The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 770: Vengeful Spirit Seeking Vengeance (3)_1

Chapter 770: Chapter 770: Vengeful Spirit Seeking Vengeance (3)_1

Qian Wanxiu had no time to consider the sarcasm of Chief Preacher and Madam Preaching, for the sight of her profound eyes filled her with fear.

Jiang Benxin had already ordered that everyone from Pei Zongli’s House be brought to the hall for questioning.

Everyone, of course, included Pei Wenchen and Pei Wensheng.

Both were at the school, so the government officials first brought several servants over.

Qian Wanxiu silently prayed that her sons, being at the school, would not need to be brought over.

Jiang Benxin asked the wet nurse to recall yesterday’s events, ".... Recount everything from beginning to end, and do not leave out anything."

The wet nurse, eager to clear herself of the murder charge, kowtowed excitedly, "Oh, uncorrupted official!" She thought carefully and began from before Lady Zhu and Lady Chen’s visit, "...Maternal Aunt Zhao told the master that she wanted to change the doctor and also felt that I, a lowly woman, had not taken good care of him, allowing the young master to fall ill again. The old madam and First Madam then came to bring food. Seeing that the young master’s fever had not subsided, the old madam decided to change the doctor. After the doctor saw the young master, he prescribed medicine, which was fetched and prepared by Shu Hua. After the medicine was ready, we fed it to the young master, and the master soothed the young master until his fever indeed went down. After the young master fell asleep, the master asked me to bring him back to the room to watch over him. The master and his wife, along with Maternal Aunt Zhao, then talked with the old madam and First Madam in the hall, discussing how the eldest lady from the main branch set up a noodle stall in Capital Jingcheng to sell Hele noodles and sesame seed flatbreads, and how Sister Peiqin and her brother sought revenge and plotted against the Kong family. Fearing that the young master might get a fever again in his sleep, I went to the kitchen to fetch some water and a towel. When I returned to the room, I saw the young master... his face had turned blue, his eyes wide open in death, and he was breathless!"

Hearing her not mention Pei Wensheng, Qian Wanxiu, with her heart in her throat, slightly relaxed.

"Nothing left out? Who else was at home at that time?" Pei Qin asked.

Qian Wanxiu couldn’t contain her anger inside, "It seems you are determined to frame me!?"

Pei Qin simply glanced at her and continued to question the wet nurse.

Jiang Benxin also asked, "Who were they? Was there anyone else?"

The wet nurse recounted, "There was the master, his wife, Maternal Aunt Zhao, the old madam, First Madam, Mother Qian, Shu Hua, the little maid Xiao Qing, and the young servant Shu Mao. Oh, and also the fifth young master!"

After Pei Qin and her brother were driven out, Old Pei’s House restructured the family ranking since there was only Pei Wenlee, a young daughter, they grouped everyone together. Pei Wensheng was ranked fifth, thus he was the fifth young master.

Jiang Benxin questioned the maidservants, young servants, Mother Qian, and Shu Hua, but could not find any useful clues; they all said only the wet nurse had the opportunity to commit murder.

"If it was indeed the wet nurse who suffocated the child, then it could only have been before she went to fetch the water. When she returned to the room and found the child already suffocated, she ran out to report. There was no time. Did anyone in the kitchen notice anything unusual about the wet nurse at that time?" Mo Heng asked.

In the kitchen at the time were Shu Hua and the little maid.

Shu Hua claimed something felt off, appearing very worried and apprehensive, even a bit pale.

The little maid’s eyes flashed with confusion, and she reluctantly admitted that she was busy picking vegetables and tending the fire, so she hadn’t seen clearly.

"Then let’s ask the only person who hasn’t been questioned yet if he saw anything!" Mo Heng said sternly.

All the family members were already there, leaving only Pei Wenchen and Pei Wensheng. Pei Wenchen, although he had Mu Xiu, left early in the morning when Zhao Liniang was causing a commotion about Pei Zongli, taking his books to discuss learning with his classmates. As for Pei Wensheng, he too would have been at home.

Qian Wanxiu scoffed, "Wenchen left early to study with his classmates. Wensheng also went out to play after the old madam entered the room to talk. Are you expecting my sons to come forward and accuse me of murder!?"

"What time did he leave? What time did he return? Perhaps he saw something when he was at home," Mo Heng said, casting a glance at Jiang Benxin.