Miss Truth
Chapter 278 - 175: Blood Splatters on the White Robe_2

Chapter 278: Chapter 175: Blood Splatters on the White Robe_2

Two arrest officers were escorting the lifeless Luo Ling out of the inn, while Xiao Song carefully observed the situation in the courtyard and gestured for the Forensic Doctor to come over and examine the corpse.

Xiao Song, holding an umbrella, meticulously inspected the crime scene. About half a quarter of an hour later, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the old Forensic Doctor engrossed in examining the corpse. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but call out in a low voice, "Bai Yi!"

After a moment, County Magistrate Feng trotted over and asked, "Assistant Minister Xiao, is there something you need this official to do?"

Xiao Song frowned and ordered in a deep voice, "Have someone carefully search the courtyard for any clues the murderer might have left behind, ensure the main hall is strictly guarded, and do not allow anything inside to be disturbed."

County Magistrate Feng’s old face stiffened. His old bones had nearly been worn down during this time. Ever since Xiao Song took over the case, he had been kept busy all day and night without a moment’s rest. He originally thought that capturing the murderer would be the end of it, but now they had to look for physical evidence with so many eyes watching!

Although he had many internal comments, County Magistrate Feng dared not provoke the fearsome Xiao Song of Chang’an. He readily agreed and ordered the search to begin.

Xiao Song put on his traditional hat, mounted his horse, and planned to return to the County Government and interrogate the suspects throughout the night.

Clad in purple robes on a black horse, he slashed through the rain curtain like lightning, streaking past the courtyard where Ran Yan was staying and heading straight for the County Government.

But in the blink of an eye, the rider returned, lifted his traditional hat, looked at the light shining from the courtyard, dismounted, and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A feeble voice came from inside.

"Xiao Song." Xiao Song recognized the voice as that of Sang Chen, who lived in a nearby room by the gatehouse.

Sang Chen gasped and, instead of opening the door, dashed away like a wisp of smoke.

Listening to the receding footsteps, Xiao Song deduced Sang Chen’s actions and couldn’t help but furrow his brows; this Sang Chen was still so petty! Xiao Song stepped back, eyed the not-so-high courtyard wall, stepped on the horse’s back, and smoothly vaulted over into the courtyard.

Upon entering the yard, he could hear the noise coming from Ran Yan’s room. Xiao Song did not walk along the gallery but strode directly through the center of the courtyard.

"Ran Yan, I’m seeking forgiveness and ready to repent! Please forgive me!" Liu Qingsong’s voice came from the room.

Xiao Song felt relieved; it seemed Liu Qingsong had finally come out of his shell after several days and knew that hiding away wouldn’t solve anything, so he had chosen an opportune time to apologize.

And that "opportune time" was when he was not present.

Xiao Song took off his traditional hat, brought the dampness of his body into the house with him.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Liu Qingsong, shirtless with thorn branches tied to his back. Xiao Song’s expression suddenly turned cold.

"Mr. Sang said that knowing your mistake is nearly as good as being brave. For the fact I’m here to repent, you might as well forgive me this time. And about the explosive, it was just a tad too powerful. To think I, a mere doctor, could recreate it from a bit of memory I had, it’s already not in vain..." Liu Qingsong was speaking when suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine, his scalp tingling. He cautiously, and very slowly, turned his head to meet Xiao Song’s icy winter gaze, and dryly swallowed, "So... Song, you’re back!"

"Liu Qingsong!" Xiao Song spat out three words between clenched teeth, his eyes sharp as knives, glaring at him, "You’re saying Sang Chen taught you to seek forgiveness in this manner?"

Liu Qingsong hurriedly nodded, "Mr. Sang is a renowned scholar..."

His words were cut off midway by Xiao Song’s roar, "Has he also taught you to run into an unmarried woman’s room in the middle of the night, naked? If you want to behave like a hooligan, go elsewhere!"

From the inner room, Wan Lu pulled back the curtain and stepped out, lowering her voice, "Assistant Minister Xiao, my mistress has just fallen asleep..."

This statement hit Liu Qingsong on the head like a dull club, even more striking than Xiao Song’s bellowing. Had his babbling confession all been in vain?

Xiao Song’s mood improved slightly, and he glared at Liu Qingsong, lowering his voice, "Get dressed properly now!"

Liu Qingsong jerked off the thorny twig, causing a bloody scratch on his back. He grimaced in pain and was on the verge of tears.

Ever since Ran Yan woke up, she had either been sleeping or spending time with Xiao Song. He took this opportunity to repeatedly ponder how to clean up the mess he had made.

As someone who grew up in the same environment as Ran Yan, Liu Qingsong had not thought of such an ancient method as "wearing thorns to apologize." Initially, Liu Qingsong just wanted to talk to Ran Yan privately, to sincerely express his remorse, but no matter how he practiced, it never seemed heartfelt, as he had never been serious in his life. After many days of practice, something felt insincere about it.

It just so happened that today at noon, Sang Chen got frightened by Ran Yan’s mention of "Receiving Corpse Energy." He stayed curled up in his blanket for half the day. As evening fell and thunder began to rumble, he didn’t dare to stay alone, so he mustered the courage to knock on Liu Qingsong’s door, given that Ran Yunsheng had been in a bad mood lately.

Liu Qingsong, with eyes like panda circles and his hair a mess, wrapped in a blanket, opened the door and saw Sang Chen, then let him into the house.

After their conversation, Liu Qingsong slapped his thigh, feeling like comrades in misfortune. He wept and held his head in despair for a while; under Sang Chen’s righteous incitement, Liu Qingsong made a serious plan to apologize.

And so, the scene they had just witnessed unfolded.

Wan Lu glanced cautiously at Xiao Song, his body still dripping with water, strands of his inky hair falling on his face, and droplets at the tips of his hair reflecting dazzling light under the lamp, making his handsome face look even more attractive.

Xiao Song, standing by the bamboo curtain without entering, lifted the fine curtain with his slender fingers and stood there for a while, watching. His stern expression softened gradually as ice thawing, and by the time he lowered the curtain, there was a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of his mouth.

"In the future, do not allow Liu Qingsong or Sang Chen inside!" Xiao Song turned back to Wan Lu.

If Ran Yan hadn’t nodded her approval, she wouldn’t dare let Liu Qingsong into the house late at night!

"Yes!" Wan Lu felt somewhat wronged. And even though it wasn’t her master, she did not dare to refuse.

Xiao Song nodded slightly and walked out.

Wan Lu bowed respectfully to see him off. Once he left, she couldn’t help walking to where Xiao Song had stood, copying him by lifting the curtain and murmuring, "It’s only the back of someone’s head you can see..."

It wasn’t like there was a burst of spring scenery; what was there to be so happy about?

Ge Lan, who was inside the room, could also see everything outside clearly. She glanced at Ran Yan, who clearly hadn’t fallen asleep but pretended to be motionless, and her lips curved into a smile. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)