I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

What Lei Ning said was soon further confirmed.

Chu Peipei said with red eyes: "Xiao Rou really has this habit when she draws plum blossoms, and all of us good sisters know this."

Leirou's big maid, Cuizhu also nodded with a sob.

Pei Xiang stood in the corner with his sword in his arms, observing everyone's reactions silently. When Lei Ning said that the bloody pattern on the paper was a plum blossom, his eyebrows twitched.

"Plum Blossom..." Lei Jinying's eyes flashed coldly, "The murderer who killed Rou'er has something to do with Plum Blossom? If I let the old man catch the real culprit, I will cut this thief to pieces and blow his bones to ashes!"

Lei Ning took half a step back, wiping away his tears, and happened to bump into Nangong Yu who was beside him.

The four eyes met, Nangong Yu froze for a moment, then supported Lei Ning's shoulders to prevent her from falling.

"Lei Ning, you...sorrow and change."

"Thank you, Brother Nangong. As long as I, I think that my sister is still struggling to leave clues about the murderer at the last moment of her life, I will, I will feel sorry for her. How much she must have been hurt at that time, Brother Sima said, the sword was right in the middle of the mouth Ordinary people would die immediately. But my sister, she...you can see how much she hates her enemies, she wants us relatives to avenge her, but me, but I don't know anything..."

Lei Ning whimpered and trembled slightly.

Nangong Yu suddenly looked serious, and said, "Lei Ning's words reminded me, everyone, did Lei Rou really draw that plum blossom before he was alive? That sword was fast and ruthless, directly, directly on the chest, Lei Rou Can you really struggle to draw such a blood-colored plum blossom after the murderer has left?"

Sima Ziyi had carefully observed Lei Rou's fatal wound, and had long been suspicious of it.Hearing Nangong Yu's question at this moment, he sighed deeply and shook his head slowly.

He didn't want to describe the cause of Lei Rou's death in detail in front of Lei's family, but his expression showed that he didn't think that under such fierce swordsmanship, Lei Rou would be able to delay until the murderer left before leaving clues like the bloody plum blossom. .

"Could it be that the murderer wants to frame someone? He intends to push the crime on the innocent?"

Lei Jinying smiled wryly, and said in a dismal voice, "That plum blossom... I believe Rou'er left it behind."

Everyone looked at each other.

"Master Lei, what's going on here?"

Lei Jinying said: "Everyone doesn't know that Rou'er's biological mother who passed away early is a descendant of Huishan Shi's family."

"Huishan Shi family? The Shi family of Baguazhang, hey, I haven't heard from the Shi family for a long time."

"Clumsy Jing is the last bloodline of the Shi family."

"I see."

Lei Jinying's face was tired, and his eyes revealed the remembrance of the past:

"Zhuojing told me that the Shi family has an ancestral secret technique, which can allow the practitioner to retain a breath of true energy when he is fatally injured. It is not for the purpose of continuing to live, but for leaving the last words and clues. Back then... raised Zhuo Jing grew up with 23 knives in the body of the elders of the Shi family, and still struggled to write down the name of the murderer. I used that clue to avenge Zhuo Jing, and after that, Zhuo Jing married me."

"The Shi family has such a secret technique!" Tang Jianqi was surprised, "I have never heard of it."

Mr. Tieqin sighed: "Such a secret technique, of course we can't let outsiders know about it."

Dugu Yihe nodded slightly: "Indeed, as long as there is a leak, this secret technique is of little value. As long as the murderer waits a little longer after killing the person, he can completely cut off any future troubles."

Lei Jinying said: "Exactly. So, after Zhuo Jing's death, I have been telling Rou'er not to mention secret skills to anyone, and let her practice when she has time... Actually, I never hoped that Rou'er would There is a day when the secret technique of the Shi family will be used. Alas, this old man just, just regards it as a thought left by his deceased wife to his daughter."

Sima Ziyi understood: "No wonder Uncle Lei is sure that the blood-colored plum blossom was left by Lei Rou. The murderer must not be aware of the twists and turns. Heh, this person must be extremely panicked now."

As he spoke, his eyes swept across the crowd, as if he wanted to find some clues from the familiar faces.

Chu Peipei cried bitterly just now, and now her voice is hoarse:

"Since the plum blossom is the real clue that Xiaorou left us, let's follow this clue to find the murderer. Cuizhu, tell me, when did you last see Xiaorou?"

