C169 – The Death of His Beloved Concubine
Huian Hall’s business had improved a lot over the past few days. All those who had some minor issues would gather around and leave Elder Chen, the doctors, and the medicine boy with the medicine were so busy that their feet did not touch the ground.
“Hey, little brother, I heard that State Protector’s Wife has been cured? Is it true?” A patient leaned on the counter and asked the medicine boy in a low voice.
The apprentice alchemist was a disciple brought by Elder Chen. He was young, but he was very smart. He smiled when he heard that. “With the godly doctor here, he can naturally be cured.”
His words did not answer his question directly, but it also showed that he would not die in Huian Hall.
Ever since the news of State Protector pampering his wife spread, everyone was most concerned about the life and death of this lady. At that time, several doctors had said that she could not be cured, but now she was cured by Tang Yue. What did that mean?
Some people said that it was a fluke to come back from the dead once, but since she could come back from the dead two or three times, no one doubted Tang Yue’s medical skills anymore.
Wave after wave of gossipers came to inquire about the news, filling the Huian Hall. Elder Chen happened to catch a person who was not sick and pretended to be sick. He was so angry that his beard was crooked. “Where did this kid come from? Why did he come to the medicine store when he was not sick or in pain? Get out of here! Get out of here!”
That person was not angry when he was exposed. After a few words, he retreated to the side and continued to stay there.
“Did you guys hear? State Protector was impeached by the imperial censor.”
“Isn’t that a matter of course? No matter how much other people doted on their concubines, they would at most pay a little more sincerity and real gold. This one, on the other hand, actually injured his wife. How could such a person establish himself in the Imperial Court?”
“That’s true, but he is State Protector after all. He has made great contributions in the past, and the king will not casually punish him.”
“That was many years ago. Now that we don’t see him leading troops to battle, it’s time to give way to those who have made great contributions.”
“Shh, don’t spout nonsense...”
In the backyard of the medicine store, Tang Yue had just finished checking State Protector’s Wife’s body. He said to the man leaning against the wall, “She has passed the dangerous period. The wound on her head is already scabbed. There shouldn’t be a big problem. But Madam is still unable to move. She is not sure if she can walk in the future.”
Zhao Sanlang, who had been holding on, finally broke down. He squatted on the ground and hugged his head as he cried.
Tang Yue didn’t try to persuade him. This matter was undoubtedly a huge blow to him. He had been suppressing it for a long time. If he didn’t explode, he would be abnormal. It was better to explode.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m
After he had cried enough, Tang Yue asked him, “Your father... Pooh, pooh, what happened to State Protector after he was impeached? Did the king punish him?”
Zhao Sanlang raised his head and his eyes lit up. “For the first time, only three imperial censors reported it. The king reprimanded him and punished him with three years of salary. The second time, the seven imperial censors reported it together. The king decreed that if anything happened to his mother, he would be punished. The one who hurt her must be buried, and his eldest son has no chance of inheriting the title. The third time, the entire Censorate has submitted a memorial. The king stripped State Protector of his hereditary title, and as long as he died, he would die. No one else in the Zhao family can inherit this title, haha...”
Tang Yue paused, “Are you satisfied with this result?”
Zhao Sanlang snorted, “Of course not. That title should not belong to them, but how can this be enough?”
“It’s not a big deal. It’s the same whether you go or not.” In fact, he had a lot of things on his hands now. It was just that he was in a hurry. Those things were not more important than Tang Yue.
Tang Yue did not doubt it. He lay down for a while and only got up when he felt that he was truly awake. Then, he washed his face with cold water.
After spring, the temperature rose again. Soon, Tang Yue did not feel cold. When he walked around the yard twice, he felt refreshed.
“Shall we go and have dinner?” Crown Prince Zhao pulled him to the living room. Tang Yue was hungry. He ran faster than Crown Prince Zhao when he heard that.
When he finished his meal, Wang Dingjun brought a message and said, “State Protector’s house is having a funeral.”
Tang Yue did not react and almost thought that State Protector’s Wife had gone. Then he heard him say that the one who died was State Protector’s beloved concubine.
Tang Yue asked suspiciously, “Even if the concubine died, she still had to carry out the funeral?”
“Young master does not know. In aristocratic families, only a noble concubine can have this honor after death. Ordinary concubines can mourn for three days after death, and the rest do not carry out the funeral.”
Tang Yue remembered Zhao Sanlang mentioning that the concubine in State Protector’s residence wasn’t a noble concubine. She was brought up by one of State Protector’s concubines in his early years.
It was said that the concubine was as gentle as water and took good care of men. She had firmly occupied State Protector’s heart.
After a long time, Tang Yue came back to his senses and asked, “How did she die?”
Wang Dingjun paused for a while, then lowered his head and answered, “The news said that she hanged herself.”
“Ah...” Tang Yue did not believe that such a woman definitely had means and was ruthless. How could she hang herself?
Crown Prince Zhao coughed and reminded him, “Tell me the truth!”
Wang Dingjun smiled and said, “Sanlang sneaked into State Protector’s mansion last night. He strangled her and pretended to hang himself when she was unprepared.”
“This... Any experienced coroner can find out if he killed her or not, right?” Tang Yue lived in modern times. He had watched too many TV dramas that solved cases. He thought it was easy to tell these things.
Crown Prince Zhao continued, “In the entire South Jin, I’m afraid only a coroner can do this.”
“Yes, State Protector also did not believe that his beloved concubine would hang herself and commit suicide, so he hired the coroner to perform an autopsy. However, the coroner’s conclusion was... suicide without a doubt!”
Tang Yue was dumbfounded, “Could it be that Zhao Sanlang bribed the coroner?”
Wang Dingjun looked up at him and smiled. “Young master, you forgot that the coroner’s only son is your beloved disciple.”
One sentence was enough to explain the relationship between the two. As long as Xiang Ann went back to beg his father, no man would hesitate. Moreover, this matter was originally State Protector’s beloved concubine’s fault. Could it be that Zhao Sanlang wanted him to pay for killing someone?