Magistrate Lu's expression changed drastically.
His lips moved, but no sound came out of his throat. His vision darkened, and he wished he could just go.
He got up, trembling in fear.
Cui Yun looked at the time and said indifferently, "As far as I know, the price of the bounty on Lord Lu's body is enough to buy five prefectural courtyards in Fengzhou. With your salary, I'm afraid…"
He paused and did not continue.
However, everyone present understood.
Cui Wei was unperturbed. "When I report your matter to the emperor, there will naturally be a censor from the Procuratorate coming to hold you accountable."
"Magistrate Liu, don't delay."
He did not want to hear any more nonsense from Lord Lu.
Magistrate Liu sat up straight and knocked heavily on the chopping board. "Dong Feng! Don't try to quibble! Did you really not kill this person?"
When Dong Feng saw Lord Lu's pale face, he felt terrible.
He came here because he was certain that he was just going through the motions. He had the backing of the magistrate behind him.
All these years, everything had been peaceful.
However, at this moment, this backer did not dare to sit down. He could not even stand steadily, but he did not dare to slip away. Clearly, he could not protect himself.
Dong Feng was completely flustered.
This fear grabbed his heart and ruthlessly blocked all his escape routes.
Madam Dong could not take the blow. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
"No! Sir, it really wasn't me. The moment I woke up, the head of the feng shui master was on my bed."
He placed his hands on the ground, and his back trembled slightly. His expression did not seem fake.
Dong Feng said anxiously, "Besides, if I was the murderer, why would I leave evidence behind in my own residence?
"How can you convict me if you don't have any witnesses?"
Dong Feng refused to admit it, causing Magistrate Liu to frown.
At this moment, a female voice came from outside.
"I can."
Shen Hua walked through the enthralled crowd. She was still in her mourning period, and a small white flower was tucked in between her hair.
She was afraid of the cold and had thus wrapped herself up like a ball. It was a little strenuous for her to walk.
Shen Hua had just entered the hall when the unconscious Madam Dong suddenly opened her eyes and got up from the ground.
This sudden change made Shen Hua's heart skip a beat. Her embroidered shoe stepped on the hem of her dress, and she staggered slightly.
Soon, someone on the right reached out and firmly held Shen Hua's body.
Shen Hua thanked her master gratefully.
Cui Wei quickly retracted her hand. She was as noble and upright as ever.
"You're welcome," he said softly.
Shen Hua was slow to react and let out an 'ah'.
"I don't want to have to thank you again."
Her snow-white fur did not get any impurities on it.
Cui Wei glanced at the dusty ground.
"You don't have to kneel."
This time, Shen Hua reacted faster than anyone else.
"My lord! How can you assume that my husband did it just because this master died in my residence?"
As soon as Mrs. Dong woke up, she started to deny of the charges.
"My son's grave was dug up innocently, and the master died strangely. Isn't this intentional? You're the master of the world, so you should stand up for me."
Shen Hua was a little angry.
She patted her chest and glared at Madam Dong.
"You're still quibbling! If you're dizzy, so be it. Why did you suddenly wake up? You scared me!
"Are you trying to drag me down with you when you're about to die?!"
She snorted angrily.
The crowd continued to stir.
"Which residence is this irritable woman from?"
"This is the daughter of the Shen family's embroidery workshop. She has never been someone to be trifled with."
"Young Marquis, why are you helping her? Is she your type?"
"Pfft! The Young Marquis didn't even refute just now. He must like someone as old as me. He's just a gentleman helping Madam Shen."
Magistrate Liu thought, 'What kind of people are these?!'
Shen Hua turned sideways to look at Dong Feng. "If you were the murderer, where would you commit the murder?"
"In a desolate place, of course."
Dong Feng blurted out.
Shen Hua said, "Looks like no one saw us, so we can be safe and sound."
"Sir, I've brought two witnesses."
Magistrate Liu nodded slightly and ordered the officials, "Bring him up."
Soon, a couple in rough clothes was brought up.
"This commoner, Zhang Zhuang, greets My Lord."
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Dong Feng looked up, and his expression changed drastically.
"Hey, I know these two people. They're from the Wu Family. A daughter of theirs just died not long ago."
The crowd's low voice still reached Dong Feng's ears, but he could not listen to a single word.
Madam Dong, who was beside him, rolled her eyes again and fainted.
Shen Hua looked at the crowd and pursed her lips slightly, smiling lightly.
"Aunt is right. This Zhang couple only has one daughter."
At the mention of her daughter, Madam Zhang's eyes were moist. She had lost her beloved daughter recently and was in unbearable grief. Therefore, her voice was hoarse and unpleasant.
"My lord, my Fubao was born exquisite and beautiful, but she had to take medicine all year round and was not in good health.
"Our family is poor. When she was young, I always put her in a basket and carried her to the mountains to work. But when she was with me, wild chickens and hares would always bump into her. My child is quite lucky to have survived that, so the two of us named her Fubao."
As she spoke, she looked fiercely at her husband beside her, like a beast swallowing human blood.
"Aren't you going to tell me more?"
The corners of Zhang Zhuang's eyes were tired. His skin was dark, and his fingertips were dry and cracked. It was obvious that he was doing farm work. At this moment, he could not raise his head.
Madam Zhang smiled coldly.
County Magistrate Liu was confused, but Madam Zhang was agitated and could not ask anything.
He looked at Shen Hua.
Shen Hua enunciated clearly, "Zhang Fubao, thirteen years old. Born with asthma. She died eight days ago. Old Master Dong, where were you eight days ago?"
Dong Feng gritted his teeth. "I never go out."
At this point, he was still stubborn.
"After Dong Hui's death, Dong Feng did not hesitate to travel thousands of miles to the Miao family. He invited Old Shaman to be a distinguished guest and settle down in his residence."
Shen Hua said, "Although many years have passed, many people know that Dong Feng had gone on a long journey. The servants serving the Dong Residence were well aware of it. All the servants of the Dong Family are here. Your Excellency only needs to interrogate them.
"Of course, the fastest way would be to search the room the shaman lived in. We'll know once we get a pair of his dental plates.
"I'm young and ignorant. I really don't know why Dong Feng treats psychic shamans as feng shui masters."
Other than Cui Wei and the dazed Lord Lu, everyone else was stunned.
Soon, Magistrate Liu came back to his senses.
He ordered the officials to search.
Shen Hua was not idle either.
"Half a month ago, you came to the Wang family and offered them three hundred taels. Is that true?"
"Forget it, there's not a single word of truth coming out of your mouth."
Shen Hua said faintly, "I'm sure everyone knows what a sorcerer does. The Miao race has an extremely evil sorcery. Their eight characters are extremely good, and even after they die, they don't reincarnate as human woman. Their method is exchanging lives for luck. Sir can also get someone to verify the truth of my words."
"Fubao meets all the conditions. Old Master Dong was eager to visit early and promised me a lot of money."
At this point, Zhang Zhuang finally started crying.
However, Shen Hua did not pity him.