The crown prince silently entered the prison cell. He looked at his tightly bound mother with pity in his eyes. “Could you help untie my mother? There are things I want to say to her.”
Bai Lixin: “It’s possible, but if you can persuade her not to take her own life, I’ll release her bonds and take out her handkerchief then.”
After a pause, his gaze fell on the princess. “Princess, biting one’s tongue won’t lead to death. Besides causing temporary unconsciousness, it serves no purpose, except for preventing you from speaking in the future.”
The princess glared at Bai Lixin fiercely, obviously unwilling to listen.
“Calm down, Mother,” the crown prince addressed her gently. “Please refrain from suicidal thoughts in front of me.”
When the princess heard her son’s words, her eyes welled up with tears.
The ferocity she displayed moments ago diminished. When facing her child, there was an endless tenderness and forgiveness.
Seeing the princess slowly sit down and nod, Bai Lixin approached and removed the cloth from her mouth.
When the crown prince saw that he only did this, he quickly requested, “What about the bindings? Please untie my mother.”
Bai Lixin glanced at the princess and asked, “Will the princess attempt suicide again?”
The princess gritted her teeth, “Not for now. I won’t appear so wretched in front of my son.”
Only then did Bai Lixin proceed to untie her.
Inside the dim and damp cell, the crown prince frowned and glanced at Bai Lixin, “Sir, this doesn’t concern you. Please leave, I need to talk to my mother alone.”
“I’m afraid not,” Bai Lixin refused directly. “The princess is currently a suspect and cannot leave our supervision. Bear with us in this matter. I’m just doing my job. I hope you won’t make it difficult for me.”
“You’re just doing your job?” The crown prince sneered. “Your actions are ruthless and malicious!”
Bai Lixin smiled faintly. “To each other.”
The crown prince glared at Bai Lixin with hostility before turning away.
Carefully examining the woman in front of him, the crown prince suddenly knelt down without warning. “Mother, I’ve been unfilial!”
The princess, who was already teary-eyed, couldn’t control her emotions. “My child, get up quickly. It’s Mother’s fault. If I were more resilient, it wouldn’t be like this now.”
“Son, it brings joy to Mother’s heart to see you today. There are things Mother wants to tell you.”
“Shen’er, don’t blame your father. He once had ambitions, but due to current circumstances, his temperament became despondent.”
“After I’m gone, your maternal family will still be your support. You are forever the prince’s heir.”
She paused, glanced at Bai Lixin, and continued, “Your father won’t have more children. You are his only child. He knows this, so he will protect you.”
The woman held the crown prince’s arms tightly. “Do you understand what I mean?”
The crown prince nodded. “I understand, Mother.”
“Also, after this incident, Qingcheng Town is probably a painful memory for you. If you want to leave, go ahead. Mother can only rest in peace when she sees you happy.”
“Mother, I can’t save you from this situation. It’s my unfilialness. Please accept my apologies!”
With that, the crown prince knelt again and kowtowed three times. The princess covered her face, crying uncontrollably.
Today’s parting might be a permanent one.
After exchanging a few more words, the princess asked the crown prince to leave.
Once the crown prince departed, Bai Lixin had the princess re-bound. She was desperate to die, and releasing her carelessly could lead to trouble.
As the crown prince left, Bai Lixin called Zhang Biao. “Crown Prince, we’ll accompany you.”
The crown prince looked at them warily, “No need!”
“Come on, it’s dark here. Watch your step, Crown Prince.” Despite the crown prince’s rejection, Bai Lixin showed unusual enthusiasm.
Zhang Biao was puzzled. ‘Does Master Bai Lixin have a good impression of this prince? How could you be so nice to him?’
Although he was confused, Zhang Biao didn’t say anything and followed Bai Lixin quietly.
On reaching the courtyard outside the prison, Bai Lixin suddenly stopped. “Crown Prince, since you’re here, how about visiting my study for a while?”
The crown prince’s expression became more alert and resistant, “What on earth do you want to do? I won’t go, I want to go home now.”
