The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 119 Unwind
The “Four Seasons Monthly Orders” stated: The twelfth lunar month is renewed, known as the “Little Year”. It is customary to offer wine to honor elders and congratulate the emperor and teachers.
As Little New Year approached, in the capital city, every household was busy with rituals: worshipping the kitchen god, sweeping away dust, decorating windows with paper cutouts, preparing New Year goods, and bidding farewell to the old while welcoming the new. The festive atmosphere was intense.
The mansion of Minister of Works Qin Wenxuan is no exception. Madam Zhu was quite adept at managing the household, keeping everything orderly and cheerful.
The joy in the Qin Mansion was not only due to the New Year but also because of a significant event recently.
The two young ladies of the mansion were about to enter into marriage discussions.
Not long ago, Madam Zhu had sent word through an official matchmaker that her two daughters had reached a marriageable age and were looking for suitors.
Her requirements for a son-in-law were not too high. As long as he comes from a reputable family and possesses decent character and appearance, he is welcome to visit and discuss with the family.
Madam Zhu added one more condition, it would be best if the suitor could come to live in their household.
Although the Qin family is not among the most prominent, Minister Qin Wenxuan was a well-respected official, and Madam Zhu’s family background was also quite wealthy, with only two daughters in the family.
Given this, there were naturally many families eager to seek a connection, especially since Madam Zhu’s requirements were not excessive, resulting in a continuous stream of suitors knocking on their door.
———-
On the other hand, the Prime Minister Qin Mansion in the capital appeared much more desolate.
Due to Qin Yan cutting off the family’s financial lifeline and the Prime Minister being penalized due to the implications of the Fourth Master Qin’s case, the situation in the Prime Minister Qin Mansion has become quite strained compared to previous years.
Although the gratitude gifts sent by the Taizi Mansion for Taizifei barely sustained the household, they still needed to cut back on expenses and let go of some servants. Even the usual visits and socializing during the New Year have been reduced as much as possible.
As the saying goes, “Poor couples have troubles in everything.”
While Prime Minister Qin wasn’t exactly poor, they were financially tight, causing Prime Minister Qin and Song Mei to feel perpetually tense, easily triggered into arguments.
Moreover, the unresolved issues between Song Mei and Qin Wenzheng regarding the Fourth Master Qin have added to their strain.
Lately, whenever they encountered each other, it was either Qin Wenzheng throwing cold looks and sharp remarks at Song Mei or her sighing and complaining, blaming him for being ungrateful.
Everyone in the mansion noticed that there seemed to be a misunderstanding between the Prime Minister and his wife and speculating whether the Prime Minister might take a concubine if things continued to be like this.
This gossip eventually reached Song Mei’s ears, infuriating her to the point of trembling as she reprimanded a few loose-tongued servants.
As the saying goes, “A favor rice can lead to enmity over a bushel.”
In the past, when the mansion was prosperous, Song Mei was quite generous with the servants, leading them to become spoiled over time.
Now that she has tightened her purse strings, the servants have begun to murmur about her being stingy and petty.
Given that Song Mei’s rise to her position was not entirely legitimate, those in the know harboring resentment naturally let slip unflattering remarks. Yet, she couldn’t replace all the staff, or Qin Wenzheng would accuse her of wasting money; she could only endure and get by.
Who would have thought that the Lady of the Right Prime Minister Mansion would have to endure such scorn from her servants?
———–
However, Prime Minister Qin’s mind was not on the trivial matters of the inner household.
With the Taizi ordering a thorough investigation into the case of the beating at an eatery in the western suburbs, Qin Wenzheng’s years of experience in government led him to believe that some officials will likely be brought down as a result.
Rumors outside suggest that the Taizi’s directive to probe into such a minor case stemmed from one of the perpetrators having insulted the Taizifei, implying that the Taizi was furious over a woman.
But everyone in the court knows that the Taizi was merely using this as an opportunity to cleanse the court, just under a different pretense. This has become quite common during the years the Taizi has been serving as regent.
Although the main suspect in this case was the nephew of the Left Prime Minister’s wife and had no direct connection to Qin Wenzheng, he still felt an unsettling anxiety, far from in the mood to observe the unfolding drama.
The previous incident involving the Fourth Master Qin and the grain storage had already made Qin Wenzheng wary. While Qin Yan set the trap, it was also true that the Taizi took the chance to send a warning.
Qin Wenzheng has self-awareness and he knew he wouldn’t hold this position for life, and there were many who covet his seat.
