"Whether it's poisonous or not, I will find out for myself." Qin Shousheng finished speaking, looked at Chen Qingqing with a cold smile, and casually picked up a paper packet from the table.
"Chen Qingqing, I have conducted a thorough investigation. Nowhere in the entire Anyang County, or even the entire Daqing Dynasty, can such strange and unusual pills be found. Now, with witnesses and physical evidence, the deceased died from ingesting medicine from your shop. At this point, what else do you have to say?"
Chen Qingqing snapped out of her shock and loudly protested, "My lord, this medicine will not kill anyone. I hope you will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"You audacious scoundrel! The facts are right before your eyes, yet you still dare to argue!" Qin Shou was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. "If it weren't for the fact that you are a woman, and you are so unreasonable, I would have already subjected you to severe torture. If you don't want to suffer physical pain, I advise you to confess as soon as possible."
“Everything I’ve said is true. If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to investigate. None of the patients who have taken the same medicine at my Jishetang have experienced any poisoning.” Chen Qingqing argued firmly and respectfully.
"Whether it's poisonous or not isn't up to you to decide. Since you've denied it so many times, I'll make you admit it." After saying that, Qin Shousheng grabbed the gavel and slammed it on the table repeatedly. "Guards, bring the deceased up here for an on-the-spot autopsy. Let the criminal die knowing the truth."
At a command, several constables carried a stretcher and placed the body on the ground.
The steps below the main hall were already crowded with onlookers.
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, speculating about the truth behind the case.
When they heard that the county magistrate was going to perform an autopsy on the spot, everyone became excited and immediately focused their attention on the deceased covered with a white sheet on the stretcher.
Qin Shousheng slammed his gavel down. "Come on, coroner, examine the body and announce the results in court."
The coroner stepped forward, lifted the white sheet, and examined the body again to determine the cause of death.
"The deceased's mouth and eyes were open, his face was blue and his lips were purple, his fingernails and nails were all blue and dark, and there was blood coming from his mouth, eyes, ears and nose. From this, it can be concluded that the deceased died of poisoning."
Qin Shousheng nodded in satisfaction and then asked, "Do you know what kind of deadly poison the deceased was ingested?"
"Your Excellency, I have never seen this poison before, but it is extremely potent. The deceased died from ingesting this poison."
"Alright, then quickly check these strange white pills to see if they contain poison?" Qin Shousheng said, gesturing to the clerk beside him to take the paper packet on the table to the coroner for examination.
The coroner dared not delay, and quickly took out a few pills, crushed them, and stirred them into water until well mixed.
He then took out a silver needle and placed it in the water. After a short while, the needle tip turned jet black.
"Your Excellency, this medicine is highly poisonous!"
Qin Shousheng sneered, "Criminal Chen Qingqing, what do you have to say now? Quickly confess the truth: how did you harm the people, how did you rob and kill them?"
By observing the deceased's physical characteristics, Chen Qingqing was certain that the person had indeed died from poisoning.
To her disbelief, the medicine also tested positive for a potent poison.
There is only one possibility: her medicine has been tampered with.
At this point, Chen Qingqing was quite certain that someone had framed her and wanted to kill her.
No, we absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die.
She hurriedly explained, "My lord, I'm innocent! This medicine is problematic; it must have been tampered with. I beg you to investigate!"
"If there was tampering, who do you suspect? Is there a suspect?"
Chen Qingqing hesitated for a moment. Li An was an upright person and had no grudge against her. It couldn't be him.
Although Xiao Wu is an apprentice, he is hardworking and reliable, and would never harm himself.
There's only one possibility: Xiao Wu was used by someone else, but there's no evidence yet.
"Sir, may I examine the body to see what kind of poison she died from?"
Qin Shousheng had informed the coroner in advance, deliberately letting him test positive for a deadly poison. He didn't tell the truth because he was afraid that Chen Qingqing would find clues to clear her name, and then how could he seize all her assets?
Upon hearing that Chen Qingqing wanted to perform an autopsy, he immediately flew into a rage, "How dare you! Now that there are witnesses and physical evidence, do you still want to desecrate the corpse? You deserve to die!"
"Please calm down, sir. I can refuse to perform an autopsy, but could you please let me examine the medicine in the paper package? I only need to glance at it to know if it's from our Jishetang and whether it has been tampered with."
"Insolence!" Qin Shou slammed his fist on the table, making the pen holder tremble. He shouted angrily, "Who is the county magistrate, you or me? I'm the one judging this case, what right do you have to interfere? You even want to examine the evidence? What if you commit suicide by poisoning yourself out of fear of punishment?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Qingqing was so angry that she wanted to curse. What kind of corrupt official was this? He was simply a muddle-headed fool.
Although he was dissatisfied, he dared not say it.
After all, in this era, one cannot be disrespectful to superiors; a slight misstep could lead to an even more serious crime.
She steadied herself; she needed to find out the true cause of Hu Yuniang's death to clear herself of suspicion.
If we allow her to extract Hu Yuniang's blood or stomach contents and test them in the space, we can find out the real cause of Hu Yuniang's death, and perhaps we can follow the clues to find the person who framed her.
In order to clear her name and find out the truth, she patiently explained,
"Sir, if you're worried, you can have someone take it and I'll check it. If..."
"Shut up! What else do you have to say for yourself?"
Before Chen Qingqing could finish speaking, Qin Shousheng interrupted her sharply.
"This physical evidence is the key to your death sentence, and there can be no mistakes. Now, whether you admit it or not, I can sentence you to death."
"Guards, take the criminals Chen Qingqing and Wang Xiaowu to the prison. Sentencing will be announced at a later date!"
"Wait!" Chen Dabao stepped forward, bowed, and said loudly, "Sir, even if this medicine is poisonous, it wasn't prescribed by Chen Qingqing. It was Wang Xiaowu who colluded with someone and stole it. Even if he is guilty, it should be Wang Xiaowu's fault. What does it have to do with Chen Qingqing?"
Qin Shousheng gave a cold laugh, "One person, one ailment; one ailment, one prescription. This medicine might cure someone else's illness."
However, Hu Yuniang had a special constitution, and this medicine was poisonous to her.
Chen Qingqing condoned her servants' unauthorized dispensing of medicine to a patient, resulting in the patient's death from poisoning. Chen Qingqing is guilty of dereliction of duty, and her crime is equal to that of the principal offender.
Da Bao's eyes turned red with anxiety. "No, this isn't fair."
“If someone dies from eating your food, you must pay with your life. If you complain about unfairness, what use is this government office?” Qin Shousheng said, waving his hand at the two constables on either side. “Come on, take the prisoners Chen Qingqing and Wang Xiaowu to the jail!”
"Yes, sir!" Two constables stepped forward, ready to take action.
"Wait, sir, I have something to say."
"Fine, I'll give you that chance." Qin Shousheng sneered inwardly. Even if you spout nonsense, you're still doomed.
Chen Qingqing felt a pang of panic. She knew that only Xiao Wu knew the inside story, and she had to get him to tell the truth in order to clear their names. Otherwise, there would be no way to save them!
She turned to look at Xiao Wu kneeling in the hall, "Xiao Wu, tell the truth quickly, what exactly happened with that medicine? Did you tamper with it, or was it someone else?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
