Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 122 Chu You Released from Prison
When Zhou Zhao returned to the Court of Justice, Li Youdao was lying in a pile of files, crossing his legs and looking at them bit by bit.

Hearing her footsteps, he didn't even look up, and said lazily, "Where did you run off to? There are still today's files to review! Also, I have a feeling that this courtyard is filled with resentment and is becoming increasingly ominous. Go find Wu Qingshan later and get some incense from him to purify the air."

As soon as Li Youdao said this, a series of coughs filled the room.

Zhou Zhao turned his head and was so frightened that he almost jumped back a step.

Behind the files, one head after another peeked out, their eyes bluish-black, their gazes resentful, their faces deathly pale, their hair disheveled, and their official robes crumpled...

They were truly filled with resentment!

These people are really courting death, staying up all night looking at old files, they just can't figure it out!
Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then shook his head and replied to Li Youdao, "We haven't found the man in black, but we know why he wanted to destroy Zhaixing Tower. Has Min Wenshu sent over the case file? This case can be temporarily closed. Chu You and Chu Hang are innocent people, can they be released?"

Li Youdao clicked his tongue twice, then waved the dossier in his hand. "A life for a life. The surviving Cheng guy will go to join his two brothers. Sigh, I think the Cheng family's ancestral graves are probably not properly buried. What kind of vicious descendants are they?"

“Sun Hanchang killed Wang Xiaoliu. Legal principles should not be separated from human sentiment; he acted to save his grandfather. However, he and Wang Xun caused the collapse of the Zhaixing Tower, committing murder, and should also be sentenced to death. As for those two men surnamed Chu, you may release them!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao was immediately delighted.

Although she had Li Youdao's token, she was not a court clerk. She could investigate cases, write down legal provisions, and give suggestions for judgments, but she had no way to submit cases to higher authorities.

She thought it would take a lot of effort to wake Li Youdao after she returned, but she didn't expect that the old man had already taken care of everything.

"What are you standing there for? You're blocking my light! Look at your awful appearance, haven't you been home for days? Don't let yourself turn to ashes in just a few days, that would bring bad luck to the area around me!"

As Li Youdao spoke, he muttered a few more words, "Really! Where did this idiot come from! He treats himself like a beast of burden, working day and night, and he doesn't get a penny more in salary."

As soon as Li Youdao finished speaking, the people in the room felt even more resentful.

The deep resentment made Zhou Zhao feel that a dark, eerie female ghost might jump out from behind the pillars in the room at any moment.

"Understood! Sir, you are a man of integrity, what do you have to fear from any evil winds? I'll be off now, and I'll bring you some wine tomorrow!"

As soon as these kind words were spoken, Zhou Zhao clearly felt an angry gaze coming from her right. She turned her head and, sure enough, saw Xu Jin's fat face.

Zhou Zhao suddenly realized, "Oh no! She stole Xu Jin's job of flattering him! This is terrible!"

As she pondered this, her eyes flickered, and she said to Xu Jin, "Senior Xu, I am new here and have little influence. I'm afraid I'll have to rely on you for such an important task as asking Wu Wenshu for incense."

Xu Jin raised his chin, his large belly pushing the table forward with a creaking sound.

He opened his mouth to boast a few words, but when he saw that Zhou Zhao, who was standing in front of him, had already disappeared, he had to swallow the boastful words back.

While Xu Jinsheng was brooding, Zhou Zhao had already been imprisoned in the Court of Justice.

As soon as Zhou Zhao reached the side where the people were being held alone, he heard Min Cangzhi's voice, "Miss Chu, what do you usually like to do for a while? I am not very talented, but I am quite proficient in the panpipes, pipa, and jade flute. When I have free time, I also go to the music bureau to teach."

Zhou Zhao listened, utterly speechless.

Min Zangzhi is usually a smart person, but when he's around Chu You, he acts like a clumsy and brainless peacock spreading its tail feathers.

If someone is in prison and you're chatting and joking around with them right outside the cell door, she would have punched you long ago.

