my men."

A murder case? Qin Chuan's face turned grim upon hearing this. He thought for a moment, then cupped his hands towards Ye Jingchuan and went back to ask Song Chuyi for her opinion.

Hongyu's face grew increasingly pale as she listened, and she couldn't help but clutch Qingtao's sleeve tightly.

Song Chuyi was also surprised. She hadn't expected to encounter an investigation into a massacre as soon as they arrived, nor had she expected the investigator to be Ye Jingchuan, the second son of the Zhennan King and a current commander of the imperial guards.

However, after thinking it over, she nodded and agreed to Ye Jingchuan's proposal. He was right; although the guards from the marquis' residence were sufficient, they might not be able to handle those deranged enough to massacre an entire family.

Ye Jingchuan watched with interest as Qin Chuan consulted with the people inside the carriage, his eyes gradually showing amusement.

A few days ago, he had heard from his father that the marquis' residence had a particularly remarkable Sixth Miss, who had meticulously planned the Xiao Ding incident at a young age. Seeing how obedient Qin Chuan was to this young lady, it seemed he had indeed encountered her.

Seeing Qin Chuan nod, Ye Jingchuan waved his hand, ordering his men to surround Song Chuyi's group and escort them to Dingfu Manor.

Uncle Zhang and Nanny Xu, along with some tenant farmers, were already waiting with lanterns at the manor's entrance, their faces filled with anxiety.

Finally, they arrived safely at the manor. Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to thank Ye Jingchuan.

But before he could turn around, Uncle Zhang came running up, stumbling and panting, saying that something had happened at the manor as well.

"A laborer who was helping with the wheat harvest was found dead in the well in the backyard..."

Qin Chuan felt his end was near, and he opened his mouth wide, momentarily unsure how to react.

However, Ye Jingchuan, who had always worn a leisurely smile, now wore a serious expression and frowned, asking, "When did he die? Do you know who the killer is?"

"It doesn't seem like someone from our area..." Uncle Zhang wiped the sweat off his face, feeling extremely unlucky. "At that time, the laborer was moving a bench into the hall to prepare for the end of the day, and somehow, someone suddenly appeared from the hall and slit his throat..."

Song Chuyi, who was listening clearly from the carriage, suddenly remembered the earlier mention of the Li's family being silenced.

Hongyu was already speechless, her hands trembling with fear. She wanted to persuade Song Chuyi to turn back to the capital, but then she feared encountering those killers in the dark.

Qingtao was also worried. With a murder in the villa, how could anyone stay there?

If there were still people with malicious intent hiding inside, what would happen then?

At this moment, there was no time to think about anything else. Song Chuyi thought for a moment and instructed Qingtao to go and invite Ye Jingchuan.

Qingtao didn't dare to delay and immediately jumped off the carriage to fetch Ye Jingchuan.

Ye Jingchuan had already put away his laziness. Upon hearing the news, he couldn't help but shake his head. However, remembering his father's words, he quickly jumped off his horse and approached Song Chuyi's carriage.

"I heard that the Li's family was exterminated at the time of the Wei hour, but you and your men have been stationed here for three days." Song Chuyi got straight to the point. "Do you have any idea who the killer might be?"

The last trace of amusement disappeared from Ye Jingchuan's face as he looked at the carriage with a complex expression, seemingly trying to see through the curtain to discern the person inside.

He didn't reply for a long time, but Song Chuyi didn't seem to mind and continued, "The Li's family was killed at the Wei hour, and the incident at our villa happened at the Shen hour. Could there be other places where these criminals are lurking, waiting to strike?"

Douge Village is some distance from Dingfu Village. The fact that the killer could strike in such close succession suggests there were more than one or two people involved. If it was premeditated, then the entire Tongzhou area could be in danger.

Song Chuyi tried hard to recall the major events that should have happened at this time in her previous life, feeling a growing sense of unease.