Ning Xiao and Eunuch Fu outside the door could only see a shadow cast on the ground, Bo Ruoyou seemed to be sitting on the couch, but no one could see it, Ning Xiao hesitated for a moment, Eunuch Fu dragged him away , "Let's go, I think you can rest."
Ning Xiao was a little confused, "Master Hou has not finished listening to my report, and there is also the physical evidence brought back today—"
Eunuch Fu smiled, "Don't worry, Youyou is with you, it's too late now, are you going to rest or go back to your house?"
Ning Xiao still had that unsmiling look, with his brows furrowed tightly, "Bo Zuo Zuo Duo hasn't left yet, how can I leave?"
Seeing Ning Xiao like this, Eunuch Fu sighed for a while, "You are half a year younger than Lord Hou, right? Look at you, it seems that you are more old-fashioned than Lord Hou. You can just go outside, why not?" It’s still the same when we arrive at the Hou Mansion.”
Ning Xiao was even more inexplicable, "What happened to me?"
Eunuch Fu shook his head, "You don't want to learn from him, you see he won't be able to marry his wife when he's too old, don't you want to do the same?"
Ning Xiao seemed a bit unfamiliar with his wry smile, he pulled his lips, but his expression was still stiff, "Elder-in-law was joking, Lord Hou is for the country and the people, if you really want to marry a wife, the best woman in the world can match her, How can you not marry your wife?"
Eunuch Fu looked him up and down helplessly, "Sure enough, those of you who have followed him all the year round have not been led astray by him, and you are willing to serve the country and the people. Marrying a bosom friend back, has it delayed your work for the country and the people?"
Ning Xiao pondered, as if he was struggling to understand Eunuch Fu's words, but after a while he nodded cautiously, "It's indeed a bit of a delay." He said solemnly: "Women are the most troublesome things in the world. Lord Hou once said, Women in this world are either rich and noble or humble. Although the world is difficult, they themselves do not make progress. It is mostly a burden to stay around, and if they are misled by women, it will make men extremely incompetent. "
Eunuch Fu widened his eyes, seeing that Ning Xiao didn't seem to be joking at all, he couldn't help sighing with his hands on his forehead, "Another stunned one, you are even more stunned than Lu Ke." He didn't care about that much, and dragged him to the side hall Go, and said while walking: "You don't listen to his words in the future, he has a family background, it is not difficult to marry a wife, you also learn from him, in case the reputation of your little Rakshasa really spreads, take a look Who in the capital would dare to marry their daughter to you."
Ning Xiao's eyes showed a bit of helplessness, he couldn't bear the gloomy look of outsiders, he looked back at the study, and began to doubt whether Bo Ruoyou could explain clearly the situation during the day.
In the study, Huo Weilou had come to Bo Ruoyou, but she still didn't realize it.
The long couch was full of books, and the desk was moved to the corner of the couch. She was holding a book in her hand, and because she was too sleepy, her body was twisted and half lying on the desk. It's not that comfortable.
But it showed her figure especially.
She put one hand on the desk, with her face pressed against the crook of her arm, and the other hand was hanging leisurely on the couch with a book in her hand. She seemed to be leaning against a beauty, but the desk was lower than the beauty. Her back was tense, revealing a section of her white neck, and her unbearable waist was half twisted, which just set off the ups and downs of her chest.
She is slender and thin, and she can't see much in normal times, but at this moment, looking at it from this angle, she looks quite delicate and graceful, and her exposed side face is as white as porcelain reflected by the lights, and her lips are slightly pursed. Huo Weilou's eyes were warmed by the fact that the petals were red without touching them.
The lamp in the corner "cracked", and Huo Weilou took two steps closer to Bo Ruoyou.
If he really fell asleep, his breathing was slow and inaudible, the closer he got, the faint fragrance on his body made his heart warm, Huo Weilou couldn't help but leaned over, wanting to hold her hand again. The book was pulled out, but as soon as he moved, Bo Ruoyou's body trembled. He thought he was awakened, but when his eyes fell on her face, he saw that she only frowned in pain, and did not wake up.
Huo Weilou's eyes darkened slightly. At this moment, Bo Ruoyou's brows became tighter and tighter, and the hand holding the book was unconsciously clenched, his knuckles were a little white. He couldn't help but leaned forward and whispered, "Bo Ruoyou?"
