Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Lu Zhengfeng looked somewhat helpless, but there was nothing he could do about it.

As the judicial officer of the state magistrate's office, Lu Qingyun had extremely high authority in investigating cases.

Therefore, she was able to investigate by looking at Chu Tiankuo's resume and past cases, and discovered clues about Granny Gui.

Fang Zheng and the others were limited by their authority and were unable to do this.

When it comes to solving cases quickly, Lu Qingyun is indeed quite skilled.

Fang Zheng shook his head: "In my opinion, this case is not that simple."

If I were Granny Gui, having endured it for ten years, why would I have ultimately beheaded Lord Chu Tiankuo, making it known throughout the city?

She could have been much more discreet, even keeping it completely secret, and then made a clean getaway.

Lü Zhengfeng nodded: "Indeed, there are still many unsolved mysteries, but I think they can all be solved through interrogation."

According to Qingyu, Granny Gui saw her portrait in Brother Chu's study and learned that Brother Chu had found his long-lost daughter.

Perhaps she tried to force Chu to reveal her daughter's whereabouts, and when that failed, she killed him in a fit of rage.

This guess sounds reasonable, but Founder actually has many doubts.

"Lord Lü, even if the county magistrate is not involved in the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder, Sun Xianrong has confessed to all of Zhu Hongcai's crimes."

Even killing this person ten times wouldn't be enough.

As for Zhu Hongcai's matter, the only thing that can be done for now is to imprison him for three months and fine him some money.

In this matter, both the supervisory commissioner and the investigation team suffered a complete defeat.

Especially for the task force, their witnesses were taken away, so this incident will have a greater impact on them.

No wonder Lu Qingyun put his efforts into the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder. They interrogated Granny Gui overnight, probably to see if the county magistrate was involved.

If so, Lu Qingyun would definitely not let Zhu Tianhua go.

By then, it was already late at night.

Just as Fang was about to take his leave and go back to rest, Guan Tieyi suddenly pushed the door open and rushed in, saying hurriedly, "Lord Lü, the county magistrate, the county assistant, and the county constable just visited the case supervision team and requested that Granny Gui be interrogated tonight so that the case can be closed as soon as possible."

Lord Lu Qingyun has agreed and invites you to come over now.

Lu Zhengfeng snorted coldly and said, "Their information network is also very advanced."

However, with the January deadline fast approaching, there is indeed no time to delay.

"Let it be a night trial then. The truth about Brother Chu's murder will likely come to light tonight."

Fang Zheng lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "What if Granny Gui doesn't confess, or what if she didn't kill Lord Chu?"

Lü Zhengfeng was stunned.

The possibility that Fang Zheng mentioned does exist.

The evidence currently available only proves that Granny Gui had the motive and the ability to kill Chu Tiankuo.

And she did indeed begin using poison to control and confine Chu Tiankuo.

The supervisory team and the supervising judge have cooperated to search Granny Gui's residence and found a book on poisons and some poisons used to corrode and paralyze the body.

This poison is colorless and odorless, making it physical evidence. Coupled with Granny Gui's act of killing someone outside the city to cover it up, a conviction is inevitable.

However, none of these can actually be considered direct evidence of Chu Tiankuo's murder.

I reckon there will be quite a confrontation during the court hearing.

Lu Zhengfeng's brows were furrowed at that moment, but then they relaxed.

"Let's deal with whatever comes our way."

Regardless, we caught Granny Gui today, Fangzheng, you've done another great service.

In this situation, it's only a matter of time before the criminal confesses.

Because there is enough evidence to warrant torture to extract a confession, if it was done by Granny Gui, she will eventually confess.

"Don't worry, I will get to the bottom of this case no matter what."

Fang Zheng cupped his hands in greeting, and then headed to the county government office with Lü Zhengfeng and Guan Tieyi.

At this time, the main hall of the county government was already packed with officials, with no seats available.

The presiding judge was Lu Qingyun, and the juror was Lü Zhengfeng.

In addition, the county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, and the county constable were all listening in from the sidelines.

The yamen runners inside occupied two rows, all carrying swords and clubs, looking incredibly imposing.

Fang Zheng walked to Lü Zhengfeng's side, and soon Granny Gui and her group were brought up.

Granny Gui and the others, dressed in prison clothes, with disheveled hair and in a terrible state, came up with their eyes closed and didn't utter a sound.

At this moment, County Magistrate Zhu Tianhua spoke up and asked, "Lord Lu, are these the people?"

Lu Qingyun said solemnly, "These were originally the steward and servants of Chu Tiankuo's household, and they are also suspects in the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder."

Zhu Tianhua looked excited, as if his injustice had been vindicated.

Lu Qingyun ignored him, looked around the hall, and then slammed her gavel.

"quiet!"

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone wore a solemn expression.

Lu Qingyun's gaze shifted, and he suddenly looked at Fang Zheng.

"You all must already know about the case of Chu Tiankuo's murder."

Thanks to the joint investigation by our supervisory team and the county supervisory commission, we have made some breakthroughs.

The one who made the greatest contribution here was none other than Fang Zheng, the ninth-rank inspector.

Fangzheng, tonight the magistrate has proposed a joint trial of the suspected murderer.

"You were the hero who captured Granny Gui, so you'll be the one to recount the case!"

Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall looked at each other in astonishment.

Not to mention the three seventh-rank officials, Lu Qingyun, Lü Zhengfeng, and the old county magistrate, there were several eighth-rank officials in the court.

How could it be Fang Zheng, a low-ranking official with little experience, to report on the case?

However, this was an arrangement made by Lu Qingyun, a seventh-rank judicial officer in the state's Sima Prefecture, and no one dared to voice any objection.

Fang Zheng was also somewhat surprised.

Lu Qingyun summoned him to recount the case at this moment, partly to give this meritorious official a chance to shine, and partly as a test.

If there are any discrepancies between what Fang Zheng said and what Granny Gui said next, it would be very embarrassing.

However, Fang Zheng himself discovered the key clues to capture Granny Gui. He was confident and not afraid at all.

Moreover, he had just drawn the "Eloquent" card, which greatly enhanced his debating skills.

Even when questioned by officials, he could persuade them with reason and evidence.

Fang Zheng looked up at Lü Zhengfeng and saw him nod, so he stepped forward without hesitation.

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Lu. I will now proceed with the case for you gentlemen."

Without wasting any words, Fang Zheng pointed to the files on the table and said, "This is the case file of Lord Chu Tiankuo's murder. Many people have seen it."

I won't go into detail about what's already in the case file, but I'll just mention some key points.

I once investigated the crime scene at the Chu residence and discovered that the frost flowers in the Chu residence had been neglected for more than a week before the murder and had all frozen to death.

In addition, Lord Chu often went to the tea stall at the entrance to drink tea, but the tea stall owner said that he had not left the house for more than a week before he was murdered.

It has also been learned that Lord Chu visits the people every week to understand their situation.

However, after checking the entry and exit records of Yongqing County, I found that Lord Chu had no record of leaving the city more than a week before his death.

Lord Chu acts with great regularity, and the above facts are quite unusual.

Therefore, after reporting to Lord Lü and Lord Lu, I believe that Chu Tiankuo was already under house arrest a week before his murder.