Chapter 538 - Chapter 538: Chapter 525: The Foxs Tail (1/2)

Chapter 538: Chapter 525: The Fox’s Tail

After everything was properly arranged, Xu Zhengping and Ding Gaochang finally let out a sigh of relief.

“I never expected that the person sent to investigate this case would be Master Chu.” Xu Zhengping sighed, “Master Chu has quite the reputation in the Ministry of Justice, having handled many major cases. Regarding the matter at Cuiwei Lake, it was only under Chu’s guidance that the two of us survived. Now that Master Chu is here, this case might be resolved soon.”

“Hmm.” Ding Gaochang nodded his head and agreed.

He had also heard about Chu Jinnian’s reputation.

Youthful and holding a high office, it wasn’t due to his status as Prince Qi’s son but his actual talent and competence that commanded respect, such a person was indeed admirable.

With Chu Jinnian on the case, there seemed to be hope.

Some light returned to Ding Gaochang’s previously dim eyes, but his expression remained grave, “But it seems that Master Chu has been implying that Hongyu is highly suspicious, I wonder why.”

“Her survival was a fluke, which naturally would arouse suspicion. You initially started investigating Hongyu for the same reason, but had to stop due to lack of evidence.”

“Just because we haven’t found anything yet doesn’t mean Hongyu is without problems. You stay doubtful about Hongyu these days and keep her here to ensure safety. Under the guise of preventing the murderer from silencing her, you placed guards to see if they could find any clues.”

“I see Master Chu is doing the same, and if Master Chu can find new clues…”

Xu Zhengping did not finish his sentence but looked at Ding Gaochang.

Find new clues?

Ding Gaochang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

The night deepened.

The entire world was engulfed in silence, save for the occasional shouts of the night crier.

It was the same in the prison. All the inmates were lying in the straw, wrapped in their ragged quilted jackets, curled together and deeply asleep.

The sounds of loud and soft snores and grinding teeth never ceased.

The prison guards were also about to pass out from exhaustion. Some were huddled over their desk sleeping, others were sleepily propping their heads up. Occasionally, if they woke up, they pretended to patrol the prison before falling asleep again.

A subtle “clink” suddenly sounded as if a mouse had knocked over the burning oil lamp in a panic. The lamp oil and flame instantly hit the ground and ignited the dry straw nearby.

The fire quickly spread, illuminating the entire prison with a fiery glow, filling the air with dense smoke and jolting everyone awake from their dreams.

“Fire!”

Shrieks of panic erupted instantly.

Followed by the cries of “Help me!”

“Let me out!”

Hongyu was also woken up by the noise. She rubbed her drowsy eyes and realized that the entire prison was on fire. Panic filled her eyes.

She jumped off the bed, didn’t even bother to put on shoes and rushed to the door.

Since Hongyu was not a real prisoner and did not attempt to escape, the door was never locked but merely latched. She managed to open the door smoothly and ran out.

But after two steps, she nearly ran into someone. This startled Hongyu.