18th Break: Family

Meng Xing's eyes narrowed when he heard what Qiu Yi said.

"Boss?" Qiu Yi called when he saw that their boss' expression isn't right.

"It could be that she doesn't trust us." Meng Xing spoke. "Or, she also doesn't want any more people to die after knowing how dangerous that item that caused her husband, who is innocent, to die." He said.

Qiu Yi's expression changed. "It should be very valuable." He said.

Meng Xing nodded in agreement. "En. Even an innocent person was implicated for possessing such." He said and shuddered in fear. "I don't want to be another unlucky person!" he said and shook his head.

Qiu Yi grimaced, wanting to say that their boss really isn't that innocent. But, recalling that their boss indeed does not even know what this item is, indeed, their boss can be called innocent. "En. I also value my life the most." He said and sighed.

"Avoid taking cases that is related to Merchant Wen's death." Meng Xing said. Since the emperor said so, and he also values his life, then he won't pursue Merchant Wen's case. "Xu Ran's case was just an accident, and that 'ghost' in the Yang family's inn…" he frowned.

Qiu Yi started. "Boss. It couldn't be that they are also here for…" he said.

Meng Xing heaved a deep sigh. "Just solve the matter of the ghost inn. As soon as you found evidence that it is not a ghost, don't pursue their identity and advice master Yang to forget this case, too." he told Qiu Yi.

"Yes, boss." Qiu Yi nodded and immediately left.

Meng Xing leaned his back and gazed at the clear water of the lake. Even if he said so to Qiu Yi to regain his peace, but he is afraid that the wheels of fate has already started turning.

…

Xu family restaurant.

"'Fang Bozhi'…?" Lin Ze muttered after he read the letter that was sent by his friend from jianghu after he found out from that assassin in the floating brothel that the rumors were true – that Jin Peng was also from a gang, aside from him being a young master from a wealthy family. "And… 'Fang'?" he muttered and frowned. It couldn't be that 'Fang' that I am thinking about? He thought as his eyes narrowed.

Suddenly, Lin Ze heard some whispered behind him.

"Have you heard it? Jin Peng died this dawn…" someone spoke. "Well, he hasn't even reached the dawn!" he said.

"En. His death is also very brutal." His friend said and shuddered in fear.

"Yeah. I was thinking that it must be one of the prostitutes that he forced before who killed him." the first person said. "But, it seems that it is not the case." He said.

"I heard it was an assassin." His friend said. "But… who could have hired an assassin to kill Jin Peng, though?" he asked. "Had he offended anyone lately?" he wondered.

"With those many people in his brothel that cheats their wives… heh." The first person said and meaningfully smiled. "But, since you mentioned that he might have offended someone lately, I remembered something." He said.

"What is it?" his friend, who is gossipy, said.

Lin Ze also perked up his ears.

"I remembered that Jin Peng has taken a fancy to a lady recently." The first person said. "And, this lady happened to be the lady that a certain young master has taken a fancy, too." he said and grinned.

"Huh? A young master?" the friend was surprised.

"En." The first person nodded in affirmation.

"How did you know?" his friend asked.

"Because I heard this young master argued with another young master, but a scholar, last time." the first person answered. "Now that I think about it, they argued here." He said when he recalled.

"Really?" his friend exclaimed. "Could it be that this young master was the one who hired an assassin to kill Jin Peng?" he asked.

Suddenly, the first person laughed. "How can it be?" he asked. "That young master was already dead!" he told him.

"What?!" the friend was stunned. "How did this young master died?" he asked. Then, suddenly he paused when he recalled something. "It couldn't be that it was young master Liu?!" he was shocked. "But, he is the only descendant of that family…" his eyes widened. He seemed to guess something.

"En." The first person grinned. "It seems that the mother who is overprotective of her son was the one who hired an assassin to kill Jin Peng whom she suspected that killed her son." He said.

Lin Ze frowned. This is not true. But, he can't tell them truth.

"But… but…" the friend said. "Wasn't Jin Peng from jianghu?" he asked. "How could he be easily killed?" he felt puzzled.

"Well, who knows?" the first person said and drank his wine. "This is just what I heard anyway." He carelessly shrugged. Then, they continued eating.

Lin Ze's brows knitted. Jin Peng killed someone for a girl that he has taken a fancy to? He thought. But, this has nothing to do with Jin Peng's death since the one who killed Jin Peng is from jianghu, and also from a gang. He also knows Madam Liu. Madam Liu may be vengeful, but she doesn't know anyone from jianghu. Thus, Jin Peng's death is a matter of jianghu, since that assassin seemed to be looking for something from Jin Peng.

Lin Ze rose from his seat and left his payment on the table. He still has another matter to solve.

…

At Huichen.

"Madam Liu came and thanked us." Qiu Yi told Meng Xing. "She also sent the payment along with some gifts." He said.

Meng Xing smiled. "I like this generous person." He spoke. "Did you give her a gift back?" he asked.

Qiu Yi's expression turned strange. "En." He answered nonetheless.

Meng Xing chuckled. The 'gift' that he is referring to is different form Madam Liu's gifts. This 'gift' is the evidence of her husband cheating on her. And it just happened that the brothel that her husband frequented with is the floating brothel which is owned by Jin Peng – who also killed her son. This is a heavy blow to Madam Liu. But, Madam Liu is a strong woman, and so they sent her the evidence of her husband cheating so that she can divorce him, which they know Madam Liu will do.