Chapter 52 The Real Power
Dongfang Yan's eyes were filled with murderous intent. "How dare you, Zheng Shirong, lie to me! Do you really think I'm easy to fool? Fortunately, Princess Jin is adept at the mystical arts and has helped restore those true memories! Did you all see clearly? That's the truth!"
He glanced at Zheng Shirong with disdain and shouted, "Come here, send this villain to the Imperial Court in the capital and pass on my decree: Zheng Shirong, as a nobleman, should have protected his reputation and practiced the ways of a gentleman. Instead, he has disregarded the law, raped a common woman, and attempted murder. His crimes are heinous and he must be put to death. No ransom will be granted!"
"Your Highness..." County Magistrate Zheng knelt tremblingly. "There must be something fishy going on here. Your Highness, please do not make a hasty decision. I guarantee you by the Zheng family's centuries-long reputation. Your Highness, I beg you to examine this matter with your own eyes!"
Zheng Shirong panicked and began to speak without thinking in his desperation: "The law of life for life is for commoners. I am from a noble family, so I can be given a lighter sentence for a serious crime. Even if I killed someone, it was just a lowly village girl. Why should I be held responsible for her death?"
This was actually true. If Wang Linger had no one to back her up, even if she went to court, they could still accuse her of seduction.
Even if the Supreme Court was impartial and convicted the person of rape and murder, Qi law allowed the use of money to offset part of the penalty, which was called copper redemption. In the end, the person might only be sentenced to exile, not the death penalty.
After exile, there is a lot of room for maneuver. The Zheng family is rich and powerful, and even if exiled to a remote place, Zheng Shirong will not suffer. It is likely that he will go out to hide for a few years and then make a comeback.
Zheng Shirong also knew this, so he continued to argue, "People in this world are divided into different classes! How can a mere village girl be worthy of asking a young master from an aristocratic family to pay with her life... Moreover, how can you arbitrarily accuse me of a crime without any evidence? Even if you are a prince, you cannot act arbitrarily!"
"Why?" Dongfang Yan laughed, feeling that he had heard the most ridiculous words he had ever heard.
He took a few steps closer and whispered in Zheng Shirong's ear, "You know that people are divided into different classes? But do you also know that in my eyes, low-ranking nobles like you are no different from ants? If I say you are guilty, I can convict you even without evidence. If I let you pay with your life today, you will not see the sun tomorrow!"
The sound in his ears was not loud, but at that moment Zheng Shirong felt the crushing power of a powerful force.
It turns out that those who use their power to oppress others will also be afraid of higher power!
Zheng Shirong was taken away, but Dongfang Yan still did not intend to let the Zheng family go.
He turned around, his cold gaze falling on Magistrate Zheng. "Zheng Shi, you are a local official, yet you failed to educate your son properly. You allowed your son to rape women and murder people, and you even openly protected him? I will report this to His Majesty, and I will remove you from your position as Wan'an County Magistrate, the fifth rank, and never reappoint you again!"
"Never employed again", just four words, represent the interruption of career and the decline of the family!
"This prince really wants to kill you!" Dongfang Yan hated the Zheng family. They had raped a woman he didn't want to marry, and then, inexplicably, he ended up marrying her. How could he not hate them?
Magistrate Zheng was trembling all over, with cold sweat soaking his clothes, but he still stumbled to his knees and thanked King Jin for not killing him.
With the means and power of Prince Jin, even if he wanted to wipe out the entire Zheng family, he could have someone do it with just a glance.
This is what we call overwhelming power!
Dongfang Yan said to Zheng Shi, "Do you know why I didn't kill you even though I wanted to skin you alive?"
Of course, County Magistrate Zheng didn't know.
Dongfang Yan pointed at the purse in his hand and said, "Because your grandson's soul is attached to this purse. Wang Ling'er gave birth to a child after her death, and the ghost baby's soul needs the Zheng family's incense offerings. For the sake of the child, I will give you a way out."
Zheng Shi was shocked and held the purse as if he was holding the lives of his entire family.
"What are you still standing there for? Why don't you give your eldest grandson a name?" Lin Qingyue said, dipping her hand in tea and writing a string of birth characters on the table.
"This is your grandson's birth date. Remember it well. After you choose a name, carve the name and birth date on the tablet and worship it day and night. Do you remember it?"
"I remember, I remember!" County Magistrate Zheng dared not disobey and agreed repeatedly.
Soon, the child's plaque was completed and delivered to the ancestral temple by Zheng Shi himself.
Originally, he wanted to prepare a tablet for Wang Linger and worship her together in order to regain the favor of King Jin.
Lin Qingyue told him, "No need, Wang Ling'er will not accept your offerings."
Although the poor girl was of humble status, she never thought of clinging to the powerful and wealthy, let alone marrying into the Zheng family.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Lin Qingyue opened her Netherworld Umbrella. Under the umbrella was the blurry shadow of a young girl, holding a small baby in her arms. After bowing deeply to Lin Qingyue and Dongfang Yan, she slowly disappeared.
The soul-calling bell under the umbrella ribs moved without wind, and the "ding-dang-dang" sound was like a mournful song to send off the soul.
All of this was invisible to others except Dongfang Yan and Lin Qingyue.
Dongfang Yan asked Lin Qingyue: "Are they gone?"
Lin Qingyue nodded: "The child has received offerings from his loved ones, so he doesn't have to be a wandering ghost. He will go to the underworld to reincarnate with Wang Linger."
Dongfang Yan was silent for a moment, then said, "I hope they can be reborn into a good family in their next life."
Lin Qingyue turned to look at him and said, "You two are destined to be father and son in this life. If you are willing, I can help you continue your relationship and let that poor child be reincarnated as your real offspring. How about that?"
Dongfang Yan's expression changed: "No need! I have no plans to have children for the time being."
Lin Qingyue: “Hehe~” I thought this dog prince finally understood human nature, but it turned out that I was overthinking it.
That mocking look made Dongfang Yan a little annoyed. "Lin Qingyue, are you doing this on purpose? I've helped you so much, and you shouldn't even say thank you, but why do you have to be so sarcastic?"
Lin Qingyue ignored him, folded her umbrella and walked quickly ahead.
"Lin Qingyue, stop right there!"
When Dongfang Yan chased to the gate, Lin Qingyue had disappeared.
Minister Zhou chased out from behind and said, "Your Highness, I didn't realize Zheng Shirong was such a beast, otherwise I would never have betrothed my daughter to him."
After today, the news that the Zheng family has offended King Jin will spread like wildfire, and the Zheng family will no longer have a place in the entire upper class circle.
Minister Zhou will no longer marry into the Zheng family, so breaking off the engagement is necessary.
At this moment, he must also make his position clear in front of King Jin, so as not to be implicated and cause King Jin to feel resentful.
A moment ago, Dongfang Yan had a gloomy face because of Lin Qingyue, but when he faced Minister Zhou, a gentle smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"I know that Minister Zhou was also deceived." He patted Minister Zhou on the shoulder and said a few words of comfort before leaving.
The rank of the Assistant Minister of War was not very high, but he was the second-in-command of the Ministry of War. He had been very dedicated in doing his work for Dongfang Yan in the past, so Dongfang Yan naturally had to give him some face and win over people's hearts at this time.
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