Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 300 His head fell off

Chen Yin recalled the scene with lingering fear.

These spoiled rich kids all had fathers who had helped the emperor rise to power, successful brothers who held positions of authority in the court, and even their sisters who had married into prominent families of equal social standing. Any one of them could be a powerful and influential figure.

As the second and youngest sons in their families, they could practically do whatever they wanted in Chang'an.

When they were kids, there was no Zhou Zhao, the troublemaker, who would beat them up every time they met. But after the Zhou family had their troubles, Zhou Zhao reformed.

They had considered making fun of Zhou Zhao, but when they saw the "No Taboos" hairpin on his head, they immediately shut up.

She has lost her backer, but so what?

Those smarter than her aren't as crazy, and those crazier than her aren't as smart. Not only Han Ze, but they are also afraid that if they offend her, they will be stripped naked and used as a flag on the city wall.

Fortunately, they didn't provoke the troublemaker, and the troublemaker ignored them. Gradually, the Six Princes of Chang'an disappeared. These spoiled rich kids started boasting that they were fearless and acting like big shots...

Chen Yin thought for a moment, then shook his head, shaking off the familiar fear that had arisen from seeing Zhou Zhao.

He pursed his lips, and the events that had just occurred flashed through his mind.

"Sister Zhao, you may not know Song Ran. His family wasn't originally from Chang'an. We only met because his father came to Chang'an to serve as an imperial censor. That kid is cunning and full of tricks. This time, it was his idea to kidnap Brother Cangzhi and Sister-in-law Chuyou."

The secret room was in one of my villas in the south of the city. He said that Sister-in-law Chuyou was no ordinary young lady, and Brother Cangzhi was an official of the Court of Justice. They had to make it more real. Otherwise, they could go to the mass grave and bring two corpses, tie them to a wooden frame.

He's always been very efficient, so I didn't interfere and went off to ride horses with Huo Ting..."

Zhou Zhao listened attentively to Chen Yin's words; he was probably not lying.

The people in this city are stacked one on top of another, like a tower.

Although they are both spoiled rich kids, there are naturally differences in their status. Someone like Chen Yin can simply ask someone to take care of everything for him.

"So, the corpse tied to the wooden frame was Song Ran?"

Chen Yin's eyes widened. "Sister Zhao, how did you know! That's right. We agreed to take action today. Brother Cangzhi was collecting books on arithmetic and mechanical arts for Sister-in-law Chuyou, so we found someone to trick them into going there."

Everything was arranged, but Song Ran never showed up. Later, after Sister-in-law Chu You left, I came out to claim credit, and Brother Cangzhi flew into a rage and beat me up. I fell down and bumped into that wooden frame, and then… and then…”

At this point, Chen Yin's face showed horror, "Then Song Ran's head rolled off..."

The head rolled to my side, and as I struggled to my feet, I accidentally pressed it against his face!

As Chen Yin spoke, a wave of nausea washed over him. He trembled as he raised his right hand, “It was this hand that was pressing down. I knew it was Song Ran’s face the moment I saw it. His eyes were wide open, as if they were about to bulge out…”

There were bamboo skewers stuck in his neck... We were all terrified.

These past few days I've been inseparable from Huo Ting; he can vouch for me that I truly did not kill Song Ran.

Zhou Zhao's eyes flickered as he looked at Huo Ting. Huo Ting raised an eyebrow, his face showing no fear whatsoever, only composure.

Seeing Zhou Zhao looking at him, Huo Ting smiled and raised his hands. "I think the testimony probably won't be of much use, but Chen Yin is right. We didn't kill Song Ran. We thought it was a corpse he carried back from the mass grave."

Even if we were to kill someone, we wouldn't go so far as to kill the censor's son, which would bring huge trouble to our family, would it?

Not to mention, they even brought officials like Min Tianxian from the Court of Justice to the scene. With the Court of Justice involved, this matter could no longer be suppressed quietly.

"We may be fun, but we're not stupid." Zhou Zhao looked at Huo Ting's nonchalant attitude without any change in expression.

Do you recognize the female victim?

Upon hearing this, Chen Yin nodded hurriedly, "I recognize her. Song Ran has been taking her out to play a lot lately. He said her name is An Ning, and she's the young lady who owns the Wuxu Tavern, which is quite famous in Chang'an City recently. That young lady is a very good winemaker."

After Chen Yin finished speaking, he moved in front of Zhou Zhao and tried to grab her robe, but a long sword blocked his way.

He looked up and saw Su Changying standing next to Zhou Zhao, and instinctively covered his head with his hands.

"Did I hit you before?" Su Changying asked with a complicated expression.

Looking at Chen Yin's familiar expression, it seemed like he had gotten used to being beaten by him.

Chen Yin shook his head like a rattle drum, "No... I didn't hit you... Before, whoever offended Sister Zhao, I would hit them, and I always hit their faces!"

It has become a legend among the纨绔子弟 (playboys) of the capital, but he doesn't remember the person who made the legend.

Su Changying silently sheathed his sword. He was clearly cold-hearted and steady, but who would have thought he was like this before?
Chen Yin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he did not make a move.

Seeing that they had finished speaking, Zhou Zhao glanced at Li Youdao and said, "Master, I'll take Ah Huang to the scene to examine the body."

Li Youdao glanced at Zhou Zhao with concern, "Are you physically capable? I can go too, don't underestimate me!"

Zhou Zhao smiled and said, "When I'm investigating a case, I feel like I've taken a magic pill. I'd be miserable if I were lying at home."

Li Youdao thought that the people in the Court of Justice were in turmoil because of Li Huaishan's matter, especially since he was Li Huaishan's blood relative. His current position was awkward, and seeing that Su Changying did not say anything to stop him, he simply gave in to Zhou Zhao's wishes.

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then looked at Chu You, "Sister, please go home with Uncle first and have the doctor take a look and prescribe some calming soup. There's a case now, so I'll go take a look and come home to see you when I get back."

Chu You seemed a little dazed. Only then did she notice Zhou Zhao's pale face. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

Zhou Zhao smiled and said, "I am a martial artist, what could possibly happen to me? Sister, please go back quickly."

Chu You nodded, without even glancing at Min Cangzhi, and walked towards the door.

Seeing this, Chu Hang stepped forward and carried her on his back.

Min Zangzhi's expression darkened. He reached out, wanting to grab Chu You's sleeve, but pulled back the moment his fingertips touched her.

“Ayu…”

Chu You did not respond. The uncle and nephew left behind their backs and disappeared into the snow.

Zhou Zhao also ignored Min Cangzhi and had someone find Ah Huang. As promised to Su Changying, he sat in the carriage. Just as Shiwu was about to drive away, Min Cangzhi squeezed in.

His face was deathly pale, and he looked as if he were about to break apart.

His lips moved slightly, but he still said, "According to the rules of the Court of Judicial Review, you need to bring documents when you investigate a case, and I am a clerk from the Left Court. I will go with you."

Zhou Zhao gave Min Cangzhi a deep look, but didn't mention Chu You.

Do you know this Song Ran? Do you know what enemies he has?

Min Cangzhi nodded. "We know each other, but we're not close. He once asked Chen Yin to act as a middleman to ask me for a piece of calligraphy, which was the name of that tavern. I don't know what enemies he has. He usually acts like a refined gentleman, and you could say he's very amiable."