Bo Ruoyou had a painful look on her face, as if she was suffering some kind of torture in a dream, Huo Weilou's neutral voice was blocked by her, and soon a thin layer of sweat came out of her forehead.
Huo Weilou only saw her in pain when he almost hurt her that night, but at this moment, he didn't know what kind of nightmare he had, which made her so terrified in the dream, Huo Weilou felt that it was inappropriate, and could not help but Getting closer, he grasped her arm and shook it, "Bo Ruoyou? Wake up—"
He called her, but this made Bo Ruoyou even more frightened. She trembled and subconsciously avoided Huo Weilou's hand as if she was escaping. The moment she was struggling violently, she woke up with a jerk.
The fear in her eyes was still there, and a layer of pervasive water filled her with horror, which made her not know where she was, and even showed a resentful look at Huo Weilou, and then shook his hand away. She was always gentle and calm, and then Even during the autopsy, it was only because of concentration and solemnity, had Huo Weilou ever seen her show such an expression? At that moment, it seemed that he was her enemy.
The daytime lights made Bo Ruoyou clear again. She panted violently, looked at the house, then went to Huo Weilou, saw him staring at her with heavy eyes, and quickly sat up straight and lowered her eyes, " Master Hou is back."
Standing up while talking, blessed body, seems to be that gentle appearance again.
But Huo Weilou's hands were already empty, of course he knew how much strength Bo Ruoyou had used at that moment just now, and her eyes were full of hatred like a knife.
Huo Weilou looked at her, "Did you have a nightmare?"
Bo Ruoyou pursed her lips and nodded, but Huo Weilou spoke softly, "What did you dream about?"
Bo Ruoyou stiffened her back nervously, looked downcast, and saw the bed full of books, "Minnv dreamed of a murderer, a man who couldn't see clearly, chasing Minnv behind her, watching About to catch up, Minnv only cares about running away."
Her voice was a little hoarse, and it was reasonable to think of her expression, but Huo Weilou suddenly raised his hand, grabbed her jaw, and forced her to look up at him, Bo Ruoyou subconsciously wanted to back up, but Huo Weilou was forced to Huo Weilou's coercion did not dare after all, her eyes were wet, and she tried her best not to avoid Huo Weilou's gaze.
Huo Weilou stared at her for a moment, then let go of her suddenly, "You are too preoccupied with the case."
As she spoke, she walked to the place where she got up and sat down, casually flipping through the books on the couch, this trip made Bo Ruoyou heave a sigh of relief, she straightened her back, and her expression returned to calm, as if it wasn't her who was haunted by the nightmare just a moment ago .
Huo Weilou's expression was a little ugly, Bo Ruoyou was good at distinguishing others' lies, but she couldn't tell a lie herself, how sharp his vision was, how could he not see that she deliberately used this case as an excuse.
However, he made a good excuse, and he was not the one to ask the bottom line of his subordinates' thoughts, so he complied with her wish or not to force her, but there seemed to be a hole in his heart, and the cold wind made him uncomfortable.
"Master Hou, do you know the progress of today's case?" Bo Ruoyou asked proactively.
Huo Weilou glanced at her, "I don't know yet, just tell me."
Ning Xiao clearly told her, but Huo Weilou wanted her to tell.
Bo Ruoyou then presented the examination paper, focusing on the key points first, "The autopsy found that the girl's autopsy found that Miss Wei's scars were not so obvious at the beginning, and the girl's inspection was not thorough. When I went to see her today, I found that her neck The scars are different."
Bo Ruoyou gestured with her hands as she spoke, "Miss Wei was strangled to death from behind. Normally, the heaviest scar should be below the throat, and then extend from the throat to the back. The severity of the scars on both sides should be the same. But today, the folk girl found that Miss Wei's scars on the left and right sides are somewhat different in depth, the right side is deep, and the left side is shallow."
Huo Weilou cast deep eyes, "The murderer's left hand is weak."
Bo Ruoyou nodded immediately, "Not only that, but the girl remembered the traces she saw on the girl of Feng's family. She was strangled to death by the murderer right in front of her. It stands to reason that she was strangled by the neck, and the purpose was to kill someone. When the murderer exerted strength, he should have used all five fingers at the same time, and the traces left on the side of the neck should also be from all five fingers, but there are only three finger marks on Miss Feng's right side of the neck, and what is missing is the trace of the little finger."
