Chapter 29: But This Time I Didn't Want to Thank You (Extra)

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Prefect Lu's expression drastically changed.

His lips quivered up and down, but no sound came from his throat. His vision darkened, wishing he could just pass out.

He shakily stood up in fear.

Cui Yun glanced at the time, then said calmly, "This blood pendant on Mr. Lu, as far as I know, could buy five Prefecture Mansions in Fengzhou, with your salary, I'm afraid it's..."

He paused and said no more.

But those present already understood.

Cui Yun remained unruffled: "As for your affairs, once I report to the Emperor, there will be Imperial Censors from the Procuratorate to hold you accountable."

"County Magistrate Liu, do not delay."

This meant he did not want to hear any nonsense from Prefect Lu.

County Magistrate Liu sat upright, banging on the table: "Dong Feng! Don't you dare lie! Are you certain you didn't kill this person?"

When Dong Feng saw Prefect Lu's face turn white, he felt all was doomed.

He came here certain it would just be a formality, having the Prefect as a great backer.

For all these years, things were always peaceful.

But now, this backer couldn't sit or stand steadily, nor dare to flee. Clearly, he couldn't protect himself anymore.

Dong Feng was completely flustered.

Fear gripped his heart viciously, blocking all his escape routes.

Lady Dong couldn't withstand the shock either and fainted directly.

"No! Sir, truly not me. When I woke up, the fengshui master's head was on my bed."

He supported himself on the ground, his back trembling slightly. His expression seemed genuine.

Dong Feng hurriedly said, "Moreover, if I were the killer, how could I commit murder at my house leaving evidence?"

"You have no witnesses, nor evidence; how can you convict me?"

Dong Feng denied outright, causing County Magistrate Liu to frown.

And just at that moment, a female voice came from outside.

"I do."

Shen Hua walked through the crowd watching the scene; she was still in mourning, with a small white flower in her hair.

She was afraid of the cold, wrapping herself into a ball, walking somewhat difficultly.

After being permitted, Shen Hua had just entered the hall when Lady Dong, who had fainted, suddenly opened her eyes and got up from the ground.

This unexpected event made Shen Hua's heart skip a beat. Her embroidered shoe stepped on her skirt, causing her to stumble slightly.

Soon, a hand reached out from the right, firmly steadying Shen Hua.

Shen Hua gratefully met the owner of the hand's gaze.

Cui Yun quickly withdrew his hand, behaving with his usual high morals.

"No thanks," he said softly.

Shen Hua, reacting slowly, said 'Ah.'

"But this time, I didn't intend to thank you."

She wore a snow-white mink fur, without a hint of impurity.

Cui Yun glanced at the dust-laden ground.

"You need not kneel."

This time, Shen Hua responded faster than anyone.

"Sir! How can you assume my husband's hand was behind it just because the master died in our house?"

Upon waking, Lady Dong immediately began to plead innocence.

"My son's grave was unjustly dug up, and the master died under suspicious circumstances. Isn't this the work of some schemer? You are the honest and just official, you ought to serve justice for me."

Shen Hua grew somewhat angry.

She pounded her chest angrily, glaring at Lady Dong.

"Stop arguing! If you fainted, then stay fainted; why suddenly wake up? You scared me!"

"Do you intend to die dragging me down with you!"

She huffed with a temper.

The crowd continued in agitation.

"Which family does this irritable young lady belong to?"

"This is the daughter of the Shen Family's Embroidery Workshop, notoriously hard to deal with."

"Why does the Young Marquis support her, could he fancy this type?"

"Bah! The Young Marquis didn't even refute earlier, surely he fancies my older age, supporting Miss Shen just because he's a gentleman."

County Magistrate Liu: What kind of people are these!

Shen Hua turned to look at Dong Feng: "If you were the killer, where would you commit the murder?"

"Of course in some remote, unvisited place."

Dong Feng blurted out.

Shen Hua: "So if no one saw, you could rest easy."

"Sir, I brought two witnesses."

County Magistrate Liu nodded slightly, instructing the official: "Bring them in."

Soon, a couple in coarse clothing was brought in.

"Commoner Zhang Zhuang, greets your honor."

"Commoner Zhang Wangshi, greets your honor."

Dong Feng looked up, his face changed drastically.

"Ah, I know these two, they're from Wu Village, recently lost a daughter."

The crowd's whispered voice still reached Dong Feng's ears, but he couldn't hear a word.

Beside him, Lady Dong rolled her eyes again and fainted.

Shen Hua looked at the crowd, pressing her lips slightly, and gave a slight smile.

"Madam is quite right, the Zhang couple had only this one daughter."

As she mentioned her daughter, Zhang Wangshi's eyes moistened. These days, having lost her beloved daughter, she was in unspeakable grief, making her voice hoarse and unpleasant.

"Sir, our Fubao was born exquisite and pretty, but often took medicine, in poor health."

"Being poor, I always put her in a backpack when she was little, carrying her to the mountains to work. But whenever she went, wild chickens and rabbits would come to her on their own, my child was very fortunate; so my husband and I named her Fubao."

Saying this, she looked fiercely at her husband as if she were a beast feeding on human blood.

"Aren't you going to speak?"

Zhang Zhuang's eyes were weary. His skin was dark, fingertips cracked, evidently from farming work. Yet now he couldn't lift his head.

Zhang Wangshi sneered coldly.

County Magistrate Liu listened mystified, but Zhang Wangshi was emotionally charged and clearly could provide no answers.

He looked to Shen Hua.

Shen Hua spoke clearly: "Zhang Fubao, thirteen, born with asthma, died eight days ago. Mr. Dong, where were you eight days ago?"

Dong Feng gritted his teeth: "I didn't leave home."

Even now, he remained stubborn.

"After Dong Hui's death, Dong Feng traveled far to the Miao Clan, invited Ge Wizard as an honored guest, and settled him in his residence."

Shen Hua: "Though many years have passed, at that time many knew of Dong Feng's journey afar, and those who served in the Dong Residence knew even better. All the servants of the Dong Family are here; sir, you only need to interrogate thoroughly."

"Of course, the fastest way is no more than searching Ge Wizard's room, check for his identification pledges, and identity tags for verification."

"I was too young then to understand why Dong Feng regarded a medium as a fengshui master."

At this speech, aside from Cui Yun and the dazed Prefect Lu, everyone was stunned.

Soon, County Magistrate Liu regained his senses.

He ordered the official to conduct a search.

Shen Hua did not stay idle either.

"Half a month ago, you approached the Wang Family, offering up 300 taels. Is this true?"

"Forget it, expecting a truthful word from your mouth."

Shen Hua said softly, "Everyone knows what the Wizard does. The Miao Clan has a highly sinister witchcraft, cutting life destiny, selecting those girls who died young without experiencing life, to reincarnate for changing fortune. Sir, you can let someone verify the truth of my words."

"All conditions fit Fubao, and Mr. Dong eager, visited early with heavy payment."

As she said this, Zhang Zhuang finally cried.

But Shen Hua didn't feel sorry for him.

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