The investigation of Tianmaluo's poison has no further details.

The forced search of Baihua Building resulted in the suspension of Zhao Xing, and the case fell into a dead end.

Fan Xiaodao said: "Even if we can't find the real murderer, we can still save people as long as we find evidence to prove that Lan Zhili is not the murderer."

Zhao Xingdao: "Without eyewitnesses and no alibi, this evidence may not be easy to find. However, our investigations over the past few days have not yielded nothing. Lan Zhili is currently being held in a six-door prison. We can learn from his

Take it with you and see if there is any useful information."

The two came to the prison, and Zhao Xing wanted to question Lan Zhili, but was told by the jailer that Zhao Xing had been suspended and had no right to interrogate suspects.

"Can you please be accommodating?"

The cell leader said: "We are also in a dilemma. If a few officers see it, our jobs may not be guaranteed. But..." He glanced at Fan Xiaodao, "He is a food delivery boy, so he can go in."

Lan Zhili was detained on the underground floor.

Since the case was serious and it had received care from above, it was not held together with other prisoners, which provided convenience for Fan Xiaodao. When Fan Xiaodao came to the cell, he saw a young man in blue clothes, unkempt and covered with hair.

Blood stained, huddled in the corner.

Hearing someone coming in, Lan Zhili turned pale with fright.

Fan Xiaodao explained the purpose of his visit and looked at him. He had curly chestnut hair, fair skin and a hooked nose. "Aren't you from the Central Plains?"

When Lan Zhili learned that he was here to save him, he continued: "Xiaosheng is from Suzhou, my father is from Jiangnan, and my mother is a Persian singer. She grew up in Jiangnan and is a native of the Central Plains."

At present, many wealthy gentry in the south of the Yangtze River have married concubines from foreign countries, and the children they have given birth to are also mixed-race, which is not uncommon in the world today.

Lan Zhili said: "Master, I was wronged!"

"Don't say useless things. Please explain clearly what happened with Sun Mengwu, and we'll see if we can find any useful clues."

Lan Zhili said: "Half years ago, I came to the capital to do business. I went to Baihua Building under the introduction of a friend and met Miss Sun. I hit it off with Miss Sun and my thoughts were all about her. I didn't even do business. In the past six months,

I spent thousands of taels of silver on her and used up all my savings. On the morning of the fourth day of August, I went to Baihua Building to say goodbye. I saw Miss Sun was unhappy, so I chatted with her for a while, but there was nothing unusual."

"Then why was he arrested in the east of the city?"

"I was packing my things at the time, and Miss Sun's maid Xiaoqing came to me and told me that Miss Sun wanted to elope with me and asked me to wait for him near the Chenghuang Temple in the east of the city at the second watch that night. I ignored the curfew and didn't even eat dinner.

, we came to the Chenghuang Temple, but unexpectedly, the officers and soldiers were waiting for us."

Lan Zhili said: "After they caught me, they didn't ask anything. They just beat me severely. Later, they brought a confession and forced me to sign it. Only then did I know that Miss Sun had been killed."

"Did she give you a letter or any evidence?"

"No, Xiaoqing told me verbally."

Fan Xiaodao was suspicious. Sun Mengwu was the top brand of Baihua House. How could he entrust such a private life-long matter to a small servant? What's more, there was no news about Xiaoqing, so there was no proof. Thinking of the secret letter, he

Then he asked: "Did you say anything strange when you saw her for the last time?"

"That's not true. I had no money at that time, so I didn't enter the house through the front door. Seeing that she was not in a good mood, I said a few words of relief and drank a few cups of tea. Later, when Li Baniang knew that I was coming, she barged in and said a few words.

I was so ashamed of the harsh words that I left the other courtyard, but I missed Miss Sun in my heart, so I hovered outside the door. I heard Li Baniang quarreling with her and breaking a teacup. Li Baniang came out cursing and saw me.

, ordered people to drive me out of Baihualou."

Fan Xiaodao suddenly said tentatively: "Tianmoluo."

"What?" Lan Zhili looked stunned, "What do you mean?"

Fan Xiaodao waved his hand, "Nothing, let me ask you, do you want to die or live?"

Lan Zhili said: "I am only twenty-four years old, of course I want to live."

"Now the evidence is very unfavorable to you. The case will be heard in court tomorrow and torture may be used. Can you bear it?"

"What can you do?"

Fan Xiaodao shook his head and said, "No. Still checking."

Lan Zhili cried sadly, "That is to say, it is possible to receive a severe beating and eventually die? Since it is all death, why should I take another beating? It would be better to die happily."