"Although the little finger is weak, the murderer used the strength to kill people. The skin on the woman's neck is delicate, and it is very easy to leave marks. When the autopsy was performed that day, I didn't think of it. I didn't find it until today when I saw the scars on Miss Wei's body. They have something in common. Minnv guessed that the murderer's left hand should have been injured, especially the little finger, and it is more likely that there are only four fingers left on the left hand."
Huo Weilou thought of what Bo Ruoyou said in the carriage that night, and said: "The murderer is a person who is good at exquisite knife work, his left hand was injured, and he likes to attack people who love red dresses and have cinnabar moles on their bodies."
Bo Ruoyou's shoulders were a little stiff, Huo Weilou looked at the bed full of books again, "What do you see?"
Speaking of these books, Bo Ruoyou looked bitter, "I haven't found anything yet. This Miss Wei family has read a lot of books, and there are many obscure ancient books related to calligraphy and painting. It seems that she likes this way and wants to study it." Diligent."
Huo Weilou flipped through it casually, "It's a rubbing copy of the running script of the former pilgrimage sage, but she is good at writing?"
But Bo Ruoyou didn't know this, Huo Weilou said: "This calligrapher's brushwork is powerful and powerful, and there are many imitators in later generations, but it is difficult to learn its essence, and most of those who like this brushwork are men."
Bo Ruoyou is not good at this, and she is more familiar with lower script. Listening to Huo Weilou's eloquent talk, she knows that he knows a lot, and when she said this, she was also puzzled, "Although I haven't seen her handwriting—"
"Is this her handwriting?" Huo Weilou suddenly picked up a book and opened it for her to read.
Bo Ruoyou stepped forward, and only saw a few notes on the page, but they were also written in small letters. She quickly flipped through the evidence on the green sleeve, and found that the book was bought rather than borrowed, and said, "Probably Yes."
Huo Weilou looked at the handwriting for a moment, "She thought the rubbings were useless, but she still bought a lot of these books, presumably for someone."
Bo Ruoyou's eyes lit up slightly, "Luxiu said that Wei Ling wouldn't let her follow her every time she went out, and she was actually studying this calligraphy rubbing book that most men like. Could it be that she went to Chongwen Library to buy books, which is really prejudiced against others? ?”
Huo Weilou said: "It's not impossible."
Bo Ruoyou didn't know what came to her mind, she squatted on the side of the couch in a hurry, and then compared the testimonies written in green sleeves one by one, "The first time she bought such rubbings was half a year ago, She started borrowing books four months ago, and returns them every ten days to half a month, but there is no fixed number."
Bo Ruoyou tilted her head and thought for a while, "The time is not too far apart, could it be that she met someone half a year ago?"
Because she was squatting, she raised her face when she spoke, and the surrounding lights were shining brightly, which made this face more beautiful, and her eyes were black and white, and there were fragments of light shining, like stars reflecting him alone.
Huo Weilou said: "It's just a matter of asking. Ben Hou heard from Ning Xiao that there is another poetry club?"
Bo Ruoyou then told about the Ling Xiao Poetry Club, and looked at him with some doubts, "This poetry club is run by ladies from the official family, don't you know half of it?"
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows, "It's just for entertainment, how does the Marquis know?"
Bo Ruoyou thought it was the same, so he looked back at the book, "They have no seals, no other tokens of love, and no intermediaries to pass on messages. Are they always appointments every time they meet? They have made an appointment when they will meet again next time." ?”
Bo Ruoyou went to flip through the book again, as if she really felt that the answer was in the book, Huo Weilou looked at her, but still wondered what kind of nightmare she had that moment, but at this moment, Bo Ruoyou suddenly remembered something Likely said: "Today is such a coincidence that a folk girl met her cousin in the uncle's house."
Huo Weilou's eyes darkened, "Miss Bo?"
Bo Ruoyou nodded, with a normal expression on her face, but Huo Weilou's voice was a little deeper, "How do you feel seeing her? You are both daughters of the Bo family, and she enjoys honor in the capital, but you just came back now, but Will complain?"