Bai Lixin smiled gently: “You have already arrived at our Yamen, so you can’t just leave as soon as you say. You should go and sit down and just chat. Why, is the crown prince scared?”
“I’m not scared,” the crown prince retorted. “I just hate you. I don’t want to see you. I feel sick when I see your face. I am a crown prince. Even if I’m demoted, I’m still a royal. You’re mere commoners should not overstep.”
With that said, the prince quickened his pace and walked towards the yamen door.
Bai Lixin winked at Zhang Biao, and Zhang Biao was immediately shocked.
‘Was Master Bai Lixin really planning to tie up the crown prince?!
Although they pretended to be fearless when entering the prince’s residence yesterday, the moment they stepped inside, they felt panicked.
Now Bai Lixin wants him to capture the crown prince?!
This is the crown prince, he was not like the princess. He was genuine royal blood.
Maybe County Magistrate Lin was right, did Bai Lixin want to send the yamen directly to the afterlife?
Seeing Zhang Biao hesitating, Bai Lixin winked again.
Zhang Biao gritted his teeth, them rushed forward and picked up the struggling crown prince, taking him into Bai Lixin’s study.
The crown prince screamed, and the nearby constables saw it.
They exchanged glances and collectively looked down at the ground.
‘We didn’t see anything, we didn’t see anything!’
Yesterday’s capture of the princess was nerve-wracking enough, today, the crown prince was being captured, but they didn’t see or hear anything!
All in all, they dared not get involved in this mess.
But Master Bai Lixin is really something.
He’s the real ruthless one!
After tossing the crown prince into the study, the crown prince realized there was another person inside.
It was a thin woman, dressed plainly, and looked very unremarkable.
The crown prince struggled more vigorously. “Have you all gone mad? Do you know what you’re doing? This is the imprisonment of royalty! Let me go or my father won’t spare you! This is a capital crime, you’re trying to kill me! Let me go!”
Zhang Biao felt guilty, but his face tensed up. He threw the prince heavily on the chair and said angrily: “Shut up! Since it’s all a capital offense, I might as well kill you now. At least there will be something to be blamed for.”
After saying this, Zhang Biao quickly turned his head away.
‘Save me, save me, save me.’
How dare he threaten the crown prince like this? He’s done for. Even if a great immortal came, he won’t be able to save him now.
‘Sir, what exactly do you want to do?’
“Actually, Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Bai Lixin’s calm voice filled the room. It was not loud but it miraculously drowned out the crown prince’s protests, “the one I wanted to take away the most was you.”
“But you’re the prince’s only child. If I tried to take you away, the prince wouldn’t allow it. There will be inevitable conflicts. So, I temporarily took the princess to lure you here.”
“Entering is easy, but leaving from here won’t be so simple.”
The crown prince’s expression changed. “Why take me away? Just because I insulted you a bit? You are a vindictive person, your grudge runs too deep!”
Bai Lixin: “Not at all. I don’t care about your insults. Do you understand why I brought you here? Take a good look at this woman. Do you recognize her?”
The crown prince looked at the woman with confusion and shook his head, “I don’t recognize her. Who is she?”
“She was the maid beside courtesan Xiao Cui two years ago. Her name is now Ping Er.”
The crown prince appeared puzzled, “Oh, and then? I don’t know her.”
Bai Lixin looked at Ping Er, “Do you recognize this person?”
Ping Er also looked bewildered, she shook her head, “No, I don’t know him.”
Bai Lixin: “Well, you both should get acquainted since you were both present at the scene when Xiao Cui was murdered.”
The crown prince’s face changed abruptly, “What do you mean? Are you saying I killed that Xiao Cui? Bai Lixin, you’re clearly using everything to frame me for your own purposes.”
Ping Er scrutinized the crown prince, “Sir, the person I saw that day was about the same height as the young miss. However, the crown prince here is taller than her.”
Zhang Biao also nodded, “Yes, the height doesn’t match.”
