Chapter 73 Charred Corpse Confirmed, Heavenly Prison Changes

Chapter 73: Charred Corpse Confirmed, Heavenly Prison Changes

"Yes, it's all over Sajinlin Lane this morning," Cong Shuang said. "Last night, a charred corpse was found in an abandoned pottery workshop on Xiusheng North Street. Lord Shen has taken over the case and is now searching for the murderer.

The Third Young Master somehow got involved and hasn't returned from the Dali Temple yet. Concubine Yin is pleading with Lord Vice Minister to save the Third Young Master."

"Shen Fuqing may be a bit mad, but he can be trusted to solve cases. With him on it, the case should be resolved soon." Shen Fuqing was not an incompetent like Xiao Nianzhang. Although Qin Jiao disliked him, he acknowledged his abilities.

"Mm, Lord Vice Minister said the same to Concubine Yin."

Qin Jiao was indifferent to Qin Yuanshan's efforts to "rescue" Qin Chaole. After finishing his last sip of porridge, he said to Cong Shuang, "Let them be. Sister, go check if Luo Bei has arrived at the mansion gate."

"Is the Young Master going out?"

"Yes, with the Prince. Sister need not follow. Your cold hasn't fully healed, so rest at home for a few more days."

"Alright."

When Qin Jiao went out with Jiang Qingrong, Cong Shuang was full of worry and anxiety. But if Qin Jiao was with Xie Nai, she was completely at ease, without a care.

When Cong Shuang reached the mansion gate, she didn't meet Luo Bei but instead ran into Qin Yuanshan and Concubine Yin leaving. It seemed Qin Yuanshan had given in to Concubine Yin's tears and was taking her to the Dali Temple.

Cong Shuang stepped aside to avoid them. After they left, Luo Bei arrived. Cong Shuang and Luo Bei were already familiar with each other. After exchanging greetings, Cong Shuang went into the mansion to call Qin Jiao.

Soon, Qin Jiao appeared, wearing a stone-blue robe with water wave patterns and a sunrise-red light fur cloak. Cong Shuang nodded approvingly at her radiant and elegant young master.

After giving Qin Jiao a few more instructions, Cong Shuang saw them off. At the Dali Temple, to avoid Qin Yuanshan and Concubine Yin, Luo Bei entered through the east side gate.

Originally, Xie Nai and Shen Fuqing were standing side by side under the eaves talking. When Shen Fuqing caught a glimpse of the Prince's carriage arriving, he teased Xie Nai, "Little Master Qin is here."

"Cut the nonsense," Xie Nai said, glancing at Shen Fuqing.

Luo Bei stopped the carriage steadily. Xie Nai lifted the curtain and reached out his hand to Qin Jiao. Qin Jiao paused for a moment, then gently placed his left hand, wearing the Fengxue Bracelet, into Xie Nai's palm.

"Little Master Qin," Shen Fuqing walked over and waved at Qin Jiao. This time, Qin Jiao's mood had calmed significantly. "Lord Shen," he greeted, he was at least able to greet him calmly.

"I'm glad Little Master Qin is willing to greet me today."

Shen Fuqing put on a solemn expression. "But unfortunately, I have bad news for you."

"What?"

"Your third brother, Qin Chaole, was just taken back to the mansion by Vice Minister Qin."

"How is that bad news?" Qin Jiao was puzzled.

"Without Qin Chaole's case to occupy him, Vice Minister Qin will have more time to make trouble for you."

Qin Jiao: "..."

"Is Lord Shen so idle? Are you more familiar with the family affairs of court officials than the Tianyuan legal code?" Qin Jiao couldn't help retorting.

"Little Master Qin is truly clever. I oversee criminal cases, so naturally I must hold everyone's weaknesses and fatal points in my hands. Only by grasping others' lifelines can I drive them..." Xie Nai coldly interrupted, "Shut up. Get to the point."

"Talking with you two is no fun. Can't even allow a joke." Shen Fuqing spread his hands and made a helpless expression.

Xie Nai ignored the ranting Shen Fuqing. He looked at Qin Jiao and said, "Liu Yao is dead."

