Chapter 132 Who's in Whom?
Yuan Hongyang didn't care whether Yang Jingyan believed him or not; he was certain they had no substantial evidence.
Although Yang Jingyan was his superior, he did not have the authority to decide the life or death of his subordinates.
Once this matter reaches the capital, he will have a chance to defend himself!
Yuan Hongyang shouted that he was innocent.
"You broke into my residence, kidnapped my son and my advisor, and stole my official seal."
Now you actually think you can deceive Lord Yang? Lord Yang, you mustn't let this villain fool you!
Yang Jingyan and Yuan Hongyang didn't have much interaction, but he believed that Wei Mingde couldn't possibly have framed Yuan Hongyang by calling him over.
"You say they framed you, so what was their motive? They were just passing through An County, so why would they want to frame you?"
Furthermore, since the official seal wasn't lost, what was your reason for not affixing it to the documents from the Court of Judicial Review?
Yuan Hongyang's eyes darted around; he truly had no reason to use as an excuse.
"I'm innocent! Yesterday, I was deceived by a group of people who falsely claimed to be Princess Jinglan."
The thieves embezzled all the medicinal herbs in An County, and these people also called themselves Princess Jinglan.
"This humble official naturally dared not release them directly, which is why there was a delay!"
Yang Jingyan looked at Yun Zhao in astonishment. Could such a thing really exist?
Yun Zhao climbed down from Hua Hua's back and ran to Yang Jingyan.
“Uncle Yang, he’s talking about the daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan. You should have met her before.”
Since Yangguan County had suffered a disaster, the exiled troops naturally would not enter the city again.
Two days ago, when the Marquis of Dingyuan's exiled entourage passed through Yangguan County, he personally went out of the city to confirm their presence and stamped their official seals.
Therefore, the Marquis of Dingyuan's entourage did not enter the city, but left directly after obtaining the stamped document.
After a moment's thought, Yang Jingyan remembered the little girl in the group.
She is indeed about the same age as Yun Zhao.
"Such a young child has committed such a heinous act. If An County is truly affected by the plague, how many people will lose their lives? It's outrageous!"
Seeing that Yang Jingyan was focusing on embezzling the medicinal herbs, Yun Zhao shook his robe.
"Uncle Yang, Zhaozhao has done something wrong and wants to turn herself in!"
"What does Zhaozhao mean by this?"
Yun Zhao clung to Yang Jingyan's leg, looking aggrieved, and tears streamed down her face.
"Waaaaah, this bad uncle said Zhao Zhao stole those herbs, and Uncle Luo said he's going to give Zhao Zhao to the bad uncle as collateral."
But Zhao Zhao didn't have it; it was Xue'er who stole it, not Zhao Zhao!
Children's emotions can come on any time. Yuan Hongyang looked at the child who was hugging the other leg and crying desperately, and his temples throbbed.
Yang Jingyan couldn't bear to see the child cry, so he quickly picked up Yun Zhao.
"Uncle Yang believes in Zhaozhao. Zhaozhao has saved so many people, how could she be a bad child?"
"So Zhaozhao secretly went to that wicked uncle's mansion and saw an aunt whipping the wicked uncle."
The mean uncle ordered his men to chase and beat Zhao Zhao. Waaah, Zhao Zhao was so scared!
Yun Zhao cried loudly, and everyone in the yamen heard it. There was a story about an aunt whipping her uncle.
Yuan Hongyang's mind went completely blank.
That brat!
The imperial court does not concern itself with the private affairs of officials.
As long as you don't patronize prostitutes, at worst you'll end up with a bad reputation.
However, Yuan Hongyang's wife is a notorious shrew. If she finds out, Yuan Hongyang will be in deep trouble!
Before Yuan Hongyang could come up with a rebuttal, Yun Zhao burst into tears again.
"Zhao Zhao also rescued a girl in the basement. The girl was so pitiful; she had been tied up by the bad uncle's son!"
My sister said she was chained up because she saw something she shouldn't have seen.
"Waaah, Zhao Zhao saw something she shouldn't have seen too! Can you please not tie her up?"
Yang Jingyan's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "Where is that sister?"
"My sister is at the inn with Mother. She's so pitiful; her hands are chained up with such thick iron chains!"
Yun Zhao deliberately stretched out his arm to gesture, which made people's hearts tremble.
"Guards, bring the Xu and Wei families, along with this woman, to the yamen!"
As Yang Jingyan spoke, he stepped toward the main hall.
"Luo Qing, you say Yuan Hongyang's son stole the official seal. Where is he? I will personally go and interrogate him!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Hongyang realized that they clearly didn't want to give him a chance to defend himself!
"My lord, why are you interrogating my son instead of the thief who broke into my residence?"
Could it be that you, sir, are acquainted with these thieves and are planning to protect them?
"How dare you! How I conduct myself is not for you to speculate about!"
Yang Jing sternly rebuked him.
To everyone's surprise, Yuan Hongyang's earlier fear vanished completely, replaced by a cryptic smile.
"Lord Yang, you have quite the airs of an official. I wonder if your official position is greater, or the position of Prefect of Yangzhou? Lord Yang should consider this carefully."
Xu Yangzhou?
Everyone was stunned. How did this involve Xu Yangzhou?
Upon hearing this, Yang Jingyan immediately understood that the man was threatening him.
"What, is Lord Yuan acquainted with the Prefect of Yangzhou, Xu?"
"Prefect Yuan of Yangzhou is my cousin, and he has high hopes for my son."
My son will be participating in this year's imperial examination. Coincidentally, he and Prefect Yang of Shanzhou are classmates and close friends.
If Lord Yang insists on interrogating my son, it will delay his journey.
This caused him to miss the imperial examination. I wonder if Lord Yang will accept or reject his assessment this year?
No wonder Yuan Hongyang is so arrogant; it seems he often uses the prefect's name to act.
Unfortunately, he misjudged the right person.
Yang Jingyan snorted coldly.
"What I hate most in my life is your kind of forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities."
Officials who engage in clandestine exchanges! Even though I received a low score in this year's performance evaluation, I must report this to His Majesty.
However, before that, I can first thoroughly review your case and report it to the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Personnel!
"Rest assured, Lord Yuan, I am always quick in my work; you will get there before me!"
Yuan Hongyang was surprised that this person was so unyielding, and his face turned pale.
"Guards, seize Yuan Hongyang! Interrogate him thoroughly about his relationship with the two prefects, Xu Yangzhou and Yang Shanzhou!"
Yun Zhao almost burst out laughing.
Yuan Hongyang never imagined that he would get two free with a buy-one-get-two-free deal, dragging both prefects down with him!
Yang Jingyan tucked Yun Zhao into Lu Li's arms, straightened his official robes, and sat down in the county magistrate's seat.
With a sharp thud, the gavel struck the courtroom, the judge's expression hardening as he announced in a loud voice, "Bring all those involved in the case of the theft of the official seal to the court!"
Yun Zhao immediately craned his neck to look at Wei Jingchen outside the door, only to find that he was no longer there.
Seeing this, Lu Li explained, "Young Master Wei must have gone to find some common people to act as witnesses."
Wow, Brother Jingchen is so fast!
When Yuan Shijie was brought in, he was still shouting, "Do you know who I am? Release me, or I'll get my father to dismiss you from your posts!"
His arrogant demeanor caused Yang Jingyan's opinion of him to plummet.
"What arrogance! How dare you flaunt your official position and challenge me?"
Yuan Shijie was pinned down in the courtroom. When he looked up, he saw a man he didn't recognize at all, who was wearing the official robes of a county magistrate.
"Who are you? Where is my father?"
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