The crown prince sneered, “Bai Lixin, do you have anything else to say? You truly have ways of fabricating accusations against me. Just wait, one day, I’ll make you pay.”
“Is the height really off?” Bai Lixin casually pulled out a piece of clothing from under the table, “Your Highness, do you remember this garment? It’s from two years ago.”
The others followed Bai Lixin’s gaze and saw a seemingly new garment on the table. However, in terms of size, it was slightly smaller.
Bai Lixin: “If you were an adult, your height wouldn’t change significantly in just two years. But what about a person who is still growing?”
The crown prince’s expression suddenly changed.
Zhang Biao and Ping Er also understood.
Zhang Biao exclaimed, “The crown prince seems to be around sixteen or seventeen this year. Two years ago, he was only fourteen or fifteen. At this age, a sudden growth spurt isn’t impossible, especially with the reference of the old clothes.”
He slapped his own head, “Ah, why didn’t I think of this before?”
Ping Er shrank in the corner, not daring to say much.
Zhang Biao: “But the princess said she killed those people!”
Bai Lixin: “What if she’s just taking the blame? Just like your mother once considered taking the blame for your brother. A mother’s love is both great and sacrificial.”
“For the sake of her son, she’d rather shoulder all the blame.”
Zhang Biao was surprised: “You mean, all those people killed in the bamboo forest were…how old was he at the time?”
The crown prince sat silently in the chair, his face becoming more and more gloomy
“In some places, some people are heinous regardless of age. I’ve seen a child as young as eight or nine ruthlessly kill his mother because his mother was too harsh on him. I have also seen a seven year old child throwing a three year old child to death. There are many, many more…”
“Don’t always believe in the inherent goodness of people. Some children are just different. Their eyes are filled with a murderous gaze, they have blood on their hands but remain indifferent,” Bai Lixin explained.
The crown prince pursed his lips, his hands gripping the armrests. His chin was lowered, however, his eyes were looking up at Bai Lixin. He had a terrifyingly gloomy expression, akin to an evil spirit crawling out of hell.
Ping Er and Zhang Biao couldn’t help but shudder when they saw it.
The crown prince maintained the position for two seconds, then he raised his head and sneered, “What an interesting story, but you have no evidence. My mother has already admitted to the murders. Everything you’re saying now can be considered as you slandering the royal family. Bai Lixin, I’ll make sure you die a gruesome death.”
Bai Lixin looked at Ping Er, “Is it your first time seeing him?”
Ping Er hesitated before nodding, “Yes, and that night, the person in black had a masked face. I didn’t see the person’s face.”
Bai Lixin turned to the crown prince, “Is it your first time seeing Ping Er?”
“Of course. She’s a woman from a brothel. I detest such places, how could I have seen such a lowly woman?” the crown prince replied arrogantly.
Ping Er’s face suddenly changed, and she lowered her head in shame.
Bai Lixin: “If you put it that way, you probably haven’t met Miss Xiao Cui, nor have you had the honor to hear Miss Xiao Cui play music or seen her pipa, right?”
The prince snorted coldly, looked at Bai Lixin like a fool, raised his head and said arrogantly: “Nonsense, of course I have never seen it before.”
“That’s strange,” Bai Lixin raised an item from under the table, “Your Highness, do you recognize this? What is it?”
The crown prince took a look and said, “A pipa. I’m not a fool, of course, I recognize a pipa.”
Bai Lixin: “Then do you know that this is Xiao Cui’s pipa?”
The crown prince shook his head impatiently, “I already said I don’t know. Are you done? So annoying.”
“Well,” Bai Lixin remained calm, and turned to Ping Er, “Miss Ping Er, do you recognize this pipa?”
Ping Er’s eyes reddened, “Yes, this is my young miss’s pipa. The pattern and style match, and there’s a ‘Cui’ character on the back.”
Bai Lixin looked at the back and confirmed, “Correct, there’s a ‘Cui’ character.”
“Tsk tsk, that makes it even stranger.” Bai Lixin rubbed his chin and looked at the crown prince, “Your Highness, can you explain why your fingerprints are on this pipa that you claim not to have seen?”
