That night Liu Huiniang sang for half the night, and many people heard it.
Mr. Fu said fairly: "That night, the old slave also heard her sing for a long time. I guessed that it was halfway through the song and it was about to reach the ugly hour. Later, the old slave fell asleep, so I don't know when it ended."
Bo Ruoyou nodded, "Minnv also heard it before she went to bed. She just said that she had been singing that night. As long as someone heard her singing all the time, she would not be the one who harmed Li Yuchang."
This is the subtle situation that Huo Weilou said. Now Liu Huiniang is very suspicious, but everyone who heard her sing that night can testify for her, and it is almost impossible to continue to doubt her. Admiration, especially the unfinished half-sentence, is even more suspicious.
Huo Weilou pondered for a moment, "If a murderer wants to harm someone, there must be a reason. Now I want to know whether Chen Hanmo died of illness, so let Qian Mingli come in—"
Steward Qian was called in again, and seeing that Liu Huiniang had been detained, Steward Qian was sweating profusely, for fear that he would be arrested too. When Huo Weilou asked about Chen Hanmo, Steward Qian said: "I really have tuberculosis, please Let the doctor show it to him."
Huo Weilou stared at Qian Mingli with cold eyes, "Having asked a doctor to prescribe medicine does not mean that he really wanted to cure him. At that time, Chen Hanmo was writing the script for Liu Huiniang, and the two of them were often in the same place. You also said that Li Yuchang did this I'm still quite annoyed, since that's the case, has he ever tampered with Chen Hanmo's illness, or had other thoughts?"
Qian Mingli sweat dripped down his forehead, "Small man... I don't know what to say, if you say that the master is not wronged at all, it is not wrong. At that time, I invited a doctor, and the doctor said that the disease is difficult to cure. Hanging expensive medicinal materials can make him live a few more years, but after all, Chen Hanmo is just a sour talent, and he is not on the stage, the master can't support him with gold and silver."
Qian Mingli smiled wryly, "Afterwards, he only used some common herbs, and after a while, the person died."
Huo Weilou narrowed his eyes, "In the troupe, is there anyone else who has disputes or enmity with Li Yuchang?"
"That's not true. Although the master is sometimes harsh, these people are not hungry. The master raised them in the theater, which is a great deal for them. It's too late for them to curry favor with the master. Master got into a dispute?" Up to this point, Qian Mingli said as if thinking of something: "The only one who said there was a dispute was Mr. Song. After Mr. Song lost his voice, he had two quarrels with the master, and he would sing whatever he said. It’s over, I want to use the money I’ve saved over the years to redeem myself. However, everyone in Song was brought out by the master, and they have been with the master for the longest time, so the master is naturally unwilling to let go.”
Qian Mingli said again: "Speaking of which, the master also has some affection for the Song family. She was very talented at the beginning, so the master asked the husband at that time to teach her alone. Later, he really lived up to his expectations and accepted a newcomer. The master then Let Song everyone teach one by one, and they trust her very much. Although her voice is not good now, but the master still let her take the stage... "
It can be seen that Qian Mingli is quite loyal to Li Yuchang, and his tone is always towards him, Huo Weilou thought for a moment, ordered him to back down, and asked Lu Ke to summon Chunqin.
Eunuch Fu was puzzled, "Chunqin? The little girl that Steward Qian scolded at that night?"
Huo Weilou nodded, "It's her, people are panicking now, so I naturally look for someone who can tell the truth, so as not to waste my tongue, Qian Mingli said that Song Meiniang and Li Yuchang were at odds, but it was just for the sake of redemption, Li Yuchang died, Song Meiniang is still a concubine of the Li family , can't solve her anxiety, and since she and Liu Huiniang have turned against each other, it seems unlikely that they will commit the crime together."
Bo Ruoyou said: "We don't know what must have happened that night. Liu Huiniang has been singing, but the whereabouts of the others are hard to ascertain. But when they were questioned that day, everyone had their own way of talking. Among them, Someone else must be lying."
Huo Weilou stared for a moment, thinking of something, his eyes darkened a bit.
Soon, Chunqin came, and she was only about ten years old. She was brought over by the embroiderer, and she looked a little panicked. She entered the door and saluted in a proper manner. .
Huo Weilou's voice softened a bit, "How long have you been in Yuchun class? Do you know Chen Hanmo?"
