"Hiding corpses." Bo Ruoyou said these two words, and her scalp tingled for a while, "A lot of ice is used, most of the village has ice cellars, and the only possibility of using ice for many years, I only think of the place where corpses are hidden." use."
Both Huo Weilou and Luke's expressions changed, Huo Weilou said, "Hiding a corpse in the ice cellar?"
Lu Ke also said: "It means that Uncle Zhongyi is still harming people? But why didn't he throw away the corpse, but chose to hide the corpse in Zhuangzi?"
Bo Ruoyou shook her head, "No, the corpse of an ordinary victim is naturally not worth so much effort to preserve, but what if it is his dearest relative?"
Huo Weilou instantly understood what she meant, "If his motive was for Princess Anyang and his eldest son Feng Yu, he naturally wanted them to come back from the dead, so he preserved the corpse."
Lu Ke opened his mouth wide in surprise, as if he felt that this trip was really insane, but thinking of the murderer murdering young children year after year, he felt it was reasonable.
Huo Weilou pondered for a while, and instructed Lu Ke: "Go and find out how the funeral was done after the Anyang princess passed away. If you really hid the body, it will definitely not be the usual funeral."
Luke left the mansion for business, Huo Weilou and Bo Ruoyou's faces were sinking like water, the heavy snow was still falling outside the window, and the stone path cleared during the day turned white again, this winter day was the same as the past 18 years cold.
Lu Ke returned to the Marquis Mansion at dusk on the second day, and Lin Huai and Sun Zhao were summoned to read several books with investigation details together with Huo Weilou and Bo Ruoyou.
"Last year and this year, the Biezhuang outside the city of Zhongyi used a considerable amount of ice, mainly between May and August, but the difference between the two years is that last summer, Zhongyibo lived outside the city. A whole summer, but this year, Uncle Zhongyi only stayed for two months, but the ice he used has not decreased."
"As for Uncle Zhongyi's mansion in the city, because Uncle Zhongyi lived in the uncle's mansion for a longer period of time this year, he used more ice this year and less than last year. This is normal. It's just strange now. The time is different, but the ice used is the same, and the subordinates have also investigated the past three years, and no matter how long Uncle Zhongyi lives outside the city, the amount of ice used is the same."
Lu Ke took advantage of everyone's careful attention to explain it, and his doubts just confirmed Bo Ruoyou's guess yesterday, Bo Ruoyou said: "Right now, I can be sure that these ices are not for himself, but for Anything else."
Sun Zhao and Lin Huai looked at each other, and Sun Zhao said, "Is there someone else living in Zhuangzi?"
Huo Weilou's voice was slightly cold, "There are only a few old servants of his confidants in the Zhuangzi, and there is no one else."
"The ice-"
"Probably dead."
Huo Weilou's words made the room chill suddenly, Sun Zhao and Lin Huai were puzzled, at this moment, Lu Ke said: "When the Anyang princess passed away, the funeral ceremony department and the inner government sent people to come forward, but the funeral is the Uncle Zhongyi did it himself. Later, the Empress Dowager missed Princess Anyang and sent a nanny to see the remains of Princess Anyang, but she didn't realize that the coffin had already been nailed to death. After the coffin was sealed, the nanny didn't insist, and only offered incense for the Empress Dowager. , and returned to the palace to return to life."
"At that time, the whole uncle's house knew about it, and they all said how much the empress dowager loved the princess, how much the uncle loved his deceased wife, and even the funeral had to be supervised by himself. Later, funerals and so on became common rituals."
Huo Weilou and Bo Ruoyou looked at each other, and they confirmed their previous deduction more and more. It was too late to replace the coffin. The only possibility was that the body lying in the coffin was not the body of Princess Anyang.
Huo Weilou said: "It seems that it is really possible that he has the intention of bringing his wife and children back to life."
Lin Huai took a deep breath, "Master Hou, you mean that the use of ice in the village is because he hid the corpses of Princess Anyang and the eldest son Feng Yu?"
