At the city gate, Zhan Feiyu looked at the carriage parked on the right. "Chen Xiaoqi, please stop for a moment!"
After dismounting, Zhan Feiyu walked towards the carriage with blue cloth curtains. Although the coachman had been replaced, she recognized the curtains. In the lower left corner, a seal character 'Wang' was embroidered with silk thread.
The young man driving the carriage looked no older than seventeen or eighteen. He jumped down from the carriage, his legs trembling. "Officer?"
"Since we've met before, does Miss Wang Liu intend to leave without saying goodbye?" Zhan Feiyu knocked on the carriage and said with a crisp laugh, "But as the saying goes, the monk can run, but the temple cannot. Huai County is only half a day's journey from our Shangsi County."
Inside the carriage, Wang Linlang's face contorted with a bit more ferocity. Then, she lifted the curtain, revealing a thin, pale little face.
Wang Linlang was wearing a white ruqun, and her hair was tied in a simple double-bun style, without even a hairpin. She looked delicate and weak, as if bullied by Zhan Feiyu. "Sister Zhan, why must you make things difficult for me? You know very well that my uncle... How could I dare to stay at the Lin family's private school..."
As if recalling something terrifying, Wang Linlang trembled like a small white flower in a strong wind. Her eyes reddened, and crystal tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Lin family's private school?"
Many people were standing at the city gate. Upon hearing these four words, everyone's eyes widened.
Thinking of Wang Linlang's address, "Sister Zhan," they immediately connected it to Master Lin, the young prodigy Zhan, and the rumors of the past few days. In an instant, all eyes turned towards Zhan Feiyu. Was it this little girl?
Surprise, sympathy, malice, or lewd and lustful gazes all fell upon Zhan Feiyu.
"Sister Zhan, I..." Realizing she had spoken incorrectly, Wang Linlang covered her mouth with her slender hand. She looked at Zhan Feiyu with extreme guilt and choked out an apology, "Sister Zhan, I didn't mean to."
"My poor young lady, it's fortunate that this old woman followed you. Who would have thought some people are beasts in human skin!" A mournful cry sounded, and Granny Lu hugged Wang Linlang, crying loudly.
"Granny, it's not your fault. Fortunately, you and I are not used to sleeping alone, and you accompany me every night. Otherwise, I would be like Sister Zhan..." The delicate young girl buried her head in Granny Lu's embrace, her crying voice so soft and alluring, yet she did not forget to cast blame on Zhan Feiyu.
Chen Fei glared at Wang Linlang with anger. This young girl, though not old, appeared delicate and kind, but her words were so malicious.
"What do you mean, 'like me'?" Zhan Feiyu tilted her head to look at Wang Linlang in the carriage. The early morning sun fell on her face, her skin as white as jade seemed to be gilded, making her eyes even clearer and more transparent, unstained by impurity.
"I..." Wang Linlang opened her mouth. Even with a belly full of schemes, she was at a loss for words when facing the unpredictable Zhan Feiyu.
Zhan Feiyu smiled even more brightly, her dark eyes fixed on Wang Linlang. "Miss Wang Liu speaks as if she has seen something with her own eyes, as if she witnessed some unspeakable deed."
"You and Uncle... you two behind my aunt's back..." Wang Linlang accused, her tears flowing even more fiercely. She was just short of pointing at Zhan Feiyu and calling her an accomplice in poisoning Madam Lin.
Granny Lu shielded the heartbroken Wang Linlang behind her and reprimanded sternly, "Miss Zhan, my young lady showed you respect because you are young and also a victim. How can you ask such shameless questions?"
"Regarding you and Master Uncle... I, this old woman, am too ashamed to speak of it!" Granny Lu glared at Zhan Feiyu angrily, but this only confirmed the scandalous rumors.
"Pah, what young lady? She's just a shameless little slut!" Suddenly, a sharp curse rang out. An old woman in dirty clothes, her face full of rage, hurled abuse at Zhan Feiyu.
"Everyone in Shangsi County knows that you and your master are shamelessly together. You adulterous couple will die a terrible death, and you even killed Madam Lin. You deserve to be drowned in a pigsty!"
"Yes, I've never seen such a shameless young girl!"
"Which young lady doesn't stay within her doors? It's you who goes to the private school every day, showing your face. You say you're studying, but aren't you doing unspeakable things!"
"Even the girls in the brothels aren't this cheap!"
