As for the handwriting in the secret letter, there are many talented people in the world who could imitate it, and it wouldn't be difficult for them. Zhang Gui's accusations are baseless, and the physical evidence is questionable. I cannot admit to this crime of treason.

His arguments were clear and logical, pointing directly to the weakest link in the chain of evidence, cleverly directing the blame towards the county government's internal affairs and the Feng family's possible framing tactics!

"How dare you!"

Xun Shuang slammed his hand on the iron table, causing the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on it to jump around. "The evidence and witnesses are all here, yet you still dare to deny it! It seems you won't confess without severe torture!"

A fierce glint flashed in Xun Shuang's eyes, clearly indicating that he was genuinely angry at Li Ru's unyielding attitude.

Of course, the most important factor was the power behind the Feng family and the pressure from certain people in the court, which made him determined to solidify the case as soon as possible!

"Someone come here!"

Xun Shuang shouted sternly, "Bring on the torture! Let's see if his mouth is tougher, or if the instruments of torture from the Court of Justice are tougher!"

Several fierce-looking jailers stepped forward, their cold iron tongs and clamps gleaming, ready to torture Li Ru!

Li Ru closed his eyes, his body tense, preparing to endure the excruciating pain.

His heart was filled with coldness. He knew this was an inevitable ordeal. His Majesty could keep him alive, but he might not be able to protect him from this physical suffering!

"Report!"

At this critical moment!

A hurried voice rang out from outside the interrogation room, and an official from the Court of Justice, holding an urgent document sealed with sealing wax, rushed in.

"Reporting to the Court of Justice, a messenger has arrived from the palace with a secret edict from His Majesty!"

Xun Shuang's expression changed slightly. He immediately raised his hand to stop the jailer's actions, then respectfully took the document and quickly removed the sealing wax.

His gaze swept quickly across the silk scroll, and his thin, serious face displayed an extremely complex expression, including astonishment, confusion, and finally, deep helplessness and solemnity.

The silk scroll contains few characters, but each character carries immense weight, representing the unyielding will of the current emperor.

After reading it, Xun Shuang remained silent for a moment, then finally let out a long sigh, and waved his hand to signal the jailer to leave.

The jailers looked at each other, puzzled, but still respectfully stepped aside.

Xun Shuang's gaze returned to Li Ru, his eyes now completely different from their previous sharpness.

"Li Ru!"

Xun Shuang's voice returned to calm: "You...you'd better watch yourself."

Xun Shuang said something abruptly, then ordered his men, "Take the convicted official Li Ru back to his cell. This case... will be tried later!"

Li Ru was taken back to that cold, dark cell. He leaned against the cold wall, his face still calm, but inside he was in turmoil!

An urgent imperial edict has been issued: His Majesty has taken action!

That thin piece of paper was enough to make the impartial and incorruptible Court Minister Xun Shuang stop the instruments of torture that were about to fall. This intention to protect him was as heavy as a mountain!

In the following days, the Court of Justice fell into an eerie calm.

Li Ru was no longer interrogated, and every day only cold meals were delivered to his cell on time.

Xun Shuang also seemed to be caught in a dilemma, burying himself in the files all day long with a deep frown on his face.

Finally, on the morning of the fifth day, Li Ru was brought to the main hall of the Court of Justice once again.

This time, it wasn't a gloomy interrogation room, but the main hall of the Court of Justice.

This indicates that the case has been resolved, and the next step is the final verdict.

In the main hall, Xun Shuang sat in the main seat, flanked by officials and clerks from the Court of Justice. The atmosphere remained solemn, but the oppressive feeling of bloodshed was gone.

"Official Li Ru, hear your sentence!"

Xun Shuang's voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a heavy sense of settled dust.

Li Ru stood below the hall, head bowed, listening attentively.

"After a thorough investigation and review by the Court of Justice, the case of the theft of fine iron from the Heyang County Treasury has now been confirmed."

Xun Shuang's voice was clear and slow:

“Zhang Gui, the clerk in charge of the treasury, embezzled by colluding with outside thieves to steal fine iron from the treasury. The evidence is conclusive. He has falsely accused his superiors, and his crime is doubled!”

Zhang Gui is sentenced to immediate execution! His family property is confiscated!

"Former guards Zhang San and Li Si neglected their duties, resulting in the theft of the important treasury. They shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and exiled three thousand li away!"

"Magistrate Li Ru!"

Xun Shuang paused for a moment, then looked at Li Ru: "As the head of a county, you have failed to manage your subordinates properly and supervise effectively, resulting in the theft of military supplies and equipment during your tenure. You bear the responsibility without hesitation!"

Furthermore, he acted rashly and, on the eve of the Imperial Guards' arrest, he arbitrarily resorted to private torture, resulting in the deaths of Feng Wanjin, Feng Biao, Feng Zhi, and dozens of their servants, all wealthy and powerful men in Heyang!

Although this journey was for a reason, the laws of the land are strict and cannot be overstepped. He is hereby punished for both crimes, stripped of his post, and exiled to Youzhou Prefecture to guard the border. He shall depart immediately!

After the verdict was read, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Lax management of subordinates! Unauthorized use of private punishment!

The horrific massacre that wiped out the entire Feng family was casually attributed to Li Ru's "reckless actions"!

The heinous crime of "colluding with the Xiongnu and betraying the country," which was enough to wipe out an entire clan, vanished without a trace as if it had never existed, leaving Zhang Gui as the sole scapegoat!

This verdict is less of a punishment and more of a brilliant protection!

He was exiled for the crime of "unauthorized killing," which completely cleared him of the stigma of "treason" that could have ruined Li Ru and even implicated the emperor!

Li Ru bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"The guilty minister Li Ru leads the sentence, Sir Xie Tingwei makes a clear decision!"

He only thanked Xun Shuang, without mentioning the emperor.

Xun Shuang waved his hand wearily and said, "Take him away."

The heavy shackles were put on again.

This time, it was no longer a journey to a gloomy prison, but a road to exile to the northernmost, coldest part of the empire.

The heavy black lacquered gates of the Court of Justice slowly opened, letting in blinding sunlight. Li Ru, escorted by two constables from the Court of Justice, staggered out of the gate.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!