Cui Tao carefully observed and confirmed the location of the mole, which was exactly the same as she remembered. The hands were also similar, fair and slender with distinct joints.

Cui Tao looked at Judicial Officer Han in surprise, took two steps back in fright, and asked him cautiously in a trembling voice, “I… we knew each other before?”

This was just a euphemism; what Cui Tao actually meant was: You were the real murderer! I was taking the blame for you!

Judicial Officer Han glanced back at Cui Tao speechlessly, then looked at Midwife Zhang.

Although Miss Cui was not very bright, her shocked expression when she saw the mole was genuine.

“A severe blow to the head can occasionally cause memory confusion,” Midwife Zhang thought, believing this was the only explanation at the moment.

Others assumed she had amnesia and found her confusion normal. But Cui Tao herself knew perfectly well that she hadn’t misremembered. Of course, her memory was only a fragment and couldn’t be used to summarize the whole incident, but it was clear that the man with the mole on his index finger was very familiar with her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have called her ‘Taozi’ so affectionately. Moreover, the chances of her encountering someone with the same mole in such a peculiar location were extremely low.

However, judging from Judicial Officer Han’s expression, he really didn’t seem to recognize her. Besides, if he really was the murderer, he wouldn’t have needed to spare her life during the initial sentencing; it would have been much easier to just kill her.

So it really was just a pure coincidence? Cui Tao didn’t quite believe it. Hundreds of quick-transmigration experiences had told her that all coincidences were not accidental, and this one probably wasn’t either.

Judicial Officer Han was about to speak when a scream suddenly came from the other side, as Cui Tao was still staring at him intently.

“Ah—”

Someone’s dead!

“She… she… she’s dead!”

The one shouting was Lady Liu from the next cell; she staggered to the fence and begged for help.

Only then did everyone notice that Lady Zhou, the middle-aged woman imprisoned in the same cell as her, was lying face down against the wall, motionless.

Head Jailer Sun quickly opened the cell door, and Midwife Zhang immediately checked Lady Zhou’s condition. She then nodded to Judicial Officer Han, indicating that the person was indeed dead.

“Her body is completely stiff; she has been dead for at least six hours,” said Midwife Zhang.

Lady Zhou had been imprisoned for less than three days for human trafficking. For the past two days, besides crying, she had spent her days lying facing the wall, rarely speaking. This was a common sight among the female inmates; almost everyone who entered prison did the same. Who wants to be in prison? Suddenly finding yourself in there, everyone cries, feels depressed, and goes through an adjustment period.

Based on the time of death estimated by Midwife Zhang, Lady Zhou must have died last night.

Lady Liu said she didn’t notice anything unusual about Lady Zhou. When she woke up in the morning, she saw Lady Zhou lying there and assumed she was still asleep. Later, at breakfast, Lady Liu did say something to her, but seeing that she didn’t move, she didn’t pay any more attention. At noon, when she saw that Lady Zhou hadn’t gotten up to eat, Lady Liu thought she was having second thoughts and was depressed again, so she didn’t ask any further questions.

But when Judicial Officer Han arrived, it caused a sensation throughout the women’s prison. Everyone couldn’t resist catching a glimpse of the handsome official. Yet, Lady Zhou remained lying there, which puzzled Lady Liu. She went to call her again and found that Lady Zhou was still motionless, almost like a dead person. Lady Liu then checked her breathing and discovered that she was indeed dead.

“The lips and nails are bluish-purple, and there is drooling. The preliminary diagnosis is death by poisoning.” After reporting to Judicial Officer Han, Midwife Zhang had two jailers help carry the body to the morgue so she could conduct further examination.

As the body was being carried out, Cui Tao caught a glimpse of the deceased Lady Zhou’s face. She suddenly remembered that the steamed bun Wang Siniang had angrily thrown away at dinner the previous night had been picked up and eaten by this very Lady Zhou.

“So, Lady Zhou was poisoned to death in this prison cell,” sighed Li Yuan, the yamen constable.

Head Jailer Sun panicked. He was responsible for all the prisoners in the cell, so he knew he’d be blamed for this. He quickly apologized to Judicial Officer Han, saying he had always been careful watching the prisoners and really had no idea how Lady Zhou got poisoned.

