At the Tiger Yasi, the officer who arrested Zhang Han and Shan Wenhao took them to the interrogation department.

"Tang Yasi, what is this?" asked the officer from the interrogation department.

It turns out that the officer from the Hu Ya Si who arrested Zhang Han and Shan Wenhao was called Tang Cheng, a bailiff of the Hu Ya Si.

Tang Cheng smiled and said, "We've arrested two officials. They're connected to the Crown Prince's case and are being strictly interrogated."

The interrogation department was shocked. This case was related to the Crown Prince's case. Not daring to neglect it, they bowed and said, "I understand."

"Bullshit, I am upright and honest. How dare you, a dog bailiff, put the blame on me? Don't even think about it!" Shan Wenhao cursed.

Zhang Han said softly, "The bailiff must have made a mistake. I am merely an official in the same court as Liang Shuhang. We have had some interactions, but they were all personal and never involved political matters."

Tang Cheng sneered and said, "Whether it's a personal encounter or not, we'll know later."

The torture officers tied the two men to the cross stakes. Someone had already brought a wooden barrel filled with a bullhide whip soaked in salt water. Next to it was a charcoal brazier, a fire blazing brightly...

Zhang Ruoxi, sixteen years old, still waiting to be married, usually never leaves the house. Suddenly, her family was in turmoil, and she was left crying.

The maidservant next to him said, "The master is usually a decent man. I think he has been slandered by a villain. Miss, please stop crying and go to the Kaifeng prefect to beat the drum and appeal for justice."

It was like seeing a ray of light in the darkness. Zhang Ruoxi wiped away her tears and held the maid's hand. "Mingyue, you are right. I often hear father say that those who enter the Tiger Yamen never leave, and those who leave never return. Now that father has been captured by the Tiger Yamen for no reason, he is definitely in great danger. I will go to Kaifeng Prefecture now. If I am too late, father's life will be in danger."

Zhang Ruoxi was also a chaste woman. She packed up and came to Kaifeng Prefecture alone. It was already getting dark.

"Boom, boom, boom! ..." The drums of grievance sounded.

Meng Gu Rao was checking accounts in the mansion when he heard the drums beating and asked, "Who's beating the drums outside to complain?"

Lieutenants Wang Chao and Ma Han hurriedly bowed and said, "Sir, I will go out and take a look."

Meng Gurao hurried to the yamen to attend the court session. Soon Wang Chao and Ma Han brought Zhang Ruoxi in.

Zhang Ruoxi bowed deeply and said, "Sir, please redress my grievances."

Meng Gu Rao saw that she was well-dressed, a lady from a noble family. So he asked, "What grievance have you brought? Tell me everything and I will handle the matter for you."

Zhang Ruoxi cried, "My daughter, Zhang Ruoxi, my father is the current Grand Secretary Zhang Han. Today, he was playing chess at home with his classmate and friend Shan Wenhao. For some reason, a group of Tiger Yamen officers broke into our home. They were very aggressive and took my father and Shan Wenhao away for no reason. I beg you to help me, sir."

Meng Gu Rao was shocked. "People from the Tiger Court? This is beyond my control. The Tiger Court was appointed by the current emperor himself. They can arrest and try people without the approval of officials from other ministries. I can do nothing about it."

Zhang Ruoxi knelt and kowtowed. "Everyone knows that the Kaifeng prefect, Lord Meng, is incorruptible and impartial. The people call him 'Meng the Justice.' My father was framed by the officials for no reason. How could you stand by and watch him die? Your reputation as the Justice is overstated."

Meng Gu Rao was so overwhelmed by his words that he could not back down. He could only ask, "What crime did the Tiger Yamen accuse your father of?"

Zhang Ruoxi cried, "I was embroidering in my room when I heard the official say that the Crown Prince's drowning was related to Grand Secretary Liang Shuhang. Liang Shuhang committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and because my father was an official in the same hall and they had occasional contact, they made my father an accomplice."

Meng Gu Rao slammed the gavel and said, "What a brazen tiger yamen! They convicted a Grand Secretary based on this one incident alone. Do they have any other evidence?"

Zhang Ruoxi shook her head with tears in her eyes: "I know my father well. He will never be involved in this case. Shan Wenhao was also arrested and taken to the Hu Yasi just because he said a few fair words. I have heard that there is no way out of the Hu Yasi. No one who enters can come out alive. I beg you to do something for my father!" She kowtowed repeatedly after she finished speaking.

Meng Gu Rao was originally tough and stubborn. He could no longer bear it after hearing this: "Don't worry, I will bring you to the palace to meet His Majesty tomorrow!"

Zhang Ruoxi cried, "That Shan Wenhao has a strong temper and would rather die than surrender. I'm afraid that tomorrow, that Shan and my father will be tortured to death."

"This..." Meng Gu Rao was a little anxious: "I may not be able to see His Majesty if I go to the palace late at night. Besides, even if His Majesty knows, it will be too late to issue an edict to the Tiger Court. What should I do?"

Meng Gu Rao stood up, spinning in panic, when suddenly an idea flashed through his mind: "I see, there's a huge drum outside the palace gate, it's the drum for reporting. Go and strike it now."

Wang Chao and Ma Han were shocked. Wang Chao said, "Sir, the Dengwen Drum was established by Bao Zheng during the reign of Emperor Renzong. It was only beaten for important events like the enemy troops besieging the city or the Crown Prince's passing. If a commoner beat it, it would be a serious crime."

Ma Han also said, "The Dengwen drum is guarded by officials. How could Miss Zhang get close enough to beat it?"

Meng Gurao said angrily, "So, you two will take this girl to Dengwen Drum Court. If any official dares to interfere, arrest him immediately. I will take full responsibility for everything!"

Wang Chao and Ma Han admired Meng Gu Rao as a man and had long been his loyal followers. They bowed and said, "As you command!"

Meng Gurao said anxiously, "There's no time to lose. You two should take this girl to Dengwen Drum Court immediately. I need to go to the Tiger Court."

Wang Chao was shocked: "Sir, that Tiger Yasi is arrogant. They don't even take the royal family seriously. I'm afraid you'll be humiliated if you go there."

Meng Gu Rao waved his hand and said, "That's fine. I have my own plans. If I don't go, Zhang Dan and the other two will be in great danger."

When Meng Gurao arrived at the Tiger Court, he was stopped at the door. He said, "I want to see Zheng Xian."

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