The Shuntian Prefecture Yamen was destined for a busy day.
After bringing the Heir of Marquis Changxing and two servants back, Zhen Shicheng immediately opened court to hear the case.
The Heir, knowing the situation was hopeless, remained silent throughout, appearing dazed and leaving people both angry and helpless.
Fortunately, the two servants couldn’t withstand the pressure and quickly confessed the identities of the victims.
Six of the victims were from the capital, three from surrounding counties, and two from other regions. One was the daughter of Master Chi, while the servants couldn’t recall the other victim from outside the area, only remembering she had an accent from the Lingnan region and was killed eight years ago. The hope of finding her family seemed slim.
The Heir of Marquis Changxing, capable of such universally condemned acts, didn’t target beautiful women indiscriminately as people might imagine. He was extremely picky, only choosing women who stirred his interest in some way, leading to their tragic fates.
As a result, the victims came from various backgrounds, including even a daughter from an official’s family.
For the Heir, these young women were his chosen prey. Once he set his sights on a target, he would patiently watch, waiting for the right moment to bring them into the mansion, whether it took a short or long time.
This was why the two servants could remember the backgrounds of these women. For two of the victims, they had even kept watch near their homes for as long as half a month.
With irrefutable evidence and signed confessions, Zhen Shicheng directly sentenced the Heir of Marquis Changxing and the two servants to immediate execution, much to the satisfaction of the onlooking public.
Of course, “immediate execution” didn’t mean they would be beheaded right after the sentencing, but rather that the execution would be carried out after the autumn equinox of that year.
Marquis Changxing coughed up blood in the courtroom, shouting hoarsely, “Zhen Shicheng, how dare you sentence my son to immediate execution without a palace review? My son is the Heir of a Marquis!”
Generally, officials were very cautious about sentencing immediate executions. For cases with lingering doubts or involving sensitive individuals, they would often sentence “execution pending review,” meaning the final decision would be made after next year’s palace review.
For someone of the Heir’s status, with Marquis Changxing working connections outside, it was very possible that after a year, the death sentence might be commuted.
Thus, the difference between immediate execution and execution pending review was enormous – one meant certain death, the other potential life.
Zhen Shicheng, seated beneath the plaque reading “Clear as a Mirror,” spoke in a resonant voice: “Before the law, the emperor’s son and the common people are equal. Cao Xingyu, Heir of Marquis Changxing, has abducted, violated, and murdered ten women. The evidence is conclusive, and his crimes are unforgivable. He is sentenced to immediate execution! If the Marquis has any objections, he may petition the emperor. This official will see it through to the end!”
“Zhen Shicheng, you just wait—” Marquis Changxing seemed to age seven or eight years in an instant, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhen Shicheng.
Having heard many such threats, Zhen Shicheng smiled slightly: “This official will be waiting at the Shuntian Prefecture. Marquis, remember to prepare money when you return to your mansion.”
Marquis Changxing was momentarily stunned.
What did that mean? Was he implying the Marquis would bribe the emperor? Don’t be ridiculous, he wasn’t a fool. Arranging to speak with someone who had the emperor’s ear was more likely.
But such words shouldn’t have come from Zhen’s mouth.
For a moment, Marquis Changxing had a false sense of hope.
Although he knew this thought was absurd, people in desperate situations will grasp at any straw, no matter how flimsy.
Zhen Shicheng frowned: “Your son has harmed ten innocent women. Their families will soon receive a summons from the yamen. Doesn’t the Marquis’s mansion intend to compensate these victims’ families?”
“What?” Marquis Changxing never expected this answer and almost couldn’t catch his breath.
The onlookers cheered.
“Well done, Lord Zhen!”
“He’s truly a just official! We can rest easy now.”
“Indeed, if an upright official like Lord Zhen were bullied by someone like Marquis Changxing, we’d petition the emperor too!”
The common folk’s thoughts were simple: What kind of good person could raise a murderous son like the Heir of Marquis Changxing?
The sins of the father are visited upon the son, and a child’s misbehavior reflects the father’s failure – these weren’t empty words at this moment, but principles everyone agreed with.
These words pierced Marquis Changxing’s heart like flying daggers. Overwhelmed by the shock, he fainted.
“Take the Marquis back to his mansion, escort the criminals to prison. The court dismissed!” Zhen Shicheng struck his gavel and slowly rose.
Countless rotten vegetable leaves and fruit peels flew toward the Heir of Marquis Changxing.
The yamen runners frowned repeatedly.
How many years had it been, and the capital’s citizens still had this tradition? Didn’t they know how troublesome it would be to clean up later?
The steward from the Changxing Marquis’s mansion, who had been listening to the case at the Shuntian Prefecture, rushed back to the mansion ahead of the Marquis.
“How is the Young Master?” the Marchioness of Changxing asked urgently.
“The Young Master… he’s been sentenced to immediate execution!”
The Marchioness swayed but didn’t faint.
No matter how delicate a woman might be, when her children face grave trouble, she quickly becomes resilient.
“What about the Marquis? Did he do nothing?”
“The Prefect of Shuntian said he wasn’t afraid even if the Marquis petitioned the emperor. The Marquis fainted from anger…”
The Marchioness’s eyes became unfocused as she mumbled, “Immediate execution, immediate execution… My son, a perfectly good person, how can he be beheaded…”
Her unfocused gaze suddenly fell on Jiang Qian.
Jiang Qian stood with lowered eyes, having been silent for a long time.
At this point, she didn’t know what to say either.
She had already fought for what she could, and surely her parents were also trying to find a solution. For now, she could only wait quietly.
Suddenly, the Marchioness charged at Jiang Qian like a wild beast, slapping her face repeatedly.
“My Lady—” The maids and older servants dared not intervene at this moment, only weakly calling out.
“I’ll beat you to death, you ill-fated wretch! What kind of wife are you? The Young Master did all these things, and you never noticed or tried to stop him?”
Jiang Qian had grown up pampered by her parents, but since marrying the Heir of Marquis Changxing, she had been beaten countless times. Now, the Marchioness’s barrage of slaps meant nothing to her.
She didn’t fight back or even try to dodge, allowing the slaps to land on her face. Soon, her delicate cheeks swelled up.
At this moment, a maid rushed in to report: “My Lady, people from the East Peace Earl’s mansion have arrived.”
Given the magnitude of the event, Second Master Jiang and his wife had come together.
The Marchioness of Changxing composed herself and said, “My in-laws have arrived.”
“Marchioness, we’ve heard about what happened to the Young Master. How could such a thing occur?” Madam Xiao said, wiping away tears.
The Marchioness wept silently.
Suddenly, someone rushed in and threw herself into Madam Xiao’s arms, shaking violently: “Mother, please save your daughter—”
The Marchioness’s face changed abruptly.
How dare this ill-fated wretch run out to complain? Were her maids dead?
“Qian’er, what’s wrong with you?”
Seeing Jiang Qian’s swollen face, Madam Xiao let out a cry of shock.