Chapter 81

"Master, Fang Ru... has killed someone!"

After all these days of political training, Zhao Junchen thought he had reached the point where he could remain calm even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him. However, upon hearing these words, he was still greatly shocked.

He glanced at the constables and bailiffs standing in front of the Zhao residence and asked Xu Qingyan in a deep voice, "Fang Ru killed someone? Who did she kill? Are these constables and bailiffs here because of this matter?"

Xu Qingyan hurriedly explained, "Master, I've been keeping an eye on Fang Ru these days. She was quite well-behaved, showing no signs of anything unusual. But when you went to the early court session today, she suddenly called Wei Ping, the Chief of the Shuntian Prefecture, to the residence for a secret talk. We don't know what they discussed, but after just a cup of tea, Wei Ping left our residence. Who would have thought that he would die from poisoning just a few steps away from our residence? Moreover, Wei Ping was poisoned by arsenic, and he hadn't come into contact with anyone else. By the time, it could only have been Fang Ru who did it."

After a pause, Xu Qingyan continued, "However, only our trusted people in the residence know about this. The constables wouldn't know. But since Wei Ping is a government official and he came to our residence before his death, these constables came to investigate. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble at our residence."

"Chief of the Shuntian Prefecture, Wei Ping? Why him? Why would he suddenly seek out Fang Ru?" Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned and then frowned. "But, since that's the case, you're only speculating. You have no evidence to prove that Fang Ru killed him? I know you and Fang Ru don't get along, but poisoning a government official is a serious matter. You can't just say it casually."

However, although Zhao Junchen said this, he also felt that this matter was likely related to Fang Ru.

As the master and servant were talking, the constables noticed Zhao Junchen's appearance. The leader, with a fearful and cautious expression, hesitantly approached Zhao Junchen.

Zhao Junchen was currently in a strong position in the court, holding great power and enjoying the emperor's favor. Investigating a case at the Zhao residence was not a good task for them.

Seeing the constables approaching, Zhao Junchen lightly hummed and instructed, "Get rid of these people, and then investigate the matter thoroughly!"

While speaking, Zhao Junchen ignored the constables approaching him and, accompanied by the servants of the Zhao residence, entered the depths of the residence.

Behind Zhao Junchen, the constables, who were ignored and felt awkward, were scolded by Xu Qingyan.

"So, you have no evidence at all? Poisoning a government official is a serious matter. How could it be related to our Zhao residence? Your reckless behavior has tarnished our master's reputation. Can you bear the consequences?..."

After returning to the capital, Zhao Junchen had been wary of Fang Ru due to the hidden dangers of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and her ambitious nature. Moreover, Zhao Junchen was now a different person, and he couldn't treat Fang Ru as his intimate partner. Therefore, he had gradually distanced himself from her.

At first, Fang Ru tried to cling to Zhao Junchen, but later, she seemed to understand his thoughts and rarely appeared before him, becoming very low-key. She even gradually handed over the management of the Zhao residence to others.

As a result, over time, Zhao Junchen had gradually neglected Fang Ru, but he never expected such an incident to occur suddenly!

Therefore, after returning to the Zhao residence, Zhao Junchen did not go to see Fang Ru but went directly to the study, reviewing the Ministry of Revenue's memorials while waiting for news.

However, Zhao Junchen did not expect that Xu Qingyan would quickly uncover the truth.

Zhao Junchen did not wait long in the study before Xu Qingyan arrived with a maid.

The maid was named Xiaobi, who was Fang Ru's personal maid.

"Master is here. Speak, what exactly happened?"

After bringing Xiaobi to the study, Xu Qingyan said coldly.

Seeing Zhao Junchen, Xiaobi knelt down with a pale face and repeatedly said, "Master, it's not my fault, really not my fault."

Seeing Xiaobi's state, Zhao Junchen already had an idea. He sighed inwardly, closed the Ministry of Revenue's memorial, leaned back in his chair, and said slowly, "Tell me what happened, take your time, no need to rush."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Xiaobi finally calmed down and said in a trembling voice, "Yesterday, this servant received a letter from home, saying that my mother was ill. Worried, I asked Lady Fang Ru for leave to visit my mother. But when I got home, my mother was fine, and the letter was fake. I thought someone was playing a prank, so I didn't pay much attention. But on the way back to the residence, I was stopped by someone..."

