Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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“Just report the facts to the court,” Mu Zhao said calmly, his eyes lowered. “Since Wang Baitian is dead, the case is closed. Governor Yu can pack up and write the annual summary report.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Governor Yu nodded repeatedly, letting out a slight sigh of relief.
The young master’s words were exactly what he wanted. He had been worried that the young master would want to investigate further, but since the young master said so, excellent!
Although Wang Baitian died mysteriously in prison, it was still a closed case, and the court had been given an explanation.
Lu Qian remained silent for a long time, only catching up with Mu Zhao a few steps after leaving the prison, and whispered, “Huaizhi, you knew the fire was suspicious, yet you didn’t plan to investigate further?”
“The constables all said they heard strange flute music last night, saying someone was trying to break into the prison alone…”
“So they did?” Mu Zhao asked calmly.
Lu Qian paused, her voice trailing off. “The constables just counted the prisoners, and not a single one was missing.”
“So what else is there to investigate?” Mu Zhao continued.
“But many constables said they fell asleep after hearing the flute last night. They only woke up when the thick smoke choked them, and then rushed to put out the fire.”
“Hmm, what does that prove?”
Lu Qian almost laughed. “Huaizhi, your feigned ignorance is… not convincing at all.”
“It means someone went into the prison last night, and the small dark room just happened to catch fire, burning Wang Baitian to death, thus ending everything!”
“A good ending.” Mu Huaizhi nodded with a smile. “Isn’t this the result the court wanted? Just report it like this. To be honest, the prison has been in disrepair for years, and it’s normal for fires to occur in dry weather.”
Lu Qian was speechless.
He didn’t believe that Mu Huaizhi, with his shrewdness, couldn’t see through the trickery!
He just saw through it but didn’t say anything, turning a blind eye to let things pass…
That night, at the Mu residence.
The bodyguard Changzhi quietly leaped into the study, cupping his hands and presenting an item. “Your Highness, I’ve searched inside and out, and only found these small pieces of copper and iron.”
“The copper locks on Wang Baitian’s body couldn’t have burned completely; most likely, he was rescued overnight.”
“Judging from the style of these fragments, the person who came must have used true qi to cut through the crisscrossing copper locks on his body.”
“I think there was more than one person; they also quickly cleaned up the fire scene, taking away all the evidence that could expose their identities.”
“Wang Baitian is a member of the martial arts world; could it be the work of one of his good brothers from the martial arts world? Your Highness, should we continue the investigation?”
Mu Zhao shook his head. “Let him go; there’s no need to investigate further. Just cancel Wang Baitian’s household registration normally, and he will no longer exist.”
With that, Changzhi left, cupping his fists in a gesture of respect.
Meanwhile, following the Emperor’s instructions, the Liang Wang’s Mansion needed to collect the remains of the old Liang Wang before the New Year and bury him nearby in Dongshan, quickly settling this old case.
However, fate was unkind. On the day of the old Liang Wang’s burial, a torrential downpour began before dawn, soaking everyone in its path.
Ye Wuchen, pushed by servants, braved the rain to ascend the mountain, his face and head drenched despite his straw hat.
The servants of the Liang Wang’s mansion struggled to climb the mountain, supporting the coffin, their efforts arduous.
Ye Wuchen looked up at the misty sky.
Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared.
With a sharp “crack,” it struck the coffin lid.
The immense force caused those supporting the coffin to stumble and fall to the ground, their eyes wide with terror.
The coffin lid shattered into pieces, and the torrential rain poured into it.
The old Liang Wang’s body, though stitched back together relatively intact, and his face washed clean and pale, appeared somewhat eerie in the dim light.
Ye Wuchen gripped the wheelchair armrests tightly, trembling with rage. “What are you all standing there for? Hurry up…”
Before he could finish speaking, a rustling sound came from the bushes on both sides of the road.
Everyone turned their heads and saw a dozen or twenty large black dogs suddenly leap out of the bushes, baring their teeth and claws.
The servants were so frightened that their legs went weak and they screamed, “A pack of wild dogs is attacking!”
“Quickly, protect Prince Pingkang and get out of here!”
“Grandfather, Grandfather!!” Ye Wuchen’s face showed deep sorrow as he gripped the armrest of his wheelchair tightly and looked back repeatedly.
He saw a group of servants without any weapons, being chased by the pack of wild dogs and fleeing in panic.
Another group of wild dogs jumped into the coffin like madmen and began to tear at the old prince.
In the tearing and snatching, the old prince’s recently stitched-up body was torn to pieces again.
“Grandfather!!” Ye Wuchen looked back repeatedly, staring at the old Liang Wang’s remains being carried away piece by piece by the wild dogs, beating his chest and wailing.
….
“Steamed chestnut cake, Pan-fried butter abalone, and three bowls of osmanthus and white fungus soup. All eight dishes you ordered, ladies, are served. Please enjoy!” The waiter smiled and bowed, quickly retreating.
“Miss, it’s so delicious!” Jiu Jin took a sip of the osmanthus and white fungus soup. “The desserts at Fan Lou are truly legendary. So delicious, we’ll come again next time!”
“Even food can’t shut you up.” Ba Liang rolled his eyes at her.
“It really is quite good. Next time, I’ll bring Aunt Huang to try it.” Yu Linlang nodded.
“Yes, yes, yes, after Aunt Huang tries it, she can make it for us at home from now on.” Jiu Jin nodded happily.
Ba Liang glanced around to make sure no one was watching before lowering her voice, “Last night, Governor Yu sent Wu Yong with men up the mountain in the rain, but they searched everywhere and couldn’t even find half a piece of the old prince’s remains.”
Jiu Jin clicked her tongue as she ate, “Tragic. No wonder there’s no trace of his remains after all those bad deeds.”
“Now, although the old prince has been buried, it’s just a cenotaph with a shiny exterior,” Yu Linlang sneered.
Ba Liang leaned forward again and said in an even lower voice, “Wu Yong found a gold-embossed Yama’s Invitation in the coffin.”
“Ah,” Jiu Jin exclaimed softly, “You mean, this was done by people from the Yama’s Palace?”
Ba Liang shrugged, indicating she didn’t know.
Yu Linlang gently stirred the white fungus in her bowl, rested her chin on her hand, and looked out the window. Suddenly, she saw snowflakes falling.
Upon closer inspection, they weren’t snowflakes at all; they were small pieces of paper, fluttering everywhere.
People on the street looked up curiously.
Yu Linlang reached out the window, gently catching a small, fluttering piece of paper between two fingers.
Looking at it, she saw lines of small writing on it: “Old Liang Wang has tormented countless women over the past eight years, his crimes too numerous to recount. Now, heavenly lightning has struck his coffin, Yama is demanding his life, and wild dogs are gnawing at his bones— he has only himself to blame! Heaven’s justice is clear, and its reach is inescapable; his evil deeds should be exposed to the world and condemned by all!”
Jiu Jin and Ba Liang took the note, read it three times, and grinned broadly. “Serves him right!”
“He deserves to be haunted even in death, bearing eternal infamy, he deserves it!”
Yu Linlang glanced out the window.
She saw Wu Yong leading a group of constables rushing over, chasing away the people who were bent over picking up the notes.
Yu Linlang pursed her lips, casually flicked her wrist, and her inner energy surged.
The notes, which had been lying nearby, suddenly fluttered up and scattered in the air.
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