Chapter 737: Chapter 732, Chapter 733: Palace Examination Ranking Announcement

Zhang Residence.

"Lord Song’s visit to my humble abode truly brings it splendor."

Zhang River immediately learned of Song Qing’s arrival and came to greet him.

"Greetings to General Zhang, I apologize for the disturbance." Song Qing cupped his hands.

"What are you saying, Lord Song? Your presence is my honor." Zhang River smiled.

Song Qing lowered his head and said nothing.

"The banquet is ready, please come inside, Lord Song."

"Let’s talk about the banquet later, I have something to discuss with General Zhang."

Upon hearing this, Zhang River’s expression slightly tensed.

...

Main hall of the residence.

Zhang River was entertaining Song Qing and said, "Lord Song, this is the new tea harvested from Jiangnan this year, sweet and mellow. Please have a taste."

Song Qing took a sip of the fragrant tea, savoring it slowly, then nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad, good tea."

After saying that, he took another sip, then put down the teacup, glancing silently at the servants in the hall.

Zhang River understood and immediately dismissed the servants. Afterward, his smile slightly faded as he asked, "What guidance does Lord Song have?"

Song Qing replied without a change in his expression, "How much does General Zhang know about the son-in-law not yet married into your family?"

In Song Qing’s view, Zhang River was taking in "Guo Xian" as a son-in-law, hence he used the term ’not yet married.’

Zhang River slightly furrowed his brow, realizing that Song Qing’s visit should be related to Guo Xian, and began to narrate, "I met him in Pingting County of Qingzhou. At that time, he was the top scorer in the Qingzhou provincial exam. It happened that my young daughter was unmarried, and I especially respect scholars, so I intended to marry my daughter to him, and he agreed...

He is from Cangzhou, unmarried, and his parents passed away early."

"Did General Zhang truly believe what he said?" Song Qing asked.

"Initially, I had some doubts and had someone investigate, but there was chaos in the North at the time. The government office’s household records were long lost and indeed had nowhere to be verified, and besides, his accent is indeed from Cangzhou. Later, after spending some time with him, I found his character to be excellent, so I gradually stopped doubting him..."

Zhang River truly had a good impression of this son-in-law, realizing at the same time that Song Qing’s mention might be related to "Guo Xian’s" identity, so he further asked, "Has something happened to him?"

While asking, Song Qing kept staring into Zhang River’s eyes, seeing genuine ignorance, he slowly took out a copied case file from his bosom and handed it to Zhang River, saying:

"Today, while the government office’s constable was tracking a suspect, they happened to bump into this suspect attempting to kill three people outside the city. These three were an old man, a woman, and a boy under ten. The constable immediately detained this suspect. According to his confession, he was instructed by someone from General Zhang’s residence to kill these three people..."

As Song Qing explained this, Zhang River had also finished reading the case file. His face darkened, and his hand holding the case file trembled violently, showing signs of an impending eruption. After being stunned for a while, he only managed to ask, "Lord Song, is this... true?"

"The murder by Peng Si’Er is real; the person and evidence are conclusive. As for whether Guo Xian instructed it, and whether he is actually Dai Tu, it’s still under investigation..."

While speaking, Song Qing lifted the teacup, blew over it with his eyes lowered, then raised his eyes, and said, "I believe this matter might have a significant impact on General Zhang, so I came to inform you."

Zhang River was no longer the rural farmer who knew nothing; he could hear the implied meaning in Song Qing’s words, that as long as he opened his mouth, the other party could sell him a favor, handling the matter appropriately.

Zhang River first stated that he did not know any Peng Si’Er, then asked, "Does the Prince know about this?"

"I’ve already blocked this matter for General Zhang; it hasn’t reached the Prince’s ears. Additionally, since the matter is not fully investigated yet, if Guo Xian is wrongly accused, telling the Prince would only cause a rift between the Prince and General Zhang," Song Qing said.

His scheming mind was deep enough not to let Zhang River notice anything.

After his expression changed several times, Zhang River cautiously said, "Thank you, Lord Song, for concealing this for me. However, such an act of murdering one’s family is inhumane and intolerable. If it’s proven true, I hope Lord Song will enforce the law impartially. If it turns out to be false, I also wish for his name to be cleared."

After speaking, Zhang River stood and bowed deeply towards Song Qing.

Upon hearing this, Song Qing couldn’t help but regard Zhang River with a little more respect, quickly rising with cupped hands, saying, "General Zhang, what you said isn’t necessary. This is my duty."

After speaking, Song Qing found an excuse to bid farewell, not staying to dine.

After sending off Song Qing, Zhang River lowered his gaze, his face became extremely unsightly. Although the matter was said to be unclear, he understood that if they weren’t quite certain, they wouldn’t have come to him.

But every person has a bit of wishful thinking.

Especially since "Guo Xian" was tied to his reputation; after coming to Xiangyang, he often boasted in front of his old friends about finding a good son-in-law. If this matter were true, he’d lose face completely.

He called for a servant and asked where his son-in-law had gone.

The servant replied that the son-in-law went to meet a friend.

Zhang River frowned, folded his hands behind him, and instructed the servant to call Zhang Zhu.

After seeing his daughter, Zhang River didn’t mention the matter of "Guo Xian" or tell her to stay away from "Guo Xian."

After all, if there were a misunderstanding, turning against him now would only lead to further loss.

He only gave Zhang Zhu a few reminders.

He said she would soon be marrying "Guo Xian."

During this period, he advised her to maintain some distance from "Guo Xian" and to remain reserved.