The crown prince’s expression stiffened, “What are you talking about?”
Bai Lixin pointed to a painted area, “Here. I don’t know if Miss Xiao Cui noticed some paint peeling off when she was about to go to Master Cao’s place or for some other reason, she temporarily repaired the paint surface. But look here, there are clear finger impressions, possibly due to pressing.”
“Fingerprints have various patterns, and no two people’s fingerprints are exactly alike. Signatures and seals rely on these patterns. You should be aware of this, right?”
“But you haven’t made a comparison,” the crown prince retorted, “Without fingerprints, it’s impossible to have such evidence. You’re trying to deceive me. Yes, I know your tricks, you’re trying to deceive me! I won’t fall for it.”
Bai Lixin stood up with the pipa and walked to the Crown Prince, “If you don’t believe it, we can compare now.”
He pointed to a slightly faded part of the emerald-green pipa, “Look here. Do you see a finger impression?”
The crown prince hesitated, lowered his head and indeed saw a clear finger impression.
“See? If it’s not your fingerprint, I’ll release you immediately. Moreover, I’ll personally express my guilt and kowtow to you in apology,” Bai Lixin declared.
Bai Lixin glanced at Zhang Biao again, and Zhang Biao suddenly woke up. He reached out and snatched the crown prince’s hand, attempting to press it onto the pipa.
Zhang Biao: “…”
‘I didn’t hesitate, I am no longer a coward!
Haha, solving a case with Master Bai Lixin is so exciting.
Let’s bring down County Magistrate Lin next!
So exciting.’
The crown prince struggled, but his strength couldn’t match that of Zhang Biao, who practiced martial arts. He was easily held down, and each finger was systematically compared.
When it reached the index finger, Zhang Biao stopped, “A match, Sir, it matched!”
‘Fuck, it really matched.
The murderer is really you, Crown Prince!’
At this time, the crown prince was no longer as ferocious as before. He looked the pipa in shock, unable to speak:
The crown prince silently entered the prison cell. He looked at his tightly bound mother with pity in his eyes. “Could you help untie my mother? There are things I want to say to her.”
Bai Lixin: “It’s possible, but if you can persuade her not to take her own life, I’ll release her bonds and take out her handkerchief then.”
After a pause, his gaze fell on the princess. “Princess, biting one’s tongue won’t lead to death. Besides causing temporary unconsciousness, it serves no purpose, except for preventing you from speaking in the future.”
The princess glared at Bai Lixin fiercely, obviously unwilling to listen.
“Calm down, Mother,” the crown prince addressed her gently. “Please refrain from suicidal thoughts in front of me.”
When the princess heard her son’s words, her eyes welled up with tears.
The ferocity she displayed moments ago diminished. When facing her child, there was an endless tenderness and forgiveness.
Seeing the princess slowly sit down and nod, Bai Lixin approached and removed the cloth from her mouth.
When the crown prince saw that he only did this, he quickly requested, “What about the bindings? Please untie my mother.”
Bai Lixin glanced at the princess and asked, “Will the princess attempt suicide again?”
The princess gritted her teeth, “Not for now. I won’t appear so wretched in front of my son.”
Only then did Bai Lixin proceed to untie her.
Inside the dim and damp cell, the crown prince frowned and glanced at Bai Lixin, “Sir, this doesn’t concern you. Please leave, I need to talk to my mother alone.”
“I’m afraid not,” Bai Lixin refused directly. “The princess is currently a suspect and cannot leave our supervision. Bear with us in this matter. I’m just doing my job. I hope you won’t make it difficult for me.”
“You’re just doing your job?” The crown prince sneered. “Your actions are ruthless and malicious!”
Bai Lixin smiled faintly. “To each other.”
The crown prince glared at Bai Lixin with hostility before turning away.
Carefully examining the woman in front of him, the crown prince suddenly knelt down without warning. “Mother, I’ve been unfilial!”
