When someone beat the drum to appeal for justice, Shen Yao, as the county magistrate, naturally could not ignore it.
Although Shen Yao didn't know what had happened, the scene was definitely not a trivial matter.
"mighty……"
Amidst the shouts of the constables, Shen Yao picked up the gavel and slammed it on the table, looking at the weeping victim beside Su Yan—Xu Jingniang, the teahouse owner's wife.
Xu Jingniang was petite and gentle, and looked to be about the same age as Su Yan. Her red, tear-filled eyes were particularly endearing.
Shen Yao cleared his throat and asked, "Who is below? What grievance do you have? Please come forward immediately."
Xu Jingniang wiped away the tears on her face with a handkerchief and held up the petition in her hand. "Your Honor, I am Xu Jingniang, the wife of Dong Dayong, the owner of the teahouse. Yesterday, my husband left home and did not return. I called my relatives and friends to help me look for him, but when we found him, he had been murdered and is now separated from me forever. I beg Your Honor to do justice for me!"
Shen Yao gave the bailiff a look, and the bailiff, understanding the situation, took the petition from Xu Jingniang's hand and presented it to Shen Yao.
When Shen Yao opened it, he was overwhelmed by the statement that murderers should be severely punished.
Before Shen Yao could speak, Xu Jingniang presented the murderer's name again: "Your Honor, the murderer, Su Yan, used this dagger to kill my husband. All my relatives and friends here can testify that they saw the murderer plunge this dagger into my husband's chest..."
After saying this, Xu Jingniang began to sob again with a sorrowful expression.
The men, women, and children standing outside the hall all echoed Xu Jingniang's words with righteous indignation.
"Severely punish the murderer; a life for a life..."
The clamor grew louder and louder, and as the scene became increasingly chaotic, Shen Yao picked up the gavel and slammed it hard on the table, producing a piercing loud noise that nearly shattered the table.
"Silence! No noise is permitted in the courtroom. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown out..."
Shen Yao's words immediately silenced the people in the hall who had been making a fuss.
Looking at the indictment and the name of the murderer, Shen Yao's face darkened. He didn't believe that Su Yan had really killed someone, but he couldn't openly protect Su Yan, so he could only continue the interrogation step by step.
"With witnesses and physical evidence presented, suspect Su Yan, do you have anything to say?"
"Your Excellency, I, Su Yan, have only met the teahouse owner once and have no disputes or entanglements with him. How could I possibly want to kill him?"
"If that's the case, why are you in this deserted temple, and why are you holding the murder weapon that killed Dong Dahong?"
“Your Honor, I was looking to rent a house yesterday when the broker took me to see one. I happened to see the deceased and wanted to ask him for clues about the case. However, the deceased was acting suspiciously, which made me suspicious. So I went to check on him. But when I got to the deserted temple, I was hit on the head and knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was like this. But I did not kill anyone. Your Honor, please ask the broker to testify for me.”
Shen Yao thought for a moment. Many details could not be discussed openly for the time being. Although he did not know why someone wanted to frame Su Yan, it was still the best course of action to keep Su Yan by his side for the time being.
So Shen Yao found a reason to adjourn the court, "This case is complicated and the facts are unclear. The cause of death is unknown. The criminal Su Yan will be imprisoned for now, and the trial will be held on another day... Court adjourned..."
After saying that, Shen Yao threw the order on the ground, and Su Yan was put in shackles and dragged away by the yamen runners in front of everyone.
As he was leaving, the onlookers below, for some reason, started throwing rotten grass and rotten eggs they had picked up at Su Yan.
Having lived a second life, this was the first time Su Yan had ever experienced being paraded through the streets and having things thrown at her.
The constables quickly took Su Yan away from the scene and brought her to the prison gate. There were no shackles on Su Yan's hands, after all, it was still necessary to put on a show.
Seeing Su Yan's disheveled appearance, he couldn't help but laugh and complain, "Brother Su, what kind of luck did you have? This is the first time I've ever locked up my own brother."
Su Yan brushed her hair, which was covered in rotten eggs, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Sigh...it's a long story..."
The bailiff suppressed a laugh and handed Su Yan over to the jailer.
When the jailer saw that the person who came was Su Yan, he was stunned at first, then turned to look at the yamen runners and said incredulously, "You've brought the wrong person, haven't you? Isn't this Brother Su?"
Su Yan, tired of everyone's exaggerated reactions, smiled helplessly and said, "Old Xu, they didn't bring the wrong person, they brought me, didn't they?"
Prison Chief Xu looked surprised and asked, "You? You've committed a crime? What crime?"
“Murder…” Su Yan said helplessly.
Upon hearing this, Prison Chief Xu's pupils dilated slightly, and his gaze towards Su Yan revealed a hint of surprise.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Prison Chief Xu led Su Yan into the cell. Although he didn't know what case Su Yan was involved in, he took her into custody out of courtesy as a colleague.
Prison Chief Xu selected a spacious, bright, and clean cell for Su Yan, a cell usually used to imprison princes and nobles.
"Brother Su, just tell me what's wrong. Make yourself at home here, don't be shy..."
Su Yan naturally didn't stand on ceremony, "Thank you, Brother Xu. I haven't had breakfast yet. Could you please give me a portion of the food you're eating? You can pay for it from my account..."
Having spent so much time in the yamen, Su Yan naturally knew that the food for prisoners and the food for yamen runners were not the same at all. If you wanted better food, you had to pay for it.
Even if she's in jail, Su Yan won't let herself suffer.
"Okay..."
After closing the cell door, Prison Chief Xu left.
Su Yan lay on the bed, legs crossed, looking at the ceiling above her head, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
A moment later, Su Yan heard a noise at the door and suddenly jumped up from the bed.
Then Shen Yao walked in carrying a food box.
"Lord Shen, what brings you here?"
Actually, Su Yan wasn't surprised by Shen Yao's appearance, but she didn't expect it to come so quickly.
Looking at Su Yan's carefree demeanor in prison, Shen Yao felt a sense of helplessness, but he still silently walked to the table and set out breakfast.
"Let's eat first..."
Seeing the dazzling array of food, Su Yan's eyes lit up. She picked up a hot bun and ate it with relish.
This was Su Yan's first hot meal since yesterday.
Seeing Su Yan wolfing down her food, Shen Yao couldn't help but feel sorry for her and silently poured her a bowl of hot soy milk and handed it to her.
After eating and drinking her fill, Su Yan looked very pleased with herself. She leaned against the headboard and let out a satisfied burp. Those who knew her knew that Su Yan was in prison, but those who didn't would think she was there to be treated like royalty.
"What exactly happened?" Shen Yao asked forever.
Su Yan helplessly spread her hands, looking completely innocent, and said, "What else could it be? I was framed..."
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