"But... this is impossible. If they are acquainted, why not tell them in court? If they are told, the official will definitely let those two people go and no longer imprison them."
Fang Guancheng smiled coldly and said: "If all this is a plan designed by Prince He, does that make sense?"
Li Shijun was startled and exclaimed: "A plan? Why did Prince He do this?"
Fang Guancheng lifted his robe and sat down, and said in a cold voice: "In the past few years, Wanhua Tower has become too popular. As the saying goes, if a tree is as beautiful as a tree in the forest, the wind will destroy it. It is possible that he and the prince heard the news, so they sent someone
I secretly pursued the case and happened to come across Qiao's case. Let's try to push the boat forward and see how Mr. Li will try this case in the end. Otherwise, how can mere merchants and civilians deal with this case?
I dare to be disrespectful to you, the prefect." Without waiting for Li Shijun to ask, he continued: "If you look at Wanhua Tower, he will definitely keep an eye on you, not only you, but also me and several others.
He will also keep an eye on us; but if we don't do it, he will keep an eye on Wanhua Tower. By then, our financial path will be cut off, and it will be difficult to explain to the person in Beijing."
Li Sifeng was sweating profusely when he heard this, and said in a panic: "Then...how should I judge the lower officials? Why do I feel that there is no way to go?"
Fang Guancheng rolled his sleeves and said coldly: "You really came back in big trouble!"
Li Shifeng heard the annoyance in his words and hurriedly knelt down and said: "I didn't even think about it. It's really an unreasonable disaster. Please save me. I will definitely be devastated to repay you for saving me."
Although Fang Guancheng was angry with Li Shi for being careless, they were in the same boat, and if one person fell off the boat, the whole boat might capsize, so he did not dare to let go, paused for a moment, and said: "Those people are still in prison.
middle?"
Li Shixun hurriedly said: "Sir, I will put them all in prison and keep them under strict guard."
Fang Guancheng said in a low voice: "Actually, this case is easy to try. It's just that the prince and the prince interfered with it, which made it difficult."
Li Shifeng nodded repeatedly and said with a grimace: "That's exactly it. Please show me a clear path."
Fang Guancheng stroked the long beard under his chin and said in a low voice: "Try to have Wanhualou prepare more evidence so that Mrs. Qiao and others have nothing to say. As for the rest, let me think about it slowly. Prince Youhe
Now, we must be cautious and cautious in this matter, and we must not be careless to avoid catastrophic disaster."
Hangzhou Mansion is as prosperous as ever, but under the bustling appearance, the storm is gradually gathering. Only at that moment can we know what kind of storm it will turn into.
In two days, whether it was quick or slow, the retrial period soon came. Early that morning, Hong Zhou came to the magistrate's office. Li Shiqiu had already put on his official uniform and was standing at the door. When he saw him coming,
He immediately saluted and said: "I have seen the prince thousand years old."
"Master Li, no courtesy." Hong Zhou said with a warm smile: "I wonder if Master Li has figured out how to try this case in the past two days?"
Li Shijun said respectfully: "As for Prince Huihe, I will judge the case based on all the evidence. I must be impartial. Only in this way can I live up to the four words given to me by the emperor."
"Very good." With that said, Hong Zhou entered the courtroom, and after welcoming him to sit down in a wide-backed chair beside him, Li Sifeng stood behind the case and slapped the Yamen who stood solemnly below.
Said: "Bring the plaintiff and defendant to court!"
Soon, Nanny Lin and Qiao Yan'er came to the hall. Hong Zhou frowned slightly, looked outside and said, "I remember that there were three people when the case was interrogated two days ago. Why don't I see them today?"
Li Shixun lowered his head and said: "Those three people were just watching the case and were not directly involved, so I just let them go."
Hong Zhou had a look of surprise on his face and said, "I remember that Mr. Li was quite dissatisfied with those people before and wanted to punish them with a stick at that time. Why did he let them go now?"
Li Shijun chuckled and said: "I was contradicted by Hong Si before, and the subordinate was angry for a moment, so he said such angry words. After thinking about it, it was really none of their business and there was no point in being detained in prison, so I sent the order."
Let them go."
"I didn't expect Mr. Li to be so broad-minded. I really admire him." With that said, Hong Zhou called Ning Er beside him and said softly: "Go and take a look."
Ning Er knew what he meant and left immediately. Seeing this scene, Li Shixun secretly confirmed his previous guess. The couple was indeed sent by Hong Zhou, otherwise how could he care so much.
After Ning Er left, the court was officially raised. This time, Nanny Lin brought several witnesses, all of whom said they could prove that Qiao Yaner signed the deed of betrayal voluntarily. As for the latter, she accused Nanny Lin of instigating these acts.
People give false evidence.
Just when it was difficult to distinguish between true and false, Ning Er quietly walked in and said in Hong Zhou's ear: "Your Majesty, the jailer said that three people were indeed let go early in the morning, and the ones we sent are all gone. They must be the guards."
The Empress has returned to her palace."
Seeing that Hong Li was indeed fine, Hong Zhou felt relieved and focused on the trial. Li Shixun said: "Qiao Yan'er, you keep saying that Mother Lin forced you to do something, but what these witnesses said
, can prove that you were sane when you signed the deed of sale, which shows that you have been lying all along!"
"I didn't!" Qiao Yan'er said loudly: "These people are all from Wanhualou. Whatever Granny Lin wants them to say will come naturally. One-sided words cannot be trusted at all!"
"You said that Aunt Lin and the others were telling the same story. Why are you not telling the same story? How can I trust you? Also, I sent people to ask other people in Wanhua Building, and they all said that you have been living in Wanhua Building for the past few months.
There is no sadness or sadness in it; the words of one person may be lies, but the words of ten people and hundreds of people, are they also lies?"
Qiao Yaner said excitedly: "Mother Lin has many tricks. If I don't follow her wishes, how can I still stand here? Furthermore, if she doesn't let her guard down, I won't have a chance to escape."
Grandma Lin suddenly said: "Actually, there is one person who can prove that she is lying, and that is the man who was with her at the beginning. Unfortunately, there is no news about this man. Although the slave family has been searching for days, there is no clue."
Qiao Yan'er said with tears in her eyes: "If he really stood in front of grandma, I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to talk like this."
Nanny Lin stared at her coldly and said in a cold voice: "Yan'er, I took a fancy to you at first sight and thought that you would definitely become the number one in Wanhua Tower. Now it seems that I was right. You are the only one with this plan.
He is better than all the girls under me, and even I have to say I admire him."
Qiao Yan'er wiped her tears, lowered her head and said, "Yan'er doesn't know what grandma means, but I just ask her to be compassionate and give Yan'er a way to survive. Yan'er will remember your kindness for the rest of her life."
"I run a brothel, not a charity house. Since you signed the deed of prostitution and used me a lot, you must pay it back!" Saying this, Nanny Lin knelt down and said: "Please seek justice for the slave family.