The woman was Scholar Xie's only daughter. Scholar Xie's wife had passed away from illness years ago, so he cherished this daughter dearly. He had carefully chosen a good husband for her, but for reasons unknown, whether due to insufficient affinity or other factors, they eventually parted ways. In most families, such a situation might be considered tarnishing the family's reputation, but Scholar Xie seemed unconcerned. On the contrary, he brought his daughter back home, and lived together with his grandsons.
As Scholar Xie's daughter, the woman had always shared a close relationship with her father. Now, seeing that her father had to undergo an autopsy after he died, she felt on the verge of a breakdown.
Her father was a great scholar who had garnered respect both in court and among his peers in the academy. How could such a figure be subjected to this treatment under normal circumstances? But now, he was going to be treated like that after his death, she found it unacceptable!
"You intrude into my home without reason, but what kind of figure was my father? When he was alive, no matter who it was, they would only have respect for my father. Now, you guys want to perform an autopsy on my father? Are you all still human?!"
Staring fiercely at Weng Quan, she exclaimed, "You all can't find any evidence at all! Everything is based on groundless speculation! The Left Guard has always been a reassuring presence in the Divine Capital for so many years. Now, with a new commanding officer, does it mean the Left Guard has become so tyrannical?!"
Weng Quan remained expressionless and said, "If anything happens, the Left Guard will naturally take responsibility, and the Great Liang's law will administer justice. Madam, there is no need for further words."
"Responsibility? Can your Left Guard really take responsibility? If, after your autopsy, you find nothing wrong with my father, even if all of you are killed, it still wouldn't make amends!"
The woman's eyes were filled with anger. Despite being restrained by two Left Guard officials at this moment, she showed no fear. "If you want to perform an autopsy, go and ask if His Majesty agrees, go and ask if the Dean permits it!"
"My father comes from the academy and is not someone you can humiliate at will!"
The woman looked at everyone and enunciated each word, "None of you are worthy!"
Weng Quan fell into silence, and the other Left Guard officials remained silent as well. Although they had barged in, in reality, they were being careful too. Just as the woman had said, someone like Scholar Xie had a unique and special status. This kind of special status also destined that they had to exercise undue caution.
It was very troublesome and complicated.
Weng Quan, who had served under Song Lian's guidance for many years, was rather capable despite his straightforward nature. Otherwise, he would not have been tasked by Chen Chao to handle such matters. Listening to the woman's words, he did not show anger but calmly stated, "This is the Left Guard handling the case. If there are issues, the Great Liang's law will naturally administer punishment. Whether it's imprisonment or execution, Madam need not worry!"
If it were normally, Weng Quan would have surely eased up, but not at this moment.
It was not just because the matter was crucial, but also because he had immense faith in Chen Chao.
When Song Lian left the Divine Capital, he had only said one thing to Weng Quan - that no matter the circumstances, he could unconditionally trust Chen Chao.
"Continue the autopsy!"
Seeing the coroner who had been watching him, Weng Quan quickly made a decision!
Upon hearing these three words, the woman laughed coldly, glaring fiercely at Weng Quan in her extreme misery, "I'll definitely make you pay for this!"
Weng Quan paid no attention, simply turning his head away.
……
……
In Scholar Xie's small courtyard, the constant sound of tiles falling to the ground and shattering resembled the dismantling of a home.
Indeed, that was what was happening. As time passed, the Left Guard officials became more impatient, and their actions became increasingly forceful.
Just at this moment, from the bustling street outside, a clamor suddenly reached their ears.
A Left Guard official had been stationed at the entrance this entire time. Upon hearing the commotion, he instinctively looked towards the distance. Soon, his expression changed drastically and he quickly rushed inside.
Weng Quan glanced at him and asked, "What's happened?"
The Left Guard official had an ugly expression and said, "A group of... students from the academy has arrived!"
Weng Quan was taken aback, and soon his expression turned extremely fascinating.
Although he had considered that there might be many unexpected accidents in dealing with Scholar Xie's matter, and he also thought that such matters could not be concealed from everyone, he had not expected the news to reach the academy so quickly.