"Shameless! Beat this slut to death!"
All sorts of unbearable insults erupted. Someone even took vegetables from their basket and tore off leaves to throw at her.
The old woman picked up a stone from the ground and was about to throw it.
Wang Linlang, nestled in Granny Lu's arms, revealed a triumphant smile. She had chosen the wrong path, and Zhan Feiyu deserved to be pointed at by everyone!
"Stop!" an angry roar sounded. Chen Fei drew his saber. The gleaming blade reflected the light, its chilling aura frightening the troublemakers into submission.
"I..." The old woman's stone clattered to the ground. Fearing Chen Fei's saber, she hunched her body and hid in the crowd.
In another carriage, Zhan Er showed a look of regret. If not for the two military officers present today, Zhan Feiyu would have been stripped bare, if not killed. "Why didn't they beat this slut to death!" Xiao Yao Shi clenched her fists and pounded the carriage twice.
As soon as she heard the curses directed at Zhan Feiyu, Xiao Yao Shi felt as if she had taken an elixir, and all her pain seemed to disappear.
"What are you all crowding around for! Disperse, disperse!" the shouts of constables echoed.
The crowd, already intimidated by Chen Fei, cowered like quail. Even though they despised Zhan Feiyu in their hearts, they dared not speak ill of her.
Uncle Hu panted heavily. Fortunately, he had run fast to call the constables.
Standing still, Constable Fei's sharp gaze swept across the scene. Seeing Zhan Feiyu, protected by Chen Fei and the other officer, unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Since the officers are here, why don't Miss Wang Liu repeat what she just said at the yamen?" Zhan Feiyu was not surprised to see Wang Linlang's instantly terrified expression. She was still young and couldn't keep her composure!
"Sister Zhan, I haven't been home for a long time, and my father has already sent a letter urging me to return." Wang Linlang suppressed her fear and unease. Guilt naturally made her afraid to go to the yamen.
Zhan Feiyu acted as if she hadn't heard, "I'll trouble Constable Fei."
Clenching her fists tightly, Wang Linlang glared resentfully at Zhan Feiyu, her eyes venomous. What did she mean by this? Was she asking the constables to arrest her? Why?
"Officers." Granny Lu, sensing something was wrong, quickly got down from the carriage and explained to Constable Fei, "My young lady is returning to Huai County today, and Miss Zhan just stopped her. It was just a few words exchanged."
Granny Lu then bowed to Zhan Feiyu, feigning a look of helplessness as she bowed her head, "Miss Zhan, this old servant apologizes to you on behalf of my young lady."
"If apologies were useful, why would we need constables?" Zhan Feiyu raised her chubby chin, her arrogant demeanor as defiant as could be.
Granny Lu was furious. This brat was slippery! Not daring to provoke the constables, Granny Lu knelt down with a thud. "I implore Miss Zhan to be merciful. This old servant will kowtow to you and apologize!"
Wang Linlang, who had also gotten down from the carriage, apologized as well. "Sister Zhan, it was my fault. As I am older, I should have yielded to you. I apologize, please forgive me this once."
As if she had suffered a great injustice, Wang Linlang wiped her eyes and softly said to Constable Fei, "Officers, you are busy with official duties. It is all my fault. Please bear with us."
"Miss Wang Liu need not be so polite. If you have anything to say, please say it in court!" Constable Fei's attitude was indifferent, his unfeeling demeanor mirroring Zhan Feiyu's.
Wang Linlang panicked and looked at Granny Lu, who was kneeling on the ground, for help.
"Take them away!" Constable Fei gave the order, and Constable Zhao stepped forward to apprehend Granny Lu.
Constable Ma also said coldly to the greatly astonished Wang Linlang, "Miss Wang, let's go."
"No way? Why are they arresting people?" gasps of surprise came from the crowd. But fearing they would anger the constables and be arrested, everyone looked fearful.
If the occasion were not inappropriate, Zhan Feiyu would have whistled. The feeling of a pampered young lady bullying a white lotus was incredibly satisfying.
Chen Fei coughed twice to remind Zhan Feiyu that she was already incurring the wrath of the crowd and still acting so smug.
Early in the morning, constables escorted Granny Lu, walking at the front. Wang Linlang followed, her face as pale as paper, appearing so delicate that she seemed about to collapse at any moment. However, seeing the cold and merciless Constable Fei, Wang Linlang dared not cause any more trouble.