Bo Ruoyou was a little distracted at first, and then shook her head, "It's hard to say whether you are resentful or not. In the heart of the folk girls, they have long since stopped treating them as family members, so they are calm."
Huo Weilou believed this, thinking about her engagement, Huo Weilou said again: "It's good if you think so, and in the future, you will not be worse than her."
Bo Ruoyou snorted, "What do you think Hou Ye said?"
His words seemed to be backing for her, so she showed some expectant eyes in cooperation, and Huo Weilou smiled, "You—you do your job well, and I will reward you."
Bo Ruoyou smiled deeply, but felt a little guilty, "But now the women are not working under Lord Hou, this reward..."
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows, "What? Still want to follow Benhou every day?"
Bo Ruoyou's face turned hot, "Menwomen dare not."
Huo Weilou raised his hand and patted the top of her hair, "No matter how many people who don't know anything, they can't ask for a reward from me. Now, I can be regarded as considerate to you, but you can't give it half of your attention."
Bo Ruoyou was even more embarrassed, "I haven't finished the errand of the daughter of the people returning to Beijing, how dare you think about it?"
Huo Weilou pondered for a while, "Ning Xiao also handled many cases with Ben Hou, and he acted decisively. With him watching, no one in the yamen dared to be scornful. Now that there are more and more clues, we will be able to solve the problem in a few days." broken."
Bo Ruoyou looked at the bed full of books, and couldn't help but said: "Master Hou is so busy, why did you send the evidence to the Hou's mansion? The daughter saw that Deputy Commander Ning has the demeanor of Lord Hou, and she has full authority over the case." It is safe to give it to him.”
Huo Weilou couldn't help but tapped on her forehead, "You don't want me to take care of this case with more attention?"
Huo Weilou doesn't seem like someone who can do such little tricks, but his words and deeds are natural, revealing a bit of intimacy for those he trusts, and Bo Ruoyou leans back, but he doesn't feel repelled, just said : "Minnv dare not, Minnv just doesn't want Lord Hou to be too tired."
This remark made Huo Weilou very useful, but he asked, "How can Ning Xiao act like a Marquis?"
Bo Ruoyou didn't realize he was there, "Deputy Commander Ning also has a sense of resoluteness. During the day in the Yamen, his sharp words almost made Mr. Sun fall down. When he arrived at the uncle's mansion, he was also very decisive. These physical evidences are He brought people to search for it."
There was nothing to praise too much, but Huo Weilou still felt a little displeased when he heard it, "He was brought out by the Marquis himself, so naturally he won't act like an ordinary court official."
Bo Ruoyou agreed, "Master Hou knows people with his eyes, and Deputy Commander Ning is indeed extraordinary."
The more Huo Weilou heard it, the harsher it became. For a moment he didn't know who he was praising, but Bo Ruoyou went to look through those books again, not realizing that there was something wrong with what she said, but suddenly, she picked up a book , "This book is not from the Chongwen Library. There is only a general seal on Youdao here. I don't know what the word is?"
Huo Weilou changed his mind, took the book over and looked at it, "It's an ancient seal character 'ink'." He flipped through the book before and after, "It's also a rubbing..."
But all the books written by Tuo have the seal of the library, and the books here are all from the Chongwen library, but this one is not, and it seems that this book has been flipped through many times by Wei Ling, Bo Ruoyou said: "Could it be that Wei Ling went to another library?"
Huo Weilou's eyebrows moved slightly, and he called out for someone, "Come here—"
The guards quickly entered, Huo Weilou ordered: "Let Ning Xiao come."
When Ning Xiao entered the door, he saw Bo Ruoyou squatting on the side of the couch and flipping through a book, Huo Weilou was sitting very close to her, his robe almost rubbing against Bo Ruoyou's skirt, Ning Xiao With a fixed gaze, I feel that something is not quite right.
"Go to the uncle's house and see if Wei Ling has bought books in other libraries with the word "ink". Which libraries have produced such rubbings."
Seeing that it was getting late, Huo Weilou handed the book to Ning Xiao, and said: "There will be news before noon tomorrow, and besides, Hou Muxiu will have a day tomorrow, so go and see for yourself."