"When doing arithmetic and drawing, I sometimes go out with my uncle to set up traps. Lord Min, Zhou Zhao injured her arm when she saved me yesterday. Has she seen a doctor?" Zhou Zhao felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this. "Sister Chu You, I'm fine! I'm late. You can go home now."

As she spoke, she looked towards the prison cell.

The prison, which had been a mess and overgrown with weeds, had been cleaned up spotlessly by Min Cangzhi. A small incense burner was even placed in the corner, from which smoke was rising. Chu You and Chu Hang each sat on a futon, with a food box between them containing fruits, pastries, and candied fruits.

Zhou Zhao's lips twitched, even though she didn't want Chu You to suffer.

But isn't Min Zangzhi being a bit too flamboyant?

Upon hearing Zhou Zhao's voice, Chu You and Chu Hang immediately stood up with joy.

Chu Hang wiped away his tears, "It's not too late, it's not too late! It's good that everyone is safe and sound! If it weren't for you, Zhou Zhao, I don't know how long this case would have dragged on. I don't care if I stay here, but I've implicated my niece, Ayou! It's all because I misjudged people and didn't see through Wang Xun and Wang Chang..."

As he spoke, his gaze towards Zhou Zhao seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Zhou Zhaoxin understood. "But Du Ziteng hasn't settled his wages? Now that this has happened, are you worried that not only will he refuse to pay, but he'll also ask you for compensation?"

Chu Hang nodded heavily. "That's right, that's right! Master Du said that after we made money on the first day of welcoming guests, he would pay me my wages that very night. It's fine if I don't take it, but those craftsmen are waiting... for such a large sum of money..."

As Chu Hang spoke, he stamped his foot anxiously.

Before Chu You could speak, Min Cangzhi immediately jumped up, "Zhou Zhao still wants to investigate the mastermind behind this case, and she has many other cases on her hands. I can handle this small matter. Anyway, Uncle Chu, if you ask Zhou Zhao, Zhou Zhao will just tell me to do it."

Zhou Zhao cursed Min Cangzhi inwardly for being shameless!
Even Chang Zuoping couldn't get him to do anything, let alone her ordering him around! How could she possibly say that out loud!
Chu Hang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Zhou Zhao took the key and opened the cell door. "Fifteen is waiting in front of the Court of Justice. He will take you back in a while. Sister, go back and fumigate with moxa and get a good night's sleep. The little building you built is very good, there is no problem at all. The problem lies with those people with ulterior motives."

"When I can afford a villa in the future, my sister will bring Uncle Chu to build a house for me."

Chu You's eyes reddened, and she nodded gently, "Mm!"

Min Zangzhi wanted to offer to deliver it, but Zhou Zhao gave him a sidelong glance, so he awkwardly fell silent.

Zhou Zhao stepped forward, helped Chu You up, and escorted her to the gate of Tingwei Temple. He only looked away after watching the carriage leave.

"Zhou Zhao, do you think I have a chance?"

Zhou Zhao frowned and looked at Min Cangzhi, "Are you really serious? If Sister Chu You is not happy, you can't do anything reckless, or I'll pluck all the hair off your body! I'll make sure you can never hold your head up in Chang'an again!"

Min Zangzhi was horrified and touched his hair in alarm.

"Zhou Zhao! No wonder you're doing so well in Tianying City. If you were given another year or two, you might even become the city lord of Tianying! How could you utter such terrifying words!"

He was a famous scholar in Chang'an, how could he become bald?
"Besides, I am a gentleman, how could I possibly do something like forcing someone? You underestimate me!"

Zhou Zhao waved to Min Cangzhi and walked towards the Zhou family, saying, "How could I be as ruthless as you, Min Wenshu, who directly poisons people's mouths!"

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he ignored Min Cangzhi's shouts and went straight home.

There were many carriages parked in front of the Zhou family's gate, making it look very lively. Many servants were carrying cloth and leather materials and filing in one after another. Zhou Zhao looked around and belatedly realized that Zhou Wan's wedding day was approaching.