The servant girl Cuizhu replied: "Miss Chu, my girl got up earlier this morning, she said she had an appointment with you, and she wanted to go out early. When she was going out, I took a special look at the time, and it happened to be just after Maozheng. "

Chu Peipei frowned: "Going out just after Maozheng? The time I agreed with her was at Maozheng [-]:[-], she didn't need to be that early. Besides, I never saw her appear. Also, how could she go to the flower garden? Over there? It's obviously not on the way."

A trace of hesitation appeared on Cuizhu's face.

Lei Jinying shouted: "Tell me everything you know, don't hide anything. Miss, why didn't you follow me when I went out, tell me!"

Cuizhu kowtowed: "Master, Miss Chu, my girl, she received a letter, and the person who wrote the letter asked her to meet in the flower garden, so she went out early alone. The servant originally wanted to follow, but The girl said that her kung fu is better than that of the slaves, and if there is any trouble, maybe who will protect the other, so she kept the slaves."

"Whose letter?"

Cuizhu shook her head with tears in her eyes: "Master, I don't know, I didn't see the content of the letter, so I'm talking about it now, just listening to my lady."

Sima Ziyi said: "According to what Cui Zhu said, Lei Rou left early to attend an appointment in the flower garden, and the person who asked her to meet is probably the murderer. Cui Zhu, let me ask you, your lady usually reads the letter paper , where do you usually put the letter?"

"In the cabinet in the study."

Lei Jinying immediately ordered his confidant to go to Lei Rou's study to find the letter.

But Cuizhu shook her head, and said with some despair: "Miss, the miss may not have put the letter in the study, because from the time the miss read the letter to when she left, she never went to the study. The slave guessed that the letter should be written Miss took it with her."

Sima Ziyi immediately looked at Leirou's body.

With a sullen face, Lei Jinying signaled Cuizhu to go forward and look for it.

Unfortunately, Cuizhu found nothing after searching three times.

"Master, there is no letter, but the purse Miss carried with her is gone!"

"The letter is in the purse?"

"I don't know, but that purse is indeed used to hold some odds and ends."

The atmosphere in the yard was even more solemn. Everyone had already confirmed that the letter should have been taken and destroyed by the murderer. They could not determine the identity of the real murderer through the clues of the letter.

However, Pei Xiang noticed that since the mention of the letter invitation, Chu Peipei has not made a sound.She seemed to be caught in some kind of struggle, her brows were mournful, and her eyes glanced across Lei Rou's body from time to time.

At this time, the person who went to Lei Rou's study returned to report that he had not found any relevant letters.

"In this way," Taoist Mu concluded, "our only clue is the plum blossom, but this blood-colored plum blossom can represent more meanings."

Pei Xiang found that when Taoist Mu mentioned plum blossoms again, Lei Ning shrank back again and tiptoed.At the same time, Nangong Yu turned sideways subconsciously, just blocking between Lei Ning and Taoist Mu.

—It was a protective gesture.

——Lei Ning and Nangong Yu...

"Master Lei, may I interject to ask a question or two."

Pei Xiang decided not to remain silent anymore, because according to her speculation, if she didn't guide the topic, she would become one of the suspects.

After all, speaking of plum blossoms, didn't she herself get the invitation from Thunderbolt Hall because of a picture of plum blossoms?

Lei Jinying showed surprise: "Miss Gu, please tell me."

"I want to say, since Miss Leirou has the ability to leave clues after the murderer leaves, why did she draw a plum blossom, why didn't she just write down the murderer's name? If it's a lack of strength, it doesn't make sense. Because that plum blossom is no easier to draw than a word."

Lei Ning said: "Maybe, my sister is worried that the murderer will go back to check and notice the clues she left behind. If it's just a painting of a flower, the murderer probably won't pay special attention."

Pei Xiang shook his head: "If the murderer chooses to go back to check, it means that this person is an extremely cautious person, how could he ignore such an obvious plum blossom pattern? No matter what Miss Leirou left behind, whether it is writing or painting, he should Erased, this is a normal behavior to eliminate future troubles. Besides, the things that can be deliberately drawn by Miss Lei Rou when she is dying must have a lot to do with the identity of the murderer. What about the relevant clues?"

