I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 86, Part 2: The Fox

Sheng Junyi's brows furrowed slightly with impatience.

"I was just passing by."

Ying Xun then turned to Su Fengqu and asked, "Did you make an appointment with Young Master Sheng?"

Su Fengqu felt baffled: "Why would I ask him out? I get annoyed just looking at him."

Su Fengqu was a notorious playboy in the capital, and Sheng Junyi was no less so on the surface. However, when people mentioned Su Fengqu, they thought of him as a good-for-nothing rogue, while Sheng Junyi was a dashing and debonair young man.

Because Sheng Junyi has a very delicate and alluring face, especially her peach blossom eyes, which look at even a dog with deep affection.

Not only do the young women in the capital blush and feel their hearts race when they see him, but even the famous courtesans in the brothels and entertainment districts can't forget him.

Although Su Fengqu was also handsome, he was not the same type as Sheng Junyi. They were not much different in age, both being sixteen or seventeen-year-old boys, and it was the time when they were competing with each other.

Su Fengqu always felt annoyed when she heard Sheng Junyi's name, as she was always outshone by him.

Since it wasn't Sheng Junyi, whom Su Fengqu had arranged, his passing by was rather suspicious. Ying Xun then asked Sheng Junyi, "Young Master Sheng, as far as I know, the West Garden entertains guests at Linzhujian, separated by a garden. The guest rooms for resting are just beyond that. If you were resting here in the afternoon because you couldn't hold your liquor, that would be quite normal. But it's not yet time for the banquet, so why would you deliberately pass by the guest rooms? Are you looking for someone?"

A large bamboo grove was planted on the south side of the West Garden of the Duke of Cheng'en's Mansion, and a stream was created by diverting running water. It was specially designed to entertain male guests in a refined manner, and there were also a few small rooms for changing clothes temporarily. Therefore, unless one was too drunk in the afternoon or was feeling unwell, ordinary guests would not go to the guest room before the banquet began.

Sheng Junyi's excuse was so far-fetched that it made him seem the most suspicious.

Sure enough, as soon as Ying Xun raised this question, Su Fengqu exclaimed, "Well, I knew it! The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was you, you cunning fox! Could it be that you secretly arranged to meet her, killed someone, and then framed me? What are you up to?!"

"Shut up!" Sheng Junyi was furious when Su Fengqu mentioned the nicknames those people had given him behind his back, and his face turned red.

"I have never met Miss Feng before, how could I possibly kill her?"

However, to avoid being misunderstood, Sheng Junyi still offered an explanation.

Su Fengqu had finally found a chance to escape punishment, so she wasn't going to let him off so easily. She sneered, "You don't know her? You're really good at pretending. Everyone knows that your third sister is acquainted with Miss Feng. I heard that Miss Feng even secretly sent you a handkerchief and sachet before. What are you pretending for?"

At this point, Su Fengqu seemed to suddenly realize something and abruptly raised her voice: "Could it be that you and this Miss Feng were having an affair in private, and fearing being caught, you just strangled her to death? Are you trying to frame me?"

"Shut up!" This stern shout came from Minister Feng.

When Su Fengqu met Minister Feng's gaze, she became a little intimidated and could only purse her lips and remain silent.

Sheng Junyi said coldly, "I have no relationship with Miss Feng. Although she is acquainted with my younger sister, I have no dealings with her. My younger sister can testify to this. I didn't say anything just now only for the sake of Miss Feng's reputation, and there was no such thing as receiving gifts in private."

Sheng Junyi's words made his previous statement more convincing. Since there was no contact and no gifts received, there was no question of making an appointment.

However, both of them claimed that they were not familiar with Miss Feng and had no private contact with her. This not only failed to clear them of suspicion, but also brought the case to a stalemate.

Without knowing the cause of Ms. Feng's death, it's impossible to determine whether what these two people said is true or false based solely on their accounts.

The Crown Prince glanced at Minister Feng.

Minister Feng closed his eyes in sorrow and sighed softly. This minister, who was over fifty years old and a second-rank official, actually bowed to Lu Yangyang and said, "I beg Miss Lu to help my Yao Niang take a look and find out the truth so that she can leave in peace. However, a young lady's reputation is the most important thing, whether in life or in death. I hope you will agree to investigate in the room next door, with her mother accompanying her. Please do not disturb her."

Lu Yangyang didn't really understand why these people always valued such useless reputation so much. Could it be more important than their lives and fortunes?

However, she often encountered women in the countryside who died mysteriously, but their families would cover it up for the sake of their reputation, refusing to let the news out or seek justice for them.

It was only after Magistrate Ling went to Qingzhou and ordered that no cases be concealed and that all accidental deaths be reported to the government that the situation improved slightly.

I never imagined that there would be so many restrictions even in the bustling capital city.

The fact that Minister Feng was so serious suggests that he must have made a great decision, and with the Crown Prince present, he was able to agree.

Lu Yangyang couldn't bear to see a perfectly healthy girl die like that. Although she disliked Su Fengqu and thought she would get her revenge sooner or later, she knew all too well that Su Fengqu was willing but unable to perform the surgery.

Magistrate Ling had told her that although the world is not always black and white, whether you are a good person or a bad person, you should come into this world with dignity and leave with dignity.

The truth is meant to ensure that good people are not wronged and that bad people receive the punishment they deserve.

Lu Yangyang nodded to Minister Feng: "I will do my best."

After saying that, she walked straight to Feng Qingyao's side, bent down, wrapped the blanket that was covering part of Feng's body around her, and put her hand through her neck.

The third young mistress of the Feng family subconsciously tugged at her, "What are you doing?"

Lu Yangyang ignored her, expressionless, and easily picked Feng Qingyao up in her arms.

Everyone stared at her in shock, but Lu Yangyang only glanced at the layout of the room before carrying Feng Qingyao to another room. When she saw that the third young mistress of the Feng family hadn't followed, she turned and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

The third young mistress of the Feng family realized what was happening and hurriedly got up to follow.

Upon arriving at the private room, Lu Yangyang did not place Feng Qingyao on the bed. Instead, she found a soft couch with a good view and laid the person on it. Then, she gently lifted the thin blanket covering the body, revealing Feng Qingyao's corpse.

"Ah—" The third young mistress of the Feng family screamed shrilly, swaying precariously, almost fainting.

Lu Yangyang frowned and glanced at her: "You're her mother, what are you afraid of?"

The tears of the third young mistress of the Feng family fell down her cheeks, but she covered her mouth tightly.

Feng Qingyao lay on the couch, her clothes torn and disheveled. Not only the collar, but even the hem looked as if it had been violently ripped.