Chapter 28 - II
“The deceased was a woman. She was about twenty to twenty-five years old when she died. Her pelvis was sterile. The fabric she was wearing was very strange. It had not completely rotted for ten years and have silver threads. She was wearing two pieces of silver jewelry on her head when she died. The back of the skull and left arm bones are all damaged. She may have had an argument with someone before her death, fell to the ground or hit a sharp and heavy object, and died after hitting the back of her head.”
After reading the analysis, Wu Qing saw that Mr. Fang was still crying, he just asked other officers to copy the documents quickly.
With one of Jing Xingzhi’s ears, he also heard the contents and inferences repeated in the officer’s mouth.
Feathered-silver blue cloth, a tribute ten years ago. In this place surrounded by water, only Chief Fang’s goddaughter Qi Xinlan had two cloths. The deceased’s height, childlessness, and hairstyle were very similar to Qi Xinlan’s. From this, the identity of the deceased could be inferred.
It was originally said that Qi Xinlan died at the hands of bandits ten years ago, but her body was not found. At this time, the bones were dug up in front of the house, and the place of death was suspected to be near Qi Xinlan’s residence. Therefore, her husband Zhang Mingyu lied about Qi Xinlan’s whereabouts and had a quarrel with the deceased before her death, making him a suspect.
In total, Zhang Mingyu even wrote down his refusal to allow Fang Qichen to explore the flowers, and would guard it until his death.
Jing Xingzhi couldn’t help but admire the yamen’s ability, and his eyes inadvertently fell on Zhang Kaiwei and Zhang Mingyu.
Unfortunately, as soon as Jing Xingzhi looked over, Zhang Mingyu woke up faintly.
Zhang Mingyu opened his eyes in a daze, and what he saw was the big head of his nephew Zhang Kaiwei, but his nephew’s face looked very strange at the moment, as if he was shocked and surprised, and his mouth was so open that he was about to drool.
Zhang Mingyu’s eyes widened, and he moved back, waking up Zhang Kaiwei.
Zhang Kaiwei lowered his head, looked at his second uncle, and told him in a panic: “Second uncle, the body was dug out, and the yamen are here too!”
In the past, seeing a yamen was not a big deal, but this time, no matter how stunned Zhang Kaiwei was, he knew that something big had happened to his second uncle.
In front of the house, bones were dug up! And according to what others said, the second uncle was very suspicious. It was very likely that the second uncle killed the second aunt ten years ago!
Thinking that Zhang Mingyu might have killed someone, Zhang Kaiwei couldn’t help but feel fear in his heart, and his eyes wandered.
“Yamen!” exclaimed Zhang Mingyu, looking up in panic.
Unconscious for an unknown period, he was unaware that government officials had rushed from the county office to excavate the bones.
However, Zhang Mingyu’s voice drew attention.
Wu Qing glanced at the panicked Zhang Mingyu, hesitated briefly, then ordered, “Capture Zhang Mingyu first to prevent him from absconding!”
Apprehending Zhang Mingyu and seeking justice for Fang Qichen’s goddaughter aligned with Wu Qing’s objectives.
As Wu Qing finished speaking, two government officials rushed over, restraining Zhang Mingyu.
Zhang Kaiwei was pushed aside by the yamen. Initially wanting to speak, the realization that his second uncle might be a murderer left him hesitant, and he dared not confront the yamen.
Standing a couple of steps away, he asked, “Second uncle, you didn’t do this, right?! I’ll have someone deliver the letter to father immediately!”
Zhang Mingyu struggled and shouted, “Let me go! It’s not me!”
He turned to Zhang Kaiwei, “Kaiwei, ask big brother to save me!”
Attempting to shout again, Wu Qing, resolute, blocked Zhang Mingyu’s mouth.
With such a loud voice, the suspect could terrify Chief Fang.
Moreover, Wu Qing believed that Fang Qichen, backed by the emperor, was more reliable than someone from the Zhang family. Following Chief Fang closely, he wouldn’t fear the Zhang family.
Crucially, all evidence pointed to Zhang Mingyu as the murderer.
Bound, Zhang Mingyu was taken away, and the suggestion was made to remove the body for autopsy at the county government morgue, with burial after the murder trial.
As Zhang Mingyu and the body were taken away, Fang Qichen, unable to endure any longer, couldn’t move anymore even for one step.
Beside him, Jing Xingzhi, without a word, lifted him and led him into the Chief Fang house.
Upon entering, a girl of fourteen, wearing a veil, ran over, shouting, “Daddy! What’s wrong with daddy?”
“Frightened, sad, and exhausted,” Jing Xingzhi said, turning to let the old man in his arms avoid the rushing girl, “Lead the way, don’t block me!”
Fang Yaojun was distressed, tears streaming down her face as she worried about her elderly father. Despite her own sorrow, the little girl remained composed and led him to her father’s room.
Fang Qichen reclined, exhaling slowly. “Yaojun, it’s okay; this is your little senior brother.” After some time, the doctor arrived, advising Fang Qichen to take two doses of Ningxin Decoction and get more rest. This reassured the Fang family and eventually halted the little girl’s tears.
At the opportune moment, Jing Xingzhi’s stomach growled, a stark reminder of his neglected hunger.
The sound lightened the mood. Fang Qichen gestured to his little girl, “Yaojun, take Xiao Jing to eat.”
Fang Yaojun nodded and guided Jing Xingzhi to eat.
As they walked, Jing Xingzhi noticed small pimples on the little girl’s face behind the veil, and the lower half of her face appeared distressed.
Acne, perhaps?
Finding it peculiar, Jing Xingzhi concentrated his spiritual energy into his eyes and glimpsed traces of resentment on her body.
It dawned on him that the Bone Flower had already taken effect!