Chapter 8: The Eerie Suicide

Master Dong bowed and responded diligently

It has been half a month; they must have already been buried

Leng Yi said: "To classify it as suicide indeed presents many unreasonable aspects. With so many methods of suicide available, why choose such a way as inserting a knife into the lower body?"

It is a pity that Leng Yi was on a mission to rescue hostages when he traveled through time, rather than investigating a case. He did not bring along a crime scene evidence collection kit. Otherwise, extracting fingerprints from the latch in the restroom might have yielded some findings. Now, without the evidence collection kit, this task cannot be accomplished. He can only rely on his modern forensic knowledge and logical reasoning.

Leng Yi asked again: "Where is the victim's body?"

The constable, feeling indignant, puffed out his chest and said: "My lord, if I misjudge this time, I will publicly bow my head and admit my mistake!"

The captain Wu said: "If that is the case, then it will be easy to handle! Report it upwards, just say that the concubine committed suicide. Hehe, however, it seems that Master Lai does not think so, and it appears that Governor Liao also does not believe this explanation."

The deputy captain beside him said: "It is also possible that there is none. I have heard that Master Lai is very fond of his little concubine, and he may suspend the mourning period for a while to pay his respects."

The two deputy captains did not say anything, but Captain Wu muttered, "Didn’t you already ask her last time, my lord?"

The constable Wu, with both hands resting on his shoulders, pondered for a moment and said: "If you insist that I speak, then I shall say that I believe it was the local ruffians who, under the pretense of conducting business at the yamen, committed this act. I heard from the maid who accompanied the deceased that on that day, they went to the yamen to plead with you, the magistrate, stating that the harvest was poor and the rent collected was minimal, requesting a tax reduction. When you did not agree, they left, preparing to return. Upon reaching this point, the concubine mentioned needing to use the restroom and went. It was certainly at this moment that the ruffian saw her, coveting her beauty, and followed her, tricked her into opening the door, and threatened her with a knife. He then assaulted her, and to silence her, he stabbed her in the lower body, killing her, and subsequently fled the scene.

The constable Song nodded and said: "I truly cannot think of any way to enter the toilet, commit murder, and then leave while still being able to lock the door from the inside. Therefore, after much consideration, this explanation seems to be the most reasonable."

Leng Yi said: "This case is quite peculiar, but since it is already before us, we must find a way to solve it! So, please share your thoughts on how this case should be investigated. Don't worry, just express your ideas freely. There is no right or wrong in this matter."

Cold Yi said: "Good people and bad people have no inscriptions on their faces; case handling cannot rely on intuition"

No, I was just thinking that way

"For no particular reason," Leng Yi said淡淡, "This is my territory, and I am in charge. Anyone who is unwilling to stay can leave!"

Leng Yi and * Tu * Shudao: "Have you conducted an investigation among the local ruffians in this county?"

Leng Yi knew that there were two deputy captains, one with the surname Song and the other with the surname Ding. Since the tall one was named Ding, the other naturally had the surname Song. He turned to look at him and said, "Captain Song, what is your opinion?"

The head constable Song bowed and said, "I believe that since the murderer could not have committed the crime in the restroom, the only possibility left is suicide"

Leng Yi said to Master Dong: "Please convey my words to everyone in the yamen: anyone found to be using torture to extract confessions from suspects shall be dismissed without exception! There will be no leniency!"

The captain Wu was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

He is certainly entitled to express his views; anyone who has a different perspective on the case is welcome to speak up

Leng Yi cast a glance of approval at Master Dong, then coldly addressed Captain Wu: "This county warns you, from now on, you are not permitted to use torture to extract confessions from suspects! Otherwise, this county will dismiss you and initiate an investigation! Do you understand?"

Leng Yi pondered for a long time, shook his head, and said to Captain Wu: "Go and bring the person who discovered the body here; I need to ask her some questions"

The head constable smiled awkwardly and said, "Our Yinling County is a place of exile, with a fierce local culture where brawls and murders are commonplace. My two deputy constables and I have dealt with countless homicide cases. However, in the past, the murders were mostly the result of brawls, where the victim was killed on the spot, and the murderer was always known. This case, where someone was killed inside a house, the door was locked from the inside, and the body was lying behind the door blocking it, is truly the first of its kind that I have encountered. Not only have I never encountered such a case, but I have never even heard of one before!"

