Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 21 The person who arranged the plan
"How could that be? I clearly killed that evil spirit Zhang Ruoqing! Even eating her flesh and blood wouldn't be enough to quell the hatred in my heart!"

Zhou Zhao shook his head. "That's the truth. Who told you that Zhang Ruoqing would meet Han Ze in Wujin Lane last night?"

Hearing his name called, Han Ze snapped out of his shock and jogged over to Zhou Zhao, flashing a fawning smile. Luckily, he had been obedient; his sister Zhao was even more amazing than she had been four years ago!

"That's right! Zhang Ruoqing told me this at the banquet yesterday! Otherwise, I wouldn't have made an appointment with Juanniang from Chunfeng Tower!"

"I didn't come to Wujin Lane; it was a last-minute decision... Aren't you afraid I'll just happen to see you all going off to kill people one by one?"

Han Ze felt he had helped Zhou Zhao and couldn't help but show a hint of pride, but when he met Zhou Zhao's meaningful gaze, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Sister Zhao, what you're about to say, can I bear it?"

He had a premonition that those mouths were about to utter words that showed no regard for his life or death.

“You’re going to kill someone anyway, why should I worry about you…” Zhou Zhao gestured with his hand around Han Ze’s neck.

Han Ze felt the memories flood his mind, and he suddenly jumped back a few steps. Zhou Zhao's hand was as chilling as a bird with a sharp beak.

"That person knows you and me very well, and is certain that you won't go to the appointment."

Distracted by Han Ze, Wu Qing calmed down.

His handsome face regained its initial calm, though his lips were somewhat pale. He shook his head at Zhou Zhao, "Wu Qing is not the kind of ungrateful person. My lord, you don't need to ask me this question anymore. I will not tell you."

“Even if Zhang Ruoqing did not die by my dagger, I still killed Cao Ben, and I am willing to go to the Court of Justice to confess my crimes.”

As he spoke, he held the mask in both hands, bent down, and handed it to his senior brother. He then took off his black robe and handed it over as well.

Zhou Zhao saw this without any surprise. She turned around and looked at Min Cangzhi and Zhu Li, who had already found the murder weapon.

"My lords, I now know who killed Zhang Ruoqing. Please help me summon a few people to the Court of Justice."

"Huo Ting, Zhu Huan, Chen Shanhai, Liu Qi, Jian An... they are eyewitnesses to Zhang Ruoqing's instigation of Cao Ben to kill Jian Yue. Han Ze will lead the way."

"And then there's Linglan, the maid from the Zhang family, and..." Zhou Zhao paused, then shifted his gaze to the dejected Zhang Xun.

"And Zhang Ruoqing's mother, Madam Zhang."

Zhang Xun suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhou Zhao in disbelief.

"Zhou Zhao, why did you summon my mother? My mother is in poor health and has been resting at home! Even if my sister's actions are unforgivable, what crime has my mother committed? Why do you have to rub salt into her wounds? I will not allow you to bring my mother out!"

"How can you be so cold-blooded and heartless? You truly are worthy of being Zhou Buhai's daughter!"

Zhou Zhao's father, Zhou Buhai, was known throughout the Great Qi Dynasty for his ruthless and merciless methods.

Zhou Zhao shook his head. "I didn't lead the people from the Court of Justice to invite you in person. Instead, I asked you to go and invite them. That's very kind of you."

Zhang Xun was speechless. He thought for a moment, then stomped his foot and gritted his teeth, "You just wait!"

Compared to Zhou Zhao leading a large group of people to take her mother to the Court of Justice and causing a huge uproar, it was better for him to go quietly.

Zhang Xun strode out, but when he reached the gate of the Cao family's residence, he suddenly froze.

No, why would he listen to Zhou Zhao's orders?
Or should they be grateful and obedient?

She hadn't yet explained why she wanted to invite his mother to the Court of Justice. Zhou Zhao didn't answer any of the questions he asked!

Min Cangzhi watched Zhang Xun's departing figure, shook the fan in his hand, and said, "Zhou Zhao, you haven't even entered the Court of Justice yet, and you're already ordering us around? Let me tell you, if you recruit so many people to the Court of Justice and can't even give us a decent answer, you'll be a laughing stock." As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhu Li throw the murder weapon and blood-stained clothes at him without any politeness.

"I found it under Wu Qing's bed. Han Ze is gone!"

Upon hearing this, Han Ze eagerly followed.

Min Zangzhi's face was covered in those things, and he couldn't keep up the smile for a moment. He touched his nose speechlessly.

Zhou Zhao is not a detective at all.

She's probably a dog trainer!
She actually made the arrangements, and some people actually listened!

"Zhu Li!" Min Zangzhi called out.

Zhu Li paused, but didn't turn around. She led the muttering Han Ze away in a long stride.

As Zhou Zhao watched his retreating figure, that inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up in her heart again. It was really strange, as she had only learned about Zhu Li for the first time yesterday, and it wasn't even today that she had truly seen what he looked like.

She shook her head; this wasn't the time to dwell on that.

……

The main hall of the Court of Justice was packed with people.

Chen Yuzhao looked at Zhou Zhao, who was standing at the top, with a complicated expression. There were all sorts of noises and discussions around him.

Only half a day has passed since the results were announced, and they have only grasped the basics and haven't even started writing yet, while Zhou Zhao has already handed in his paper.

He couldn't help but begin to suspect that the feeling of being "equally matched" with Zhou Yan when they investigated cases together was just his imagination, or that Zhou Yan was just saving face for him, after all, he was the most humble and gentle gentleman he had ever met.

Although they are siblings from the same mother, Zhou Yan's younger sister, Zhou Zhao, clearly doesn't like the idea of ​​"being equal to each other"; she prefers "being far beyond one's reach."

"Snap!" Chang Zuoping's knocking interrupted Chen Yuzhao's thoughts.

"Zhou Zhao, everyone's here. Tell me, who killed Zhang Ruoqing? You only have one chance."

When Chang Zuoping finished speaking, his face turned fierce, as if he wanted to scare Zhou Zhao back.

Zhou Zhao calmly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Yes."

“Let’s start from three months ago. Zhang Ruoqing instructed Cao Ben to capture young boys and girls to sacrifice to the gods at Fuxiao Garden. Cao Ben captured Jian Yue and accidentally killed her. At that time, Jian Yue’s brother, Wu Qing, was performing a Nuo ritual outside and was unaware of what was happening.”

"But that very night, he not only learned that Cao Ben had killed Jian Yue, but also learned of Zhang Ruoqing's actions. And the next day, he killed Cao Ben."

“Someone told him the truth right after the incident. This person was someone who was at the scene of the crime and had inside information.”

"Huo Ting, Zhu Huan, Chen Shanhai, Liu Qi... and Cao Ben's servant Jian'an, as well as Linglan, who is easily overlooked and waiting at the door."

"This insider not only told Wu Qing the truth, but also helped Wu Qing to make a plan, giving him the opportunity to take revenge on Zhang Ruoqing in Wujin Lane."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, his gaze fell on the group of witnesses with their heads bowed, "Although Wu Qing was unwilling to reveal that person's identity."

"But some things can only be done by one person."

"That person is you, Lily of the Valley."

(End of this chapter)