Chapter 119 He's not dead?

Admittedly, the two elders wanted Xiao Jingxuan to be brought to justice.

But what Xiao Jingheng said also makes sense.

What if?

If the real culprit is not Xiao Jingxuan, then the falling out between the Li family and the Marquis's mansion would only allow the real culprit to continue to go unpunished.

Seeing that the two men's expressions softened, Xiao Jingheng pressed his advantage: "Your Excellency has been an official for many years and should know that timing is crucial in solving murder cases. If we follow the procedure and hand the case over to the Jingzhao Prefecture or the Ministry of Justice now, the news will leak out, and the real culprit will hide and destroy evidence. Even if we want to investigate then, it will be difficult to find any trace of him."

"Only by claiming that your son is seriously injured and unconscious can we deter someone else from making any further moves and revealing their true identity. This is the fastest way to lure out the real culprit."

Li's mother wanted to argue, but Li's father raised his hand to stop her.

"Is Young Master Xiao truly confident?"

Xiao Jingheng solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "I, Xiao, am willing to guarantee with the reputation of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion that I will find out the truth within three days and give the Li family an explanation."

The last sentence struck Li's parents hard.

They certainly hated Xiao Jingxuan for taking action, but they were even more curious about why their son had ended up like this.

Finally, Mr. Li took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Mrs. Li, and saw the struggle in each other's eyes, and the final decision.

"Fine!" Li's father gritted his teeth.

"As the young master said, if the Li family cannot be given a convincing truth within three days, then... don't blame me for disregarding the bonds of camaraderie and bringing the crimes of condoning my brother's murder and delaying the investigation to the Emperor's ears!"

It's a deal.

Xiao Jingheng cupped his hands, his gaze calm and unfathomable.

——

At the same time, Xiao Jingxuan was taken to the main hall of the Jingzhao Prefecture Government Office.

Also brought along were Zhao Rui and Sun Wei, who were present last night.

Pang Zheng, the Prefect of Jingzhao, sat upright in the hall with a serious expression. He slammed the gavel and began his questioning.

Xiao Jingxuan, Zhao Rui, and Sun Wei naturally vehemently denied the murder.

Xiao Jingxuan stiffened his neck and said loudly, "Lord Pang, it's true that I punched that bastard Li Mo twice last night, but those injuries were so minor, there wasn't even a drop of blood. How could he have died? It's clearly someone deliberately framing him!"

Zhao Rui and Sun Wei quickly echoed, confirming that Xiao Jingxuan's words were true; it was just a normal fight, and he hadn't killed anyone.

However, the prefect summoned a new witness, a night watchman who had passed by the area the previous night.

Soon, an old man dressed in coarse cloth was brought into the hall. According to the description, this man had witnessed Xiao Jingxuan and Li Mo pushing and fighting the night before. Li Mo was knocked to the ground, and Xiao Jingxuan went up and hit him a few more times.

However, the old man was so frightened at the time that he ran away without looking closely. Later, when he heard that someone had died in the alley, he guessed that it was related to the fight.

"Young Master Xiao, what else do you have to say?"

Pang Zheng said in a deep voice, "Although no one witnessed you killing someone, it is true that you had a conflict with the victim, and it happened at the scene of the crime, and the timing matches. You are currently the prime suspect. I will now take you into custody for further investigation!"

"As for Zhao Rui, since Sun Wei and the other man did not directly take action, they need not be detained for the time being, but they must be available at any time and are not allowed to leave the capital."

"I refuse to comply! I didn't kill anyone, you can't detain me!" Xiao Jingxuan struggled and refused to cooperate.

Just as the officials were about to put shackles on Xiao Jingxuan, a voice suddenly came from outside the hall: "The heir of the Marquis of Yongning has arrived, Minister Li has arrived, Madam Li has arrived..."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xiao Jingheng walk in with steady steps. Behind him were the Li couple, whose faces were filled with grief, but their previous hysteria was gone.

"Lord Pang, wait!"

