TGCFNM -Chapter 316 The Trial

At that moment, the old man stumbled forward, stepping over the backs of the constables who were just getting up, and nimbly grabbed Prefect Xue by the collar.

“Return my son’s life! Return my son’s life!”

Prefect Xue struggled desperately to free himself, but no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn’t break free. In a fit of anger, he kicked the nearby secretary. “What are you standing there for? Help me!”

The secretary rushed over to assist.

But the old man refused to let go, holding tight to Xue’s collar. “Return my son’s life! You, an official of the imperial court, dare to kill in the street? I’ll report you all the way to the capital—I will never let you go! Return my son’s life!”

Prefect Xue’s face turned bright red with fury as he struggled violently.

Finally, there was a faint tearing sound—the official robe was ripped apart.

Xue froze on the spot. Then, in the next moment, he shoved the old man away in a rage, pointing at him furiously. “How dare you damage my official robe! I’ll make your whole family pay!”

The old man steadied himself, crying out, “It’s just my son and me in my family. Now that my son is dead, I won’t live either. I’ll drag you down with me!”

“You damn fool! Do you know who I am?!” Prefect Xue shouted, his eyes bloodshot.

The old man would not yield: “You’re a high official, so what? You killed someone—you should pay with your life!”

Xue ground his teeth in anger, hands trembling, shouting, “Guards! Guards! Take this man to the jail! I will—absolutely will…”

“Wait!”

Chu Ling suddenly shouted, stepping out of the crowd. After taking in the chaotic scene, she frowned and first gave Prefect Xue a formal bow. “Prefect.”

Xue, panting in anger, straightened his clothes and ground his teeth: “Master Chu, I was just about to—”

“Sir, from my perspective, you’ve been tricked,” Chu Ling said in a low voice.

Prefect Xue was momentarily stunned.

Chu Ling gave him a meaningful glance, guiding him aside, and whispered, “I have a coroner under my command. A single glance from him would reveal that the boy had been dead for three days. You’ve clearly been set up.”

Hearing this, Xue’s fury flared, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to take revenge.

Chu Ling clicked her tongue and quickly held him back. “Prefect Xue, look around. Look at the people—are they on your side, or on the side of the grieving father?”

Xue frowned and scanned the crowd. His anger flared anew, and he ground his teeth: “That carriage deliberately rammed me!”

Chu Ling clapped her hands. “Yes, but the people don’t believe that.”

Xue snorted coldly. “Why should I care if they believe it?”

Chu Ling gave him a look that said, “You just don’t get it,” and lowered her voice: “Under your governance, Ningzhou is thriving, and the people live in prosperity and peace. But outsiders coming to do business don’t know that. Traders go everywhere. If word spreads outside, reaching even the capital, and now that the heir is highly trusted, caution is heightened. If your subordinates get caught with a flaw….”

Chu Ling paused, shaking her head as she looked at Xue.

Prefect Xue furrowed his brow. That was true. He sighed. “Fine, then. Open the court—I’ll preside…”

“I’ll preside over the trial,” Chu Ling interjected. “Sir, you are innocent, but if you try to judge yourself, the people won’t accept it. Let me handle the trial. I promise to judge fairly, and the scoundrel who tried to cheat you will be thrown in prison.”

Prefect Xue looked at Chu Ling suspiciously.

Chu Ling gave an awkward smile. “After all, I also want to maintain a good relationship with Prefect Xue… I’ll be honest with you, sir. One of my brothers in the capital told me something. I thought it would be better to turn hostility into harmony and discuss it openly with you.”

“Your brother in the capital?” Prefect Xue was momentarily taken aback. “Didn’t you just mention this yesterday?”

Chu Ling looked innocent. “I didn’t.”

“You didn’t? How is that possible? I clearly heard—”

Chu Ling cut him off abruptly. “Sir, your time is so valuable, don’t waste it on this road. Why don’t we first hear the case? After the judgment, we can discuss things in detail.”

Prefect Xue chuckled, looking at Chu Ling with a hint of threat in his gaze. “Brother Chu, you better judge this properly.” He then turned to look at the elderly man and scanned the gathered crowd.

“This gentleman is Lord Chu, come from the capital. He’s quite capable in handling and solving cases. The incident that occurred on this road shall now be judged by Lord Chu. I trust him completely and believe he will issue a fair judgment.” Prefect Xue said this, casting a pointed glance at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling reminded him, “Sir, your official robe is damaged. Perhaps you should change into plain clothes?”

Prefect Xue considered it and instructed his sedan chair attendants to return home and change.

Chu Ling cleared her throat lightly and looked at the others. “You all must have heard that Prefect Xue personally invited me to judge this case. Let the elderly gentleman, the deceased, and all eyewitnesses follow me to the government office.”

The old man covered his face and walked along, crying.

Wan Sanjin went over to support him, lowering his voice. “Old Lin, you’re an expert appraiser, and your acting is amazing.”

Old Lin glared at Wan Sanjin. “I’m already at my age, and you want me to act? I can’t believe you actually thought of it—and it worked.”

Wan Sanjin grinned triumphantly.

Old Lin also laughed. This time, Prefect Xue was definitely going to be embarrassed.

Su He, hidden in the crowd, looked seriously at an elderly woman. “Your son was beaten to death by Prefect Xue’s son. Sir will take this case. Rest assured.”

The old woman nodded through her tears, watching as the group lifted the body from the ground, covering her mouth tightly so as not to cry out.

Su He had her step back, then pretended to help carry the stretcher with the others as they headed toward the government office.

Upon arrival, Chu Ling first had the body brought in on the stretcher. She then had Hong Shiyuan’s men temporarily act as constables, while she went to the rear to change into the official uniform Xiao Hua had brought and adjusted her official hat properly.

Zhang Dong slipped in from the back, coming up to Chu Ling. “I fed Zhuifeng some beans; he seemed very happy.”

Chu Ling smiled. “Everyone worked hard today.”

Xiao Hua shook her head. “Not hard at all. We just dismantled some of the cart frames to make them easier to collapse. Nothing serious.”

Chu Ling let out a light sigh. Being a county magistrate was convenient, but dealing with high-ranking officials was truly troublesome.

At this moment, Ghost Scholar reminded her, “Sir, it’s time to hear the case.”

Chu Ling took a deep breath, turned, and strode out to the square beneath the official plaque, taking her seat with poise.

After a moment, Prefect Xue, now in plain clothes, entered briskly, hands clasped behind his back. He gave Chu Ling a slight nod and allowed her to preside over the case.

Chu Ling smiled and struck the gavel.

“Today, this office will hear the case of Liu Renzhao’s death!”