2847 Soul Summoning Curse

This burning was truly too disgusting.

"They fell face-down into the fire?" Qiao Mu remained composed as she approached the bodies. She examined Boss Zhang first before turning her attention to Landlord Li.

"That's correct," Shopkeeper Hu confirmed.

"They weren't burned or trampled to death," Qiao Mu asserted coldly. "They were poisoned to death."

"That's impossible!" Elderly Lady Zhang shrieked. "They were trampled to death, trampled to death!"

"Isn't it obvious whether they were or weren't?" Qiao Mu challenged. "Why didn't you allow the authorities to investigate your son's death and instead brought his body back without reporting it?"

"Can you explain this to everyone?"

Elderly Lady Zhang's expression shifted slightly, as did that of the Zhang Brothers.

"The truth of the matter likely lies with your Zhang Family."

Meanwhile, two experienced medical examiners had been summoned. They thoroughly examined the corpses before standing up and bowing respectfully. "The surface of the corpses displays severe burn marks. Ordinary flames wouldn't have caused this level of damage in such a short time. We suspect that a grade-six spiritual fire or higher was used."

Assistant Minister Zhou from the Ministry of Justice slammed his hand on a nearby surface. "So, what you're saying is that there might have been cultivators with high-level abilities who set these two men on fire secretly?"

The crowd grew agitated at this revelation.

"Who would treat Butterfly Pavilion like this? Not only did they send people to cause trouble, but they also used powerful fire magic to inflict serious harm?"

"The corpses show no signs of being trampled."

"They were facedown and their bodies were severely disfigured from the grade-six spiritual fire," clarified one of the medical examiners.

The postulant from the shrine offered his own perspective. "I lack the experience to determine the exact cause of death, but I feel unequipped to identify the poison."

"The poison they were exposed to is rather unique, so it's understandable that you cannot identify it," the young crown prince consort casually interjected. She cast a meaningful glance at Elderly Lady Zhang, who appeared increasingly uneasy. "Now, please retract your earlier statements."

"W-What?" Elderly Lady Zhang stammered in trepidation.

"You claimed that Butterfly Pavilion's negligence led to a mob attack that harmed our guest," Qiao Mu stated coldly. "I want you to publicly announce that there was no such incident."

"But my son is truly dead!" Elderly Lady Zhang argued, "Even if it wasn't a mob—"

"They were not a mob!" Qiao Mu interrupted firmly. "Apologize immediately."

Elderly Lady Zhang reluctantly swallowed her pride. "I… I misspoke."

"How audacious!" Huifeng exclaimed in anger. "Elderly Lady, you have repeatedly contradicted the Crown Prince Consort, displaying gross disrespect! I charge you with this crime!"

Elderly Lady Zhang's two sons immediately panicked at the implications. They were more educated than their mother and understood that the law stated that gross disrespect was a crime that could affect an entire family. If they mishandled this situation, their entire family could be implicated.

In a desperate attempt, they knelt down and begged for clemency. "Crown Prince Consort, please forgive us. Our mother is aging and has become forgetful. We plead with you to be merciful."

Qiao Mu's demeanor remained cold as she retrieved a jade talisman from her pocket. Her icy voice filled the air as she spoke, "If you are unwilling to reveal the truth, I will have your boss, who was unaware, come here and inquire himself."