Chunqin lowered her head, "Minnv has been in the Yuchun Troupe for three years, and she was bought in at the age of seven. You know... I know Mr. Chen, she is a drama writer in the Western Opera Troupe, and she is quite talented."
"Did he die of illness?"
"Yes, it is… "
"How is his relationship with Liu Huiniang?"
Chunqin couldn't help raising her eyes to look at Huo Weilou, and then quickly lowered her eyes, "They... are walking very close..."
"Details."
Huo Weilou's words were concise, and Chunqin hesitated for a moment before saying: "Sister Liu is the best singer in the troupe, and she is also beautiful in life. She appreciates Mr. Chen, and Mr. Chen also loves her. She is very compatible in our eyes. That little girl For half a year, Mr. Chen wrote a playbook for Sister Liu, and the two got along a lot..."
As Chunqin talked, she felt a little shy, as if she had something hard to say.
Huo Weilou narrowed his eyes, "Don't hide it."
Chunqin hurriedly said: "Someone in the yard saw the two of them hugging each other and discussing in private, but the person who was discussing was kicked out later. The daughter of the people had never seen it with her own eyes, so naturally she dared not speak nonsense, but... even others felt that the two of them They are a good match, and they admire each other, so naturally there is some friendship... "
As Chunqin spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her head hung lower.
Huo Weilou asked again: "When Chen Hanmo died, did the theater invite a doctor?"
Chunqin thought about it for a moment before saying, "At first I invited him, but when he heard that it was tuberculosis, the master became a little jealous, so he moved him out of the theater and let him live in a servant's room in the outer courtyard. Mr. Chen passed away."
"How to deal with the aftermath?"
"It seems that the master sent Mr. Chen's body back to his hometown, and rewarded him with some money." Chunqin paused, "Sister Liu was sad for a while, but if she doesn't come on stage, the master will be furious of."
"The night Li Yuchang died, did you hear any unusual noises outside?"
Chunqin thought about it for a while, "Yueniang was with Sister Song that night, and the girl went to bed early, but she didn't hear anything, except that she heard Sister Liu singing for a long time before going to bed."
"Yueniang has been with Song Meiniang all this time?"
"Yes, they are masters and apprentices, and their relationship has always been very good. That day, Sister Song fell seriously ill after jumping into the river, and she couldn't get off the ground for a few days. Yue Niang stayed with her to take care of her. It just so happened that she lived with Sister Song that night. all night."
Huo Weilou recalled that Liu Huiniang was also Song Meiniang's disciple, "Both Liu Huiniang and Yueniang were taught by Song Meiniang, but Liu Huiniang had a bad relationship with her, do you know the inside story?"
Chunqin shrank even more when she heard the words, as if she was afraid of saying bad things about Liu Huiniang.
Huo Weilou said: "You tell the truth, no one can harm you."
Chunqin was rescued by Huo Weilou that day, and she was a little grateful in her heart. She raised her eyes to look at Huo Weilou, and then continued: "Sister Liu also respected Sister Song very much at first, but after she got the master's attention, she changed. One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and this is the reason why. Yueniang has been taken care of by Sister Song since she was a child, and she loves her like a sister, so she naturally stands by Sister Song. At first she didn't want to teach Yueniang, it was the master who ordered her to teach, so she started teaching Yueniang to sing, Yueniang is the most talented among us."
"Song Meiniang didn't want to teach her at first?" Huo Weilou frowned slightly.
Chunqin also seemed a little puzzled, "Yes, when the maidservant was just bought into the garden, I heard the master get angry at Sister Song because she didn't want to teach Yueniang."
Treating Yueniang as her own sister, but unwilling to teach her how to sing...
Huo Weilou suddenly thought of what Qian Mingli said, Li Yuchang is not simply lustful, he is only interested in opera actors who can sing well, is it because of this that Song Meiniang is unwilling to teach Yueniang
"How does Li Yuchang treat Yueniang?"
Chunqin showed a bit of envy when she heard the words, "Treat her very well and value her very much. Yueniang was only eleven years old, and the master made her appear on stage. In the past, it was Sister Song and Sister Six, both of whom were thirteen. It was only four years old that he took the stage for the first time."
Seeing the envious expression on Chun Qin's face, Huo Weilou said, "You also want to go on stage earlier?"
