"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, Kong Shangzhao suddenly stood up, his face pale.
"Who is this..." Manager Qian hesitated for a mont, and asked softly.
Fatty Lin shook his head and said, "This is my brother, also the son of Manager Kong."
"Oh."
Manager Qian imdiately understood, glanced around, and lowered his voice, "This matter, just two days ago, it caused quite a stir! It shook the entire Jinan Prefecture."
He continued, looking at everyone, "I heard it from others, that morning, the servant responsible for cleaning the ancestral hall had just pushed open the door, to find that Yan Sheng Gong was lying in the hall, already cold."
"And this young brother's father was lying beside, not dead but couldn't be awakened..."
"At that ti, the entire Kong Mansion was in an uproar! You all know, the Yansheng Duke Mansion carries the bloodline of Confucius, their status is noble, how could this matter be concealed? They were about to enforce private punishnt, but for so reason, the person was taken to Jinan Prefecture for interrogation."
When Kong Shangzhao heard this, his body trembled, face turning pale, fists clenched tightly with nails almost digging into his flesh.
Li Yan casually pressed his shoulder, then asked in a deep voice, "If people lay unconscious in the ancestral hall and the murderer had already fled, hadn't anyone noticed any suspicious points?"
"Suspicious points?"
Manager Qian sighed, "More than that, there were plenty!"
"Firstly, the Kong Family has many Protector experts, and the ancestral hall is heavily guarded at night, not even a rat could sneak in, how did the murderer get in? How did they commit the murder? How did they escape unscathed? The constables of Jinan Prefecture scoured for a whole day without finding a trace of outside intrusion..."
"Secondly, Kong the Elder was perfectly fine, why did he fall into a coma? The coroner examined him, finding no poison or external injury, truly baffling!"
"Thirdly, the most contentious point raised by the Kong Family, claiming Manager Kong had a vendetta with the grandson of Yan Sheng Gong, thus bred sinister intentions. But if he had such courage, why did he give up the shop under pressure?"
Manager Qian shook his head, "Anyway, this matter is too big, with too many implications, the governnt office dare not make arbitrary decisions. The Kong Family is quarreling like foes, insisting on a thorough investigation."
"I heard the Prefect is overwheld, only able to order Manager Kong to be securely detained."
Upon hearing "securely detained" and "heavy prison", Kong Shangzhao could no longer suppress the sorrow and anger in his chest, sprung up from his chair and exclaid, "My father is absolutely not the killer! I need to see him! Release my father!"
Li Yan suddenly exerted more pressure on him, pinning him down, "Calm down! That's the Jinan Prefecture Governnt, a reckless prison break would harm both your father and yourself! This matter is not simple, we must plan carefully!"
The people beside him hastily persuaded him, finally calming Kong Shangzhao.
After all, he is young, lacking experience, able to maintain calm analysis in complex situations, but when it hits ho, he finds it hard to control.
Seeing them like this, Manager Qian kept silent, but after stepping out with Fatty Lin, he quietly said, "Young Master Lin, be cautious, there's much intrigue behind this, and the situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is not good either."
"Don't worry, Old Qian, I know."
Fatty Lin reassured him briefly and then rubbed his face before turning to enter the room.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Li Yan, knowing it was up to him to decide on this matter.
Li Yan pondered, "This matter has many issues that need addressing. The Kong Family can execute private punishnt, yet Manager Kong was sent to Jinan, there might be family feuds involved, so we must not act rashly."
"You all stay here first, Old Sha and I will go to Daming Lake to investigate."
......
The sumr rain subsided, and the water vapor began to rise by Daming Lake in the evening.
The muggy air of the day was now infused with moisture, offering a touch of coolness.
As Li Yan and Sha Lifei stepped out of Yuelai Inn, the sky was already dimming, yet the lakeside was far more bustling than during the day.
"Whoa! It really livens up after the rain!"
Sha Lifei wore only a coarse short jacket, revealing his sturdy chest, taking deep breaths of the slightly lotus-scented moist air.
Indeed, as he said, Jinan Prefecture seed to awaken from the rain-induced lethargy of the day.
On the roads around the lake, pedestrians crowded, shoulders rubbing together.
Lanterns lit one after another, from the long-lasting gauze lanterns hung by the official at street pavilions to the wind-proof paper lanterns hung beneath the eaves of shops, and even the vendor's "wind dying out" lanterns threading between streets.
Stars sparkled, forming a brilliant long dragon, reflecting on the lake with dazzling brilliance.
By the lakeside willow shade, and along the lake embanknt, various vendors had already set up stands.
Selling seasonal fruits, lotus pods, water chestnuts, crisp green lons piled into mountains. Selling chilled noodles, eight treasure porridge, and tofu pudding, shouts rising and falling. Stalls for storytellers, puppet shows, juggling, and magic tricks, each occupying an area, the sound of drums and cymbals echoing non-stop, attracting circles of people who cheered.
Even the pleasure boats on the lake started lighting up, their bow and stern hung densely with colorful lanterns, the sound of silk and bamboo faintly drifting over the water, attracting tourists along the shore to crane their necks.
Unlike other places, where Jinan City is renowned for its scholarly atmosphere, whether shops or roadside houses, couplets hang at their doors, without any repetition, frequently sparking comnts from groups of scholars.
Of course, this is what ordinary people see.
In Li Yan's view, those figures seemingly casually leaning against willow trees, squatting by river docks, or swaying at the edge of lantern shadows, had a condensed aura and sharp gazes, clearly undercover lookout or pugilistic spies loitering at the dock.
It is not surprising, given Jinan City's stature, there are bound to be many pugilistic figures.
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