CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: HOMICIDE (3)

Qin Hu turned his head and asked with a smile, "Why are you sighing, Yang Shi?"

Qin Hu’s status isn’t high, just a personal soldier, but he’s a trusted aide of the Commandery Princess.

Yang Zheng wouldn’t dare reveal his dissatisfaction, so he casually replied, "I’m worried we won’t make it on time, and the Commandery Princess might get angry."

Qin Hu immediately said, "Then let’s go a bit faster, we’ll be able to reach Zhi County tomorrow."

Saying that, he raised his horsewhip high, letting out a whistle in the air, and his steed neighed loudly, suddenly picking up speed.

Yang Zheng secretly lamented his distress, biting the bullet as he urged his horse to gallop. His whole body felt like it was falling apart, as they finally arrived in Zhi County before noon the next day.

Chief Historian Chen personally came out to welcome them, looking at the weary Yang Shi, hinting without revealing any emotion, "When you see the Commandery Princess later, you might want to listen to what she has to say."

Yang Zheng sighed in his heart and nodded.

"Yang Shi, it’s been a hard journey for you," the Commandery Princess said with a gentle smile, "Yin Zhu, give Yang Shi a pot of good tea."

When had the Commandery Princess ever treated him with such courtesy? It seemed there was another tricky matter for him to handle.

Yang Zheng took a sip of the tea and respectfully asked, "The Commandery Princess summoned me urgently to Zhi County, surely for an important matter. Please instruct me! I am all ears!"

The Commandery Princess nodded, "Ma Sheren, tell the story of the White Cloud Temple case to Yang Shi."

Ma Yaosong replied respectfully, stepped forward, and recounted the details of the murder case at White Cloud Temple.

After listening, Yang Zheng was silent for a moment before saying, "From the evidence currently available, it seems the bandit was accidentally killed by a martial monk at White Cloud Temple, nothing suspicious."

Jiang Shaohua said blandly, "Everyone in Zhi County believes in Buddhism, and White Cloud Temple is held in high regard among the people. Just yesterday, there were people gathered outside the county government pleading for the martial monk of White Cloud Temple. I, as the Commandery Princess, have promised them to handle the matter with leniency."

Yang Zheng, who grew up in a family of criminal officers, quickly understood, "The Commandery Princess’s intention is that this murder case must undergo a public trial, and the blame of accidentally killing the bandit must firmly be placed on White Cloud Temple."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at the perceptive Yang Zheng.

Indeed, he had been shirking from past tasks, but now he was applying himself truly, understanding the case swiftly.

Yang Zheng knew what to do, "I will soon visit White Cloud Temple to inspect the scene and first question the martial monk who accidentally killed the bandit. Once everything is clear, I’ll conduct the public trial."

This was the necessary procedure before a public trial. Get everything understood and the crimes clear to avoid embarrassment during the trial.

Jiang Shaohua nodded with satisfaction, "Thank you for your efforts, Yang Shi." Then instructed Chen Jinyu, "Chen Sheren, go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare some good dishes so Yang Shi can eat before he sets out."

...

More than an hour later, Yang Shi arrived outside White Cloud Temple accompanied by Ma Sheren and Chen Sheren.

Indeed, the Commandery Princess had been in Zhi County for several days but hadn’t stepped foot in White Cloud Temple.

Xiao Tian and other personal soldiers immediately stepped forward to salute.

Chen Jinyu said with a smile, "The Commandery Princess asked me to convey a message to you, you’ve worked hard guarding White Cloud Temple these days. After this murder case is settled, there’ll be rewards for everyone."

Xiao Tian answered respectfully, "We are personal soldiers of the Commandery Princess, it’s our duty to do our tasks. Please convey to the Commandery Princess we don’t need lavish reward, we feel undeserving."

Xiao Tian’s appearance was delicate, and his speech gentle, quite different from those tall and loud personal soldiers.

Chen Jinyu gave Xiao Tian a small smile.

Beside him, Ma Sheren, after glancing at the reputed Second Camp Divine Archer Xiao Tian, subtly stepped forward to block Chen Sheren’s view, "Chen Sheren, shall we enter White Cloud Temple?"

Chen Jinyu was oblivious to Ma Sheren’s youthful thoughts, nodded with a smile, and went to push open the temple door.

By rights, Yang Shi was a sixth-rank official, the main investigator of the White Cloud Temple murder case. This event should be led by Yang Shi. However, Chen Jinyu was a trusted aide of the Commandery Princess and representing her. Furthermore, Chen Jinyu was the beloved granddaughter of Chief Historian Chen, so Yang Zheng simply took a step back and let Chen Jinyu lead.

Recently, Chen Jinyu had received frequent guidance from her grandfather, becoming much more composed in her actions. With a smile, she turned to say, "Yang Shi, please go ahead."

Yang Zheng exchanged some polite words and seeing Chen Jinyu insist, he didn’t argue further, stepping into White Cloud Temple.

The temple had been sealed for five days, devoid of its usual throngs of visitors and bustling incense offerings, even the golden Buddha statues seemed rather lonely.

Guest Monk Ci’en had lost his usual arrogance, and together with the tall martial monk accused of accidentally killing the bandit, came to stand trial.

It was true the bandit had snuck into White Cloud Temple and was caught, it was true he was beaten.

Nevertheless, the martial monk vehemently denied the murder charge, "Since childhood, I have practiced martial arts and have served as a temple monk at White Cloud Temple for twenty years. I’ve caught countless bandits, surely close to a hundred. Striking with a wooden stick as punishment happens often, but it’s never been fatal!"

"I didn’t use full force that day, nor did I strike the bandit’s head. This murder charge, I cannot accept!"

Yang Zheng replied impassively, "You keep saying you didn’t use full force and didn’t hit the deceased’s head, who can testify for you?"

Ci’en replied without hesitating, "I can testify!"

Yang Zheng glanced at Ci’en, "You are fellow monks, the testimony from one so close is not convincing."

Ci’en was furious, "At the time, only my brother and I were present, if I can’t testify, how else can I prove my brother’s innocence?"

"That’s your concern, I’m only here to examine evidence and adjudicate the case," Yang Zheng said sternly, with a touch of authority.

Ci’en’s eyes blazed with anger, and he spoke recklessly, "This murder case is truly bizarre. Surely someone is secretly meddling, intending to frame White Cloud Temple. Curiously, it happened after the Commandery Princess arrived in Zhi County; perhaps it’s somehow related to the Commandery Princess..."

"Silence!"

Chen Jinyu’s brows furrowed as she harshly reprimanded, "A murder has occurred at White Cloud Temple, and incapable of defending, you dare to throw mud at the Commandery Princess? If you dare to speak nonsense again, this temple will remain sealed, never to open its doors again!"

Ci’en stiffly replied, "On the first day of next month, Old Madam Xue plans to personally come to White Cloud Temple to listen to the abbot’s lecture. If you dare to keep the temple sealed, aren’t you afraid of Governor Xue’s wrath?"

Chen Jinyu sneered, "Buddha is merciful, and yet a murder happened here; such a place, unworthy of Old Madam Xue’s lectures, is nothing but a den of corruption."

"The Commandery Princess has already written a letter, sent it to Xue Mansion."

"Do you think, outside of White Cloud Temple, Old Madam Xue has nowhere to worship? In Jingzhou, aside from White Cloud Temple, there are two other bustling temples. Old Madam Xue’s devout heart will lead her to offer incense elsewhere."

Ci’en was rendered speechless, his face incredibly unsightly.

At that moment, a gentle and aged voice rang out, "My Buddha is merciful!"