The First Criminal Judge of the Zhenguan Era

Chapter 26: Case Closed! Du Ruhui was the mastermind?! (Please continue reading!)

The howling wind blew through the treetops, swept over the dilapidated buildings, and left behind a sound like a sob.

In the vast courtyard, only the mournful sound of the wind echoed in everyone's ears.

They had lost track of how long it had been since anyone had spoken.

I don't know what to say at this moment.

At this moment, they felt a surge of emotion and were deeply shocked!
It was only at this moment that Du Gou realized why Liu Shuyi had secretly slipped him a crumpled piece of paper and instructed him to have someone keep an eye on Miaoyin'er.

Only at this moment did Du Ying realize why Liu Shuyi had asked her to secretly inquire whether Miaoyin'er was injured.

If everyone knows that Miaoyin'er is injured, it means that the injury is not a problem and can be openly shown to others.

However, Xiangxiang and the others all said that Miaoyin was not injured.

They had no idea that Miaoyin'er was injured!
No wonder Liu Shuyi, after hearing the news, asked his brother to send more men, confident that the truth would come out tonight.

So... he had already seen through Miaoyin'er completely!

Miao Yin'er, who considered herself to be infallible, treated Liu Shuyi as a chess piece on a chessboard, believing that she could control him at will.

Little did she know that the moment Liu Shuyi left Miaoyinfang, the roles of chess piece and chess player had already been reversed.

The chess piece is her melodious voice!

…………

"Damn! That's amazing! I got goosebumps!"

On the courtyard wall, Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but rub the goosebumps on his arms.

Recalling Liu Shuyi's words, even this troublemaker who had fought half his life and seen countless big scenes couldn't calm down.

"Is this what investigating a case is like?"

"This is the first time I've ever felt that solving a case could be so exhilarating!"

Cheng Yaojin looked at Du Ruhui and said, "No wonder you want to go to the Ministry of Justice, this is so interesting!"

Upon hearing this, Du Ruhui, whose eyes had been fixed on Liu Shuyi, slowly withdrew his gaze.

Seeing the obvious admiration and emotion on Cheng Yaojin's face, Du Ruhui shook his head and said, "You feel satisfied because Liu Shuyi is investigating this case."

“Under normal circumstances, it would take at least ten days to half a month for such a case to make a breakthrough, let alone solve it.”

"Moreover, investigating a case is a very agonizing process. You have to find clues bit by bit, and you don't even know if those clues are useful or trustworthy... As for confronting the murderer in court, that is even more tedious and boring. In a normal trial, by the time we catch the murderer, he is already terrified and at a loss. Just show him any clues, and he will confess. It's very uninteresting."

"So you will find it interesting and exciting, simply because Liu Shuyi's investigation methods are different from others, and also because Miaoyin'er is different from ordinary criminals; she is more cunning."

Du Ruhui's gaze returned to the figure in blue, his eyes deep and his voice profound: "This time, rather than saying that Miaoyin'er and Liu Shuyi are the murderer and the chief investigator, it's more accurate to say that they are two players in a game of chess. They are like players on a chessboard, each making their own moves, going back and forth, each with their own advantages and disadvantages..."

"But in the end, Miaoyin'er was one move behind, and Liu Shuyi had the last laugh."

Hearing Du Ruhui's profound words, Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but grin and say, "You scholars really know how to talk, but there is a certain feeling to it."

He turned his head and looked at Liu Shuyi again.

Looking at Liu Shuyi's outstanding demeanor, which stood out from the crowd, and seeing the admiration his son showed towards Liu Shuyi, Cheng Yaojin suddenly narrowed his eyes.

His son was brave but lacked wisdom.

Once he grows old, he may not be able to protect the vast fortune he has worked so hard to build.

Therefore, if there is a trustworthy person with a clean background and exceptional intelligence who can help...

A thoughtful look flashed in his dark eyes.

Is it really too late?

"How about we shamelessly rob it just once?"

…………

Seeing that no one spoke, Liu Shuyi took the initiative to say, "Different weapons produce different wounds."

