Upon arriving at the capital, Shen Tangning was about to lift the curtain and get out of the carriage when she faintly heard arguing coming from not far away. She paused, then lifted a corner of the curtain to look over.

A dozen or so scholars were gathered around the gate of the mansion, speaking passionately and enthusiastically.

The officials in the government office were in a state of panic, trying to appease the people and send others to control the situation, fearing that they might cause trouble.

She frowned slightly, then turned her head hesitantly to look at Madam Chi: "Mother, why don't you stay in the carriage? I'll be right back."

Madam Chi also heard the commotion and smiled lightly, pretending to be relaxed: "I'll be with you. I can't let you face this alone."

Shen Tangning did not insist upon hearing this and helped her down from the carriage.

The dispute over there also became clearer.

"A life for a life! We demand justice for Pingting!"

"That's right! The emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners. Chi Yan should pay with his life for killing Miss Pingting!"

Upon hearing this, the Prefect of the Capital, who had rushed over after receiving the news, twitched his eyelids!

These ancestors really dare to say anything that's suicidal. If he had arrived any later, he would have lost his official position!

"Gentlemen! Gentlemen, please hear me out!"

Lord Liu raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and earnestly advised, "I know everyone is concerned about this case, but it will take time to find out the truth. Your protests here will only waste time and cause disorder, and will not help the progress of the case!"

In his opinion, these ancestors were just here to cause trouble!

Xiao Yu sneered, "Lord Liu, aren't we just afraid that you'll be forced to bow to power under pressure?"

Lord Liu's expression stiffened slightly: "Young Master Xiao, you..."

"Oh, what a coincidence! They just happened to arrive." Xiao Yu noticed Shen Tangning and Madam Chi walking towards them, and a blatant sarcasm flashed across his face.

Madam Chi's face paled, clearly she had overheard every word of what was said.

She felt bitter and indignant. The case was still unresolved, yet these people were saying they wished for her son's death, as if they had already condemned him!

Shen Tangning remained unfazed, her expression indifferent: "Did Young Master Xiao witness my husband committing murder with his own eyes?"

Xiao Yu was taken aback, then sneered angrily: "Isn't this an indisputable fact? So many people saw Miss Pingting jump down from Chi Er's room with their own eyes, how could it be false?"

"They say seeing is believing, but sometimes what you see isn't necessarily the truth." She glanced at them casually, her gaze sweeping over their faces. "You only saw Pingting jump into the lake, but you didn't see the cause or the process. Why do you assume this is related to my husband?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances, and one of them said indignantly, "There was only Chi Yan in the room at the time. Who else could it be but him? Are you trying to make excuses for him?"

Shen Tangning curled her lips: "I believe in the fairness of the law. If Chi Yan really killed someone, or forced Miss Pingting to do something shameful, then he deserves to die!"

Everyone was taken aback by her cold words.

Then she changed the subject, "But what if he is innocent? Then every word you say today will become a sharp arrow that drives him to his death, and each of you will be a murderer."

Xiao Yu's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth: "That's just sophistry!"

Shen Tangning curled her lips in a mocking smile: "You are all scholars, don't you understand the principle that public opinion can melt metal and accumulated slander can destroy a person?"

Everyone was speechless, unable to think of a rebuttal for a moment.

Her expression was cold and indifferent, but her tone softened: "If Chi Yan is truly guilty, the law will punish him, instead of having you hold a public trial here."

Xiao Yu couldn't help but retort sarcastically, "You make it sound so high-sounding, but who knows if your Chi family will pressure Lord Liu to close the case hastily!"

“Young Master Xiao thinks too highly of us. The Jingzhao Prefecture is not a place where the Chi family can have absolute power. Besides, I came here today for this very reason.”

Shen Tangning raised her eyes to look at Lord Liu, her eyelids slightly lowered. "I implore the Court of Judicial Review and the Prefect of the Capital to cooperate in the investigation of this case."