"It's alright, you can stay here and reflect on your actions. I'll settle accounts with you after Lady Li's case is closed." Lord Gu angrily locked Li Si up and left.
Well, that's it, Li Si's plan was stillborn.
Lady Liu waited in the back office. When Lord Gu came out, she hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My lord! I am here to report this. I ask for nothing but that you will not blame Li Si and Rou Niang. Rou Niang is innocent. Please find out the truth!"
Yes, Madam Liu returned home and thought it over and over. She felt that since she already knew the truth, if she kept it a secret and the others really escaped, she would be implicated. It didn't matter if she was implicated, but she was afraid that it would affect her son Wen Yuan. If Wen Yuan's career was damaged, she would lose more than she gained. After thinking it over, she could only go to Lord Gu to explain the situation.
Lord Gu nodded, and Madam Liu turned and left. She knew that what she had done was not right, but she had no other choice!
Granny Gu spoke with Old Man Mo, and Lord Gu agreed that even if the case reached its worst outcome, only Li Rouniang would be exiled, and her family would not be implicated.
Of course, Lord Gu also believed in Li Rou Niang's character, but the case was not going well for her. After three days, he would have to make a judgment, especially since Wu Yong was pressing him hard.
Moreover, Lord Gu has left Li Rouniang a way out. Even if Li Rouniang is exiled, this matter can be investigated again and again, and one day her name will be cleared and she can return.
Old Man Mo listened in silence for a long time before finally nodding. In truth, if no strong evidence could be found, this was the best outcome. It was a way to cover one's tracks!
Qian Duobao didn't find anything at the pharmacy yesterday and then parted ways with Erni, so he didn't know Li Si's plans. However, he didn't give up.
As the saying goes, money makes the world go round.
He located the pharmacy's upstream supplier. He spent an entire day and night checking each of the shipping documents.
Just as he was about to double-check the receipts against the pharmacy's receipts to check for any omissions, he heard the news that Li Si had been arrested. He rushed over and only then learned what had happened.
"You're all so confused! You're all so confused! Sigh, it's understandable that you're worried, but you should be calmer at a time like this. Aunt Li is clearly innocent. As long as we find evidence, we'll be able to clear her name. But if we really run away, even if the case is overturned later, it will be hard to get over the status of a fugitive."
These words were like a wake-up call, and everyone suddenly realized that their concern had clouded their judgment, leading them to resort to such a desperate measure.
When Zhang Niangzi and Zhang San returned home to make preparations, Zhang San was also hesitant, as he had told Zhang Niangzi. Zhang Niangzi was also hesitant; she cared about Li Rongniang, but she cared even more about Erni. After all, Erni was now her daughter, and if she really became a fugitive, Erni's future marriage would be a problem.
Furthermore, Erni and the young master of the Qian family seemed to be childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were young. It's likely that they will never be able to be together again, which is a real pity.
"Erni, believe me, I will do everything I can to help Aunt Li, but please don't do anything like this again, okay?"
Exhausted, Qian Duobao confessed that he had been working for a whole day and night without closing his eyes.
Erni looked at Qian Duobao's red eyes and heard his servant say that Duobao had been searching for something to find evidence for his mother for a whole day and night. She was deeply moved and ashamed of her rash actions, and nodded earnestly.
Just then, a yamen runner suddenly ran over: "Third Brother, you're here too! That's great! You should go back to the yamen quickly. Lord Gu is looking for you. He said a general has come to investigate the case. Li Si has been arrested, and the yamen is short-handed, so they can't let you go back."
"What general? Explain yourself clearly," Zhang San asked anxiously.
"I don't know the specifics, but they say a general from the imperial court came and, after hearing about Lady Li's case, parachuted into the yamen, took some kind of token, and directly assumed Lord Gu's authority. Now he's taken over the entire yamen and summoned all the yamen runners back to investigate this case," the runner said.
Zhang San quickly bid farewell to everyone, saying, "Then I'll go. I'll let you know what the results are."
Everyone nodded, and Qian Duobao quickly handed the evidence he had collected to Zhang San: "Uncle Zhang San, please pass this on to the new general."
Although he didn't know the general's name, Qian Duobao had a gut feeling that this general might be a glimmer of hope.
Don't ask him how he knows; he's had this inexplicable feeling ever since he was born from the coffin.
Anyone who has this feeling in business will be guaranteed to make a profit on every deal they close.
Whenever he had a very bad feeling, he would be cautious and successfully avoid the risk, which is why Qian Ruyi was exposed.
The feeling was indescribable, as if it resided in his subconscious.
Zhang San left, but didn't return quickly. He was gone for three days. During those three days, all the yamen runners wouldn't let him go home. Zhang's wife tried to say goodbye on the road, but Zhang San just shook his head. Zhang's wife understood that they had received orders from above not to reveal a single word.
Furthermore, the Wu residence was completely surrounded, with no openings. All those involved in the case were taken back to the yamen (government office). Without exception.
This extravagant move immediately caused widespread panic. The trial of Lady Li was held publicly on the third day.
Old Man Mo, along with the children and others, rushed to the scene.
After all, those who know the person are concerned, while those who don't are just curious. With such a large-scale operation, everyone wants to know how the case will ultimately be decided.
"Awesome!"
Lord Gu is sitting in the main hall. This case has been sensationalized and there must be a result today!
"Guards, bring all of them into the hall."
Before long, Li Rouniang, Wu Yong, Qian Ruyi, Xiao Rou, Rongniang (Zhao Daya), Zhao Ergou, and Zhao Xiu all knelt down below the hall.
"Given the broad scope and lengthy nature of this case, I will today set aside certain areas for further review," said Lord Gu.
"Wu Yong, this matter originated from your lawsuit against Li Niangzi of that pastry shop. You should explain first."
Wu Yong said, "My lord, my concubine Zhao Dahua died in the middle of the night, along with her unborn child. My wife said it was because she ate Li Niangzi's pastries. Moreover, the doctor and the coroner diagnosed that the pastries contained a large amount of abortifacient drugs. That's why I beat the drum to appeal for justice."
"Madam Wu, are you sure Zhao Dahua ate Li Niangzi's pastries?"
“Yes, sir, Zhao Dahua secretly ate Li Niangzi’s pastries in my room. My maid Xiaorou can testify to that,” Qian Ruyi said.
"Xiaorou, did you see it with your own eyes?"
"Your Excellency, I didn't see it with my own eyes, but I heard the Second Madam say that she had eaten some of the snacks in her room and that she was choking, so she asked me to pour her some tea," Xiao Rou said.
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