If the Taizi were to target the Left Minister, there was no telling who might be next. Perhaps it could be him.
———–
In recent days, the Jingzhao Prefecture has been filled with anxiety. On the second day of the winter hunting break, they were urgently summoned back to the office. The Southern Yamen Imperial Army took over the Jingzhao Prefecture, and that very night, the prefect, Lord Gao, was taken to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review for questioning, leaving the minor officials behind to assist in finding the case files.
The following day, news came that the Second Prince would take over as the prefect of Jingzhao, causing everyone in the prefecture to be on edge and it was truly a big uproar.
In the past few days, officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review, and the Imperial Censor Bureau took turns investigating the criminal backgrounds of the suspects involved in the beating case at the western suburb’s eatery.
However, what troubled everyone was that among the five suspects, three were connected to high-ranking officials of the current court.
One was the nephew of the Left Prime Minister’s wife, another was the nephew of the Minister of Personnel, and the third was the legitimate second son of the Deputy Minister of Personnel.
The other two came from well-known wealthy merchant families in the capital.
While they claimed to be conducting a thorough investigation, it remained unclear how sincere their inquiries were or how far they would go.
The Taizi’s office had set a deadline of just ten days, insisting that the case must be closed before the New Year and there could be no delays.
Today marked the fifth day of the triad hearing at the Imperial Court of Judicial Review.
The Chief of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review, Peng Duduan, sat at the head of the court, presiding over the case.
Also present in the court were the newly appointed prefect of Jingzhao, the Second Prince Feng Xian, several officials from the Ministry of Justice, and various officials from the Imperial Censor Bureau, led by the Grand Censor.
Notably, an exceptional attendee from the Imperial Censor Bureau was the eldest daughter of the Left Minister Mansion, Wang Jingyi.
The former prefect of Jingzhao, Gao Jin, was currently under investigation and stood to the side.
The case was not complicated. After the first two hearings, the general context had been clarified, yet opinions on the nature of the case varied widely, preventing any conclusion.
The Chief of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review turned to Minister of Justice Yang Zhen, asking, “Lord Yang, yesterday your ministry suggested that this case should be classified as mutual fighting?”
Yang Zhen responded, “The suspects were harassing and teasing the women, at which point one of the women struck a suspect with a wine jar, provoking the others to surround and beat the women.”
“Both sides then engaged in a fight. Although there was a disparity in strength, it was indeed the women who initiated the violence. I believe this should be classified as mutual fighting.”
After Yang Zhen finished speaking, the court fell silent for a moment.
Everyone understood that the Taizi had ordered a strict investigation, while the Left Prime Minister’s faction wanted to suppress the matter.
The direction of this case had significant implications for the power dynamics in the court.
Was the Ministry of Justice’s classification merely a legal interpretation, or was it an attempt to absolve those suspects? It remained unclear.
———–
In the quiet hall, a woman’s voice suddenly broke the silence.
Wang Jingyi, the inspecting censor from the Imperial Censor Bureau, stepped forward in her green official robe. She bowed to the presiding officials before speaking, “The suspects not only used their fists and feet, but also wine jars and dishes as weapons to strike the women in vital areas like the head and abdomen.”
“Mutual fighting? I believe this could even be classified as attempted murder.”
Minister of Justice Yang Zhen was taken aback. He had a good relationship with the Left Prime Minister Wang Xian, and he hadn’t expected the young lady from the Left Prime Minister Mansion to make such a statement. Wasn’t she supposed to be here to support the main suspect, the son of the Li family?
Yang Zhen frowned and replied, “But the injuries to those women aren’t too severe. In fact, the suspects are the ones hanging on by a thread.”
Wang Jingyi met his gaze firmly and said, “That’s because the Taizifei intervened in time. Had she been even a moment later, those young ladies might not have survived.”
The crowd was taken aback. Wang Jingyi seemed to be escalating the situation further. Did she want things to become even more serious?
Ji Mu observed the straight-backed woman standing to his front side, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Wang Jingyi wasn’t just acting out of righteousness but she was truly clever.
This case involved the Taizi and the Taizifei, making it impossible to suppress.
Wang Jingyi was publicly severing ties for the sake of righteousness, showing her stance for the Left Prime Minister Mansion.
Moreover, there was another case he and Wang Jingyi had been investigating together in recent days.
He just wondered how things were progressing with Commander Xie.
—————-
The hall fell silent once again, the atmosphere tense and somewhat standoffish.
