That wretched vixen has disguised herself as my wife!

Jiang Jingming knew he couldn't convince her of this, but he still knew in his heart that Aqing couldn't be the murderer.

Because Aqing would never do anything detrimental to him or the Duyue Sect, let alone leave such bloody words at the scene, thus directing the blame towards himself.

Of course, this is something I can't tell Fang Zhiyi.

Just when Jiang Jingming thought she would seize this opening and continue to interrogate him, Fang Zhiyi suddenly changed the subject.

"So, is Xiao Qi's side really completely without any suspicion?"

"..."

Jiang Jingming was slightly taken aback.

Fang Zhiyi's question did not necessarily mean that she had any doubts about Xie Yunqi.

This question-and-answer format is a common deduction technique used by the two people, and it makes it easy for them to organize their thoughts.

However, when she asked him that question, Jiang Jingming suddenly realized that he couldn't give a definite answer.

Fang Zhiyi had just questioned A Qing about two aspects: the timing of the crime and his personal abilities.

Xie Yunqi met up with Lu Zhao some time after the massacre and together they went to Yongzhou to investigate the bandit case.

Therefore, since her whereabouts were untraceable before this, she also had enough time to commit the crime.

Another aspect is her personal abilities. If Miss Xie's acting skills are not unparalleled, then her swordsmanship is indeed mediocre, just a flashy display.

The question is, if Miss Xie wanted to kill someone, did she really need to do it herself?

The moment this thought popped into Jiang Jingming's head, he felt a tremor in his heart.

According to Chen Sha, the relationship between the emperor and Xie Jichuan was not as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.

Suspicion and distrust made the emperor even more willing to cooperate with the Shun family.

The root cause of the discord between the emperor and his ministers lay in Xie Jichuan's personal prestige. The emperor was wary of his overwhelming achievements and doubted his loyalty.

However, from Xie Jichuan's perspective, the Shun family was definitely not a force loyal to the imperial power.

Instead, they actually practiced and studied the evil art of corpse demons, which was a disastrous act that brought disaster to the country and its people.

Is it possible that Xie Jichuan actually wiped out the Shun family in order to nip the emperor's desired Corpse Demon Technique in the bud?

Xie Jichuan was residing in the capital, and his every move was under the emperor's watchful eye, so he naturally could not act rashly.

But Xie Yunqi is different.

She has always been fearless and uncontrollable, so naturally she goes wherever she wants.

Therefore, she could secretly do this for her father.

She didn't even need to do anything herself; she only needed to give orders on behalf of Xie Jichuan.

"..."

Thinking about this, Jiang Jingming realized that probably no one really cared about the truth behind this family annihilation case anymore.

Because the murderer could seem to be anyone.

He knew that Xie Yunqi was not as innocent and carefree as he appeared.

But it's really hard to imagine that she buried such a big secret in her heart.

Jiang Jingming felt a pang of guilt when he thought of Xie Yunqi's bright eyes and even felt guilty for his suspicion of her.

Tomorrow at Tingpu Villa, that mysterious visitor will definitely produce some evidence to identify one of the three of them.

When that time really comes, what should I do?

Almost as soon as he asked the question, Jiang Jingming already had the answer in his mind.

Kill the mysterious visitor.

Regardless of the truth, the mysterious visitor and the organization behind him are the real enemies.

Accompanying this answer was a sudden surge of killing intent; Jiang Jingming could vaguely feel Wu Jiu trembling slightly behind his waist.

Just as Chen Sha had said, this knife possessed a strange and bloodthirsty evil nature.

I wonder if Jiang Wuwang was already planning to make this little devil take over the old devil's job when he snatched this knife for him.

The investigation into the massacre has concluded that the Shun family's fate was entirely their own doing.

Jiang Jingming had just made up his mind when he heard a soft laugh from the person next to him.

"Okay, don't overthink it."

Fang Zhiyi leisurely plucked the strings of her zither under the moonlight, her gaze towards him tender:

"No matter what happens tomorrow, I will protect you."

"..."

Jiang Jingming was taken aback, feeling that this should have been his line.

But when Fang Zhiyi said it, it didn't sound out of place at all.

You inexplicably believe she can do it, even though she seems weak and helpless, and even though she says every day that she is just a frail doctor passing by.

But when she looks at you so gently, you inexplicably feel that as long as you stand with her, you are safe.

Chapter 139 Maybe I'm too sexy

Fang Zhiyi ultimately did not take the paulownia wood zither with her.

"It's a fine instrument."

As she spoke, she picked up the candlestick and burned the zither.

The strings quickly caught fire and snapped with a crisp "bang".

