Chapter 79: Truly Honest

“So that’s how it is!” Having personally confirmed the news from the constable’s own mouth, Li Yi finally signaled the burly constable to stop.

Meanwhile, the faces of the three constables were twisted in pain, looking utterly wretched. Clearly, the beating had been severe, leaving them nearly skinned alive. Seeing that the burly constable had finally stopped, the three of them managed to catch their breath, but they kept their heads bowed, not daring to glance at He Chishan and Wang Fugui again.

In fact, the three constables who had already confessed quietly edged away from the pair, as if trying to distance themselves from any association. Li Yi, unimpressed by their cowardice, spared them no more attention and instead turned his gaze upon He Chishan.

“Speak, Magistrate He. How did you and Wang Fugui conspire to harm Wang Zhongfu’s family? I suppose you wouldn’t want to suffer more of that beating, would you?” Li Yi asked with casual indifference.

At once, fear and unease appeared on He Chishan’s face, mirrored by Wang Fugui, who began to tremble nervously. It was obvious that, if Li Yi’s deductions were correct, these two were indeed the masterminds behind it all. Yet, their reactions after hearing Li Yi’s words were exactly as he expected.

“Young master, you mustn’t make such reckless accusations…” Sure enough, He Chishan immediately defended himself.

He wore an aggrieved look, as pitiful as a wronged daughter-in-law, and said, “Though I am indeed Wang Fugui’s brother-in-law, I have always been upright in office. Regarding Wang Zhongfu’s case, I can vouch that I did not make a wrongful judgment!”

“Yes, young master,” Wang Fugui hurried to add, afraid he’d be too late, “I am but a village chief, always abiding by the law—how could I dare break the Tang Code, let alone take a life!”

Both men stared at Li Yi, speaking righteously, their expressions calm and unflinching, lying without the slightest blush.

Hearing this, Li Yi’s brows knit slightly.

But Wang Zhongfu could not bear it any longer and shouted in protest, “Nonsense! Wang Fugui, you colluded with this corrupt official—don’t think I don’t know your little schemes!”

“Wang Zhongfu, what schemes? Don’t slander me without proof—one must speak with evidence!” Wang Fugui snapped, puffing up his cheeks. “I, Wang Fugui, answer to heaven and earth. If I didn’t do it, I didn’t do it! How can you falsely accuse me without any proof?”

Wang Zhongfu was flushed with rage, but words failed him, and he could only grit his teeth, itching to beat the man to death.

“All right, enough—everyone be quiet!” Li Yi scolded, weary of their bickering.

The hall fell silent once more; everyone lowered their heads, waiting for Li Yi’s next question.

The onlooking townsfolk, seeing Li Yi’s slightly exasperated face, could not help but wonder in their hearts—could Li Yi truly solve this case? Or perhaps Magistrate He Chishan and Wang Fugui were indeed innocent?

None could see through the situation, and could only watch quietly from the side.

Li Lizhi also found herself puzzled, not knowing what Li Yi intended by all this. Still, she trusted him, so she remained seated, watching in silence.

Li Yi fixed Wang Fugui with an impassive stare and asked, “Wang Fugui, tell me—on the day before Madam Wang was killed, where were you?”

Wang Fugui pondered for a moment, then replied, “Replying to the young master, I was at home that day. My wife can testify to this.”

“And where were you on the day Madam Wang was killed?” Li Yi pressed.

“I was also at home,” Wang Fugui replied.

“And what was the weather like that day?” Li Yi asked with a smile.

“The weather?” Wang Fugui was taken aback, puzzled by the question. “Young master, what does the weather have to do with anything?”

Li Yi’s expression froze momentarily. He glanced at Wang Fugui, pretended to realize something, and waved his hand carelessly. “Nothing, just making conversation.”

“Uh…” Wang Fugui shrank his neck instinctively, thought seriously, and replied, “Young master, that day the sky was clear, not a cloud in sight; the weather was fair.”

“But I clearly remember that on the night of December seventh, the moon was bright in the sky,” Li Yi said, frowning.

“Ah…” Wang Fugui was stunned, confused. “Did I remember wrong?” he wondered. But then he thought, after so many days, who could remember whether there was a moon that night?

Perhaps it was a clear, moonlit night…

So Wang Fugui nodded and said, “Yes, young master, that night the moon was indeed bright in the sky.”

Li Yi smiled inwardly, said nothing to Wang Fugui, and instead turned to Wang Zhongfu. “Wang Zhongfu, was there a moon that night?”

“No, young master!” Wang Zhongfu replied earnestly, his face serious and his gaze unwavering. “I remember it clearly—December seventh, clear skies during the day, no moon at night!”

Li Yi nodded knowingly, spread his hands, and looked at Wang Fugui with a look of realization. “See, I remember it too—clear skies by day, no moon at night. Wang Fugui, why did you lie?”

“Young master!” Wang Fugui was instantly flustered, sweat beading on his forehead. He hurried to explain, “But you said there was a moon that night! It’s been so many days—how could I remember clearly?”

“But you just said, clear skies during the day—you remember that quite well!” Li Yi feigned surprise.

“Young master, I must have remembered wrong,” Wang Fugui stammered, his hands and feet fumbling. “It really was clear during the day, no moon at night!”

“Oh, is that so…” Li Yi nodded, then continued, “Then do you recall, on the night you assaulted Madam Wang, was it also clear by day and moonless by night?”

“Yes!” Wang Fugui replied without hesitation, afraid he’d falter again. “It was indeed clear during the day, no moon at night!”

Li Yi didn’t expose him, but while Wang Fugui was still muddled, he pressed on quickly: “And do you recall, the night after Madam Wang was killed, when you drank with He Chishan, was it also a moonless night?”

“Yes, young master, I remember it clearly!” Wang Fugui replied.

Hearing that everything had come to light, Li Yi asked no more. He smiled at Wang Fugui, gave him a thumbs-up, and praised, “Wang Fugui, you are truly honest!”

“Naturally, I am honest,” Wang Fugui replied, bewildered but grinning.

He had no idea that, without realizing it, he had just revealed the entire truth.

Cough, cough. This case is finally finished—hope it didn’t let you all down. Please support with your votes, QAQ…

(The End of this Chapter)