However, Philanthropist Liao wasn’t rattled by her words, nor did he seem to hear the crowd’s reaction. He said: “Your Honor, I’m brought to court today, and today a corpse is discovered at my home. No one would believe there’s no trickery involved – this is clearly your side planting evidence to frame me! Under cover of night, you secretly stuffed the corpse into my home. Your Honor, as a court official, knowingly breaking the law carries double punishment.”
He turned to face the crowd and declared: “This case has no plaintiff – it’s just a sudden whim. I don’t even know who the deceased is. I have no motive to kill, and no one saw me kill anyone. Trying to convict me with just a corpse to exonerate that group won’t be so easy!”
The previously excited people fell silent at his words.
Philanthropist Liao slowly turned back and smiled: “Your Honor, Hu Wei’s case was different. That group had both motive and evidence – the authorities even found banknotes in their homes at the time.”
He analyzed methodically, emphasizing the words “planting evidence” particularly heavily. Shuangcheng remained unhurried, her eyes still carrying a faint smile: “What the Philanthropist says seems reasonable, but is this deceased really unrelated to you? Do you think he’s just a masterless corpse?”
Philanthropist Liao was startled, hearing her say: “Bring the deceased’s family to court.”
Soon, bailiffs brought a woman to the hall. She was a woman in her thirties with worn clothing, a waxy yellow complexion, and a grief-stricken expression. She knelt trembling.
Shuangcheng asked: “Who kneels below? What is your relationship to the deceased?”
The woman answered quietly: “This citizen woman, Fan Jin-shi. The one laid out above is my brother Jin Gui. My brother once worked as a servant in Old Man Liao’s household. Later, Old Master Liao withheld wages. My brother had a quick temper and argued with the Liao mansion’s steward, got beaten badly, and was driven from the Liao mansion.”
“After returning home, he grew more indignant, threatening to file a complaint with officials. We all advised him that the poor shouldn’t fight the rich. Old Master Liao had said that if he dared cause trouble, he’d kill him. Later he indeed disappeared. We reported to authorities but got no results… Who would have thought that when officials notified us to identify someone today, we’d truly receive tragic news…”
She spoke through tears. Philanthropist Liao’s face grew slightly pale. Shuangcheng pressed her advantage: “Did the Philanthropist hear clearly? This isn’t this official’s sudden whim – authorities had already filed this case. You were just lucky that only today were you caught with the evidence. Authorities have already investigated – Jin Gui had no grudges with anyone else, only the deepest resentment with the Philanthropist. Do you still want to make excuses?”
She then summoned several servants from the Liao mansion, asking everyone if Philanthropist Liao habitually withheld wages.
Several young men and women immediately confirmed this, speaking intensely, clearly harboring anger.
Philanthropist Liao knew these people must have received promises of money from the authorities’ side. Whether the case reversal succeeded or not, they had enough silver to flee far away, so naturally they no longer feared him.
The situation grew increasingly unfavorable for him. This tactic of using his own methods against him was something he had never anticipated. He had indeed ordered Hu Wei’s killing, but if Jin Gui hadn’t been mentioned in court today, reminding him that such a person had existed, he would have truly forgotten such a minor character. Where would he have time to kill people! He was sweating profusely, but being quite clever, after silent contemplation, he had an idea and replied: “Fine, even if I’m the biggest suspect in this case, there’s still no concrete evidence proving I killed him. Who doesn’t say nonsense when angry? I just needed money for business turnover at the time, delaying a little wages – it’s not like I wouldn’t pay. Was it worth him filing complaints? I certainly wouldn’t kill him. Look, I didn’t just withhold from him alone – didn’t I also owe these servants? They must have said plenty against me in public and private. Should I have killed them all one by one? Your Honor, if we convict people of capital crimes based on mere words, what if the truth comes to light someday? Wouldn’t I be wronged?”
“Your Honor, Marquis Huo, both Prime Ministers, please think carefully! This citizen doesn’t accept such a result and will go to the capital to file an imperial petition!”
He spoke with tears and repeated kowtows, painting a vivid picture. Su Zhen, whose mind was already in turmoil, couldn’t help finding it somewhat amusing – no need to go to the capital to file imperial petitions, it could be done right here. She glanced toward Lian Yu’s direction and saw Lian Yu and Shuangcheng exchange warm smiles.
Su Zhen thought: Feng Suzhen, you asked to see this, so watch and blind yourself!
Of course, being afraid of death, never mind blinding herself – she wouldn’t bear to even touch her eyes. She just lowered her head to continue listening to the trial.
Seeing the desired effect achieved, Shuangcheng stood and bowed toward Huo, Yan, and Quan’s direction, her expression serious and sincere: “What Philanthropist Liao says isn’t unreasonable. Though he’s the biggest suspect in this case, we still lack concrete evidence proving he actually killed someone. To prevent wrongful imprisonment, this subordinate respectfully requests that the three honored officials petition the Ministry of Justice in future to add new laws: in cases without the most definitive evidence, doubtful points should benefit the defendant until the case has new developments. If sufficient evidence emerges in future implicating Philanthropist Liao, the death penalty would be absolutely unavoidable.”