Wang Jingyi bowed again to the presiding officials, “Since we cannot reach a conclusion on this case, I would like to bring up another matter today.”
Everyone in the courtroom tensed. Could it be that Wang Jingyi had actually uncovered something?
Although the Taizi had ordered a strict investigation, they had only focused on the current beating case, not daring to dig too deeply. They hoped that if they delayed the matter long enough, the Taizi and Taizifei would forget about it, allowing them to avoid offending anyone.
Wang Jingyi continued, “In my recent investigations with the Jingzhao Prefecture, I found a case file from last year.”
“Last spring, in the southern outskirts of the capital, there was a case involving the harassment of women. In that case, three women were also subjected to violence after resisting harassment.”
“Interestingly, during the trial of that case, a witness suddenly changed their testimony, denying the initial identification of several suspects and claiming that a group of vagrants had assaulted the women. The case then faded into obscurity.”
“And by coincidence, the suspects that the witness originally identified were precisely among the few involved in today’s case, no one less and no one more.”
Her words stunned everyone in the hall once more. However, since that past case had already been closed, the chances of reopening it seemed slim.
Wang Jingyi fixed her gaze on the Jingzhao prefect, who stood with his head bowed, and continued, “I was truly curious, so I accompanied Lord Ji to investigate the original crime scene and located the witness and family members of the victims.”
“The case file states that the three victims included one with minor injuries and two with serious injuries, all of whom returned home after treatment.”
“But what we found were two graves covered in grass and a girl who was physically disabled and disfigured.”
Although the families of the victims and witnesses remained silent, it was thanks to Deputy Commander Xie of the Southern Yamen Imperial Army who provided a statement.
What Wang Jingyi didn’t mention was that Xie Zhao used coercion and bribery to pry open those people’s mouths.
“In that incident of harassment and assault, one girl had her neck broken and died on the spot, while another was raped and then hanged from a tree, ultimately falling to her death.”
“Only one girl was left, disfigured and permanently disabled.”
“I wonder if the assailants were overly confident, leaving that girl alive, certain that she wouldn’t dare to reveal the truth. Were they backed by someone with immense power?”
“And who has such power to make a witness change their testimony in the Jingzhao Prefecture? Lord Gao, can you provide an explanation?”
Gao Jin looked up and met Wang Jingyi’s gaze. He swallowed hard but ultimately said nothing.
How could he address something that had no evidence? Did they really think they could reopen a closed case?
Jingzhao Prefecture Gao Jin had thought that the most difficult challenge today would come from the Imperial Censor Bureau, but it turned out to be Wang Jingyi, the eldest daughter of the Left Prime Minister Mansion, who was supposed to be suppressing the case.
————
Everyone was somewhat surprise that Wang Jingyi had indeed investigated the case, and it involved multiple lives.
Wang Jingyi was formidable.
She continued, “The families of those three victims, along with the witness, each received two hundred taels of silver as hush money.”
“Two hundred taels, everyone. Two hundred taels may not even cover a month’s expenses for some noble families. In some households, festivals and holidays bonuses for servants far exceed this amount.”
“Two hundred taels of silver bought a human life, a living, breathing life.”
“I’ve also discovered that several of the suspects have been involved in multiple fighting over the years in the capital, yet they always managed to settle matters with money.”
Wang Jingyi turned her gaze to Prefect Gao Jin, asking, “Lord Gao, does this mean that in your Jingzhao Prefecture, money can simply allow one to brush past the law?”
Gao Jin was drenched in cold sweat, wondering how this information had surfaced.
Meanwhile, the people in the courtroom were in shock, whispering among themselves. If what Wang Jingyi said was true and she could provide witnesses, it was possible that this case could indeed be reopened.
At that moment, the imposing figure of Deputy Commander Xie of the Southern Yamen strode into the courtroom, drawing everyone’s attention.
Xie Zhao first glanced at Wang Jingyi, then turned to Deputy Censor Ji Mu and said, “The only surviving girl, along with the families of the victims and that witness, have all been silenced by assassins. Even the dozen or so guards escorting them didn’t escape.”
His words sent shockwaves through the hall.
Silenced?
By the guards?
They dared to kill even the soldiers?
While some were shocked, others breathed a sigh of relief.
Without any witnesses…
———–
In the imperial city, within the inner imperial palace.
When the Second Prince, Feng Xian, returned to the Chonghua Palace, it was already late at night, and he encountered the Imperial Concubine Shu, who had been waiting there for some time.
