Chapter 168 Taking the Blame

"Then I would like to thank the Governor and the County Magistrate first. Could you please let my husband down first?"

Cheng Weiyao stood up, wiped her crocodile tears, and the next second she changed the subject and began to lead Wen Chengyun. Seeing that the sun was about to rise, since the savior had already arrived, there was no need to be tied up and suffer, right?

"What are you all standing there for? Quickly untie him! How can you be so rude to someone when there's nothing going on?"

Zhang Daming was very active at this moment, completely different from his previous indifferent appearance.

Cheng Weiyao saw it and sneered in her heart.

The yamen runners began to untie Wen Chengyun skillfully, but when Adjutant Li and others saw that the development of the situation had completely deviated from the script, they immediately backed out.

"Since the higher-ups have sent someone down, we'll take our leave now. Military duties are numerous here, so there's no need to see you off."

The governor came suddenly, and the original plan could not be carried out normally. He had to go back and ask Liao Yu for his opinion on what to do next.

"Deputy General Li, take care. I'm sorry I can't see you off."

The governor did not try to stop them. The murderous aura of these brutal soldiers would only make the timid Zhang Daming more frightened if they stayed here.

After Wen Chengyun was lowered from the stake, Cheng Weiyao forced him to go home and rest. Even the strongest body couldn't stand the temperature swings between day and night in Qingshi Town, right? Moreover, he had nothing to eat or drink.

"Brother, my sister-in-law is right. Mother, grandmother, and Cheng Ming are all very worried about you. I can't sleep well at night. I keep calling your name in my dreams. You should go home and report that you are safe..."

Wen Liyu, who had been unable to sleep all night, had gone to her stall early. She happened to see Wen Chengyun coming down from the wooden stake. She was naturally in favor of going home. But she also knew that Wen Chengyun wouldn't give in easily, so she used his family to persuade him.

"good."

Wen Chengyun's family was indeed his biggest weakness. After a moment's hesitation, he finally compromised. Since Cheng Weiyao had allowed him to rest, it meant there was probably some new clue in the poisoning case.

Although he was busy following the clues, his wife was not the kind of person who would sit and wait for death.

"Sir, my husband was not at the scene when the poisoning occurred. There is no evidence from the beginning to the end. If you have any questions, please come directly to me today."

Cheng Weiyao explained a few words to the governor. Although she still had to set up a stall, she did not reduce the information exchange with Goudan and other children.

Goudan and the other boys' observations of the situation helped Cheng Weiyao eliminate a number of suspects, ultimately zeroing in on the chaotic vendor. It was mainly because he closed his stall so quickly, always at the crucial moment...

Taking advantage of the fact that it was still dark and few people were alarmed, the group went to the government office under the reception of Zhang Daming.

The legal advisor had already arrived at the government office early and was waiting there. He was not aware of the governor's visit and was simply feeling uneasy. He did not expect that the early bird would catch the worm and meet the distinguished guest.

"Is this the advisor you were talking about just now? He allowed his men to resort to lynching without even investigating the matter thoroughly! Since we need people right now, I will not pursue the matter for now..."

The governor naturally knew that most of what Zhang Daming said just now were excuses, but he had just arrived in this precious land and without his own people in Qingshi Town, he was like a deaf and blind person.

Since Zhang Daming is throwing all the dirty water on the master, the master should also know about it...

As expected, the legal advisor's smile froze upon hearing this. He had been in the government office for many years, and had often taken the blame for Zhang Daming's crimes. If it were just a common crime, it would be fine, but lynching? That, to put it bluntly, was a contempt for imperial authority.

The most important thing is that the person being tortured is a legitimate member of the royal family like Wen Chengyun. No matter how hard-headed he is, he cannot take the blame for this!

The lawyer opened his mouth and was about to make a few words to defend himself, but Zhang Daming would not give him a chance and immediately called him to start working.

"Master, please quickly retrieve the case file for the Governor to review. This is an urgent matter. We can discuss other matters later!"

Zhang Daming's tone was serious, and his expression was undeniable. His words were actually a hidden threat. The legal advisor had often cooperated with him on matters of the highest order, so it wasn't entirely clear that he was completely innocent.

The lawyer felt so helpless that he could only turn around angrily and resign himself to his fate and start looking for the case files. He shouldn't have tried to get the skin of a tiger in the first place. How could Zhang Daming be a good person?

Cheng Weiyao watched the interaction between Zhang Daming and his advisor, and inwardly gave the governor a thumbs-up. Great! He's worthy of being a civil servant!

He was quite cunning. Just by talking, he quietly sowed discord between the master and Zhang Daming, which at least gave them a chance to make a breakthrough.

"Sir Governor, can we speak privately? I do have some clues..."

Cheng Weiyao glanced at Zhang Daming, her face clearly filled with distrust. It was normal for her to be worried about Zhang Daming; after all, his temper changed faster than the weather. Even though he was temporarily on the governor's side, he might have been secretly informing Lieutenant General Li and his group.

"Isn't Zhang Daming still ill? Go down and have a good rest. I'll take care of this place. Is there anything else you're worried about?"

The governor was a smart man. He immediately understood Cheng Weiyao's point and sent Zhang Daming away without hesitation.

Zhang Daming opened his mouth. It was true that he feigned illness for both success and failure! He had originally thought this was a clever excuse, but he hadn't expected it to backfire. The governor had said so much, so how could he disobey?

In desperation, Zhang Daming could only bow his hands and honestly hand over the court that originally belonged to him.

As soon as Zhang Daming left, the lawyer was naturally the happiest to come back, while Cheng Weiyao began to state the doubts in the case and the clues provided by Goudan.

The lawyer carefully recorded everything from beginning to end, and made some supplementary explanations from time to time, seeming to be trying to make amends for his crime.

"Madam, it's useless to say so many words. Physical evidence is the most powerful testimony."

After listening to Cheng Weiyao's account, the lawyer frowned and offered his opinion. Although the government office had indeed arrested the Qingping Prince's family, he had never treated them harshly.

So he thought that he should be considered a good person in Cheng Weiyao's eyes.

"Master, what you said makes sense. According to what you said, Madam, the wonton vendor is a suspect, and I can naturally summon him to cooperate with the investigation. But since it was poisoned, has the source of the poison been determined?"