Yan Da understood and stood up before Quan Feitong could object, speaking first: “An excellent suggestion. What do Marquis Huo and Prime Minister Quan think?”
Whatever grievances existed between Huo Chang’an and Lian Yu, he understood this was building up before striking down. He smiled slightly without objecting.
Strangely, Quan Feitong unusually didn’t sing a contrary tune. He nodded in approval and even praised Shuangcheng.
This made everyone on their side secretly amazed.
Shuangcheng’s heart also skipped a beat, but her face remained impassive as she continued. What followed would actually be very easy to handle.
She slowly looked at Fan Jin-shi: “Do you have any objections to this judgment?”
Fan Jin-shi smiled bitterly: “Though this citizen woman never read sage books, I understand some principles. Though the Liao man is greedy and detestable, if he didn’t commit murder, wouldn’t convicting him be wrongful? This citizen woman would rather wrongly release than wrongly execute.”
Shuangcheng nodded: “Thank you for your compassion. Since even the plaintiff has no objections, then Philanthropist Liao’s case ends here for now. We’ll reconvene court when new evidence emerges. Now we begin trying Accountant Hu Wei’s case!”
Philanthropist Liao felt greatly relieved. After saying “Thank you, Your Honor,” he dared not say more and retreated to one side.
Shuangcheng straightened her expression: “Guards, bring Er Niu and others to court, bring Hu Wei’s sister and brother-in-law to court, bring the bailiffs who collected evidence that day to court.”
She didn’t turn back to sit down but instead walked down to wait below the court. At this time, the people below were also unusually quiet, as if everyone knew what this official was about to do. From the moment Philanthropist Liao was brought to court, they knew this case would definitely have the result everyone expected! Therefore, at this very moment, they unanimously held their breath in silence, giving “him” their greatest support.
Soon, everyone was brought to court.
Shuangcheng looked at Hu Wei’s sister and said gently: “Are you the plaintiff? Clearly state whom you’re accusing?”
Hu Wei’s sister wept: “Your Honor, this citizen woman naturally accuses the murderer who killed Hu Wei.”
Shuangcheng sighed: “This official will first ask a hypothetical question: do you believe Er Niu and others are the murderers?”
Hu Wei’s sister showed some confusion, first nodding, then hesitating and shaking her head: “We don’t know. But previously the authorities said banknotes were found in their homes, so they were the murderers. Then they should be the murderers?”
Shuangcheng nodded: “Good, this official understands. Questions end here for now.”
She looked indifferently at the two bailiffs responsible for collecting evidence that day: “This official asks only one question: when you asked for water that day, why did you bypass the first house and go directly to the second house – Er Niu’s house?!”
Both men trembled at these words, their faces turning pale. After staring at each other for a long while, one finally said tremblingly: “Magistrate Huang told us to go there.”
“Oh?” Shuangcheng raised both eyebrows, looking at Huang Tianba with a half-smile: “Magistrate Huang, can you explain why you gave such instructions? This sounds quite incredible – a dignified prefect so caring about his subordinates, worried they might be thirsty, telling them to visit houses for water. But this official doesn’t understand why specifically Er Niu’s house? Was his water particularly delicious?”
Huang Tianba’s face was ashen, his peripheral vision fixed on Quan Feitong, his hands under his sleeves trembling constantly.
Shuangcheng’s gaze simply met Quan Feitong’s. She said calmly: “Perhaps Prime Minister Quan knows? Please tell this subordinate.”
Quan Feitong didn’t answer immediately. He brushed at his sleeves as if dust had settled on them. After a moment, he said carelessly: “This minister believes only one capital official in the world dares question this minister so – I didn’t expect there would be successors. But Minister Gu, this minister advises: you’re clever, but don’t be too clever for your own good. This minister naturally knows nothing about this matter. Just because Magistrate Huang doesn’t necessarily know either doesn’t mean anything. These days, when superiors get in trouble, who doesn’t find subordinates to die for them? By the same logic, when subordinates get in trouble, falsely accusing their superiors is also perfectly reasonable.”
Huang Tianba felt greatly relieved, his eyes blazing with renewed hope. He then looked coldly at Shuangcheng: “Exactly. When did this official ever give such orders to these two? Who knows whose benefits they received? Now seeing their scheme exposed, they dare slander this official in court.”
Shuangcheng’s heart sank. What a Quan Feitong!
Her mind wavered slightly, and she couldn’t help looking toward Lian Yu. Lian Yu nodded at her, his gaze gentle as water.
She understood the encouragement in his eyes.
Shuangcheng, don’t be afraid. I’m behind you.