Chapter 234 - 232: The Hermit Has a Clever Plan (First Update)

Chapter 234: Chapter 232: The Hermit Has a Clever Plan (First Update)

Because of what Xu Jing said in the end, Zhao Shaohua came over again early the next morning.

Faced with Xu Jing’s somewhat helpless gaze, Zhao Shaohua widened her eyes, with an expression of "it’s all your fault," saying, "Who told you to say that yesterday? I was so curious I couldn’t sleep all night! Luckily, I’m relatively free these days."

In the end, Xu Jing could only smile and glance at her, "Fine, if you want to follow, just follow."

Having one more person adds more strength.

On the way to the Imperial College, Xu Jing took out the intelligence Xiao Yi sent over this morning.

Zhao Shaohua leaned in curiously, "Is it about the people you asked Yanci to investigate yesterday? As expected from the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he acts swiftly."

"Yeah."

Xu Jing responded and began to read carefully.

The people Xu Jing asked Xiao Yi to investigate totaled six, five of whom were outside the Imperial College, while the other was Zheng Chengxiu.

Because Zheng Chengxiu returned to his hometown later and was not inside the Imperial College, Xu Jing also asked Xiao Yi to investigate him.

The other people’s situations were nothing special. Although they were also bullied by those four, the bullying wasn’t severe. They quickly returned to normal life, and their neighbors remarked that they didn’t notice anything strange about them.

The most concerning ones were Fang He and Zheng Chengxiu. After returning home, Fang He did not dare to tell her husband about this incident, but she seemed like a changed person, becoming silent and rarely going out. Her husband loved her but had a bad temper. Sometimes, in frustration, he would loudly question if anyone bullied her, promising revenge.

Because he shouted loudly, many neighbors heard it.

But her husband sold pork in the street, and logically he had no opportunity to enter the Imperial College.

Zheng Chengxiu’s situation was more troublesome because his hometown was some distance from the Western Capital. Investigating his situation required sending someone to his hometown, which wouldn’t yield results quickly.

Zhao Shaohua couldn’t help but sigh, "Investigating a case is not easy. You have to travel far and wide to check so many things. By the way, what was the important thing you said you had to do at the Imperial College yesterday?"

As she spoke, her eyes began to sparkle.

This was something that had tormented her all night!

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows and said, "After listening to what Hua Jiu said yesterday, I’ve been pondering a question. Those four are notorious, but they’re not stupid. They wouldn’t voluntarily disclose their deeds. Even for the three most outrageous acts Hua Jiu mentioned, if I hadn’t forced him to speak out, who would have thought they were responsible?"

Zhao Shaohua was stunned, her eyes slightly widened, "Right, according to Yanci’s investigation, Fang He clearly didn’t tell her husband she was bullied. We’re still unsure of Zheng Chengxiu’s situation and don’t know if he told anyone before his suicide. As for Miss Cao, it’s even worse. Those four basically killed Miss Cao. If someone knew they were the culprits, they would’ve been arrested long ago!

This case might not be related to those three incidents, and the perpetrator is likely to be someone who was bullied by them.

If someone else wants to avenge those bullied, they first need to know who bullied the person they wish to avenge!"

They had focused too much on those incidents after hearing Hua Jiu’s account yesterday.

Those four had done far more despicable things than just those three incidents. Besides Zheng Chengxiu, Cao Wanyi, and Fang He, they have thirteen other common enemies!

Xu Jing contemplated deeply, "Your analysis makes sense, but much of it is our speculation. We shouldn’t hastily conclude. The only thing that’s certain is that the perpetrator must be someone who has a grudge against them. This grudge could be from directly being bullied by them or someone avenging those bullied by them.

So, I intend to take a shortcut. Why did the person who attacked us in the Imperial College want to help the culprit? Did he know the culprit or their identity? Of course, he might also merely dislike those deceased and wanted to assist the perpetrator.

Whichever the case, we’ll find out by asking him."

Zhao Shaohua felt a bit dizzy already, holding her head, "How are you going to find him? Jing, I’m not trying to discourage you, but although that person’s actions seemed reckless, didn’t we have Jing’an further inquire yesterday? The Ministry of Justice clearly wants to find that person too, so they send people into the Imperial College almost daily pretending to investigate, but except for those three incidents, they haven’t encountered similar events.

That person must have noticed others trying to find him, so he’s becoming cautious now."

The last time he dared to attack Jing, it was likely because he saw they were investigating for the first time and wanted to intimidate them.

Zhao Shaohua didn’t think that person would come out if they went over again this time.

Xu Jing just smiled lightly, "The wise have their own plans."

After arriving at the Imperial College, they first met Zhao Jing’an, as usual. Xu Jing handed over the list of names she got from Hua Jiu yesterday to Zhao Jing’an, and said, "Please investigate the people not circled above, but don’t let others know you’re doing it because of this case."

They certainly don’t want others to know about their bullying experiences.

Within her power, Xu Jing still wanted to protect their privacy and dignity.

Looking at the long list of names, Zhao Jing’an fell silent.

Confucius above! How could he investigate so many people without being noticed!

Zhao Shaohua looked at him with a smile, "Alright, sis will help you later. You just say your sister has a god-sister who recently reached marrying age and wants to find a good husband, but because her family is ordinary, she wants to find a groom with a humble background but a good future, so she’s searching at the Imperial College."

Zhao Jing’an looked at Zhao Shaohua with immense gratitude, "Sister Xi, lucky you’re here!"

If they used Sister Xi’s reason, even if he asked a hundred people, he wouldn’t be afraid. Since it’s about someone’s marriage, others surely wouldn’t hide anything and would try to tell him everything they know!

Xu Jing added, "There’s one more thing. Later, pass on a few words for me."

After hearing what Xu Jing wanted them to convey, Zhao Shaohua and Zhao Jing’an couldn’t help but look at each other.

Investigating a case like this?

In no time, the news that the Holy Emperor-appointed female detective came to the Imperial College to investigate a case spread like wildfire, with increasingly exaggerated rumors—

"I heard that the female detective has already helped the court solve several major cases! The Smiling Killer case that troubled the court for years was solved by her!"

"No way? That’s a case the Ministry of Justice couldn’t solve in five years!"

"Absolutely true! There’s even an eunuch serving at the Emperor’s side with her! That shows how important she is to the Holy Emperor! I heard she even saved Duke Liang before, helping him find the culprit who murdered their family’s steward! This time, Duke Liang personally recommended her for this case!"

"Tsk, then the culprit must soon be caught, right?"

"Definitely! Between us, I actually don’t want the culprit to be caught so quickly."

While the rumors about the female detective spread wildly within the Imperial College, Xu Jing returned to the scene of the first murder case.

The surroundings were as usual, with almost no one in sight, and even the guards were driven far away by the stench, avoiding the area unless necessary.

Beside Xu Jing was only the thin Little Quanzi, as they slowly walked to the place where the night soil was disposed of.

Suddenly, a panicked, low shout came from behind—

"Miss Xu! Duck!"