A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 153 The Truth Revealed to the World (39)

Jingzhao Mansion.

Liang Ruoming and Ji Yue were temporarily placed in a side hall of the back office for rest. Their attendants were also placed elsewhere. Although their personal freedom was not restricted on the surface, the constables guarding the entrance of the hall were like two mountains, unmoving as a bell.

Meals were delivered, and tea and snacks were provided continuously, but leaving the hall was forbidden. Using the restroom was permitted, but a constable would follow behind, like a guard watching over a prisoner, never leaving his side.

After waiting for three hours without Song Shuyu's return, and with him under house arrest and every move monitored, Liang Ruoming was furious. He could no longer tolerate it and, disregarding etiquette and appearance, shouted at the hall entrance, "You, the Jingzhao Prefecture, are truly audacious and outrageous! I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a high-ranking official of the third rank, here by imperial decree to participate in the trial, not as your prisoner!"

"Where is Song Shuyu? Find him immediately. If you want to interrogate him, then interrogate him; if not, then forget it. I'm going back to the Ministry of Justice to impeach him to the Emperor!"

"This is utterly outrageous! Just because he's the Prefect of the Capital, does he think he can do whatever he wants? Detaining a third-rank official without cause is an act of insubordination, a violation of moral principles, and a breach of the law!"

"..."

However, no matter how much Liang Ruoming jumped around, the maids serving him and the constables guarding him acted as if they hadn't heard a thing and paid him no attention!
Enraged, Liang Ruoming swung his fist and slammed it on the table. Unfortunately, being a civil official, he lacked the strength to make a sound, but he hurt his hand and gasped for breath. Whether from grievance or unbearable pain, his eyes even reddened.

In contrast, Ji Yue was content with his lot and remained remarkably calm, enjoying his meals, tea, and studying case files with great ease.

This comparison made Liang Ruoming look like a clown, which made him even angrier. He then started cursing Ji Yue again, "What's wrong with you? Why are you such a spineless coward, letting others mold and manipulate you?"

Ji Yue's reply was very official: "Please forgive me, Lord Liang. My rank is lower than Lord Song's, and I dare not disobey my superior!"

"You..." Liang Ruoming choked on a breath, nearly choking himself to death.

After a pause, Ji Yue kindly added, "Lord Liang, Lord Song holds an imperial gold token bestowed by His Majesty. Anyone who obstructs the public trial will be executed without mercy!"

Liang Ruoming rolled his eyes. "How have I obstructed things? I'm looking forward to the trial starting right away!"

Ji Yue said calmly, "In my humble opinion, since Lord Song said he has obtained new physical evidence and the key witness is on his way, once Lord Song returns and everything is ready, we may be able to conclude this case today! At that time, you and I will have completed our mission and will no longer need to set foot in the Jingzhao Prefecture!"

"That may be true, but by what right does he confine us?"

The veins on Liang Ruoming's forehead throbbed. At this point, he had completely given up on the matter of marrying Song Shuyu. He couldn't tolerate such an overbearing and disrespectful son-in-law!

Ji Yue smiled, his tone meaningful, "Although Lord Song's actions are somewhat unconventional and do not conform to the rules, from another perspective, they are also a form of protection for you and me."

"Protect you?" Liang Ruoming exclaimed in surprise, "Have you lost your mind? You're being confined to your quarters and you think they're protecting you? What, do you think we'll attract assassins if we go out for a few steps?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yue thought to himself, "The wisdom and cunning of people are truly not determined by age." He sighed slightly, his expression remaining unchanged, and said, "This case involves three other cases. Such a major case is rare even nationwide. Only Lord Song knows the inside story behind this. Even his trusted coroner was silenced, which shows how audacious the murderer is! If we leave this door, what if the news leaks out..."

Liang Ruoming was startled, finally realizing that Song Shuyu was preventing him from sending messages to the Empress Dowager!

Just then, someone hurried in from outside the hall. Upon reaching the hall entrance, he bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Excellencies, Lord Song has returned. Please prepare yourselves. The trial will resume in a quarter of an hour!"

Liang Ruoming quickly regained his composure and asked, "Where is Lu Shaoqing?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Vice Minister Lu has returned to his residence to change into his official robes and is on his way. He will arrive shortly."

"Okay, let's get down."

Liang Ruoming suddenly felt uneasy. It seemed that Ji Yue was right, Song Shuyu had obtained irrefutable evidence and was about to conclude the case!
So, if the outcome doesn't meet the Empress Dowager's expectations, how can he obstruct it? The Jingzhao Prefecture is like an iron barrel; he simply cannot send messages out!
"Although Lord Song has only been in office for a short time, he is skilled at managing his subordinates and maintains strict discipline. Whether Lord Song is present or not, the officials, yamen runners, constables, and servants of the Jingzhao Prefecture all perform their duties calmly and without panic. It is truly admirable!"

Hearing Ji Yue's effusive praise, Liang Ruoming rolled her eyes at him, "It's fine if you admire it yourself, don't drag me into it!"

Ji Yue lowered his head and cupped his hands, saying, "This humble official dares not!"

……

The crowd is still watching.

People came and went, discussing and speculating in small groups. Time passed quickly, and just as the evening drum was about to sound, the Prefect of the Capital, Lord Song, finally returned in a grand procession with a large entourage!
The people cheered and asked when the trial would begin. Song Shuyu alighted from his carriage, raised his hands, clasped them in front of the people, and said loudly, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the public trial has been interrupted. I apologize to everyone! The trial will begin at 3:15 PM. I ask that you all be my witnesses!"

Song Shuyu's politeness and courtesy won him widespread praise from the people. Seeing that Song Shuyu and the constables all had their hands wrapped in gauze, those who were quick-witted immediately realized that it was related to the "sudden cause" and couldn't help but feel great respect for everyone in the Jingzhao Prefecture, from officials to soldiers!
However, when Lu Xun arrived, not only were his hands injured, but his face was also disfigured!
When Song Shuyu saw Lu Xun at the entrance of the courtroom, she was taken aback. "Young Master Lu, what happened to you? Did you encounter an assassin, or... did you fall down?"

"Yes, I did fall." Lu Xun didn't feel embarrassed at all and seriously recounted his experience. "When I returned to the Marquis's mansion, I passed by the garden. I don't know which servant was not doing his job properly, but he didn't even notice that there were pebbles on the road. As a result, I fell down for no reason and ruined my appearance. I can only wrap my face with gauze to avoid catching a cold and aggravating my injury."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu frowned slightly. Although Lu Xun was a scholar, he knew that Lu Xun had also practiced martial arts. How could he have tripped and fallen over a pebble?

His suspicious expression displeased Lu Xun. "Brother Song, I've already suffered a terrible day, you can't laugh at me like that!"

Song Shuyu smiled lightly, "Your stance is so unstable. After you finish the trial, come to my Jingzhao Prefecture to practice your kung fu! My coroner, Mu, don't let her appearance as a woman fool you; her martial arts skills are unfathomable!"

My darlings, September is over, see you in October! Thank you all for your support.

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(End of this chapter)