Chapter 353
Qian Shipeng and He Nuan each presented their own version of events. Pang Tongzhi, the magistrate, struck his gavel, interrupting their "clash of words." "Guards, summon the innkeeper Zhu and the waiters to the court to answer our questions."
Two yamen runners acknowledged the order and departed. Outside the prefectural office, Zhao Yi and the other young masters exchanged glances, all knowing that Pang Tongzhi would soon summon them to court as well, as they had all been at the inn that day.
"Brother Yi, what should we say?" Hu Yan asked in a low voice. Once he had a decision, he could inform his cousin, which would also allow Constable Hu and the other constables to present a unified statement.
Zhao Yi pondered, his gaze sweeping over Zhan Feiyu and the others in the courtroom. They knew she was a disciple of Scholar Gu. The fact that Qian Shipeng dared to file a complaint and Magistrate Pang dared to hold court indicated that the forces behind them were not afraid of Scholar Gu.
This meant that Zhao Yi and his companions had to choose a side. While they were reluctant to offend the forces behind Qian Shipeng, Magistrate Pang had already sided with them, so Zhao Yi could not possibly join them.
"It all happened so suddenly, we didn't see anything at the time," Zhao Yi whispered. Remaining neutral was the best course of action; they could not afford to offend either party.
Hu Yan nodded in understanding. Liu Xiaowu, however, raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. Given Liu Xiaowu's righteous nature, he would undoubtedly help Zhan Feiyu and would be most pleased to see the cunning villain Qian Shipeng brought down.
"The overall situation is more important!" Zhao Yi sighed. Although this was not a righteous stance, they could not bear the retaliation from either side.
After a moment of silence, Liu Xiaowu reluctantly nodded. Thinking of his family and his brothers like Zhao Yi, Liu Xiaowu suppressed the guilt in his heart. "Brother Yi, don't worry. I know what to say."
Innkeeper Zhu and the waiter were brought to the court and immediately knelt down. Before Pang Tongzhi could speak, Innkeeper Zhu cried out his innocence.
"Your Honor, I am truly wronged! I did not steal that jade pendant..." Innkeeper Zhu quickly absolved himself of all blame, pinning the crime of stealing Qian Shipeng's jade pendant on Zhan Feiyu.
Kneeling on the ground, Innkeeper Zhu lowered his head, daring not to look at Zhan Feiyu. "Every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy him!"
Zhan Feiyu did not get angry. Instead, she addressed Pang Tongzhi, who sat behind the magistrate's desk. "Reporting to Your Honor, because Qian Shipeng caused trouble that day, the inn's tables, chairs, and all other furnishings were smashed and damaged. Qian Shipeng should have compensated Innkeeper Zhu for his losses. That jade pendant was the compensation. As for the price of the jade pendant, I come from the countryside and am not familiar with gold, jade, or antiques, so I did not know the jade pendant was valuable. I meant well but ended up doing harm."
After speaking, Zhan Feiyu produced the jade pendant Qian Shipeng had mentioned and handed it to a yamen runner. "Innkeeper Zhu, knowing the value of the jade pendant, asked me to return it to Qian Shipeng. The jade pendant has been returned in its original condition. As for the compensation for the inn, I request Your Honor to re-evaluate it."
The yamen runner held the jade pendant with both hands and carefully presented it to Pang Tongzhi. This small jade pendant was worth two thousand taels of silver. They, the yamen runners, only saved ten taels a year, and their lifetime earnings wouldn't be enough to buy such a jade pendant.
Pang Tongzhi picked up the jade pendant, examined it, and then put it down. He was already aware of Zhan Feiyu's sharp wit. "Since it was a misunderstanding, it is good that it has been clarified. Innkeeper Zhu, I ask you, three days ago, Qian Shipeng, accompanied by Constable Hu and others, came to the inn again..."
"Reporting to Your Honor, a fight broke out at that time, and the scene was too chaotic. This humble one was greatly frightened and did not see how Qian Shipeng injured his hand," Innkeeper Zhu, also a cunning man, insisted that he had not seen anything and was unaware of the details.
The waiter kneeling beside him gave the same testimony. They did not know whether He Nuan had injured Qian Shipeng intentionally or unintentionally.
Pang Tongzhi did not seem to care. After having them sign and fingerprint the statements, he then summoned Zhao Yi and the other young masters to the court.
This is how cases are handled in the yamen. If there were witnesses or physical evidence, the case would be quickly concluded. However, with all witnesses claiming they saw nothing, Qian Shipeng's case against He Nuan reached a stalemate, with each party claiming their own justification.
However, compared to He Nuan's gentle demeanor, Qian Shipeng, a scion of a wealthy family, was less convincing when he spoke. Especially since the first conflict involved Qian Shipeng attempting to seize the upper room and initiating the fight.
Therefore, even as Pang Tongzhi was still contemplating, the onlookers outside the courtroom were more inclined to believe He Nuan's words.
