The next day at 3:45 AM.
The sound of drums echoed outside the Court of Justice, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.
Liang raised the drumstick high, putting all his strength into each strike.
The people quickly recognized her.
"That's the Liang family!"
"She's come to seek justice!"
Will the Court of Justice give her justice?
"..."
The gates opened, and two rows of guards ran out in perfect formation, standing on either side, stretching from the bottom of the steps all the way to the courtroom.
Liang was taken inside, and the people went up the steps to watch.
This was an open and fair trial conducted in front of the people.
The Chief Justice struck the gavel, and his authoritative voice rang out, "Who is kneeling before you? What grievance do you have? Speak quickly."
Lady Liang kowtowed, “I, Liang Yu, hereby accuse the Second Prince Qin Weize of his heinous crimes. He forcibly took my body and sent thugs to kill my husband, leaving me destitute and helpless. My grievances are as deep as the sea. I beg Your Honor to investigate this matter thoroughly and restore justice to me!”
The Minister of Justice, with a solemn expression, asked, "When and where? Tell me in detail."
Liang spoke with force, “Four years ago, I came to Dongling with my husband to make a living. Through the introduction of an official under the Second Prince, I met the Second Prince at the East Pavilion of Lanyue Tower. I happened to be working at Lanyue Tower, and that night when I recommended the menu to them, the Second Prince took a liking to me.”
"My husband stepped forward in time to identify me, but the Second Prince disregarded the law and ordered his men to kidnap me to another residence that very night, where he forcibly took my body. When my husband chased after them, he was beaten to death by the Second Prince's men!"
"I was three months pregnant at the time. To save my child, I escaped from the latrine and lived a life of hiding for four years. Now that my child can distinguish food, I dare to risk my life to seek justice! I beg you, sir, to give me and my husband justice!"
When Liang's tragic experience was revealed, the onlookers began to discuss it, feeling both indignant and deeply sympathetic towards her.
Thump—!
The court official was striking the gavel when he shouted, "Silence!"
The guards strode about, wielding their fire and water clubs, instantly spreading an aura of authority throughout the courtroom, silencing the murmurs of the people.
The court official demanded sternly, "Are there any witnesses or physical evidence?"
With tears of grief and indignation in her eyes, Madam Liang nodded, "Yes! We have both witnesses and physical evidence! Please take a look, Your Honor!"
She held up a jade pendant with both hands, saying, "This is the jade pendant that I tore off the Second Prince that night."
The clerk took the jade pendant and presented it to the Chief Justice. He held the jade pendant and examined it carefully. The jade was warm and smooth, lustrous and translucent, without any flaws. The character "Ze" was clearly engraved on the back.
The Imperial Censor's expression turned solemn. "Summon the witness!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an old master craftsman, a servant boy, and an old woman walked in from the crowd of people.
They knelt and kowtowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Excellency!"
The court judge banged his gavel, "Tell us one by one!"
The old chef kowtowed and said, "Four years ago, I was a chef in the kitchen of Lanyue Tower. On the night Liang was kidnapped, I happened to be in the kitchen selecting ingredients for the next day. I saw with my own eyes Liang being knocked unconscious and carried away by two thugs."
"I didn't want to cause trouble, so I quit my job as a cook and lived with a guilty conscience for four years. Recently, I heard about the tragic experience of the Liang family, so I decided to stand up and testify!"
The servant said tremblingly, "I am the servant in charge of cleaning the latrine in the Second Prince's villa. I was on duty the day Liang escaped. I saw Liang jump into the latrine with my own eyes. I wanted to inform the Second Prince, but I couldn't go against my conscience, so I pretended not to see it."
"Now that the Liang family case has spread throughout the capital, I feel uneasy and have finally decided to stand up for the Liang family."
The old woman said with tears in her eyes, "I am a lowly servant in the Second Prince's villa. The job of tying Liang to the bed that night was done by me and another servant... After Liang escaped, the Second Prince ordered all those involved to be executed. I had been in the inner quarters of the mansion for a long time and had some experience, so I escaped beforehand."
"I've had enough of living in hiding. I'm willing to stand up and clarify my evil deeds, and testify for Liang!"
With witnesses and physical evidence present, the people are filled with grief and indignation, demanding justice for the Liang family!
"quiet!"
The judge struck the gavel, and the guards stomped their water-and-fire clubs, and the court fell silent once more.
The Minister of Justice looked grave. This matter concerned the Second Prince, and he was not qualified to handle it; he could only report to the Emperor.
Outside the gate of the Court of Justice, a black ebony carved carriage was parked on the side of the street.
As they moved south, Yue leaned out of the car window. "I want to get out and take a look."
Qin Yi pulled her back, saying, "There's nothing to see. The situation is already settled."
Nanqianyue pried the hand off her waist and said, "Oh, then I'll just take a look from the car."
After saying that, she moved to the car window, lifted the curtain, and looked outside.
Upon looking, they saw Imperial Censor Yang leading the Second Prince down from the carriage.
"Is Imperial Censor Yang here to read the imperial edict?" Nan Qianyue asked the air outside.
"Mm." Qin Yi nodded slightly.
Nanqianyue turned back and gave him a mysterious smile, "I want to go down."
Without waiting for Qin Yi's reply, she slipped out.
Imperial Censor Yang led the Second Prince, whose face was full of gloom, toward the Court of Justice. At the same time, Nan Qianyue got off the carriage and bumped into them.
The second prince saw her at a glance and immediately walked towards her in anger.
"Southward migration! How could you treat me like this! I'm your future husband!"
Imperial Censor Yang grabbed him, saying, "Your Highness, please don't act impulsively and make things worse."
Nan Qianyue looked innocent, but there was a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes. "Second Prince, why do you say such things? I came to see you after hearing about the Liang family case. Is there something wrong with that?"
The second prince was furious at her nonchalant, even gloating, demeanor. Noticing the carriage behind her out of the corner of his eye, he glared at it and roared:
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