Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 6: Do the Big Things First
As Zhou Zhao pondered, his fingers gently touched the blank bamboo slip.

Right there, she clearly remembered those words: "Farewell to Tianying on Ghost Night".

Ghost Night is the Zhongyuan Festival, and Tianying is undoubtedly the city that makes the people of the Great Qi Dynasty turn pale at the mere mention of it.

Tianying City is also known as the City of Villains, a place where many vicious bandits have gathered since the previous dynasty.

Under the city lord, Tianying has seven halls named after the Big Dipper, and twelve black strongholds named after the twelve constellations.

The Great Qi Dynasty is currently embroiled in internal strife, and the court is unable to deal with Tianying City, so it treats them as a martial arts sect and temporarily ignores them.

Until today, she had never even considered going to that place.

So why did he die in Tianying City during the Ghost Festival?
Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then his eyes flickered.

Since Su Changying used the words "farewell," then Su Changying was in Tianying City when she died.

This gave her a reason to go to Tianying City!

Thinking about it this way, Zhou Zhao felt a chill run down his spine!
So she saw the bamboo slips, went to Tianying City, and died there.

It was as if there was some kind of guidance in the dark.

"Is this Heaven's will to kill me? Well, I'm truly sorry! My great cause is not yet accomplished, yet I am destined to live!"

Zhou Zhao has 206 bones, and every single one of them is a rebellious bone!

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then took one last look at the bamboo slip. Seeing that it was still empty, he stopped worrying about it, rolled it up, and put it back in his bundle.

There's no point in thinking about it too much. Once she goes to Tianying City, the whole truth will come out!

"On the first day of the month, tell the fifteenth that I need to use the carriage to go to the Zhang residence early tomorrow morning."

"Miss, are you referring to the Zhang family, the one owned by Zhang Ruoqing?"

The voice of the first-year student outside the door was a little stuttering...

No, her daughter was identified as a murderer just an hour ago!

If they go to the Zhang residence so brazenly tomorrow morning, won't they be chased out with brooms?

"Otherwise, which Zhang family should we go to?"

Chu Yi's throat tightened, and he managed to utter only the word "nuo".

Walking three or four steps into Zhou Zhao's room reveals various horrifying case records; five or six steps reveal various "murder scenes" sprayed with cinnabar; and seven or eight steps further in, it's like the Hall of Hell, a veritable encyclopedia of hundreds of ways to die.

If someone who comes in feels uncomfortable and trembles when they look down at the rope hanging from the ground, they will see the rope swaying in the wind.

The only place in the whole house that was somewhat normal was the densely packed bookshelves on the wall, which were almost bent over by the weight.

The pile on top contained all sorts of bamboo slips, including not only those related to the law, but also all sorts of strange and unusual ones.

You might just randomly draw a rare book like "The Gambling King's Cheating Techniques".

This place, where rats would think they've descended into the underworld, is really not suitable for too many living people!
Therefore, Zhou Zhao only had one personal maid, Chu Yi, and she could not enter the room at will unless summoned!
Upon receiving the order, Zhou Zhao made her way to the bedside through a winding path and placed the bamboo slip beside her pillow. This way, if the bamboo slip changed, she would know immediately!

In the latter half of the night, the evening breeze dispersed the dark clouds in the sky, revealing the stars.

Zhou Zhao turned his head to look at the silvery window, his mind completely clear.

She didn't know who killed Zhang Ruoqing, or why they put the wooden plaque with her name on it into Zhang Ruoqing's hand, or what role they wanted her to play in this situation.

But she has never liked to wait passively.

She's already in prison, she's already borne the "misfortune," so how can she not take back the "blessing" she's shared with him?
This case is clearly a golden opportunity for her!
She's going to Tianying City, but not right now; she has something important to do first!
……

The following day, Chang'an was bathed in sunshine.

Zhang Ran, his eyes bloodshot, stared at the empty coffin in the mourning hall, listening to the sobs of the women in the mansion, his face etched with sorrow and grief. "My lord, Zhou Zhao, the third daughter of the Zhou family, has sent you a visiting card. She's waiting outside..."

Upon hearing the name, Zhang Ran's mind went blank. He whirled around and yelled at the gatekeeper who had come to deliver the message, "Who? Who did you say?"

The gatekeeper jumped, involuntarily taking a step back, his voice weaker, "Zhou... Zhou Zhao..."

Zhang Ran laughed in anger. He reached out and pulled out the long sword hanging at his waist, then charged fiercely toward the gate!

"Zhou Zhao! Shameless brat! How dare you come here! You harmed my son Ruoqing, and I haven't even come to your door to kill you yet, but you dare to show your face!"

As Zhang Ran spoke, he was truly enraged, even his white beard bristled. Seeing the little girl standing in front of the door, he drew his sword and stabbed at her without saying a word.

Zhou Zhao looked at him, raised an eyebrow, and his beautiful phoenix eyes appeared exceptionally calm.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Zhang Ran grew even angrier. He yelled "Hey!" and swung his longsword directly at Zhou Zhao's forehead.

Passersby were startled by the sudden scene and couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Even as the sword was already at the tip of her nose, Zhou Zhao remained motionless; she didn't even blink.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Ran instantly lost his spirit.

His eyes reddened, and he cried out in anguish, "Zhou Zhao! I have five sons, but I only have one daughter, Ruoqing! How could you be so cruel!"

"Lord Zhang's love for his daughter is truly touching. But if I were the one who killed her, I wouldn't be standing in front of your door right now."

"Zhou Zhao has come today because he understands what Lord Zhang is thinking and wants to share his burdens."

"I have a good plan to find the murderer of Zhang Ruoqing. I wonder if Lord Zhang would be willing to listen?"

Zhang Ran was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and gave Zhou Zhao a mocking look.

"What gives you the right? Why should I listen to what you have to say?"

Zhou Zhao didn't reply. She raised her eyebrows and waited quietly with her hands at her sides.

After staring into those clear eyes for a long while, Zhang Ran finally lowered his hand dejectedly.

He said through gritted teeth, "Come in with me."

He really wanted to hear it.

Zhou Zhao nodded, signaling the coachman, Fifteen, to wait at the door, and then followed Zhang Ran swaggering inside.

The Zhang family and His Majesty had known each other since their humble beginnings. Before the uprising, Zhang Ran and the Emperor were already inseparable.

As the saying goes, "When one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven!"
Although Zhang Ran had no remarkable military achievements and was not even very literate, he was granted a noble title because of his early friendship with His Majesty.

His Majesty cherishes old friendships, and even now, he still occasionally drinks with Zhang Ran shirtless.

"Didn't you ask me earlier what my qualifications were?"

After Zhang Ran led her through the pavilions and towers and into the study, Zhou Zhao bowed and answered earnestly.

"Because I am Zhou Zhao."

"In this city of Chang'an, besides you, I am the person who most wants to catch the murderer."

Zhang Ran was speechless. After walking for so long, his mind, which had been clouded by anger, had completely calmed down.

Chang Zuoping's decision to release Zhou Zhao from prison proves that she is not the murderer.

What is your so-called good solution?

Zhou Zhao, however, was not in a hurry. He casually mentioned, "The person in charge of this case is Chang Zuoping. The Minister of Justice, Li Huaishan, did not show up last night."