Chapter 130: Who Is the Killer?

"Is that so?"

"What if these accounts and data were all fabricated? There is another possibility: they were trying to eliminate this Magistrate Lin."

"What?" Chen Tianwei was instantly bewildered. "What kind of motive could drive someone to commit such a heinous act against a colleague? Besides, this Lin family seems to have no connection to the Cai family at all."

"The person who died was Cai Zhisong. What could we possibly find by investigating Magistrate Cai?"

Han Qing’s words served as a prompt. He immediately began scouring the files above, and indeed, he uncovered some clues. What they found was truly unexpected.

Years ago, Cai Zhisong had taken a fancy to the Lin family's young daughter and went so far as to violate her. At that time, Magistrate Lin had no choice but to humble himself, begging Magistrate Cai to allow his son to take the young girl into his household. However, Lady Cai, looking down upon the modest status of the Lin family, flatly refused. She declared that if the girl were to enter the Cai household, she could only do so as a concubine. Unable to bear such humiliation, the daughter of the Lin family hanged herself.

From then on, a grievance existed between the Lin and Cai families. This matter was once on the verge of being brought directly before the Emperor, but Magistrate Cai gambled that they wouldn't dare. To his surprise, he received a formal impeachment petition from Magistrate Lin. Realizing that the matter could no longer be suppressed, Cai Zheng fabricated accounting discrepancies and, using the hands of others, destroyed the Lin family.

"Then he deserved to be killed!" Upon hearing this, Chen Tianwei felt a surge of indignation. Cai Zhisong had committed such a vile act, yet he continued to perpetrate evil without facing any punishment. It was only his father's protection that allowed him to swagger through Luojing.

Meanwhile, other letters had been received, describing the connections between several other guests in the private rooms and Cai Zhisong. They were indeed his accomplices.

"That is why there were six stab wounds on his body. None were immediately fatal, yet he died from excessive blood loss," Han Qing said slowly, letting out a long sigh. "These people were acting as judge and jury. Perhaps they felt that with the Minister of Personnel backing him, Cai Zhisong’s crimes would never be punished."

Chen Tianwei felt troubled. These people were not entirely blameless, yet murdering the son of such a powerful man was a perilous gamble. Just as she was filled with worry, the young woman seeking justice surrendered herself to the authorities. She confessed that she had orchestrated everything, solely to harm the only son of Magistrate Cai, to make him taste the pain of losing a loved one and the helplessness that came with it.

Such an approach was hardly rational. Had Han Qing not been present, this would likely have become a cold case, leading everyone to believe the culprit was merely some drifter from the underworld, impossible to track down.

"But surely you were not the only one involved?" Han Qing asked calmly. It wasn't out of sympathy for her actions, but rather the realization that she had no future left.

"No. My only kin has left this world; I have no hope left to live." Lin Youlan suddenly bit down on a poison hidden in her mouth and collapsed to the ground. It seemed she had left no path for herself to survive.

The case was closed, but the Minister of Personnel would likely not hold his position for long. Lord Gao had unearthed the long-standing case, presenting all the evidence of the past injustices directly to the Emperor. With conclusive proof that the Lin family's corruption case had been a frame-up, they were exonerated. After seven or eight years, things were no longer as they once were. Cai Zhisong had already been promoted to the fourth rank.

Only Han Qing found it strange: why not reveal the full truth to the world? Instead, only a portion had been disclosed.

"Perhaps it is to leave a glimmer of hope for others, and besides, the Qianye Pavilion will be under my control from now on," Han Qing said with deep meaning. Everything he did had a reason. He was no fool; why bother with concealment if there were no benefit? Moreover, he had already obtained the truth he sought. Magistrate Cai was no saint, and his son’s death at the hands of these people was no injustice. He had also looked into the absurd things Cai Zhisong had done over the years—not just abducting women, but oppressing the common people. His death was a cause for celebration among the masses.

"By the way, isn't that storybook shop still under your management?"

"Yes."

"Turn this story into a new collection of tales. I suspect it will double our profits." Han Qing said thoughtfully. The person beside him was stunned. Having solved a murder case, he intended to exploit the events to write storybooks. He truly was a business prodigy. Every situation seemed to present a path to wealth.

"What? You don't think this is feasible?"

"No, no, no. I am truly in awe of you. If your heart weren't elsewhere, I fear you would become the richest man in Luojing within two years," Young Master Zhu remarked with emotion. This was no exaggeration; he genuinely felt this man was extraordinary.

"Enough, go handle it. Do you think that with the position of Minister of Personnel vacant, no one is eyeing it?" Two high-ranking officials with real power had suddenly been removed. These two factions had been locked in a power struggle for some time. He could just sit back and watch the show. In any case, he had no desire to join either side.

"Do you know of anyone suitable?"

"Not yet." Han Qing shook his head. He still didn't understand the temperaments of certain officials; those he knew were only interested in recruiting him.

However, after the murder case was solved, his reputation in Luojing soared. An official came to visit, and Han Qing assumed it was another attempt to lure him into a faction. But this person appeared remarkably aloof and genuinely different. He brought no lavish gifts, but rather a few vegetables from his own backyard. He was truly an independent spirit.

"May I ask if this is the residence of Young Master Han? I am Cao Yanzhi, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

The steward hurriedly invited him in. Han Qing was somewhat surprised by his first impression of the man. He truly hadn't expected to meet someone so incorruptible—he had actually brought vegetables and fruits.

"This is?"

"Produce from my own garden, a small token of my esteem."

Han Qing nodded. The two exchanged simple pleasantries. Since they were not acquaintances, there wasn't much to discuss, which made Han Qing wonder why this man, who had no close colleagues in the court, would visit him.

Perhaps the other party sensed his confusion, for he naturally stated his purpose.

"I heard that you were the one who solved the restaurant tragedy, and I was so impressed that I wished to come and seek your counsel."