Qingyu Case: Female Minister of Dali Temple

While she was inquiring about the progress of the case in the second hall, Du Zhong had been in the Law Office with other officials and had never left.

Not long after the soldiers from various Caos returned to the public housing, Du Zhong went to the toilet. The next time we saw him, he was going to the gambling house with Zhou Dazhuang.

Du Zhong was very generous when he won money, so when he went to the gambling house on his way to work, no one asked him any questions or interfered.

On his way to the toilet, two servants met him and talked to him. No one saw Du Zhong enter or leave the toilet.

Did he go to the toilet on his own or was he instructed to go there? Chen Shao questioned him repeatedly, but still got no answer.

Who did he meet in the toilet or after he came out of the toilet? He didn't know anything.

Amid the rumbling of thunder, Chen Shao took out the jade chess piece he found in Du Zhong's arms and asked Zhang Boshan and others, "Did Du Zhong tell you where he got this jade chess piece?"

Qi Gao and Zhou Dazhuang looked up at the jade chess piece.

The other people in the second hall also looked up at the jade chess piece.

Qi Gao and Zhou Dazhuang didn't recognize the jade chess pieces, nor did they know that Du Zhong had any.

Others basically didn't recognize the jade chess piece.

Only Zhang Boshan mustered up the courage to take the jade chess piece from Chen Shao, and after carefully observing it for a moment, he said, "This is Shan jade, and this Buddha statue is also a Shan Buddha statue."

After flatteringly introducing the characteristics of Shan jade and Buddha statues one by one, Zhang Boshan was about to return the jade chess piece when he suddenly looked closely and said, "No, the fleshy bun on the forehead of Shan Buddha statues is mostly in the shape of a crown, but why is the fleshy bun on the forehead of this Buddha statue in the shape of a dagger?"

"That shouldn't be the case. The carving of this Buddha statue is delicate and exquisite. It's obvious that it's an old craft. How could such a mistake be made?"

Chen Shao took back the jade chess piece, looked at the dagger-shaped flesh bun of the Buddha statue, and asked calmly: "Where can I buy such a chess piece?"

"It should be difficult to buy. This green jade is unique to Shan State, and jade of this quality is also very rare in Shan State. Only Shan nobles can use it." Zhang Boshan shook his head, and suddenly smiled and said, "But if you like it, I can find a way to get you a few pieces."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Zhang." Chen Shao readily agreed, put away the chess pieces, glanced at the tired faces of everyone, and ordered, "Lock them all up and keep them well."

Then she got up and went back to Chengfeng Courtyard.

Take out the jade chess piece again.

After carefully observing it for a while under the light, Chen Shao handed it to Li Tianliu: "Take a look too."

Li Tianliu took the jade chess piece, turned it over and over for a while, and sneered: "Except for the flesh bun, I can't see how it is different from an ordinary Buddha statue."

Chen Shao gestured to Fu Jiu and Chan Yi without making any comment, "You two should take a look too."

Fu Jiu took the jade chess piece, and sometimes placed it under the lamp, and sometimes held it above her head. After a while, she said seriously, "I don't see any difference either."

Chan Yi nodded. Apart from the fleshy bun, she couldn't tell any difference.

Chen Shao took the jade chess piece she handed over, observed it again under the light for a moment, and frowned slightly: She couldn't tell the difference either.

But Zhang Boshan could see it, and he saw it at a glance.

Why could he see that?

Chen Shao handed the jade chess piece to Li Tianliu again, "Go to the gambling house and check whether there is anyone in the gambling house who recognizes this jade chess piece or whether such jade can be bought in Hongyuan County. Also... send two more people to Shan State to check whether there is any explanation for the dagger-shaped flesh bun on the forehead of the Buddha statue. Don't let the news leak out."

Li Tianliu rarely made sarcastic remarks and left with the jade chess piece.

Chen Shao stood under the lamp, silently reviewing the case from beginning to end, but still had no clue. Qi Gao's timing in killing Du Zhong was too coincidental. She had just arrived and was unfamiliar with the people and things. Du Zhong's death meant that she had lost the chance to solve the case quickly.

Turning around, he saw Fu Jiu and Chan Yi arguing quietly, and asked tentatively, "What do you think of this case?"

Fu Jiu rushed to answer, "I don't think that Mr. Zhang is a good person."

Chan Yi choked him: "Then tell me why he doesn't look like a good person?"

Fu Jiu said sternly, "Who can order Du Zhong around and let him come and go freely in the backyard? Obviously only Lord Zhang. And don't forget, he is also the one who touches the porridge and side dishes."

That makes sense! Chan Yi quickly looked at Chen Shao.

Chen Shao asked approvingly, "Master Zhang came to the rear house with us, how could he be so busy looking for Du Zhong?"

Chan Yi nodded repeatedly: "Yes."

Fu Jiu blinked and said "yes" and suddenly said, "Zhou Dazhuang said Du Zhong often came to the backyard in the past. Maybe he just came here to see something new today. The poison is actually..."

After thinking for a while, he continued, "In fact, it was secretly dropped off by Master Zhang on his way to deliver it to you, young master?"

Chan Yi retorted, "What about Du Zhong's twenty strings of cash? Also, how do you explain Zhou Dazhuang's statement that Du Zhong got the money by doing something that cost him his life?"

Fu Jiu couldn't explain, so she simply said, "Master Zhang can't be so busy looking for Du Zhong, he can always ask someone else to go. Anyway, I don't think Master Zhang is a good person! If you don't believe me, we can make a bet. Even if he is not the mastermind of this case, he is definitely related to it."

Chan Yi had won more than 100 taels of silver in bets with him before, so he said very straightforwardly: "I bet 20 taels that it's not him!"

Fu Jiu said, "Then I bet thirty taels that it's him!"

Chen Shao did not stop the two from making a bet. He sorted out the case according to Fu Jiu's thoughts, then shook his head and gave up the idea. If there were no new clues, it would be almost impossible to solve the case in a short period of time.

She came to Hongyuan County to investigate a serial murder case, and it was impossible for her to spend too much time on the poisoning case.

Fortunately, no matter whether the murderer did not want her to stay in Hongyuan County or wanted to eradicate the Chen Guogong Mansion, he must have a backup plan after the poisoning failed.

She just had to wait quietly.

After sending the two people who were still making noise out, Chen Shao washed up quickly and went to bed.

A faint light was already visible in the sky.

However, even so, she was woken up after less than two hours of sleep.

"Sir," Chan Yi's face turned pale, completely losing her usual cuteness, "someone has been killed. The murderer has killed again."

Chen Shao sat up immediately, "Who is the serial killer?"

"It was him," Chan Yi quickly took the clothes and said as she served her, "In Zhaojia Village, a six or seven-year-old child came to report to the officials. It was his mother who was killed."

Chen Shao stood up and walked out: "Immediately ask Li Tianliu to send a few Yulin Guards to guard the place. No one is allowed to disrupt the scene before I arrive."

Chan Yi took a cloak and followed her: "After hearing about the case, I went to see General Li."

Chen Shao felt relieved: "Where is that child?"

Chan Yi said, "I asked Fu Jiu to pick him up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Jiu's voice came from outside: "I've already received it!"

Chen Shao walked quickly to the door.