A life of two souls traveling through time

"Have you found those two thugs?"

You Zhiji called Captain Zhou to the back room under the pretext of adjourning the court. He was delighted to learn that the case of the Zhang couple had been solved, but then he became confused: "But why did you stop me from summoning Zhao Chu? Could this matter also be related to Zhao Chu?"

"Sir, the person behind those two thugs is Zhao Chu. I am worried that sending Zhao Chu here at this time will alert the enemy."

"What?" You Zhiji was shocked and angry again.

Therefore, Zhou Bing reported all the information he had learned to You Zhiji:

"A few days ago, a servant of the Zhao family was burned on the face by Zhao Chu with hot tea because of poor service. In the end, he was driven out of the Zhao mansion. He found his subordinates with a map and revealed that it was Zhao Chu who instigated the Zhang family couple to cause trouble in Jiangnan Mingli. Later, the Zhang family couple was imprisoned. Zhao Chu was afraid that the Zhang family couple would give him away, so he sent the two ruffians to kill them. After the matter was exposed, Zhao Chu was afraid of being implicated by the two ruffians and killed the person. The body was thrown into a dry well in the Zhao family's suburban courtyard."

"Humph, this Zhao Chu is simply lawless!" After listening to Captain Zhou's report and combining it with the accusation made by Old Man Liu in the hall just now, Zhao Chu was already guilty of a heinous crime in You Zhiji's mind.

Another half stick of incense passed, and You Zhiji returned to the hall to comfort Old Man Liu first. He then promised to give justice to his son, but it would take time. Old Man Liu did not say anything more and left on his own.

"Sir, the arrival of Old Man Liu today was a coincidence, and the appearance of the Zhao family's servant was also a coincidence. I always feel that someone is fanning the flames behind the scenes." Zhou Bing said doubtfully as he looked at Old Man Liu's departing back.

"Whether there is someone behind this or it's a coincidence, our top priority is to find the suspects involved in the poisoning of the Zhang couple. Every mess has its beginning. As long as we hold on to it tightly and don't lose our composure and be led by the nose, everything will be fine." You Zhiji's face was gloomy, and the good mood brought by the Spring Festival was long gone.

The reunion dinner at the Li Mansion was held in the Plum Garden at noon. The entire Li family gathered there, except for Aunt Xin from the Bamboo Garden and her personal maid Bi'er. Li Yunye was just confused at first, but then he saw that everyone in the Li Mansion, especially Master Li, did not show up because Aunt Xin was absent from the reunion dinner, and even seemed to have gotten used to it. This made him even more curious: It was rare to see Madam Li and Aunt Xin meet each other. Would this family have two reunion dinners today during the Chinese New Year? Even if the wives and concubines of a wealthy family were jealous of each other, they would still have to eat the New Year's Eve dinner together, right? There must be a story behind this.

But no matter how curious he was, Li Yunye didn't dare to ask An Yun easily when An Ge was not around. After all, he knew very well that An Yun was like an eye arranged by Butler Fang by his side. Butler Fang would notice anything unusual. He couldn't let go of his tracks because of gossip and be discovered that he was a fake young master of the Li family.

After the firecrackers rang and the banquet was in full swing, the head of the government constable Zhou Bing led a group of constables through the deserted streets and headed straight to the outskirts of the city.

At the same time, the Zhao family was in a festive mood. The two huge red lanterns hanging on the main gate swayed gently in the wind and snow. Servants and maids came and went in the courtyard. At the sumptuous reunion dinner, compared to the Li family's restraint and indifference, the Zhao family was truly gathered together. Looking at the siblings joking and playing in front of him, and the daughter and son-in-law's deep love, Zhao Changhe was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. All his worries temporarily disappeared.

"Sieve this place up and don't let anyone leave!"

"Yes!"

At the Zhao family villa on the outskirts of Qile City, Captain Zhou Bing gave an order and the detectives behind him acted quickly, surrounding the villa from front to back.

