Tang Wan'er, surprised that the truth she had tried to conceal was so easily exposed, showed astonishment, but it was quickly replaced by admiration.
"As expected of Lord Lin, this humble one admits defeat.
But I still have one question: how did your Lordship discover that the wine was tampered with?"
"Master Hua learned from a regular in the next room that Liu Jinhua had been tortured by Chen Chong on shards of glass. With a phobia of broken pieces, she was so cautious that she even hid her vanity mirror. Why then would she carelessly drop and shatter the wine pot?
It must be that you had instructed her beforehand, to prevent any tampering with the wine from being discovered. After ensuring Chen Chong's death, she was to shatter the wine pot to destroy the evidence."
What Lin Qingge didn't say was that although the wine pot had been pieced together by Qin Han, there were no powder residues on it.
And no matter how capable Murong Bai was, his forensic skills were far from reaching the level of her previous life, making it impossible to deduce what had been added to the wine from the shattered pot and the wine-soaked carpet.
Therefore, it's best not to offend women.
Because when women get truly ruthless, men are utterly finished.
Tang Wan'er's plan, if not flawless, was at least watertight.
At the very least, before the official court session, she had no evidence sufficient to convict Tang Wan'er.
That's why she took a risky approach, aiming to use the relationship between Tang Wan'er and Liu Jinhua as a breakthrough, deliberately accusing Liu Jinhua of being Chen Rao's accomplice and ordering them both to be executed.
Although she didn't have the authority to execute them immediately.
However, for cases with particularly severe implications, an execution first and reporting later could be permissible to set an example, though it would likely result in a deduction of several months' salary.
But she didn't actually intend to execute them.
After all, they had saved her life, and being unfortunate women themselves, she had a sixty percent chance that Tang Wan'er would step forward to speak for Liu Jinhua.
However, Tang Wan'er was far more intelligent than she anticipated. Instead of directly exonerating Liu Jinhua, she used Chen Rao, as the sole heir of the Chen family, as leverage.
If Chen Rao, as the head of the family, could spare his life, then Liu Jinhua, who was forced to obey Chen Rao's every word, would also be safe.
As Lin Qingge was lost in thought, Liu Jinhua, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly kowtowed and said:
"My Lord, the incense was lit by this sinner, and the sand ginger powder was also added to the wine by this sinner and fed by hand to that devil Chen Chong. Afterward, this sinner seduced Chen Chong into indulging himself in the wine until it was completely cooled before we moved to the bed.
Everything was done by this sinner alone; it has nothing to do with Madam Chen.
If your Lordship seeks someone to pay for Chen Chong's life, then seek this sinner!"
At this moment, Chen Rao, who had finally understood the entire situation, recovered from the shock of his second brother being murdered by two wretched women.
Hearing Liu Jinhua's attempt to take all the blame onto herself, he furiously reprimanded:
"Liu Jinhua, you vile woman, you ungrateful creature!
My second brother provided you with food and clothing, gave money to your family, and built a large house for your family, yet you colluded with outsiders to murder my second brother!"
With that, he raised his hand to strike.
But before his raised palm could fall, his wrist was bitten by a swiftly approaching black shadow.
Sharp fangs pierced the flesh, instantly drawing blood.
"Ow—!
It hurts so much—!"
Chen Rao cried out again. Little Black had already run to Lin Qingge's side, extending its bloodied tongue and wagging its tail as if seeking praise.
Lin Qingge, with a hint of disdain, reached out and petted the dog's head, "Good job. Tonight, Little Grass will add a basin of meat bones for you."
Having received praise and a pat, Little Black swaggered back to its position with an air of unrecognition.
Its dog eyes glimpsed Er Niu, who had just returned from administering the caning, and it bared its dog teeth in a show of dominance.
Though unaware of what had happened, Er Niu felt offended: ???
After this interlude.
Tang Wan'er calmly and resolutely said:
"My Lord, the murder of Chen Chong was planned by this concubine alone.
This concubine did indeed seek out Madam Liu, but she lied, claiming that the sand ginger powder had a sleep-inducing and calming effect, making one feel drowsy, and then gifted it to Madam Liu.
Madam Liu, completely unaware, put the sand ginger powder into the wine pot."
"No, no, no, My Lord, everything was done by this sinner alone; it has nothing to do with Miss Tang!"
With that, Liu Jinhua kowtowed repeatedly, hitting her forehead so hard that it bled.
Seeing this, Tang Wan'er sighed:
"Madam Liu, why must you be like this?
Not only do you owe me a debt of gratitude, but you were also sold to Chen Chong by the Liu family for releasing me, in exchange for money for your brother's marriage.
Ultimately, it is I who have wronged you."
"No, even if I hadn't met you, Miss Tang, my fate would have been to be sold by my family for money.
Therefore, the thing I am most fortunate for in this life is releasing you, Miss Tang."
As she said this, Liu Jinhua suddenly smiled:
"Since I helped you once, Miss Tang, I will surely help you a second time.
After all, you are my dearest friend, Miss Tang!"
Lin Qingge, feeling as though the lilies of her hometown had bloomed again, looked at the unexpected turn of events and interrupted:
"Tang Wan'er, Liu Jinhua, you two conspired to murder Chen Chong. For murder, the penalty is death. This official sentences you both to execution in the autumn.
As for Chen Rao, for repeatedly disrespecting the court, this official sentences you to twenty caning strokes and three days of imprisonment for repentance, as a warning to others!"
As Lin Qingge's words fell, Er Niu dragged Chen Rao away.
Tang Wan'er and Liu Jinhua emerged from the court a moment later and were led by Lu Mingxuan, who was waiting at the back, into a relatively clean and tidy prison cell.
In this era, prisons did not distinguish between men and women.
When Chen Rao, groaning on the bed after receiving his punishment, saw Tang Wan'er and Liu Jinhua from a distance, he immediately became indignant and yelled:
"Why do their prison cells have bedding and pillows readily available, while mine only has straw mats and scurrying rats and cockroaches?"
"Because they are death row inmates, and you are not."
With that, Yan Tinghao, with the shopkeeper of Xiangtang Inn still tied to his waist, walked out menacingly.
"My Lord, Chen Chong tormented them first. Tang Wan'er and the other were merely acting in self-defense. Why did you sentence them to death?
And Chen Rao, he is clearly not a good person either. Why did you only imprison him for three days?"
"A life for a life is only natural.
And though Chen Rao is not a good person, neither you nor I have any evidence of his wrongdoing. Three days of detention is already the limit."
"But—"
"Constable Yan, this official knows you are pure-hearted and hate evil, but we must always rely on evidence in all matters."
Lin Qingge then waved her sleeve and dismissed him.
Yan Tinghao left in a huff.
In the middle of the night, news of Tang Wan'er and Liu Jinhua committing suicide by poison spread from the yamen prison.