The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 143

Chapter 143: Taken Home by the Princess Part 31

Early that morning, the people of Guang’an County heard two pieces of news.

First, the “Woman in Red” who had been haunting the town was finally exorcised by a Daoist priest, much to everyone’s relief.

Second, Squire Qian was arrested by Junior Minister An for the murder of Miss Zhou, who, it was said, was strangled to death, a horrifying revelation.

Only a few people knew the truth initially, but Zhou Tianbao, having taken the hush money from the Qian family and gone to his wife’s parents’ house, was targeted by scammers and quickly lost everything.

Then, during a drunken argument with his wife, he revealed everything, the amount of money he received, the steward’s words, everything spilled out.

His drinking buddies, initially tipsy, sobered up instantly and spread the news.

The story grew, and when Zhou Tianbao tried to escape, he was arrested.

Being a resident of Guang’an County, and the crime having occurred there, he was transferred back to Guang’an for trial.

Now, Zhou Tianbao was confused. He did have a habit of speaking carelessly when drunk, but this was a secret he was supposed to keep, how did it get out?

Seeds of doubt planted, his confidence wavered.

The suspects were held separately, unable to communicate, each unaware of what the others had confessed.

Squire Qian, a seasoned businessman, wasn’t the initial focus of the investigation. He had even intended to take all the blame, wanting to protect his son, as he was already old.

Tao Ning, ignoring him, sent someone to inform him that his second son and steward, to escape punishment, had blamed everything on him.

Hearing this, Squire Qian simply smiled, seemingly relieved.

The jailer, finding it uninteresting, finally understood why the Junior Minister hadn’t come personally, and he left with a sneer.

He recalled the scene from an hour ago.

In the prison, Tao Ning had said to Zhou Tianbao, “You’re lying, Qian Duocai said Zhou Yan was already dead when she was brought to the Qian residence, you killed her.”

Zhou Tianbao rushed forward: “I’ve been wrongly accused! Your Excellency, I’m just an ordinary commoner, I wouldn’t dare kill anyone, let alone my own sister!”

“My sister went to the Qian residence and never returned, the steward said she hanged herself, and I, thinking of her devotion to Young Master Qian, fulfilled her wish… and agreed…”

His voice trailed off, his head lowered, not daring to meet Tao Ning’s knowing gaze.

Zhou Tianbao added, “If I had known she was murdered, not willingly, I would have avenged her!”

He probably knew the truth, but his goal had been achieved. Marrying into a wealthy family was good, but even death wouldn’t be a loss, the money offered by the Qian family was considerable.

Tao Ning looked at his prematurely aged face, a hollow shell ravaged by wine and women: “Oh? Then why do the rumors say Miss Zhou poisoned herself, even leaving a suicide note, which you confirmed was in her handwriting? You lied again.”

Zhou Tianbao quickly said, “I did lie… No, no, I didn’t lie, the Qian family forced me to admit it was her handwriting, but I can’t even read!”

When the jailer found Tao Ning, she was standing before Steward Qian’s cell: “Qian Duocai refuses to confess, and his second son claims you strangled Zhou Yan, then, following Qian Duocai’s instructions, told Zhou Tianbao and his wife that the dowry and betrothal gifts were complete, making Zhou Yan and the deceased Young Master Qian a ghost couple.”

Steward Qian’s eyes widened with each word.

The jailer wasn’t surprised. This case was difficult to investigate, with only a complaint and no other evidence, Zhou Yan’s body in the Qian family’s ancestral grave, and no permission for an autopsy.

Even as a court official, Tao Ning couldn’t just barge into someone’s ancestral grave, it would only weaken her position.

A hoarse cry of “I’ve been wrongly accused!” brought the jailer back to reality, and he looked at Steward Qian.

Steward Qian said, “Zhou Yan was strangled by the second young master! He tried to force himself on her, and afraid of her screams attracting attention, he strangled her with his belt!”

The jailer was shocked, this was a bombshell.

The court clerk also stopped writing, initially assuming Squire Qian, believing in ghosts, wanted his son to have a companion in the afterlife, but it seemed there was more to the story.

Tao Ning’s expression remained cold and impassive: “But Qian’s second son claims he knows nothing, that you were following his father’s orders, and Qian Duocai also confirms your involvement, what do you say to that?”

Steward Qian’s eyes widened in fury, and he slammed his hand on the ground: “Bullshit! It was that lecherous second young master who was infatuated with Zhou Yan! He even asked his father to take her as a concubine, but Squire Qian scolded him for his absurdity!”

“Later, he made indecent advances towards her in his elder brother’s funeral hall, and when Zhou Yan tried to call for help, he strangled her, afraid of being punished by his father!”

Consumed by rage, Steward Qian no longer held back: “The master told me to dispose of the belt he used to strangle her, I hid it, it’s still stained with Zhou Yan’s blood, and his!”

Afraid Tao Ning wouldn’t believe him, he added, “Zhou Yan’s broken neck wasn’t presentable, so I had a physician insert iron needles, Physician Wang from Baoxin Hall on West Street can testify!”

The clerk diligently recorded everything.

Tao Ning turned her head: “Go, bring Physician Wang from Baoxin Hall here.”

Someone immediately left to carry out her order.

Later, Physician Wang confirmed Steward Qian’s statement, and the truth behind the almost-hidden crime was revealed.

