Chapter 47 Murder Case Solved

Chapter 47: The Murder Case Solved

At the highest point of Nanzhou City stood the ancient Nantai Temple, solemn and majestic, with Buddhist chants echoing through the air.

Within the temple, a century-old bodhi tree grew lush and verdant, adorned with wooden plaques and red silk ribbons. As a gentle breeze blew, the ribbons danced lightly, resembling birds about to take flight.

Earlier, Xie Nai had instructed Xiao Nianzhang to arrange a prayer and sacrificial ceremony at Nantai Temple in advance. Thus, as soon as Qin Jiao entered the temple, he saw numerous coffins placed in the courtyard.

It was unclear how Xiao Nianzhang had managed it, but in the dead of winter, he'd managed to find so many chrysanthemums. The pure, elegant chrysanthemums ringed the coffins, their delicate scent drifting on the air. Spirit flags flapped in the wind, the whole scene dead silent.

The abbot and his young monks chanted sutras before the memorial hall. Qin Jiao watched from afar, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

"May all those poor souls in the secret chambers rest in peace," he murmured.

Looking at the scene before him, He Zhao also fell into an unusual silence.

Xiao Baiyu, having already learned the details of the Nanzhou murders, felt sympathy but could only let out a sigh.

He slung an arm around He Zhao's shoulder and comforted him softly, "Zhou Zhou, rest assured—in their next lives, they will all have good fortune and happiness."

"Hmm," He Zhao replied quietly, while simultaneously pushing Xiao Baiyu's hand off his shoulder.

Xiao Nianzhang had already posted a public notice detailing the truth behind the Nanzhou murders. Thus, besides the families of the deceased, many local residents of Nanzhou had come to Nantai Temple today, including Principal Li of the Liming Academy. All were dressed in black, their expressions mournful and sorrowful.

Xu Rujin's body also lay among the many coffins. Her mother, Aunt Wu, sobbed her heart out, while Zhao Yunzhi, who had been temporarily released, comforted her.

Li Chengwei stood nearby, dressed in black, his eyes filled with grief.

Xiao Nianzhang had arrested Li Chengwei but, on Xie Nai's orders, didn't throw him straight into death row but instead brought him to Nantai Temple.

The owner of the Guest Tea House watched from a distance. Zhao Yunzhi had been sentenced to three years in prison. According to Xiao Nianzhang, the tea house owner was quite fond of Li Chengwei. When the verdict came down, he wanted to call his kid foolish, but after seeing the public notice of the Nanzhou murders, he couldn't bring himself to point fingers.

He was silent for a long time, then just sighed and let it go.

"Will Li Chengwei be executed?"

He Zhao asked Qin Jiao, who didn't know either, so he looked at Xie Nai.

"No," Xie Nai paused, then added, "Though he will escape the death penalty, he'll still serve thirty years in prison."

Thirty years...

Qin Jiao couldn't imagine how Li Chengwei would live with himself.

Solemn black shrouded Nantai Temple as more and more people came to offer incense for the deceased. They murmured among themselves, discussing the bizarre and eerie case, their words filled with deep emotion.

Xu Rujin's mother was crying so hard she nearly passed out. Qin Jiao caught bits and pieces from a distance: "Yunzhi, Chengwei, it's all my fault. You are both good children. I've done you all wrong."

"Aunt Wu, it has nothing to do with you. I helped you willingly," said Zhao Yunzhi.

"My good child, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

Li Chengwei clenched his fists, his voice hoarse and weak: "I'm sorry, Yunzhi. I'm sorry, Aunt Wu. And... I'm sorry, Rujin."

Li Chengwei had aged a lot. In just a few days, his hair had gone gray in patches. Qin Jiao's eyes accidentally caught Li Chengwei's, but the man looked away fast. Qin Jiao shook his head, at a loss, then left the prayer platform with He Zhao.

Xiao Baiyu and Xie Nai were chatting off to the side, while He Zhao leaned lazily against a big tree beside Qin Jiao.

"I heard they raided Xue Lin and Zhu Qi's homes," He Zhao said.

"I heard from Luo Yue," Qin Jiao replied. In the Nanzhou murder case, Xue Lin and Zhu Qi were the ones who killed Xu Rujin. Though they were already dead, that didn't mean they wouldn't face consequences. Since the killers were already dead, the living would have to pay for their crimes.

"I wonder if Governor Xiao will get fired?"

He Zhao disliked Governor Xiao. He's a bootlicker and a corrupt official, and He Zhao hoped he would be taught a lesson.

Qin Jiao's answer pleased He Zhao: "The Prince has already submitted a petition to the capital. The Judicial Court will likely send people to Nanzhou and Wuyuan County soon. They'll dig deep into the local officials and old unsolved cases."

Along with the wealthy merchants and officials of Nanzhou listed in Xun Xi's ledger, none would escape.

"Yes! They need a good shake-down—corrupt officials are unforgivable... Ah! I have to go! See ya, Little Qin Jiao!"

He Zhao suddenly started running off mid-sentence, leaving Qin Jiao totally confused. "What? Where are you going?"

Qin Jiao turned to look and saw only a flash of color disappearing into the distance... and behind that flash of color, a figure in white—Xiao Baiyu.

Well, the chase was on again.

Xiao Baiyu had come with Xie Nai. With Xiao Baiyu chasing after He Zhao, Xie Nai walked straight toward Qin Jiao.

In the brilliant sunlight, the young man appeared noble and composed, his face as flawless as jade, so dazzling you couldn't look away.

Xie Nai reached Qin Jiao and was about to speak when a young novice suddenly rushed over to deliver a message: Li Chengwei wanted to see Qin Jiao.

Xie Nai glanced at Qin Jiao beside him. The young man's face was calm and flat as he answered, "No need. Let Governor Xiao take him away."

Xie Nai smiled faintly: "I thought you would see him."

Sunlight fell on Qin Jiao's fair, delicate face. His voice was soft yet resolute:

"There's no need. On one hand, I pity what happened to him and Xu Rujin. On the other hand, I can't forgive him for trying to kill me. But I can't really take it out on him. In the end, I think it's best not to meet him. Let everything blow away with the wind."

Standing beside Xie Nai, Qin Jiao gazed into the distance. A wind suddenly rose among the mountains, rustling the wooden plaques and red ribbons on the bodhi tree.

Though Qin Jiao did not meet Li Chengwei, he later learned a story about him from Luo Yue.

Zhao Yunzhi told the story when he confessed, and Luo Yue passed it on to Qin Jiao.

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