The princess, who was already teary-eyed, couldn’t control her emotions. “My child, get up quickly. It’s Mother’s fault. If I were more resilient, it wouldn’t be like this now.”
“Son, it brings joy to Mother’s heart to see you today. There are things Mother wants to tell you.”
“Shen’er, don’t blame your father. He once had ambitions, but due to current circumstances, his temperament became despondent.”
“After I’m gone, your maternal family will still be your support. You are forever the prince’s heir.”
She paused, glanced at Bai Lixin, and continued, “Your father won’t have more children. You are his only child. He knows this, so he will protect you.”
The woman held the crown prince’s arms tightly. “Do you understand what I mean?”
The crown prince nodded. “I understand, Mother.”
“Also, after this incident, Qingcheng Town is probably a painful memory for you. If you want to leave, go ahead. Mother can only rest in peace when she sees you happy.”
“Mother, I can’t save you from this situation. It’s my unfilialness. Please accept my apologies!”
With that, the crown prince knelt again and kowtowed three times. The princess covered her face, crying uncontrollably.
Today’s parting might be a permanent one.
After exchanging a few more words, the princess asked the crown prince to leave.
Once the crown prince departed, Bai Lixin had the princess re-bound. She was desperate to die, and releasing her carelessly could lead to trouble.
As the crown prince left, Bai Lixin called Zhang Biao. “Crown Prince, we’ll accompany you.”
The crown prince looked at them warily, “No need!”
“Come on, it’s dark here. Watch your step, Crown Prince.” Despite the crown prince’s rejection, Bai Lixin showed unusual enthusiasm.
Zhang Biao was puzzled. ‘Does Master Bai Lixin have a good impression of this prince? How could you be so nice to him?’
Although he was confused, Zhang Biao didn’t say anything and followed Bai Lixin quietly.
On reaching the courtyard outside the prison, Bai Lixin suddenly stopped. “Crown Prince, since you’re here, how about visiting my study for a while?”
The crown prince’s expression became more alert and resistant, “What on earth do you want to do? I won’t go, I want to go home now.”
Bai Lixin smiled gently: “You have already arrived at our Yamen, so you can’t just leave as soon as you say. You should go and sit down and just chat. Why, is the crown prince scared?”
“I’m not scared,” the crown prince retorted. “I just hate you. I don’t want to see you. I feel sick when I see your face. I am a crown prince. Even if I’m demoted, I’m still a royal. You’re mere commoners should not overstep.”
With that said, the prince quickened his pace and walked towards the yamen door.
Bai Lixin winked at Zhang Biao, and Zhang Biao was immediately shocked.
‘Was Master Bai Lixin really planning to tie up the crown prince?!
Although they pretended to be fearless when entering the prince’s residence yesterday, the moment they stepped inside, they felt panicked.
Now Bai Lixin wants him to capture the crown prince?!
This is the crown prince, he was not like the princess. He was genuine royal blood.
Maybe County Magistrate Lin was right, did Bai Lixin want to send the yamen directly to the afterlife?
Seeing Zhang Biao hesitating, Bai Lixin winked again.
Zhang Biao gritted his teeth, them rushed forward and picked up the struggling crown prince, taking him into Bai Lixin’s study.
The crown prince screamed, and the nearby constables saw it.
They exchanged glances and collectively looked down at the ground.
‘We didn’t see anything, we didn’t see anything!’
Yesterday’s capture of the princess was nerve-wracking enough, today, the crown prince was being captured, but they didn’t see or hear anything!
All in all, they dared not get involved in this mess.
But Master Bai Lixin is really something.
He’s the real ruthless one!
After tossing the crown prince into the study, the crown prince realized there was another person inside.
It was a thin woman, dressed plainly, and looked very unremarkable.
The crown prince struggled more vigorously. “Have you all gone mad? Do you know what you’re doing? This is the imprisonment of royalty! Let me go or my father won’t spare you! This is a capital crime, you’re trying to kill me! Let me go!”
