Chen Hong was sensitively aware that this answer symbolized something unfavorable. Sure enough, Song Que turned to him and said: “This county isn’t known for its abundance of snakes. The murderer disguised Master Chen’s death as a snake bite. It is too far-fetched to say that it was an accident. Moreover, the third concubine happened to be related to the snake catcher. The murderer probably wants to frame and shift blame. Since he wants to frame someone up, he must first know the relationship between the third concubine and Zhao Rong. ”
Chen Hong said: “Your explanation relies too much on coincidence. It is not conclusive evidence.”
Song Que nodded and said: “I agree with you, but there are actually many details to prove it, but I think these are not as good as letting you participate in person. Do you want to try?”
Chen Hong was a little surprised. He hesitated, but somehow he finally agreed.
When Chen Hong returned home, his hair was disheveled and he looked extremely embarrassed. Seeing him like this, the servants in the mansion hurriedly approached to inquire. Chen Hong waved his hand and said: “That Zhao Rong is cunning. Master Song can’t catch him alone, so I gave a hand. Just got my hair messed up. I didn’t suffer any injuries.”
That’s what Chen Hong said. The servants dared not take it lightly and ran to report it to the person who could make the decision. Chen Hong first went to see Madam Chen. Madam Chen asked Chen Hai to play by himself.and expressed some rare concern when she saw Chen Hong: “How did it come to this? Are you injured anywhere? Master Song is really. Why didn’t find more guards to catch this outlaw? What is the use of looking for a powerless scholar like you?”
Chen Hong was slightly embarrassed and a little scared.
Madam Chen said: “Look at how embarrassed you are. Let someone comb your hair.”
Chen Hong nodded.
Madam Chen turned her eyes slightly as she caught sight of a face peeking in at the door. She paused for a moment and said, “Go and see your aunt, I don’t need you here.”
Chen Hong stiffened and turned around to see Concubine Bai’s eager gaze. He bowed to Madam Chen and withdrew.
When Concubine Bai saw him coming out, she quickly stretched out her hand to tidy his disheveled hair. Chen Hong felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to hide, but he still held it back. Concubine Bai successfully tucked the loose strand of hair behind his ear and looked at him with some surprise.
Chen Hong turned his head away unnaturally.
Concubine Bai wanted to laugh, but her lips trembled several times but failed to form a smile. Her eyes gradually became moist with surprise .She tugged at Chen Hong’s sleeve and said, “Come to my courtyard. let me comb your hair, alright?”
Chen Hong wanted to refute, but the mention of hair-combing made him feel uneasy. When Song Que mentioned it earlier, he didn’t believe it, so he could generously agree to do this test. Although he was not close to Concubine Bai, Chen Hong has always seen her efforts to get closer to him over the years. Concubine Bai was not as knowledgeable and courteous as Madam Chen, nor was she instructive. She may even be a bit unreasonable and bullying in the eyes of others. But Chen Hong knew that she was his biological mother, and he also knew that she had always loved him and felt disappointed because of his alienation.
But now, he suddenly wavered.
What if it were true?
If Concubine Bai really killed his father, should he personally uncover it as evidence?
Concubine Bai didn’t know what Chen Hong was thinking. She pulled him to sit down in front of the mirror and combed his hair slowly.
Because of his cooperation today, Concubine Bai was obviously a little excited. She smiled a lot and asked him: “Did you know? Before I got together with the master, I was supposed to be a hairdressing maid, and my skills are very good. This is my first time combing your hair, I don’t even know if I can do it well.”
Chen Hong was a little surprised, he had never talked about this with Concubine Bai. What kind of person was the young Concubine Bai who had not yet entered Chen Mansion.
Concubine Bai pulled up his hair, and Chen Hong suddenly grabbed her wrist, preventing her from continuing.
Concubine Bai smiled and said: “Hong’er, let go, it’ll be done in a moment.”
That strong, unsettling premonition left Chen Hong unable to speak. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but then he caught sight of a figure at the door.
Chen Hong silently let go of Concubine Bai’s hand.
Concubine Bai neatly tied Chen Hong’s hair on top of his head. It was unclear how she managed it without any tools, but it was firmly secured in place.
Chen Hong stared at himself in the mirror. The bun was nothing special, but every twist and turn was the same as Song Que’s painting, leaving him unable to utter a word of rebuttal.
After thoroughly securing his hair, she patted his shoulder and said, “It’s done. take a look and see if you like it?”
The maid outside the door, at Song Que’s signal, said, “My lady, Master Song is here.”
Chen Hong noticed Concubine Bai’s momentary stiffness.
Noticing his gaze, Concubine Bai quickly adjusted her expression and let people in.
Song Que was carrying the snake basket. Although Chen Hong knew that the snake was tied up tightly by Song Que and posed no danger, he still got goosebumps all over his body. Concubine Bai’s reaction was even greater, and she took a few steps back, knocking down the stools.
“Why did you bring this thing over here!”
Song Que took a few steps forward and raised the snake basket to her face, and Concubine Bai’s face changed.
Song Que asked, “Do you know this thing?”
Concubine Bai froze and did not answer.
Song Que made a move to open the basket. Concubine Bai realized that this was Song Que’s test, likely containing nothing inside. So she forcibly suppressed the fearful reaction in her body and forced herself to be calm and composed. Song Que opened the basket and actually pulled out a snake, and Concubine Bai screamed.