Fan Xiaodao saw that he hated him and said, "We believe you are innocent. Do you know that because of your case, Capt. Zhao fell out with his boss and was even suspended for investigation? If you can't even suffer this little

If you can't eat it, how can you be worthy of him?"

After leaving the prison, Fan Xiaodao shook his head at Zhao Xing in disappointment.

Zhao Xingdao: "There is no perfect road ahead. We will never give up until the last moment."

…

The next day.

The murder case of Sun Mengwu caused a sensation in the capital, and people in the capital were talking about it. In order to show justice, the case was publicly heard by the three departments of Shuntian Prefecture, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice. The trial was held in Shuntian Prefecture. Early in the morning, the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen was crowded.

the crowd.

After all, a famous prostitute in the capital was killed, so this kind of melon can be eaten for a while.

Regardless of whether they really like Sun Mengwu or not, ordinary people have always been able to join in on this kind of excitement.

When Lan Zhili's prison car arrived at Shuntian Mansion, the crowd was furious. Rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and stones were thrown at Lan Zhili, making Lan Zhili miserable.

"Kill that evil spirit and avenge everyone!"

"Knowing people but not knowing their hearts, it seems that such a gentle and elegant young master turns out to be a murderous demon without blinking an eye. People like this should be executed in a hurry!"

Because Zhao Xing was suspended, Fan Xiaodao was unable to enter the lobby, and the two of them mingled with the crowd.

After pursuing it all night, the two of them still made no progress. They were at a loss to solve the case and could only accept the fact silently. Zhao Xing was in a low mood, "Obviously the murderer is someone else, but we just watched an innocent person die in vain.

hateful."

At this time, a beggar suddenly came to the two of them and said, "Are you Mr. Zhao and Mr. Fan?"

"Not bad, who are you?"

The beggar said: "I finally found you. I am rich." He also said: "Someone asked me to send you a letter saying it is related to today's case."

Zhao Xing asked: "Where is the letter?"

"The man also said that this letter is worth one tael of silver."

Zhao Xing looked at Fan Xiaodao, who said: "Don't look at me, you know I have no money."

Zhao Xing took out a broken piece of silver from his arms and handed it to the beggar. The beggar handed him the letter and ran away. Zhao Xing opened the letter and found that there was just a piece of white paper and nothing inside, "What is this?"

"

"One tael of silver to buy a piece of white paper, wouldn't you be cheated?"

Seeing that he was being teased, Zhao Xing flew into a rage and said, "You idiot, don't let me catch you."

Not long after, another beggar came over and asked, "Who is Mr. Fan?"

Zhao Xing learned his lesson, "Who are you?"

"Someone asked me to send you a letter saying it is related to today's case."

Zhao Xing asked: "Did you also say that this letter is worth one or two silver coins?"

The beggar said, "Your Excellency, what a wonderful plan!"

Clang!

Zhao Xing pulled out the knife and put it on his neck, "Do you think the head on your neck is worth a tael of silver?"

The beggar shouted: "Don't mention it, I'm just a messenger. If the business is not done in a righteous way, it will be bad luck for me. I just don't need the money!"

Zhao Xing asked: "Who asked you to give it to me?"

"A woman. A beautiful woman who looks just like the fox demon in the picture book."

"Where is she?"

The beggar turned around and looked into the distance, "It was still there just now."

The yamen gate was crowded with hundreds of people. It was impossible to find anyone. Zhao Xing grabbed the envelope and there was a note inside. When he saw it, he was overjoyed, "Lan Zhili is saved."

Zhao Xing handed the note to Fan Xiaodao.

Fan Xiaodao glanced at the signature, which read the words "Bai Wuchang", "Is it her?"

"you know?"

"Do you still remember that I told you about the woman who stole corpses in Yizhuang that night? I met her several times. But why did she help us?" Fan Xiaodao asked: "Do you think it is credible?"

Zhao Xingdao: "The files have been handed over to Shuntian Mansion, and the trial is about to begin. If we go to collect evidence now, the procedures are complicated, and we may not be able to make it in time. There is only one way for us now. To appeal for grievances in court."

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, during the trial of the court, if someone feels that the trial is unfair or new evidence is discovered, they can beat the drum during the opening of the court to complain. Not everyone can, it must be an interested person, otherwise everyone will cry out.

With two voices, wouldn’t the court become a vegetable market?

Regardless of whether he is guilty or not, thirty big boards must be stamped first to show the majesty of the court.

"Is it worth it to fight thirty times for an unrelated person?"

Zhao Xingdao: "Thirty big boards, saving one life, what's not worth it?"

…
To be continued...