Zhan Feiyu and Chen Fei walked behind with the third person.
The onlookers at the city gate, sparse now, followed at the very end. When they encountered acquaintances, they would stop to chat.
Before they even reached the county yamen, thirty to forty people had fallen behind, a dark mass. If one didn't know, they would think something major had happened.
"That's Zhan Feiyu? She doesn't look like it," a passerby muttered softly.
If anything, Wang Linlang looked more like it. Although young, her delicate and pitiable appearance exuded a hint of charm, not like a child at all.
In comparison, Zhan Feiyu, with her short legs, was much cuter. She wasn't tall, her face still had baby fat, and her eyes were clear and bright. Her short, plump figure carried an air of defiance that made people chuckle.
"Appearances can be deceiving. How did Madam Lin die so suddenly from an acute illness?" a passerby who thought he was a detective hinted.
Passerby C glanced at the constables at the front of the procession, a look of mockery on his face. "Indeed, 'official' has two mouths! How can the young prodigy praised by Magistrate Chen be of poor character? Could this be an attempt to silence a witness?"
The onlookers were all ashen-faced!
Didn't Wang Linlang's earlier words indicate she was a witness? But now she was being arrested by the constables. Could it be that they were going to silence her?
...
Under the plaque of "Ming Jing Gao Xuan" (a symbol of justice), Magistrate Chen sat on the bench and slammed his gavel. "Ascend the court!"
"Majestic!" The yamen runners stood in two rows, shouting their allegiance, their staves striking the ground with a thud.
Granny Lu's legs went weak, and she knelt down. Wang Linlang's face was as pale as paper, and she knelt tremblingly beside Granny Lu. The mistress and servant were terrified and at a loss.
Zhan Feiyu also knelt to the side, her knees uncomfortable on the cold ground. It seemed she needed to pass the imperial examinations sooner to be able to face officials without kneeling.
The area outside the courtroom was filled with onlookers, all aware that Magistrate Chen had ascended the court due to the rumors.
But they were still confused. Magistrate Chen had an excellent reputation in Shangsi County. This sudden arrest seemed to be protecting Zhan Feiyu, leaving them bewildered.
"Wang Linlang, you accuse Master Lin and Zhan Feiyu of an illicit relationship. Do you have any evidence?" Magistrate Chen asked directly.
Wang Linlang tremblingly raised her head, revealing a pale, thin face. With red eyes and a choked voice, she replied, "Your Honor, I... I only saw it once... in the study..."
Wang Linlang's words were ambiguous, only stating that Master Lin stood behind Zhan Feiyu and held her hand, as if teaching her calligraphy.
Granny Lu, who was summoned, was more definitive. "Madam Lin privately complained to me, saying she saw it with her own eyes..."
Madam Lin was already dead, so Granny Lu's words were uncorroborated. However, because the rumors were so widespread, once the mistress and servant spoke, their words sounded like irrefutable evidence.
Magistrate Chen slammed his gavel. "Bring Xiao Yao Shi to the court."
Xiao Yao Shi, who had not yet gone to the Jishetang, was helped onto the court. She trembled violently and knelt on the ground. "Your Honor, this commoner saw the deceased girl... Zhan Feiyu... with bruises on her neck... She said she fell accidentally."
Xiao Yao Shi lowered her head, her hands clenched tightly into fists. She hadn't expected Magistrate Chen to summon her so suddenly. Xiao Yao Shi was almost scared to death.
But after hearing Granny Lu and Wang Linlang's words, a crazy thought arose in Xiao Yao Shi's mind: she had to get rid of Zhan Feiyu!
"Xiao Yao Shi, do you know that if you provide false testimony, you will be sentenced to thirty strokes!" Magistrate Chen's voice was stern, his sharp gaze leaving no room for evasion.
Her body trembled. Xiao Yao Shi thought of the rumors and gritted her teeth, speaking again, "This commoner knows. This commoner is telling the truth!"
Hiss! The onlookers outside the court let out gasps of shock. This was Zhan Feiyu's second aunt. What she said couldn't possibly be false.
"Silence!" Magistrate Chen roared.
"Majestic!" The yamen runners shouted their allegiance again, and the clamor immediately subsided.
When Old Man Dong was brought to the court, Zhan Feiyu was stunned, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
"This commoner is a servant at the Lin family's private school. I have witnessed it twice..." Old Man Dong replied to Magistrate Chen's questions with his head lowered, like a wooden man, but his words corroborated the rumors.
