TGCFNM -Chapter 317 Deserved It, Right?

Just as Prefect Xue wanted to ask who Liu Renzhao was, he saw Su He half-squatting beside the corpse inspecting it, and immediately let out a knowing snicker.

Could someone thrown out of a carriage really end up covered head to toe in blood?

So this trick, pulled all the way onto the head of Ningzhou’s Prefect—now that’s audacious.

Chu Ling ignored Prefect Xue and spoke loudly, “At noon today, in the middle of the busy market, a carriage suddenly bolted forward. The horses went completely mad, and even the coachman couldn’t control them, crashing recklessly in every direction. At that moment, Prefect Xue was riding in his sedan chair, slowly making his rounds to show concern for the people. Then, at the very brink of danger, the horses went wild toward him, leaving the Prefect breathless and clearly startled.”

“Fortunately, the two sides collided, but Prefect Xue was unharmed. However, the opposing carriage was smashed to pieces, and Liu Renzhao, the son, died on the spot. Since the two parties couldn’t reach an agreement, I have been appointed as Ningzhou’s acting prefect for today to investigate this case.”

As Chu Ling spoke, she slammed her fist on the table in righteous indignation, her face filled with incredulity.

Prefect Xue was about to ask when he had ever been “acting prefect,” but seeing Chu Ling defend him so vigorously, he just let it slide.

Chu Ling, seeing that the mark was set, exhaled in relief and began examining the case.

“The deceased, Liu Renzhao, was twenty-seven years old, a private tutor at Ningzhou Qingpu Academy. He was unmarried and still had an elderly mother at home.”

Prefect Xue glanced at the crying old man. That’s right—the father trying to pull a scam here, and at home, there really was only an elderly mother.

At this moment, Su He slowly stood up and stepped forward, presenting the autopsy report with both hands.

Wan Sanjin took it with both hands and handed it to Chu Ling.

Chu Ling flipped it open, furrowed her brows, and then looked down at the old man. “Your son has clearly been dead for three days. Why do you claim he was run over by Prefect Xue? You, a mere commoner, dare to slander a government official?”

The old man stubbornly refused to admit fault. “No! It was the Xue family who killed him!”

Chu Ling let out a cold smile and began reading the autopsy report aloud: “The deceased, Liu Renzhao, likely died three mornings ago. His feet and pant legs were muddy, clearly from hurrying to teach class. Three days ago, Ningzhou had rain; today there is none.”

Prefect Xue watched Chu Ling and became increasingly satisfied—this one is competent.

Chu Ling continued, “The deceased suffered a heavy blow to the chest, causing massive internal bleeding and death. His organs were damaged, ribs broken, so the body was found in a bent posture. He was frail and weak, with sunken cheeks, indicating long-term malnutrition, which explains his inability to resist.”

“Additionally, he had three books in his arms. They were already torn apart, but he protected them desperately, even tucking them into his clothing. Unfortunately, the books were destroyed and stained with his own blood. Furthermore, his skull shows evidence of heavy blows; the back of the head has bruising, likely from being struck with a wooden stick.”

At this moment, Su He stepped forward to add, “Sir, there’s a linear wound on his neck. When I examined him just now, I found similar marks elsewhere on his body. It seems he was beaten to death by multiple people using different weapons.”

Chu Ling nodded and looked at the gathered crowd. “Did everyone hear that clearly?”

The villagers were momentarily stunned, then all nodded in agreement.

Chu Ling then struck the gavel and shouted, “All the evidence shows that the deceased was not killed by a carriage. He was surrounded and beaten to death. Based on the mud under his feet, the osmanthus leaves he stepped on, and the square-shaped marks on his body, we can deduce that the place of his death was beneath the osmanthus tree by the little stone bridge.”

“And my men also arrived at the scene immediately. They confirmed the bloodstains under the osmanthus tree and the fragments of the deceased Liu Renzhao’s clothing. In addition, a jade pendant was left behind at the scene.”

After saying this, Chu Ling picked up the jade pendant and looked at the old man. “Take a look. Could this be the pendant that the person who killed your son was wearing?”

Old Lin didn’t bother to hide it anymore. He said directly, “Yes!”

Prefect Xue froze at this moment. Staring at the pendant, he could hardly believe his own eyes, his expression showing a hint of panic. But seeing Chu Ling’s calm demeanor, he gritted his teeth and held back for the moment.

Chu Ling put down the pendant. “Based on the testimonies of multiple eyewitnesses, I have already identified the murderer. The culprit is Prefect Xue’s son: Xue Youwei!”

Prefect Xue was taken aback. “Lord Chu!”

Chu Ling struck the gavel. “Xue Youwei wanted to take Qiulan as his concubine, but Qiulan wanted to marry Liu Renzhao instead. Harboring resentment, three days ago Xue Youwei ambushed Liu Renzhao at the little stone bridge. With four of his bodyguards, he cornered Liu Renzhao under the osmanthus tree, beating him to death!”

“Not only did Xue Youwei maliciously kill Liu Renzhao, but he has also committed eighteen other violent crimes, including falsifying official credentials, massive extortion, and deliberate injury… Now, with both witness testimony and physical evidence, I hereby sentence Xue Youwei to death! He will be executed at the street corner at noon tomorrow!”

Prefect Xue rushed forward. “Lord Chu, what do you think you’re doing, you…”

“Of course, Prefect Xue is innocent. You did not kill anyone.” Chu Ling said with a smile, looking at Prefect Xue. “Prefect, my judgment is correct, isn’t it?”

Prefect Xue gritted his teeth, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Chu Ling. “Get down from that seat!”

Chu Ling shook her head. “That won’t do. I am the one-day prefect you personally appointed, handling cases here in the Ningzhou Prefecture yamen. All the citizens can testify for me, travelers from all over the land can testify for me, merchants from north to south can testify for me… even you, Prefect Xue, can testify for me!”

Prefect Xue’s heart raced. His hand trembled slightly as he pointed at Chu Ling.

At this moment, Chu Ling also took out the Royal Prince Rui token. “By the private order of Prince Rui, I was sent to Ningzhou to investigate the iron mine. Someone secretly reported that an iron mine had been discovered but not reported and was being secretly mined, without the Ministry of Works knowing. Could this person be planning a rebellion?”

Chu Ling finished speaking and looked at Prefect Xue, the smile on her lips growing wider.

“Prefect Xue, actually I came to Ningzhou by order of Prince Rui to investigate the iron mine. I had no intention of acting as a one-day prefect, but since you kindly invited me, I could not refuse. Now that this case has been judged, let’s talk about the iron mine, shall we?”

Prefect Xue’s face suddenly went pale. His legs wobbled, and his vision blurred.

Chu Ling slowly stood up, her voice growing colder. “Prefect Xue has been upright and righteous for the people and naturally should not fear the scheming of villains. To restore your honor, and to repay your kindness in letting me serve as a one-day prefect, I will handle the iron mine case properly.”

“My lord, listen as I judge the case!” Chu Ling said with a smile, then looked at Wan Sanjin. “Master Wan, present the evidence!”

Wan Sanjin clapped his hands. “Bring the evidence! Bring the witnesses! Bring the iron mine!”

Uncle Hong stood among the crowd, his eyes filled with excitement, hastily having all the evidence presented.

This time, Prefect Xue… really deserved to die!