Her neck bones could only move in a limited range, but most people would bet their toes that she had indeed nodded her head twice.
Everyone felt a chill creeping up their hearts, not only from witnessing the resurrected Old Wang but also because the murderer was mingling among them, right here with everyone!
Xiao Yan also knew what to ask: “Who is it? Point them out to us!” He gestured to a yamen runner, “Go help her raise her arm.”
This unfortunate runner turned ashen-faced but had no choice but to approach tremblingly and lift Old Wang’s arm level with her shoulder.
Old Wang suddenly turned and her swollen fingertip pointed directly at…
Zhao Da Zhao!
Everyone was shocked, and the scene filled with gasps.
In an instant, not only did Zhao Da Zhao collapse to the ground with a thud, but even Xiao Yan’s expression showed slight surprise, not expecting such a dramatic twist.
In the blink of an eye, the accuser had become the murderer. Magistrate Xu steadied his hat and composed himself, looking toward Xiao Yan: “Is this… is the summoned soul truly Old Wang herself…?”
Xiao Yan chuckled: “If there is anyone in this world who could summon Old Wang’s soul, it would be him.” He leaned to the side and whispered a few words into Magistrate Xu’s ear.
Feng Miao Jun couldn’t hear the whisper, but she saw Magistrate Xu’s expression change as he hurriedly bowed to Yun Ya: “I didn’t know… This humble official has offended you, please forgive me!”
Yun Ya only said six words: “No matter, it’s genuine.” Then he casually waved at Old Wang, “Alright, you may return now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Wang jumped back into the coffin, fell with a “thud,” and moved no more. The yamen runner still holding the lantern walked out of the county office.
Anyone could see that Old Wang’s soul had returned to wherever it had come from.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Xu, now reassured, sternly declared: “Old Wang herself has identified the murderer, and the evidence is conclusive. Zhao Da Zhao, what do you have to say for yourself!”
After being identified, Zhao Da Zhao had been dazed for quite some time. Now, hearing this, he came to his senses, knelt, and cried out: “It’s unjust! How could I kill my mother? Someone is framing me!”
“Then you’ll have to tell me who,” Magistrate Xu snorted, and his next words flowed smoothly, “Come, take this matricidal murderer into custody and search for more evidence.”
Madam Xu took the opportunity to step forward: “Speaking of framing, Zhao Da Zhao came to my estate the day after Old Wang died and caused a scene for three consecutive days. I gave him fifty taels, but I never expected that a few days later he would file a complaint against me at the county office.”
“Oh?” Magistrate Xu’s gaze sharpened. “First demanding money, then filing a complaint?” Zhao Da Zhao’s first reaction upon learning of his mother’s death was not to report to the authorities but to demand money, indicating that he originally didn’t believe the murderer was from the Feng family and just wanted money to settle the matter. Yet after Old Wang had been dead for more than seven days, he suddenly filed a complaint, even directly stopping Prince Yan’s carriage. What did this suggest?
Someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Magistrate Xu smiled and waved two testimonies in his hand: “Madam Wu’s behavior has been suspicious. Take her away as well for further questioning!”
Auntie Wu and Hu Ping had each given separate testimonies, and only Hu Ping matched with Feng Miao Jun’s. And there was one crucial point: Auntie Wu claimed she was hiding on the second floor, but none of those present had seen her. Now that the truth was revealed, Auntie Wu’s words seemed completely fabricated.
Zhao Da Zhao was an idle good-for-nothing, so why would Auntie Wu testify for him and help him file a lawsuit for no reason? Thus, Magistrate Xu felt he had found an excellent breakthrough point.
The Feng family was innocent and would no longer be investigated.
The subsequent interrogation matters no longer concerned Madam Xu and her daughter.
Before Feng Miao Jun was led away from the county office by Madam Xu, she cast one last glance at Yun Ya. His gaze was calm as if he were pondering something. Many were stealing glances at him, but when he lifted his eyes, he immediately looked in her direction.
She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look anymore. To her surprise, Yun Ya suddenly walked over and stood before her:
“Young lady, I have a question for you.”
She displayed a bewildered expression, looking around before pointing at herself: “Me?” As he approached, the hair on her back stood on end.
Yuan Ai smiled handsomely, though to her he seemed no less threatening than a raging beast: “Yes. I want to know, after you ran out of the Feng estate that day, where did you go?”
“Where did I go…” This was exactly what she feared! Her heart chilled, but she had to pretend to be thinking, and after a few breaths said, “I didn’t go anywhere special. I originally wanted to go to the peach grove behind the estate to clear my mind, but halfway there I realized, I’m the young lady of the Feng family, why should I be the one to leave?”
“So you went back?”
“Yes!” She nodded emphatically.
“Good, that’s all.” He stepped back two paces and indeed asked no further questions.
Feng Miao Jun followed Madam Xu without looking back.
Yuan Ai wouldn’t speak without purpose. His sudden interest in where she went after leaving the estate—had he discovered something suspicious?
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.
Feng Miao Jun had originally thought the Feng family could escape because Zhao Da Zhao lacked evidence, but this bucket of dirty water had already been poured, and they would inevitably face criticism when going out. Unexpectedly, Yun Ya had displayed this skill, directly exposing Zhao Da Zhao as the culprit. The news that the Feng family had been wrongfully accused by the murderer would likely spread throughout the surrounding villages soon, causing no harm to their reputation.
Yes, taking the blame. She had known all along that the person who killed Old Wang was Zhao Da Zhao.
This was the handiwork of her subordinate.
Among the talents prepared for her by the An Xia King, there was one who excelled in mind-bewitching techniques, able to control others to act according to his will, though the commands couldn’t be too complex. In her understanding, this was probably similar to hypnosis.
Under control, Zhao Da Zhao had drowned his mother by holding her head underwater as she passed by the riverbank, then disposed of the body. When Old Wang’s soul returned, she only remembered what had happened in the last half hour of her life, and naturally recognized Zhao Da Zhao as her murderer.
In a way, Yuan Ai had—intentionally or not—helped Feng Miao Jun this time.
Her feelings were rather complicated.
￥￥￥￥￥
On the second day after they returned from Zi County to Juping Village, the Feng family received an unexpected visitor. But in others’ eyes, this was a guest difficult to invite even with a thousand gold pieces.
“Tea is served.” Feng Miao Jun received Young Master Xiao in her family’s reception room.
Xiao Yan took a sip of tea and observed the eleven-year-old girl standing stiffly, her small face rigid and shoulders straight. Knowing that such a country girl had limited experience and was inevitably nervous before nobility, he smiled and said: “Relax, I don’t eat people. Let’s just chat casually.”
She blinked her eyes: “Can I speak freely? You won’t blame me?”
“Children’s words carry no blame.” How could someone of Prince Zi Yan’s magnanimity take issue with a little girl? Besides, he had his agenda for this visit. “Just speak your mind. Once I leave, I’ll forget everything, and certainly won’t hold it against you.”
“Oh, alright.” She immediately shed her cautious demeanor.
“Where is Madam Xu?”
“You’ve come at an inconvenient time. My mother left early this morning.” She smiled, revealing little tiger teeth. “She’s very busy and doesn’t have much free time in a day.”
Hm, was she implicitly criticizing him for being idle? Xiao Yan didn’t take offense: “Then when will she return?”