“I observe that this jade hairpin is narrow at the bottom and thick at the top, with occasional sharp edges. The wounds it leaves are noticeably different from those of other hairpins.”

As he spoke, he looked up at the madam, whose whole body was tense and whose face was devoid of any smile, and said, "So, by examining the wounds on your body, we can directly determine whether you were injured because of them, and that is why you are in such a hurry to destroy them."

"Miaoyin'er..."

Looking into Miao Yin'er's blue eyes, Liu Shuyi slowly said, "Are you still going to try to argue?"

Upon hearing this, everyone stared nervously at Miaoyin'er.

They wanted to know what choice the clever and cunning Miaoyin would make in this situation.

Even Cheng Yaojin and Du Ruhui kept a close eye on this charming but ruthless brothel madam.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

An unknown amount of time has passed.

The beautiful woman finally closed her eyes and then let out a long breath.

When she opened her eyes again, the paleness on her face and the resentment in her expression vanished completely.

He actually smiled again.

Looking at the handsome Liu Shuyi, she shook her head and sighed, "I finally understand why Zhao Chengyi was so eager to find me, and why he suddenly entrusted his wife and children to me."

"You are a terrible person!"

"It seems that Zhao Chengyi already knew how dangerous you were back then. It's just a pity that I met you too late. If I had been able to fight you once before, I wouldn't have fought you with such a short preparation time and insufficient planning."

Seeing the smile return to Miao Yin'er's face, and hearing the lack of any tension or panic in her voice as if the truth had been exposed, Liu Shuyi narrowed his eyes and became wary.

He winked at Cheng Chumo, signaling them to be careful so that Miaoyin'er wouldn't find a chance to escape.

He said in a deep voice, "It seems you've chosen not to argue anymore."

Miao Yin'er shrugged: "If sophistry were effective, I would naturally not give up, but alas..."

She looked at Liu Shuyi with a resentful expression, her tone full of grievance, as if she were coquettishly scolding her lover: "Liu Lang, you are too cunning. You actually used me to help you find this jade hairpin. Now the evidence is irrefutable. How can I still deny it?"

Liu Shuyi looked intently at Miaoyin'er, unaffected by her unusual words and actions.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I've estimated the time. If you want to return to Miaoyinfang before Chou Shi (1-3 AM) to become an eyewitness to Sun Zhouming's departure, you'll have to leave Miaoyinfang around Zi Shi (11 AM-1 PM). But by then, I won't have exposed Zhao Chengyi yet... So, you didn't kill the Zhao mother and son to silence them because Zhao Chengyi was exposed, did you?"

"what?"

"Was it because Zhao Chengyi was exposed that he was killed?"

"Then why did she act so cruelly?"

Cheng Chumo and the others were all taken aback.

Liu Shuyi's words were completely different from their original understanding.

"It's true that nothing can be hidden from Liu Lang."

Miao Yin'er casually said, "You've already noticed the Zhao Zhuo case. The abnormality of Zhao Ci and the other three will be discovered sooner or later. When that happens, people will suspect the truth behind the Zhao Zhuo case, and Zhao Chengyi, the only beneficiary of replacing Zhao Zhuo, will eventually be noticed by you."

"So, since he'll be discovered sooner or later, what reason is there to keep him around? Besides, he's too selfish and has already become somewhat alienated from us."

"Therefore, even if you hadn't found him, he wouldn't have survived last night."

"As for his wife and children..."

Miao Yin'er shook her head and said calmly, "It's all his own fault for being too stupid!"

“His wife and children were unaware of my existence, and their lives or deaths were none of my concern.”

"But in order to entrust his wife and children to me, he actually let his wife and children know my identity... Liu Lang, do you think I can spare their lives? What if they reveal my secret? Wouldn't I die a terrible death? So I'm doing this to protect myself!"

Sure enough!

Liu Shuyi was right.

This also shows how cautious and difficult the master behind Miaoyin'er is!