After a long pause, the gavel sounded again. The three squads of yamen runners immediately held their staffs high and shouted "Majesty!" The courtroom fell silent. Pang Tongzhi then spoke, "There is insufficient evidence in this case. The defendant He Nuan will be temporarily imprisoned. The trial will resume in five days. Court is adjourned!"
Zhan Feiyu's brow furrowed slightly. Was Pang Tongzhi planning to delay the proceedings?
"Miss, you don't need to worry about me," He Nuan said as she stood up. She was only being imprisoned. Not only would the yamen not dare to coerce a confession through torture, but even if they did resort to severe interrogation, He Nuan would not be afraid.
"Miss Zhan," Constable Hu walked over, giving Zhan Feiyu an apologetic look. He could only carry out Pang Tongzhi's order and imprison He Nuan as a matter of duty.
Fortunately, with Constable Hu looking out for her, He Nuan would not suffer. Pang Tongzhi was always cautious in his actions; he would never openly resort to torture against He Nuan.
"Thank you for your trouble," Zhan Feiyu stepped back, allowing the constables to escort He Nuan away.
Most of the onlookers had dispersed. Zhao Yi and the others were standing not far away. As Zhan Feiyu emerged, Qian Shipeng also followed her out of the courtroom. "Miss Zhan," Qian Shipeng said with a sinister smile, his expression arrogant. He indeed looked like a lawless dandy, but the ferocity and ruthlessness in his eyes made it clear that there was a past grievance between him and Zhan Feiyu.
The鏢師 (bodyguards) quickly surrounded them. He Nuan was imprisoned, but He Sheng was still here. Although they were outside the prefectural office at the moment, who could guarantee that He Sheng would not suddenly attack?
Zhan Feiyu looked up, her discerning gaze examining Qian Shipeng. Her eyes finally fell on his bandaged right wrist. "I hope Young Master Qian can see tomorrow's sun."
"What do you mean?" Qian Shipeng's expression changed abruptly, his eyes filled with ferocity. He took a step forward, looking as if he intended to attack Zhan Feiyu. "You want to kill me?"
"In the dead of night, when the wind is high, it's the time for murder and robbery. Young Master Qian, do you really think I'm inherently kind just because I'm young?" Zhan Feiyu sneered, not hiding her murderous intent towards Qian Shipeng. "I hope Young Master Qian eats his fill tonight and, preferably, gathers enough men."
"Qian Shipeng!" Liu Xiaowu, being hot-tempered, saw Qian Shipeng blocking Zhan Feiyu and couldn't help but rush forward. He was not tall, but his temper was considerable. "Qian Shipeng, you despicable villain!"
"Scram!" A furious roar suddenly erupted. Qian Shipeng was already startled by Zhan Feiyu's words. Outsiders might not know, but he was aware that Zhan Feiyu had the Jinlongwei (Imperial Guards) behind her. Once the Jinlongwei made a move, no amount of protection would be useful for Qian Shipeng.
At this moment, Liu Xiaowu also charged forward, igniting Qian Shipeng's rage. His sinister gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu. "If you dare to act in secret, aren't you afraid of the authorities investigating?"
As if hearing the greatest joke...
After a long pause, the gavel sounded again. The three squads of yamen runners immediately held their staffs high and shouted "Majesty!" The courtroom fell silent. Pang Tongzhi then spoke, "There is insufficient evidence in this case. The defendant He Nuan will be temporarily imprisoned. The trial will resume in five days. Court is adjourned!"
Zhan Feiyu's brow furrowed slightly. Was Pang Tongzhi planning to delay the proceedings?
"Miss, you don't need to worry about me," He Nuan said as she stood up. She was only being imprisoned. Not only would the yamen not dare to coerce a confession through torture, but even if they did resort to severe interrogation, He Nuan would not be afraid.
"Miss Zhan," Constable Hu walked over, giving Zhan Feiyu an apologetic look. He could only carry out Pang Tongzhi's order and imprison He Nuan as a matter of duty.
Fortunately, with Constable Hu looking out for her, He Nuan would not suffer. Pang Tongzhi was always cautious in his actions; he would never openly resort to torture against He Nuan.
"Thank you for your trouble," Zhan Feiyu stepped back, allowing the constables to escort He Nuan away.
Most of the onlookers had dispersed. Zhao Yi and the others were standing not far away. As Zhan Feiyu emerged, Qian Shipeng also followed her out of the courtroom. "Miss Zhan," Qian Shipeng said with a sinister smile, his expression arrogant. He indeed looked like a lawless dandy, but the ferocity and ruthlessness in his eyes made it clear that there was a past grievance between him and Zhan Feiyu.
The镖師 (bodyguards) quickly surrounded them. He Nuan was imprisoned, but He Sheng was still here. Although they were outside the prefectural office at the moment, who could guarantee that He Sheng would not suddenly attack?
Zhan Feiyu looked up, her discerning gaze examining Qian Shipeng. Her eyes finally fell on his bandaged right wrist. "I hope Young Master Qian can see tomorrow's sun."