Chapter 1632 We are officials from the prefectural city
The leading officer was expressionless. "We are officials from the prefectural government. Qian Fangli is suspected of instructing others to steal and spreading false rumors, which constitutes a serious crime of disrespect. We are here on the orders of the prefect to invite you to the prefectural government. Please come."
Qian Fangli's expression changed drastically. "The... the officials from the prefectural government?"
"please!"
Qian Fangli panicked; this was beyond his expectations. He subconsciously took two steps back. "I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean by instigating others to steal, spreading false rumors, or being disrespectful? It's all baseless. I... I want to see Lord Peng! I want to see Lord Peng!"
"Lord Peng is suspected of dereliction of duty for his inadequate supervision, and he should also go to the government office to report back."
Qian Fangli felt a sudden darkness before his eyes. Had Lord Peng also gotten into trouble?
The two officers didn't intend to wait for him to process the information; they simply grabbed him and took him away.
Master Qian tried to struggle, but the two officers twisted his hands without any politeness. "Qian Fangli, I advise you to be honest. Didn't you say that these things are all fabricated? Then go to the government office and explain yourself. As long as you didn't do it, your innocence will be cleared. But if you openly resist arrest now, your crime will be compounded."
Upon hearing this, Master Qian dared not move and could only be led out the door dejectedly by the two constables.
The steward was in a panic and had no choice but to run to find other masters.
Master Qian met Lord Peng in the carriage at the city gate. Lord Peng had a sullen face and understood that he was implicated by Master Qian and was angry with him. He immediately lowered the carriage curtain and sat back in the carriage.
Master Qian noticed something: there was another carriage following behind, and it seemed that there were other people inside.
The carriage arrived at the government office amidst the various thoughts and anxieties of the group.
Lord Fei had already begun his court session. As soon as Master Qian got off the carriage, he was pushed into the main hall.
There were quite a few people in the hall. Besides Lord Fei, who was sitting at the head of the table, Lord Xie and Shu Yu were also sitting at the lower table.
This was Shu Yu's first meeting with Master Qian, even though the two had already had two previous conflicts.
She smiled slightly and nodded to Mr. Qian.
The latter shuddered violently, feeling a chill run down her spine from her smile.
With a "bang," the gavel slammed down, and Master Qian knelt down, listening with some trepidation to Lord Fei's question above him.
"...Zhang Qing has already confessed. You bribed him to steal sunflower seeds from Shangshi Village and then plant them yourself. Following that, you renovated the original tea workshop into an oil pressing workshop, and even spread rumors that you could produce the same sunflower oil as the one used in the palace. Qian Fangli, how dare you! Who gave you permission to spout such nonsense and use the palace to your advantage?"
Qian Fangli was completely stunned. Yes, he admitted to being bribed by Zhang Qing, and he also admitted to changing the workshop.
But what was this rumor about sunflower oil from the palace? He knew absolutely nothing about it.
Qian Fangli immediately shouted that he was wronged and firmly denied it.
Lord Fei immediately sent someone to bring witnesses. Before long, Zhang Qing arrived, as did the Liang couple, the craftsmen who had repaired the Qian family's workshop, and a few scattered people from Donggu County.
Qian Fangli then realized that the people sitting in the carriage he saw behind him were the people from the county town.
As he listened to the witnesses answer Lord Fei's questions one by one, his mind went blank.
He looked up somewhat dazedly, and then met Shu Yu's calm and smiling face.
(End of this chapter)
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