Xiao Qingyin had thought she had a story, but she never imagined it would be so convoluted.
From the daughter of the Minister of Rites to a single mother wandering far from home, this turn of events is truly heartbreaking.
"You are amazing."
Xiao Qingyin sighed.
Qin Wenjun was a native of ancient times, a girl raised in seclusion. After experiencing such a thing, she still dared to break free from the protection of her family and make a living on her own.
This kind of courage is not something that ordinary people possess.
Qin Wenjun said shyly, "What's so great about this servant? I'm just barely surviving. You, Miss, are truly remarkable for your skillful hands and kind heart."
Xiao Qingyin laughed loudly.
"Let's stop with the mutual flattery."
Qin Wenjun was bewildered. What did "mutual flattery" mean?
Xiao Qingyin took a sip of tea and said, "So, Bai Shaoqing had no idea of your true identity, but the Southern Depot uncovered it and arrested him under the pretext of favoritism."
Qin Wenjun nodded: "That should be the case. Although I have some resentment towards Lord Bai, it was the Meng family who broke off the engagement first. Lord Bai might even blame me. Even if he knew it was my case, he wouldn't show favoritism."
Xiao Qingyin nodded.
Bai Yanzhang seems to be an incorruptible person who wouldn't make such a mistake.
Eunuch Wang was merely resentful that his nephew had been sentenced to death, and he was using his power to persecute him.
If Bai Yanzhang is forced to confess under torture, Ma Laosan's case might take another turn, and Qin Wenjun would be dragged into it again.
She couldn't just sit idly by, neither out of a sense of duty nor out of reason.
He then said to Qin Wenjun, "I'll go to the palace to see the emperor and ask him to take charge of the Southern Depot."
"Thank you for your help."
Qin Wenjun expressed her gratitude.
Although she no longer cared about Bai Yanzhang, she would still feel uneasy if he were persecuted because of her case.
Unfortunately, she was weak and powerless and could do nothing but trouble the young lady.
Day by day, the debt of gratitude he owed the girl grew ever larger.
She was so embarrassed she didn't know where to put her face.
However, she had already made up her mind to dedicate the rest of her life to the girl and be her servant.
Xiao Qingyin was unaware that Qin Wenjun's desire to become a maid had intensified. She sent word to request an audience with the emperor, who immediately summoned her to the palace.
Upon meeting, he inquired about Yi Shuihan.
"How is Han'er? Is she feeling better?"
Hearing the word "Han'er" sent shivers down Xiao Qingyin's spine.
The emperor is Yi Shuihan's uncle, so there's nothing wrong with calling him that. But the fact that he didn't call him that before, and that Yi Shuihan only called him that when he was a fool, makes one wonder.
He probably wished Yi Shuihan would always remain a naive and ignorant "Han'er".
Xiao Qingyin chuckled and replied, "It's alright, I'm just not fully recovered yet."
The emperor sighed.
"I hope he gets better day and night, and I can't sleep well at night."
Xiao Qingyin looked at his dark circles and thought, "Are you hoping he can sleep well? He probably stayed up too late playing with the beauties in the harem."
Yang Wei is a blessing for men.
Look at the emperor, he used to cherish his life so much, but now he's going to the extreme.
She said politely, "Your Majesty, please don't worry."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the emperor asked her the purpose of her visit.
Xiao Qingyin replied, "I wonder if Your Majesty is aware that the Southern Depot has arrested Bai Shaoqing of the Court of Judicial Review?"
The emperor looked astonished: "Minister Bai has been arrested by the Southern Depot?"
"Exactly."
Xiao Qingyin replied.
"The Southern Depot claims that Bai Shaoqing abused his power and perverted the course of justice, but I personally attended that trial. There were witnesses and physical evidence, and there was nothing amiss. Could it be that the Southern Depot abused its power to frame an innocent person?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's face turned stern.
"I will summon Eunuch Wang immediately and ask him about it."
Eunuch Wang was on duty in the palace when the emperor summoned him.
This man had an extremely kind appearance and seemed to have no airs at all. If he were walking down the street, no one would guess that he was the fearsome Southern Depot Commander.
After hearing the emperor's account of Xiao Qingyin's doubts, he cried out that he was wronged.
"Your Majesty, we only invited Minister Bai to the Southern Depot for investigation after receiving a report."
In the case of Ma Laosan, the original coroner's autopsy results showed that the brain hemorrhage was caused by a frontal impact. Qin, who caused Ma Laosan's forehead injury, had already been sentenced. After the Dali Temple interrogated him, the coroner died in prison that night, and his body was burned.
Bai Shaoqing then overturned Qin's case, and the murderers became Pan and Wang Zhirong. Qin was acquitted.
This Qin was originally Bai Shaoqing's fiancée. The two were deeply in love, and if it weren't for the misfortune that happened to the Bai family back then, they would have become husband and wife long ago.
Your Majesty, you say that if the judge and the defendant have such a relationship, how can it not arouse suspicion?
Our family is simply following the rules.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor said to Xiao Qingyin, "What Admiral Wang said makes sense. A murder case requires the presence of a body, injuries, illness, objects, and traces. If the body is destroyed and the injuries are not visible, how can the cause of death be determined? Even if the suspect confesses, it cannot be determined."
The implication was that they suspected Bai Shaoqing had indeed acted out of personal favoritism.
Xiao Qingyin smiled and said, "Your Majesty might as well summon Lord Bai and ask him what his basis for the trial was, and whether he really acted out of favoritism."
Eunuch Wang immediately said, "His Majesty has entrusted the interrogation to our Southern Depot. Miss Xiao will have the results in two days."
"Qin was merely Bai Shaoqing's former fiancée, yet Eunuch Wang suspects him of favoritism; Wang Zhirong is Eunuch Wang's nephew, doesn't Eunuch Wang also have the suspicion of favoritism? Is it inappropriate to hand over the interrogation of Lord Bai to the Southern Depot?"
Eunuch Wang choked for a moment.
Xiao Qingyin continued, "Moreover, Your Majesty is wise and powerful. I believe that Your Majesty can definitely solve the case at a glance."
The emperor was very pleased with her words.
He then said to Eunuch Wang, "Since you are suspected of being involved with the suspect, it is indeed not appropriate to interrogate you. Summon Bai Shaoqing over."
The eunuch had no reply and could only do as instructed.
When Bai Yanzhang entered the hall, Xiao Qingyin noticed that his breathing was very unstable.
He immediately realized that he had been tortured.
He sneered, "Lord Bai has only been away from the Southern Depot for a short time, yet he is already covered in wounds. Eunuch Wang, you truly have some skill."
“Miss Xiao has wronged me. I haven’t laid a single finger on Lord Bai.”
Eunuch Wang defended himself.
He always had the whips applied to Bai Yanzhang, but they never struck his face, hands, or feet, leaving no visible signs of torture.
I'm not afraid to confront Xiao Qingyin.
However, Xiao Qingyin did not follow the usual pattern.
She walked straight up to Bai Yanzhang, a blade slipped from her sleeve, and with a slash from top to bottom, cut open Bai Yanzhang's shirt.
Then he walked behind him and ripped open the back of his shirt.
Clothes fell down, revealing the upper body, which was covered in wounds, with flesh torn apart, a gruesome sight.
The emperor glanced at it only once before turning his head away.
Bai Yanzhang stood straight, without even frowning, as if the injuries on his body were fake.
Xiao Qingyin felt that this person was too pedantic.
You should play the victim in times like these!
What are you standing there for?
Eunuch Wang was speechless.
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