Zhang Biao felt guilty, but his face tensed up. He threw the prince heavily on the chair and said angrily: “Shut up! Since it’s all a capital offense, I might as well kill you now. At least there will be something to be blamed for.”
After saying this, Zhang Biao quickly turned his head away.
‘Save me, save me, save me.’
How dare he threaten the crown prince like this? He’s done for. Even if a great immortal came, he won’t be able to save him now.
‘Sir, what exactly do you want to do?’
“Actually, Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Bai Lixin’s calm voice filled the room. It was not loud but it miraculously drowned out the crown prince’s protests, “the one I wanted to take away the most was you.”
“But you’re the prince’s only child. If I tried to take you away, the prince wouldn’t allow it. There will be inevitable conflicts. So, I temporarily took the princess to lure you here.”
“Entering is easy, but leaving from here won’t be so simple.”
The crown prince’s expression changed. “Why take me away? Just because I insulted you a bit? You are a vindictive person, your grudge runs too deep!”
Bai Lixin: “Not at all. I don’t care about your insults. Do you understand why I brought you here? Take a good look at this woman. Do you recognize her?”
The crown prince looked at the woman with confusion and shook his head, “I don’t recognize her. Who is she?”
“She was the maid beside courtesan Xiao Cui two years ago. Her name is now Ping Er.”
The crown prince appeared puzzled, “Oh, and then? I don’t know her.”
Bai Lixin looked at Ping Er, “Do you recognize this person?”
Ping Er also looked bewildered, she shook her head, “No, I don’t know him.”
Bai Lixin: “Well, you both should get acquainted since you were both present at the scene when Xiao Cui was murdered.”
The crown prince’s face changed abruptly, “What do you mean? Are you saying I killed that Xiao Cui? Bai Lixin, you’re clearly using everything to frame me for your own purposes.”
Ping Er scrutinized the crown prince, “Sir, the person I saw that day was about the same height as the young miss. However, the crown prince here is taller than her.”
Zhang Biao also nodded, “Yes, the height doesn’t match.”
The crown prince sneered, “Bai Lixin, do you have anything else to say? You truly have ways of fabricating accusations against me. Just wait, one day, I’ll make you pay.”
“Is the height really off?” Bai Lixin casually pulled out a piece of clothing from under the table, “Your Highness, do you remember this garment? It’s from two years ago.”
The others followed Bai Lixin’s gaze and saw a seemingly new garment on the table. However, in terms of size, it was slightly smaller.
Bai Lixin: “If you were an adult, your height wouldn’t change significantly in just two years. But what about a person who is still growing?”
The crown prince’s expression suddenly changed.
Zhang Biao and Ping Er also understood.
Zhang Biao exclaimed, “The crown prince seems to be around sixteen or seventeen this year. Two years ago, he was only fourteen or fifteen. At this age, a sudden growth spurt isn’t impossible, especially with the reference of the old clothes.”
He slapped his own head, “Ah, why didn’t I think of this before?”
Ping Er shrank in the corner, not daring to say much.
Zhang Biao: “But the princess said she killed those people!”
Bai Lixin: “What if she’s just taking the blame? Just like your mother once considered taking the blame for your brother. A mother’s love is both great and sacrificial.”
“For the sake of her son, she’d rather shoulder all the blame.”
Zhang Biao was surprised: “You mean, all those people killed in the bamboo forest were…how old was he at the time?”
The crown prince sat silently in the chair, his face becoming more and more gloomy
“In some places, some people are heinous regardless of age. I’ve seen a child as young as eight or nine ruthlessly kill his mother because his mother was too harsh on him. I have also seen a seven year old child throwing a three year old child to death. There are many, many more…”
“Don’t always believe in the inherent goodness of people. Some children are just different. Their eyes are filled with a murderous gaze, they have blood on their hands but remain indifferent,” Bai Lixin explained.
The crown prince pursed his lips, his hands gripping the armrests. His chin was lowered, however, his eyes were looking up at Bai Lixin. He had a terrifyingly gloomy expression, akin to an evil spirit crawling out of hell.