"Miss Gu makes sense," Sima Ziyi nodded thoughtfully, "Miss Gu, since you raised this question, you must have your own guesses?"

"I do have a guess."

"Appreciate further details."

"I think it's not that Miss Lei Rou doesn't want to leave the murderer's name, but because she doesn't know the real identity of the murderer at all. The other party may be masked or disguised, or simply a stranger. The invitation letter It’s just an impostor.”

Nangong Yu smiled: "Since Lei Rou doesn't know anything, why did she leave behind a blood-colored plum blossom?"

Pei Xiang ignored Nangong Yu's hidden hostility, and analyzed word by word:

"Miss Lei Rou doesn't know the real identity of the murderer, but she has personally come into contact with the murderer. Therefore, she must have discovered something very special about the murderer, or something that impressed her deeply. This thing must be related to Plum blossoms are related, so she drew plum blossoms before she died."

Chu Peipei suddenly breathed a sigh of relief: "If this is the case, then the suspicion of Mr. Mei is small. Although Mr. Mei's surname is Mei, there is nothing related to plum blossoms on him."

Pei Xiang nodded: "This plum blossom may be the murderer's weapon, it may be the murderer's clothes, shoes and socks. If the murderer is a woman, it may also be the fragrance or jewelry on her body. In short, Miss Lei Rou should be guessing. On the premise of revealing the identity of the murderer, she only drew a plum blossom. Otherwise, with the same effort, wouldn’t it be more useful for her to write down a word for ‘plum’, or something else?”

Nangong Yu frowned impatiently: "This is all your random guess, without any real evidence."

Pei Xiang tilted his head and looked at Nangong Yu with some puzzlement:

"Nangong Shaoxia, at present, we are all at a loss and trying to analyze the truth. Naturally, we have to brainstorm and express our opinions. Why are you full of doubts and disgust at my statement? My words... really don't make sense Do you talk nonsense? Make you think it's a waste of time? Or, if you continue to investigate in the direction I speculate, something you don't want to see will happen?"

Nangong Yu's face turned cold instantly, and he held down the scimitar on his waist.

Sima Ziyi quickly pressed his friend's shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

"Miss Gu, I think you have misunderstood Brother Nangong. He is so sad that he is emotionally unstable."

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows: "Young Xia Nangong is indeed a little excited, Young Xia Sima, what do you think of my guess? Does it make sense?"

Sima Ziyi glanced at Nangong Yu apologetically, then turned his head and nodded to Pei Xiang: "Miss Gu, your speculation does make sense."

"Then, let me speculate that the murderer is still in Lushui Villa and has not taken advantage of the chaos to escape. Young Xia Sima, do you agree with this point of view?"

Sima Ziyi hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Lei Jinying.

Lei Jinying nodded with serious eyes: "Because Lei Zhenzi's blueprints are to be taken out, all exits of Lushui Villa are strictly guarded. Since last night, no one has left the villa."

Pei Xiang clenched his fists at Lei Jinying: "Master Lei, I have another suggestion, that is, please send someone to investigate, from the time Miss Lei Rou left the residence to when she...was discovered, where is everyone? What are they doing? Are there any references? I think, through investigation, we will get a specific list soon.”

Lei Ning bit his lip, and looked at Pei Xiang with disapproval:

"Miss Gu, I am very grateful for your concern for my sister, but the martial arts fellows present are all chivalrous people, how could they be the murderers of my sister? You, you are too worried. Besides, how could our Thunderbolt hall take the guests away? Interrogate as a prisoner, your proposal is really inappropriate."

These words made Pei Xiang show a puzzled expression, she turned her head suddenly to look at Lei Rou's body, stared at the dried blood for a moment, then glanced at Lei Ning, and suddenly revealed a somewhat clear sarcasm smile.

"Indeed, indeed, the living are more important. What Miss Lei Er said is very true. Gu has learned."

After speaking, she took a step back and said no more.

The atmosphere suddenly became quiet, and Lei Ning's face slowly turned red.

A disciple of the Emei Sect suddenly said: "The Qing is self-clearing, and I agree with the investigation. Isn't it the responsibility of our generation of chivalrous people to avenge the dead? Besides, I think it is not only necessary to investigate the guests, but also to investigate. The hall should also investigate and interrogate, after all, everyone is a martial artist and has the ability to kill with a sword."

Dugu Yihe drank softly: "Speak carefully! Don't back down."

