The hall of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen.
"威武!" The imposing voice of authority echoed as the yamen runners' court rods struck the bluestone floor heavily. The solemnity and gravitas made it seem as though Zhan Feiyu was a heinous criminal.
Zhan Feiyu looked up at Prefect Chu, who sat behind the official desk, and cupped her hands in a salute. Her movements were as smooth and flowing as water. "This student greets Prefect Chu."
Had Zhan Feiyu not possessed an official title, Prefect Chu would have made her kneel on the ground for half an hour. Even if nothing could be proven, kneeling on the bluestone in the biting cold would have been enough to make Zhan Feiyu suffer.
With a stern face and chilling eyes, Prefect Chu let out a cold哼, "This official is a military officer and requires no such empty courtesies. Zhan Feiyu, this official asks you, was Qian Shipeng killed by you?"
Not to mention Zhan Feiyu's speechless expression, the constables in the hall and the scribe recording the proceedings couldn't help but curl their lips. Who conducted trials like this? With no witnesses or evidence, they immediately accused someone. Even if Zhan Feiyu were not the murderer, she wouldn't admit it at this moment.
"Replying to Your Excellency, although this student only holds the title of Xiucai, you cannot slander and frame me in this manner." Zhan Feiyu's small frame stood straight, and she retorted righteously.
"I heard Qian Shipeng died at the hands of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen constables. At the time of the incident, this student was studying diligently in the inn. Does Your Excellency believe this student possesses the ability to be in two places at once, or perhaps that this student bribed the yamen constables to commit murder on my behalf?"
"Heard? Who told you?" The gavel slammed down with a crack. Prefect Chu seemed to have seized upon a flaw in Zhan Feiyu's words and demanded sternly, "If you are not the murderer, why would you send people to inquire about the case of Qian Shipeng's death? The four constables had no enmity with Qian Shipeng and no motive to kill!"
Zhan Feiyu's dark, round eyes suddenly widened. It was fortunate that Prefect Chu was a military official; if he were a local magistrate, how many wrongful convictions would there be each year!
"May I ask Your Excellency what my motive for murder is?" Zhan Feiyu glanced at He Sheng, who stood outside the hall. It was precisely because she was worried about Prefect Chu seeking personal revenge that Zhan Feiyu had not allowed He Sheng to enter, otherwise, he would likely still be kneeling now.
However, if Prefect Chu dared to resort to force, Zhan Feiyu decided to retreat as the best course of action. As for the aftermath, Lord Yao would naturally preside.
Prefect Chu, as if he had already obtained evidence of Zhan Feiyu's murder, scoffed, "You refuse to shed tears until you see the coffin! With Qian Shipeng dead, the case of He Nuan has lost its plaintiff and victim, and this case will surely be dropped."
Prefect Chu's angry roar grew louder. "Zhan Feiyu, you are a scholar with an official title, yet to protect your wicked servant, you dare to disregard human life. This official will surely bring you to justice today!"
With a crack, the gavel struck down. Prefect Chu sternly commanded, "Where are the three divisions of yamen runners? Immediately put the prisoner in fetters!"
Upon issuing the order, Prefect Chu threw down his official token. "If the prisoner dares to resist, kill them without mercy!"
The constables and yamen runners standing on both sides of the hall subconsciously looked towards Captain Hu. Even upon seeing the token thrown to the ground, they did not move. They were not so foolish as to lack common sense; this was a disciple of Scholar Gu. Did they dare to arrest him? To put him in fetters? To send him to prison?
If there were witnesses and evidence, it would be one thing, and it could be considered not fearing power. But with Prefect Chu's assumptions in his judgment, which constable dared to act? They would be tired of living.
"Good, good, good!" Prefect Chu uttered three consecutive "goods" and looked furiously at the motionless constables and yamen runners. He then turned back to Zhan Feiyu and sternly said, "You still dare to claim you haven't bribed the officials of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen? My orders are disregarded. Zhan Feiyu, whether you used money or the backing of Scholar Gu, since you have fallen into my hands, this official will surely punish you severely! Guards, arrest Zhan Feiyu!"
Prefect Chu issued another order, clearly directed at the soldiers of the Commander's Office. Prefect Chu was their superior, and those who followed him to Suzho Prefecture naturally obeyed his commands.
Zhan Feiyu watched coldly as eight soldiers wielding weapons rushed out, but she did not move a single step. "Prefect Chu."
Captain Hu and the others held their breath. If anything happened, they would all be held accountable. Especially as they watched the eight soldiers surround Zhan Feiyu, burly men, ¥
...
The hall of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen.
"威武!" The imposing voice of authority echoed as the yamen runners' court rods struck the bluestone floor heavily. The solemnity and gravitas made it seem as though Zhan Feiyu was a heinous criminal.
