Chapter 652: Two Murder Weapons
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Everyone stood before the grand mansion, reading the plaque âZhou Residence.â
Ren Buqing signaled an officer with a look, and the officer stepped forward to knock on the door, âIs anyone there?â
An old man opened the door and was shocked to see such a huge crowd at the door. He hurriedly went forward and bowed. âSir, what brings you here?â
The officer opened the box to show him, âCan you identify if this is someone from your household?â
Upon seeing the head, the old manâs mind buzzed with shock, and he stepped back fearfully, trembling, âThis, this is our master, Zhou Youyuan. He, he, heâŠâ
Ren Buqing asked solemnly, âAre you sure this is your master?â
After bracing himself, the old man looked again and confirmed, âYes, thereâs a scar above Master Zhouâs right eyebrow. I remember it clearly; thereâs no mistake.â
Choking up, he asked, âHow did our master die such a terrible death?â
Chu Qingzhi signaled Chu Xujin, who then stepped forward to inquire, âOld man, to understand why your master died in such a manner, we need your cooperation to investigate the truth. Understand?â
âUnderstood, understood.â
â When was the last time you saw your master?â
The old man recalled, âI remember it was yesterday, around 6 PM. The master said he was invited out for a drink at a place just two streets away from here.â âDo you know who it was?â
âI donât know. The affairs of the master are not something a doorkeeper like me can inquire into.â
â What about your mistress? Didnât she send someone to look for him when he didnât return all night and the next morning?â
The old man gestured dismissively, âThe master often stays away from home for days. The mistress couldnât control him and eventually stopped caring.â
âGo and call your mistress.â
âYes.â
Ren Buqing instructed, âXujin, you stay here to ask questions. Try to gather as many clues as possible. Iâll go investigate the one who dined with Zhou Youyuan.â
âYes, sir.â
Zhou Youyuan, 45 years old, was originally a miner. A year ago, he had made a windfall and changed his business. He was doing well, owning several cloth shops, grain stores, and two inns, amassing a considerable fortune in just a year.
His wife, He Xiping, provided detailed information to Chu Xujin about Zhou Youyuanâs situation.
Chu Xujin asked, âMadam Zhou, did Zhou Youyuan exhibit any unusual behavior in the past few days?â
He Xiping thought for a moment, âHeâs been nervous and agitated, as if he had gotten into some trouble. He even mentioned laying low for a few days, looking very worried.â
âCould it be that he had enemies planning to confront him?â
He Xiping shook her head, âMy husband was very low-key and never made enemies. He was a very amiable person, never even raising his voice.â
âYou mentioned your family struck it rich. Can you tell us more about that?â
âMy husband said he found a piece of jade in the mine, which turned out to be of exceptional quality. He sold it for a good price.â
âHave you seen the jade stone?â
âNo, I only saw the ten thousand taels of silver notes he brought back.â
Chu Xujin glanced at Chu Qingzhi, who didnât comment, so he returned his gaze and continued, âYour husbandâs body will be kept in the mortuary for now. Once the case is resolved, you can come to claim it.â
âYes, sir.â
As the group made their way towards the Ministry of Justice, Chu Xujin asked,
âFifth Sister, what should we do next?â
Chu Qingzhi replied, âLetâs not rush. Weâll wait for Lord Ren to return and share the information heâs gathered.â
Just as they were discussing, Ren Buqing quickly approached with his men, âThe person who dined with Zhou Youyuan is named Xu Youchang, but he has also disappeared.â
The simultaneous disappearances were suspicious. Chu Qingzhi suggested, âLetâs go check Xu Youchangâs residence.â
âOkay.â
Xu Youchang lived nearby. Oddly, despite the close relationship between Zhou Youyuan and Xu Youchang, who had worked together in the mines, their families had little to no interaction, akin to strangers.
The person who reported Xu Youchangâs disappearance was his servant. Xu was wealthier than Zhou and kept a low profile, his days filled mainly with inspecting his businesses or drinking with Zhou. Other times, he stayed at home, leading a simple life.
Xuâs wife, tearfully stated, âMy husband always comes home daily. Itâs unprecedented for him to be missing for almost a day.â
âTo help find your husband, youâll need to cooperate with us.â
Iâll do anything necessary. What do you need?â
âFirst, answer some questions,â instructed Chu Xujin. âYou mentioned your husband came into a large sum of money a year ago. Can you elaborate?â
Mrs. Xu, too scared to lie, explained, âMy husband found a piece of high- quality jade while mining. It sold for ten thousand taels, and thatâs how we became wealthy.â
Chu Qingzhi thought it was too coincidental that both men struck it rich in the same manner and concluded they were lying.
âBring out one of your husbandâs frequently worn clothes.â
âYes.â Mrs. Xu had a maid fetch the clothing and handed it to Chu Xujin.
After letting Da Bai sniff the garment, Da Bai identified a direction and led the group towards the city outskirts.
The sunlight glistened on the Ruan River, scattering golden specks across its surface.
Da Bai guided everyone to the edge of the Yuan River.
Chu Qingzhi asked, âDa Bai, is the person in the river?â
Da Bai nudged her hand, indicating the person was indeed in the river, urging them to retrieve it quickly.
âLord Ren, we need to find someone to dredge the river,â Chu Qingzhi stated.
âOkay.â Ren Buqing immediately ordered someone to find the corpse dredger. Then, he looked at Da Bai with a hint of desire in his eyes.
Approaching Chu Qingzhi, Ren Buqing hesitated before asking, âMiss Qingzhi, where did Da Bai come from?â
Sensing Ren Buqingâs thoughts, Chu Qingzhi smiled and replied, âFrom the mountains near my home.â
âDo you have more there?â Ren Buqing coughed lightly, embarrassed, âDa Baiâs ability to find things is unparalleled. If the Ministry of Justice could have one too, it would be very convenient for future investigations.â
âIf youâre interested in using animals for investigations, I can find you a couple of wolves with the best sense of smell.â Chu Qingzhi offered, considering it a way to repay Ren Buqing for his assistance.
âThank you.â
The body dredgers, experienced in their craft, quickly retrieved a body from the river, similarly headless and resembling the first body found.
One dredger reported, âThe body was tied to a rope, which was attached to a large stone. We found another set of ropes and body nearby, indicating there were two bodies.â
Understanding dawned upon everyone; the perpetrator intended to permanently conceal the bodies underwater. Somehow, one body ended up near the shore.
Another dredger handed Ren Buqing a saw and rope found next to the stone, âWe found these next to the stone. Weâve brought them up.â
Awesome, they even found the murder weapon!
Ren Buqing ordered the saw and rope to be kept safe. This marked significant progress in the investigation.