Lin Ji and Lu Cong quickly arrived at Mr. Liu's house.
Before even entering, they saw that white lanterns were hung at the entrance of Mr. Liu's house. A constable in a catcher's uniform was shouting at a few ruffians.
"I say, are you all blind? Can't you even hang the lantern straight?"
"Where's the fourth one? Taking so long to write a couplet? Probably went to drink flower wine with my money."
One of the ruffians replied nervously, "Second Master, the matters of the Liu family are too mysterious. It's not that we don't want to work properly, it's just... we are afraid."
Song Er went up and gave the ruffian a knock on the head.
"You're afraid of me but not afraid of my brother? Hurry up and work."
Seeing this scene, Lin Ji chuckled.
"This Song Er may not look decent on usual days, but he sure knows how to command."
"Anyway, he's not a good person," Lu Cong said expressionlessly.
Song Er was just an ordinary constable in the yamen, but he had a good older brother.
His brother, Song Da, was the leader of the Tiger Head Gang in Qingyang County, a true local tyrant.
Although local tyrants were despicable, they had one good point - they were well-informed.
In a small place like Qingyang County, any slight movement, even a trivial matter like someone secretly touching a lady's buttocks, could be traced in minutes.
It couldn't be helped, there were too many informants.
Moreover, the Song brothers were considered smart, knowing how to cooperate with the yamen and control their subordinates.
Therefore, the reputation of the Tiger Head Gang in Qingyang County was relatively good. Although they were involved in shady dealings, as long as Lin Ji and the others didn't go too far, they wouldn't be ruthless.
On the other side, Song Er keenly noticed Lin Ji and Lu Cong.
"Head Lin is back? The journey must have been tough. How about I arrange a feast at Ruyi Pavilion tonight to welcome Head Lin?" Song Er hurriedly approached Lin Ji.
"Let's handle the case first." Lin Ji patted Song Er's shoulder, then led Lu Cong into Mr. Liu's mansion.
After passing the entrance screen, they entered the main hall of the Liu family's mansion.
Normally, this was where Mr. Liu entertained guests, but now, the hall was filled with four corpses.
Mr. and Mrs. Liu, along with Mr. Liu's parents.
A family of five, with only their daughter, Liu Lingling, sitting on a chair sobbing continuously.
Upon seeing Lin Ji, Liu Lingling quickly stood up.
"Greetings, Head Lin."
"My condolences." Lin Ji led Lu Cong in offering incense to the deceased, then asked, "Miss Liu, we are here to investigate the case, so we will need to examine the bodies of the deceased. What do you think?"
Liu Lingling hesitated for a moment.
The deceased should not be disturbed anymore.
But thinking about her parents and grandparents dying inexplicably, she eventually nodded.
"Please, Head Lin."
"It's necessary."
Seeing the host's agreement, Lin Ji didn't delay and first uncovered the white cloth covering Mr. Liu's body.
Pressing on the abdomen as usual.
"Indeed, the liver and kidneys are missing."
Lin Ji checked the bodies of the two elderly people, and the same was true for them.
However, when Lin Ji checked Mrs. Liu's body last, he found something unusual.
"Huh? The liver and kidneys are still here."
Lin Ji looked at Liu Lingling. "Miss Liu, the cause of your mother's death is different from that of your father and grandparents."
"My mother died of a heart disease, an old ailment that had been cured a few years ago. But last night, her old illness suddenly recurred."
"A heart disease?" Lin Ji was somewhat surprised, looking at Lu Cong beside him.
"That's true, everyone in the county knows about it," Lu Cong nodded. "Mrs. Liu's illness has been there for years. Mr. Liu has consulted all the doctors in the county, but to no avail. Even a doctor from the capital who came couldn't help."
Lin Ji pondered for a moment and asked, "Miss Liu, who cured your mother's illness?"
"Granny Hua."
"Granny Hua?" Lin Ji frowned. "Is there such a person in our county?"
"I've never heard of her," Lu Cong shook his head.
Liu Lingling hurriedly explained, "Granny Hua was invited back by my father a few years ago. When my mother had another heartache that day, my father invited Granny Hua back, and after my mother drank a bowl of herbal medicine given by Granny Hua, she recovered."
"The doctors in the county were helpless, and even the doctors from the capital couldn't do anything. But a bowl of herbal medicine from Granny Hua cured your mother's illness?" Lin Ji squinted.
"I was there at the time, I saw it clearly, it was really just a bowl of herbal medicine."
Speaking of this, Liu Lingling suddenly added, "Moreover, Granny Hua did not ask for any reward at the time, just said that the Liu family owed her a favor and she would come to collect it in the future."
"And then? Did Granny Hua come?" Lin Ji quickly asked.
"I don't know, I stayed at my grandfather's house for two months, and only returned from there a few days ago. Then all this happened yesterday." Liu Lingling said, starting to sob softly again.
At that moment, Lu Cong whispered, "Boss, something's not right about this Granny Hua."
Lin Ji looked at Lu Cong in surprise.
"Oh, you're catching on?"
"Yeah."
"Let's first question the servants of the Liu family. They should know something."
"Head Lin, the household servants have all fled, we can't find anyone now," Liu Lingling said from the side.
"The incident happened yesterday, how far could they have fled today?" Lin Ji waved his hand nonchalantly and instructed Lu Cong, "I remember the steward of the Liu family, what was his name?"
"Old Li, he lives on the west side," Lu Cong replied.
"Go bring him here."
Lu Cong had grown up in Qingyang County, so he naturally knew the local affairs well.
In just over half an hour, he brought an old, trembling man in front of Lin Ji.
After entering the hall, Old Li first kowtowed to the four corpses respectfully, then looked at Liu Lingling.
"Miss, I'm old and won't live much longer."
Liu Lingling shook her head. "Old Li, I don't blame you. You've worked in my family for a lifetime, it's time for you to retire. When you leave, go to the accounting room and get fifty taels of silver for your retirement."
"Miss, the accounting room is also gone," Old Li said with a bitter face.
Liu Lingling was at a loss for words for a moment.
Old Li then looked at Lin Ji.
"Head Lin, what brings this old man here?"
"I won't make it difficult for you. Just tell me what you know, and then you can go back to enjoy your grandchildren."
Old Li quickly agreed.
Lin Ji asked directly, "Just now, Miss Liu mentioned that someone named Granny Hua cured Mrs. Liu's illness. Do you know about this?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Old Li's face turned extremely pale.
"I-I know."
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(End of this chapter)