Is this something you came up with yourself? This is a homicide! Can you just speak recklessly based on your wild imagination?

As a detective, solving cases is your primary responsibility. Regarding cases, especially homicides, you must have a workable approach to investigation rather than speaking in generalities. It is essential to know not only who cannot be the suspect but also who might be, in order to narrow down the range of suspects and conduct targeted investigations.

I do not know about this, but I can assure you that it was definitely not done by anyone from our office

The deputy captain lowered his head in silence

Leng Yi said calmly: "I am simply asking whether the body has been buried"

The three exchanged glances, and Captain Wu cleared his throat, saying: "Let me speak first. I believe it was not someone from our yamen who committed this crime. Although the incident occurred within the yamen, I have been in the yamen of Yinling County for over twenty years. While the personnel have changed repeatedly, I am well aware that there are no such vile individuals among us. To commit such an act of defilement, and then to stab a woman in her private parts, is something only a beast would do! There are no such beasts in our yamen! If there were, I would have noticed!—To commit such an act of defilement, and then to stab a woman in her private parts, is something only a beast would do! There are no such beasts in our yamen! If there were, I would have noticed! You cannot hide from these eyes of mine, the eyes of Wu!"

Without saying any more, Leng Yi said expressionlessly: "If you believe that the person is not from the government office, then who is the murderer?"

Leng Yi pondered for a moment and said to Captain Wu and the others: "Our county needs to re-interview the key witness, that maid named Xinghua. You three captains will accompany me to Kuli Village tomorrow morning to question the complainant."

The captain Wu said: "Hasn't it already been returned to Master Lai for burial?"

Leng Yi raised his thick eyebrows and said, "This county has made it very clear; this case needs to be thoroughly re-investigated. All witnesses must be questioned again. We will investigate each lead one by one"

Leng Yi sat down in the chief constable's office and glanced at the three constables, saying: "This murder case has been ongoing for so many days now, and I believe you all have your own opinions. Please share them with me." Looking at Constable Wu and the two deputy constables, he continued, "On the way here, Master Dong has already expressed his views, and I would like to hear your opinions as well. Who would like to go first?"

I have investigated, I have thoroughly investigated. Damn it, none of these ruffians admit to anything. I brought them in for a round of interrogation, and indeed, two of them couldn't withstand the torture and confessed. However, their statements were completely nonsensical. Master Dong refused to use them as scapegoats, so I had no choice but to release them

This statement immediately rendered the captain of the guards speechless, and he turned his head away in displeasure

The head constable hurriedly said: "In response to your inquiry, my lord, the one who discovered the body is the deceased's maid, Xinghua, who resides in Kuli Village, which is over thirty miles away. Currently, there is no way to summon her."

Leng Yi and * Tu * Shudao: "Suicide?"

This ... ... is unknown to the subordinate

The two deputy captains also nodded in agreement

Leng Yi said: "Let's go to your constabulary's office and have a seat, while we discuss this case."

The captain of the guards expressed some dissatisfaction with the deputy captain's defiance, shot him a glare, and said, "Did you see that?"

The captain Wu did not dare to say anything further and hurriedly agreed

In ancient times, torture for the purpose of extracting confessions was legal and even encouraged. Moreover, the county magistrate had previously subjected offenders to torture, even employing severe punishments. How is it that now, all of a sudden, this practice is prohibited, and threats of dismissal are being made? This left Captain Wu somewhat perplexed, unable to comprehend the situation, and he could not help but ask a question.

The captain Wu felt somewhat disgruntled. That deputy captain cast a grateful glance at Leng Yi

The constable Wu and his team hurriedly invited Leng Yi to the constables' quarters next to the restroom. This quarters consists of several single-story rooms, with one large room serving as the office for the constables, while the other two smaller rooms are designated for Constable Wu and the two deputy constables.

Leng Yi carefully reviewed the statement of the person reporting the incident once again. At that time, she was waiting at the entrance of the toilet, but after a long wait with no one arriving, she went to check. As a result, she found that the toilet door could not be pushed open, and her calls went unanswered. She then went to the dormitory to call for help. Captain Ding used a knife to cut open the wooden board beside the toilet, allowing the maid, Xinghua, to reach in and remove the latch securing the door. Upon opening the door, they discovered that the concubine had already died in the toilet, her lower body covered in blood. A knife was found in the filthy pit filled with excrement.