Chapter 1526: Chapter 1526: Mutual Accusations
Shu Yu shook her head with a smile, bowed, and stepped aside to stand next to Meng Yunzheng.
She is the Village Chief, Meng Yunzheng is the Scholar, both holding official titles, hence neither needed to kneel.
Oh, there was one more person standing aside, Kong Zhiyouâs husband, the likewise titled Scholar Chen.
However, Scholar Chen was in a daze at the moment, perhaps unable to accept his fatherâs death, standing there lifelessly.
His eyes were bloodshot, staring intently at Kong Zhiyou.
Evidently, he assumed that she killed Chen Ji.
Kong Zhiyou did not look at him, just glanced at Shu Yu, her eyes revealing a hint of disillusionment.
Shu Yu raised her eyebrows, hey, hey, hey, whatâs with that expression? It seems as if being here is intended to malign her.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and looked toward Lord Xie, seated behind the desk.
The gavel struck hard, and Lord Xie straightened his back, sternly announcing, "Alright, since Monarch Lu Xiang is here, letâs continue."
Fearing that Shu Yu might not understand the context, Lord Xie briefly explained.
"Last night, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Ji died at home. According to the forensic doctorâs examination, Chen Ji died from arsenic poisoning, the arsenic placed in the noodles, with the time of death around two quarters pastææ¶ last night. Ms. Kong accuses concubine Qiuju as the killer, while Qiuju accuses Ms. Kong of harming the family head. According to Qiuju, at three quarters pastææ¶ last night, she met Monarch Lu Xiang at the Nanjiang River shore, which is some distance from the Chen Family, making it impossible to return within a quarter-hour. Monarch Lu Xiang, is what Qiuju said true?"
Shu Yu nodded, "I indeed saw Qiuju around three quarters pastææ¶."
She remembered the time clearly because after Qiuju left, she heard two ladies by the river discussing the late hour and planning to return.
Upon hearing Shu Yuâs response, Lord Xie turned to Meng Yunzheng.
The latter nodded, "Indeed."
Qiuju smiled faintly upon hearing this, but Kong Zhiyou staggered.
Lord Xie struck the gavel again, looking at Kong Zhiyou, "Ms. Kong, Qiuju was not at home when Old Scholar Chen was murdered, do you have anything else to say?"
Kong Zhiyou gritted her teeth and lifted her head, "Lord, her absence doesnât mean she didnât do it. She could have placed the arsenic ahead of time in the noodles, and the family head would eat it when hungry and die from poisoning."
Qiuju promptly replied, "Lord, thatâs simply impossible. The noodles soaked in broth, and if left a bit longer, would clump together into a mass. The Lord of the house is particular about food, and certainly wouldnât eat noodles that have clumped."
She kowtowed, speaking swiftly and urgently, "But the Young Madam, itâs very likely she made the noodles and served them to the Lord. Last night, at home, only the Young Madam and the Lord were there, she had the best opportunity to act. Lord, I dare not deceive you, the Young Madam had a miscarriage earlier and blamed it on me, falsely claiming I did it. Yet neither the Lord nor the Young Master found her claims reasonable, siding with me instead. The Young Madam harbored resentment toward the Lord and the Young Master, and taking advantage of no one at home, poisoned the Lord for revenge, is highly possible."
Kong Zhiyou abruptly raised her eyes, glaring at her viciously, "You lie."
"How does the Young Madam explain sending Dongmei home last night, wasnât she deliberately distracted by you?"