TGCFNM -Chapter 386 Trial of Yu Xiangxiang’s Case

After arriving, Chu Ling greeted Zhuang Tianyou and the others, then took the seat of honor at the top and looked down at the gathered students.

“This official has completed the investigation and found some leads. The trial will now begin.”

“First, those who knew Yu Xiangxiang, or were harassed by her, step forward. Those who do not know who Yu Xiangxiang is may step back or move to the side.”

Very quickly, people began to move.

“Second, those who passed by the small path beside the woodshed, step forward. The rest, step aside.”

The remaining students thought carefully, and another group withdrew to the side.

“Student Xu, you may not leave,” Chu Ling suddenly said. “Yu Xiangxiang repeatedly harassed you because you are Miss Pei Ningzhu’s fiancé. Therefore, you must remain for the time being.”

Xu Gong let out a cold laugh. “Your Excellency, has this somehow become my fault?”

“Not at all. It’s just that if you and Miss Pei marry, you would technically be relatives of Yu Xiangxiang. So you should stay and hear the verdict,” Chu Ling replied.

Only then did Xu Gong remain.

Chu Ling looked at the students who were left and slowly spoke:

“Lastly, this official will tell you the results of the investigation.”

“The deceased, Yu Xiangxiang, was seventeen years old. Cause of death: stabbed in the abdomen and died from poisoning. The wound was very small, suspected to have been caused by a sharp, awl-like weapon. The weapon was coated with poison. Therefore, Yu Xiangxiang was stabbed in the abdomen and subsequently died from the poison—two lives lost in one body.”

“The poison was snake venom. In addition, the weapon has been found—it was a gold hairpin inlaid with pearls, inserted into Yu Xiangxiang’s hair.”

As Chu Ling spoke, she took out the gold hairpin and showed it to everyone.

“Yu Xiangxiang’s family had fallen on hard times. Her hair ornaments were simple and obvious at a glance. This gold hairpin was completely out of place—therefore, it was left behind by the murderer.”

After saying this, Chu Ling set the hairpin aside and looked at the crowd below.

“Of course, it could not have been done by a woman. The strength required to pierce that deeply would have been beyond most women,” Chu Ling said. “That is why earlier I asked Miss Qi whether there was any man who had been particularly close to Yu Xiangxiang. But the answer seemed to be no.”

Miss Qi nodded. “Your Excellency, truly, there was none.”

Chu Ling gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. “However, based on the coroner’s estimation of the time of death, the murderer is among the students. Therefore, by using the method of elimination, we can identify the killer.”

At this moment, Zhuang Tianyou suddenly stepped forward. “Your Excellency, you just said—two lives lost?”

Chu Ling nodded. “Yu Xiangxiang was three months pregnant.”

As soon as these words fell, an uproar broke out.

The young ladies seated in the inner chamber covered their mouths in shock, never expecting Yu Xiangxiang to have so disregarded propriety and moral virtue. Had she lost her mind?

Chu Ling carefully observed each person’s expression, her brows slightly furrowed.

From the moment she failed to see Yu Xiangxiang’s ghost, she had known that Yu Xiangxiang had no lingering obsession. But how could a woman three months pregnant have no lingering attachment? Thus she concluded that the one who ended her life must have been someone she deeply loved.

Perhaps, before dying, she had even told him about her pregnancy. Perhaps the man had wept in remorse and claimed he would fetch a doctor.

But in reality, Yu Xiangxiang never lived to see any doctor. She could only lie on the soft couch, clinging to beautiful hopes for the future, before losing consciousness. As the poison spread through her body, she slowly died.

Chu Ling’s gaze flicked toward the gold hairpin on the table.

For the man to commit such an act required time—and also someone to serve as an alibi, to prove he was not present at the scene. Among these people, someone had helped cover for him.

One principal culprit. One accomplice. Two criminals.

At this time, Shangguan Shi asked, “Then, Your Excellency, who is the murderer?”