Ping Er and Zhang Biao couldn’t help but shudder when they saw it.
The crown prince maintained the position for two seconds, then he raised his head and sneered, “What an interesting story, but you have no evidence. My mother has already admitted to the murders. Everything you’re saying now can be considered as you slandering the royal family. Bai Lixin, I’ll make sure you die a gruesome death.”
Bai Lixin looked at Ping Er, “Is it your first time seeing him?”
Ping Er hesitated before nodding, “Yes, and that night, the person in black had a masked face. I didn’t see the person’s face.”
Bai Lixin turned to the crown prince, “Is it your first time seeing Ping Er?”
“Of course. She’s a woman from a brothel. I detest such places, how could I have seen such a lowly woman?” the crown prince replied arrogantly.
Ping Er’s face suddenly changed, and she lowered her head in shame.
Bai Lixin: “If you put it that way, you probably haven’t met Miss Xiao Cui, nor have you had the honor to hear Miss Xiao Cui play music or seen her pipa, right?”
The prince snorted coldly, looked at Bai Lixin like a fool, raised his head and said arrogantly: “Nonsense, of course I have never seen it before.”
“That’s strange,” Bai Lixin raised an item from under the table, “Your Highness, do you recognize this? What is it?”
The crown prince took a look and said, “A pipa. I’m not a fool, of course, I recognize a pipa.”
Bai Lixin: “Then do you know that this is Xiao Cui’s pipa?”
The crown prince shook his head impatiently, “I already said I don’t know. Are you done? So annoying.”
“Well,” Bai Lixin remained calm, and turned to Ping Er, “Miss Ping Er, do you recognize this pipa?”
Ping Er’s eyes reddened, “Yes, this is my young miss’s pipa. The pattern and style match, and there’s a ‘Cui’ character on the back.”
Bai Lixin looked at the back and confirmed, “Correct, there’s a ‘Cui’ character.”
“Tsk tsk, that makes it even stranger.” Bai Lixin rubbed his chin and looked at the crown prince, “Your Highness, can you explain why your fingerprints are on this pipa that you claim not to have seen?”
The crown prince’s expression stiffened, “What are you talking about?”
Bai Lixin pointed to a painted area, “Here. I don’t know if Miss Xiao Cui noticed some paint peeling off when she was about to go to Master Cao’s place or for some other reason, she temporarily repaired the paint surface. But look here, there are clear finger impressions, possibly due to pressing.”
“Fingerprints have various patterns, and no two people’s fingerprints are exactly alike. Signatures and seals rely on these patterns. You should be aware of this, right?”
“But you haven’t made a comparison,” the crown prince retorted, “Without fingerprints, it’s impossible to have such evidence. You’re trying to deceive me. Yes, I know your tricks, you’re trying to deceive me! I won’t fall for it.”
Bai Lixin stood up with the pipa and walked to the Crown Prince, “If you don’t believe it, we can compare now.”
He pointed to a slightly faded part of the emerald-green pipa, “Look here. Do you see a finger impression?”
The crown prince hesitated, lowered his head and indeed saw a clear finger impression.
“See? If it’s not your fingerprint, I’ll release you immediately. Moreover, I’ll personally express my guilt and kowtow to you in apology,” Bai Lixin declared.
Bai Lixin glanced at Zhang Biao again, and Zhang Biao suddenly woke up. He reached out and snatched the crown prince’s hand, attempting to press it onto the pipa.
Zhang Biao: “…”
‘I didn’t hesitate, I am no longer a coward!
Haha, solving a case with Master Bai Lixin is so exciting.
Let’s bring down County Magistrate Lin next!
So exciting.’
The crown prince struggled, but his strength couldn’t match that of Zhang Biao, who practiced martial arts. He was easily held down, and each finger was systematically compared.
When it reached the index finger, Zhang Biao stopped, “A match, Sir, it matched!”
‘Fuck, it really matched.
The murderer is really you, Crown Prince!’
At this time, the crown prince was no longer as ferocious as before. He looked the pipa in shock, unable to speak:
