Chapter 73 Did she come here specifically to watch him hear the case?

It was only then that everyone realized what had happened, as if struck by lightning. It was because Gao Xiaohu hit Hu Jiaoniang, and her mother-in-law also hit and scolded her, that she tried to run away and fight back, which is why she accidentally killed her mother-in-law.

In the crowd, someone said, "If it were me, I would have chopped that bastard down long ago. He's been bullied for over ten years for nothing."

"She was a pitiful woman too."

"She's already been locked in the woodshed by her husband, and her mother-in-law still goes there to beat and scold her. What a wicked old woman, she deserves to die. Who can endure being beaten and scolded by their husband for more than ten years? She should have divorced him long ago."

An insider sighed, "How could Jiao Niang dare to mention divorce? If she wanted a divorce, she would be beaten again. She's so pitiful."

"She also gave birth to three children for the Gao family. She couldn't bear to part with her children. Besides, what divorced woman can be any better? She was forced into this situation."

"quiet."

The courtroom fell silent instantly, and no one dared to speak loudly.

"I now pronounce the verdict..."

After a series of investigations and hearings from neighbors, Xie Shang directly acquitted Hu Jiaoniang. Hu Jiaoniang had been subjected to domestic violence for a long time. On the night she killed her mother-in-law, she was also verbally abused and slapped by her mother-in-law, and her life was also threatened. Therefore, she acted in self-defense.

Gao Xiaohu knew she had been acquitted and then launched into another tirade of insults at her. If it weren't for the fact that he had been spanked, he would have given Hu Jiaoniang a good beating in front of the officials.

Xie Shang couldn't bear to watch any longer, and after consulting Hu Jiaoniang's wishes, he granted the divorce. Hu Jiaoniang was deeply grateful, and her family kowtowed in thanks.

Everyone thought Hu Jiaoniang was doomed, but she was released and successfully divorced her abusive husband. Everyone found it unbelievable and praised the magistrate as a just and upright official.

Some people are saying that since Hu Jiaoniang was imprisoned, her three children have been living inhuman lives and are on the verge of starving to death. Their biological father is even planning to sell them.

Hu Jiaoniang did not want her children to suffer in the man's house, so she begged the government to take her three children away.

Some people advised her that taking the children with her would mean taking three burdens, making life even harder in the future. The woman insisted on raising the children herself, and her family also felt sorry for their daughter.

Her family's goal was to rescue their daughter from the tiger's den, and they weren't afraid of having more mouths to feed, so they eventually agreed to her request.

At the same time, Jiang Fenghua and Zhang Yumo were also squeezed in the crowd. This time, it was Jiang Fenghua who took the initiative to invite Zhang Yumo. She knew that Xie Shang had followed her all the way but had not shown up, and she also knew that he would definitely come to the Jingzhao Prefecture government office after he left.

She said to Zhang Yumo, "My elder brother will also seek justice for the people like him in the future. He has always had this ambition."

Zhang Yumo's face flushed, and she changed the subject, "Your Highness Prince Heng is truly a good official. Fenghua is so lucky to have such a husband."

Jiang Fenghua sighed, "There are countless cases like this in the world, but how many people can overturn a case like Hu Jiaoniang?"

Zhang Yumo is the granddaughter of the Duke of the State. She is well-educated and reasonable, and she understands the principles behind things. It was only because the person who exonerated Hu Jiaoniang was His Highness Prince Heng that she had the opportunity to be reborn. Otherwise, she would probably have ended up in tragedy.

Jiang Fenghua pulled Zhang Yumo out of the carriage and back into the carriage, preparing to return to their respective residences.

At this moment, Lin Feng caught up and said, "Your Highness, please wait."

"Why is Guard Lin here? What brings him here?" Jiang Fenghua asked, puzzled. She had been hiding in the crowd, her face veiled.

"Shouldn't this humble servant be asking why the Princess Consort came to the yamen?" He hadn't seen them either; it was only after the Prince reminded him that he chased after them.

Xie Shang had already seen Jiang Fenghua, but he quietly finished reviewing the case before sending Lin Feng to find her.

Jiang Fenghua didn't know how to answer. She was reluctant to say that she had come specifically to watch Xie Shang hear the case, but saying no would be too pretentious.

Zhang Yumo made an excuse, "We were bored at home, so we came out for a stroll. We heard that the Jingzhao Prefecture was holding a trial, so we came to join in the fun."

Zhang Yumo invited Jiang Fenghua out of the mansion for another reason: she wanted to know what exactly happened in the palace that day.

She had liked Jiang Jinyan for so many years, and when he suddenly asked her to deliver a message that day, she was almost stunned. After she came to her senses and thought about what had happened in the palace, she realized that this matter was not simple.

Jiang Fenghua didn't hide it from her, and only then did she realize that Su Tingwan was the apple of Prince Heng's eye, and that Consort Su and Su Tingwan wanted to harm Jiang Fenghua. Naturally, she had already become biased in her heart. No matter how real their love was, she just sided with Jiang Fenghua, thinking that she was the rightful wife of Prince Heng.

Zhang Yumo quickly turned to Lin Feng and said, "The princess wanted me to accompany her to stroll through the night market in Kyoto, but unfortunately I just remembered that my grandmother wanted to eat sweet cakes, so I have to hurry and buy some for her. I'll be going now."

After she finished speaking, she left with her maid. Since His Highness Prince Heng sent his guards to chase after her, it must be because he wanted to keep Fenghua. This was a good opportunity for them to develop their relationship.

Jiang Fenghua tried to call her back, but Zhang Yumo had already walked away.

Lin Feng stood to the side, glanced at the two maids, and said in a somewhat ingratiating tone, "You two young ladies must be hungry. I'll treat you to a meal later. We'll go to a restaurant. I know a place where the food is especially delicious."

Hongxiu and Lianye both looked at Jiang Fenghua at the same time, "Your Highness, we..."

Lin Feng was afraid that Jiang Fenghua was still angry with Xie Shang, so he quickly said, "Later, the prince is going to take the princess out to eat, so we won't bother you. I'll take them out for dinner and then come back to find the princess. I promise I won't lose them."

Jiang Fenghua was amused by him. "You all go ahead, I'll wait for the Prince here." Since Xie Shang already knew she was coming, if she left, wouldn't she seem too pretentious? She didn't know what he meant by climbing onto her roof so early this morning.

Jiang Fenghua turned and got into the carriage. Only after Xie Shang changed his clothes and came out did Lin Feng, along with two maids, plunge into the crowd.

Xie Shang boarded the carriage voluntarily. Seeing Jiang Fenghua sitting upright, he felt somewhat embarrassed and instructed the driver in a deep voice, "Go to Hefeng Restaurant."

The carriage moved slowly. Xie Shang glanced at her discreetly and saw that she looked fine. He couldn't tell if she was upset about what happened last night. He said, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, much better," she said simply.

"Since you're alright, that's good. Physician Mei's medical skills are among the best in the capital." He then asked, "Why did you come to the yamen today?"

She recalled Zhang Yumo's answer and copied it, "Your Majesty, I was invited by Miss Zhang of the Zhang State Duke's Mansion to visit her residence. I was bored at home, so I came out for a stroll. I heard that the Jingzhao Prefecture was holding a trial, so I came to watch the excitement."

Xie Shang knew immediately that this was just her perfunctory answer. She clearly knew that he was now the Prefect of the Capital, and that he would be the one to preside over the case. So she only came because she knew he was at the yamen.

Did she come here specifically to watch him preside over the trial?