Chu Ling sighed, putting on an expression of difficulty. “The murderer was extremely cautious. Not a single trace was left in the room… Moreover, as it was a resting place for female guests, aside from Miss Pei—who had twisted her ankle—no men would have gone there, nor did anyone see any man go.”

“However, this official has a method!”

As Chu Ling spoke, she had Wan Sanjin bring out a bottle.

Wan Sanjin cleared his throat. “This contains blood taken from the infant. By testing blood ties, we can determine who the child’s father was—and thus identify the murderer!”

Chu Ling nodded heavily. “Exactly so.”

Shangguan Shi nodded. “That’s a good method. And there are only nine people to test in total.”

Xu Gong frowned and pointed at himself. “I have to do it too?”

“It’s just for comparison. After all, you have no connection to Yu Xiangxiang, and I need more samples as evidence.” Since Chu Ling had spoken, the matter was settled.

Xu Gong sighed helplessly, adopting a “do as you please” attitude.

Chu Ling then looked at Zhuang Tianyou. “This is your estate. You can’t go fetch the water yourself—have someone else prepare it… Prepare ten bowls of water. Tang Yang, come help me add another sample.”

Tang Yang let out a startled “Ah,” but still walked over.

Xu Gong casually pointed at a few students. “Lord Chu, these students are innocent. Let them fetch the water.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Alright.”

The students went out to get the water, while Chu Ling stared at the vial of blood before glancing at Su He.

Su He gave a slight nod and gestured subtly to the side: Yes, it’s Yu Xiangxiang’s blood.

Ghost Scholar suddenly laughed. “I think I understand what Su He means.”

Bai Su smiled wryly. “Then can the blood actually merge?”

Ghost Scholar replied, “Of course not. My lord is deliberately bluffing.”

Bai Su asked curiously, “Will the bluff work?”

A faint smile curved on Chu Ling’s lips. She toyed with a golden hairpin in her hand, spinning it round and round before suddenly stopping as she looked at the returning students.

“Ten students. Each of you, squeeze a little blood into your bowl.”

Xu Gong took the lead, cutting his finger with a knife and letting some blood drip in.

The other students, nervous and frightened, also cut their fingers and let their blood fall into the bowls before them.

Chu Ling signaled to Wan Sanjin.

In full view of everyone, Wan Sanjin began dripping the vial of blood into each bowl one by one, checking whether the blood would merge.

Chu Ling carefully observed every person’s expression.

At a moment like this, no matter how calm someone appeared, they would surely reveal a flaw.

And that flaw—

“Master Wan, look carefully,” Chu Ling suddenly instructed.

Wan Sanjin responded with a hum and leaned closer to the bowl before him, adding a drop of blood.

“My lord! It merged!” Wan Sanjin jumped in shock and abruptly stepped back, staring at Xu Gong. “You’re the murderer!”

Xu Gong’s expression changed dramatically. “How is that possible? It absolutely can’t be me—absolutely impossible!”

“Exactly, absolutely impossible.” Chu Ling stood up with a smile. “Clearly it was Tang Yang’s bowl that had been tampered with. So why didn’t the blood in his bowl merge? Isn’t that right?”

Still smiling, Chu Ling’s gaze shifted toward the students in the back.

At that moment, a man stepped out from among them—it was Zhang Dong.

“My lord, all the water was fine. I replaced it all with clean water. As for the bowl prepared by one of the students, I checked it—something had been added to it. I’ve already knocked that student unconscious.”

Chu Ling gave a small nod and looked at Xu Gong. “What else do you have to say?”

Xu Gong’s expression changed again. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Ling suddenly raised her hand to stop him. “I’ll speak. Xiao Hua, tie him up first.”

Xiao Hua immediately took out a rope to bind him. Xu Gong struggled fiercely and tried to fight back, but Xiao Hua easily subdued him. With Wan Sanjin’s help, they quickly tied him up securely.

Chu Ling returned to her seat and then looked toward Pei Ningzhu.

“Miss Pei, as an accomplice, you shouldn’t remain seated either. Kneel and listen to the trial.”