Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 375 Li Shen's Proof

Changrong felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

His expression changed, and he tried to struggle to get up by circulating his inner energy throughout his body, but the foot on his back was like a demon-suppressing tower, pressing down on him so that he had no strength to turn over.

He thrashed about a few times, looking just like a turtle that had been held down.

Changrong was utterly shocked. He used to be a well-known figure in the martial arts world. Although he had become somewhat lax since following Fan Yin and falling into a life of wealth and luxury, he never imagined that he would be unable to withstand even a single move from Su Changying.

Su Changying was truly too strong; he was completely powerless to fight back.

His eyes flickered, and he shouted at Fan Lishen, "What are you doing? I'm here at the Court of Judicial Review..."

Before he could finish speaking, his words caught in his throat. Fan Lishen shook his head slightly, removed the hemp rope binding him, jumped off the horse, and walked to Changrong with his head down.

“I have treated you well, so why did you and Fan Yin betray me? Was it for money? If you just asked, I would give it to you without hesitation.”

Stop lying, you're acting like a clown. Ah Zhao has found evidence that you are the murderer who killed those three girls.

Do you remember? You used to be a chivalrous knight-errant who knew how to repay kindness. You said you would take me with you to roam the world, to punish evil and promote good.

Back then, you lived a very difficult life, exposed to the elements, and your hands and feet were covered in chilblains. When you came to teach me martial arts, I saw that your hands were swollen and oozing pus, so I asked the imperial physician to prescribe a chilblain ointment. Every winter, as long as you apply it to the chilblains, they will heal in a few days.

The first time I applied the medicine for you, you were so touched that you cried.

You said that besides Fan Yin, I am the second best person to you in this world.

The young woman you just killed was named Xiaoli; your frostbite cream was left on her hand.

Changrong was taken aback, remained silent for a long time, and then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Haha, after all these years, Fan Lishen, how come you're still a fool who doesn't know the hardships of life?"
Don't look at me with that condescending pity... You're good for nothing, what else do you have besides a good background?
Where did the money you so casually give away come from? It was earned by Fan Yin through hard work, and it was obtained by me, Chang Rong, at the cost of my life. You only need to lie at home, ignorant of the ways of the world, and you can have everything. Why should you?

The princess is dead, and the prince consort is dead. You are like a sparrow with a golden ring on your foot. If you don't have a master to protect you in a cage, any snake, eagle, or hand can easily snap your neck!

Look at you, a sparrow covered in blood, nothing more than a dead man's belly, hell for you, you can't fly out at all!
How could someone like you possibly manage Duobaoge?

Why would anyone betray you? You're still asking such a naive question. It's because no one has ever been loyal to you in the first place. It's because money can corrupt people; who would want to be your dog if given the chance to be a human being?

Fan Lishen's face turned pale. "So you've always thought you were a dog, but I've never treated you like dogs."

Changrong's rampant laughter froze and came to an abrupt halt.

Fan Lishen didn't ask anything more. He pursed his lips, clenched his fists, and walked towards the Court of Justice.

Just as they reached the top of the steps, Changrong suddenly seemed to want to get back at them, and said fiercely, "Your wealth and glory are all stolen; you are nothing at all."

Zhou Zhao frowned as she listened, and seeing that more and more people were gathering around, she gave Su Changying a wink.

Su Changying nodded, arrested Changrong, and the group headed towards the Tingwei Temple prison, where Fan Yin was imprisoned.

As they approached the dungeon gate, after Su Changying handed Changrong over to the jailer, Zhou Zhao reached out and pulled him aside. Then, he stood on tiptoe and whispered a few words in Su Changying's ear. Su Changying's fingers trembled, and he nodded solemnly.

Without saying a word, he lightly stepped forward and flew directly out of the Court of Justice.

As Zhou Zhao watched Su Changying's departing figure, his heart was already filled with a thousand thoughts.

The person behind the scenes clearly had two objectives: one was to entangle Fan Lishen in the case and hinder her and Su Changying's investigation; the other was to take advantage of the fact that Fan Lishen was in trouble and had not yet had time to take over Duobaoge, and directly consolidate this power.

Since she joined the Court of Justice, her investigations have always been characterized by swift and decisive action.

So how long can this case hold them back? One day? Two days? But what happens after this case? Sooner or later they will have to return to the Shanming Changyang case. There are only two suspects now, either Grand Commandant Huo or Marquis of Huaiyang.

It's either this or that; when she finally finds out who it is, that person will be doomed.

He knew perfectly well that the case wouldn't stop her, but he still took action. He knew that seizing the Treasure Pavilion would inevitably attract His Majesty's attention and make it easier to expose himself, but he still threw it out head-on.

What does this mean? It means that he is bound to make a desperate move in the next two days.

Zhou Zhao thought to himself and then let out a cold laugh.

Unfortunately, Zhou Zhao wouldn't give him even a day's work. The Treasure Pavilion also belongs to Fan Lishen, and if he wants it, no one can take it away from him.

Zhou Zhao thought to himself and then followed them into the Tingwei Temple prison.

The prison was very damp; every time you stepped on the ground, you could hear the sound of water splashing.

When Zhou Zhao went in, Chang Rong had already been imprisoned in the cell next to Fan Yin's.

Fan Yin's face was slapped high by Chang Zuoping, making him look quite terrifying. He sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at Fan Lishen with a complicated expression.

"Why, Fan Yin?"

“Li Shen, I also have the surname Fan. I want the Treasure Pavilion. Money and silk are tempting, and I am no exception to the common desire.”

Upon hearing this, Changrong couldn't help but speak up, "Didn't your little boss ask you? Are you still coaxing him? Does he deserve it?"

Fan Yin interrupted Chang Rong, angrily rebuking him, "Chang Rong."

Changrong, like a dog whose collar had been pulled off by its owner, turned his head away and muttered discontentedly, "He's not surnamed Fan, and Duobao Pavilion was never his to begin with. If it weren't for him, would the real young master have fallen to such a state?"

Zhou Zhao frowned as she listened. She looked at Ah Huang and saw the bamboo hat move, as if it were looking at her.

Their eyes met, and finally their gazes fell on Fan Lishen.

Fan Lishen stood in front of the prison door, his face full of confusion upon hearing this. "The real young master? What do you mean by that?"

Fan Yin pursed her lips. "Not long ago, a young lady came to Duobao Pavilion. She was the same age as you and looked seven-tenths like Princess Changyang. She wore a jade pendant that had been passed down in the Fan family around her neck. Accompanying her was Aunt Li, who used to serve the princess closely."

When the lady gave birth, it was Aunt Li who took care of her in the room. Aunt Li was terminally ill and didn't have much time left. On her last days, she found that girl and told her the truth about what happened back then.

The lady injured her body during childbirth and is unable to conceive again. She worries that the lord will seek another heir in the future…

Fan Lishen interrupted Fan Yin in disbelief, "So, you believed what they said, that my mother switched her own child?"

Fan Yin didn't reply, and everyone around was shocked.

Min Zangzhi waved his feather fan, while Chang Zuoping stared intently, as if waiting for someone to lose their temper and damage every blade of grass and tree in the Tingwei Temple, at which point he would immediately pull out his notebook and make someone pay for it.

Fan Lishen's hand gripped the wooden bars of the prison door. After a long while, he finally smiled at Fan Yin.

Fan Yin felt a surge of heat in her heart and avoided Fan Lishen's gaze.

"Whether you frame me as the murderer or it's just a ridiculous lie, I can prove myself. Because Fan Lishen has never been a young master; I am a woman."

This is the second update from last night.

(End of this chapter)