Huo Weilou nodded, and Bo Ruoyou immediately said: "The princess of Anyang has been dead for eighteen years. Although using ice can keep the corpse from rotting to bones, it is impossible to preserve the appearance of the dead body, but I remember the method of death. It is said that even if the appearance of a person is withered, it can still make people regenerate their hair and nails."
It was Feng Qin who sat in the hall of the Hou Mansion and informed everyone about the art of death. Thinking of this, Bo Ruoyou still felt shuddering.
Sun Zhao hurriedly asked: "Then Houye, what are we going to do now?"
Huo Weilou's pupils were stern, he glanced at the night outside the window, and said coldly: "It's not too late, let's take people out of the city now—"
Sun Zhao got up immediately, "Wu Xiang is waiting outside, the next officer ordered him to count the number of people accompanying him."
Huo Weilou nodded, and turned to look at Bo Ruoyou, the night was approaching, and there was heavy snow again, she planned to make Bo Ruoyou wait in the mansion, but Bo Ruoyou didn't understand what he meant, nodded and said: "Master Hou, go, I am waiting for good news from Lord Hou at the Hou Mansion."
Huo Weilou was relieved, and ordered Lu Ke to count the troops. Not long after, the embroidered clothes envoy and the servants of the Hou's government were all ready to go. He put on a cloak and went out in the early night.
A group of people rode on horses, and when they reached the gate of the city, it was already dark, and when they left the city, there was an official road paved with snow. He couldn't keep up, but fortunately he soon reached the bank of the Luo River, approaching the market, Huo Weilou slowed down his horse.
Lu Ke ordered an embroiderer to go first, and after a short while, this person returned to return, "Hou Ye, Uncle Zhongyi has been recuperating in the other village and has not gone out. The best son Feng Ye is also attending the illness in the village."
Huo Weilou ordered this person to lead the way, and after an hour of incense sticks, he stopped at this villa located west of the Luohe River.
Zhuangzi is facing the Luohe River, with gray tiles and white walls, surrounded by pines and bamboos, covering the sky and blocking out the sun. In the night, it looks especially dark and gloomy. An embroidered envoy lit a torch, and after walking a section of stone road, he arrived at the gate of Biezhuang.
The embroidered envoy stepped forward to call the door, and waited for a while before opening the door. The old servant who opened the door had never seen such a battle, and immediately showed panic. Lu Ke shouted: "Marquis Wu Zhao was ordered to investigate the case—"
The embroidered clothes envoy rushed in without any explanation, the old servant's complexion changed, and when he turned to leave, he was restrained by the embroidered clothes envoy, Huo Weilou led Sun Zhaoda into the gate of the villa.
This is a beautiful manor, even in winter, the garden is still verdant and verdant. Huo Weilou walked along the main road to the most brightly lit place in the garden, before he came to him, he saw Feng Ye He stepped out with a startled face.
"Master Hou? What is Master Hou doing?"
Feng Ye was startled and dazed, Huo Weilou glanced around, and said first: "Find out all the servants."
Lu Ke took the order, and Feng Ye became even angrier, but in front of Huo Weilou, he dared not attack anyway, "Dare to ask Lord Hou, why is this? My father is now injured and recovering from illness, Master Hou is so indiscriminate, I am afraid that I will Ask His Majesty for an explanation!"
Huo Weilou glanced at him coolly, "Is there an ice cellar in the house?"
Feng Ye's eyes widened, "Bingjiao? With the momentum of Lord Hou, are you here to find Bingjiao?"
Huo Weilou was too lazy to talk to him, so he ordered the embroiderer at the side, "Find a servant to inquire, first go and search to see if there is an ice cellar in the village—"
The embroidered clothes envoys and Yamen servants all took action. Although Wu Xiang didn't know the inside story earlier, but now he killed Uncle Zhongyi's Zhuangzi, he naturally understood, so he led people to the depths of Zhuangzi.
