Cen Mingkai said: "Lord Nie, although you are in Jinling, you are famous, even Lao Qiao can hear rumors about you from time to time in this Chuzhou City, and you have solved a clever and difficult case." ”

"Yes, this is all nonsense, not enough to be trusted." Xiao Man arched his hand and smiled: "I don't know if these rumors mention the cats in my house?" ”

"Not really, ouch!" Cen Mingkai said, as if he suddenly remembered something important, he was suddenly anxious and asked: "Master Nie, the old man invited you to Chuzhou, then your cat, can someone take care of it?" Could it be that the decay has delayed ......?"

Before he finished speaking, he was stopped by Xiao Man, who persuaded: "The old gentleman can rest assured, the cats at home are taken care of by an old maid, this maid has been in my family for many years, and the corresponding cats are already familiar with the road." ”

Jing Mo listened to it on the side, and was secretly amused in his heart, and said in his heart: "This old raccoon slave really lives up to his reputation, and when he meets, he first cares about other people's cats." ”

So, the three of them each had a compliment to each other, and of course, a mutual humility. Then Cen Mingkai asked Xiaoman and Jingmo to get into the two-passenger sedan chair that they had been waiting for a long time and go to his mansion.

Lights on both sides of the road are bright, finally, in front of a white wall built on the water, about two meters high, covered with black tiles, the wall head is built into undulating waves, in the middle of the moon hole red lacquer door is hidden, there is the sound of the piano and the sound of music faintly come, the black plaque on the door is written "Tanuki Garden" two gilded characters.

The night of the sky steps is as cool as water, the red candles in the window are swaying, the drizzle outside the window is slanting, and the stagnant water is quietly dripping down the eaves, creating a circle of ripples on the ground, like sighing and retaining. Jing Mo secretly wondered in his heart, why couldn't a cat in this raccoon garden see it?

Everyone went to the hall to sit down with the guests and hosts, and a servant brought fragrant tea, and Nie Xiaoman began to ask. On the side, another maid lit a candle and pushed open the creaky window, Jing Mo sat by the window with his knees crossed, staring at the rain flying outside the window.

Cen Mingkai said: "The residence of the murdered Niu Yizhi, the Yanying Study, is not far north of here, about a mile away from where we are. This ox likes to hunt with wisdom and wisdom; and the arrested Zhao Leren also have the same hobby, so they have a little friendship with each other. The night before yesterday, the man surnamed Niu was beaten to death by someone with a bird's gun. Yesterday morning, my friend Zhao Leren was suddenly arrested by the fast shift officer, saying that he was suspected of committing murder. It's a bolt from the blue! This Zhao Leren is my old friend, his temperament is gentle, and his behavior is correct, and he has never seen him fight with anyone. How could he have done such a murderous act? It's hateful that the class of errand who only knows how to run rampant in the countryside and bully the good ones actually keeps saying that he is suspected of committing murder. This is about the life of my friend, and this group of bad people is unreasonable, so I have to trouble you. ”

When Nie Xiaoman asked again who the arrested Zhao Leren was, Cen Mingkai said: Zhao Leren was the nephew of the former Shoufu Xia Yan, originally from Ji'an, Jiangxi, and later hid in Chuzhou in order to escape the persecution of the Yan Party, which can be regarded as a semi-defection to himself. Coming to Chuzhou is also because of Cen Mingkai, a friend who has forgotten his year, and he can be regarded as a good person when he comes here.

However, as long as the Yan Party still controls the government for one day, Zhao Leren has no hope of finding his background in the scientific examination. In this way, he no longer has the idea of Dengke High School, but loves the mountains and rivers, and lives a life like idle clouds and wild cranes, but he is also at ease. His hobbies are hunting and painting, because he has a kind personality and is very active in communication.

Finally, Nie Xiaoman asked about the subject of the case again, and he said: "The servants said that Zhao Leren was suspected of committing murder, but what evidence do you have?" ”

Cen Mingkai said: "It is said that Leren had a glazed snuff bottle, which was left in the deceased's house, even if it is the only evidence. Isn't that ridiculous, you say? ”

"In that case, did the messengers say what was the purpose of his murder?"

"This—this won't survive! They actually said that Zhao Leren had something to do with the deceased's wife to make this move. This has a great impact on the reputation of the musician, so please do your best to wash him up. ”

Nie Xiaoman shifted his gaze and glanced at Jing Mo's face. Jing Mo already understood, what Xiaoman meant was that since this case involved another woman, it really couldn't be considered so simple.

Nie Xiaoman turned his head and asked, "Alas, they actually have such accusations?" But this kind of thing should not be said out of thin air. What basis do they have? ”

Cen Mingkai said angrily: "When you mention it, it teaches people to be angry, the county lieutenant's name is Pu Jiaoren, and he once got a portrait of Mrs. Niu Yizhi in Zhao Leren's bedroom, and he thought it was ironclad evidence of an ambiguous relationship." But have I already told you that Zhao Leren likes to paint? Isn't it unusual for him to paint a portrait of a friend's wife, and for some reason the painting is still in his house? ”

"Exactly, exactly. But I think Zhao Leren is probably not married yet, right? ”

"Yes, not yet...... But you don't always suspect it......"

Nie Xiaoman hurriedly said, "Of course not." I asked this sentence just because I expected that the county lieutenant of Pu County had this kind of speculation, and it was just because Zhao Leren was not married yet. But what kind of role is Niu Yizhi and his wife, do you know a thing or two, brother? ”

Cen Mingkai raised his hand and stroked the gray chin of his beard. His black-and-white eyes stared at the paperwork on the desk in front of him. He thought about it for a moment before he slowly replied.

Cen Mingkai shook his head and said, "I don't know. I only know that they were originally from Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture, and it has only been seven or eight months since they came to this ancient town of Luqiao. Their house was originally a villa built by a Jinling merchant, and it took less than two years to build. This spring, the owner of the house was rented out to the couple surnamed Niu because the cargo ship capsized in the Yangtze River. This cow is said to be difficult to get out, and I have never seen it. According to Zhao Leren, this person also used to read books, and it is said that he has a little knowledge. That's why he came to live in this township, and it is said that he wanted to do something here to create some soil and stop the water from rippling. The woman's surname is Hua, she was born very beautifully, and judging from her outfit, she may have been a good singer in the past. Because once she and Zhao Leren walked on the stone bridge at the entrance of the town, I saw her once. ”

"To what extent has Zhao Leren made friends with this woman? Brother Cen, do you usually have any rumors? ”

"I didn't hear it, but it was just a normal friendship. Master Nie, you must not think of the tip of the horns. ”

"Yes, yes. I hope to meet Zhao Leren later, this suspicion can always be explained. ”

"He should still be in prison, of course you can see him. You have to do everything you can to find a way to get to the bottom of it. The old man is here to ask the adult, and there will be a lot of thanks after the deed. ”

"No thanks, since I'm here, I'm sure I'll get this matter to the bottom of the matter." Xiao Man stood up as he spoke, and said, "Now let's go to the county government first and meet the Pu County Lieutenant." Then go to the site and investigate. If you find anything, you should inform Brother Shum at any time. ”

So Xiaoman and the others said goodbye, and when they walked to the town, Jing Mo secretly said to Nie Xiaoman: "This is really a strange thing. It's weird, it's weird. ”