Du Rui felt the case was becoming increasingly complicated. Neither Madam Li nor her mother-in-law seemed like the poisoners.
He then guessed it might be related to Madam Li's ex-husband, as she was carrying his child.
Song Yumíng shook his head, "Madam Li's ex-husband had no siblings. He was just a tofu seller who never left Furong Town in his life. Otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted Madam Li to Zhang Changsheng."
Many people in Furong Town knew about Madam Li's remarriage; it was no secret. However, Furong Town was over three hundred li from Rong County, and few people in Rong County knew about it.
Yu Mingyue nodded and then said to Du Rui, "You still need to keep in touch with Madam Li's mother-in-law. On the day Zhang Changsheng died, she gave Madam Li a plate of pastries. Madam Li said that Zhang Changsheng's poisoning might be related to that plate of pastries."
"Alright, I'll go to the pastry shop and the apothecary tomorrow to inquire," Du Rui replied.
"Have you considered exhuming the body for an autopsy?" Song Yumíng had a bold guess.
Yu Mingyue and Du Rui both looked at Song Yumíng, "What else did you discover?"
Although Song Yumíng was not well-regarded at home, his father was a Jinwu Guard General, and he had served in the army for several years, so it was normal for him to have his own sources of information.
"The ruffian who harassed Madam Li was called Xu Fuyou. Madam Li's ex-husband broke his leg, making him immobile. It's not impossible that he held a grudge and sent letters or people to instigate Madam Li's mother-in-law. If that were the case, Madam Li's mother-in-law poisoning Madam Li and her unborn child, accidentally killing Zhang Changsheng, would also be possible. But if all these are ruled out, then..."
"Zhang Changsheng has a secret," Yu Mingyue suddenly thought of something.
Song Yumíng nodded, "When I was investigating Xu Fuyou, I found that Zhang Changsheng's blacksmith shop in Furong Town hadn't been open for long either."
In the statement Du Rui took from Madam Li's mother-in-law today, she also mentioned that her son had been away from home for nearly ten years, sending a letter and money once a year, but he had never returned home.
In other words, what Zhang Changsheng had been doing outside all these years remained a mystery; no one knew.
According to their neighbors in Rong County, Zhang Changsheng brought his pregnant daughter-in-law back. She was initially very happy and treated her daughter-in-law very well. But for some reason, her attitude changed drastically later. Before they came to Rong County, Madam Li's mother-in-law had never told anyone that Madam Li was not carrying Zhang Changsheng's child.
"Exhumation for an autopsy requires the consent of the family. If Madam Li's mother-in-law does not agree, it will be difficult to proceed," Du Rui felt the mother-in-law would never agree.
"Unless she truly accidentally killed her son, how can the real killer be allowed to escape justice?"
Yu Mingyue hadn't expected that what she thought was a simple case of a husband's murder would hide such a shocking secret.
Song Yumíng handed the collected information to Yu Mingyue, "We guessed correctly. Zhang Changsheng is indeed not an ordinary blacksmith, but a technician from the Armaments Bureau."
Because of his excellent craftsmanship, Zhang Changsheng's business was very good, even though he had only opened his shop in Rong County for a short time.
Song Yumíng investigated the items he forged. The horseshoe of the horse Zhang Changsheng often rode was personally made by him.
Song Yumíng had served in the army and was very familiar with weapons. Although Zhang Changsheng had deliberately concealed his skills, his techniques were indeed consistent with those of the Armaments Bureau, especially the horseshoe.
"Why would a technician from the Armaments Bureau leave?" Yu Mingyue knew that the Armaments Bureau operated very secretly, and its technicians were housed together within the bureau and were not allowed to leave freely.
"We don't know yet. I'm afraid there are other hidden reasons. I'll write a letter to Lord Di shortly." This matter involved the Armaments Bureau, which was no small thing. They, as minor officials, were not qualified to investigate the Armaments Bureau. This matter could only be handled by Lord Di.
"If there are indeed unspeakable reasons, I'm afraid he used an alias at the Armaments Bureau. I'll redraw a portrait of Zhang Changsheng, and you can send it back together."
Du Rui nodded in agreement, "Your Lordship's considerations are thorough."
What was initially expected to be a five or six-day trip to Rong County had to be extended by several days due to Zhang Changsheng's mysterious identity.
"If this case drags on, I'm afraid we won't be back in time for your coming-of-age ceremony," Zhu Yu said with concern.
Yu Mingyue was indifferent, "Investigating the case is the priority right now. If Zhang Changsheng is truly colluding with foreign tribes, it might be detrimental to our Great Wei. Never mind, let's sleep. We still need to see Madam Li tomorrow."
Yu Mingyue slept very well, especially recently. Although she intended to sort out the case details after lying down, she fell asleep as soon as she lay down.
Zhu Yu didn't even take off her outer clothes when she slept at night, being very vigilant. After all, this was not the capital; there were no guards, no hidden guards, and only she was by her young lady's side.
As soon as she closed her eyes, she heard a faint noise outside. Although it was very subtle, her hearing was astonishing. From the footsteps, she could sense the strong killing intent of the intruder.
Zhu Yu, familiar with the room, quietly moved to Yu Mingyue's bedside. To prevent her from suddenly crying out, she gently covered her lips with her hand, shook her arm, and whispered, "Young lady, there's someone outside."
Although Yu Mingyue was sleeping soundly, she was still alert and woke up immediately.
Yu Mingyue found her self-defense dagger. Her martial arts were not as good as Zhu Yu's, but she could barely protect herself.
She hadn't expected that as soon as they started investigating Zhang Changsheng, assassins would appear. It seemed the Armaments Bureau truly had problems.
As Yu Mingyue hid, fighting sounds erupted in the courtyard. "Who goes there? State your name."
Song Yumíng, being half-military, was very alert. He was afraid Yu Mingyue was sleeping soundly, so he deliberately made a noise to let her side hear.
But this shout completely exposed him, and the assassins attacked him.
The Song family was a family of military generals, and Song Yumíng had served in the army. His martial arts were indeed impressive. Even surrounded by five or six assassins, they couldn't defeat him.
However, as the assassins increased in number, he couldn't hold on for long in a war of attrition.
"It's Brother Song, he's in danger. Let's go help him," Yu Mingyue said urgently.
Zhu Yu, however, held Yu Mingyue back. "There are quite a few assassins. Young lady, stay hidden. This servant will go and see." With that, she drew her sword and rushed out of the room like a gust of wind.
Song Yumíng saw Zhu Yu coming to help him. "Take your young lady and Master Du and leave first. Protect the case files."
"The young lady won't leave." Zhu Yu knew Yu Mingyue's character; she would never abandon a friend at a critical moment.
"This is not the time for loyalty. I'll cover you, hurry!" Song Yumíng was worried that their letter would be intercepted and they would be silenced before it could be sent back to the capital.
Yu Mingyue had already organized the case files and tied them to herself. Before she could leave the room, several assassins descended from the roof, their swords gleaming coldly as they lunged at Yu Mingyue.
Yu Mingyue quickly dodged backward, not forgetting to protect what was on her back. What other secrets was this Zhang Changsheng hiding? The clues had only just led to him, and so many assassins had appeared.