Ning Xiao's complexion changed slightly, "Master Hou, is there anything inappropriate for a subordinate to run an errand?"
Ning Xiao's voice was no longer as cold and hard as in the daytime. On the contrary, when he asked this question, he was a little cautious, as if he was aggrieved, but Huo Weilou said calmly: "That's not the case, this case Your Majesty is also asking questions today, so you should be more cautious."
The corners of Ning Xiao's lips twitched, as if he was still not convinced. Bo Ruoyou was stunned for a moment when he saw such a scene. How cruel and merciless Ning Xiao was during the day. The feeling of the city is in danger, but the gloomy edge on his body can't be concealed, like a sharp knife shining with cold light, it is clearly frightening.
But now in front of Huo Weilou, he has a submissive face, as if he is extremely unwilling to let Huo Weilou feel that he is not doing well.
Seeing his expression, Huo Weilou could tell what he was thinking, and couldn't help but feel a little helpless, "This decision has nothing to do with you, why don't you go about it?"
Only then did Ning Xiao's expression turn serious, and he walked out in response.
Bo Ruoyou kept watching Ning Xiao leave, and when she turned her head, she saw Huo Weilou staring at her with narrowed phoenix eyes, "Why? Benhou said he wanted to go and see in person, and you don't think it's right?"
Bo Ruoyou quickly shook her head, "Of course not..."
Huo Weilou seemed to snort, and then looked at the sky outside, "It's getting late, do you want to continue reading these books? If you want to read, it doesn't matter if you live in the Hou Mansion today."
Bo Ruoyou was startled, how could she stay in the Hou Mansion? However, I always feel that there is something hidden in this pile of books. After a battle between heaven and man in my mind, I finally shook my head, "The foster father has to worry if the daughter of the people does not return home. If the daughter of the people does not need to follow tomorrow, the daughter of the people wants Let’s take a look again, right now the women are leaving first, leaving the examination papers to Lord Hou.”
Huo Weilou wanted to roll his eyes like Eunuch Fu, stared at her for a moment and said: "Then just come to Hou's mansion tomorrow morning."
Bo Ruoyou responded, saluted again, and then walked out, Huo Weilou only loudly told Eunuch Fu to see her off.
Eunuch Fu responded outside, and when Bo Ruoyou came out, Eunuch Fu accompanied her to the gate of the mansion. On the way, Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but said, "Your Majesty will have a rest tomorrow, and I want to investigate this case myself."
Eunuch Fu was taken aback, "I—"
Seeing Bo Ruoyou looking over, Mr. Fu said, "I expected it." He said with a half-smile, "Hou Ye is like this. Once he wants to achieve something, he will never let go of any opportunity. of."
Unaware of his response, Bo Ruoyou said amusedly: "I saw Deputy Commander Ning in the daytime, and I only felt that he was murderous, but just in front of the Marquis, so..."
"It's like a cat." Eunuch Fu added, "You'll get used to it when you see him a lot. There are many powerful people around Master Hou. They are all on their own outside, but when they are in front of Master Hou, they are quite obedient."
After thinking about it, Bo Ruoyou felt that it was true, and she couldn't help feeling a little more respect for Huo Weilou, everyone admired Qiang, not to mention she herself had seen Huo Weilou's behavior before.
Sending Bo Ruoyou away, Eunuch Fu returned to the main courtyard angrily, entered the study room, and saw that Huo Weilou had already sat behind the desk, and the pile of books was laid out, and now he was impatient to read those obscure books .
Mr. Fu said happily: "Master Hou will clearly discuss matters with the Ministry of War tomorrow, so why doesn't this old slave know that Master Hou will take a rest tomorrow?"
Huo Weilou raised his hand and threw the two notebooks to the corner of the table, "If you want to rest, you can rest, this is tomorrow's notebook, and you can order the servants to send it to the palace early tomorrow morning."
Eunuch Fu muttered as he went to get the booklet, "It's amazing, it's more and more used for personal gain now." As he spoke, he looked at Huo Weilou mockingly, "Didn't Master Hou say to endure it? I don't care about it, but I asked to send the evidence, Ning Xiao did a good job, you have to follow, Ning Xiao will let you down by not doing well."
Huo Weilou slightly raised his eyebrows, but he could only choke on Fu Gonggong.