"When did he die?" Qin Jiao was shocked. They had just discussed Liu Yao yesterday, and now he was dead?

"About seven or eight days ago," Shen Fuqing interjected. "Did you hear about the charred corpse case at the pottery workshop on Xiusheng North Street yesterday? That corpse was Liu Yao."

Liu Yao had previously bullied a vendor on the street and was caught by Shen Fuqing, who broke his left leg as punishment. Combined with Liu Yao naturally having seven fingers, Shen Fuqing recognized the corpse immediately.

Shen Fuqing initially thought Liu Yao's death was a simple murder case, but when Xie Nai came to the Dali Temple today and they discussed the case, they discovered its peculiarities.

"Could it be that master in the capital is silencing witnesses? What about Zhu Geyong?" Hearing Shen Fuqing's account, Qin Jiao's first thought was whether Zhu Geyong might also be dead. "Zhu Geyong isn't dead. I've already sent someone to watch him," Xie Nai said.

Only then did Qin Jiao breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"I've also seen Xun Xi's ledger," Shen Fuqing said. "There are quite a few people in it. Is the mastermind going to kill everyone on the list?" He gave a malicious smile. "That would be thrilling. Just thinking about it excites me."

Shen Fuqing never missed a chance to display his craziness. Qin Jiao found his abnormal excitement over murder hard to stomach, so he forced himself to change the subject: "Has Lord Shen found the murderer of Liu Yao?"

"I have some leads. I'll have results in three days at most. I can't say more than that."

"Lord Shen has worked hard." The Dali Temple had its own procedures for handling cases. Since Shen Fuqing said three days, they would see the outcome then.

"He's not working hard; this is what he should be doing," Xie Nai said coldly.

"Fine, fine, fine. Your Highness, the Prince of Lingnan, is right. This is all my duty."

Shen Fuqing was obviously dismissive. "By the way, do you want to see Liu Yao's corpse? It's half-charred, quite distinctive."

The thought made Qin Jiao's stomach churn. Xie Nai also frowned coldly. "No need. Enjoy looking at it by yourself."

"What a shame," Shen Fuqing said with regret. "Come on, I'll take you to the Heavenly Prison to see those thugs."

Xie Nai: "Lead the way."

Shen Fuqing led Qin Jiao and Xie Nai toward the Heavenly Prison, striding forward. As Qin Jiao and Xie Nai followed slowly, Qin Jiao's gaze accidentally fell on a scar behind Shen Fuqing's right ear. He thought, "Why does that scar look like it has a fresh scab? As if it had been freshly burned?"

Qin Jiao frowned inwardly. Could it be the dim light of the Heavenly Prison playing tricks on him? Just as he was puzzled, Shen Fuqing's loud laugh distracted him.

"Haha, we're here! Look! This is my lord's favorite place!"

The Heavenly Prison was perpetually dark and damp, with a thick stench of blood and sour odor assaulting the nostrils.

Shen Fuqing introduced as they walked: "See this spot? This is where executions are carried out. Those pits on the ground were all formed by dripping blood."

"And him—he was a stubborn rapist. I had his teeth pulled out and made him suck on small snakes every day. Now he's well-behaved."

"And the ground in the cells is covered with medicinal herbs..."

"Stop. No one wants to hear your weird preferences," Xie Nai cut him off. "How much farther?"

"We're here." Shen Fuqing stopped. "The fourteen men you sent are all in the cell up ahead. I checked on them yesterday..."

In the middle of his sentence, Shen Fuqing suddenly paused. The next moment, he burst out in fury: "Where's the warden? What's going on with these people?"

Qin Jiao and Xie Nai followed Shen Fuqing's gaze. In the small cell, six or seven people lay sprawled on the floor, their bodies stiff and still, like corpses.

Shen Fuqing's roar brought a warden with keys hanging from his waist hurrying over. "My lord!"

"What 'Lord'?! Open the door now!" Shen Fuqing bellowed. Qin Jiao shot a glance at Xie Nai, a sense of foreboding rising in his chest.

While the warden struggled with the lock, Shen Fuqing stepped forward a few more paces. The cell next door showed the same scene. As soon as the door opened, the three of them immediately entered to examine.

----------------------------------------