Chapter Seventeen: The Case Was Solved That Day

  At this time, the gate was opened and a middle-aged man walked out, muttering to himself: "Where did these wild dogs come from..." Suddenly seeing many bailiffs surrounding him, he was taken aback, and subconsciously took a step back.

  Yin De saw this man and exclaimed: "Hu San! How are you here?"

  This is Hu San, the steward of the Yin De family. I don't know why he appeared here. Hu San didn't answer either, his face changed color and he turned around and ran into the house.

  The little black dog darted up like lightning, leapt up and bit down on Hu San's calf with all its might. Hu San's leg was bitten, hurting so much that he cried out in pain, struggling to break free with one foot while trying to kick the little black dog with the other, but the little black dog held tight onto Hu San's calf and refused to let go.

  Yang Qiuchi saw this and already understood a bit in his heart that Hu San was likely the murderer who killed Bai Xiaomei, so he shouted: "Catch him!"

  Lei Zhuo and others rushed up, using chains to lock up Hu San. The other catchers rushed into the house to search, and from the inner room they pulled out a woman, this woman was about thirty years old, with a pretty face. This woman was dragged to the courtyard, saw that Hu San had been locked up by iron chains, already scared pale, trembling all over, paralyzed in the courtyard.

  This Yin family is a prominent household in Guangde County. When Song, the county magistrate, first arrived to take office, his attendants who were familiar with local conditions had already compiled a small booklet containing basic information about the influential people in Guangde County and submitted it to him. Whenever there was a red-letter day or a joyous occasion at the Yin family, they would naturally invite Song to visit their residence as a guest. Therefore, Song was certainly acquainted with this steward of the Yin family, Hu San.

  Song Zhi Xian walked up to Hu San and his face sank: "Hu San, is it you who killed Bai Xiao Mei?"

  Although Hu San was the steward of a wealthy family, he had just committed a crime and was now locked up. Song Zhixian asked him directly, "Is Miss Bai dead?" Hu San thought that everything had been exposed and cried out in terror, "Miss Bai is dead? I didn't use much force to strangle her... how did she die?..."

  Between words, he has already admitted that he used violence on Bai Xiaomei. As soon as Song Zhixian heard this, his heart suddenly felt at ease, and he found the murderer!

  As for this murder case involving the family of a superior official, Song Zhixian had been uneasy all along, afraid that he would not be able to crack the case and affect his own career prospects. Unexpectedly, the case was solved on the day it was reported, which was a remarkable achievement, and its impact on his own career path was immeasurable.

  Jin Shiye also breathed a sigh of relief and turned over his fan: "Congratulations, sir, on cracking the case!"

  Song Zhixian smiled and stroked his beard, this time the case was cracked thanks to this little guy, he's a talent, must be rewarded.

  Yin De's face flashed with surprise after hearing Hu San's words, and he immediately let out a loud roar, furiously pouncing on Hu San, grabbing him and punching and kicking him wildly: "You treacherous thief! My Yin family treated you well, yet you actually resort to such viciousness. I'll kill you!"

  The crowd quickly persuaded Yin De to leave, and when they pulled him away, the steward Hu San had already been beaten until his nose was bleeding profusely, with bruises all over his face, looking like a panda.

  The case was solved, and Song Zhixian's heart had already bloomed with joy. However, his concerns were only revealed for a moment before his face sank, and he sternly asked: "You, as the steward of the Yin family, why did you resort to such vicious means? Who instructed you?"

  "Master, it's all because I had a few too many cups of Huangtang and saw Miss Bai changing clothes in the house. I was momentarily confused and... but I didn't strangle her to death! When I left, she was still gasping for air..."

  Hu San hadn't finished speaking when Yin De kicked him heavily in the face again, letting out a loud cry of pain.

  Song Zhi County was afraid that the murderer would be killed by Yin De, so he hurriedly persuaded Yin De to stop and ordered Hu San to be taken back to the county government for trial.

  After several constables took Hu San away, Magistrate Song looked at the young woman who was paralyzed on the ground: "You, you are who? Why were you with the murderer Hu San?"