Zhou Yan, out of kindness, had gone to pay her respects to the deceased Young Master Qian, but was harassed by his younger brother, who, afraid of being exposed, strangled her with his belt.

After her death, Squire Qian spread the rumor that she had committed suicide, hastily arranging a wedding and burying her in the Qian family’s ancestral grave.

It was indeed a clever way to conceal the truth, as disturbing a grave was a taboo, no exceptions.

Now, with a legitimate reason, Tao Ning ordered Zhou Yan’s body to be exhumed for an autopsy.

The coroner found several iron needles in Zhou Yan’s neck, her neck bones dislocated, her tongue missing, confirming she had been strangled from behind.

Her tongue, protruding after death, had been cut off, and Squire Qian, believing in superstitions, had also ordered her eyes to be gouged out, her lips sewn shut, and her face covered with her hair, a gruesome sight.

In court, the coroner shook her head and sighed, Zhou Yan, once so beautiful, had suffered such a fate.

The commoners in the gallery were outraged, cursing and throwing stones at the accused.

They refrained from throwing rotten vegetables and fruits, those could still be eaten, they wouldn’t waste them on such scum.

Tao Ning, sitting high in the court, banged the gavel: “Order! Order!”

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Magistrate Zhao, sitting beside Tao Ning, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

After today’s verdict, this Junior Minister would finally leave, right?

Unaware that Qin Yang, observing from behind the court, had already decided to demote this incompetent magistrate after returning to the capital. Guang’an County was a prosperous land, but he was too complacent.

Tao Ning’s voice echoed in the courtroom: “According to Yu Dynasty law, murder is punishable by death. Qian Zhishu, for murdering Zhou Yan, is sentenced to immediate execution.”

Qian’s second son, gagged and dragged away by the constables, was taken to the death row.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Tao Ning continued: “Steward Qian and Zhou Tianbao, although not directly responsible for the murder, are accomplices, one concealing the truth, the other accepting bribes.”

“According to Yu Dynasty law, aiding and abetting murder is punishable by fifty lashes and five years imprisonment.”

Tao Ning picked up the sentence and threw it on the ground: “Carry out the sentence immediately.”

The constables, without hesitation, seized the two men and administered the punishment.

Initially, they cried out, then fell silent, slumped on the bench, only occasional groans escaping their lips.

Their backs were bloody, and some in the audience couldn’t bear to watch.

Squire Qian, drenched in sweat, didn’t dare look either, then he heard his name and shuddered.

Tao Ning: “Qian Duocai, although not the murderer, instructed Steward Qian to conceal the evidence, and Apothecary Wu Dingfa has accused you of selling substandard medicine last year, almost causing death.”

“According to Yu Dynasty law, your assets will be confiscated, and you are sentenced to exile, three thousand li away.”

Squire Qian’s face was ashen as he kowtowed, his body trembling. He was old, this exile was practically a death sentence, dying alone in a foreign land.

But no one pitied him. Not only had he concealed Zhou Yan’s death, but selling substandard medicine, if it had resulted in death, would have ruined Guang’an County’s reputation.

The once prosperous Qian family, now in ruins.

“Court adjourned.”

The constables shouted in unison, “Wei—wu—!”

The trial concluded, and the crowd dispersed.

They had forgotten about the “Woman in Red,” their attention now on the Qian family’s downfall.

Zhou Yan’s body was reburied in a peaceful location in Guang’an County, beside Qi Jing’s mother, Carpenter Qi visiting regularly to clean and weed, so she wasn’t alone.

And no one knew that the so-called vengeful spirit was just a mechanical puppet created by Qi Jing, assuming she was simply ill and recuperating at home.

When they finally remembered Qi Jing, Mrs. Liu went to ask Carpenter Qi.

Carpenter Qi, who had never lied in his life, having helped his daughter dig the tunnel in secret at night, scratched his head for a long time, then said, “Her mother’s family sent someone from the capital to take her back.”

Mrs. Liu was surprised: “To the capital? When did this happen? No wonder I haven’t seen her lately.”

Carpenter Qi, not daring to reveal that she had left with the Junior Minister yesterday, just made up a date.

At this moment, Qi Jing sat in the carriage, unable to contain her curiosity, and went to sit beside Li Ji on the driver’s seat.

The further they traveled, the more puzzled she became. Shouldn’t they be heading north to the capital?

Why were they going east?

One day, she finally couldn’t hold back and asked Li Ji.

Li Ji replied, “We’re not returning to the capital yet, we’re going to Yongzhou Prefecture.”

Qi Jing asked, puzzled, “Aren’t we already in Yongzhou? Guang’an County is part of Yongzhou.”

Li Ji shook her head: “No, we’re going to the capital of Yongzhou Prefecture, where Prince Yong resides.”

Qi Jing found this increasingly strange, now involving Prince Yong, and she returned to her quarters in a daze, where she met Tao Ning.

Tao Ning, her hands behind her back, a smile in her eyes, asked, “Miss Qi, how much material and time would you need to make another mechanical puppet?”

Qi Jing, now experienced, thought for a moment and gave her an estimate.

Tao Ning’s eyes lit up: “A new carriage is ready, and the materials will be delivered to you tomorrow, thank you for your hard work.”

Qi Jing, still dazed, replied, “Okay…”

A few days later, she finally understood why the Junior Minister had deliberately downplayed her role in Guang’an County.

Rumors spread from Prince Yong’s residence: it was haunted.