At Zhao Cheng's suggestion, Xiao Luofeng followed the normal procedures and conducted an overnight interrogation, immediately discovering that the case was full of loopholes.

First, there is no physical evidence.

Then the motive for the murder is also very far-fetched.

The only witness was someone who heard about Zhao Cheng's motive for murder, but did not witness Zhao Cheng commit the murder himself.

Setting up a scheme requires making it a sure thing, but Xiao Luofeng couldn't understand what the point was of Du Laihua setting up such a scheme that seemed to have been hastily arranged.

However, Yang Taozhi has not yet caught the real murderer, and Xiao Luofeng is unable to close the case for the time being.

After dawn, Xiao Luofeng was about to let Zhao Cheng and himself get some sleep, but just as he lay down to rest, Du Laihua came to the Central Office.

Du Laihua's marquis status wielded considerable power in Qingdong City, and Xiao Luofeng could only force himself to grant him an audience.

Xiao Luofeng noticed that ever since Du Laihua entered, there had been a constant commotion outside the Zhongya Office.

"The Zhao Cheng case has had a terrible impact. The people are angry and went to the Marquis's mansion early this morning to make a scene, saying that they want me to uphold justice."

Du Laihua explained, "I told them that although Prefect Huang is ill, there is still Commandant Xiao in the Central Office, and Commandant Xiao will certainly handle the matter impartially!"

"But they kept urging me to come and follow up on the case, and they all stayed at the entrance of the Central Government Office and wouldn't leave."

"I have no choice either..."

"How about... Commander Xiao, you send some men to drive them away?"

Xiao Luofeng knew that Du Laihua was harboring malicious intentions, and said in a deep voice, "It is right for the people to have grievances. If the murderer is not caught, they will not feel safe. Let them wait outside."

Du Laihua said, "The murderer has already been caught, why should Commander Xiao protect him?"

"My lord, please watch your words!" Xiao Luofeng said sternly, "Committing crimes requires evidence. If there is irrefutable evidence that Zhao Cheng is the murderer, I will not tolerate it!"

"Tell me about your investigation," Du Laihua said, walking ahead first. "Take me to see Zhao Cheng, and we'll talk as we go."

This way, please!

Xiao Luofeng was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

Marquises have jurisdiction over local security and people's livelihood, and Du Laihua is currently the only marquis living in Qingdong City.

When the old Marquis Yan was alive, Prefect Huang Zhen would consult with him on all major decisions, and the old Marquis also took charge of several practical matters.

This is also because Du Laihua's abilities are limited and he cannot get involved in politics; otherwise, his words in the central government office would have been more effective than Xiao Luofeng's.

Du Laihua had already heard Xiao Luofeng's brief report on the situation on the way, and the two stopped in front of a house with a nice environment.

Xiao Luofeng said to the two guards standing at the door, "Open the door."

Du Laihua asked doubtfully, "Is Zhao Cheng in here?"

Xiao Luofeng nodded.

"I won't go in. Let him come out!"

Du Laihua sneered, "Composing such a nice place for him by Commander Xiao is really special treatment!"

Xiao Luofeng said, "Young Prime Minister is just a suspect, not the murderer. Besides, we interrogated him all night, and he only went in to rest a little while ago."

Du Laihua said sternly, "Even if they are just suspects, they cannot be given special treatment!"

"Cough cough..." A coughing sound came from the room. Zhao Cheng and Zhao Wu came out and said, "This place isn't very good, it's too cold... Oh, isn't this the Marquis? Why are you in such a hurry to see me so early in the morning?!"

Du Laihua said, "You shouldn't be here. You can only stay in the jail cell until the case is closed!"

"Insolence!!" Zhao Wu roared, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"You're the one who's being insolent!!" Du Laihua glanced at Zhao Wu's knife and said, "Zhao Cheng is just the Right Chancellor's son, he's not the Right Chancellor! And you, what gives you the right to be here, and dare to carry a weapon?"

Zhao Wu shouted, "Although my master is not the Right Chancellor, he is the Zhaoyong General personally appointed by His Majesty! He does not need to be imprisoned before the case is closed!"

Du Laihua also shouted, "Even the emperor is subject to the law! Where do all these privileges come from?!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, Marquis Yanxi is so tough!" Zhao Cheng shrugged, and Zhao Wu quickly draped a coat over him.

He walked towards Du Laihua and said with a smile, "My lord, would you dare say those words in front of the Emperor?"

Du Laihua was taken aback.

"If you don't dare to say it, then don't gossip behind my back." Zhao Cheng leaned close to Du Laihua's ear and whispered, "There are quite a few Changsui spies in Yanchuan City, and I reckon there are some in Qingdong City too?"

Du Laihua glanced around warily, seemingly genuinely startled by Zhao Cheng.

"Anyone with merit, title, or general shall not be put in shackles or imprisoned before being convicted. This is the law of our Great Jing Dynasty. Does not Your Excellency know this?"

Zhao Cheng looked at Zhao Wu and said, "Zhao Wu is my bodyguard. I have already reported to the court to promote him to my deputy general. He also has a military rank, so of course he can carry weapons to protect me."

“My other friends were all kept out by Commander Xiao and never stepped foot into the Central Office. Every rule and procedure was followed in accordance with the imperial court's regulations. What problem does Your Excellency have?”

Du Laihua was speechless after Zhao Cheng's retort, so he ignored him and turned to Xiao Luofeng, saying, "Commander Xiao, are we just going to leave this case here? What's your plan next?"

Xiao Luofeng, of course, didn't tell him that Yang Taozhi was hunting down the murderer. He replied casually, "I'll take some men to Cuifang Tower to continue the investigation later, and we'll also dig deeper into Madam Fu's connections..."

"You're just wasting your time!" Du Laihua waved his hand dismissively.

Xiao Luofeng frowned and asked, "Then what does Your Excellency think we should do?"

"Besides Zhao Cheng, the only other person in the room with Mama Fu at the time was Yan Lan. We should focus our investigation on her!"

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