Chapter 141 The Strongest Official
Upon hearing that the singer who could testify had committed suicide, the Fan and Feng families immediately became relentless. "If you want to accuse someone, you'll always find a pretext. Is the prince trying to protect this Su family girl?"
Xiaoyan deliberately emphasized the word "woman", implying that there was an affair between Xie Xuan and Su Shengsheng.
Xie Xuan's lips curled up into a cold smile. "Next, Lord Feng, are you going to say that I, Xie Xuan, not only protected the criminal, but also tortured him into confessing, and even killed Fan Wenchang at my hands?"
His phoenix eyes flashed with a cold light, and he slowly turned the agarwood ring on his finger, appearing both cold and unruly.
The hall fell into a dead silence, and even the sound of a pin drop could be heard.
Big drops of cold sweat kept rolling down County Magistrate Sang's forehead.
Even if he had ten leopards' courage, he would not dare to interrogate the King Xuanming who had made great military achievements!
Feng Bao's face turned even darker.
Although he was full of doubts at the moment, the punishment for falsely accusing and framing the prince in this dynasty was extremely severe.
If there is no solid evidence, even if it is just a casual remark, the lightest punishment is execution, and the heaviest is the extermination of the entire clan.
Feng Bao's face also turned pale, but he did not retreat. He just glared at Xie Xuan fiercely.
However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Fan family was already at a disadvantage, while the Su family was already in a disadvantageous position because of Xie Xuan's intervention.
"Fan Wenchang was very close to the singer who collaborated with the enemy. He happened to run into a spy from the Baishang Kingdom who was seeking revenge on Miss Su, and was abducted by him..."
Xie Xuan paused meaningfully, "Did Fan Wenchang know the spy's hiding place and was silenced by him, or is there something else going on..."
Fan Shan knew very well that if he became associated with the enemy of Baishang Kingdom, the entire Fan family would be plunged into an abyss of no return.
Just as he was feeling anxious, he saw Xie Xuan turning his gaze away.
"Sang County Magistrate!" Xie Xuan looked at Sang County Magistrate, who was trying to hide behind the desk. "This case involves spies from the Baishang Kingdom, so we need to carefully consider it. But before that, the Fan family's unfounded accusations against the Su family must be withdrawn immediately!"
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Sang secretly rejoiced.
He knew very well that he was caught between two...three families, and if he was not careful, he might get into trouble.
At this moment, with Xie Xuan's intervention, he could just go with the flow.
He wiped off the cold sweat and stood still again.
"This case involves enemy spies and requires further investigation. Prior to this, I will not accept the Fan family's accusations against the Su family! However, there is ample evidence of Fan Wenchang's evil deeds."
He threw the verdict to the ground and said, "Fan Wenchang is found guilty." But seeing Feng Bao's defiant look, he had to add, "Since he is dead, no further action will be taken. The body must be returned."
In the end, Magistrate Sang announced that he would adjourn the court and that the case would be decided after further investigation.
"Sir..." Feng wanted to argue, but was frightened by Xie Xuan's eyes and could only shut up.
Fan Wenchang's father, the transport envoy, was so frightened that he broke out in cold sweats. Fearing that it would cause more trouble, he grabbed Feng and didn't dare let her say another word.
In comparison, the Fan and Feng families dared to be angry but not to speak out, while the Su family was like being in a fog.
They didn't understand. If Xie Xuan really sent someone to secretly protect Su Shengsheng, why did Su Shengsheng never mention this to them?
However, seeing that the county magistrate had already made the decision, they could only bow and express their gratitude.
After everyone left the hall, looking at the people who were still gathered around, Jiao and Li tightly protected their two daughters in the middle.
Xie Xuan walked out of the hall first and stopped. "For generations, there has been no farmland in Tianqian Pass. In previous years, military rations were dispatched from all over the country. Now that it's the end of the year, the people can eat the new food they have grown. But don't forget to remember where the water came from."
He turned his gaze to Su Shengsheng, who was slightly evasive. "Miss Su has only been here for a day, but she has already uncovered three accomplices in the counterfeit currency case. Later, she and Envoy Fang secretly orchestrated a scheme to collect tens of millions of dollars in counterfeit currency from all over the country. The reason they didn't publicly commend her was to avoid alerting the enemy. Now, Miss Su has joined forces with me, and we've identified the ringleader in the counterfeit case as Prince Tuoba Ye of Baishang Kingdom."
When these words were spoken, the people were stunned.
"Those enemy bandits, seeing the prosperity of our people and the strength of our army at the border, spread vicious rumors and deliberately slandered Miss Su in an attempt to disrupt the morale of our people. Their intentions are sinister and they deserve death!"