"Father-"
Feng Ye suddenly called out, and saw Feng Qin coming out from under the eaves of the garden wearing a Taoist robe. It was a cold day in the twelfth lunar month, his hair was disheveled, his face was gray, but he was still not afraid of the cold, standing with his back straight.
Huo Weilou looked over at a distance of several feet, and the moment he met Feng Qin, he felt familiar. Soon, he remembered where this familiarity came from. When he saw Li Shen in the government prison that day, This expression was also on Li Shen's face.
He ordered the embroiderer to search everywhere, and then strode towards Feng Qin.
The night wind whipped up the snow and howled, and his cloak and robe were also blown up and down. Feng Qin watched him approach step by step, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his unsupported figure swayed after all.
"Master Hou didn't greet me when he came late, I was really rude."
The burns were real. Feng Qin had a sick face, and his voice was hoarse. Huo Weilou looked him up and down for a moment, and his eyes fell on his left arm, which was obviously weak, "Uncle is also cruel to himself. , it’s just that I probably didn’t expect the Marquis to come so fast.”
Feng Qin pulled his lips, "I don't know what Lord Hou means."
Huo Weilou also held his lips, "Don't worry, you will know soon."
Feng Ye stepped forward to support Feng Qin, still looked at Huo Weilou with some annoyance, but couldn't hide the uneasiness on his face, Feng Qin patted the back of his hand to comfort him, Feng Ye finally calmed down a little.
Huo Weilou began to look at the Zhuangzi, "Although the scenery is good, it is not worth living here for many years as an uncle. This place is always inferior to the uncle's mansion in the capital."
The corners of Feng Qin's lips were slightly curved, and his haggard skin trembled slightly, "A person of pure cultivation is the same everywhere."
Huo Weilou stopped talking, just stood sideways under the wind and snow, his eagle-like sharp eyes slowly looked into the distance, as if he was measuring something, Feng Qin's throat was dry, "Since the Marquis is here, why don't you go into the hall and talk?" , is there any misunderstanding?"
Huo Weilou glanced into his room, he was as motionless as a mountain, "Don't worry."
Soon, Lu Ke and Wu Xiang came quickly from outside, Lu Ke said: "Master Hou, I found the ice cellar, there is no more ice left in it."
In front of the two of Feng Qin, Feng Qin's cloudy eyes trembled slightly, but his face seemed to be wearing a mask. Huo Weilou turned to look at him, "Last winter, Zhuangzi picked ten carts. Ice bricks, in summer, the Zhuangzi bought Tibetan ice with thousands of taels of silver, Uncle made alchemy in the Zhuangzi, so it was not for playing with crushed ice, so where did all the ice go now?"
Feng Qin frowned slightly, "Alchemy is always hot. In summer, I have to use half a carload of ice bricks every day. It's normal to consume too much. I didn't know that I was guilty of using too much ice."
Feng Ye hurriedly said: "My father is afraid of heat and likes coolness. There should be no guilt for this."
Huo Weilou's eyes fell on Feng Ye's left arm, "Recently, the Chief Envoy is investigating an old case—"
Before Feng Qin could speak, Feng Ye couldn't help but said, "Master Hou has always been known as being ruthless and selfless, but now he wants to use public weapons for private use. You can't just plant us for the sake of County Lord Anning!"
Huo Weilou looked at Feng Ye, "The Marquis hasn't said what the case is yet, but you know it's related to County Lord Anning?"
Feng Ye was stunned for a moment, and then fell silent. Huo Weilou knew the real murderer was secretly watching their movements, and now Feng Ye's words confirmed his guess, thinking that the person in front of him was most likely to be the real murderer back then, thinking of During the night that Bo Ruoyou experienced, his eyes showed a chill even worse than the snowstorm.
However, Feng Qin met his gaze, but he was not flustered, as if he felt that he couldn't find any criminal evidence.
At this time, Lu Ke came forward, "Master Hou, there are now five old servants in Zhuangzi."