At this point, Xiaobi hesitated, seemingly afraid to continue.

"Was that person Wei Ping, the Chief of the Shuntian Prefecture? What did he say to you?"

Seeing Xiaobi's hesitation, Zhao Junchen asked softly, his eyes thoughtful.

Xiaobi replied, "It was Wei Ping. He asked me to tell Lady Fang Ru that there was another mastermind behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. If Lady Fang Ru wanted to know who it was, she should meet him in person. He said he would request an audience with Lady Fang Ru the next day. When I returned to the residence, I told Lady Fang Ru about this. Her face changed, and she didn't speak for a long time. Later, she asked me to buy some arsenic from several shops..."

At this point, Xiaobi hesitated again.

Zhao Junchen slowly closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Continue, there's no need to hesitate. This matter will eventually come to light."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Xiaobi finally gritted her teeth and said, "Today, Lady Fang Ru met Wei Ping but dismissed us maids. I don't know what they discussed, but after a cup of tea, Wei Ping left. When I returned to the room, I found that the arsenic was gone."

After speaking, Xiaobi lowered her head, not daring to look at Zhao Junchen.

"Understood." Zhao Junchen sighed and said, "You may go. Don't tell anyone else about this. You know the consequences."

Xiaobi, terrified, nodded repeatedly and quickly left.

As soon as Xiaobi left, Xu Qingyan frowned and said, "Master, now the matter is clear. Not only did Fang Ru indeed kill Wei Ping, but she also knows that you were the mastermind behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion!"

Zhao Junchen nodded, his expression thoughtful, and said softly, "Yes, we were negligent. Although the people at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion were all poisoned by Fang Ru, the Shuntian Prefecture, which manages all affairs in the capital, could still investigate if they were determined."

Xu Qingyan clenched his teeth and said, "Master, Fang Ru is impulsive and cunning. Now that she knows this, she must be eliminated. Master, you mustn't be soft-hearted at this time!"

Zhao Junchen neither refused nor opposed, but said, "I understand what you're saying. However, I'm more curious about why Fang Ru didn't hide this at all. Why did she insist on poisoning Wei Ping? And why did Wei Ping specifically investigate the matter from years ago and tell Fang Ru? What was his purpose?"

Xu Qingyan, who hadn't thought that deeply, was taken aback by Zhao Junchen's questions.

Zhao Junchen continued, "Also, did you notice? After Wei Ping told Xiaobi to pass the message to Fang Ru, Fang Ru asked Xiaobi to buy arsenic, but at that time, she hadn't met Wei Ping yet, and Wei Ping hadn't told her that you were the mastermind behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Yet, Fang Ru already had the intention to kill."

Xu Qingyan was slightly shocked and looked at Zhao Junchen in disbelief, asking, "Master, are you saying that Fang Ru already knew about this?"

Zhao Junchen sighed and said, "It's possible. Even if she didn't know, she probably had some suspicions."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Xu Qingyan's expression became even more determined. He said coldly, "If that's the case, Fang Ru must be eliminated. If she didn't know before but knows now, she's a threat. If she already had suspicions but didn't reveal them, it's even more dangerous. Who knows what she's thinking?"

After a pause, Xu Qingyan continued, "Master, no matter what, regardless of the doubts in this matter, Fang Ru is now a threat and must be eliminated!"

After hearing Xu Qingyan's words, Zhao Junchen was silent for a long time before finally saying, "Yes, no matter what, she has become a threat... Qingyan, I will have dinner with Fang Ru today. Have someone prepare some wine and dishes, and also get the mandarin duck pot ready."

The mandarin duck pot was a secret wine pot from the palace, with a hidden compartment for poison in the lid and a hidden mechanism in the handle. If the mechanism was not activated, it would pour ordinary wine, but if activated, it would pour poisoned wine. It was exquisitely crafted and had been obtained by Zhao Junchen by chance a few years ago.

Xu Qingyan, who knew about the mandarin duck pot, saw a glint of killing intent in his eyes and nodded deeply, saying, "Understood, Master."

After a pause, Xu Qingyan asked, "Master, what will be in the mandarin duck pot?"

"Qianji Powder."

Zhao Junchen said softly.

Qianji Powder was not as violently toxic as arsenic, with a delayed onset, but it was still a highly potent poison.