Chunqin quickly narrowed her eyes, and said embarrassingly: "The folk girls can't sing well enough, and now they can only help with odd jobs."
The corners of Huo Weilou's lips twitched slightly, and he still said: "When you were bought, did you only come to learn to sing, or did you know that you were the Li family's maidservant? You opera actors, if you are too old to sing, what will the Li family do to you? "
When Chunqin heard the words, she said: "Minnv was sold to the Li family with a death contract. She first learned to sing opera, and if she couldn't learn, she became a maidservant of the Li family. Previously, some of the older opera actors were given away by the master, and some were given away by the master. Stay with the master to serve."
Chunqin spoke naturally, and when it came to staying by Li Yuchang's side to serve, she was not at all intimidated. It seemed that this matter was tacitly understood by everyone. Huo Weilou's eyes dimmed. It seemed that what Qian Mingli said was right, these people were all servant girls after all. As concubines, they already knew their fate.
The world is like this in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it is common for officials and officials to buy and sell maids and servants. Naturally, Huo Weilou would not treat them with special pity because of this. He only asked: "Who else in the troupe is on good terms with Liu Huiniang?"
Chunqin frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head, "Sister Liu has a high status in the theater troupe, and she was close to Mr. Chen earlier. After Mr. Chen died, although she was kind to everyone, whoever she walked closest to is the most important person." Never."
This is strange, besides Liu Huiniang, who else could lure Li Yuchang to the balcony
"What scenes are rehearsed for "Resurrection" now?"
Chunqin's expression was a little weird when she heard the words, "The rehearsal of this play has not yet started, and I only heard Sister Liu sing it alone, and every time I sang with the master, the master also likes to sing and act very much, but he is too old to pretend to be alive." It's time for the role." He lowered his voice, "Sister Liu and the master are singing, the master is naturally happy..."
An excellent playbook, which is not rehearsed with young and handsome students, but sang with Li Yuchang every day, and it is such a deeply affectionate story in the playbook, in the eyes of others, it is either Liu Huiniang flattering Li Yuchang, or The two had some friendship, but Li Yuchang's death had something to do with the script, and Liu Huiniang became the most suspected person, all this seemed to make sense.
Huo Weilou took a look at Bo Ruoyou, her speculation after reading the script was indeed weird, but the more she asked now, the more clues she found, if it was someone else, it would be difficult to draw such a deduction.
After Chunqin retired, Bo Ruoyou said: "Liu Huiniang sings with Li Yuchang every day, Li Yuchang may have regained the feeling of being a young student, and joined the show, but that night Liu Huiniang sang in the room, and the two cabins were separated It's so far away, Li Yuchang understands it clearly from this side, so he won't fall into the river just because of the sound so far away."
Huo Weilou called Shen Ya in, "The boat can be parked at Changfeng Ferry tomorrow, and everyone on board is not allowed to disembark."
Shen Ya quickly responded, and couldn't help but ask: "Master Hou, is it because Boss Yu's death makes a difference?"
Huo Weilou nodded, "Or die for setting up a trick for others."
Shen Ya's face paled, "He is the class leader of the Yuchun class, and he went to the capital this time to sing for the Hou's mansion... how could he be harmed by someone, the person who harmed him should be a member of the Yuchun class, right? "
Huo Weilou said: "It has nothing to do with your boat for the time being, so you don't have to be afraid."
Even the Shen family didn't want to easily get involved in a murder case. Shen Ya breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the words, "That's good, that's good. Don't worry, Lord Hou. After the boat docks tomorrow, it will stop half a mile away from the ferry, so as not to disturb everyone." Master Hou."
Huo Weilou nodded in agreement, and when Shen Ya retreated, Huo Weilou saw Bo Ruoyou's small face wrinkled, looking very anxious, "We won't let them off the boat tomorrow, we still have time to investigate."
Bo Ruoyou frowned, "The girl is thinking, there must be someone in the troupe who is friendly with Liu Huiniang and is willing to drive her, or someone who hates Li Yuchang as much as Liu Huiniang can help her, but it's all guesswork now. Apart from knowing that Liu Huiniang has an affair with Chen Hanmo, and that she may seek revenge for Chen Hanmo, there is no other proof for now."
Eunuch Fu also said: "Chen Hanmo has no close people in the troupe, and I don't know if this Li Yuchang has done other evil things."
Has Li Yuchang done any other evil things...