Chen Hong stood in front of her and said loudly: “Master Song!”
Song Que then put the snake back.
“Concubine Bai, please explain why you know this snake basket. You shouldn’t be exposed to these unless…”
Concubine Bai interrupted Song Que and explained: “Last time when Master Song questioned the third concubine, he also brought this snake basket. Qiong’er who worked in third concubine’s courtyard mentioned this while chatting with Huan’er, and Huan’er came back and told me.”
Song Que waved to the door, and Qiong’er and Huan’er walked in together.
Concubine Bai realized that Song Que had come prepared. She pinched her wrist and managed to calm down. At least she was not afraid of interrogation on this matter.
Huan’er also corroborated Concubine Bai’s statement.
Song Que didn’t care and just asked, “My lady, do you recognize this?”
He took out a gilt bracelet, crafted quite finely.
Concubine Bai looked at Qiong’er who lowered her head, and a sense of unease arose in her heart. She said: “It was a gift from me to Qiong’er for her meticulous work. So I rewarded her on a whim that day. Sir, why do you inquire about this matter all of a sudden?”
Song Que said with a smile: “She is a maid by the third concubine side. No matter how meticulous she is, she should not be trying to please Concubine Bai. ”
Without waiting for Concubine Bai to explain, Song Que continued: “Of course, she did do one thing to successfully please you, that is, she pretended to casually spread rumors about a third concubine and Zhao Rong in front of us according to your instructions. Prompting us to investigate Zhao Rong, the snake catcher. It’s best to treat him as the murderer and close the case.”
Concubine Bai said. “Sir, this is all your conjecture.”
Qiong’er has been interrogated, and she timidly said at this moment: “It was Concubine Bai who told me about third concubine’s matter and instructed me to speak about it. This bracelet was indeed given to me by Concubine Bai ”
Concubine Bai responded “The words of such a maid are not trustworthy. Besides, even if I did this, it was just to win favor. Third concubine is so favored, so what if I add some trouble to her? Sir, there is no one in your backyard, so naturally you don’t understand the intrigues among women.”
Song Que shook his head and did not bother with this point. He called Huan’er out again.
Huan’er glanced at Concubine Bai and said, “I slept very deeply on the night Master encountered trouble. In the past, I could wake up immediately when My Lady got up at night. That night I slept until dawn, and My Lady didn’t say anything when I woke up the next day.”
Concubine Bai remained composed and said, “I slept well that night. Master Song, if you don’t come up with some evidence, I can’t allow you to continue making baseless accusations..”
Song Que’s focus was not on her. He looked at Chen Hong without any trace. This underage boy had already collapsed. It was clear that various clues had already connected in his mind, but Song Que wanted to add one more fuel to the fire.
He called the last person in. When Concubine Bai saw him, she couldn’t sit still. This person was indeed the one who helped Concubine Bai buy the snake.
Seeing Concubine Bai’s expression change, Song Que stepped forward and said: “Perhaps you had already planned to kill Master Chen, or perhaps the idea came to you after you witnessed the third concubine and Zhao Rong meeting. In any case, after you saw the third concubine and Zhao Rong, you investigated Zhao Rong and learned about their past friendship and Zhao Rong’s identity. You came up with a plan to kill Master Chen and shift the blame on others. The implementation of this method was not difficult, it just required dismissing the servants and ensuring you didn’t appear personally. However, Master Chen was infatuated; he took a liking to your married sister. Hindered by your sister’s husband’s scholarly status, he couldn’t act openly. You noticed this and deceived him by saying you would help him arrange a meeting with your sister inside the mansion. But for the sake of your sister’s reputation, you persuaded him to dismiss the servants from the surroundings at the appointed time. Master Chen indeed did so. You took the snake basket inside, not directly into the bedroom. Instead, you went in first and coaxed Master Chen into undressing, then you went out and opened the basket towards the window. With Master Chen lying naked on the bed, the snake fell directly on Master Chen. Startled, Master Chen panicked, and in its fright, the snake bit him before escaping. Master Chen either fainted or temporarily lost strength. You didn’t strike his head with anything else. You know that the snake is not poisonous and cannot kill people. You loosen Master Chen’s hair, and drive a long nail into the center of his head. Finally, you re-tied his hair, concealing the fatal wound. Methodically, you applied herbal coloring to the snake bite area to simulate snake venom. There were no servants on your way back to the yard. They had been dismissed by Master Chen. As for Huan’er, who was supposed to guard you, you incapacitated her with a drink, ensuring you had an undisturbed night. In reality, you left no evidence of your absence.”
Every time Song Que said another word, Concubine Bai’s face turned pale. But that was not enough. She intended to grit her teeth and refuse to admit it. The one who really defeated her was Chen Hong’s testimony.
When he heard that his biological mother killed his father, this thing was ridiculous enough, but it was done in such a horrific way as to insert nails into the head. Chen Hong almost collapsed on the spot: “Why did you do that? Don’t say it’s not you. Look at this bun. When my father died, the bun on his head was tied in exactly like this. Who else could it be besides you? ”
Concubine Bai exclaimed in shock: “You are testing me… What you did just now turned out to be testing me…”
The absurdity was so extreme that she laughed up, saying in a reckless manner: “It’s me, I killed the master. You ask me why? I am doing it for you! “
