Chapter 41: The Power of Unity: The Iron Skirt Rose Alliance
This article practically dragged the entire Oslov family's ancestors out of their coffins and put them on trial. It's said that a hundred years ago, a severe plague struck the capital, leaving its people starving. Yet, this distinguished Duke poured a large crate of milk into the moat surrounding the capital, simply to enjoy the people's suffering.
But now this duke is no less cruel and vicious than his ancestors. More than a dozen women who had affairs with him have come forward to accuse him of being rude and brutal, and that after sweet words, he was subjected to endless humiliation and beatings.
A servant at the Duke's mansion admitted, "The Duke often beat and scolded his wife wantonly, and even locked the three young ladies in the attic and didn't give them any food."
At the end of the newspaper, written in huge black letters, it was said: "The death of this demon is a divine punishment from Merlin, the coming of justice. The court of justice requests that the innocent Duchess be released immediately."
Public opinion was thus reversed. It was said that the Iron Skirt Rose Alliance specially organized a march to the Court of Inquiry and the Royal Capital Prison to demonstrate and demand the release of the poor Duchess.
"What is the Iron Skirt Rose Alliance?" Ye Wan looked at the newspaper and asked in confusion.
Emma explained to her good friend in detail: "Oh, it's an interracial alliance composed of women of different races. They will provide shelter for abused women and use force to resist the various injustices faced by women in society."
Youan added, "A hundred years ago, it was their armed resistance that forced the House of Commons and the House of Lords to amend the law, allowing women the right to vote, to govern, and to inherit the throne and territories."
This arrogant fellow rarely showed a look of admiration: "It's a very powerful alliance."
Ye Wan nodded. Just as she was about to say something, a black owl flew in with a "cuckoo" sound and stretched out its legs towards Ye Wan.
Confused, Ye Wan untied the letter from its foot. "I don't subscribe to any other newspapers, do I? They're not asking me to pay back, are they? I still have three months left."
She unfolded the letter tremblingly, and saw that it read:
Dear Ms. Ye Wan:
In accordance with Article 56 of the Criminal Law of the United Kingdom of Ossena and the Northern Territories, you are now required to cooperate in the investigation of the criminal case of Duke Oslov. As a witness in this case, you need to appear in court to cooperate with the investigation.
Please go to the courtroom at 2:00 PM on September 20th to be questioned.
Address: King's Iron Cross Street, District A, Royal Capital.
If you are unable to arrive on time due to special circumstances, please contact the Tribunal Office two working days in advance. If you fail to arrive on time without providing a special reason, the Tribunal will take certain measures.
Sincerely, The Office of the Royal Court
"The 20th, that's not tomorrow, how come the letter was delivered so late?" Ye Wan was surprised.
The black owl flew in tiredly, put its beak into Ye Wan's water cup and took a sip.
Emma touched its wings. "Oh, apparently, the poor owl was exhausted, so the letter was delivered late."
Ye Wan was helpless: "When can they replace the signal bird?"
The Royal Capital Court is located in the central section of King's Iron Cross Street. According to Ye Wan's understanding, that should be the legendary court.
The courtroom is a huge, imposing white gable-shaped building, surrounded by a sunken plaza in the shape of an irregular five-pointed star.
In the center of the square stands the fountain of Themis, the goddess of justice and law. The goddess is blindfolded, wearing a white robe and a golden crown on her head. She holds the scales of justice in her left hand and the staff in her right hand, staring at the court with a serious face.
In sharp contrast to the goddess's serious expression is the bustling crowd in the square, where many street performers and bards are performing passionately.
Ye Wan and You An sat bored by the fountain. As the owners of the tavern, they received a letter from the law enforcement department yesterday, asking her and You An to appear in court as witnesses.
Ye Wan was a little anxious about this and arrived half a day early, only to be told that the trial had not yet begun and the presiding judge might still be drinking coffee in his exquisite villa.
She glanced at the courtroom, then at Youan, who had a blank expression on his face: "I told you it wasn't that early, but you insisted on coming."
The pancake didn't have time to eat its breakfast. It was like a burnt, flattened glutinous rice ball, its belly pressed tightly against the edge of the fountain, and its nose twitched weakly twice: "Squeak..."
Ye Wan sighed and turned to Youan: "I'm hungry."
Youan looked speechless.
Fortunately, this trial attracted a large number of spectators. The square was crowded with people and various vendors. Ye Wan smelled the aroma of hot dogs.
She pulled Youan to the hot dog stand where there was already a long line. The owner was a kind but rough uncle. The greasy sausages sizzled on the iron plate. When cooked to the right temperature, the casings burst open, revealing an opening that filled with fragrance.
The fried sausage is sandwiched between buns, topped with honey mustard and wavy ketchup, and you can also add free pickles, shredded onions and purple cabbage.
