Chapter 144: One Hundred and Fifty-One: Twin Birds, Die Together

One Hundred and Fifty-One: Twin Birds, Die Together

A faint, osmanthus-like fragrance filled the entire hall.

Yet few noticed it now; all were stunned by the scene before them.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong rose abruptly.

Shen Shen Xisheng also frowned and stood, while Wang Wang Lixian slightly raised his brows, casting an extra glance at the unflinching Liu Liu Ziwen.

Yan Yan Liulang shoved Liu Liu Ziwen away from the Lady Yuzhi Immortal.

The constables rushed forward and seized Liu Liu Ziwen.

The constables' faces were tense with caution.

Liu Liu Ziwen spread his arms and allowed them to search him.

The hall fell into brief chaos, but soon calmed under the reassurance of Assistant Magistrate Official Diao.

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang immediately rushed forward, kneeling before the fallen Lady Yuzhi Immortal, swiftly pressing her fingers to several acupoints on her body.

To unseal her blocked meridians and allow her to circulate spiritual energy to expel the poison.

But the poison seemed extraordinarily potent; the Lady Yuzhi Immortal's face flushed crimson, then turned deathly pale, then swelled to a liver-dark hue.

Her face stiffened; blood slowly oozed from her seven orifices—nose, eyes, mouth—and her body convulsed violently.

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang pressed her down, pinched her jaw with her left hand, peered into her mouth—seeming to confirm she had not bitten poison—then seized her wrist with her right hand, frowning in silence as she channeled spiritual energy into her body.

Even as she lay prone, the Lady Yuzhi Immortal's eyes bulged like dead fish, fixed askew on Liu Liu Ziwen's figure nearby, who cooperated calmly with the search, appearing the innocent bystander.

"Wine… wine… bi…"

Her face turned ashen; her lips emitted final guttural sounds. Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang leaned close to her ear, barely catching those words.

"Wine? Bi?"

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang scanned the area around the Lady Yuzhi Immortal but found no wine or liquid.

Moreover, she had guarded the jail all night; everything the Lady Yuzhi Immortal ate or drank was under her supervision—no wine at all.

Could it have been wine consumed before today?

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang lifted her head in confusion, her gaze crossing the crowd to meet the young county magistrate's eyes across the bench.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned, squinting at Liu Liu Ziwen, then nodded approvingly:

"Master Liu, quite skilled."

"What is the magistrate saying? Wait—surely you don't suspect this humble subject did it?"

Liu Liu Ziwen shook his head firmly, voice innocent:

"Unjust! My lord, you and everyone here just saw—I never touched her. She collapsed on her own. I don't even know what illness she suffered. Perhaps she's falsely accusing me, or feigning death to escape punishment. I beg Your Honor to investigate clearly."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong studied him for a moment, then suddenly smiled faintly and nodded lightly, as if not in a hurry.

Liu Liu Ziwen's expression settled; he lowered his eyes and cooperated as the constables searched and restrained him.

Hua Xuanji, the chaos subsided; Yan Yan Liulang and others rose, joining Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang at Magistrate Ouyang Rong's table.

Yan Yan Liulang frowned, face grave: "My Lord, I found this on Liu Liu Ziwen."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong silently took the red-clothed porcelain bottle presented to him, glanced at it—and suddenly felt a strange familiarity.

The bottle matched the tiny one yesterday, when he pretended to be the Lady Yuzhi Immortal and Liu Liu Ziwen handed it to him as a signal to poison.

Only the cloth covering the mouth differed: yesterday's was blue. He had left that bottle in Meilu Garden.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong coldly scanned Liu Liu Ziwen, then handed the bottle to the elderly coroner brought by Yan Yan Liulang.

The coroner bowed his head to examine the bottle for poison.

While all waited, Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang spoke to Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"I cannot identify the poison, but it is extremely potent—it has penetrated the dantian and meridians, surging straight toward the purple palace and spirit platform. I've temporarily sealed its spread with spiritual energy, but its destructive power within her body is immense. She's unconscious, but this is not a lasting solution. We must find an antidote; otherwise, the best outcome will be paralysis, no different from death."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong exhaled slowly, silent. At that moment, the coroner, after long thought, set down the bottle and stepped forward.

Under the hopeful gazes of Yan Yan Liulang and others, the coroner reoffered the bottle—not aloud, but sighed and stepped close to Magistrate Ouyang Rong's calm face, covering his mouth to whisper softly.

All present grew curious.

Liu Liu Ziwen strained against the constables holding him, stepping forward:

"My Lord, Your Excellency Wang, Your Excellency Shen—this is merely a scent bottle I carry. Nothing dangerous."

After hearing the coroner's whisper, Magistrate Ouyang Rong silently took back the bottle, glanced at it, then looked up at Liu Liu Ziwen.

He said nothing.

Liu Liu Ziwen forced a smile, but beads of sweat faintly appeared on his brow.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's reaction stirred his relaxed heart once more.

He feared the young magistrate would fly into rage and directly pin a crime on him.

Just then, a sharp male voice rang out in the hall.

"Magistrate Magistrate Ouyang."

It was Wang Wang Lixian, the Jiangzhou Cishi of Jiangzhou, who had spoken not a word since the trial began.

He stroked his goatee, smiled, and turned:

"Has the coroner found anything? Let us hear it. If Liu Liu Ziwen truly poisoned a witness in court, no one can shield him—I, along with Shen Shen Daoren, stand here to ensure no innocent is wronged, but no guilty man escapes."

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang frowned, glancing at this Jiangzhou Cishi of Jiangzhou whose tone and words felt off.

A question she had overlooked suddenly struck her: why had the Lady Yuzhi Immortal's fake elder brother targeted Jiangzhou Cishi Shen Shen Xisheng yesterday, not Wang Wang Lixian—or better yet, why not kill them both?

As silence fell, Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang glanced toward her elder brother; he met her gaze, and the two siblings exchanged a silent understanding.

Then Magistrate Ouyang Rong gave the reluctant coroner a slight nod. "Speak."

The coroner bowed and spoke plainly:

"Your Excellencies, forgive this humble man's limited knowledge—this object… appears non-toxic. It carries a faint osmanthus scent. I do not know its purpose."

Liu Liu Ziwen sighed: "It's just a scent bottle. If you doubt it, let everyone smell it."

"Shut up! Disrespectful! Is this a place for you to speak?"

Yan Yan Liulang turned and barked; Liu Liu Ziwen fell silent.

Outside the courtroom, among the waiting Liu family, Liu Liu Zian stood motionless at the front, glancing at his elder brother, then at the fallen Lady Yuzhi Immortal.

He recalled yesterday, when his brother had toasted the Lady Yuzhi Immortal and the Chang'an swordsman farewell.

The Chang'an swordsman had refused the wine—but the Lady Yuzhi Immortal drank it…

Liu Liu Ziwen is no scholar.

As Liu Liu Zian lowered his eyes in silence, all eyes turned to the bench. Wang Wang Lixian nodded slightly to Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"My Lord, it seems unrelated to Liu Liu Ziwen. But who poisoned the witness? I beg Your Honor to investigate further. Poisoning a witness in court is a grave offense."

The Jiangzhou Cishi of Jiangzhou sighed, shaking his head, his furrowed brow betraying deep concern for Longcheng's security.

"So Liu Liu Ziwen is cleared? The so-called Fangshi, the Lady Yuzhi Immortal, was about to speak—and was poisoned. Now no one can contradict him. Are there truly so many coincidences?"

"Anyone with eyes can see this. Basic case logic dictates: who benefits most? Who is most suspicious? Jiangzhou Cishi Wang, you live in luxury and know nothing of local affairs. Better to keep silent, lest you mislead the people and interfere with the magistrate's investigation."

Shen Shen Xisheng turned seriously.

Wang Wang Lixian glanced at him, snorted lightly: "I merely offered advice. Shen Shen Daoren is the one truly concerned."

Shen Shen Xisheng did not look at him, but turned earnestly to Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"Magistrate Magistrate Ouyang, proceed with your judgment. Longcheng County is your jurisdiction. Neither I nor Jiangzhou Cishi Wang will overstep."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded silently. "Thank you, Shen Shen Daoren, Jiangzhou Cishi Wang."

Yet all present could see: Wang Wang Lixian was subtly shielding Liu Liu Ziwen.

Even if the young magistrate had wished to use underhanded tactics—coercion, forced confessions, fabricated charges—he would surely be thwarted by this Jiangzhou Cishi of Jiangzhou.

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang, Yan Yan Liulang, and others watched Magistrate Ouyang Rong with worried eyes.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned to gaze at the Lady Yuzhi Immortal, seven orifices bleeding, unconscious.

He realized now—he had been careless, or rather, his opponent was far dirtier. He had been too kind. The evidence chain linking the Liu family and Liu Liu Ziwen to the explosion at Digong Dam and the assassination attempt on the inspector had snapped with the Lady Yuzhi Immortal's death. Unless she awoke again or new evidence emerged, these two capital crimes could not be pinned on the Liu family or Liu Liu Ziwen.

After brief self-reflection, the young magistrate took a deep breath, then shook his head slightly to Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang and Yan Yan Liulang, signaling patience.

Hua Xuanji, the trial resumed, addressing Magistrate Ouyang Rong's charges against the Liu family: the explosion at Digong Dam and impersonating the magistrate to assassinate the inspector.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong presented more collected evidence, though less compelling than the testimony of the Lady Yuzhi Immortal and others.

But it proved that Master Chen and the dam repair craftsmen had previously been paid by the Liu family, and were subordinate to them.

Liu Liu Ziwen clung only to the Lady Yuzhi Immortal's death; no one could definitively determine who was the mastermind behind the explosion and assassination.

