Chapter 84 - 83: The Dead Don’t Lie (First Update)

Chapter 84: Chapter 83: The Dead Don’t Lie (First Update)

The search results were quite unsatisfactory.

Deng Youwei’s face immediately darkened, and even Xiao Yi couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

Chen Hu, standing by the side, quickly asked, "What about Wang Mazi and Chen Aizi? Did you find anything suspicious about them?"

The officer replied, "Wang Mazi, whose real name is Wang Daji, is thirty-two years old. He suffered a severe illness in his childhood, and after recovering, his face was covered with pockmarks, which made him disliked by those around him.

Chen Aizi, whose real name is Chen Xunchuan, is thirty-six years old and was short from an early age; even as an adult, he is shorter than most women.

While inquiring, my subordinates casually asked about others’ impressions of them, which were similar to Ye Niangzi and others’ opinions. They said both of them have eccentric, reclusive personalities, causing the village women to avoid them.

However, that afternoon, the villagers said they didn’t see them heading toward the forest. When we questioned Wang Daji and Chen Xunchuan, Wang Daji claimed he was home napping. Wang Daji’s household consists only of an elderly mother who works diligently in the fields from dawn, so she couldn’t verify his claim.

According to Wang Daji’s neighbors, he is known for being lazy, often sneaking off to avoid work.

Chen Xunchuan stated he spent the morning chopping firewood on the mountain and took it to the county to sell it to a tavern he regularly supplies. My subordinates immediately sent someone to verify with the tavern, and they confirmed Chen Xunchuan did come that afternoon, but they only saw him around 3:00 PM.

Xiao Xi Village is not far from the county, a horse or donkey cart ride takes about half an hour.

Since Zhuo Yuting was killed shortly after noon, if Chen Xunchuan were the murderer, he could have killed her and then taken the wood to the county to sell.

This indicates that neither had a solid alibi at the time of Zhuo Yuting’s murder.

Yet, there is no evidence linking them to the case.

Xu Jing wasn’t sitting next to Xiao Yi, so she didn’t hear clearly what the officer said, but judging by their expressions, she could tell that the investigation progress wasn’t promising.

If things drag on like this, it will soon be completely dark.

Xu Jing pondered for a moment, signaled to Chen Hu, who immediately approached her. After listening to her instructions, he glanced at Xiao Yi and Deng Youwei with a peculiar expression.

He then escorted Xu Jing outside the courtyard and walked over to Xiao Yi and Deng Youwei, saying, "Vice Minister Xiao, County Magistrate Deng, Miss Xu says she has a way to find the murderer, but she’s not sure if you’d be willing to try it."

Faced with the case at a standstill, Deng Youwei’s eyes lit up. "If there’s a way to find the murderer, why wouldn’t we try it?"

Knowing Xu Jing better, Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment.

He knew she was not someone who would suggest something impractical lightly. If it were an ordinary method, she’d state it outright without adding, "not sure if they’d be willing to try it."

She said so, likely implying that it wasn’t a conventional approach, involving some trickery.

However, given the dead ends in the investigation, some trickery might suffice; Xiao Yi was never one to strictly adhere to rules. Rather, he understood what was most crucial in such matters.

He nodded and said, "Let’s go."

And took the lead towards the main entrance.

They first briefly explained the search results to Xu Jing, which aligned with her assumptions. After listening to their account, Xu Jing said, "I have a method, and if it goes well, we might catch the real murderer tonight. However, this method involves some risk. If it fails, those connected to the case might discern our intentions and further fortify their defenses."

Deng Youwei was taken aback, his face showing some hesitation.

Miss Xu’s words clearly indicated that if they failed to succeed at once, finding the real perpetrator would become even harder!

Nonetheless, Xiao Yi’s expression remained unchanged as he said, "Please speak, Miss Xu."

After hearing Xu Jing’s plan, everyone was briefly stunned, and Chen Hu couldn’t help but remark, "The method is feasible, but what if the suspect doesn’t take the bait?"

Xu Jing calmly replied, "Judging by the state of the dead body, Lady Zhuo’s death clearly took the perpetrator by surprise, causing significant turmoil. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left such evident flaws. I believe the suspect is very likely to take the bait.

However, whether to use this method is your decision."

Xiao Yi looked at Xu Jing and said, "I think we can give it a try."

Deng Youwei, initially conflicted, saw Xiao Yi’s confidence, clenched his teeth, and said, "Fine, let’s follow Miss Xu’s instructions! Chen Hu, bring Wang Daji and Chen Xunchuan over."

Chen Hu immediately responded, hurriedly running off.

In no time, Wang Daji and Chen Xunchuan, led by Chen Hu, entered, cursing and grumbling. As Ye Anqiao mentioned, these two were indeed eyesores.

Moreover, their tempers were evidently quite violent; even before entering the courtyard, they angrily accused, "What does Zhuo Yuting’s death have to do with me? Just glancing at her made her react as if I’d killed her! I wouldn’t dare offend her!"

"Last time, her fiancé almost broke my arm, yet they blame me for her death! If I were to kill, I’d go for that pretty-boy fiancé of hers!"

Seeing their entrance, others were also shocked, baffled as to why County Magistrate Deng called these two troublemakers over.

Yet Deng Youwei didn’t give them much time to bicker, signaling Chen Hu, who immediately stepped forward, commanding, "Quiet! We have crucial leads concerning the case, and among the people present, one is the murderer of Lady Zhuo or significantly involved in her death!

Moments ago, our forensic doctor further examined Lady Zhuo’s body and discovered that someone had secretly approached her corpse after her death."

This revelation left everyone startled, shifting focus from Wang Daji and Chen Xunchuan to Chen Hu, wide-eyed with disbelief.

"Impossible! If someone saw her after death, why... why didn’t they speak up?"

"What were they thinking! Watching her lie exposed like that, never to rest in peace?"

"Quiet! Quiet!"

Chen Hu sternly intervened, "The dead don’t lie. No one understands who harmed them more than the victim.

Whether it was the murderer or someone who visited them... the truth will surface sooner or later."

Sweeping the crowd with a solemn glance, Chen Hu firmly declared, "We already have an idea of who may have visited the body. In their shock, they accidentally left something that can verify their identity!

However, considering they’re not the actual culprits, County Magistrate Deng wants to offer them a chance.

Listen closely. Since you knew the victim went into the woods, it means you watched her enter, suggesting you might have seen the real murderer.

Regardless of why you didn’t reveal your visit, if you provide any information to the county government by noon tomorrow, we won’t pursue your involvement, nor disclose your identity publicly."

After pausing, Chen Hu reiterated pointedly, "I’ll repeat, the deadline is noon tomorrow. It’s already late today, so we’re returning for now. Tomorrow at noon, we and County Magistrate Deng will return to Xiao Xi Village, and we won’t wait beyond that!"