Huo Weilou's eyes suddenly flashed a cold light, "Li Yuchang has no other hobbies, except that he is always possessive of opera actors who sing well, and Liu Huiniang is already his, and Song Meiniang can't escape even if he thinks about it. Next is Yueniang, this Yueniang may be possessed by an old man at such a young age, and in order to avoid disaster, she may become murderous."
Bo Ruoyou is always very soft-hearted towards young children, so she has never thought about Yueniang. When Huo Weilou said this, she was surprised at first, and Huo Weilou knew that she had never thought of such a possibility, so He said: "Just now, the Marquis heard that Song Meiniang and Li Yuchang also had quarrels, but what she asked for was redemption. Li Yuchang's death could not solve her problem, but if Li Yuchang became possessive of Yueniang, it would be very difficult for Yueniang. , she will be safe only when Li Yuchang is dead."
"Liu Huiniang avenges her sweetheart, and Yueniang protects herself. Li Yuchang's death is the most beneficial for both of them." Seeing that Bo Ruoyou hesitated to speak, Huo Weilou said: "Although she is young, she has been around since she was a child." Growing up in the theater troupe, I am used to seeing people in the cold and warm world, and my mind is not as pure as that of ordinary children, so you can't feel compassion for her just because she is young."
Huo Weilou hit the nail on the head, and Bo Ruoyou said hesitantly, "But she and Liu Huiniang had a bad relationship..."
Hearing this, Huo Weilou continued, "Have you forgotten how Wang Qingfu and Yue Mingquan pretended to be estranged, but they partnered to kill ten years ago? In order to deceive others, Wang Qingfu can pretend to be friends with Wu Yu, and then Yueniang can pretend to be friends with Wu Yu." Liu Huiniang has turned against evil, and it is difficult to distinguish between good and evil in people's hearts. She is sympathetic at such a young age, and it is indeed hard to think of her, but this situation seems to be subtle and flawless, so the murderer must have used a method that we can hardly guess."
Huo Weilou's voice sank, "More importantly... Yueniang has already started to sing on stage at a young age, what if she learns the story of resurrection and lures Li Yuchang to the balcony so that he stumbles and falls?"
Bo Ruoyou's breathing was a little tight. Huo Weilou's meticulous words really made her spine shudder. There seemed to be no flaws. There must be an entry point that everyone ignored or could hardly think of. When they boarded the boat, they first showed the differences in closeness and estrangement among the three actors. Perhaps, this was what they most wanted outsiders to see.
Once preconceived, naturally biased.
Bo Ruoyou didn't understand after carefully distinguishing, "Master Hou is right. The murderer cannot harm people out of thin air. It must have a purpose. Whoever has the most urgent purpose is the most likely to be the murderer."
Seeing her serious expression, Huo Weilou said: "It's just a suspicion, maybe it's not the case. Now the cause of death and the place where the crime happened have been found, but there is no murder weapon, so we can only guess the motive of the people behind the scenes."
Ordinary grievances and conflicts would never lead to murder, but if it is a deep hatred, or if it is related to self-interest, killing is a desperate and helpless choice. Yueniang can see her beauty at a young age, and her talent is even more excellent. With Li Yuchang's nature , must be possessive of her...
Even though Yue Niang was originally a servant of the Li family, but she is still young, so how could she not be afraid? Bo Ruoyou thought that if she was coveted by a one-year-old man at this age, she might also have an unyielding heart, but Yueniang was single and weak, and the death contract had been signed, so she was doomed no matter what. Quickly kill the culprit!
But at such a young age, can Yueniang be watertight
Her thoughts were a little confused, and Bo Ruoyou took a deep breath to suppress the thought, "What Hou Ye said is absolutely true, and Yueniang originally lived with Chunqin, but Yueniang lived with Song Meiniang on the night of the accident. If it really has something to do with Yueniang, then Song Meiniang will probably help Yueniang as a witness, saying that she never left."
After being instructed by Huo Weilou, Bo Ruoyou immediately thought of what Chunqin had said just now. Although Huo Weilou's heart softened for a while when he saw her, he was still rational and intelligent when he came back to his senses, and his eyes showed relief, "Ask her two to ask That's it."
"Come here, tell Song Meiniang and Yueniang to come."
