Chapter 36 Zero
Unfortunately, the following evidence was even more unfavorable to Ji Linyou.
As soon as they left the backyard, the coroners from the Dali Temple in the manor had already found out that the Qilin cup found outside the window of Ji Linyou's residence was indeed positively tested for Aconitum poison.
When the farm servants were cleaning the place where Ji Linyou did his morning exercise, they also picked up a crumpled piece of oil paper, which also had traces of aconite on it.
"All signs seem to be deepening Ji Linyou's suspicion. You could even say it's a confirmed case."
Qian Deng frowned and asked, "Although Ji Linyou is a serious suspect, he holds a military position and comes from a key department like the Imperial Guard. He even brought soldiers with him. What do you think is the best arrangement?"
Cui Fufeng analyzed, "We can't control him forcefully at this point, so we can only appease him first. However, with the county lady's promise to him, and Ling Tianshui's abilities, I believe he won't do anything too drastic or outrageous."
Ling Tianshui thought for a moment, then looked outside and saw that it was already late and the evening lights were just coming on.
He immediately stood up and said, "I'm going to stop Wei Fengyang and see if he's willing to return to the manor."
Qian Deng and Cui Fufeng both agreed. After all, Wei Fengyang came with the Eastern Palace Left Guard, and he was the only one who could temporarily control Ji Linyou and the few soldiers he brought with him.
After he left, Cui Fufeng and Qian Deng pondered the new clues again and discussed with her how to proceed next.
"After I return, I will file a complaint with the Supreme Court in the name of the Dali Temple, asking the Imperial Guards to suspend Ji Linyou from his duties and have him cooperate with the investigation at the palace. In short, we need to appease him for the time being until the matter is settled and the case is revealed."
He was well-versed in court affairs, so Qian Deng naturally approved of his arrangements: "Master Cui has acted thoughtfully and appropriately. I have no objection."
"I know the county lady doesn't believe Ji Linyou is the murderer. I hope he can understand your good intentions and stay in the backyard peacefully, and don't waste the county lady's arrangement."
Qian Deng raised an eyebrow at him. Although she didn't speak, Cui Fufeng knew exactly what she meant. "Overnight, all the suspicious points emerged and converged on him. It's so intense that it's almost deliberate, which makes me feel a little untrustworthy. If there really is someone behind this, then this person's methods are extraordinary."
Qian Deng nodded slowly and whispered, "During the cross-examination, Mr. Cui seemed a little too eager, which is quite inconsistent with your usual style. I think Mr. Cui is worried that Ji Linyou will bear a grudge against me, so he wants to take all these offensive things on himself."
A breeze blew from nowhere, causing the lights above to sway slightly. Cui Fufeng's eyes flickered as he looked at her. "This is my job, nothing more."
Qian Deng stared at him and said sincerely, "Anyway, I'm sorry to have let Cui Shaoqing take the trouble for me. Thank you very much."
Cui Fufeng's cheeks were covered with a faint red under the light, and his voice was also lowered: "Between you and me, there is no need to thank me for such a small thing."
Perhaps the atmosphere was too harmonious, and the distance between them seemed to have narrowed invisibly. Qian Deng's heart moved slightly, and he asked, "Then do you think Ling Tianshui's behavior today was also somewhat unreasonable?"
Cui Fufeng said, "Given his relationship with Ji Linyou, it's irrational; but given his relationship with Meng Lanxi, it's very reasonable."
Qian Deng nodded silently and murmured, "Yes, he is Ji Linyou's cousin. How could he react so indifferently when his cousin might be in danger? And Meng Lanxi is just the son of his benefactor, but the relationship between the two of them is so close that it makes people feel a little..."
Although her eyes were looking at the night outside the window, Cui Fufeng could see the uneasiness and hesitation in her eyes, which came from her wanting to find out the truth but not daring to touch it.
He pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "In this world of mortals, the truth is always hidden deep within. In short... the county lady had better be wary of everything and everyone, and avoid getting hurt."
Did he mean for her to be careful of Ling Tianshui?
However, Qiandeng silently recalled their meeting, acquaintance and interactions, thinking of that broad back and warm embrace, and ultimately remained silent.
Cui Fufeng thought about the shoe prints she had left on the side of Ling Tian's water clothes, and some words were churning in her heart and she was about to say them out loud.
But in the end, he lowered his eyes, and buried everything in his deep gaze.
The carriage on the return journey rumbled along, and the weather was gloomy and dark.
Everyone along the way was in a very heavy mood, and even the sound of the horses' hooves seemed less crisp.
The Jin family was well-off in both manpower and financial resources, and they had already sent someone to find a high-quality coffin overnight. They were now carrying Jin Tang's body and following them from a distance, but the crying could be heard from far away and by everyone.
They walked all the way to the Eighteen Bends, where they stopped at a rare flat spot on the steep mountain road to get some water and rest.
Qiandeng took the water handed to him by Aunt Xuanji, drank a few sips, then dismounted and walked to the place where Su Yunzhong escaped and fell off the cliff. Through the gaps in the bushes in front of him, he looked at the tombs of his father and grandfather, listened to the sound of pine trees in the wind, and was a little dazed.
She heard footsteps behind her, and she calmed down. She turned around and saw Jin Baoyi coming over hesitantly and walking behind her.
Because of his obesity, his eyes were not very big on his face. Now they were swollen and red from his grief and crying, and looked like blisters in the mountain breeze.
Qiandeng nodded at him and looked at the coffin at the end of the team.
Jin Baoyi hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty: "County Lady... Actually, it's not far from here. You can see it... you can see it... Alas!"
He spoke strangely, but was choked with sobs. Qiandeng looked at the direction he pointed, then turned around and looked behind him.
When Cui Fufeng heard what they said, he said, "If there's anything wrong, Uncle Jin can take us to see it."
Jin Baoyi nodded and wiped his eyes, moved his heavy feet, and led them to the cliff next to him. It turned out that there was a narrow path over there.
The other gentlemen also followed him, turned a corner and walked through the woods to a viewing platform on the right. Looking up, they saw the garden side of the Changhua King's Tomb below.
Qiandeng leaned on the railing and looked down, and saw the scenery near the mountain tomb that the Golden Hall had invited her to enjoy.
Those disorganized and complicated flower paths seemed messy to everyone at the time, and she also felt that they were not well handled.
But now, looking down from a high place, everyone's eyes couldn't help but linger on those winding paths for a long time, and with mixed feelings, they looked back at Qiandeng.
It turns out that when you are in the flower path, you don’t know that those messy and fragmented disordered paths with dead ends everywhere form a word with the flowers blooming in spring and summer.
Qiandeng stared at the word for a long time, tears welling up in his eyes. He felt his heart blocked by warmth and his chest ached for a moment.
The brilliant background of various colorful flowers is the word "zero".
The "zero" in Lingling County Lady's name seems to also foreshadow the entire fate between them.
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