Huo Weilou's eyes turned cold, and he didn't bother with the father and son any more.
"Trial."
He put down a word, and the embroiderers took action immediately. The old servants were servants of the loyal uncle's mansion for many years, so they were naturally loyal to Feng Qin, but what kind of methods did the embroiderers use? There was a scream.
The wind was swift and snowy, and one after another screams broke through the snow, abrupt and ear-piercing. Feng Ye was very angry before, but seeing that the embroidered clothes envoy was merciless, he felt fear in his heart. Why did you come when the building was in danger!
"Father-"
Feng Ye couldn't help pulling La Fengqin's arm.
Feng Qin was expressionless, but only Feng Ye knew that his figure was getting stiffer and stiffer.
With less than half a cup of tea, Lu Ke came in from the outside, "Master Hou, said that all the ice in summer was not put into the ice cellar, but was sent into the alchemy room. After sending it in, Uncle Zhongyi will not let them care , They also thought that Uncle Zhongyi was used to resist the heat, and the servants of the alchemy room were not allowed to enter or leave the alchemy room, and the key was always in the hands of Uncle Zhongyi."
"Where is the pill room?"
"Northwest of Shonai—"
"lead the way."
Huo Weilou turned around and walked away, Feng Qin's figure shook violently.
Going deep along the main road in the mansion, you will soon come to an independent courtyard. This courtyard is different from other places, the pavilions are very tall, and the embroidered clothes envoy lit torches and lamps. You can see the burned down roof of the main hall.
Lu Ke said from the side: "It was the fire that started that day that burned down the house, and a little half of the elixir and warehouses on both sides were also burned down. Because Uncle Zhongyi was also injured, they didn't have time to clean up after that. So that they don't have to worry about cleaning up here."
Huo Weilou could see it in his eyes, looking at this scene, he couldn't help but think of the fire in Qingzhou at the beginning of the year. The fire could indeed turn everything on the ground into ashes, but the things under the ground were hard to hide.
"Get some utensils, dig up and search—"
After finishing speaking, he ordered, "You Qi searched to see if there are any corpses in the fire scene."
This time there were a lot of people, the embroiderer brought two servants here, and quickly found many handy utensils, everyone lit torches and entered the fire scene, Huo Weilou and Sun Zhao stood beside, Sun Zhaodong He couldn't stop sneezing, but Huo Weilou still stood tall, as if he couldn't feel the wind, snow and cold.
Soon, Huo Weilou ordered again: "Continue the interrogation and see what Feng Qin has done in Zhuangzi in the past two months."
Lu Ke personally brought people to interrogate a few old servants. Feng Qin is very likely to be the real murderer. These servants are loyal to him, and they may also be accomplices. Therefore, the embroiderer is also quite neat. After half an hour, Lu Ke Returning with a dignified look.
"Master Hou, the servants said that Feng Qin has been refining alchemy in Zhuangzi for the past two months, and the frequency of alchemy is much higher than before. In alchemy, the servants were worried about whether it would cause a fire." Lu Ke frowned, "He is guilty, so he alchemy to resolve it?"
Huo Weilou stared at the fire scene in the night, and said for a while, "I'm afraid he didn't make pills."
At this moment when it was approaching the son, although there were many people brought along, but in the night, the wind and snow were heavy, and it was not smooth to clear the fire scene. Huo Weilou ordered people to guard Feng Ye and his son separately, and he himself kept guarding the fire scene. In the middle of the night, Sun Zhao couldn't hold on anymore, sneezing and found the front yard to escape the cold.
The long, windy and snowy night seemed endless. Huo Weilou stood among the broken walls, and the nightmare of Bo Ruoyou's day always appeared in his mind. Whenever he thought of that scene, he couldn't relax. But Li was suffering from the severe cold with everyone, and the others naturally did not dare to belittle them. They were so busy until dawn, when an embroiderer standing in black ashes stood in the pile of charcoal and yelled.
"Master Hou, I found out—"