“Since there are no external injuries and no outsiders have been to the prison, the poison must have entered through the mouth.” Judicial Officer Han then asked Head Jailer Sun who was responsible for Lady Zhou’s daily meals.

“She’s a human trafficker, her home is far away in Fuzhou, and she can only get food from the government. But how could the food provided by the government office be poisoned? If it were, she wouldn’t be the only one who died. There are eight female prisoners in this jail who are all eating government-provided food, and the rest are all fine,” Head Jailer Sun explained.

Upon hearing this, Cui Tao couldn’t help but sigh and purse her lips. She was one of those eight unfortunate people; how pitiful!

Judicial Officer Han also found it strange. If Lady Zhou hadn’t been in contact with outsiders, could the poison have been administered by someone within the government? But she was just a kidnapper, her status insignificant, so why would someone try to silence her like this?

Seeing that Judicial Officer Han’s furrowed brows were almost as high as a mountain, Cui Tao immediately raised her hand and said, “My Lord, this humble woman knows a clue.”

Judicial Officer Han glanced at Cui Tao.

“If the clues I provide are useful, could you please give me a reward, My Lord? Just a bowl of mixed soup and some sesame flatbread would be fine.” After saying this, Cui Tao couldn’t help but glance sadly at the bowl of ‘official food’ on the ground, a masterpiece of the dark cuisine world.

Judicial Officer Han followed Cui Tao’s gaze for a moment, then his scrutinizing look lingered on Cui Tao’s face before he smirked and chuckled softly.

He laughed, he laughed!

This excited the female prisoners watching. Having been cooped up in their cells for so long without seeing a man, how could they not be excited to suddenly see such a handsome man with an extraordinary air of elegance and striking good looks? If they could see the smile of such a refined and handsome man every day, they would be willing to serve their entire lives in prison!

Despite their excitement, everyone knew that Judicial Officer Han was not someone to be trifled with, so they tried their best to restrain themselves on the surface, only indulging in fantasies about him in their hearts.

“Speak,” Judicial Officer Han said, eager to hear what the clue was.

“The person who poisoned her didn’t want to kill Lady Zhou, but her!” Cui Tao raised her hand and pointed behind her.

Although Wang Siniang had been severely beaten and was in so much pain that she couldn’t get up, this didn’t stop her from admiring Judicial Officer Han’s handsome appearance. At that moment, she was like a turtle stretching its neck, glancing in Judicial Officer Han’s direction. Suddenly, she saw Cui Tao pointing at her, and then she saw Judicial Officer Han also looking at her. Wang Siniang was immediately stunned.

Guh!

Glug glug!

Just then, a very clear sound came from Wang Siniang’s stomach.

Wang Siniang was usually loud and rough, but in front of Judicial Officer Han, she felt shy and looked down, too embarrassed to show her face.

Cui Tao took a closer look at Judicial Officer Han’s appearance, and it wasn’t surprising that the female prisoners reacted so dramatically. Even she, who had traveled through countless worlds and seen many immortals, still thought Judicial Officer Han was quite good-looking. First, his features were delicate; second, his skin was good; and third, he had a refined and elegant demeanor, like a graceful bamboo. With these three important qualities, it would be hard for him not to be good-looking.

“Last night, after Wang Siniang’s meal was delivered, she didn’t eat it and threw the steamed bun away. I saw Lady Zhou pick it up and eat it,” Cui Tao continued to explain.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the steamed bun Lady Zhou ate was poisoned,” the constable Li Yuan retorted. “Who knows if Lady Zhou ate something else without anyone knowing?”

“That’s right, how could my steamed buns be poisonous!” Wang Siniang mocked Cui Tao for talking nonsense.

“Then why is your stomach growling with hunger?” Cui Tao asked Wang Siniang.

“I didn’t eat last night because I was angry, and no one brought me food this morning or at noon, so naturally I’m very hungry,” Wang Siniang said angrily, scolding her older brother for being so busy that he forgot to bring her food, something that had never happened before.

Cui Tao fell silent and looked at Judicial Officer Han.

Li Yuan had no idea what Cui Tao meant.

Judicial Officer Han had already ordered a search to be conducted to find the person who delivered food to Wang Siniang last night.

