Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 366 Six Suspects

Seeing Zhou Zhao's expression suddenly darken, Song Yu became even more flustered.

He hurriedly threw down the lamb leg in his hand and began to explain, "It was wrong of me to lie. There was no mutual affection between us. I have always been very sensible. I accompanied them on the lake trip and the spring outing to make them happy. I just wanted to exchange some money from them."

Zhou Zhao's expression grew even more unfriendly. "You cheated people out of favors, and you cheated them out of money?"

Song Yu's heart tightened. His eyes flickered, and he immediately said ingratiatingly, "Young Master Zhou, what kind of deception is this?"
I'm just like the courtesans in brothels, earning a living by entertaining people. The only difference is that I don't have a madam acting as a go-between.

I didn't want to be like this, but I'm penniless, frail, and too weak to carry sacks or do business. My only talent is writing strange and supernatural tales, which the poor can't read and the rich find disreputable.

"Unless I'm driven to desperation, why would I, a grown man, want to rely on my looks for a living?"

Seeing that Zhou Zhao was unmoved, Song Yu's voice suddenly became tearful, "My lord, you have to think of it this way: they met me before their marriages, gained experience in human relationships, and had their eyes cut open by a knife, so they could see clearly who they could marry and who they couldn't... They will not be easily deceived by men's sweet words in the future."

My lord, they are my providers, how could I possibly kill them!
"My lords, I wouldn't even dare kill a chicken, how could I have killed someone! I really didn't kill anyone!"

As Song Yu spoke, he observed Zhou Zhaoniang's expression and saw that she was unmoved and her heart sank.

"According to you, does that mean the Court of Justice should praise you?"

Song Yu immediately perked up, "That won't be necessary..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Zhao coldly asked:
"Besides Xie Yunniang and Tu Ying, who are the others? What are their names, and where do they live? Did you give each of them a copy of the story you wrote? If you have no property, then whose house is this?"
Don't try to play games. Answer my questions truthfully. Otherwise, I'll send you to Chang Zuoping's hands and show you what true torture is.

Song Yu suddenly realized, “Zhu Si Niang lives in Liu Yan Lane, the one with three swallow nests in front of her house is her; Chen Ling lives in Tian Jing Lane, her family runs a winery, the one carrying the wine flag is her; Jiang Si lives in Xing Hua Lane, just ask around and you'll know the Jiang family in Xing Hua Lane, half of the lane belongs to them.”

Another one is Li Yan. Li Yan lives in Bibo Lane. She owns the Baichalou (White Tea House). She is a divorced woman with a three-year-old son.

They are all not too far apart.

They all love listening to storytelling and tales of the strange and unusual, and I take turns inviting them here to read.

How did the adults know that I gave each of them a copy of the stories I wrote?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao looked at Su Changying, who nodded slightly and lightly leaped down from the small building. He then arranged for the Northern Army to search for the four people.

"Because the murderer's targets were these six women you deceived. And the method of killing corresponded to the book you gave them."

Song Yu's expression changed drastically. "No, impossible! I really didn't kill anyone, sir, you must believe me, I didn't kill anyone!"

Zhou Zhao looked at Song Yu quietly. "What were you doing tonight? Did you go out? Are there any witnesses?"

Song Yu hurriedly wiped his face.

"During the day I have to deceive young girls... no, I can't write anything during the day, I can only write at night. From dark onwards, I sit alone at my desk and start writing. I can't cook, so I ask Granny Lin next door to bring me dinner on time."

She always manages to finish before curfew. Tonight, we had roasted lamb leg and soup noodles. I ate the soup noodles, but I was afraid I would get hungry while writing in the middle of the night, so I left the roasted lamb leg.

This is the villa of my classmate He Jiang. I live here alone, and there's no one to vouch for me.

As Song Yu spoke, he became even more flustered.

Even if he were stupid, he would know that he was now the prime suspect, after all, he had connections to the deceased and was a swindler who couldn't be brought to light. "Have you left the house? Maybe someone saw you."

Song Yu shook her head again, "No, I didn't go out."

As he spoke, he suddenly ran to the table in the room, picked up a bamboo slip that was half-written on, and said, "This is it. I've been writing this all night."

Zhou Zhao gestured for Min Cangzhi to take the bamboo slips and continued to ask, "Who did you tell about the bamboo slips you gave to those six girls? The murderer knows which scroll each of them has. I advise you to think carefully before you speak, and don't hide anything."

Song Yu lowered his head, his face mostly obscured by a fox fur hat, making it impossible to see his expression.

"A few days ago, someone bought a story I wrote. I was overjoyed and treated a few friends to drinks to celebrate."

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone started bragging about how many beauties they had around them. I was really caught up in the moment, and without thinking, I blurted it out.

Besides myself, there were five other people drinking with me at that small banquet.

Zhu Yang, Xu Yang, and He Jiang, the four of us used to be classmates.

He Jiang brought a friend I didn't recognize. His name was Chen Shanhai, and his father was a powerful official in charge of grain collection.

The other person was someone who wanted to buy my story; that person was named Fan Yin, and he worked at Duobaoge.

Multi-treasure Pavilion?
Zhou Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

She subconsciously turned around and looked towards the door. Fan Lishen was standing at the door, listening intently, but obediently did not come in as Zhou Zhao had instructed.

Seeing Zhou Zhao looking at him, Fan Lishen nodded absentmindedly, "Fan Yin is indeed from Duobaoge. I met him after I returned to Chang'an."

Zhou Zhao turned around thoughtfully, "They all clearly heard which stories you gave to which girl?"

Song Yu looked ashamed. "Yes! I was drunk and they egged me on, so I told them everything in detail."

"Did Fan Yin from Duobaoge ever mention why she wanted to buy your story?"

"He said a distinguished guest liked it, but when I asked him who it was, he didn't answer. He just said it wasn't something I should know."

As Song Yu spoke, he hurriedly bowed to Zhou Zhao, "My lord, Lord Zhou, I know everything, I've told you everything. I truly did not kill Xie Yunniang and Tu Ying, I...I...I have no evidence, but I truly did not kill anyone..."

Just then, there was a noise at the door, and Su Changying gently landed on the second floor.

Their eyes met, and Su Changying immediately said, "The Northern Army has checked on them all. The four people live not far from each other and are all safe and sound. I have arranged for them to stay together and have people to protect them. There will be no third victim."

As Su Changying spoke, she gave Song Yu a meaningful look.

Song Yu was startled, his face turning pale and then red.

He felt that with these four people sitting together, he might be the third person to be killed.

Don't wait for the second update; I probably won't finish writing before midnight, so I'll update tomorrow morning. By the way, how much debt have I accumulated? Chang Zuoping, let me see your little notebook; I still...