38: Chapter 38 Zhao Zilong Investigates the Case!

Seeing the cold look in the eyes of Deputy Director Cai, Zhao Zilong felt a jolt of panic.

Could it be that simply having doubts about the matter of Director Chen arresting people from the previous dynasty would offend Deputy Director Cai?

However, although Zhao Zilong had not had much contact with Deputy Director Cai until these past few days, he still understood her; this woman was absolutely a righteous person.

Thinking of this, he mustered up his courage and said, "Deputy Director Cai, I was merely expressing my doubts; I have no intention of offending Director Chen."

"According to the case files, that is the fact."

"The people from the previous dynasty that Director Chen arrested were not involved in any rebellion; these were people who simply wanted to hide their identities and live ordinary lives."

"Zhao Zilong, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Deputy Director Cai continued to stare at Zhao Zilong, though her expression was not as harsh as before.

Since he had already started, Zhao Zilong would not stop halfway. He said, "Before Director Chen began arresting these people from the previous dynasty, their activities were minimal. But ever since Director Chen arrested these people and had them executed, their activities have become rampant. The number of cases in various counties has increased, all of which are cases of people from the previous dynasty attacking county officials."

"There are some things I dare not speak of lightly, but I am wondering: if Director Chen had not arrested and executed so many people from the previous dynasty over these past two years, would their activities be much fewer? Would it not have escalated to the situation we see today?"

"Also, I saw the case file regarding the death of the former Director, Wu He, today. I also feel there are some oddities; the death of Wu He was not normal."

Hearing the name Wu He, the eyes of Deputy Director Cai darkened, revealing a hint of sadness.

"What oddities did you see?"

Deputy Director Cai asked, her heart far from calm.

She had come to the Fuzheng Division in Qingyang County specifically to investigate the death of Wu He.

Wu He was the foster son of Marquis Wulie and her foster brother.

After something happened to Wu He, Deputy Director Cai used it as an excuse to delay her marriage and also to investigate the true cause of his death.

The position of Deputy Director of the Fuzheng Division was something she had begged Princess Zhu Yunxi to arrange for her.

After all, Qingyang County was the fief of Princess Zhu Yunxi, and she did have such authority.

However, she had always used escaping marriage as a cover, fearing it would arouse suspicion, so she investigated in secret.

Yet, although she had been at the Fuzheng Division for about a year, she had gained very little.

She had not expected Zhao Zilong to tell her today that there were oddities in the death of Wu He.

This made her see a glimmer of hope.

Walking as he spoke, Zhao Zilong said, "The case file records that Director Wu died of poisoning, and the location was by the Qingyang River."

"That is right, I have seen the case file too. At that time, Director Chen had just been promoted to Deputy Director not long before. Because Deputy Director Chen had repeatedly captured people from the previous dynasty and kept making contributions, he invited the people from the Fuzheng Division to go for a picnic by the Qingyang River. Director Wu died of poisoning that day by the Qingyang River."

Deputy Director Cai recalled, "However, the method used by the poisoner was extremely clever; to this day, nothing has been found."

Zhao Zilong said, "According to the case file, besides Director Wu He, two other members of the Fuzheng Division also died of poisoning that day."

Deputy Director Cai nodded.

All three of them were poisoned by the same substance.

And how the culprit administered the poison could not be determined at all; it was extremely clever.

So clever that it was terrifying.

Zhao Zilong said, "I heard that the wind was quite strong during the picnic that day."

Deputy Director Cai said, "I asked some of the people who participated back then. The wind was indeed very strong that day. According to the wishes of everyone, they did not want to go, but Director Chen insisted on the invitation. Everyone felt it would be rude to refuse Director Chen, so they attended."

Listening to Deputy Director Cai finish, Zhao Zilong could not help but smile faintly and say, "I think I might know who the culprit is."

"Who?"

Deputy Director Cai hurriedly pressed him. Did Zhao Zilong already have a suspect so quickly?

Zhao Zilong said, "Whether it is the person I suspect, I will only be able to confirm after visiting a certain place."

"Let us go now."

Deputy Director Cai was very eager and grabbed the hand of Zhao Zilong, completely forgetting about the boundaries between men and women.

Zhao Zilong said, "Deputy Director Cai, it is already dark now; there is no use going. We can go tomorrow."

"Is that so."

Deputy Director Cai felt a bit disappointed, but oh well, tomorrow it is. She had waited this long; one more day would not hurt.

