Chapter 4: Suspicion

A Feng arrived near the Ouyang residence, where groups of people were gathered, discussing animatedly.

"Hey, have you heard? Trouble struck the Ouyang residence again yesterday—Master Ouyang's corpse was stabbed."

"Oh heavens, what kind of grudge could cause that? Someone from the house went to report it first thing in the morning; they should be back any moment now."

"I wonder if they'll manage to find the strange person who stabbed the corpse."

"Look, the officials are arriving!"

...

A Feng looked up to see a procession of constables approaching. Nearby, someone remarked, "Chief Chen is here as well—if that's the case, this matter will surely be resolved quickly."

A Feng asked timidly, "Is Chief Chen really so capable?"

The older man replied with an easy smile, "Of course. Every case handled by Chief Chen is either major or complex, and there's never been a case he couldn't solve. You must be from out of town—anyone local knows the name of Chief Chen."

A Feng flattered him, "I truly didn't know. You seem very knowledgeable, but what exactly makes Chief Chen so formidable?"

The question delighted the old man, who answered, "Chief Chen, nicknamed 'Iron Hand Chen,' is not only skilled at investigations, but his martial prowess is renowned. No criminal escapes his grasp. In just a few years, his name has grown increasingly famous."

A Feng nodded repeatedly, and the old man, encouraged, continued with more enthusiasm. Thus, A Feng learned of Chief Chen's reputation and history.

After further compliments, A Feng watched as Chen Hong disappeared through the gates of the Ouyang residence, then turned away and left.

...

In a side hall of the Ouyang residence, Chen Hong had gathered several young members of the family, accompanied by Ouyang Fu.

Once everyone was assembled, Chen Hong broke the silence. "Young Master Feng, Young Master Yun, Miss Yu, I apologize for any offense in asking you here—I have a few questions to inquire of you."

The two young men and the lady appeared somewhat bewildered. Ouyang Feng responded, "Chief Chen, we are at your disposal—ask whatever you wish, and we will answer truthfully."

Chen Hong replied, "Thank you for your understanding. Let us begin with you, Young Master Feng. On the night your father was murdered, where were you?"

Ouyang Feng thought for a moment. "That night, Father summoned me to the study, asked the servants to prepare wine and food, and talked with me about old times. We drank together, and after I became intoxicated, the servants took me back to my room."

"Are there witnesses?"

"Yes—my page, as well as a servant who attends my father."

"Would you summon these two for questioning?"

"Certainly."

The page and the attendant were brought in, and their accounts matched.

The page added, "My young master was so drunk that night he was vomiting. Before leaving, the master himself was also a bit tipsy and uncomfortable, and asked someone to fetch medicine."

Chen Hong frowned. "Medicine? What kind?"

"I don't know. Seeing that Young Master Feng was already drunk, the master instructed me to escort him back first."

Chen Hong turned to Ouyang Fu. "Steward Ouyang, do you know if the master has been taking any medicine recently?"

Ouyang Fu thought for a moment, then shook his head. "The master hasn't been taking any medicine lately."

Chen Hong continued, "Does the master have a habit of taking elixirs or pills?"

Ouyang Fu frowned, then looked surprised. "He does have some pills, but they're just for general health and maintenance."

"Where did these pills come from?"

...

Ouyang Fu hesitated, unsure how to answer.

Chen Hong pressed, "Steward Ouyang, is there some reason you can't speak about this?"

At that moment, Ouyang Yu replied, "Chief Chen, this has nothing to do with Uncle Fu. The pills Father takes were obtained by me from Purple Cloud Temple."

Chen Hong turned to look at Ouyang Yu—a girl just coming of age, her face pale and weary, her eyes red from crying.

He asked gently, "Do you still have any of these pills?"

Ouyang Yu answered, "There should be some left. I got two bottles for Father before; the Daoist priest at Purple Cloud Temple instructed him to take one pill daily. It’s been half a month, so Father shouldn't have finished them yet."

Chen Hong said, "Miss Ouyang, please bring my men to fetch the pills."

Ouyang Yu nodded and, accompanied by two constables, went to retrieve the medicine.

Soon, the medicine was brought back. Chen Hong instructed the coroner to examine it; the pills were found to be non-toxic, intended only to soothe the throat and ease coughing, with nothing extraordinary about them.

After hearing this, Chen Hong fell silent, thinking to himself, "The pills found in the stomach of the corpse resemble these cough remedies. Surely someone swapped them, taking advantage of the master's illness. Only those close to him would know about his medication. It seems everyone here is a suspect."

Chen Hong surveyed the room, then asked Ouyang Yu, "Miss Yu, why did you seek out these pills for your father? What was the reason?"

Ouyang Yu glanced at Ouyang Feng, then at Ouyang Yun. "Some time ago, Father struck Yun, and afterward developed a wind illness. He wasn't recovering, and I heard the temple's elixirs were effective. So I went to Purple Cloud Temple for medicine. Father even praised my filial piety."