Wang Siniang’s eldest brother, Wang Dafa, had always been the one to deliver her meals, and last night was no exception. All family members who delivered food to the prisoners were registered, and people could simply go to the address listed in the register to find them.

Wang Siniang was a little confused. “What’s going on? Did someone really poison me?”

“I’m afraid your elder brother didn’t forget; he just thinks you’re already dead and don’t need to eat anymore,” Cui Tao explained to Wang Siniang.

Wang Siniang was so shocked she felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. “How could this be? He… he—”

After hearing this, Li Yuan, who had been puzzled, finally understood.

Wang Siniang’s brother had been consistently bringing her meals. Even if he had forgotten because of something, how could he have forgotten two meals in a row? In addition, last night, Lady Zhou was poisoned to death after eating the steamed bun that Wang Siniang had discarded. Who else could have poisoned her but him?

“Good.”

Judicial Officer Han answered readily and then left with his men.

Things were starting to get better. Cui Tao sat on the straw with hope, rubbing her stomach, waiting for someone to bring her the tasty mixed soup.

After Li Yuan was released from prison, he said goodbye to Judicial Officer Han.

Where to?

“Go buy some mixed soup and sesame seed cakes. Didn’t Judicial Officer Han just promise Miss Cui—”

“When did I agree to that?” Judicial Officer Han glanced at Li Yuan coldly.

Li Yuan: “…”

After thinking it over, it seems like Judicial Officer Han didn’t really agree, but in that situation, most people would probably assume he did.

Cui Tao felt a little guilty after being praised. She had no intention of seeking happiness for others; she just wanted to eat and drink well herself.

After a light dinner, Cui Tao felt full, but also empty inside.

At this moment, Li Yuan arrived and wanted to take Cui Tao away.

“It’s so late, why are you still interrogating me?” Cui Tao asked.

“Didn’t you ask to go to the scene? Midwife Zhang said the incident happened at night, so going now will make it easier to recall your memory. I’ll tell you the whole story on the way,” Li Yuan explained.

“Is Judicial Officer Han going too?” Cui Tao asked.

Li Yuan shook his head, thinking that Cui Tao would be disappointed, since most female prisoners couldn’t resist Judicial Officer Han’s face. But he saw Cui Tao breathe a sigh of relief and become happy.

Cui Tao followed Li Yuan to the back gate of Kaifeng Prefecture. Not long after they left, Cui Tao noticed that Li Yuan was frequently rubbing his lower back.

Cui Tao reached out and touched his waist.

Startled, Li Yuan immediately became alert, stepping aside and gripping his dagger. “What are you doing?”

“It hurts a lot, doesn’t it? Your bones are dislocated. If you trust me, I can fix it for you right away.” After Cui Tao finished speaking, she saw Li Yuan looking at her with a strange expression. “Kaifeng Prefecture is heavily guarded. Are you afraid I’ll run away?”

“Can it really be fixed?”

Li Yuan had been suffering from back pain for three months. He had seen four or five doctors and spent a lot of money, but it hadn’t gotten better. In fact, it had gotten worse in the last few days. When his back didn’t hurt, he didn’t really feel anything, but when it hurt, he realized that he had to use his back for everything. Now, even bending over to put on his shoes was difficult for him.

He was a constable who relied on his martial arts skills and strength to get work done. If he couldn’t work, how would he earn money to support his family? If he went to see a doctor again, he was afraid he would waste money and still not get better. So Li Yuan was a little tempted by Cui Tao’s suggestion, and from the tone of her voice, she seemed quite capable.

Cui Tao nodded immediately and assured Li Yuan that it would definitely work.

She looked around and saw that this place was secluded and no one was around at the moment. She told Li Yuan to lie down on the spot, and she could get him ready in the blink of an eye.

After leaving Kaifeng Prefecture, Judicial Officer Han was still worried and decided to turn back to personally watch Li Yuan and the others take Cui Tao to the crime scene.

When he arrived, he saw a lantern lying on the ground, and Li Yuan lying face down. Cui Tao then slammed her knee into Li Yuan’s lower back, pressed one hand on Li Yuan’s shoulder, and grabbed his arm with the other.

A prison break?