Zhan Feiyu looked up at Prefect Chu, who sat behind the official desk, and cupped her hands in a salute. Her movements were as smooth and flowing as water. "This student greets Prefect Chu."
Had Zhan Feiyu not possessed an official title, Prefect Chu would have made her kneel on the ground for half an hour. Even if nothing could be proven, kneeling on the bluestone in the biting cold would have been enough to make Zhan Feiyu suffer.
With a stern face and chilling eyes, Prefect Chu let out a cold哼, "This official is a military officer and requires no such empty courtesies. Zhan Feiyu, this official asks you, was Qian Shipeng killed by you?"
Not to mention Zhan Feiyu's speechless expression, the constables in the hall and the scribe recording the proceedings couldn't help but curl their lips. Who conducted trials like this? With no witnesses or evidence, they immediately accused someone. Even if Zhan Feiyu were not the murderer, she wouldn't admit it at this moment.
"Replying to Your Excellency, although this student only holds the title of Xiucai, you cannot slander and frame me in this manner." Zhan Feiyu's small frame stood straight, and she retorted righteously.
"I heard Qian Shipeng died at the hands of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen constables. At the time of the incident, this student was studying diligently in the inn. Does Your Excellency believe this student possesses the ability to be in two places at once, or perhaps that this student bribed the yamen constables to commit murder on my behalf?"
"Heard? Who told you?" The gavel slammed down with a crack. Prefect Chu seemed to have seized upon a flaw in Zhan Feiyu's words and demanded sternly, "If you are not the murderer, why would you send people to inquire about the case of Qian Shipeng's death? The four constables had no enmity with Qian Shipeng and no motive to kill!"
Zhan Feiyu's dark, round eyes suddenly widened. It was fortunate that Prefect Chu was a military official; if he were a local magistrate, how many wrongful convictions would there be each year!
"May I ask Your Excellency what my motive for murder is?" Zhan Feiyu glanced at He Sheng, who stood outside the hall. It was precisely because she was worried about Prefect Chu seeking personal revenge that Zhan Feiyu had not allowed He Sheng to enter, otherwise, he would likely still be kneeling now.
However, if Prefect Chu dared to resort to force, Zhan Feiyu decided to retreat as the best course of action. As for the aftermath, Lord Yao would naturally preside.
Prefect Chu, as if he had already obtained evidence of Zhan Feiyu's murder, scoffed, "You refuse to shed tears until you see the coffin! With Qian Shipeng dead, the case of He Nuan has lost its plaintiff and victim, and this case will surely be dropped."
Prefect Chu's angry roar grew louder. "Zhan Feiyu, you are a scholar with an official title, yet to protect your wicked servant, you dare to disregard human life. This official will surely bring you to justice today!"
With a crack, the gavel struck down. Prefect Chu sternly commanded, "Where are the three divisions of yamen runners? Immediately put the prisoner in fetters!"
Upon issuing the order, Prefect Chu threw down his official token. "If the prisoner dares to resist, kill them without mercy!"
The constables and yamen runners standing on both sides of the hall subconsciously looked towards Captain Hu. Even upon seeing the token thrown to the ground, they did not move. They were not so foolish as to lack common sense; this was a disciple of Scholar Gu. Did they dare to arrest him? To put him in fetters? To send him to prison? If there were witnesses and evidence, it would be one thing, and it could be considered not fearing power. But with Prefect Chu's assumptions in his judgment, which constable dared to act? They would be tired of living.
"Good, good, good!" Prefect Chu uttered three consecutive "goods" and looked furiously at the motionless constables and yamen runners. He then turned back to Zhan Feiyu and sternly said, "You still dare to claim you haven't bribed the officials of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen? My orders are disregarded. Zhan Feiyu, whether you used money or the backing of Scholar Gu, since you have fallen into my hands, this official will surely punish you severely! Guards, arrest Zhan Feiyu!"
If there were witnesses and evidence, it would be one thing, and it could be considered not fearing power. But with Prefect Chu's assumptions in his judgment, which constable dared to act? They would be tired of living.
"Good, good, good!" Prefect Chu uttered three consecutive "goods" and looked furiously at the motionless constables and yamen runners. He then turned back to Zhan Feiyu and sternly said, "You still dare to claim you haven't bribed the officials of the Suzho Prefecture Yamen? My orders are disregarded. Zhan Feiyu, whether you used money or the backing of Scholar Gu, since you have fallen into my hands, this official will surely punish you severely! Guards, arrest Zhan Feiyu!"
Prefect Chu issued another order, clearly directed at the soldiers of the Commander's Office. Prefect Chu was their superior, and those who followed him to Suzho Prefecture naturally obeyed his commands.