TLDPCRM 25: A Twist of Fate

Rong Zhen arrived at the entrance of the yamen, his expression serious as he scanned the interior but failed to spot Gu Yunru. He felt a little disappointed.

"Who are you people, and what is the complaint?"

The person sitting on the high seat was Gu Chengke, a student of Cheng Shaoyuan's father and highly respectful towards Cheng Shaoyuan. Whenever Cheng Shaoyuan came to the yamen to study, he would be extra cautious.

There were three people kneeling below, a young couple and an older man named Wang Dafu.

"I'm Wang Dafu. We're all from Xiaxiayang village. A murder happened in the village, and Zhou killed her mother-in-law with extreme cruelty."

Wang Dafu finished speaking and glanced at Zhou behind him. Zhou had a yellowish complexion and looked honest and simple, not like someone who would commit such a cruel act.

"Sir, I've been wronged. I only had an argument with my mother-in-law, but I really didn't have such evil thoughts."

Gu Yunru listened attentively from behind the room, put down her teacup, and walked into the hall to sit down.

Rong Zhen was about to leave when he saw her graceful figure. For some reason, his feet felt as if they were weighed down by thousands of pounds of iron.

Rong Zhen saw that Cheng Shaoyuan was very close to her, and they didn't know what they were talking about. He felt a wave of annoyance and clenched his fists silently.

"Zhou is lying. Look at her eyes, there's a problem."

Gu Yunru lowered her voice and looked at Zhou's expression through her veil. When she said these words, she deliberately looked away, indicating that she didn't speak from her heart. It seemed that her relationship with her mother-in-law, Jia Shi, was not good.

Upon hearing Gu Yunru's words, Cheng Shaoyuan observed Zhou's expression and signaled to Gu Chengke with his eyes to continue questioning.

"Cough cough, let me ask you again. How can you say that Zhou killed her mother-in-law? Did you witness it with your own eyes?" As a villager in Xiayang Village and a crucial witness in the case, Wang Dafu must have had some evidence.

Wang Dafu's eyes were dodgy, and he subconsciously swallowed saliva, saying, "I saw it with my own eyes. Early this morning, Zhou and her mother-in-law had a quarrel by the river. Zhou threatened to push her mother-in-law into the river and drown her."

Gu Yunru raised her eyebrows, thinking that Wang Dafu was avoiding the real issue and did not provide any proof that Zhou killed her mother-in-law Jia. She noticed a man kneeling beside Zhou, with a pained expression, thin face, slightly messy hair, and wearing a white mourning attire. He must be Jia's son.

Gu Yunru whispered a few words in Cheng Shaoyuan's ear, and he nodded. He cleared his throat and looked at Zhang Dalong, who had been kneeling quietly since the trial began.

"Zhang Dalong, who is this Wang Dafu to you?"

"He's my neighbor," Zhang Dalong replied. Though he answered promptly, his eyes showed that he was deliberately avoiding the issue. He probably believed Wang Dafu's words that Zhou and Jia fought due to a verbal dispute.

"Do you believe him? And where were you when this happened?" Gu asked curiously. Jia died of head trauma, but her upper body clothes were soaked before that.

"This servant was chopping wood on the mountain, and usually sells some firewood on the streets. Only after returning today did I learned about the incident, and doesn't know what to do."

Zhang Dalong spoke in a very light tone, without looking at Zhou Shi at all, indicating that their usual relationship was very indifferent. Gu Yunru took note of every subtle movement made by Zhang Dalong.

"Cheng, how do you think we should judge this case?" Gu Yunru whispered to Cheng Shaoyuan next to her. Cheng Shaoyuan looked serious, always having this expression when making decisions on cases.

Hearing her question, Cheng Shaoyuan said, "This Zhang Dalong knows nothing when asked. The officials also saw the injuries on Jia Shi's body. There was an impact on the head, indicating that she was pushed to the edge of the water tank. Zhou Shi is the prime suspect."

"I don't necessarily agree. Although Zhou Shi harbors hatred towards Jia Shi, there was no panic or disorder in her eyes. The behavior of a woman in the village who kills someone should be extremely panicked and confused. However, she showed no signs of panic throughout."

"But Zhou Shi is the only one in the village who has a motive for killing Jia Shi. If it's not her, I can't think of anyone else who would harm her."

The two of them discussed with each other for a while. Wang Dafu raised his eyes and glanced at Gu Chengke sitting in the top seat, and quickly added, "The conflict between Zhou Shi and Jia Shi is well known throughout the village, and Zhang Dalong should know this the most."

Everyone's gaze turned to Zhang Dalong. Zhang Dalong looked like a person with no ideas and a weak mind, nodding his head and recounting the conflict between Jia Shi and Zhou Shi.

"Although I don't get along with my mother-in-law, I would never harm her. Why don't you believe me!" Zhou Shi pleaded with Zhang Dalong to look at her, but Zhang Dalong had been cold and indifferent to her the entire time, completely hiding the fact that they had been married for seven years.

"It seems that there is progress in the case, and it's you, Zhou Shi! Don't you want to admit it?"

Gu Chengke's hand slap silenced the entire audience. Zhou choked back her tears and looked at Zhang Daolong with hateful eyes. She bit her silver teeth hard, looking like she was about to break a tooth and swallow it. It was really unfair.

"Lord, I did not have any intention to kill my mother-in-law. Although I am not happy with her, I have never thought of taking action, let alone killing her. I am really innocent!" Zhou cried with snot and tears.

From the looks of it, Zhang Daolong couldn't provide any useful clues. All the words followed what Wang Dafu had said, and Wang Dafu insisted that he had witnessed Zhou committing the murder.

"Are you still trying to argue? It seems that you won't confess unless I use severe torture on you," Gu Chengke said. His specialty was extracting confessions through torture, but he had forgotten that Cheng Shaoyuan was present today.

"Ahem."

Noticing the sharp gaze from the side, Gu Chengke immediately changed his words. "Please calm down a bit."

Gu Chengke calmed everyone's emotions, then hurriedly came to Cheng Shaoyuan's side, with a flattering face.

"Young Master, there are some clues to the case now. The motive and the witness are all in the court. Should we..."

"So this is how Gu Chengke solves cases. It's a bit too arbitrary," Gu Yunru finally couldn't help but speak up. Gu Chengke furrowed his brows and curiously looked at the mysterious woman in her unique attire. She came with the young master, so her status was not simple. Lord Gu showed her more respect.

"I wonder what the lady's opinion is. Although Zhou denies committing the murder, in this court, what matters is evidence. Since Wang Dafu witnessed the fight between Zhou and Jia with his own eyes, the case can be concluded."