“Imperial Mother.” It was clear from Feng Xian’s voice that he sounded a bit weary.
A palace maid served hot tea, but Imperial Concubine Shu waved away the attendants.
Feng Xian sat opposite her, picked up the teacup, took a sip, then spread his arms, leaning back against the chair with his eyes closed, resting.
Imperial Concubine Shu looked at him, frowning, “You go out early and come back late every day. I thought you were busy with something important, but it turns out you’ve taken on the position of Jingzhao Prefect. Xian’er, what are you thinking?”
Feng Xian remained in the same position, not responding.
Imperial Concubine Shu continued, “You can’t possibly be unaware of how many enemies the position of Jingzhao Prefect makes for you. Are you throwing your future away?”
“I’ve heard that Imperial Concubine Jing wants His Majesty to grant one of the two legitimate daughters of the Left Prime Minister Mansion in marriage to the Third Prince, Feng Yi, as his legitimate wife…”
Feng Xian interrupted Imperial Concubine Shu, saying, “Feng Yi has his uncle, the Marquis of Guannei, backing him. As for my uncle, the Prime Minister Qin, he only looks out for himself. What can I rely on?”
“Who says you have no support? You have the Marquis of Yongding as your ally.” Imperial Concubine Shu looked at him seriously. “With the daughter of the Marquis of Yongding as your secondary wife, you won’t find many in the capital willing to be your primary wife. True, Xie Qing is just a concubine’s daughter, but she is the only legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongding. I think it would be best for His Majesty to grant her to you as your primary wife.”
Feng Xian remained in his position, slowly raising his hand to dismiss her, “Do as you like. I have no interest. Right now, I just want to do my job as Jingzhao Prefect well.”
Imperial Concubine Shu sighed, then left the room.
—————–
Wang Jingyi had just returned to the Left Prime Minister Mansion when she encountered her younger sister, Wang Jingyan, waiting in the front courtyard.
Wang Jingyan blocked her path, a hint of sarcasm in her tone, “The girls who were assaulted in the western suburbs could have received a substantial compensation if they had settled privately. Now that the matter has blown up. Oh dear, I bet the amount they’ll receive will be cut in half. Such a pity…”
Wang Jingyi coldly regarded Wang Jingyan, “As a fellow woman, I truly feel ashamed for you.”
With that, she turned to leave, but Wang Jingyan called out after her, “Eldest sister.”
“Oh, now it’s ‘Lord Wang,’ is it?”
“I forgot to tell you, Father wants you in the study.”
“Here’s another piece of news. I heard Father just smashed his favorite antique porcelain vase in the study. He must be really angry.”
Wang Jingyi shot a challenging look at Wang Jingyan before turning away and leaving.
———-
In the Left Prime Minister’s study.
As soon as Wang Jingyi stepped inside, a scholar’s inkstone was thrown at her feet.
“You bastard.”
Wang Jingyi halted, looking up at her father, Wang Xian, who glared at her with fury.
“I sent you to the Imperial Censor Bureau to suppress this case. But what do you do? You go investigate it yourself and uncover a murder! Do you want our family to live in constant turmoil?”
At that moment, the eldest son of the Wang family, Wang Jingheng, hurried in, glancing worriedly at Wang Jingyi before stepping into the study.
“Father.”
Wang Jingheng had no doubt that his father would indeed act out against Wang Jingyi.
Wang Jingyi met her father’s gaze steadily and spoke slowly, enunciating each word, “Father, have you ever considered resigning from your position?”
Wang Xian was furious, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Father,” Wang Jingyi spoke again, “it’s clear the Taizi is using this case to target your faction.”
“Father, it’s better to retreat while we still can, rather than wait for trouble to find us.”
Wang Xian was so angry that his beard trembled. He raised his right hand and took a few steps toward Wang Jingyi, but was quickly stopped by Wang Jingheng.
Wang Xian’s chest heaved with rage, “What do you know? I will step down eventually. Do you think I’m clinging to power?”
“If we don’t push your brother into that position, then it will be An Wenjing from the Grand Scholar Mansion who takes over, and you…”
“Prime Minister,” the steward rushed to the doorway of the study, interrupting Wang Xian’s words.
Behind the steward stood several armed guards.
The leading guard stepped forward and gave a fist salute to Wang Xian, “We need you to come with us to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review.”
Wang Xian’s pupils trembled.
