The two men bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Liu Rumei. "Yes."
At this moment, "Wu Qinglan" was already slumped on the ground, her eyes full of regret. "Miss, this really has nothing to do with me! I was just doing it for the money! Miss!"
Liu Rumei didn't say anything more. Two yamen runners had already taken the woman away.
She pushed open the door and saw the bloodstain on the bed. Liu Rumei frowned tightly again. This incident further strengthened her belief that the woman named Yan Hong must know something!
At the same time.
In the Flower Pavilion.
Mo Litian looked at the madam in front of him indifferently, his brows furrowed slightly. His gentle voice carried a hint of coldness. "Who did you give the Five - Stone Powder to?"
The madam looked at the sword - wielding guards on both sides of Mo Litian, feeling inexplicably nervous. "I... I can't remember clearly!"
Mo Litian's expression turned cold. "Then think carefully!"
Seeing this, the madam's heart skipped a beat. Having been in this business for many years, she had the ability to judge people. This man must have a great background. She didn't dare to beat around the bush anymore. "This month, I only gave the Five - Stone Powder to Peony, Begonia, Azalea, and Tao Yao. Your Honor should know that the Five - Stone Powder is not an ordinary medicine, so I didn't dare to give it to others casually."
These four women were the four golden flowers of her Flower Pavilion. They knew how to behave properly, so she felt at ease giving them the powder, but she didn't give them too much. "I only give them each a dose once a month. I was afraid of something going wrong, so I didn't dare to give more. Each of them only gets one dose."
Mo Litian nodded indifferently. He really couldn't stand the pungent smell of powder and rouge, so he had to get up and open the window. "What's the relationship between these three women and Peony?"
"The four golden flowers were all personally trained by me. They are as close as sisters!" After saying this, she finally understood what Mo Litian meant. "Your Honor, do you suspect that the murderer who killed Peony is among these three women? Isn't the murderer already found?"
Could this man be deliberately trying to make things difficult for their Flower Pavilion?
Mo Litian said indifferently, "Could a servant boy get the Five - Stone Powder from you? And secretly replace the food and wine that Peony was going to have?"
Did they really think he was stupid?
The madam's expression changed. "So the real murderer is still in the Flower Pavilion?"
Mo Litian didn't answer. He just said indifferently, "Call Begonia and the other two here."
The madam frowned. "Please wait a moment, Your Honor."
After saying that, she got up respectfully and left.
Mo Litian watched the madam's departing back and couldn't help rubbing his forehead. The smell here was really unbearable. He wondered why Xue Zhan liked this place so much.
A short while later, the madam brought two exquisitely - featured women. She bowed respectfully to Mo Litian. "Your Honor, these are Begonia and Azalea."
Begonia and Azalea glanced at each other, then curtsied gracefully to Mo Litian. "Greetings, Your Honor."
Their voices were delicate and lingering, making people feel pity for them.
But Mo Litian frowned tightly. "Where's the other one?"
The madam looked embarrassed. "I must tell Your Honor the truth. Tao Yao is accompanying Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works. She may not be able to get away for a while. Please forgive me, Your Honor."
Mo Litian waved his hand and said indifferently to one of the guards beside him, "Just leave one here."
The guard bowed respectfully. "Yes."
The madam was quite sensible. She glanced at Begonia beside her and then led Azalea out of the room.
Mo Litian took a sip of the tea in his cup and asked leisurely, "Where were you on the day Peony died?"
Begonia sighed, looking quite sad. "That day when Sister Peony jumped out of the window, Du Juan and I were right behind the madam. Sister Peony was always kind - hearted. How could this happen..."
Mo Litian asked again, "Have you used the Five - Stone Powder in your hand?"
Begonia shook her head. "No. I haven't used it this month. It's still in my room. Do you want me to fetch it?"
Mo Litian nodded. "Yes."
After Begonia left, he called Azalea in and asked the same question. Azalea frowned and said, "Your Honor, I haven't used the Five - Stone Powder this month either. I wanted to take it out and use it early this morning, but it was gone."
Mo Litian frowned. "Gone?"
Azalea nodded seriously. "Yes. Young Master Zhang came to see me this morning. I wanted to take out the Five - Stone Powder to add some fun, but I didn't expect it to be missing! I was just about to report this to the madam when Your Honor came."
Just as she finished speaking, Begonia, who had just left, rushed back. She said to Mo Litian, "Your Honor, the Five - Stone Powder in my jewelry box is gone."
Mo Litian's expression changed. He immediately understood something. Looking at the madam following behind Begonia, he said coldly, "Go and call Tao Yao. See if her Five - Stone Powder is still there!"
The madam gritted her teeth and nodded. She glared angrily at Begonia and Azalea. They were really a bunch of troublesome people.
Then she quickly went to Tao Yao's room.
At this moment, Minister Liu was having a great time. When he heard what the madam said, his face suddenly showed anger. "I'd like to see who dares to disrupt my fun!"
Tao Yao leaned weakly in Minister Liu's arms and said softly, "My lord, don't be angry. With what happened to Sister Peony, I've been quite sad. I'll go and come back soon. I'll apologize to you when I return. How about that?"
Minister Liu snorted and gulped down the wine in his cup. Fueled by the alcohol, he angrily said, "After all the investigations, there's still not a single clue! Xue Zhan is really a useless man! I'll go and have a talk with him!"
Seeing this, the madam was secretly anxious. She quickly winked at Tao Yao, asking her to stop Minister Liu quickly.
Unexpectedly, Minister Liu had already stood up and strode away. The two of them could only quickly follow.
With a "bang", the door of the room where Mo Litian was located was kicked open. Then Minister Liu's arrogant voice came, "Xue Zhan, you dare to disrupt my fun! You're really tired of living!"
Mo Litian's expression turned cold. "Minister Liu is really imposing!"
This gentle but indifferent voice made Minister Liu stunned for a moment. When he took a closer look, he was greatly shocked. He quickly knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, please forgive me! I... I..."
Damn it! Why would the Crown Prince come to such a place?
Seeing Minister Liu's reaction, the madam was slightly shocked. This man was actually the Crown Prince?
Immediately, she pulled Tao Yao and knelt on the ground, looking extremely panicked.
Mo Litian looked at Minister Liu's face and felt disgusted. He waved his hand and said, "I've been ordered by the Emperor to assist Lord Xue in handling this case. Minister Liu, are you trying to obstruct official business?"
Minister Liu was filled with bitterness. He secretly cursed the madam for not telling him that the person here was the Crown Prince.
"I wouldn't dare! I was just talking nonsense for a moment. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"