He cupped his fists at Lei Jinying: "I hope Hall Master Lei will forgive me for being reckless. However, my disciples of the Emei Sect have always been upright and righteous, and I feel deeply saddened by Miss Lei Rou's misfortune. Therefore, if Hall Master Lei wants to For the investigation, everyone present at the Emei faction is willing to cooperate."

Dugu Yihe expressed his position on behalf of the Emei faction, and the others also agreed.After all, at a time like this, those who are unwilling to accept the investigation will definitely be regarded as having ghosts in their hearts.

At this time, Pei Xiang said again: "Master Lei, I just thought of another question."

Lei Jinying clenched her fists sincerely: "Ms. Gu, please speak freely. Ms. Gu is willing to worry about the little girl's affairs. Lei is very grateful."

Pei Xiang cupped his fists in return: "Master Lei, in Gu's humble opinion, before the investigation is completed, it's best for people in our yard not to leave at will."

"Why is this?"

"Because, the fact that Miss Lei Rou has practiced the secret skills of the Shi family has always been a secret, and it was definitely beyond the murderer's expectation."

Sima Ziyi's eyes lit up: "According to the speculation before taking care of the girl, the murderer may be carrying something related to plum blossoms, so it is very likely that this person has not had time to cover it up."

Pei Xiang nodded: "It's like this. After Sima Shaoxia and Master Jingci returned and showed the bloody plum blossom, we have been in this yard, and no one has left. So, if the murderer really Among us, this person has little opportunity to manipulate."

Chu Peipei frowned and thought for a while: "But...the other party may also get the news in advance, or they may not be among us at all."

"There are indeed those possibilities, but we have very few clues, and we can only hope for better luck."

"How do you count luck?"

"It means that after the murderer finishes killing a person, in order not to arouse suspicion, the person will hurriedly tidy up and then immediately blend into the crowd. In this way, there will be no time to replace and hide some things on this person."

"Luck..." Lei Jinying smiled wryly and shook his head, he clasped his fists at Mu Daoren and the others, without saying anything.

Master Jingci and the others were very frank and calm, and they all sympathized with Lei Jinying's grief. Before the Thunder Hall could do anything, they took the initiative to explain the morning schedule clearly.

Of course, even if many of them are alone, no one will jump out to question them, because their status and martial arts practice are the best guarantee.

Afterwards, the others also began to recall what they had done in the morning. If someone would prove it, you would say it to me, and within half an hour, there would be a result.

The most suspicious person was Mei Xuean who had never appeared.

Secondly, Pei Xiang, Chu Peipei, and Sima Ziyi all had some time alone, and no one else proved it.

Pei Xiang said: "After I washed up, I asked the maid in the yard to bring me breakfast. During her departure, I stayed in the room all the time, alone, with no one to witness."

Chu Peipei said: "I made an appointment with Xiaorou, so I went to the water pavilion to wait for her in advance. From about three o'clock in Maozheng, I stayed there alone until I met a Huashan sect disciple who got up early."

Sima Ziyi recalled: "I got up early to practice swords, went to the martial arts arena, and was alone."

Lei Ning suddenly said: "I remember, Miss Gu's plum blossoms are very good."

Pei Xiang nodded, and said calmly:

"It's not just plum blossoms, I can draw anything. Moreover, if Miss Leirou thinks that the murderer is me, she can write the word 'Qing' on the ground instead of painting a blood-colored plum blossom with unknown meaning. Five petals, five To be honest, it’s really not much simpler than a single word.”

Pei Xiang looked directly at everyone present: "It's a very simple reasoning. If Miss Leirou thinks that I am a murderer, she can write my name. If Miss Leirou thinks that I am not a murderer, then the plum blossom she painted means something else. It has nothing to do with me being good at painting.”

Nangong Yu shook her head: "Miss Gu, all these inferences are based on your previous guesses. Maybe Lei Rou thought of plum blossoms at the last moment?"

Pei Xiang did not continue to argue, but nodded slightly, and said sincerely: "What you said makes sense, what we are talking about now is only speculation and inference, without actual evidence. Then, my itinerary is in doubt for the time being."

Her retreat gave Nangong Yu the illusion of punching the cotton, and he pursed his lips, very worried.

Chu Peipei suddenly said: "That letter...it's actually quite easy to guess who wrote the letter. Xiaorou has always been proud, and not everyone can make her get up early for an appointment."