The crowd was in an uproar again. When Master Lin and Lin Xiuyuan were brought to the court, even though the father and son denied the accusations, with the rumors preceding them and Wang Linlang's testimony following, Master Lin's refutations seemed weak and powerless.
In a tea house not far from the county yamen, Scholar Zhang listened to his servant's report and leisurely sipped his tea. "Three people make a tiger!"
Zhan Feiyu, kneeling on the ground, shook her head at the guilt-ridden and self-reproaching Master Lin. It wasn't over yet.
"Your Honor, they caused the death of my aunt. I implore Your Honor to uphold justice!" Granny Lu cried out in extreme grief. She had originally planned to leave Shangsi County, but since she was now in court, she might as well settle this matter completely!
"It must be that their affair was discovered by Madam Lin, so they killed her to silence her!" someone in the crowd said, but everyone believed it. This was the truth behind Master Lin's sudden death!
...
"Bring Wang Ping, a waiter from Taifu Restaurant." As Magistrate Chen spoke, constables escorted Wang Ping into the court. Wang Linlang, Xiao Yao Shi, and others kneeling in the court, as well as the onlookers, were all confused. Shouldn't they be summoning Master Lin, the murderer?
As the yamen runners shouted their allegiance, Wang Ping knelt down with a thud. "Your Honor, spare me."
Wang Ping kowtowed repeatedly. He had just woken up that morning when the constables arrived, locked him up without a word, and brought him to court.
Magistrate Chen, dressed in his official robes, had a stern and imposing demeanor. "Who bribed you? How did you spread the rumors? Speak quickly!"
Wang Ping, who had straightened his body, did not dare to conceal anything. "Ten days ago, an old woman came to my home..."
Taifu Restaurant was the largest eatery in Shangsi County. Wang Ping worked as a waiter there, earning an ounce of silver a month. However, the old woman offered fifty taels of silver, and she didn't ask him to do anything to harm anyone, just to spread a few words. Wang Ping accepted the money and agreed.
A moment later, after confessing and signing the document, Wang Ping knelt to the side. Magistrate Chen spoke again, "Bring Zhu Dahai, a waiter from Nanbei General Store, to the court."
Zhu Dahai's confession was the same as Wang Ping's. He had also received fifty taels of silver and agreed to spread rumors for the old woman.
In less than half an hour, Magistrate Chen had summoned a total of eight people. These eight were waiters in several shops in Shangsi County. These shops were prosperous and had many customers, so the rumors spread even faster.
...
Outside the court, Passerby A exclaimed in shock, "Fifty taels of silver per person, eight people means four hundred taels! Does that old woman have a deep-seated hatred for Master Lin?"
"You're stupid. That old woman must be a runner. Someone is directing her from behind!" Passerby B retorted with a roll of his eyes. Could an old woman have four hundred taels?
The constables brought five more people to the court. Unlike Wang Ping and Zhu Dahai, these five looked like country women, their clothes patched, their hair messy. They knelt on the ground, unable to speak coherently.
"This commoner is Hao Shi from Yujia Village..." Hao Shi stammered, answering Magistrate Chen's questions, which finally clarified the matter.
The five women were from five different villages. They were the village gossips and were all greedy. They had accepted ten taels of silver from an old woman and spread rumors in the village.
Normally, they would gossip about others' affairs. With just a few words, they could earn ten taels of silver. Why would they refuse? As for whether those vulgar words would ruin the reputations of Zhan Feiyu and Master Lin, that was none of their business.
The last ten people summoned included five peddlers who traveled from street to street, three stall owners who sold goods at stalls, one vegetable seller, and one butcher's wife. They had received twenty taels of silver.
After listening, Zhan Feiyu sneered. What a generous sum! This was almost a thousand taels of silver.
The onlookers who had gathered to watch the court session were also shocked. The vulgar rumors were spread by these people after receiving money. No wonder they spread so quickly and widely.
From the villages to Shangsi County town, from wealthy families to ordinary folk, everyone knew about it.
"Young Prodigy Zhan, rise and observe." Magistrate Chen finally spoke, allowing Zhan Feiyu to stand up, as the general situation was clear by this point.
"Thank you, Magistrate Chen." Zhan Feiyu got up from the ground. The main event was yet to come.