Zhao Chengyi was already the Vice Minister of Revenue, yet he could abandon such an important pawn so easily. Such a person is patient, shrewd, decisive, and ruthless.

Fighting against someone like that is the most mentally and physically exhausting!
It is also destined to be a protracted battle.

Now, he has been framed by the other side and has also captured two of their key generals, so it is destined that things will not end well with them.

This protracted war is one we have to fight, whether we want to or not.

Liu Shuyi slowly exhaled and said, "So, Sun Zhouming must have been someone you specifically chose, right? How did you lead him to Wutong Temple? And why was he suddenly so energetic and unusually excited after returning?"

Miao Yin'er blinked: "Liu Lang is so intelligent, is there really no answer?"

Liu Shuyi calmly said, "I have some guesses. A person like Sun Zhouming is greedy and lustful, and is easily tempted. At the same time, he is also easy to make mistakes and be used against. It is not difficult to take advantage of him."

"As for why he was so excited after returning... I think it's partly because he saw two headless corpses and was so frightened that he couldn't calm down, and partly because you drugged him, making him unable to control himself."

Miao Yin'er couldn't help but clap her hands and say, "Liu Lang is indeed clever. This guy was so scared when he saw the corpse in Wutong Temple that he wet himself. But he's not stupid. He knows that he was led to the crime scene because someone wanted to frame him, so he didn't dare to make a fuss. After all, he had no evidence to prove that he didn't do it."

"And this made him seem very guilty, making him seem even more like the murderer! As for how he was lured to Wutong Temple..."

She looked at Liu Shuyi and said meaningfully, "Why don't you go and ask him yourself, Liu Lang? You'll get some insights."

Hearing Miao Yin'er's words, Liu Shuyi's heart stirred slightly. It seemed that Sun Zhouming had been dishonest and Miao Yin'er had a handle on him, which was then used to threaten him into going to Wutong Temple.

He looked at Du Gou, who nodded slightly, indicating that he would interrogate Sun Zhouming when he returned.

At this point, all the questions surrounding this case have finally been answered.

This case can be closed here.

Then...

His eyes flickered slightly as he said, "Are you also going to be like Zhao Chengyi, insisting on not revealing a single word to your master?"

Upon hearing Liu Shuyi mention the most mysterious person behind the scenes, Du Gou and the others couldn't help but stare intently at Miao Yin'er.

As a result, Miaoyin'er said with a smile, "If you, Liu Lang, ask me, I can choose to tell you."

"Ok?"

Miao Yin'er's reaction surprised Liu Shuyi, so he asked, "Who is your master?"

Miao Yin'er kept her word. She parted her lips slightly and uttered a name that left everyone stunned.

"—Du Ruhui!"

"What!?" The moment Cheng Chumo heard the name, a piercing scream suddenly rang out.

He suddenly looked at Du Gou and Du Ying: "How could it be your father?! Really?"

Du Gou and Du Ying were stunned for a moment, then both showed anger.

"Nonsense!"

The gentle and mild-mannered Du Gou had never been so angry and ashamed. His face turned red with anger as he said to Miao Yin'er, "Don't you dare slander my father! Miao Yin'er, do you think your arbitrary framing will work?"

Seeing Du Gou's annoyed expression, Miao Yin'er ignored him and instead looked at Liu Shuyi with a smile, saying, "Liu Lang, do you believe me?"

Liu Shuyi stared intently at the enchantress: "What do you think?"

Miao Yin'er shrugged: "Since you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Anyway, I've already said it, if you don't believe me, then don't blame me for not cooperating."

Du Gou never expected that Miao Yin'er would dare to frame his father even when she was about to die.

He hurriedly said to Liu Shuyi, "Master Liu, you must not believe this witch's words! She is deliberately framing my father, afraid that our Tang Dynasty will not be in chaos!"

Liu Shuyi reassured him, "Don't worry, Minister Du. I naturally trust you. It seems that we won't get anything out of Miaoyin'er now. On the contrary, we might be misled by her and cause a lot of trouble for us."

