Chapter 30 Prince Heng Leads the Signing of the People's Petition

When Xie Shang arrived at Baihua Lake, he saw a huge crowd of people, shoulder to shoulder. He asked, "Why are so many people gathered here?"

Lin Feng explained, "Today happens to be the annual flower viewing event, which is being held at Baihua Lake, hence the large number of people."

He already knew what had happened at Baihua Lake. It was caused by the disappearance of a girl three years ago, which triggered unrest. Someone was spreading the news that Yang Jing, the Minister of Justice, was the murderer in Baihua Lake. They even drew a vivid picture of Yang Jing killing the girl, which was infuriating and too numerous to describe.

The news of the Minister of Justice's murder had already spread. Now that people know he had done so many heinous things, they all cursed him, saying he deserved to die. They felt relieved that Yang Jing had raped and murdered more than a hundred respectable women.

Who was so righteous that the government not only did not reward them, but also posted notices to arrest the murderer, so everyone started to protest.

Seeing the chaos at the scene, Xie Shang ordered in a deep voice, "Have the Five Cities Garrison send people to maintain order."

Officials immediately rushed to the scene, and Yang Zheng, the commander of the Five Cities Garrison, arrived before Xie Shang, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Heng..."

Xie Shang gave him a cold look. "I am now the Prefect of the Capital."

Yang Zheng was stunned, and quickly said, "This humble official greets Your Excellency the Prefect."

Xie Shang exuded a cold aura, his imposing presence brooking no argument. "Evacuate the people immediately."

Yang Zhengdao said, "No, today is the flower appreciation festival. The festival hasn't started yet, so the people won't leave. The murder of Minister Yang has caused such a commotion, and everyone wants to seek justice for the deceased. The crowd will be even less likely to leave."

Xie Shang stood tall and imposing, and even his imposing presence could not disperse the people. At this point, it would be difficult to give the people an explanation if the Yang family was not dealt with.

Just then, someone shouted, "Someone jumped into the river! Someone jumped into the river!"

The crowd stood around, watching helplessly as a woman jumped.

Xie Shang looked in the direction of the sound and said, "Lin Feng, quickly save them!"

At this moment, everyone's attention was drawn to Xie Shang and the others.

Someone said, "That man is His Highness Prince Heng. He is now the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. Minister Yang has killed so many girls. Let's go and ask His Highness Prince Heng to take charge and seek justice for the dead girls. We can't let Yang Jing die so easily."

"Let's go and demand an explanation from Prince Heng."

"Yes, we demand an explanation! We are also citizens of the Great Zhou. Yang Jing is a high-ranking official of the Great Zhou. Now, this high-ranking official has killed our citizens. Why should we, as ordinary people, be expected to die? These girls died so tragically. Did we deserve this? Should the government just turn a blind eye and condone officials bullying ordinary people? We need to ask His Highness Prince Heng to stand up for us and demand an explanation..."

Yang Zheng shouted loudly, "Everyone, be quiet..."

Before he could finish speaking, someone else said, "This case was exposed three years ago, and now we know that the murderer is the Minister of Justice. These girls were also abused so badly by him. Killing him ten thousand times would not be enough to quell public anger."

"Perhaps they knew all along that Minister Yang was the murderer and the mastermind. Why didn't they arrest him sooner and let him continue to harm so many girls? Because Yang Jing was a high-ranking official, and they protected each other."

At this moment, Lin Feng had already rescued the woman who had jumped into the water and brought her to him.

The woman was crying pitifully, "My little Wu, you died so tragically, I'm going to join you... Why won't you let me die? I want to find my daughter, let me go."

Xie Shang frowned deeply. The scene was almost chaotic. The current situation was very unstable, and someone had to take a stand. Otherwise, the people would not trust the government at all. The Emperor should also be informed of this matter as soon as possible.

Suddenly, he leaped onto the arched bridge over Baihua Lake and said in a deep voice, "Please calm down, everyone. I am Xie Shang, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. Today, I am willing to take the lead in signing a petition of ten thousand people to report to the Emperor. I will definitely seek justice for everyone and the deceased woman from the Yang family and expose Yang Jing's evil deeds to the public."

He was dressed in a purple official robe, looking majestic and imposing, with a firm gaze. Soon, someone brought forward a ten-foot-long piece of white cloth.

The white cloth extends from one end of the arched bridge, completely encircling half of Baihua Lake.

Xie Shang took a dagger, cut his finger, and wrote the two characters "Xie Shang" in a flamboyant style, signifying that he would definitely seek justice for the people today.

Everyone was stunned and incredulous. They fell silent instantly. Prince Heng took the lead in signing the petition. Would he really seek justice for the dead?

Everyone was skeptical and couldn't believe Heng Wang's actions.

At this moment, a veiled woman walked out from the crowd. She walked to the white cloth and prepared to bite her finger like Xie Shang, but it still hurt. She frowned and a maid handed her a brush. She carefully wrote the three characters "Jiang Fenghua" on the other side of the white cloth.

Although the woman's face was not clearly visible, her graceful figure and extraordinary temperament, along with the powerful and vigorous calligraphy she wrote, drew countless praises.

Jiang Fenghua didn't linger after writing her name; she turned and disappeared into the crowd.

With her taking the lead, the people around her also stepped forward to plead for justice for the deceased girl.

More and more names appeared on the white cloth. People from all walks of life had come to Baihua Lake for the flower viewing party today. Even soldiers stepped forward and wrote their names, hoping to get an explanation for the death of the girl.

Because of the distance and the crowds everywhere, Xie Shang didn't know that Jiang Fenghua had come to sign the document. He only saw a graceful woman gradually disappear into the crowd, and more and more people were signing the document, almost responding to every call.

Jiang Fenghua walked out of the crowd and went up to Xiangya Garden, the tallest restaurant in Shengjing City.

As soon as she entered the exquisite and luxurious private room, a beautiful woman walked towards her.

As soon as Jiang Fenghua sat on the soft couch, removed her veil, and revealed her exquisite face, the woman immediately handed her a cup of tea. "You really don't like him?"

Jiang Fenghua stared at Lin Yu's alluring red lips and heavily made-up face, avoiding her topic, "Next time I see you, could you please not wear such red lipstick?"

"You really don't like him?" Lin Yu asked again, her red lips parted in a smirk.

Jiang Fenghua found her too boring and said indifferently, "I don't like it."

"If you don't like him, why are you helping him so much?" Lin Yu was speechless.

Jiang Fenghua walked to the window alone and murmured, "Xie Shang on the Hundred Flowers Bridge was radiant, with an outstanding figure and extraordinary handsomeness. I should have fallen for such a man at first sight, but falling for him is too difficult and too extravagant."