Huo Weilou gave an order, and Lu Ke brought the embroidered clothes to send the messenger. When he looked sideways, he saw Bo Ruoyou frowned, thinking about something, and his face was quite solemn.
His heart sank, "But what's the difference?"
Bo Ruoyou raised her eyes, her clear eyes were full of sobs, "The daughter of the people is only thinking, Ruo Yueniang is really in the situation we guessed, there are other ways besides killing people—"
Huo Weilou understood as soon as he heard this, and saw that there was some hesitation in her eyebrows and eyes, he kept silent and said: "As a slave and handmaid, life and death are not in his hands, her luck is too bad."
Yue Niang came from a humble background, in the eyes of the Patriarch, she may be a concubine or a gift, all of which are like playthings. There are many people in the world who serve as slaves like her. Yes, it is hard to suffer.
Bo Ruoyou grew up in Qingshan County, so she is used to suffering. She doesn't know all kinds of things in the world, but there is always something in common in the world's sorrows and sorrows. She lowered her eyes, "Yes, her luck is too bad."
Her voice was low, clearly lamenting the fate of the actors, but it was heavy, as if she was talking about herself, Huo Weilou couldn't help feeling pity when she thought that even though she was born in an official family, she was still young and homeless.
He wanted to smooth her frowning brows.
When he realized this thought, Huo Weilou had already stared at Bo Ruoyou for a while, and he immediately looked back, feeling a little startled. Although he comes from a noble family, he has fought since he was a child, and he has been in charge of power. He has seen many times more dangerous than this one. He has cultivated a cold heart long ago, but now he is easily influenced by her.
Huo Weilou tightened his knuckles on the arm of the chair, becoming more and more uncertain about his thoughts.
He has always acted swiftly and resolutely, but now, he doesn't know what he wants or wants. She is not on a business trip, not an imperial order, but just for his use and someone he likes. He really doesn't know what he cares about.
Yueniang and Song Meiniang didn't come quickly, they waited for almost a stick of incense before they arrived late. When she entered the door, Yueniang helped Song Meiniang, and Song Meiniang had a white face, and her steps were a little flimsy. Ever since Riyueniang came to ask her to see Song Meiniang, she hadn't seen her for almost three days. Bo Ruoyou didn't expect Song Meiniang to still so sick.
After the two saluted, Huo Weilou asked: "The night Li Yuchang's accident happened, did you two live together?"
Song Meiniang covered the corners of her lips and coughed twice, her voice was hoarse and unpleasant when she spoke, "Yes, Yueniang lived with the minnv, and the minnv was seriously ill in those two days, she couldn't sleep well at night, and she had to drink medicine. Yueniang rested in the women's room."
Huo Weilou's voice was cold, "Did she leave that night?"
Song Meiniang shook her head, "No, Minnv was lying on the bed half asleep, Yue Niang has been sleeping next to Minnv, she didn't go back to her room to rest."
Huo Weilou asked if she had left, but Song Meiniang replied that Yueniang had never returned to her room, this seemingly normal association made Bo Ruoyou feel a little deliberate for some reason.
Huo Weilou also spoke in a tone of disbelief, "You are seriously ill, and it is impossible for you to be clear-headed all night, how can you be sure that she has never left the house?"
Song Meiniang glanced at Yueniang, "Minnv and Yueniang slept together, don't talk about it in the second half of the night, at least the first half of the night the minnv is awake." She coughed again, "Minnv also heard Liu's singing , and stopped when it was almost ugly."
Fortunately, he was awake in the first half of the night, and Li Yuchang died around midnight. In this way, he picked Yueniang clean again.
Huo Weilou looked at the two of them, "Yueniang stays, Song Meiniang can step back."
Yueniang has been supporting Song Meiniang all the time, when Huo Weilou asked her questions, she just lowered her eyes and said nothing, now that Song Meiniang is answering, what will happen after Song Meiniang leaves
But Song Meiniang hesitated and did not leave.
She frowned and asked: "Daughter of the people dare to ask Lord Hou, but do you suspect that the two of us have something to do with the death of the Lord?"
Huo Weilou remained silent. At this moment, Song Meiniang said a sentence that no one would have guessed. She said, "Actually, there is another person who can testify for Minnu and Yueniang. We never left the night of the testimony."
Huo Weilou stared at her closely, "Who?"
Song Meiniang said calmly: "Young student in the troupe, Lu Qing."