Xu Jingniang's stall was located on the edge of the West Market, a place where all sorts of people mingled, mostly foreigners, making it incredibly difficult to do business.
When Shen Yao's tall figure appeared in the market, passersby would always inadvertently look at him. After all, seeing someone who is good-looking makes one feel happy.
"Madam Xu, how's business lately..." Sun San greeted Xu Jingniang warmly, looking at the steamed cakes on her stall.
Xu Jingniang's eyes were red, but her expression was not as sad as it had been in court. She seemed to recognize Shen Yao next to Sun San, and her face became even colder.
"Sir, my husband died unjustly, yet you are protecting your subordinates. Are you coming to my stall to have me arrested as well?"
Before Shen Yao could answer, Sun San interjected, "Madam Xu, what are you saying? Our Lord Shen always upholds justice and would never bend the law for personal gain. This case hasn't even been formally heard yet, how can you so readily accuse someone..."
"Don't always look so resentful. The adults are looking for you to ask about some things."
Xu Jingniang snorted coldly, "Hmph... I'm framing someone? Everyone clearly saw it with their own eyes, the murder was committed with the same weapon that killed my husband, how can you tell me I can just framing someone..."
After saying that, Xu Jingniang began to pack up her things at the stall, looking like she was about to kick people out, and retorted, "I'm sorry, gentlemen, I'm not feeling well and I'm afraid I can't ask any questions. I apologize for today, I have to pack up and go home..."
Shen Yao did not stop Xu Jingniang from packing her things, but when he saw her packing, a scar was accidentally revealed on her arm.
Shen Yao smiled instead, "Madam Xu, looking at you and your husband, you don't seem like a loving couple. Is there some secret that you can't tell us in person?"
"What do you mean?" Xu Jingniang turned to look at Shen Yao, her eyes filled with anger.
Shen Yao pointed to Xu Jingniang's arm, "It seems to me that the wound on Madam Xu's arm is not an old one, but a recent one. Moreover, the scar doesn't look like an accident, but more like it was caused by someone."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Jingniang, like a frightened bird, quickly pulled down the corner of her clothes to cover her scars. Her eyes kept darting around, constantly looking elsewhere, which only aroused Shen Yao's curiosity even more.
Seeing Xu Jingniang's emotional fluctuations, Shen Yao pressed his advantage, "Madam Xu, could we perhaps talk somewhere else..."
The market was bustling with noise, making it hardly a good place to have a conversation.
Xu Jingniang did not answer immediately; her expression seemed troubled, hesitant, and her attitude wavering.
Shen Yao naturally noticed this and assumed she was worried about the stall's business, so he smiled and said, "Madam Xu, don't worry about business, I'll take care of all the steamed cakes you make..."
After saying that, he took out a tael of silver from his pocket and handed it to her, then waved for Sun San to go to the stall to pack it up.
Xu Jingniang was in a dilemma, holding the one tael of silver, as if she was already in a predicament. She knew that Shen Yao would not let her off so easily.
With a resigned sigh, he said, "Lord Shen, let's go..."
Before long, the two arrived at a private room in a teahouse. Shen Yao ordered some tea and snacks, while Xu Jingniang looked uneasy and seemed to have no appetite.
From the very beginning, Shen Yao silently observed Xu Jingniang's every move. She was suspicious. In the courtroom, she cried her heart out for the deceased Dong Dayong, but now there was no trace of grief on her face.
However, to strike a snake, one must strike its vital spot. Shen Yao was in no hurry to speak, and instead chatted with her about this and that.
"Madam Xu, tell me, what kind of person is your husband?"
"He... is a good person, he's just a bit unreliable..."
After speaking, Xu Jingniang's gaze flashed with a fleeting hint of hatred, but it did not escape Shen Yao's eyes.
"Is that so? I heard from the neighbors in Guozi Lane that Dong Dayong is a good-for-nothing good-for-nothing, not only incompetent and lazy, but also has a terrible temper. Now that things have come to this, why is Madam Xu still keeping it from me? Are you afraid of a dead man?"
"I..." Xu Jingniang hesitated, but seemed to have made a great decision. She reached up and rolled up her sleeves, revealing the hideous scars on her arms.
"My lord, I won't hide it from you anymore. My husband and I have never had a good relationship. Ever since I married him, he would beat and scold me at the drop of a hat. To be honest, I am truly happy and relieved that he is dead now..."
"Then why did you cry so bitterly for your husband in court..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingniang couldn't help but speak up and retort, "I'm not crying for him, I'm crying for myself. For five whole years, I've finally woken up from this nightmare."
"Do you know that your husband is having an affair without your knowledge?"
Xu Jingniang nodded, her face displaying an unusual coldness and composure. "I knew... I knew it from the day I married him..."
"Do you know who the woman your husband is having an affair with is?"
"I don't know... I have absolutely no interest in knowing the names of the women he's seeing outside..."
"really?"
After hearing this, Xu Jingniang couldn't help but smile. "My lord, why question how much affection I have for Dong Dayong..."
Shen Yao naturally understood the implication in Xu Jingniang's words, and smiled, "I understand. I've troubled you today, Madam Xu. I still need to continue investigating the case, so I won't bother you any longer..."
After saying that, Shen Yao got up to leave.
Just as he reached the door, Xu Jingniang called him back.
"Lord Shen, here's the money back. I don't care at all who killed Dong Dayong. All I know is that I'm free from hell..."
Xu Jingniang stuffed the money back into Shen Yao's hand and turned to leave without hesitation.
Watching Xu Jingniang's departing figure, Shen Yao stroked the silver coins in his hand thoughtfully.
During today's conversation, Xu Jingniang deliberately changed the subject most of the time, as if she had excluded Dong Dayong's extramarital affair from the whole conversation.
Logically speaking, few women could remain as calm as Xu Jingniang, knowing that her husband was having an affair.
This made Shen Yao feel very strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Although Xu Jingniang refused to reveal it, after an investigation by the government, it was found that Dong Dayong had seduced three women while he was alive.
However, after investigation, it was found that two of the women were prostitutes, and one of them was already married.
The profession of courtesans is inherently special, and Dong Dayong had absolutely no need to meet in secret at a deserted temple. However, it was Xia Hongying, who was already married, who aroused Shen Yao's suspicion.
When the investigation continued, the results surprised Shen Yao even more.
Xia Hongying is actually Wu Tiezhu's daughter-in-law, while his son Wu Yaozu has not returned home to this day in order to avoid gambling debts.
On the day Dong Dayong died, someone saw Xia Hongying arrive home just before dark.
Shen Yao also told Su Yan, who was in prison, about the news.
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