The poison of the Azure Serpent, diluted, was no longer as potent. It wouldn't kill, only temporarily paralyze the nerves. The Demon Hunter Army was not adept at fighting in dense forests, and Nan Shiying, fearing the Ghost Sha Sect might have planted intricate mechanisms, decided to set the place ablaze.
As it turned out, the effect was excellent.
Cao Zhiwei, with the assistance of Luan Wencheng and others, quickly concluded the case.
The case was not complicated. The former prefect had attempted to overthrow the Ghost Sha Sect's rule over Xiling Commandery and planned to cooperate with the imperial envoy sent from the capital to investigate. Unexpectedly, he was betrayed by someone close to him and tragically murdered.
Cao Zhiwei apprehended the informant and, as the saying goes, pulled out one radish and brought out a whole bunch. He uncovered Ghost Sha Sect operatives hidden within Xiling Commandery. Besides the Qin family, the wealthy merchant Huang family in the east of the city was also revealed to be a part of the Ghost Sha Sect. During the confiscation of their property, a hundred thousand taels of gold and a ledger were found at his residence.
The ledger documented how he had amassed wealth over the years by relying on the Ghost Sha Sect and subsequently used this money to bribe various officials. Upon hearing that Cao Zhiwei had found the ledger of bribes, officials across Xiling Commandery became apprehensive, fearing the Demon Hunter Army would soon break down their doors and arrest them.
Five days later, a group of officials gathered before the prefectural yamen. Cao Zhiwei personally handed the ledger to Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying flipped through the ledger, her eyes scanning the pages rapidly. Through the secret investigations conducted by Xuan Yi and others during this period, information regarding the collusion between Xiling Commandery officials and the Ghost Sha Sect had already been thoroughly uncovered. Nan Shiying knew precisely who could be pardoned and who was deeply guilty among those named in the ledger.
"Wei Jinzhong, Liu Guoyu, Xi Min, Cao Renzhi."
"You four, relying on the Ghost Sha Sect, seized land and displaced people. For your selfish desires, you disregarded the lives of the common folk. Your crimes are too numerous to recount. I, acting as the Regent's proxy in governing the state, hereby sentence you to death."
"Jin Zhong, carry out the execution!"
Nan Shiying called out four names. Upon hearing they were to be executed immediately, Wei Jinzhong and the others collapsed in fear. Cao Zhiwei opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he could not utter a word of obstruction.
Luan Wencheng also looked as if he wanted to speak but held back.
Her actions were capricious and arrogant, treating the court's laws as nothing. She was utterly lawless. No matter how you looked at it, Wei Jinzhong and the other three were imperial officials. Even if guilty, the matter should have been reported to the Emperor for his judgment. Although the Prince had the authority to govern, her actions were tantamount to directly handing incriminating evidence to the Emperor. With both witnesses and evidence in hand, submitting the case to the court via the prefect would have been the best choice.
Jin Zhong, however, paid no mind to it. The Prince had given his orders, and everything was to be done according to the Divine Physician Feng's commands. Even if the Divine Physician Feng ordered the execution of all the officials present at that moment, Jin Zhong would have complied without question.
"Feng Luan, you and the Regent are disrupting the state, your crimes are heinous. You rebels are nothing but traitors. How can such traitors as yourselves judge our imperial officials? Cao Zhiwei, you are in league with her, aiding and abetting evil. You have disgraced the Emperor's grace and your ancestors. Serving in the same court as you makes us sick."
Liu Guoyu, held down by soldiers, cursed Nan Shiying and Cao Zhiwei madly. Wei Jinzhong, on the other hand, begged for his life.
"Divine Physician Feng, this subordinate knows his mistake. Spare this subordinate, Divine Physician Feng... this subordinate was merely confused for a moment..."
"Execute!"
Whether they were cursing or begging, Nan Shiying remained unmoved.