Coming back to her senses, she realized that because she had been too excited just now, she had actually been holding the hand of Zhao Zilong.

She hurriedly pulled it back and could not help but glare at Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong felt so aggrieved inside. Clearly, you were the one who took the initiative to hold my hand, so why are you glaring at me?

However, because Deputy Director Cai had been so excited, he was a bit curious. Zhao Zilong said, "Deputy Director Cai, you are so concerned about this matter; you must have some connection to Director Wu, right?"

"What did you think of?"

Deputy Director Cai asked, her face slightly flushed.

Zhao Zilong said, "As the daughter of Marquis Wulie, I really cannot understand why you would come to the Fuzheng Division in Qingyang County to work. Even if you wanted to make a name for yourself, the Imperial City would be the same. Moreover, just now, when you heard about Director Wu, you became very unsettled. When mentioning confirming the culprit, you even disregarded the boundaries between men and women, focusing entirely on finding the real culprit. Therefore, I think there must be a deep relationship between you and Director Wu."

"You are right. Wu He was the foster son of my father and my foster brother; we were very close."

Deputy Director Cai said, "Upon hearing the news of his death, I rushed over immediately. For about a year, I have been investigating this matter, wanting to find the culprit, but I have never made any progress."

"Zhao Zilong, if you can find the culprit this time, I will definitely thank you properly."

Deputy Director Cai looked very serious.

At the same time, her eyes looking at Zhao Zilong were somewhat resentful. Zhao Zilong, you observe things so carefully, have you not noticed that I have developed feelings for you?

Did you really not notice, or are you just completely oblivious to romantic matters?

It seems it should be the former. Otherwise, the wife of Zhao Zilong, Jin Rong, would not have cheated on him with Cao Yun. This is just a completely dense man.

"There is no need to thank me; as long as you, Deputy Director Cai, do not hold a grudge against me for my unintentional offense of last night, that would be enough."

Zhao Zilong said earnestly, not wanting to cause any greater rift between him and Deputy Director Cai because of this matter.

Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, the face of Deputy Director Cai sank instantly, and she glared fiercely at Zhao Zilong.

"Zhao Zilong, listen well: the matter of last night is not over. I, Cai Wenjing, will remember this against you for the rest of my life."

After saying this, she ignored Zhao Zilong and stormed off in anger.

Zhao Zilong was speechless and raised his hand to scratch his head.

"Why is this woman so petty? How can she flip her mood so quickly?"

"It is a good thing I did not confess to her last night. Otherwise, if I had actually pursued such a woman, I am afraid I would not have any peaceful days ahead."

Zhao Zilong sighed and chased after Deputy Director Cai.

---

In the main hall of the Princesss Residence, seeing the sullen face of Deputy Director Cai, Princess Zhu Yunxi was somewhat surprised.

"Wenjing, what is wrong? What is making you so unhappy?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi asked with concern.

Caiwei was also curious.

Zhao Xiaotian was also there. He said, "Sister Wenjing, who made you angry? Tell Xiaotian, and Xiaotian will bash their dog head in."

Zhao Zilong, who was walking in from outside, heard the words of Zhao Xiaotian and glared fiercely at him.

"Mr. Zhao is here."

Princess Zhu Yunxi smiled faintly and said.

"Your subordinate pays respects to the Princess."

Zhao Zilong bowed, but just as he finished, the sharp voice of Deputy Director Cai rang out.

"Zhao Zilong, get to the kitchen and cook; I am hungry."

"..."

Zhao Zilong shook his head helplessly, left the main hall, and went to the kitchen.

"Wenjing, why are you so angry at Mr. Zhao? Did Mr. Zhao offend you?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi asked, holding the hand of Deputy Director Cai.

Caiwei and Zhao Xiaotian had expressions of eating melons, listening with pricked ears.

"Princess, Zhao Zilong is just a jerk."

Deputy Director Cai huffed angrily.

Caiwei could not help but cover her mouth and smile; sometimes Mr. Zhao was indeed quite a jerk.

Zhao Xiaotian raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit unhappy. However, thinking of his previous words about bashing the dog head of whoever made Deputy Director Cai angry, Zhao Xiaotian could not help but feel a little panicked.

"Dad would not be angry at me and hit me, would he?"

"Wenjing, tell me what happened with Mr. Zhao?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi really could not imagine how Zhao Zilong had offended Deputy Director Cai to make her this angry.