Under the moonlight, the burning paulownia wood zither resembled a bonfire. Jiang Jingming and Fang Zhiyi stood side by side, watching it burn to ashes and turn into a pile of charcoal.

“If the owner of such a fine instrument were still alive, he would certainly not be willing to abandon it in such a place, so it is better to burn it.”

Fang Zhiyi turned around, put her hands behind her back, and slowly walked back. The moonlight cast a long shadow of her.

Jiang Jingming paused for a moment before catching up with her.

After walking for a while, a faint light could be seen in the night. Such an inn in the desolate wilderness would indeed warm the hearts of travelers at night.

However, the two spent most of the night taking a walk to clear their heads, and the sky was already beginning to lighten.

Fang Zhiyi.

Before entering the inn, Jiang Jingming called out to Fang Zhiyi.

"Ok?"

Fang Zhiyi paused and turned to look at him.

"You already guessed what that mysterious visitor would do today, didn't you?"

Jiang Jingming stared at her intently and asked the question that he had been vaguely aware of all along.

Fang Zhiyi lowered her eyes, smiled slightly, but shook her head:

"I can't say for sure, it's just my own guess."

Jiang Jingming asked this question simply because he kept remembering one thing.

That day, they went to Tingpu Villa for an investigation. When they were almost at their destination, Fang Zhiyi suddenly said something.

Even if you're rowing against the current, the boat will eventually reach the place the current wants it to go. So why not go slower?

Looking back now, I always feel that there was a hidden metaphor in those words, but she was unwilling to point it out.

"..."

The two stood outside the inn, gazing at each other silently for a moment.

In the end, Fang Zhiyi was defeated, and sighed with a smile:

"There are some things that no matter what others say, you won't believe; you have to see for yourself."

"..."

Jiang Jingming knew she must have her reasons for saying that, and after a long while, he could only nod.

"Okay, I told you I would protect you, right? Don't be afraid."

Fang Zhiyi turned back and patted his head like she was coaxing a child.

"No matter what happens, I will protect you, so..."

She paused here.

Jiang Jingming looked down and met her misty, rain-drenched eyes.

"So whatever happens, accept it calmly and bravely."

Something flashed across Fang Zhiyi's eyes, and then she turned around and didn't look back until she entered the inn.

Jiang Jingming stood silently in place, placing his hand on the hilt of Wujiu's sword.

As dawn broke, daylight appeared.

......

Upon learning that Little Bear was alright, the children of Bear Village were overjoyed and hugged each other, crying their eyes out.

"Although the blood clot in her chest cavity has been removed, she will still need to rest for a while. You can't take her out to play wildly right now."

Fang Zhiyi was surrounded by the group of children, and she gave them careful instructions.

"understood!"

The children all nodded obediently.

Even the usually rebellious eldest brother, standing next to Fang Zhiyi, looked like a model student.

Jiang Jingming stood by, holding the knife, watching, and almost laughed.

Xie Yunqi leaned on the table next to him, but would secretly wipe away tears every now and then.

Why are you crying?

Jiang Jingming raised his sword sheath and gently poked her shoulder.

"do not know."

Xie Yunqi's sleeve was already soaked. She shook her head violently, the movement somewhat like a puppy shaking off water.

"Maybe I'm too sexy! Seeing these kids happy makes me happy too, but I also feel sorry for them because of how much they've suffered in the past. Especially Little Bear, how could such a small girl endure so much pain for so many years?"

"It is thanks to her strong will that she was able to wait until the day she was cured."

Jiang Jingming sighed softly and gently patted the young lady's head to comfort her.

Thinking about his discussion with Fang Zhiyi last night about Xie Yunqi possibly being a witch, and then looking at her teary-eyed appearance now, Jiang Jingming felt that there was too much of a disconnect between the two.

The door to the room on the second floor opened, and Aqing came out.

She was still dressed in a blue robe, her long hair tied up, and her expression was serene.

"She's awake."

Upon hearing her say this, the children who had been thanking Fang Zhiyi quickly swarmed forward, all wanting to see their friend as soon as possible.

"Hey! Stop right there!"

Fortunately, Xie Yunqi reacted quickly, blocking the two kids who were trying to slip through.

"No more people allowed in!"

"why?"

A chorus of mournful cries filled the air.

"Didn't you hear what Sister Fang just said? Little Bear has only just recovered and needs to rest, rest! How can he rest with all of you chattering like that?"

Xie Yunqi glared at them and then tapped them on the head one by one.

Looking at the young lady's demeanor like a private tutor, Jiang Jingming suspected that she had ulterior motives in this matter.

After all, in the past, it was usually she who was the one being seriously reprimanded as a naughty child, and this time she finally got the chance to teach someone else a lesson.