Retiring and Returning to One's Hometown

After listening, Wang Gangfeng nodded and said, "Head Catcher Zhu's words are reasonable. It is perfectly justifiable for Marquis Gu to preside over this case."

"Furthermore, Marquis Gu dares to directly confront even a prominent figure like General Xue."

"Even if there are foul demons and treacherous schemes in this case, they surely will not be able to stop you. I have no objections."

Gu Chengyin calmly accepted this praise, cupping his hands in salute. "Since you two lords think so highly of me, then I shall respectfully accept."

"This case has reached the ears of the Emperor. Countless eyes across the imperial court are watching us, and we only have three days."

"Because of this, the three of us must cooperate sincerely, prioritizing the truth above all else. I thank you both in advance for your full support."

Then, Gu Chengyin turned his gaze to Zhu Qi, cutting straight to the point. "Lord Zhu, you are a head catcher of the Ministry of Justice with abundant experience, and you were the first to arrive at the scene."

"What are your preliminary thoughts? Did the scene investigation yield any discoveries?"

As the topic shifted to the case itself, the atmosphere in the hall became even more solemn.

Cui Zilu also could not help but lean forward slightly, listening with rapt attention.

Zhu Qi's expression turned serious. He took out a small booklet and a few rough sketches from his robes, spreading them out on the table in the center.

"Marquis Gu, Lord Wang, please look. I received the report at the beginning of the Si hour and immediately brought my men over."

"Upon arrival, the estate was already in chaos. The deceased, Left Vice Minister of Revenue Xiao Michang, was found inside his study."

He pointed to a mark on the sketch. "The study is located in the eastern courtyard of the estate, quite secluded. The one who found him was the steward of the Left Vice Minister's estate."

"Having urgent official business to report, he knocked but received no answer. Sensing something was wrong, he broke down the door and saw Xiao Michang hanging from the roof beam."

Zhu Qi's finger moved across the sketch. "According to the preliminary examination, the time of death was around the Chen hour."

"The doors and windows of the study were all tightly shut from the inside with no signs of forced entry. The chair used to step up was knocked over beneath the body, consistent with the characteristics of a suicide by hanging."

"There were no obvious signs of a struggle at the scene, nor were any valuables missing. However, this suicide note was found on the desk."

Zhu Qi took out a letter from his chest, carefully unfolded it, and pushed it toward Gu Chengyin and Wang Gangfeng to read.

The letter paper was common stationery, and the handwriting was slightly messy.

The content of the suicide note generally stated: Xiao Michang confessed that out of greed, he had used his position over the years to collude with corrupt merchants, embezzling silver from the national treasury, and had intentionally destroyed and altered key accounts to cover up his crimes.

Recently, the Crown Prince's Palace's audit of the accounts caused him immense inner torment, making him unable to sleep at night. Knowing his sins were grave and he could not escape the laws of the land, and feeling too ashamed to face the Emperor and his colleagues, he chose to apologize with his death.

At the very end, the writing took a sudden turn, mentioning that his actions had been assisted by a certain lord in the Ministry of Rites. This person had promised to help cover up the account issues and had received bribes, but no specific name was given.

"You both have seen the contents of the suicide note,"

Zhu Qi said in a deep voice. "A preliminary comparison of the handwriting confirms it is undoubtedly Xiao Michang's own writing, and the seal is his commonly used private seal."

"Judging from the scene and the suicide note, this is a typical case of suicide out of fear of punishment."

Wang Gangfeng looked at the suicide note, frowning slightly. "A certain lord in the Ministry of Rites? Such vague wording truly invites speculation."

"Written like this, it seems more like intentionally leaving a vague direction rather than a concrete accusation."

Gu Chengyin asked, "Lord Zhu, did Xiao Michang have any unusual behavior recently?"

"What do the people in his estate, especially those close to him, say? Regarding finances, aside from the embezzlement mentioned in the suicide note, are there any unusually large sums of money?"

Zhu Qi replied, "To answer the Marquis, I have already conducted a preliminary inquiry with the steward of the estate and Xiao's wife."

"It is said that Xiao Michang had indeed been absent-minded and lacked an appetite recently. He often sighed heavily alone in his study. When asked for the reason, he always brushed it off as being troubled by official duties."

"As for unusual expenditures, there are none on the books of the Left Vice Minister's estate. His wife also stated that there were no large sums of money hidden in the residence."

"However, I have already ordered my men to carefully search the entire estate."

Gu Chengyin nodded and asked again, "What about the testimonies of the steward who found the body and the last person to see Xiao Michang? Are there any contradictions or points worth noting?"

Zhu Qi replied, "The testimonies show no obvious contradictions so far, but..."

He hesitated for a moment. "I just feel that things are a bit too logical and expected. The suicide out of fear of punishment might be real, but this suicide note..."

"Especially the part implicating the Ministry of Rites; it appeared at too convenient a time. Currently in the imperial court... well, Marquis Gu, you know."

"Minister Shangguan Yuan has just been confined to his quarters, and before the three ministries even had time to step into the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Michang committed suicide in fear of punishment."

Wang Gangfeng said slowly, "Whether it is perfectly logical or not still must be proven by evidence."

"Lord Zhu, are there any other suspicious traces at the scene? For instance, incense or medicinal residue? Has the origin of the rope been verified? Are the footprints on the stepping chair solely Xiao Michang's?"

Zhu Qi answered, "Lord Wang is thorough in his thinking; I have already paid attention to these matters."

"The rope is a hemp picture-hanging cord originally from the study, which preliminarily matches the strangulation marks on Xiao Michang's neck."

"The chair only has his own footprints, and the direction and force are consistent with kicking it away during suicide by hanging."

"As for other traces... the study is cleaned daily, so the floor is tidy. No obvious foreign footprints have been found so far."

"The incense is a commonly used soothing incense. The ashes have been sampled and are awaiting the coroner's examination."

"Medicinal residue will also require a more detailed autopsy to confirm."

He added, "Xiao Michang's body is currently resting in a side room of the estate, guarded by a coroner from the Ministry of Justice. A detailed examination has not yet been performed, awaiting Marquis Gu's orders."

Gu Chengyin pondered for a moment and said, "The scene investigation needs to be gone over once more. As for the body, I propose we go together to examine it shortly. What do you two lords think?"

Wang Gangfeng nodded. "It is only proper."

Zhu Qi also said, "Everything is at Marquis Gu's arrangement. The coroner is already waiting."

Gu Chengyin stood up. "Then let us first look at the scene, and then examine the body, Lu Zhi."

He turned his head to look at Cui Zilu, who had been trying hard to act like a background prop, yet was listening with a pounding heart and boundless excitement.

"Follow me closely, and do not touch anything recklessly, understand?"

Cui Zilu hurriedly puffed out her chest and raised her head, suppressing her wildly beating heart, trying hard to make her voice sound calm. "Yes, Marquis!"

She finally had the chance to participate in a real criminal investigation!

Although hearing about an autopsy made her a little scared, what she felt more was an unprecedented sense of thrill.

The group left the main hall and, led by Zhu Qi, walked through the stagnant atmosphere of the courtyard toward the study.

Just at this moment, the Crown Prince Token in Gu Chengyin's robes vibrated slightly, indicating that Luo Zhao had sent a new message.

Fortunately, Zhu and Wang were following behind, which gave Gu Chengyin a chance to glance at the Crown Prince Token.

However, this single glance made his heart jolt: