Chapter 794: Visiting the Prison

Xue Shao had been an official; he knew how difficult it was to handle major cases with such wide-reaching implications—if the scope remained within Ji'an County, County Magistrate Wu could investigate alone, but once the case extended beyond Ji'an County, reaching the prefectural capital or involving officials from other prefectures, the imperial court had to appoint separate investigators.

Otherwise, the lead official would be unable to take a single step.

Wu Zhihong was merely the county magistrate of Ji'an; no other region would recognize his authority.

Yet the government needed evidence to prosecute, while Xiao Hong needed none to seek revenge; clearly, Pan Yun's goal was also to help Xiao Hong resolve her karmic ties and sever her connections to the mortal world.

Xue Shao turned to look at Pan Yun.

Wu Zhihong was still assuring Pan Yun: "Though difficult, I will continue investigating this case to the best of my ability—at least, the murderers already identified must not be let go."

Pan Yun asked: "May Xiao Hong meet Xue Xin and the others?"

Wu Zhihong was only too eager—he had wanted to suggest it just now, but dared not.

Liu Xiao Hong died a gruesome death and had been suppressed for so long; though she now wore a red dress and appeared perfectly normal, could a spirit that wasn't a vengeful ghost possibly persist this long?

So he had always avoided her gaze, fearing he might provoke her.

This case was called the Sanjing Villa Mass Grave Case; all those involved were now imprisoned in the county jail.

The jail's windows were tiny; even during daylight, the interior remained dim.

The prison conditions were poor, and since the county jail was small, prisoners were housed together according to the severity of their crimes—some cells held only two, others crammed over ten, making living conditions dire.

Xue Xin and Qian Zhixiao were held separately, each placed in a cell with other defendants.

The most unusual case was Fu Dainian—he was held alone in his own cell.

Wu Zhihong: "There was no choice; even when placed with other defendants, Fu Dainian was bullied. To protect him, we had to isolate him."

Fu Dainian's sketchbook and ledgers were among the most crucial physical evidence; based on his sketches, we not only captured those involved in the torture and murder, but also identified the various tools used and the rooms where the crimes occurred.

This was also why the case remained unshakable despite suspects retracting their confessions.

The physical evidence against them was ironclad—so ironclad that unless someone higher up wanted the case buried, no retrial could overturn it.

Unless Wu Zhihong gave up.

Otherwise, overturning this case would be extraordinarily difficult.

This reveals just how immense Wu Zhihong's pressure was.

Pan Yun understood: from their first meeting until now, he had never spoken of his difficulties, but that didn't mean he had none.

His wife and children had been sent back to their hometown, but that didn't mean they were entirely safe.

Pan Yun had brought only Xue Shao and Xiao Hong, along with Wang Cong; everyone else had gone ahead to find lodgings.

All three were visiting Ji'an County for the first time; on the way, Pan Yun had briefly explained the case.

They went first to see Qian Zhixiao.

Qian Zhixiao had four cellmates; though old, weak, and faded, he had money, so he occupied the best sleeping spot.

But even the best spot in jail had its limits; since Pan Yun last saw him, he had lost a great deal of weight, grown much older, turned pale, and looked utterly ill.

Seeing Wu Zhihong and Pan Yun, a flicker of hatred passed in his eyes, his deathly aura lessened, and he came alive.

Pan Yun exhaled in relief—she had feared he might truly be dead. Wu Zhihong didn't want him dead either; after all, to continue the investigation, he was indispensable—even if he retracted his confession, he was far more valuable alive than dead.

"I've allowed his family to send a physician in every two days; today he looks better than in recent days."

Pan Yun: "Clearly, County Magistrate Wu enjoys the people's trust—otherwise, you wouldn't dare bring physicians and medicine into the jail. I imagine many wish to kill you now?"

Wu Zhihong pointed to the neighboring cell: "Xue Xin is held nearby. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold—they dare not kill Qian Zhixiao."

If Qian Zhixiao died violently, wouldn't Xue Xin be terrified?

If Xue Xin became terrified, who could say what he might reveal?

Pan Yun lowered her voice: "County Magistrate Wu, tell me honestly—have you never thought…?"

Her gaze flicked toward Qian Zhixiao; their eyes met. Qian Zhixiao realized he could hear Pan Yun's whisper—he shuddered, jerked backward, and stared at her, speechless.

But anger quickly spread; his spirit rose, and he opened his mouth to expose Pan Yun and Wu Zhihong's corrupt dealings—when he heard Wu Zhihong sigh deeply: "Master Pan, if I were to take his life to solve this case, how would I be different from him?"

He dared not claim he was incorruptible—he still gladly accepted dinners and wine from gentry and merchants.

During festivals, he accepted most gifts from subordinates—but he never harmed anyone.

As county magistrate, if he himself broke the law to harm others, what hope remained for this county?

Pan Yun looked at him with admiration, straightened, and fixed her gaze directly on Qian Zhixiao; her voice echoed in his mind: 【Wu Zhihong is a good official. I am unbound by such constraints. What he refuses to do, I have no objection to. Qian Zhixiao, guess—how much longer will you live?】

Qian Zhixiao saw she hadn't moved her lips, yet he heard her voice—he panicked.

He quickly glanced at his cellmates; though they sat up and stared at them, they seemed not to have heard Pan Yun or Wu Zhihong speak at all. One even greeted Wu Zhihong: "Magistrate Wu, another case? Who are these people?"

Wu Zhihong snapped: "You're meddling too much. Behave yourselves in here—I might consider lighter sentences."

As he spoke to the other suspects, Qian Zhixiao trembled, staring fixedly at Pan Yun.

Because Pan Yun's voice returned in his ear: "See? No one knows I'm threatening you. If I wanted your life, I could take it without a soul knowing. Look—who stands behind me?"

Qian Zhixiao's gaze moved past Pan Yun's shoulder.

There stood a red-clad woman, her eyes tender and captivating—just one glance could draw a man in.

Qian Zhixiao's eyes widened, then bulged. Remembering Pan Yun's ghostly powers, he screamed, "Ah!" and scrambled backward into the corner, grabbing the bars of the neighboring cell and shaking them, shrieking: "Xue Xin! Xue Xin! Xue Xin!"

Xue Xin, napping at noon, was jolted awake. Without opening his eyes, he yanked off his sandals and hurled them: "Stop screaming! What's wrong with you? I told you—it was Wu Zhihong torturing confessions out of us. If we hold firm, the court will clear our names!"

Qian Zhixiao pointed at Xiao Hong in terror, mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a word.

Xiao Hong smiled faintly at him, her figure flickering in place—vanishing, reappearing—her smile stretching wider, blood tears slowly sliding from her eyes.

Qian Zhixiao's eyes bulged wide, rolled back, and he fainted.

Wu Zhihong jumped in alarm, shouting to the jailers: "What happened? What happened?"

Except for Pan Yun and Wang Cong, no one knew what had happened to Qian Zhixiao.

Xue Shao hadn't seen Xiao Hong's transformation, but since half an hour ago, when Xiao Hong beside him removed a jade pendant and vanished, he had guessed the truth.

Wu Zhihong hurriedly ordered a jailer to fetch a physician, then looked up and realized something was wrong: "Where's Miss Xiao Hong?" (End of chapter)