Xiao Linghan's second uncle committed heinous crimes, and the victims were not just one person.

There is a complete chain of interests behind him.

This chain was originally unknown to anyone.

However, because Xiao Linghan's second uncle was found guilty and imprisoned, the unknown darkness behind the scenes revealed its ferocious appearance.

Selling smuggled salt was a serious crime that was severely punished in every dynasty.

No official would beg for mercy in something like this.

It was inevitable that Xiao Linghan's second uncle would fall, but none of the people he implicated were good people.

For them, sending out a scapegoat to save themselves is more important than anything else.

At this critical juncture, Xiao Linghan's second uncle became the target of public criticism.

Apart from his second uncle's own wife and children, no one else wanted to see him do well.

A mountain of accusations were being leveled against him.

Everyone's smart enough to have the courage, brains, and strategy to handle things like drying things out.

While seeking profit, they also need to prepare to protect their own lives.

Therefore, all the evidence was prepared, and it only took a little manipulation to add weight to Xiao Linghan's second uncle's case.

He was unaware of what had happened, yet his crimes were magnified countless times.

Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me.

In reality, he had very little access to information, but since he was the first one to be caught, he deserved to be executed by slow slicing.

The entire capital city's political climate became somewhat mysterious and unpredictable because of this case of smuggling salt.

Everyone was watching and waiting, not daring to make any rash moves.

But some things still need to be done, such as the fact that the Xiao family's property has already been confiscated.

Xiao Linghan's second uncle single-handedly dragged countless people into the abyss.

Xiao Linghan is the Marquis of Yongning, but so what?

The heinous crime of implicating nine generations of one's family will not be exempted from punishment simply because of any noble title.

Upon learning that his friend was embroiled in this major case, Shen Yan, at great risk, wanted to help him with some of the arrangements.

Given the multiple crimes committed by Xiao Linghan's second uncle, he is destined to be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts.

His family members should at least be sentenced to exile three thousand miles away.

One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

Shen Yan has not had many close friends over the years, and he does not want his friends to end up in such a situation.

But his father and mother were both trying to stop him.

Parents are naturally delighted that their children would go to great lengths for their friends.

But once they've committed a capital offense, that's beyond their control.

So many families avoid him, wishing they could close their doors to guests, yet Shen Yan insists on standing up for his friend. Isn't that foolish?

In such a major case, the Emperor would provide the final conclusion, and they only needed to wait patiently.

He remained silent and refused to listen to advice.

He went to great lengths to try and catch a glimpse of Xiao Linghan.

Unfortunately, I failed every time.

Even though others treated him with great courtesy because he was the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he never did anything he was asked to do.

They also secretly revealed a piece of information to Shen Yan—Xiao Linghan was probably going to be beheaded.

He is a marquis, and his second uncle is just a bully who uses his power to intimidate others. His second uncle has amassed so much wealth, how could killing one person solve the problem?

Xiao Linghan's title was the root of all evil.

To set the record straight, if Xiao Linghan is indeed sentenced to beheading, it would be perfectly reasonable.

It's all his fault for failing to resolve the family's problems, allowing his relatives to wreak havoc in the area.