Chapter 127.3: Part 3: Re-trial
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Marriage of the Di Daughter Chapter 127 Part 3: Re-trial
At Zhou De Zhao's request, the hundreds of Tongxiang residents jointly signed for a palace discussion to retry Xue's case.
Jiang Li was excited. Bowing her body, along with the civil and military officials, to thank the emperor for grace, her fingers tucked inside her sleeves were already tightly clenched.
Success or failure would be determined here. Today's battle was the key to wash away the Xue family's grievances and uncover the truth. She would undoubtedly exert her utmost effort, even if Cheng Wang stopped her, she would not rest unless she died!
The palace was grand and majestic, with civil and military officials standing in the hall. Jiang Li was unfamiliar with some while some others she knew well. One was once the person sharing the same pillow with her, who now became her mortal enemy. There were others who were strangers, but now turned into kins.
Emperor Hong Xiao, seated in a high position, Looked at Zhou De Zhao and said, "Beloved official Zhou, let's start."
Zhou De Zhao stood up and called out respectfully. He instructed the person behind him, and after a moment, Feng Yu Tang, who was in prison clothes, was brought inside.
"The criminal Feng Yu Tang, during his time as the county deputy of Tongxiang, used his position for personal gain, oppressing the people, committing any imaginable misdeed.He also set up the previous county deputy Xue Huaiyuan and sent him to prison. His heart is punishable and has already been entered into the book." He looked at Feng Yu Tang, "Feng Yu Tang, do you recognize your guilt?"
Compared to the previous Feng Yu Tang who was the county deputy of Tongxiang, the current Feng Yu Tang was like a stray dog. His disheveled hair and his dirty face went without saying, he bitterly said, "This commoner knows the crimes. As a county deputy, has indeed used my position for personal gain. But the matter of setting up Xue Huaiyuan is unfounded. From the beginning, Xue Huaiyuan was sent to prison because he was greedy and pocketed the disaster relief silver. The evidence was conclusive, and it had nothing to do with this commoner. There is no reason to add to the crime, this commoner will not admit to an unfounded crime."
"Audacious!" Zhou De Zhao shouted angrily, "In the throne room, stop using clever words to debate!"
Feng Yu Tang hurriedly knelt down and said that he did not dare.
Jiang Li looked coldly at Feng Yu Tang. She understood clearly, Feng Yu Tang was aware that it was hard for him to avoid death and readily admitted that everything was his fault. Then at least, he could still die contentedly. If he mentioned Princess Yongning, afraid it would not just be his death, but the concubines and heirs in his house would also be thoroughly killed.
Of course, Feng Yu Tang was not someone who cherished great love, someone who would sacrifice himself to help everyone. It was because Feng Yu Tang feared Princess Yongning's power more than he feared the emperor. Thus making him rather do things in this way.
"Master Zhou," Cheng Wang opened his mouth leisurely, "everything is written down in the dossier. This Feng Yu Tang's crimes cannot be refuted, the evidence is undeniable. However, in regards to Xue Huaiyuan's crimes, it has been examined before. The case of Xue Huaiyuan's corruption, the silver and account book were found in his residence and there was also a witness's testimony and material evidence. Because Feng Yu Tang is found guilty, it does not mean that Xue Huaiyuan is innocent. Everything needs concrete evidence. In front of the emperor, you cannot obtain confession under torture, please don't waste time anymore."
Saying this in front of Emperor Hong Xiao was very rude. Though in the palace discussion, it's okay for the subjects to say something, Cheng Wang's attitude clearly showed that he was biased towards Feng Yu Tang.
The officials standing aside did not understand, only thinking that Cheng Wang was probably enjoying watching the lively scene, or perhaps because he disliked the Jiang family. It so happened that this case was brought forward by the Jiang family's young lady, thus he was being aggressive. However, in Emperor Hong Xiao's ears, these words contained a different meaning.
In the memorial presented by Ye Shijie, this case involved Yongning. Supposed that Cheng Wang did not do anything today, Emperor Hong Xiao still suspected that there was a misunderstanding. With Cheng Wang being like this, Emperor Hong Xiao immediately concluded that it was true that this matter really concerned Yongning. Cheng Wang's attitude showed that he knew the exact story in this matter.
However, Emperor Hong Xiao did not say a word and sat unfathomably, watching the statements of each official below.
Before Zhou De Zhao could speak, Cheng Wang turned his spearhead towards Jiang Li. He put on a fake smile while looking at her and said, "Miss Jiang second raised this case and personally visited Tongxiang, it seems that Miss Jiang second knows more information that the others are aware of, and knows more evidence than others. Since you want to wash off the guilt of Xue Huaiyuan, would you please take out the evidence?"
"Correct." This time, the one who spoke was actually the Right Minister, Li Zhong Nan. He cupped his hands in obeisance and said, "Miss Jiang second is an outstanding woman with a clear aspiration. Leading the Tongxiang commoners on a long journey, striking the drum at the Chang'An Gate and crying injustice, thinking that there's a huge injustice. A huge injustice will definitely not be so simple. Everyone present and His Majesty are all ready to hear, please speak quickly."
The Li family actually went as far as to hit a person when they were down at this moment. Jiang Yuan Bai frowned, no matter how daring and clever Jiang Li was, in the end, she was just a 15-16 years old girl. The court was unlike their own courtyard, where she could have no worry about what she said. If there's a mistake in speech, not mentioning irritating the monarch, she might also offend many people. Obviously, Cheng Wang and the Right Minister saw that Jiang Li was young and ignorant, wanting Jiang Li to speak and fall into their trap. Jiang Yuan Bai was about to help Jiang Li speak, but at this moment, Jiang Li had instead opened her mouth. And the words she said stunned each and every person in the hall.
She said, "Your Majesty, this female subject endured a long journey, bringing the commoners in Tongxiang over to seek justice at Chang'An Gate to sue the evil official Feng Yu Tang. Also..... asking His Majesty to convict the previous county deputy Xue Huaiyuan!"
"Convict?" Emperor Hong Xiao paused before asking, "Why convict?"
"As everyone knows, the Tongxiang county deputy, Xue Huaiyuan, was greedy for the disaster relief silver, the evidence was conclusive, a vermin in the court. Your Majesty advocates the concept of clearing and reducing taxes, yet a minor Tongxiang county deputy could be so daring, which is a disrespect to the imperial household. Merely imprisoning and beheading is not enough, this female subject thinks that he should get a thousand cuts!"
Ye Shijie was stunned, and the kneeling Feng Yu Tang even forgot to bow his head and looked directly at Jiang Li. Everyone knew that Jiang Li ran around incessantly for Xue Huaiyuan, even standing on the side of Xue Huaiyuan. But now, to everyone's surprise, she said that Xue Huaiyuan should not just receive a beheading, but still wanted him to be cut into a thousand pieces. Was she mad? Or from the beginning, she did not really stand on Xue Huaiyuan's side?
Ye Ming Yu was also shocked, absolutely did not foresee Jiang Li to say this. All along, Jiang Li had looked after Xue Huaiyuan like her own parents, even closer than towards her biological parent, Jiang Yuan Bai. Now she said this? Ye Ming Yu almost doubted that the Jiang Li in front of him was not his niece, but someone who had succeeded in changing her appearance.
Phew, I had a shock when wordpress kept giving an error message T^T , thankfully, clearing the browser's cache fixed everything.
And we are back to 4 parts for the chapters for now until my schedule clears up ^^!
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