Ye Wan bought three hot dogs and three paper cups of Coke, one for each of her, Youan, and Pancake.
When you take a bite of the hot dog, you'll first be greeted by the soft, buttery hot dog bun, golden and sweet. Then, you'll be greeted by the crispy, seared sausage casing, filled with sizzling, delicious gravy, and paired with the sweet and sour sauce and refreshing vegetables. It's incredibly delicious.
The two men and the rat sat by the fountain and ate madly until Ye Wan reached out for the Coke contentedly, and the Coke was taken away by a rough but slender hand.
Ye Wan: “?”
When she looked up, she saw Kiara wearing her old brown armor and finishing Ye Wan's Coke in one gulp.
Ye Wan: “???”
She held it in for a long time and uttered, "You..."
Kiara scratched her head embarrassedly, patted her shoulder vigorously and laughed heartily: "Hahaha, all the shops in this square have long queues. I was so thirsty after touring around, so I had to take yours."
Arthur and Big Iron stood over her, each holding a huge wooden sign.
Ye Wan asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"
Kiara casually sat down next to her and said, "Hey, didn't you see that the Duchess's case is about to go to trial? I'm a member of the Iron Skirt Rose Alliance, and I must come to support the poor lady who is being abused."
"Oh, this is really touching." Ye Wan said.
You An checked his pocket watch and said, "Okay, it's almost time. We should be able to go into the courtroom now."
They quickly walked into the side door of the white building. Two tall gray wolves at the door took Ye Wan's letter, checked it carefully, and then let them in.
Ye Wan was arranged by a man in a suit and glasses to a small conference room. Not only was she in the room, but many servants from the Duke's Mansion were also sitting there. The staff kindly poured her a cup of black tea and said, "Don't worry, it's just a routine inquiry about the whereabouts of Miss Jenny, number 14."
Ye Wan nodded nervously.
So when the trial was about to begin, they sat in the audience seats. The court was very similar to the courts in old Hong Kong dramas.
There is a very high ceiling with a gorgeous crystal chandelier on it, and the seats for the audience are rows of dark wooden benches. The surface of those benches has been polished very smoothly, revealing the traces of time.
There were already quite a few spectators gathered here. They had heard that trials in the royal capital were almost always open to the public in order to ensure fairness. However, this case had caused such a big stir that many people, including reporters, wanted to come in and listen.
The court had no choice but to draw lots fairly for the audience in the gallery.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and the Duchess, dressed in a simple black silk dress, entered the courtroom. She looked haggard, but her demeanor remained elegant, her hair meticulously combed, and she even wore a simple touch of makeup.
The audience began to whisper.
"Silence!" The judge's gavel fell heavily.
The prosecutor's leather shoes trod across the heavy oak floorboards as he pulled out a thick stack of parchment. "How did the pearls on your shoes end up in the cellar on the day of the crime? According to the servants' testimony, the cellar hadn't been opened for a long time."
Her expression was calm, and she even offered the prosecutor a faint smile. "After the Ice Kingdom delivered those giant ice sculptures, I tricked him into entering the cellar. I hit him hard on the back of the head with a vase, then hurried back out. The pearl must have accidentally fallen into the cellar at that time."
The prosecutor asked, "That's irrefutable evidence. Would you be so careless?"
"I was so panicked. That was my first time killing someone." A sarcastic arc appeared on her lips.
"What's the motive?"
"The newspapers are right, he's a sadist and a heinous bastard," said the Duchess.
She still remembers that after her first husband died, she returned to her parents' home with her two daughters. At a dinner party, Oslov approached her with a gentle smile and praised her as the most beautiful girl in the audience.
But he never expected that the man would change his attitude immediately after he inherited the inheritance.
The prosecutor changed the subject: "What is your relationship with Jenny Oslov?"
"Not so good." She held her head high, like a proud swan. "Perhaps you've heard that she's called the 'Cinderella' of the capital, and I'm the wicked stepmother."
There was another commotion in the audience seats.
Then a series of witnesses came to court, including the servants of the Duke's Mansion, the owner of the bridal shop, and Ye Wan.
Ye Wan was a little nervous at first, but she was only asked one question when she went up.
"Was Jenny Oslov in your tavern after 6pm on the 14th?"
Ye Wan just said "yes" and was driven away.
Jenny also wore a black satin long dress today, with a large jewel ring on her hand, which made her look even more noble. She sat silently in the first row, with a strange sadness in her eyes.
Finally, the prosecutor turned to Jenny: "Do you have anything else to add about this incident?"
She doesn't speak.
The prosecutor asked again: "Ms. Oslov?"
"Yes." Jenny said slowly.
"She's not the only murderer. I'm an accomplice."
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