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Chapter 82: Differences in Positions
Although Zhu Yu's speculation was well-founded, it was also very bold. He turned the incident from a collision to intentional murder into a conspiracy.

Cao Chenfeng fell to the ground and couldn't help crying. He burst into tears. He didn't know whether it was because he felt wronged that someone finally believed in him or because he was scared.

Duke Yan looked at Zhu Yu with suspicion in his eyes.

From his point of view, he naturally hoped that Cao Tianbao would not be involved in such a bad thing. Once his reputation outside was damaged, it would have a significant impact on the entire Yan Guogong faction.

At this time, if someone could exonerate Cao Chenfeng, that would naturally be the best.

Although the reputation of being immoral is inevitable, it is better than having someone in the family who commits adultery and kills people.

But the person who stood up to prove Cao Chenfeng's innocence was actually Lu Qing's man.

Duke Yan narrowed his eyes, trying to find some clues from Lu Qing and Zhu Yu's faces that would allow him to guess what the two were planning.

It’s a pity that Lu Qing was nonchalant from beginning to end, as if he was just watching the fun.

And his chief secretary, who looked weak and frail, was actually a man of deep thoughts. At such a young age, he was so calm and not panicked at all in such a situation. This made Duke Yan think more.

After a brief thought, Duke Yan cleared his throat, and Cao Tianbao subconsciously looked at him.

"I have known General Cao for more than twenty years, right?" Duke Yan sighed slowly, "Thinking back to when we put down the rebellion, the general was so decisive and ruthless.

It is precisely because of this that he has established a great reputation in the army and is convincing.

For General Cao, being in a high position, having a good family background is naturally of utmost importance. He must not give himself the reputation of being indecisive and protecting his own nephews just because of a few words from a young man of unknown origin.

If everyone outside thinks that General Cao himself disregards the law, how will he establish his authority within the army and gain the trust of others?

His words sounded quite earnest and sincere, completely different from the arrogance and domineering attitude he had shown in front of Lu Qing before. Instead, they had the feeling of a heart-to-heart talk between old friends.

Zhu Yu didn't expect that Duke Yan would speak to others in this manner. He looked at him curiously for a few more times, but he was noticed and glanced back coldly.

Cao Tianbao had originally felt somewhat relieved and even breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Zhu Yu's well-reasoned and convincing words. However, after being reprimanded by Duke Yan, he became hesitant again.

He and Duke Yan had the same concern, which was Zhu Yu's origin.

Why would Lu Qing's men want to help Cao Chenfeng clear his name?
What if the other party just wants to make you appear to be protecting someone so that they can use this mistake to make a fuss?
Cao Tianbao could almost foresee that what happened today would be reported to Emperor Jin one by one by the censors during tomorrow's morning court session, with all of them vying to accuse him of wrongdoing.

If I handle it properly, Emperor Jin might not bother with me too much because of our long-standing relationship.

If it is not handled well... the general who holds military power in the court condones his nephews and nephews to have affairs with decent girls, abandon them and even kill people... this hat is too heavy for him to bear.

But... looking at Zhu Yu with a confident look on his face, and Cao Chenfeng who had been beaten to the point of being almost unrecognizable on the ground, Cao Tianbao really couldn't bear to do it. When there was a glimmer of hope in this situation, he directly cut off his nephew's only way to survive.

Zhu Yu saw that Cao Tianbao did not speak immediately after knocking on Duke Yan, and knew that he was still struggling in his heart, so he continued: "Now that the body and the murder weapon have been examined, it is probably too hasty to determine whether the murderer is Cao Chenfeng based on these two things alone.

I wonder if you would allow me to visit the embroidery building where Miss Zhuang was murdered?"

"Of course!" Jingzhao Yin agreed without hesitation, his attitude particularly straightforward. He now realized that the most beneficial thing for him right now was to catch the real murderer of the Zhuang family's daughter and dispel the rumor that Jingzhao Prefecture was shielding the murderer and doing nothing. As for whether the murderer was Cao Chenfeng or someone else, it didn't matter.

This matter must be made clear today, otherwise he will have a hard time explaining it.

The only one who wants to find out the truth right now is the chief secretary beside King Xiaoyao. For a small chief secretary to have such an idea, he must have the support of King Xiaoyao.

Under normal circumstances, Jingzhao Yin would never want to take the risk of offending Duke Yan by standing on the same side as Lu Qing.

But this time it's different.

Duke Yan clearly did not want to find out the truth, but instead hoped that Cao Tianbao would sacrifice his nephew Cao Chenfeng for the sake of justice in order to preserve the reputation of the general.

But this was said lightly. It was no secret in the capital how much Cao Tianbao valued his nephew. If Cao Chenfeng was really punished indiscriminately, Cao Tianbao might not dare to bear a grudge against Duke Yan, but what about others?
So it would be better to take a gamble. If the investigation proves that Cao Chenfeng is the real murderer, it will be a foregone conclusion. Then I will deal with the case impartially and General Cao will not be able to find any fault with him.

If the real murderer is someone else, then I will clear Cao Chenfeng's name, and I can report to the public, and General Cao will not be unhappy privately.

Why not!
The embroidery building where Zhuang Lanlan was murdered was sealed off by Jingzhao Prefecture after the incident, and even Zhuang Zhi was not qualified to approach it. Therefore, as long as Jingzhao Yin agreed to this matter, there would be no obstacles, and Zhuang Zhi's opinion would no longer be important.

So even though he looked reluctant, he muttered to himself as if he thought all this was just to cover up Cao Chenfeng's crime, and then he cried about his daughter's pity.

However, none of these could stop the group from heading to the Embroidery Tower.

Fortunately, the morgue was not far from the river and it didn't take long to walk there. The yamen runners from Jingzhao Prefecture had gone ahead and had already found two boats.

Zhu Yu boarded a boat with Lu Qing, followed closely by Cao Tianbao and Jingzhao Yin. Cao Chenfeng had his hands tied by the yamen runners and was also brought aboard.

Instead, Duke Yan, Lu Zhang and others were arranged on another ship.

"Wait a minute!" After getting on the boat, Zhu Yu looked back and quickly signaled to the yamen runner behind him, "Take the boatman who just identified Cao Chenfeng with you."

The yamen runner hurriedly brought the frightened boatman on board, then untied the rope and rowed towards the embroidered building.

This month, it's already a bit hot during the day, but sailing on the river with a gentle breeze makes people feel quite comfortable.

However, it seemed that the only people who could stand at the bow and enjoy the breeze as if nothing had happened were Zhu Yu and Lu Qing. The others all had their own thoughts and their expressions were not very good.

After a while, Zhu Yu saw from afar a wooden building standing on the opposite bank of the river. The entire opposite bank of the river was bare, with no other buildings facing the river, which made the wooden building particularly eye-catching. It should be the one owned by Zhuang Zhi.

The wooden building was built on the north bank of the river, facing the sunny side of the river. The weather was clear at that moment, and the water on the sunny side of the river seemed to have turned into a mirror, shining silvery and bright, so dazzling that people could not open their eyes.

Seeing this, Zhu Yu basically had an idea in his mind.

　Thanks to Vegetarian Pig for the monthly ticket!

　　(End of this chapter)