The identities of these academy students were extremely special. Forget about him, even if the Lord Warden Commander himself came here, it would be very troublesome.
Moreover, were there no greater backers behind these students?
Weng Quan quickly walked out of the courtyard, just as the students from the academy arrived at the gate.
They came in a massive group, almost dozens of them.
Their young faces were filled with anger at this moment, as if they were about to devour Weng Quan at this moment.
Weng Quan's expression was ugly. When he looked towards them, the group of academy students had already surrounded him.
"May I ask, Sir, is it true that Scholar Xie has suddenly passed away?!"
In the instant a student caught up with them, he immediately spoke up, looking at Weng Quan, as if demanding an answer!
Weng Quan was taken aback; he had not expected the student before him to challenge him so quickly.
Instinctively rubbing his head, he felt a bit of a headache.
He could still handle the previous matters because they were within the responsibilities of the Left Guard, and he had experience with such issues. However, dealing with this particular situation made him somewhat hesitant.
Instead of immediately answering the question, Weng Quan turned to look not far away and said in a low voice, "Hurry and find the Commander! He has a lot of experience in dealing with these matters!"
A Left Guard official, looking at the group of academy students in front of him, hesitated and said, "Sir, how can I go out to find him now?"
"Idiot! Can't you fucking go through the back door?" Weng Quan shook his head, suppressing his voice.
The Left Guard official grunted in agreement, turned around, and walked into the manor to find the back door for his exit.
"Please enlighten us, Sir!" Not getting the desired response, the student who spoke up earlier asked again, his voice filled with extreme anger now.
Weng Quan was about to speak when suddenly he heard someone shout from the back of the crowd, "Teacher Zhang is here!"
As the person spoke, the crowd automatically made way, creating a path. A gray-haired old scholar appeared at the end of the street.
After seeing this person, Weng Quan's gaze became even more complex.
The teachers from the academy, regardless of who they were, held extremely high prestige. These people were not only esteemed figures in the literary world but also commanded respect in politics. Moreover, scholars like them were adept at reasoning. In other words, such scholars might even be cultivators.
This meant that later on, Weng Quan might not only find it challenging to out-argue the scholar but could also be outmatched physically.
When Teacher Zhang arrived, Weng Quan did not hesitate and greeted him with a bow first.
He wanted to show respect to this teacher from the academy.
Teacher Zhang snorted coldly and asked, "Scholar Xie is dead?"
Hearing this, Weng Quan felt his scalp tingling. He knew he could not remain silent any longer, but it was also inappropriate to deceive Teacher Zhang. So, he said softly, "Scholar Xie inexplicably died, and the coroner is currently examining the body."
"Inexplicably?"
Teacher Zhang sneered and said, "Wasn't Scholar Xie alive and well before you people arrived?"
Hearing this, Weng Quan felt his headache intensify. Trying his best to keep calm, he replied, "We didn't do anything. It's just that Scholar Xie got somewhat agitated."
"Heh, so you mean Scholar Xie's death has nothing to do with you guys?"
Teacher Zhang's eyes were filled with coldness as he said in a cold voice, "Before you all arrived, did Scholar Xie just drop dead like that?"
Hearing this question, Weng Quan truly did not know how to respond. He could only hope that the Commander would arrive soon.
……
……
Chen Chao waited for a long time at the entrance of the academy. When he saw the academy students heading towards Scholar Xie's direction, he quietly entered the academy.
Slowly walking along the lakeside, he was very low-profile, avoiding many people's gaze until he reached the lakeside courtyard.
Then, he knocked on the door.
The one who opened the door was the maidservant Liu Ye.
After glancing at Chen Chao, Liu Ye was about to shout something.
Frowning, Chen Chao quickly pressed a hand over Liu Ye's mouth, preventing her from making any noise. He bypassed her and entered the courtyard.
Though in pain, Liu Ye refrained from making any sound and could only glare at Chen Chao's back view. She thought, If it were not for Miss liking you, I would definitely make you...
Chen Chao arrived in the courtyard and Xie Nandu was reading a book quietly under the eaves.
It was just like that Scholar Xie who died.
Chen Chao glanced at her and went straight to the point, "I want to meet the Dean."
