Shen Yao naturally didn't believe Xin Yunniang's explanation and said in a deep voice, "She really won't shed tears until she sees the coffin."
Immediately, he ordered the yamen runners to present the items they had searched Xin Yunniang's residence to her.
This includes incense made from phosphorus powder and mandala mixed into the incense box, as well as the diagram of the mechanism of the Guanyin lotus seat in the White Horse Temple.
All three pieces of evidence were key to the victim's death.
“Xin Yunniang, take a good look. These things were all found in your residence.”
They're all seasoned foxes; with these pieces of evidence, how could Xin Yunniang not realize she'd fallen into a trap, that the murderer wanted to pin all the blame on her?
Despite her scheming and plotting her entire life, Xin Yunniang never imagined she would end up like this.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Xin Yunniang knew that even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she would not be able to clear her name. She felt completely lost and her body went limp.
She regretted her decision to be so foolish as to fall into the trap set by the murderer.
“These are not my things. I don’t know how they were found in my house. Sir, I’m being framed. My four sisters and I grew up together and are as close as siblings. Why would I kill them? This is slander and a frame-up.”
"But someone has confirmed that you and the three deceased, except for Yun Hua, had long been enemies and had not been in contact for many years. How could you talk about sisterly affection? You only killed Xu Cuiyun because she did not agree to your request. Your methods were cruel and ruthless. Do you think I would easily believe a cold-blooded and ruthless person who kills without hesitation?"
"I...I...I..."
Faced with Shen Yao's questioning, Xin Yunniang was powerless to defend herself and could only offer a desperate explanation.
"My lord, I did kill Xu Cuiyun. Although I, Xin Yunniang, come from a humble background, I am not inherently cold-blooded. My three sisters and I have depended on each other since childhood. How could I possibly kill someone? My lord... I have truly been wronged."
"Since you say you've been framed, then who is the real murderer?"
"I have no idea……"
Shen Yao raised an eyebrow, feeling that Xin Yunniang was making a desperate struggle and trying to mislead him. "Do you really know nothing? Or do you want to continue to deceive me?"
"My lord... I'm not lying to you. I really can't figure out which deity our four sisters have offended that would want to kill us."
After saying this, Xin Yunniang's tears fell like large pearls. The beautiful woman was so pitiful that it made people's hearts ache.
Shen Yao remained unmoved, looking at Xin Yunniang, who was crying in the hall with a serious expression. In fact, he was very annoyed. He hated women who cried all the time. Did they think that as long as they cried, all the grudges would disappear?
"Xin Yunniang, I will present your crime to the Dali Temple. Whether you are guilty or not will be determined by the three judicial departments. Guards, take the prisoner to the jail. The Dali Temple will interrogate you on a later date. Court adjourned..."
"mighty……"
Amidst the shouts of the bailiffs, Shen Yao threw out the warrant from the bamboo tube, stood up, and left the courtroom.
Xin Yunniang watched helplessly as the warrant was issued, unable to utter a sound in despair, like a soulless puppet being dragged off the courtroom by the bailiffs.
Su Yan listened to the entire process from the back room and felt that Xin Yunniang was not lying.
So, as soon as Shen Yao left the courtroom, she immediately ambushed him in the back room.
Upon seeing Shen Yao's figure, he immediately followed behind him eagerly, asking, "Lord Shen, you don't really believe that Xin Yunniang killed Yun Hua, Yun Ying, and Jing Ci, do you?"
Suddenly, a little tail appeared behind him. Shen Yao didn't pay attention at first, but as soon as Su Yan spoke, he immediately turned around, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and said in a deep voice, "What? Do you think I didn't handle the case impartially?"
Upon hearing that Shen Yao had misunderstood her words, Su Yan immediately apologized with a smile, "Lord Shen is upright and impartial, like a righteous official in the world. How could he not uphold justice? I was judging a gentleman by my own petty standards. I deserve to be punished. It was my foul mouth..."
Su Yan pretended to lightly slap her own mouth a few times.
Seeing this, Shen Yao looked at her with a somewhat speechless expression, "Alright, stop trying to be clever like Guo Huan. That approach doesn't suit you. Just say what you want to say..."
Su Yan chuckled foolishly, "My lord, you are indeed insightful. You saw through my little trick immediately. My lord, just now I heard what Xin Yunniang said, and I think she is not the murderer of Yun Hua, Yun Ying and Jing Ci."
"Oh? I'm quite interested to hear your opinion." In the past few days, Shen Yao had witnessed Su Yan's abilities, and he was genuinely curious about her case-solving skills.
"Sir, we just arrested Xin Yunniang, and now key evidence for three cases has been found in her house. This is far too much of a coincidence, and..."
Su Yan hesitated, but Shen Yao listened with great interest and urged her to continue.
"Go on..."
"I dare to guess that the murderer took the opportunity to pin all the crimes on Xin Yunniang, and the real culprit is very likely lurking among the four of them."
Who do you think is the real culprit?
"How dare I make wild guesses? But I think the murderer is related to the painting we stole from the White Horse Temple last time. It's at least a clue to keep the investigation going."
"Painting? What painting?" Shen Yao asked, looking completely bewildered.
"Sir, you don't know about the painting?"
Shen Yao shook his head.
"Brother Sun, didn't I give you the painting?"
"I had no idea about the painting being stolen."
Su Yan recalled the scene of her first meeting with Shen Yao, and realized that she had indeed not mentioned the painting to him.
Su Yan suddenly slapped her forehead, "Oh dear~ it was my oversight, I'll go to Brother Sun's house to get the painting right away."
Shen Yao blocked Su Yan's way, "No need, Sun San is in the back hall."
"Brother Sun, aren't you recuperating at home?"
"I have him come to the county office to identify the person."
Now it was Su Yan's turn to be confused. "Recognize someone? Recognize whom?"
“Naturally it is Xin Yunniang. Didn’t you say that Sun San fought with the murderer at Baima Temple? That’s why I asked him to identify whether Xin Yunniang is the woman from Baima Temple.”
"What was the result?" Su Yan looked at Shen Yao with anticipation, her eyes filled with eagerness to know the answer.
"It wasn't her."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan grinned. This proved her prediction perfectly. "Doesn't this prove that Xin Yunniang is not the murderer of Yun Hua, Yun Ying, and Jing Ci? But why did the official seem so convinced that Xin Yunniang was the murderer in court just now?"
"Of course, it's a show for those who want to see it."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan couldn't help but give Shen Yao a thumbs-up in admiration for his shrewdness and resourcefulness.
He truly is a man who has fought his way through the battlefield.
It seems that the previous perception of Shen Yao as a bully was a serious misunderstanding.
"Aren't you leaving yet? I want to see what kind of painting it is." Shen Yao urged Su Yan as they walked, heading towards the back hall without stopping.
Su Yan hurriedly followed.
When the two arrived at the back hall, many yamen runners were gathered around the room. Sun San put his feet on the table and recounted his heroic battle with the murderer in a very talkative manner.
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