Xie Xuan's words were like knives, and his gaze swept across everyone present with a cold look. "From today onwards, anyone who dares to believe or spread rumors will be charged with treason and severely punished!"
The onlookers were horrified when they heard this, and they all knelt on the ground, "We, the common people, would never dare to make such irresponsible remarks."
Xie Xuan's gaze fell back on Feng Bao, who looked furious. "If Elder Feng still has doubts, I will be at your service at any time."
Feng Bao's face turned pale, he said nothing, and left angrily with a wave of his sleeves.
Some merchants who heard the news and came to listen knew that thanks to the advice of the local officials, those who distributed counterfeit currency had disappeared from all places.
"Yes, we still don't trust the Emperor's character. Are we going to believe Fan Wenchang's shameless words?"
"Fan Wenchang hangs out in brothels all day long. He might have recognized that man by accident and was silenced by him."
The public opinion quickly changed and they all pointed the finger at Fan Wenchang.
The reason why no one said that Fan Wenchang was collaborating with the enemy and committing treason was because everyone agreed that Fan Wenchang simply didn't have the brains to do so.
This left Feng, who was already quite angry, speechless. Facing the angry gazes of the people, they could only hurriedly protect Fan Wenchang's body and flee in disgrace.
Although Liu was unwilling, she did not dare to act rashly under the intimidation of Xie Xuan.
Su Shengsheng watched as the Feng and Fan families left without even daring to make a noise, and she couldn't help but admire Xie Xuan's skills.
The Fan family threw dirty water on the Su family. Even if the Su family jumped into the Yellow River today, it would be difficult to clear the suspicion.
However, Xie Xuan did the opposite and also poured a basin of dirty water back that was difficult to wash away.
No matter how much the Ren, Fan and Feng families struggled, they could not clear themselves of the suspicion of collaborating with the enemy.
As for the true identities of those masked men, were they really sent by Tuoba Ye...
Su Shengsheng looked at the people who were furious and scolding Fan Wenchang.
Who cares?
Now, the Su family has been lifted to an unattainable height by Xie Xuan.
Attacking the Su family would be considered as openly collaborating with the enemy and opposing the imperial court.
Who dares to say more at this juncture?
After all, even they who are in the middle of it cannot see their opponent clearly.
At this moment, even if the enemy really came out to deny it, I'm afraid no one would believe it.
Even the ambiguity of these close interactions was countered by him with ease.
Not to mention the singing girl in Xiaolou, even others who hang out with Fan Wenchang in brothels and those who have connections with the Feng family have to think carefully about their status.
This wave of operations seems to be an eye-for-an-eye act.
Su Shengsheng is no longer able to hold on until now.
She leaned slightly in her mother's arms, her mind a little distracted.
If Xie Xuan hadn't been there to keep things in check today, even she wouldn't have known how the situation would develop.
In this dynasty, it was a great shame for a woman to be defiled, even if she was forced to do so.
Even if she wanted to calm down the public opinion, she would let them blame her for anything.
But everything got out of control.
People will attack the Su family along with everything she has, because whether something happens to her or to the fourth sister, it is no longer important in their eyes.
Even though she wanted to draw a line with the Su family and expel herself from the house, her grandfather would not allow it.
She knew very well that if the Su and Fan families were to quarrel, even if she won the lawsuit, the woman's reputation would be irretrievably dragged into the quagmire.
Even if she has achieved some success, once she is labeled, it will be completely denied.
So, she returned the property to the Su family...
But Xie Xuan even helped her avoid the potential blow to her business...
This made her doubt his real purpose in releasing Fan Wenchang's body...
However, the feeling of powerlessness that surged throughout her body made it impossible for her to think any further.
She watched her grandfather bow deeply to Xie Xuan in thanks, "Thank you, Your Highness, for proving my Su family's innocence."
Xie Xuan returned the greeting and said, "Mr. Su is a man of integrity, so why should he be afraid of rumors?"
He noticed that Su Shengsheng was weak, so he said, "Everything is done, Mr. Su, please go back and rest."
As Chu Zhao and Mu Ze cleared the area, the people who came to watch the excitement also dispersed.
At an unnoticed corner, an inconspicuous carriage was parked in the dark.
"Waste." Jun Yao saw that the Fan and Feng families were sent away so easily, and she threw down the curtain heavily.
"The eldest son wrote to say that the two bandits we sent out have been completely wiped out by General Zhang. I'm afraid we can't stop them."
Jun Yao's eyes were fierce, and she crushed the peony stamen in her hand. "She's already like this, and he still wants her?"
She watched Xie Xuan see Su Shengsheng and her group off in the carriage, a sneer curled up at the corner of her mouth, "Even if you protect us impenetrably, what does it matter?"
After she finished speaking, she asked Qi Man to come closer to her ear and whispered a few instructions.
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