After her words fell, everyone's eyes focused on Sima Ziyi.

Everyone knew that Lei Rou was in love with Sima Ziyi, if she received an invitation letter from the other party, let alone early in the morning, even in the middle of the night, Lei Rou would dress up and go to the appointment alone.

Sima Ziyi defended in a deep voice: "I have nothing to do with Meihua."

Chu Peipei nodded: "Yes, you have nothing to do with Meihua, but the person who forged your handwriting should have something to do with Meihua. I know you won't hurt Xiaorou, but someone will hurt her in your name. "

"Do you know who it is?"

Chu Peipei's expression became very strange. She stared closely at the white silk on Lei Rou's body, with pain and struggle in her eyes. Finally, she asked in a very soft voice:

"Brother Sima, who can imitate your handwriting exactly?"

Sima Ziyi's complexion changed slightly, and he suddenly turned to look at Nangong Yu.

Nangong Yu's expression froze, and then she said calmly: "I have been surrounded by people all morning. Besides, I have no reason to murder Lei Rou."

Chu Peipei still wanted to speak, but Nan Gongyu immediately interrupted her:

"Cousin, I know that you actually want to protect the most suspicious Mei Xue'an, don't you? We all know that only he is the most suspicious. Cousin also knows that you have admired Mei Xue'an since a few years ago For this reason, I also rejected the marriage arranged by the family. But, cousin, I am your cousin, you can't just pour dirty water on your cousin for a relationship that has not been responded to. "

Chu Peipei's face turned pale when Nangong Yu exposed her secret love in public.She just felt waves of dizziness rushing into her mind, making her speechless for a while.

Pei Xiang walked to Chu Peipei's side, lightly pressed her shoulder, and looked at Nangong Yu coldly:

"Shaoxia Nangong, you can't judge others by yourself. You feel that you can sacrifice everything for love, and others will have no bottom line principles like you. I think that even if Miss Chu has someone to protect her heart, it is definitely not Mr. Mei, but Mr. Mei. Her best friend, Miss Lei Rou.

"There is a friendship and loyalty between you men, and it is the same with us women. It is never a lie that a woman does not give up to a man. When Miss Chu just expressed her doubts about you, she must have experienced a struggle, because You are her relatives. However, the righteousness and justice in her heart made her unable to keep silent.

"Whether her speculation is correct or not, when she reminded Sima Shaoxia, she has already shown courage and justice. Besides, she didn't mention you directly, she just reminded Sima Shaoxia. Nangong Shaoxia, she The loopholes that are caught will be caught by others sooner or later. If you are innocent, no one would dare to wrong the heir of the Nangong family.

"On the contrary, you don't hesitate to use a young girl's feelings to fight back and attack, which is not a gentleman's demeanor, Nangong Shaoxia, what about your family upbringing?"

While questioning Nangong Yu, Pei Xiang glanced at Lei Ning beside him with a clear and contemptuous look. This look was like a fuse that ignited.

Nangong Yu drew the saber directly, and in the blink of an eye, the blade was in front of Pei Xiang.

Pei Xiang gently pushed Chu Peipei, sending her to Sima Ziyi's side, and then, she floated backwards lightly like a feather.

"Whoever speaks disrespectfully to the Nangong family will be killed!"

The moment Nangong Yu made a move, someone wanted to stop him, but when he explained the reason for drawing the sword, someone hesitated.Because there was really no need for them to completely offend Nangong Yu for an ordinary Jianghu girl with no background or sect.

With this hesitation, he watched Pei Xiang being enveloped by Nangong Yu's saber light, and would become Nangong Yu's dead soul in an instant.

As soon as Dugu He frowned, he was about to draw his sword to stop him, but the Mu Taoist beside him stopped him.

"Wait a minute, the outcome is not decided."

As soon as the words fell, a faster, sharper, and more terrifying sword light whizzed past under the tight and cold deadly knife net, like a startled rainbow, coming from outside the sky, and the situation was reversed in an instant.

An ordinary iron sword of five taels of silver was pressed against Nangong Yu's neck, and there was a light bloodstain on it.

Everyone knew that as long as the person holding the sword exerted a little force, the heir of the Nangong family would die.

Not far from the two of them, Nangong Yu's family machete was shot down into the dust, just like his pride.