After another hour of proceedings, as the sun neared noon, the court settled on a non-capital charge.

Unlike capital crimes, non-lethal punishments—such as flogging, as with Liu Liu Zilin before—could be commuted through bribes. The Liu family had no shortage of silver.

Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang, Yan Yan Liulang, and most of the crowd, who despised the Liu family, grew increasingly silent.

Shen Shen Xisheng looked up at the sun, sipped tea, set down his cup, and smiled gently: "Magistrate Magistrate Ouyang, the hour grows late. Let us rest."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong rubbed his face, laid down the case files, and announced a recess for lunch.

The atmosphere instantly relaxed.

But Magistrate Ouyang Rong showed no sign of easing. He called Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang and Yan Yan Liulang close and whispered:

"Don't lose heart. The charges of explosion and assassination were always bonus matters. Since we cannot convict Liu Liu Ziwen, revert to our original plan: the missing female worker from the swordsmith's shop, and other civilians accusing the Liu family of crimes…"

"Find Ashan and ask if he's ready. Also… Yan Liulang, go to Meilu Garden and retrieve another porcelain bottle. It's in… Stay calm. The second half won't let Liu Liu Ziwen escape."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong spoke calmly; Chenjun Xie Xie Lingjiang and Yan Yan Liulang's expressions brightened.

With the trial paused, Liu Liu Ziwen's face relaxed as if he'd exhaled a great breath, weary.

He exchanged a silent glance with Wang Wang Lixian nearby, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.

But when he noticed Magistrate Ouyang Rong's calm demeanor beside the bench, occasionally glancing his way, the young head of the Liu family's face darkened again. He quickened his steps, turning away from the open-air courtroom—the young magistrate's gaze still prickled at his back.

Outside the courtroom, the crowd of commoners instinctively parted to make way for this young master of the Liu family.

Liu Ziwén, whose authority ran deep in Longcheng County, didn't so much as glance at the terrified and hateful masses around him; he rubbed his face, his weary expression grim, as if weighing his next move.

Not far from the crowd, Liu Liu Zian and Liu Liu Zilin hurried forward with Liu family servants.

Liu Liu Zilin's face was flushed with excitement.

Liu Liu Zian wore a smile.

This second master of the Liu family walked ahead, holding out a cloak prepared for his elder brother, advancing to meet him.

Liu Ziwén, having temporarily escaped the deadly courtroom, saw them, turned his back, and walked through the path cleared by the crowd, stepping toward his two younger brothers.

From the sides of the crowd, a gray felt hat fell to the ground; a man bent to pick it up. As Liu Ziwén passed by, his peripheral vision caught the shadow below him, and he frowned slightly: "Don't block the way..."

Before he finished speaking, the bent man drew a dazzling white blade from within the hat and thrust it upward, piercing Liu Ziwén's abdomen.

That knife.

White blade in, red blade out.

"Ahh—!" Liu Ziwén screamed and staggered back.

While the crowd on both sides stood stunned, the felt-hat man charged forward with his bloody blade, tackled Liu Ziwén, and sat heavily atop him.

Another stab.

This time, the chest.

Red blade in, red blade out.

"You..." Liu Ziwén's voice cut off. He opened his mouth wide, eyes bulging.

Both hands instinctively gripped the hilt of the blade buried in his chest. From afar, the two men appeared locked in an intimate embrace—as if Liu Ziwén had seized the hilt and driven the blade into his own chest.

This sudden turn of events had occurred in less than three breaths. The onlookers fell into deathly silence; not a single bystander moved to help.

Apparently missing the heart, the felt-hat man yanked the blade free, preparing for a third strike—when Liu Liu Zilin and Liu Liu Zian, who had been close, snapped back to reality and lunged forward.

"Brother!"

The felt-hat man was knocked aside by Liu Liu Zilin, his face twisted with grief and rage.

The felt-hat man kicked the young Liu third son away, then, before all eyes, spun sharply toward the magistrate's bench and shouted:

"My lord, I'm going!"

As the words left his mouth, the man slashed his own throat and collapsed, convulsing.

The arriving constables, led by Yan Yan Liulang, froze at the cry. None rushed to check Liu Ziwén's wounds; instead, they all turned their heads simultaneously toward the distant young county magistrate.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong: "..."

The entire crowd erupted.

Amid the deafening clamor surrounding him,

"Brother!" Liu Ziwén lay cradled in Liu Liu Zian's arms, the latter crying out in anguish.

Liu Ziwén had been stabbed twice in the chest—yet his heart still beat, the wounds not quite fatal. He clutched his chest, gasping, mouth open to speak—when suddenly his body convulsed. His eyes widened in utter disbelief, and blood slowly trickled from his nose, eyes, and mouth—mirroring the poisoning symptoms of the Jade Vase Immortal earlier...

A faint, osmanthus-like fragrance still lingered throughout the scene.

The bloodied white blade lay on the ground, glinting coldly.

Boss dead. Bros, stop trolling (not really)