He had witnessed this scene not long ago, only as a spectator, watching the Right Prime Minister Qin Wenzheng being taken away by the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. Now it seemed it was his turn.
“I deserve to know the reason,” Wang Xian stated, still attempting to assert his ministerial authority.
The leading guard replied, “Prime Minister, along with you, the Imperial Censor Bureau’s Minister Yang and Deputy Minister Liu, as well as several wealthy merchants from the capital, are also being summoned to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. I’m only following orders and I hope you understand.”
Wang Xian turned to Wang Jingheng, whispering a few quick instructions before donning a cloak and leaving the Prime Minister Mansion.
Wang Jingyi watched her father’s retreating figure, letting out a sigh.
Father, it’s time to find your way back. I just hope it’s not too late.
———-
Princess Mansion in Xishan.
Qin Yan stepped into her usual all-black carriage, which was driven by Shen Ying, clad in a black cloak. Accompanying them were a group of silver-armored guards. On a black horse beside the carriage sat a man wrapped in a fox fur cloak.
The group set off from the Princess Mansion main gate, heading east into the city.
In the Princess Mansion’s study, Song Zhi observed the Taizi, who was holding up a Buddhist scripture. Hesitating, he said, “Your Highness, about Taizifei…”
Feng Zhan didn’t lift his gaze but slowly replied, “The upcoming matters have nothing to do with the case; those few people are of little use.”
“Let her go.”
Song Zhi detected a hint of affection and indulgence in those last words but thought to himself that the Taizifei’s actions were rather… audacious.
“Song Zhi.”
“Yes?” Hearing his Highness call, Song Zhi snapped back to attention.
Feng Zhan looked at the empty writing desk opposite him, not speaking immediately. Before leaving, Qin Yan had asked him not to interfere in this matter, and he understood that she wanted to protect him from being reported to the censors.
With a soft sigh, Feng Zhan ordered, “Send someone to follow her. If the Taizifei encounters any trouble, assist her in my name.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Song Zhi accepted the command, feeling a tremor of surprise in his heart.
His Highness was being rather indulgent toward the Taizifei.
———–
Outside the prison of Imperial Censor Bureau.
Wang Jingyu, the legitimate second son of the Left Prime Minister Mansion, was arguing with the guards stationed outside the prison, accompanied by several servants.
The argument led nowhere, so he returned to his carriage but had no intention of leaving just yet.
Wang Jingyu glared at the prison and muttered angrily, “Beating women? It really makes us men look bad, it brings shame to the Old Li family and to the Prime Minister Mansion.”
“I really wish I could beat that kid to death.”
At this moment, the sound of clattering hooves and wheels approached, and Wang Jingyu turned to look.
Is it my eldest sister?
Wang Jingyi got out of the carriage and walked straight toward him.
Wang Jingyu felt a bit intimidated by his older sister and immediately straightened up, lowering his head.
As Wang Jingyi reached him and was about to speak, the sound of orderly hoofbeats came from afar, causing everyone to look up.
They saw hundreds of soldiers in silver armor riding tall horses, escorting a completely black carriage, arriving at the prison gates.
Wang Jingyi recognized that it was the carriage of the Taizifei.
The commotion drew the attention of Peng Du, the Minister of Justice, who was still at the Grand Court overseeing the case. He hurried over.
Peng Du quickly approached the Taizifei’s carriage and bowed, “I wonder what brings the Taizifei here today?”
His words were merely polite but he already had a suspicion that this was related to the case, especially since he had heard that one of the suspects had spoken disrespectfully to her.
However, he had never heard of the Taizifei being one to seek revenge.
There was a moment of silence inside the carriage, then a cold, clear female voice spoke.
“I want to take the people away. What excuse should I prepare? The Minister of Justice should have taught you that.”
Peng Du immediately understood that the Taizifei intended to take away the seven suspects.
And the excuse she referred to? Was it what the Young Lady Wang had said in court today, that the injuries had healed and the victims had gone home?
But… this…
“Minister Peng, I don’t have much patience,” the Taizifei’s cold voice came from inside the carriage.
Peng Du trembled all over, realizing he didn’t have much time to weigh his options.
At this moment, the Left Prime Minister, the Minister of Personnel, and others were still in his court. Those suspects were like hot potatoes, and this case was initiated by the Taizi; how could he possibly stop the Taizifei from taking them?
Peng Du bent forward and headed toward the prison, while the Taizifei’s guards followed him, with seven men going inside.