Ouyang Yun protested, "It's not my fault Father got sick—I didn't expect him to fall ill from anger."

Ouyang Feng scolded, "Enough. If not for your unruly ways, causing trouble outside, Father wouldn't have punished you. Now he's gone, and you still don't understand his good intentions."

Ouyang Yun muttered, "Everyone always blames me—it's not my fault."

Ouyang Feng grew furious, "Still you argue!"

Ouyang Fu interjected, "Master Feng, please calm down. Young Master Yun is still young and playful; let us focus on Chief Chen's investigation."

Chen Hong agreed, "Yes, let us return to the matter at hand. Miss Yu, where were you the night your father was killed?"

Ouyang Yu replied, "I spent the night with Mother. Since Father wasn't coming home, Mother called me over."

Chen Hong turned to Ouyang Yun. "Young Master Yun, where were you at that time?"

Ouyang Yun replied feebly, "I was drinking and playing all night with Ouyang Ping."

Chen Hong asked, "Who is Ouyang Ping?"

Ouyang Fu answered, "My son—Ping. Chief Chen is questioning you; answer honestly."

Ouyang Ping replied reluctantly, "Yes, Father."

Chen Hong studied Ouyang Ping, noting his slouched posture, pale face, and signs of overindulgence. Ouyang Yun looked much the same. A conclusion formed in his mind.

"Young Master Ping, is what Yun said true? What were you doing all night?"

"The whole night... uh, it's not easy to say."

Ouyang Fu glared, "Speak plainly."

Ouyang Ping whispered, "We spent the night with two maids... you know, that."

His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and Ouyang Yun was equally red-faced. The adults understood immediately. Ouyang Feng, now recovered, shouted, "How dare you behave so outrageously!"

Only Ouyang Yu remained oblivious, and the rest wisely dropped the subject.

...

Chen Hong watched coldly, carefully observing everyone's expressions.

When silence fell, he gently shifted the topic. "Young Master Yun, what was it that angered your father?"

Ouyang Ping thought the questioning was over for him, but was surprised to be asked again. He was reluctant to speak.

Ouyang Fu intervened, "Chief Chen, this involves some private family matters. Perhaps it is best discussed later."

Chen Hong nodded. "Very well, let us attend to the immediate investigation first."

He then questioned everyone present about their whereabouts, excluding only the old madam and the master's second wife.

As each was questioned, his men recorded their statements.

At this point, Chen Hong saw that no useful clues had yet emerged. At least the autopsy had clarified certain issues; other matters required further consideration.

He addressed the group, "Thank you all for your cooperation. I have finished my questions for today. Please return to your rooms and rest."

Everyone withdrew. Ouyang Yu seemed about to speak, but after glancing at Ouyang Yun, said nothing.

Ouyang Fu escorted Chen Hong out. Once they were alone, Chen Hong asked, "Steward Ouyang, you seemed hesitant earlier—was it about Young Master Yun?"

Ouyang Fu was silent, considering how to respond.

Chen Hong waited patiently.

"Chief Chen, earlier you questioned Young Master Feng and Miss Yu, but truthfully, it is Young Master Yun who is the most troublesome."

Ouyang Fu continued, "Young Master Yun and Miss Yu are siblings. Miss Yu is gentle, but Yun's temperament is unruly."

He explained that Yun's wild nature had caused trouble: at fourteen or fifteen, he was already frequenting brothels and gambling dens. A month ago, he provoked a scandal by harassing a village girl—and worse, after that, he beat her father.

The matter reached the authorities, but the master intervened, compensated the girl's family generously, and brought her into the household as a maid. Afterward, he sternly reprimanded Yun.

Young and defiant, Yun argued back, causing the master to become so agitated that he fainted, terrifying the family. The physician later explained that accumulated fatigue and emotional distress had triggered his wind illness, and he needed careful rest.

Thus, the family imposed strict discipline on Yun, forbidding him from going out.

After hearing this, Chen Hong asked, "Steward Ouyang, considering how close Ping and Yun are, and the things they've done together, were you aware of all this?"

Ouyang Fu replied shamefacedly, "I failed in my duty. I thought Ping and Yun were just playing, never imagined it would go so far."

Chen Hong regarded him sympathetically. "It’s not your fault, Steward Ouyang. All parents wish the best for their children."

As they reached the gates, Chen Hong said, "Steward Ouyang, I must take my leave."

Ouyang Fu bowed. "Thank you for your efforts, Chief Chen. May you soon uncover the truth for our master."

Chen Hong replied, "I can only do my best."

He and Ouyang Fu parted ways. The gates of the Ouyang residence closed once more, as if sealing themselves from the world.

On the street, passersby came and went, unaffected.

To be continued.