TFWYH – Chapter 856 Lingyue’s Transformation

“It’s true—every word of it is true, Your Excellency…”

As Old Madam Liu spoke, she secretly glanced at Gu Hengcang before gradually bursting into tears. Sobbing and sniffling, she launched into an emotional account of Ling Yue’s “crimes.”

“My husband and I heard that our grandson, Ling Yu, had become successful, so we brought our youngest son to the capital to seek refuge with him. But that family avoided us and refused to see us. They simply didn’t care whether we lived or died. That little wretch, Ling Yue, went even further—she wanted to drive us out of the capital! I argued with her for a few words, and… and she started hitting me. My old man couldn’t bear to watch and came over to stop the fight. But she accidentally pushed him… and…” She broke down into loud sobs. “My poor old man… just… just died like that…”

It had to be said—Old Madam Liu was remarkably talented at twisting the truth.

The lies she spun were convincing enough to sound almost believable.

More importantly, her story wasn’t aimed solely at Ling Yue.

She had deliberately dragged Ling Yu into it as well.

In ancient times, filial piety was considered the highest of all virtues.

Anyone branded as unfilial was automatically regarded as a person of bad character, someone worthy of society’s contempt.

In serious cases, it could even ruin an official’s career.

Old Madam Liu’s intentions were truly vicious.

Gu Hengcang sneered repeatedly.

Even if he couldn’t get rid of Ling Yu immediately, destroying his reputation alone would be enough to make him suffer.

Tang Wan was so furious that she clenched her fists.

In her mind, Old Madam Liu had already been marked for death.

Ling Yue was angry as well.

If this had happened in the past, she would have immediately jumped up to refute every accusation.

But after everything she had been through, she now understood one thing.

The loudest voice wasn’t necessarily the truth.

A court of law relied on evidence—

—not on whoever shouted the loudest.

The Prefect struck the sounding block before finally turning to Ling Yue.

“Miss Ling, what do you have to say?”

Ling Yue took a deep breath.

Remaining perfectly calm, she said,

“Your Excellency, may this humble woman ask a few questions first?”

The Prefect nodded.

“You may.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Ling Yue turned and looked coldly at Old Madam Liu.

“You insist that my elder brother refused to see you. But that claim is rather laughable.”

“The Minister’s residence has gatekeepers, and directly across from it stands the Second Prince’s residence, whose guards are stationed outside day and night. If you truly came to seek refuge with my brother, you would certainly have visited the residence many times.”

She paused.

“But, Old Madam Liu… I believe neither the gatekeepers of the Minister’s residence nor the guards of the Second Prince’s residence have ever seen any of you, have they?”

“Well…”

Old Madam Liu was instantly left speechless.

Her face filled with guilt, and after a long silence she finally forced out an excuse.

“That’s… that’s because the Minister’s residence is such a grand estate. Common folk like us simply couldn’t get close enough to see Ling Yu.”

“Very well.”

Ling Yue nodded.

“Let’s assume that’s true.”

She then shifted her gaze to Wang Po.

“Madam Wang, all of you just testified that I trespassed into a private residence. Everyone in this courtroom heard you clearly.”

“So here’s my question.”

“If Old Madam Liu truly came to seek refuge with my brother, and she finally met me, shouldn’t she have asked me to pass along a message to him—or asked me to take her back to the Minister’s residence?”

“Then why did all of you immediately try to beat me to death instead?”

“And why did you insist I was trespassing?”

Wang Po: …

She, too, was left speechless.

Her eyes darted around nervously as she desperately searched for an explanation.

“Th-that’s… that’s because…”

“Because Old Madam Liu’s story about seeking refuge is completely false.”

Ling Yue interrupted her.

“My brother never even knew this family of three had come to the capital.”

“As for whose people you really are…”

At this point, she glanced toward Gu Hengcang before letting out a cold laugh.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“My own grandfather and grandmother came to the capital, yet instead of seeking out their children or grandchildren, they hid themselves inside a residence belonging to Chancellor Gu.”

“Heh…”

She gave a meaningful smile.

Ignoring Gu Hengcang’s increasingly dark expression, she bowed respectfully toward the Prefect.

“Your Excellency, the so-called witnesses and their testimony contradict each other from beginning to end.”

“Given the circumstances, it appears far more likely that they were acting together in a conspiracy against the Minister’s residence. After I discovered them, they attempted to silence me.”

“I respectfully ask Your Excellency to investigate this matter thoroughly and render a just judgment.”