Lin Qingge paused slightly and continued, "Furthermore, although Madam Xing’s name was not on the guest list at Jubaozhai that day.
Your personal maidservant, Xiao Hong, was indeed listed.
However, when I questioned Xiao Hong, she stated she did not leave the house that day.
In other words, it was not Xiao Hong at Jubaozhai, but you, Madam Xing!"
"This…"
Lin Qingge gave Madam Xing no chance to breathe and gazed at her sharply.
"And the reason you, Madam Xing, appeared at Jubaozhai at that time was because you discovered Yin Tao's abnormality and confiscated her blood-written accusation against Xing Wanli and others.
Of course, a single blood letter, while making the Xing family objects of public scorn, was not enough to convict them.
Therefore, I also had Master Hua investigate the Xing family.
Unexpectedly, your nephew truly lived up to my expectations.
Not only did he harm innocent girls, but he also brought his scoundrel friends, and those women, unable to bear the humiliation, either went mad or committed suicide. kuAiδugg
Yet, you, Madam Xing, being a woman yourself, not only failed to restrain Xing Wanli's misdeeds but instead indulged him in every way. Are you not afraid that those women will haunt your dreams at midnight, demanding your life?"
Lin Qingge's anger grew as she spoke.
She couldn't understand it. The world was already harsh enough on women. If they couldn't even offer each other support, why would they kick them when they were down, pushing beautiful young women into the fire pit again and again?
At this moment, Xing Wanli, beaten to a pulp, reappeared to assert his presence.
"My Lord, I am a Juren, after all. For Yin Tao, a mere lowly maid, to receive my favor was a blessing cultivated in her past life!"
"No, it was because she dug up your ancestors' graves in her past life and whipped their corpses out of their coffins that she is being harmed and demeaned by you like this in this life."
"You—"
"What 'you'? Don't you know to address me as 'My Lord'?
Still a Juren, yet so ill-mannered!
Constable Yan, slap his face!"
"Yes, My Lord!"
Under Xing Wanli's terrified gaze, Yan Tinghao stepped forward and swung his large palm again.
After Xing Wanli finally quieted down, Lin Qingge said expressionlessly, "Madam Xing, Xing Wanli, do you two recognize Zhuzi?"
The elderly woman Qin Shi heard this and exclaimed in surprise, "Zhuzi?
The Zhuzi from our village?"
"Precisely.
As per Your Lordship's instructions, I investigated the Xing family.
I coincidentally discovered that Xing Wanli had repeatedly sent people to contact that 'Hua Hua Tai Sui,' and then by following the clues, I found out that Hua Hua Tai Sui's subordinates had murdered a rural villager named Zhuzi.
After personally questioning them, Hua Hua Tai Sui's subordinates eagerly informed me.
The eldest son of the Xing family had given Hua Hua Tai Sui a sum of money and asked him to help get rid of someone.
They said that person knew things they shouldn't have known.
And that person was Zhuzi."
"Audacious Xing Wanli, I will now arrest you on the charge of hiring an assassin.
Furthermore, you forced innocent women into prostitution and indirectly caused the deaths of multiple people.
With multiple offenses, being beheaded in autumn would still be letting you off easy!
Additionally, Madam Xing, you tampered with the crime scene and aided and abetted evil. While you may be spared death, you will not escape punishment.
Guards, escort them all back to the yamen!"
Madam Xing and Xing Wanli stood stunned as if struck by lightning. Just as they were about to speak, Lin Qingge preempted them.
"No speaking, no explanations, no blabbering!
I have thoroughly investigated. With both witnesses and evidence present, there is absolutely no false accusation.
Since the Li manor is already defunct, do not waste your efforts.
Master Hua, you will inventory the property of the Li manor later.
Allocate a portion to compensate the women who were wronged by Xing Wanli, and the remainder will be confiscated and reported to the imperial court."
"Yes, My Lord."
As the culprits were led away, Lin Qingge’s mood became indescribably heavy.
Unaware of this, Yan Tinghao scratched his head and asked with confusion, "My Lord, you said Wu Cailian died a year ago. How did Manager Li transport her body, and where did he bury her?"
"Look, it's far away, yet right before your eyes."
Lin Qingge gestured with her chin to the side. Yan Tinghao looked into the distance through the open window, his confusion deepening. "My Lord, besides the lotus pond, I see nothing else?"
"It's only right that you see the lotus pond. If you saw anything else, wouldn't that scare you to death!"
Lin Qingge said casually, then explained, "According to the maidservants of the Li manor, Manager Li once ordered people to drain the water from this lotus pond a year ago and re-irrigate it."
"My Lord, you mean Wu Cailian was buried in this lotus pond by Li Bei?!"
"More or less."
With that, Lin Qingge strode out.
Just as she reached the entrance of the Li manor, Lin Qingge, who had been busy for two consecutive days without a break, suddenly remembered something important.
"Madam, we spread the news and tossed the embroidered ball, but why did Grandmother never appear?"
Although many things had happened since they arrived in Jingzhou, if she remembered correctly, this was the purpose of their trip to Jingzhou.
Meanwhile, Leng Ningyue replied with an inscrutable expression, "She has already appeared."
???
Just as Lin Qingge was about to press for details, the elderly woman Qin Shi walked over, wiping away tears. "My Lord has cleared my son's name regarding the cause of his death. This old woman thanks My Lord."
"Well, I didn't really help much.
The reason is that the Jingzhou yamen failed to ascertain the truth nineteen years ago.
Therefore, it was the official negligence of the authorities.
My trip this time was merely to correct the wrong case handled by the Jingzhou yamen nineteen years ago, so I cannot possibly accept this 'thanks'."
"My Lord is too modest.
It is not your fault, My Lord; the fault lies with this old woman.
This old woman should have realized it earlier. With Derui's personality, how could he possibly have sent money and messages home through others every so often?
So it was that child Li Bei…
To be frank, My Lord, I watched that child Li Bei grow up. He and Derui were like brothers, so I always regarded him as half a son.
But how could two people with such good relationships end up like this, how could they…"
At this point, the elderly woman Qin Shi was sobbing uncontrollably.
Just then, Lin Yan walked over from a distance and bowed to Lin Qingge. "Reporting to My Lord, I have moved Madam Qin's household registration to Jingzhou and, as per Your Lordship's instructions, transferred the deed of the Li manor to Madam Qin's name."
"This…"
"Elderly one, I have instructed Master Hua to set aside a portion of Manager Li's estate to serve as your living expenses for your old age."
This was something Lin Qingge had planned from the moment she learned of Madam Qin's identity, but she had forgotten to mention it earlier due to the infuriating behavior of Madam Xing and her nephew.
The elderly woman Qin Shi thanked Lin Qingge profusely and then, with faltering steps, turned to leave.
However, the young woman who had been standing beside Madam Qin Shi, supporting her, remained rooted to the spot, looking at Lin Qingge with ill intent.