  The young woman's face turned pale, and she knelt on the ground: "Report to the master: I am a civilian wife, surnamed Xie. My husband has been dead for many years, and I have been a widow at home. This Hu San is a distant relative of mine, he came to my house today, saying that he came to visit me, I...I didn't know anything about his murder! Please, master, make a decision!" After speaking, she cried out loud, panting, and kowtowed repeatedly.

  Song Zhi County nodded, twirling his whiskers and narrowing his small eyes as he gazed at the delicate young woman on the ground: "Since you have nothing to do with this case, I won't make things difficult for you either. Get up."

  The widow was overjoyed, repeatedly knocking her head in gratitude. She raised her eyes and glanced at Magistrate Song, seeing that he was squinting his eyes to size her up. In her heart, she cursed him as an old lecher, but on her face, she looked shy and charming, with a flirtatious glint in her eye, throwing a coquettish glance at Magistrate Song.

  Song Zhi County was delighted, but with so many people around and his own daughter present, it wasn't convenient to say anything. He decided to find another opportunity to talk to her again, so he cleared his throat: "Hmph! Let's go back!" Turning to leave, he suddenly heard someone call out: "Wait a minute! This woman can't be released!" The person speaking was Yang Qiuchuan.

  Song Zhixian hummed and asked: "May I ask Yang Wenchang, why can't this woman be released?"

  This big case was cracked, and the little rascal in front of him played a crucial role. If it weren't for him leading the way with his little dog, how could they have caught the culprit? So, towards this little rascal, Magistrate Song felt extremely grateful, and his tone became much more polite.

  Yang Qiuchi walked up to Song Zhi County and said in a low voice, "Sir, after Hu Sanjian killed Bai Xiaomei, he immediately escaped to this Widow Xie's house to hide. This shows that their relationship is not ordinary, and it's not just a distant relative. There may be other hidden reasons. Even if she is not an accomplice, she will likely be suspected of hiding the murderer." Turning his head to look at Widow Xie again, he continued, "This humble one just saw Widow Xie speaking, although her appearance seems very frightened, but her answers are clear and logical, and her thinking is quick. It's best to bring her back to the county government for a thorough interrogation."

  Yang Qiuchi's words made Song Zhixian nod repeatedly, thinking that this little rascal is indeed clear-headed and calm in handling matters, a true talent. He must be won over to work wholeheartedly for me. This person will surely be of great use in the future.

  Song Zhixian nodded in approval, "Very good! You're absolutely right!" He turned to his attendant and said, "Reward Yang Wu with five taels of silver!" The attendant stepped forward, took out a silver ingot from his pocket, weighed it, and handed it over to Yang Qiuchun.

  Yang Qiuchi hastily bowed and accepted the money with both hands, thanking him repeatedly. He took out the embroidered purse given by Song Yuner from his pocket, put the silver in it, and tightened the opening of the bag. Glancing at Song Yuner, who was looking at him with a hint of a smile, he deliberately stroked the purse gently with his hand, put it back into his pocket, and patted it lightly through his clothes.

  Song Yun'er retracted her smile, gave Yang Qiuchi a white eye, and turned away.

  Song Zhi County looked at Xie Widow on the ground: "Lock her up for me and take her back to the government office for trial!"

  The crowd of captors responded in unison, shook the iron chain, and with a clang, locked up Widow Xie.

  Yang Qiuchi looked at Xie Widow, only to see her staring fiercely at herself, with one hand subconsciously covering her lower body tightly, and asked in surprise: "Hey! Do you have an urgent need to pee?"

  Xie Guafu was taken aback and shook her head.

  Yang Qiuchi pointed between her legs with one finger: "Then why are you covering that place?"

  Xie's widow's face turned red and let go of her hand, but her eyes still unconsciously glanced at her lower body from time to time.

  This widow must have hidden something, and it's very important. She only got nervous and subconsciously checked the hidden thing when she knew she was going to be detained, thinking about how to deal with it.