Zu An was taken aback; he never expected to have to deal with people from the government.
Did I do something wrong? What could I have done wrong?
While he was still in a daze, the constables came to lock him up with iron chains and shackles. Fortunately, he was with the guards of the Chu family. They would not let him be arrested so inexplicably, especially since they had just taken his money yesterday.
"Zu'an, are you trying to resist arrest?" the head constable said coldly.
Zu An finally came to his senses. Having been in this world for quite some time, he knew the power of the imperial court and government. He was unwilling to bear the reputation of resisting arrest, so he stepped forward and told the Chu family guards to stop: "You have to have a reason to arrest me. You just came here and put chains on me for no reason. You have to let me know what happened."
"If you don't want anyone to know, then don't do it in the first place," the constable pointed to the side, "Didn't you hear that?"
Zuan turned around and was immediately startled. A huge, dark mass of people was surging towards him, each holding up a banner and shouting indignantly:
"A life for a life! A life for a life!"
"The Chu family oppresses the people and condones their son-in-law's violent acts!"
...
The banner bore slogans such as "Heaven's justice will prevail, and the Great Zhou will surely be rewarded" and "When the people are in harmony, even a common man will avenge his wrongs."
Zuan frowned, and in that instant he realized he had fallen into a huge conspiracy.
Just then, the Chu couple, Chu Chuyan, and others rushed out upon hearing the news. Chu Huanzhao was resting at home today because she needed to recuperate from her injuries, and Chu Zhongtian didn't let her come out either.
"What exactly happened!" Chu Zhongtian ordered his men to stop the "agitation" crowd while coldly staring at the constable.
Facing Chu Zhongtian, the constable's attitude instantly improved: "Reporting to Lord Mingyue, Zu An is suspected of murdering Household Officer Yang Wei, commoners Mei Hua Twelve and Mei Hua Thirteen. The city lord has ordered me to come and arrest him."
Upon hearing this, the Chu family members were all startled. Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen were key members of the Plum Blossom Gang, which was one thing, but Yang Wei, although not of high rank, was a properly appointed official of the Household Department by the imperial court. His death was no small matter.
Zu An's mind raced. Whether it was Mei Hua Thirteen or Yang Wei, they all had grudges against him. With these people dead, it seemed that the other party had indeed come prepared.
"Nonsense! My grandfather has been staying at my residence the whole time. How could he possibly have killed someone!" Chu Zhongtian knew perfectly well that this was a frame-up.
The constable replied, "We are just following orders. We hope Lord Mingyue will not make things difficult for us officers."
Seeing the officials show weakness, the surrounding crowd immediately began to shout:
"Is the Chu family protecting the murderer?"
"Can the Chu family members go unpunished after committing crimes?"
"Where is the law of my Great Zhou Dynasty?!"
...
The common people are easily swayed, and when they see officials or the wealthy suffering, most people will subconsciously applaud and wish them the worst. That's human nature.
Chu Zhongtian's eyelids twitched. He knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it could easily escalate into a popular uprising, which would be no small matter: "Alright, I'll go back to the county government with you. I want to see how you plan to handle this case."
He patted Zuan on the shoulder: "Zuan, don't worry, with me here, I will never let you be wronged." After all, he was a duke, and with him supervising, the other party could not possibly make a random judgment and conviction.
Zu An felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that his father-in-law was really a good person.
Next, Chu Zhongtian instructed Qin Wanru to stay at the Chu residence and be ready to provide support at any time, while he himself led a group of guards to the county government office.
Chu Chuyan silently followed, but was stopped by Zu An, who whispered, "You help me find someone, and then you can say these things..."
Chu Chuyan was taken aback, but finally nodded and turned to disappear into the crowd.
Cheng Shouping also came over eagerly: "Young master, young master, is there anything I can do to help you? I will do anything for you, even risk my life!"
“Yes!” Zuan replied.
Cheng Shouping's eyes lit up: "What?"
"Shut your mouth."
"Oh~"
This guy is such a troublemaker that Zuan would only entrust such an important matter to him if he were tired of living. On the contrary, Chu Chuyan makes him feel much more at ease. As for Cheng Shouping, he can use him to annoy the enemy later.
With Chu Zhongtian present, the constables did not insist on putting shackles on Zu An, and the group headed straight for the county government office.
When they arrived, City Lord Xie Yi and County Lieutenant Pang Chun personally came out to greet them: "What wind has blown Lord Mingyue here?"
Chu Zhongtian snorted: "You've already sent people to my residence to arrest them, how could I not come in person?"
Xie Yi said with a wry smile, "Today, someone came directly to the county government office to beat the drum and appeal for justice, and even the clerk of the household registration department died. How could I not hold court?"
"Who is beating the drum to appeal for justice?" Chu Zhongtian asked in a deep voice. He needed to find out who the enemy in the shadows was.
As the group walked inside, Xie Yi whispered, "Yang Wei's widow, as well as the relatives of Mei Hua Twelve and Mei Hua Thirteen, and Mei Chaofeng is also here."
Chu Zhongtian narrowed his eyes: "It seems that the Plum Blossom Gang is going to completely turn against the Chu family. I wonder where they get their confidence from."
Xie Yi cautioned, "Don't be careless; they seem very confident."
Once the group had entered the county government office, Xie Yi stopped speaking and his face regained its stern expression.
Zuan quickly surveyed his surroundings and saw two large banners in the main hall that read "Virtue Carries the Law, Morality Upholds Strict Law," instantly exuding an aura of solemnity and authority.
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