Chen Xiaobei had asked Cui Banxian if he had seen anyone go to Chen Anbang’s house or pass by his door.
Cui Banxian’s answer was that he had not seen anyone.
This answer seemed innocuous at first glance, but upon reflection, it was problematic.
It implied that Cui Banxian had indeed passed by Chen Anbang’s door, otherwise, he would have said something like, “I haven’t been there, I don’t know.”
Furthermore, without Chen Xiaobei saying anything, Cui Banxian had already become highly vigilant and asked if he suspected him of harming Chen Anbang, which indicated his guilt.
Therefore, even if Cui Banxian was not the murderer of Chen Anbang, he likely had some unpleasant history with him.
Watching Chen Xiaobei leave, Cui Banxian began to panic. He hadn't expected Chen Ping to report the matter to the authorities.
The most crucial issue was that someone had seen him go to Hetou Village.
The more Cui Banxian thought about it, the more scared he became. He gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and decided that this place was no longer safe. Thirty-six stratagems—flight was the best.
With this thought, Cui Banxian quickly returned to his room to pack a few clothes, and then wrapped up the few taels of silver he had painstakingly saved.
Shouldering this bundle, Cui Banxian hurried out of the village.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei returned to Hetou Village.
He saw He Laoqi sitting under the large locust tree, looking dejected.
Upon asking, he learned that He Laoqi had questioned almost all the villagers of Hetou Village but had found no useful clues.
This situation was actually within Chen Xiaobei’s expectations.
Sometimes, when you are walking on the road, you might see a distant figure, but if you look back and ask about it, you won’t be able to answer.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, He Laoqi only nodded perfunctorily, without speaking.
Chen Xiaobei sat down beside him. “Constable He, I just spoke with Cui Banxian in Cui Family Village. I think he has many suspicious points.”
Upon hearing this, He Laoqi jumped up.
Now, Cui Banxian had become He Laoqi’s last hope. Having searched the entire Hetou Village without any leads, he naturally became very excited upon hearing that the fortune teller was suspicious.
This sudden reaction startled Chen Xiaobei.
“Constable He, what do you mean?”
He Laoqi seemed impatient. “Since he is suspicious, we must investigate thoroughly.”
“Cui Banxian’s house is easy to find. Enter the village, and not far in, a few thatched huts on the north side of the road is it.” Chen Xiaobei picked up a twig, intending to sketch a rough map on the ground.
He Laoqi grabbed his arm. “Brother Xiaobei, take me there. Let’s thoroughly interrogate Cui Banxian.”
Saying this, he pulled Chen Xiaobei along without further ado and headed out.
As soon as they entered the village, the village guards of Cui Family Village approached them.
They bowed and saluted He Laoqi with great respect.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei couldn’t help but sigh.
He Laoqi, as a government official, indeed commanded different respect, looking quite impressive.
When Chen Xiaobei had come alone earlier, no one had paid him any attention.
He Laoqi nodded to the village guards and said loudly, “Where is Cui Banxian’s house? Take me to him.”
The village guards looked at He Laoqi with surprise and a hint of apology. “Constable He, we are truly sorry, but Cui Banxian just left the village, saying he was going to read fortunes for someone.”
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei became anxious. This was a clear case of fleeing from guilt.
He Laoqi clearly understood as well. After inquiring about the direction, he hurriedly led his men in pursuit.
After leaving the village, Cui Banxian ran ahead, but he was an old man after all, and soon became out of breath.
Not long after, he couldn’t run anymore and sat on a roadside stone, panting heavily.
From a distance, he saw Chen Xiaobei and his men chasing after him.
Cui Banxian secretly wailed. He looked around and, coincidentally, there was a bush by the roadside. Without a second thought, he dove into it.
Chen Xiaobei had already seen him. Even if he hadn’t initially, when someone dives into a bush, the shaking branches would make him visible to everyone.
He Laoqi waved his hand, and several constables rushed forward and dragged Cui Banxian out like a dead dog.
“Everyone, everyone, what are you doing?” Cui Banxian asked, his face full of panic.
He Laoqi asked with a stern face, “Cui Banxian, where are you going?”
Cui Banxian forced a smile. “Esteemed official, as a fortune teller, my home is the world. I don’t know where I’m going.”
Nonsense. This was utter nonsense.
Chen Xiaobei immediately stepped forward. “Cui Banxian, stop pretending. I just came to you to understand the situation, and you immediately fled. There must be something wrong.”
Cui Banxian put on an act again. “Esteemed official, as the saying goes, one doesn’t know the price of firewood and rice until they manage a household.”
Then, he started to cry, wiping away tears.
“I am an old man, living alone. I don’t know where my next meal is coming from. If I don’t go out to read fortunes, I’ll go hungry.”
This was really stretching it.
He Laoqi, of course, did not believe such preposterous claims.
“Cui Banxian, I now suspect you are involved in Chen Anbang’s death. You must come with me.”
Cui Banxian pointed at Chen Xiaobei and said, “I just told Captain Xiaobei that I didn’t see anything. What else do you want me to say?”
Chen Xiaobei snorted. “Someone saw you walk past Chen Anbang’s door, right?”
He Laoqi looked at Chen Xiaobei, thinking, ‘Why didn’t I find this witness?’
But when he saw Chen Xiaobei wink at him, He Laoqi instantly understood. This was a trick.
Indeed, Cui Banxian became flustered. “Me walking past his door doesn’t prove anything.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything when I asked you?” Chen Xiaobei stared coldly at Cui Banxian.
“This, this… I was momentarily nervous, momentarily nervous,” Cui Banxian stammered, sweat beading on his forehead.
He Laoqi was getting impatient. “Then let me ask you again, if you were just passing by, why would you run?”
“Esteemed official, as I said, I was going to read fortunes for someone.”
Chen Xiaobei pointed to the bundle on his back. “What do you bring for reading fortunes?”
He Laoqi turned around, and a constable stepped forward to take the bundle from his back. When it was opened, it contained a few pieces of clothing.
As the clothes were shaken, copper coins and silver fell out with a clinking sound.
“Do you need to bring this to read fortunes?” Chen Xiaobei asked coldly.
He Laoqi, who had been half-believing Cui Banxian’s earlier explanation, now understood that he was indeed trying to escape upon seeing the silver fall out.
Going out to read fortunes with so much silver was illogical.
“Cui Banxian, there’s no such thing as bringing money to read fortunes. You were clearly trying to escape.”
He Laoqi waved his hand. “Take him back and interrogate him strictly.”
Soon, Cui Banxian was tied to the large locust tree in Hetou Village.
Immediately after, Chen Ping arrived with his men.
“Cui Banxian, give my grandfather his life back!” Chen Ping shouted, charging forward with the cleaver in his hand.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward and stopped him.
“Brother Chen Ping, don’t be in a hurry. Let Constable He finish his interrogation first.”