The gate of the courtyard opened immediately, and an old man hurriedly came out. He bowed to Zhou Bing and asked with a smile, "Captain Zhou, you are so troubled to come here in person during the New Year. I wonder what you want to do?"

"Search for the suspect." Zhou Bing looked coldly at the old servant of the Zhao family. After he finished speaking, he waved his hand and several detectives bypassed the old man and broke into the villa.

"Old man, we are not familiar with this villa. Please lead the way." Seeing that the old servant of the Zhao family was about to leave quietly along the wall with a panicked look, Zhou Bing grabbed him and although he was smiling, his tone was commanding.

"Captain Zhou, who are you searching for? I'm the only one in this house today. Please allow me to go and report..." The old servant of the Zhao family was trembling and was unwilling to go in. He said with embarrassment while darting his eyes around. But before he could finish his words, Zhou Bing pushed him into the yard. The old servant of the Zhao family still did not give up and turned around to escape but was picked up by Zhou Bing again.

"What? You want to tip off? Unfortunately, it's too late. If you tell me clearly now, I will definitely plead for you in front of the prefect and reduce your crime."

"Captain Zhou, I'm just a servant who looks after someone's house. I really don't know what you mean?" The old servant of the Zhao family was now pale and knelt in front of Zhou Bing, crying.

"You don't know? If you don't know, why are you panicking? Why are you running?" Zhou Bing had lost his patience when he saw that the old servant failed to escape and started to act stupid. He pointed at the old servant kneeling in front of him and started to curse.

"Boss, the dry well has been found!" At this time, a constable ran up to Zhou Bing and reported.

Before Zhou Bing could speak, the old servant collapsed to the ground in fear.

"Take him to the dry well." Zhou Bing glanced at the old man on the snow with disdain. After giving his instructions to his subordinates, he strode towards the dry well. The old servant of the Zhao family was also escorted by two constables and followed closely behind.

At the corner of the backyard wall, there was a dilapidated dry well hidden in a dog kennel that was half a person's height. However, the roof of the dog kennel had been lifted up. Zhou Bing glanced at the two big dogs with their mouths and feet tied under the big tree, took out the map in his hand and compared it: Wow, it's really hidden, fortunately I have this map.

"Head, the iron plate covering this dry well is locked on all sides, and the chains can't be cut."

Seeing Zhou Bing coming, a constable put the knife back into the sheath, shook his head and sighed.

After Zhou Bing checked the chains, he looked at the old servant who was being held aside. The old servant was already so frightened that he dared not tell a lie. He pointed to the pavilion in the southeast and said honestly, "The key is on the beam."

As soon as the old servant finished speaking, the constable who had just drawn his sword quickly entered the pavilion and found the key. When he was about to unlock it, he was stopped by Zhou Bing.

"Old man, once the lock is opened, the secret in the dry well will no longer be a secret. Before tomorrow, the Zhao family will be in a difficult situation. Who can you count on to protect yourself then?" Zhou Bing came to the old servant of the Zhao family and decided to give him one last chance considering his advanced age.

"Captain Zhou, this really has nothing to do with me... They were the ones who killed them... Those girls were also killed by Young Master Zhao... I didn't do it... I was just a servant looking after the house, I... I... I didn't dare..." The old servant of the Zhao family knelt down in front of Zhou Bing again with a plop and cried hoarsely.

"Take him inside and have him write a confession." Zhou Bing breathed a sigh of relief and helped the old servant up and handed him over to the two detectives behind him.

After the two constables brought the old servant into the house, Zhou Bing ordered the well to be opened and the body to be retrieved.

"Master, Captain Zhou has led his men out of the city."

Butler Fang walked into the study and replied to Li Xingyuan who was looking at the account book.

"Zhizhou You is indeed efficient and decisive in his actions." Li Xingyuan put down the account book and smiled with satisfaction.

"The Zhao Mansion is doomed to be restless tonight." Butler Fang said, and then asked, "Then Master Zhao will definitely try every means to let his son escape. Do you want this old servant to..."

"No, hunting down fugitives is the government's business, we must not interfere." But before he could finish his words, Li Xingyuan hurriedly stopped him.