As her voice fell, the Demon Hunter Army soldiers swung their blades. Heads rolled to the ground, and blood sprayed high into the air. Some of the gathered citizens were terrified, while others cheered loudly.
Witnessing the fate of Wei Jinzhong and the other three, the officials present felt their legs turn to jelly. Blood flowed across the ground. Wei Jinzhong's head rolled to Zhang Congshan's feet. Looking at his unseeing eyes, Zhang Congshan shivered.
Apart from Cao Zhiwei, no one knew what was written in the ledger. Only four people had died so far. How many more would fall into misfortune next?
Zhang Congshan dared not think about it. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists, his palms already damp.
It was at this moment that Zhang Congshan suddenly heard an urgent cry – it was Cao Zhiwei.
He looked up and saw Cao Zhiwei rushing towards a mass of flames.
Was that... the ledger?
Zhang Congshan's eyes widened in disbelief. Who was it? Who would destroy the ledger under the heavy encirclement of the Demon Hunter Army?
"Divine Physician Feng, why?"
Seeing the ledger engulfed by flames, Cao Zhiwei turned and questioned her angrily.
Zhang Congshan was truly shocked.
The ledger was burned by Feng Luan?
Facing Cao Zhiwei's questioning, Feng Luan remained calm and composed. She scanned the crowd, her gaze sweeping over each of the officials. "You have been controlled and coerced by the Ghost Sha Sect over the years. While you have sinned, your actions were not without reason. Wei Jinzhong and the others are different from you. They willingly degenerated, using the might of the Ghost Sha Sect to oppress the populace and commit all sorts of evil deeds, thus their crimes are unforgivable. However, you still possess a conscience. Your past misdeeds will be like this ledger, consumed by the flames, forgotten. I only hope that from now on, you will govern with diligence and love the people, worthy of the official hat you wear, the imperial robes you don, and the years of diligent study that led to your entry into officialdom and your aspirations."
Nan Shiying stood amidst the crowd, addressing the officials and citizens. Her words, though spoken softly, were as deafening as thunder. The officials, led by Zhang Congshan, could not hide their gratitude. Cao Zhiwei, on the other hand, was filled with righteous indignation by her speech. Feng Luan always possessed a demeanor that inspired admiration and awe. Cao Zhiwei finally understood why he felt both respect and trepidation towards her.
"This subordinate will remember the Divine Physician's words and govern with diligence and love the people, serving the country with utmost loyalty!"
The officials of Xiling Commandery bowed in gratitude, their excitement evident. Luan Wencheng secretly glanced at Feng Luan. Holding leverage over the court officials would undoubtedly be beneficial to the Prince. Yet, Feng Luan, without batting an eye, had burned all that incriminating evidence. Did the Prince himself disdain using such means to control officials, or was Feng Luan deceiving both the Prince and everyone else? Was she not the Prince's supporter at all?
"Esteemed officials, please rise. I will faithfully convey your loyalty to the court and to the Prince."
Upon hearing her mention the Prince, the joy on the officials' faces faltered. Was she reminding them not to forget the Prince's contributions?
So, was everything she did today at the Prince's behest?
Listening to her words, Luan Wencheng's doubts gradually subsided. Did the Prince intend to win hearts this way?
Speaking of which, Feng Luan's efforts for the Prince had earned her the enmity of many, becoming a thorn in their side. It was said that the Prince and Feng Luan were inseparable. However, Luan Wencheng felt that the Prince was using Feng Luan as a pawn.
First Wucheng, and now Xiling Commandery.
And then?
The more Feng Luan acted out, the less tolerance the court officials, and even the Emperor, would have for her. Unless the Prince ascended the throne, Feng Luan's fate...
Luan Wencheng's thoughts wandered aimlessly. He did not know if Feng Luan had considered this, whether she was blinded by trivial matters or was bravely plunging into danger.
Luan Wencheng did not know.
He was merely contemplating the path he should take next.