Chapter 159: The Last Dose of Medicine

Magistrate Qiao hadn’t originally planned to close the case this way.

But this solution was undoubtedly the best way to resolve the situation.

The culprits behind the two murders had been found, and they had already been executed.

Yun Tong County’s political reputation wouldn’t be affected by an unresolved case.

Most importantly, his son, Qiao Zi Yu, had not been implicated. Even if word got out that Ye Xin Yao was pregnant, Zi Yu would at most be seen as a victim of unrequited love.

This solution was simply perfect.

At this point, the magistrate no longer cared about Lord Lu’s attitude.

Was there any perfect solution to this matter?

If they continued investigating Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an, who knew what else might be uncovered?

After thinking everything through, Magistrate Qiao finally changed his previous stance.

“This matter is so complicated, but who would have thought that by sheer coincidence, it ended like this!”

“Zhang’s mother and son were brave and fearless, daring to strike against the notorious murderer. They should be rewarded.”

“Go find Zhang Zong. I’ll make sure to reward him properly.”

As for Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an…

“Since you two had no involvement, you can leave now. Remember, as citizens of the Great Liang, you must obey the law to ensure your safety and peace.”

“Your Excellency is right!”

Xiao Huai’an had a stoic expression.

“As long as we remain law-abiding, Your Excellency, as a magistrate, will surely protect us and never wrongfully accuse us.”

Magistrate Qiao was left speechless by the implied criticism.

There were actually many unresolved questions in this case, such as the manner of Zhang Da Shan and his son’s deaths, and the background of the murderer…

But the bodies had been burned beyond recognition, and with the few people in the county office, it was obviously impossible to continue investigating.

Magistrate Qiao had no choice but to hastily close the case, assigning the murderer the identity of a thief seeking to steal the Ye family’s wealth.

As for where he came from, there was no way to trace that.

Unless Ye Da Cheng came back to life, the case would never have an answer.

When Lu Chang Qing arrived at the county office, the case had already reached its conclusion.

He anxiously waited outside the office until he saw the figures of Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

“You’re safe, that’s a huge relief!”

Lu Chang Qing patted his chest. “My heart can’t take such a scare.”

“We have nothing to fear as long as we act with integrity. What are you worried about? Do you really think your sister and brother-in-law could commit murder?”

Ye Xin Ran teased him.

“That’s not it. I’m just worried that the magistrate might be unable to distinguish right from wrong and make a wrongful conviction. I was thinking earlier, if worst comes to worst, I’ll have to ask Uncle for help.”

“Director Wei?”

Ye Xin Ran laughed. “Director Wei only cares about reading the sacred books. He’s a scholar, so he wouldn’t want to interfere with such matters. But luckily, you didn’t think of asking your father.”

Lu Chang Qing: “Unless absolutely necessary, I would never ask him. Besides, even if I did, he probably wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

“I’m not afraid that he won’t help, I’m afraid that if he gets involved, things will just get messier.”

Thinking of Lord Lu, Ye Xin Ran’s pupils involuntarily contracted.

They talked as they walked outside.

Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an had been brought here by the constables and hadn’t taken a carriage. Lu Chang Qing then instructed the coachman to take them back first.

---

Wei Residence.

Lu Ting En listened to his servant’s report and couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the tea cup.

Zhu Que, dead in Yun Bian Village?

He was the leader of the four great guards in the manor.

The other three guards were no match for him, how could he fall at the hands of two villagers?

Xuan Wu, seeing the Lord’s darkened expression, hurriedly advised: “My lord, I think the magistrate just wanted to wrap things up. The person who died might not be Zhu Que.”

The Lord finally put the tea cup down.

“If it wasn’t him, then who else could it be?

We’ve been here for so long, yet Zhu Que hasn’t shown up. We’ve searched every corner of the city and found no sign of him.

Tell me, if he’s not dead, then what else could it be?”

Xuan Wu was speechless. His thoughts aligned with his lord’s.

As a guard in the Lord’s household, during any mission, no matter the emergency, they were required to leave an internal mark for later replacement.

Zhu Que couldn’t have just disappeared for no reason.

He left no mark, meaning he was killed unexpectedly.

But what kind of person could kill Zhu Que so quietly, leaving not a single trace behind?

The Lord tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

“Go check on Ye Xin Ran’s husband and investigate his background.”

“Understood!”

Xuan Wu accepted the order and withdrew.

---

“One courtyard away,” Lu Chang Qing was also recounting the events of the day to Leng Qing Yu.

Leng Qing Yu was tense the whole time, only letting out a sigh of relief when Lu Chang Qing said that the two of them were fine and had returned home.

“The two children are also pitiful. How could they get involved in a murder case?”

“Mother, maybe it’s not bad luck?” Lu Chang Qing reminded her.

“I always feel that this situation is not as coincidental as it seems! The Ye family has been prosperous in Yun Tong County for so many years without any issues. Why, now that we’re here, did their entire family suddenly meet such a tragic fate?”

Once a person develops a prejudice against someone, it’s hard not to think every problem is related to them.

Her mother was poisoned, and the Ye family was wiped out, could all these things really have nothing to do with his father?

Leng Qing Yu understood what her son was thinking.

Although she was sure that Lu Ting En had no involvement, she wasn’t so naive as to believe he was completely blameless.

“I know you suspect your father, but you have to promise me that no matter what you do or say, you cannot let your father know.”

She cautioned her son.

“Mother!”

Lu Chang Qing was pleasantly surprised by his mother’s words.

“You also suspect…?”

Leng Qing Yu poured cold water on him.

“I don’t suspect, I just don’t want you to have any misunderstandings. I won’t stop you from investigating what you call the truth. But I don’t want you to let your father know, as it could affect the relationship between you two.”

“I understand, mother.”

Lu Chang Qing left Leng Qing Yu’s room, feeling a little depressed.

He was a smart person, but his intelligence was limited to studying.

No matter how obscure the text, it was never a challenge for him, but when it came to investigating cases and uncovering the truth, he had no idea where to begin.

But now, he wasn’t alone. He had his sister, and his sister could help him.

He believed that together, they would surely uncover the truth.

---

At Ye Xin Ran’s Home.

Ye Xin Ran placed the last batch of medicine residue that Chang Qing had handed her into the testing machine.

The previous batches of medicine had shown no issues.

This final one was especially important.

Ye Xin Ran sat quietly in the lab, waiting for the test results.

When the red light signaled the completion of the test, she got up to take the result sheet. The more she looked at it, the tighter her brows furrowed.