Chapter 691 Case Closed

The person kneeling and saying that Fang Ziming committed suicide was a soldier named Liu Xu.

Liu Xu often accompanied Chen Yongnian and was conscientious and responsible in his work.

He had a good impression of Chen Yongnian.

Chen Yongnian just didn't know what Liu Xu's purpose was in doing this today.

“My lord! I suspect that Lord Fang knew there was something wrong with the food all along, and deliberately ate it!” Liu Xu kowtowed and continued, “Before Lord Fang passed away, he spoke some words with Chen Guannian, expressing his remorse, as if he were making arrangements for his last affairs.”

Zhang Xiao was taken aback, looked at Chen Yongnian, and asked, "Is what he said true?"

"Lord Fang did say some things before he passed away, but he certainly didn't give any instructions for his death!" Chen Yongnian retorted.

"No, Lord Fang was just giving his last instructions, admitting his guilt, and asking Chen Guannian to take good care of Miss Fang. If you don't believe me, you can call everyone who was there at the time. Everyone heard it!"

Liu Xu became slightly agitated as he spoke.

He dared to look Zhang Xiao in the eye, but not Chen Yongnian.

"Liu Xu, what are you saying? How could Lord Fang commit suicide!"

Xiao Fan rushed out, wanting to beat up Liu Xu, but was held back by the other soldiers.

“I’m just telling the truth! You were unconscious there, so of course you didn’t hear me!” Liu Xu retorted loudly.

Xiao Fan felt that Liu Xu was ungrateful.

Chen Yongnian treated Liu Xu so well, yet Liu Xu said such things at this crucial moment.

Xiao Fan's eyes reddened. He struggled a few times, trying to get the person holding him to let go, but he failed.

But that doesn't stop him from talking about Liu Xu.

The two started arguing back and forth in the courtroom.

"Enough! This is noisy and disorderly!"

The gavel slammed heavily on the table, Zhang Xiao's face filled with anger.

Xiao Fan and Liu Xu were both startled and immediately fell silent.

Xiao Fan knelt down and said loudly, "My lord, I have something to say! Before I fainted, I saw someone go to see Lord Fang!"

He had mentioned this before, but no one brought it up.

He suspected that the person interrogating him was the problem!

Zhang Xiao stood up in surprise and tentatively asked, "Did you see what that person looked like?"

"No, but I saw that person wearing a white robe!" Xiao Fan kowtowed and continued, "Sir, if you can find the person wearing a white robe who was in the county government office at the time of the incident, you will surely find the murderer!"

"No need to look, I was wearing a white robe at the time!" Xie Xing confessed, adding, "I was with Miss Fang and Madam Fang at the time. If you don't believe me, you can ask them to testify!"

Only then did everyone realize what was missing.

Chen Yongnian reacted the most strongly to Fang Ziming's death, but has yet to see Fang's wife and daughters.

Xie Xing said to his attendant, "Go and bring Madam Fang and Miss Fang here!"

It was Fang Ziming who died. If Xie Xing had done it, Fang's wife and daughters would never have stood on Xie Xing's side.

Not long after, Madam Fang and Fang Luxue were brought to the courtroom.

Mrs. Fang's eyes were red and swollen, and there was no light in them.

Even so, she maintained proper etiquette and bowed to Zhang Xiao, who was seated in the main seat, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Xiao glanced at Madam Fang, indicating that she didn't need to be so polite, and asked, "Madam Fang, I ask you, where were you yesterday at three-quarters past noon? And with whom?"

"Your Honor, my daughter and I were in the backyard of the county government office when Lord Xie added food for us and persuaded me to confess to my husband's actions so that I could be lessened in punishment!" After Madam Fang finished speaking, she looked at Xie Xing.

Her eyes held a complex expression, making it impossible to discern her true meaning.

Then, Madam Fang knelt down and said, "My lord, since Ziming is dead, may I take his body away for burial?"

"Mother! This matter is not over yet. Can't you see there's a problem?" Fang Luxue said hurriedly.

She scanned the people standing and sitting in the courtroom, and gave a cold laugh. "You plotted against my father, and now you've killed him. You're all in cahoots!"

"Fang Luxue, this is a courtroom. How can you speak like this? What about the manners I taught you?" Madam Fang suddenly scolded.

Fang Luxue was taken aback, not understanding what her mother meant.

Chen Yongnian also sensed something was wrong.

Fang Luxue's reaction was the normal one.

What is Madam Fang doing now?

Ignoring their shocked expressions, Madam Fang kowtowed and said, "My lord, although my husband has done some wrong things, he has done many good deeds for the people of Yunhe County. Can his merits and demerits offset each other? Can he be allowed to go home with me?"

Looking at the people kowtowing, Zhang Xiao felt a pang of unease.

He knew perfectly well that there was something wrong with Fang Ziming's death, but because he was threatened, he had no choice but to say that Fang Ziming committed suicide.

At this moment, Zhang Xiao seemed to understand Fang Ziming's helplessness in doing those things.

If there were no other way, why would I do those things that go against my conscience?

However, this thought only flashed through Zhang Xiao's mind for a moment before being quickly taken over by greed.

He said sternly, "We have investigated everything you said. Although Fang Ziming did receive ill-gotten gains, he used them all for the benefit of the people. Furthermore, he governed Yunhe County very well during his many years there, which is a merit. With his merits and demerits canceling each other out, I will allow you to take him back!"

"Thank you, Lord Zhang!" Madam Fang kowtowed and wrote her thanks.

Listening to the conversation between Madam Fang and Zhang Xiao, Chen Yongnian vaguely understood something.

Xie Xing's conversation with Madam Fang must have involved something that forced Madam Fang to compromise, which led to this situation.

Chen Yongnian hesitated for a moment.

Should I continue investigating Lord Fang's death?

Then, Zhang Xiao's voice rang out again, "I, the official, consider Fang Ziming's meritorious service in the construction. Since he has atoned with his death, and his wife and daughters are innocent, they will be released immediately. However, they will henceforth be restored to commoners, no longer considered officials' wives, and will no longer receive subsidies from the court!"

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