Du Gou nodded in agreement: "Let's detain her first and interrogate her properly in prison. I don't believe she can keep talking nonsense forever."

Seeing Miao Yin'er's casual demeanor, Liu Shuyi nodded: "Take her into custody. Tell everyone to be careful. She's so relaxed; be careful she doesn't have any other tricks up her sleeve and escape."

"escape?"

Upon hearing Liu Shuyi's words, Miaoyin'er raised her eyebrows and said, "How could a weak woman like me possibly escape the clutches of the Imperial Guards? You overestimate me, Mr. Liu."

As she spoke, she stretched out her hands and said, "Come and tie me up. Don't worry, I'm completely convinced of my defeat to Liu Lang, and I won't resist."

Her initiative, rather than her saying that, actually made the Imperial Guards a little nervous.

After all, they had all seen how insidious and cunning Miaoyin was.

"I come!"

At this moment, Cheng Chumo shouted and stepped forward.

Others may fear this vixen, but he is not!
He took the rope and tied Miao Yin'er's hands together, and just as she had said, Miao Yin'er did not resist.

The Imperial Guards breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Miaoyin'er tied up.

For some reason, even though the case had been solved and they knew the real culprit was a weak woman who couldn't escape, Miao Yin'er still managed to overwhelm these grown men.

"take away!"

Du Gou waved his hand and gave the order directly.

Miao Yin'er was led away under the strict guard of the Imperial Guards. As she brushed past Liu Shuyi, she suddenly paused.

He then whispered, "Liu Lang, let me give you a piece of golden advice."

"Hurry up and climb up the ranks, get to the fifth rank or above as soon as possible. Right now, when the tide comes, you won't even have the qualifications to participate. I don't want the person who defeats me to be so insignificant then."

Upon hearing Miao Yin'er's abrupt words, Liu Shuyi raised an eyebrow.

What does "妙音儿" mean?
What wave?
What are the eligibility requirements for participation?

Was she being deliberately mysterious, or was she genuinely trying to remind herself of something?
Liu Shuyi's gaze was deep as he watched Miaoyin'er and the Jinwu Guards leave.

He suddenly had a feeling that Miaoyin'er wouldn't just disappear...

"Du Si Cheng."

Liu Shuyi said, "Arrange for more people to watch over her, and those who watch over her must all be trustworthy people. We must not let what happened to Zhao Chengyi happen again."

Upon hearing this, Du Gou nodded emphatically: "Don't worry! One fall like this is enough."

"And..." Liu Shuyi thought for a moment, "we also need to prevent her from committing suicide."

Du Gou was stunned for a moment, but after thinking about the strangeness of the enchantress Miao Yin'er, he didn't think it was impossible.

He nodded again, emphatically: "I understand."

Seeing that Du Gou had listened to his words, Liu Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief.

He has done everything he needed to do.

Next, it remains to be seen whether Du Ruhui and his group can get Miaoyin'er to talk.

Do not!
If he has the chance, he should see Miaoyin'er again.

He was genuinely concerned about what Miao Yin'er had just said.

Moreover, he hadn't even asked Miaoyin about his brother's affairs yet.

Miao Yin'er wouldn't betray her master, but regarding her brother's affairs, unless it was a particularly important secret, given the strange attitude she had just displayed, she might reveal some clues.

"Hahahaha... Manager Liu, well done!"

Just as I was pondering this, a hearty laugh that seemed to vibrate the air suddenly rang out.

Liu Shuyi looked in the direction of the sound.

Then they saw Du Ruhui walking towards them with a burly middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to Cheng Chumo.

He could tell who the person was without even asking their name.

Cheng Yaojin, the mischievous devil.

Cheng Yaojin, laughing loudly, quickly walked to Liu Shuyi's side, then glanced at Du Ruhui, who had fallen behind him. Before Du Ruhui could speak, Cheng Yaojin placed both hands on Liu Shuyi's shoulders and said in a loud voice, "Liu Shuyi, how about becoming my son-in-law?"

(End of this chapter)