Before long, Peng Du emerged from the prison, followed by five guards, each carrying a burlap sack that was clearly filled with a person.
Wang Jingyu silently counted the sacks, his mouth agape in shock as he turned to exclaim, “Eld—”
“Shut up,” Wang Jingyi interrupted him.
At that moment, the five guards threw the sacks onto their horses and mounted up, ready to leave.
Wang Jingyu was still in a state of shock. After the Taizifei and her entourage had ridden away, he managed to suppress his agitation and whispered, “Eldest Sister, is the Taizifei taking them away? Do you think she means to…” He made a slicing motion across his throat with his hand.
Wang Jingyi watched the direction in which the Taizifei had left, choosing not to respond.
She hoped she would never have the opportunity to stand against the Taizifei. The way the Taizifei operated and her methods were not something the noble ladies of the capital could contend with.
“Remember, we did not see the Taizifei today,” Wang Jingyi said softly.
Wang Jingyu, realizing the implication, nodded slowly, “Understood.”
———
Song Zhi led his men to follow the Taizifei from a distance, returning to the outskirts of the city. They left the main road and headed to a deserted burial ground.
Several sacks were thrown onto the ground, emitting a few muffled cries.
Though the bodies inside had recovered somewhat, being jostled around on horseback had left them in a sorry state.
“Release them,” the Taizifei ordered from inside the carriage. The guards unfastened the sacks and untied the ropes binding the men.
The men, faces pale with fear, begged for mercy, “Spare us, spare us…”
“Jiang Mu.” Hearing the voice from inside the carriage, Jiang Mu rode over to Qin Yan’s side.
“Master.”
“You seem a bit too aggressive lately. Today, you can practice your skills.”
Jiang Mu glanced at the men kneeling on the ground.
Practice?
With them?
But the resentment was indeed real. In the past few days, every time Jiang Mu thought about meeting the imperial uncle who had killed his father and mother, an uncontrollable urge to kill surged within him.
Jiang Mu removed his cloak, dismounted, and walked step by step toward the group of men.
At this moment, the men recognized that they were in a graveyard on the outskirts of the capital. Panic set in, and as they tried to escape, they were kicked back by the guards, falling to their knees and pleading for mercy.
“Spare us, great hero! Please, spare us, noble person!”
Jiang Mu didn’t plan to waste too much time, he just kicked the man closest to him, and everyone nearby heard the sound of rib fractures.
Jiang Mu didn’t have any extra moves, he just gave a heavy beating, but he vented a lot of the tightness and anger in his chest, and those men were almost out of breath, only writhing and howling on the ground.
After a short while, Qin Yan called for a stop.
“There are many trees here, so let’s use the method mentioned in court today.”
Shen Ying received the order and instructed the guards to bind the feet of the men, hanging them up on several trees.
At this point, the men were in so much pain that they couldn’t cry out, only letting out soft whimpers.
With a gesture from Shen Ying, the guards used their military knives to cut the ropes, and the men dropped rapidly from the trees, crashing into the muddy ground.
Qin Yan lifted the curtain of the carriage and took a glance, “Make sure to clean it up.”
Then the carriage moved on.
On the way back, Shen Ying couldn’t help but express her anger, “I really want to drag them away to feed the dogs.”
After a moment, Qin Yan’s voice came from inside the carriage, “Even the dogs would find them dirty.”
Shen Ying still felt frustrated.
“Are we really not going to let those animals be executed by slow slicing just because the witness was killed?”
“Not to mention that Master had to come here personally.”
There was a brief silence inside the carriage before Qin Yan’s voice came again, “Jiang Mu.”
Jiang Mu rode a few steps forward, “Yes, master.”
Qin Yan leaned against the soft cushions, still with her eyes closed, and spoke softly, “Pay close attention to what I’m about to say.”
“Yes, master,” Jiang Mu replied.
Qin Yan opened her eyes, gazing into the void, her tone cold, “In this world, there is no absolute justice.”
“When you think you are punishing evil and promoting good, you must also consider whether you are being used as a tool by others.”
“The statements from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice are not incorrect. This case can indeed be classified as a brawl, and the previous evidence is insufficient to overturn the case.”
“And if it becomes too easy to sentence someone to death, the most terrifying scenario is that those in power can kill at will under the guise of a death penalty.”
There was a moment of silence in the carriage before Qin Yan’s voice rang out again, “In places devoid of light, all around are livestock.”
“Life is as insignificant as an ant, where should one go from here?”