ALL NOVEL Chapter 33 - II
“That He Zhifang is nothing! He hasn’t been in Huanshui much in the past two years. Do you treat me as blind or deaf?” Fang Qichen vented, patting the bed with a creaking sound.
Startled, Zhang Tong exclaimed, “Sir, you can’t be angry? The doctor said you shouldn’t get angry anymore.”
Fang Qichen, with widened eyes, held back some of his frustration but found it increasingly uncomfortable.
In a tense standoff with the eager Zhang Tong, Jing Xingzhi interjected, “When I left, my junior sister was still crying loudly. It seemed like she had lost her father.”
These words were like pouring a basin of cold water on Fang Qichen’s head, Jing Xingzhi managed to extinguish the anger, leaving Fang Qichen distressed.
He got emotional; what should he do with his little girl if he loses his life?
He couldn’t afford to be angry; he wanted to live well until he was eighty-eight, long enough to see his daughter married and embrace his grandchildren.
“Okay, okay, Teacher won’t be angry anymore. Let’s not talk about Yaojun. It’s not a bad thing for a little girl to cry. As the senior brother, you don’t bring this up in front of her again. It might make her cry again,” Fang Qichen said.
“I won’t mention it. Teacher, please be patient. You must obey the doctor’s orders. Only by listening to the doctor can you live a long life,” Jing Xingzhi explained uneasily.
Seeing Fang Qichen’s recent unhappy and angry state, Jing Xingzhi pondered if about the old man’s life.
Zhang Tong contemplated whether he should inform the emperor about this matter, perhaps he could spark the emperor’s gratitude for taking good care of the old man.
Jing Xingzhi comforted Fang Qichen, ensuring he finished the medicine. As Fang Qichen put down the medicine bowl.
Zhang Tong took the bowl flatteringly, glanced at Jing Xingzhi, and asked Fang Qichen, “Chief Fang, when I came here, the emperor gave me an imperial commission. Officials below the fifth rank could be handle by me. Considering this matter, what result do you want?”
Zhang Tong, not trusting Jing Xingzhi, thought to himself that he should use his influence toward Fang Qichen. Jing Xingzhi offered, “Teacher, I can handle this. Let me do it.”
Zhang Tong hoped Jing Xingzhi would resolve it quickly, thinking, “If this goes wrong, I’ll take over. It’s not a burden at all! He has no power; what can he do? Can’t he reason with others?”
Zhang Tong looked at Fang Qichen, hoping Chief Fang would be as sensible as him.
But Fang Qichen, with excitement in his eyes, asked Jing Xingzhi, “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” Jing Xingzhi replied confidently, considering ancient times had no surveillance, making tasks more convenient.
“Then thank you for your hard work,” Fang Qichen said, feeling safe in Jing Xingzhi’s hands.
After Jing Xingzhi left, Zhang Tong looked at Fang Qichen with a wry smile, asking, “Chief, do you really not want me to do anything?”
Fang Qichen shook his head, “No, what can you do? I’ve seen so many of your tricks; it’s useless for me.”
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“There are two witnesses, a gangster Wang Xiang, and Tan Xingwang, who used to live near Zhang family’s house. There is also one piece of physical evidence, a feathered-silver blue cloth found in the old house. That’s it. These three are the important points, right?” Jing Xingzhi listened to Wang Zhuang’s detailed process and refined the key points himself.
“Yes, just these three things. The fabric looks like it came off clothes, but we didn’t pay attention to the original condition of the clothes, so we can’t tell if anything is missing. As for the two witnesses, they probably gave false testimony.”
“The fabric isn’t easy to obtain, so let’s start by investigating the witnesses. First, scrutinize these individuals, understand why they’re willing to provide false testimony. Then, proceed to the cell to check the evidence.”
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Huanshui County West End
Jing Xingzhi trailed the guide into the innermost alley, encountering a strange smell. The houses, low and seemingly on the brink of collapse, lined the alley.
The guide explained, “Only those without money live here. Most have moved away, and few remain.”
“Do you know what happened to Wang Xiang, how he got involved in the murder case?” Jing Xingzhi, now clad in brocade clothes and hiding his face with a fan, questioned with curiosity in his eyes.
The guide, amused, looked at the young man. His curiosity led him to this small place, giving the guide a couple of coins. “Wang Xiang is a gangster. His parents died when he was ten. Unwilling to work, he roams around. However, I didn’t expect him to collude with bandits. He mostly messes around in the county, not venturing far. Logically, he shouldn’t know people in a bandit den at all!”
Jing Xingzhi feigned increased curiosity, questioning further while maintaining a disgusted expression at the dirtied boots. “What he claims, could it be wrong?”
“Don’t mind the filth; it’s dirty here. Your shoes will get dirty. It would be better on a clear day. Let me continue about Wang Xiang. It’s odd that he rushed to confess. Who willingly gets involved in a murder? It’s too late to hide!”
The guide led him to the location, then left.
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Wang Zhuang suggested, “Young Master Jing, should we enter the house and take a look?”
Jing Xingzhi gestured, “Wait, let me check first.”
Halting Wang Zhuang, Jing Xingzhi examined Wang Xiang’s family Feng Shui. Suspecting a promise from the Zhang family, ensuring Wang Xiang’s safety even if sentenced to death, and likely involving a financial reward.
As Jing Xingzhi used his aura-reading ability, it indicated fortune accompanied by a bloody murderous aura. If Wang Xiang confessed and allowed, He Zhifang to sentence him to execution, it would be a genuine execution.
“Brother Zhuang, go and search the house on the west side. You might find some silver.” Jing Xingzhi determined the windfall’s location and turned away.
Following instructions, Wang Zhuang scaled the wall into the dilapidated courtyard, rummaging through the room on the west side.
After a more thorough search, he found a money jar hidden in the wall’s rotten hole. Breaking it open, Wang Zhuang discovered an oil-paper bag filled with banknotes— a thousand taels in total.