Xiao Jingheng bowed respectfully, "Upon investigation, it has been confirmed that the young master of the Li family is not dead. He has been brought to the manor, and we are currently looking for a doctor to treat him."

"What!?"

Prefect Pang Zheng stood up abruptly from his chair, his face full of surprise.

He had previously received word that the young master of the Li family was clearly dead.

Xiao Jingxuan's eyes widened as he stared at his elder brother in disbelief.

The person is not dead!

Does that mean I can clear myself of suspicion?

"Young Master Xiao, what exactly is going on?" Pang Zheng rose from the hall to ask.

“When Young Master Li was found last night, he was seriously injured and unconscious. He has been promptly sent to the Li family for treatment. The Li family has recruited many famous doctors. Therefore, my younger brother Xiao Jingxuan’s crime of ‘murder’ is currently out of the question. According to the law, he should not be detained.”

Pang Zheng was stunned and looked at the Li couple.

"Minister Li, Madam Li, is this true?"

Mr. Li took a deep breath and, as agreed beforehand, began to speak with a heavy heart.

“Master Pang, my son… is indeed not dead, but… his life hangs by a thread, and he is saved entirely by the renowned doctor.”

After speaking, he glanced at Xiao Jingxuan with a complicated expression, then turned to Xiao Jingheng: "Young Master Xiao has promised to use all the resources of the Marquis's mansion to find renowned doctors and do everything possible to save my son. If... he can truly save my son's life, my Li family... can temporarily waive the responsibility of Young Master Xiao for injuring someone."

Li's mother stood silently by, tears streaming down her face. Though she did not speak, her attitude clearly indicated her agreement.

Upon hearing this, Pang Zheng pondered for a moment.

Since the victim's family is willing to temporarily refrain from pursuing the matter, and the person is indeed not dead, then Xiao Jingxuan cannot be detained.

After a moment, Pang Zheng said, "In that case, Young Master Xiao need not be detained for the time being. However, this case is full of doubts, and I will have people investigate it thoroughly. Until the truth comes out, none of you involved are allowed to leave the capital and must be available for summons at any time!"

Everyone nodded.

At this moment, Xiao Jingheng added, "Lord Pang, this case involves my younger brother and is also related to the safety and truth of the Li family's young master. I am willing to assist you in investigating this case so that the truth can be revealed."

Pang Zheng's eyes lit up.

He knew Xiao Jingheng's ability to solve cases, and with his help, the truth of the case would surely be revealed.

Xiao Jingheng's offer of help was more than welcome: "That's wonderful, then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Xiao!"

Xiao Jingheng accepted the order and then, following the procedure, questioned the night watchman, Xiao Jingxuan, Zhao Rui, and others.

Based on the testimonies of several people, it was found that there was indeed no direct evidence to prove that Xiao Jingxuan was directly responsible for Li Mo's death.

Finally, Xiao Jingxuan returned to his residence safely and ordered that he be required to cooperate with the investigation at any time.

Afterwards, Xiao Jingheng led his men to Zuixianlou and visited the waiters and manager of the restaurant.

It was later learned that Li Mo had dined with Lin Wan'er in a private room the previous night, but Li Mo left alone for some unknown reason, and Lin Wan'er also left Zuixianlou shortly afterward.

However, the waiter in the building also mentioned an important piece of information: when Li Mo left, he ran out in a panic and didn't even pay the money. Later, Lin Wan'er paid for it.

The Lin family was also implicated.

When the news reached the Lin residence, Lin Wan'er had just ordered people to deal with the carriage and Qingdai's blood-stained dress, packing them all up and burning them.

As for the murder weapon, Qingdai took advantage of the darkness after the carriage had traveled some distance last night and threw it away somewhere.

Anyway, it's far enough away from the crime scene that even if someone finds it, it'll be ownerless.

To their surprise, Li Mo was not dead! He was just seriously injured and unconscious, and his life was in danger at any moment.

When the news reached the Lin residence, Qingdai panicked and accidentally knocked over the teacups on the tray, shattering the porcelain pieces all over the floor.