It was destined to be a busy day at the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen.

After Zhen Shicheng brought the son of Marquis Changxing and the two servants back, he immediately went to court to interrogate the case.

The Prince of Changxing knew that the situation was hopeless, and he said nothing from beginning to end. He looked confused and dazed, which made people angry and helpless.

Fortunately, the two servants could not stand this situation and quickly confessed the identities of the victims.

Six of the female victims were from the capital, three were from the surrounding counties, and two were from other places, one of whom was Mr. Chi's daughter. The two servants could not clearly explain the origin of the other victim, they only remembered that she had an accent from Lingnan. She was killed eight years ago, and there was little hope of finding the victim.

The reason why the Prince of Changxing could do such a heinous thing was not because he would kill any beautiful woman he saw as people imagined. In fact, he was extremely picky, and those women were killed because of some qualities that attracted his attention.

Therefore, these women were of all kinds of social status, and there was even a girl from an official family.

To the Marquis of Changxing, these girls were his prey. Once he locked onto a target, he would watch them patiently, whether for a long or short time, and there would always be the right opportunity to bring them into the Marquis's mansion.

This is why the two servants were able to remember the origins of these women. In the case of two girls, they even stalked each other near their homes for as long as half a month.

With solid evidence and signed seals, Zhen Shicheng directly sentenced the prince of Changxing Marquis and two servants to immediate execution, which made the people watching the excitement applaud.

Of course, the so-called immediate execution does not mean that the person will be executed immediately after the verdict is passed, but it will be carried out after the autumnal equinox this year.

The Marquis of Changxing vomited blood in court and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Zhen Shicheng, how can you sentence my son to death without a trial? My son is the Marquis's son!"

Generally speaking, officials are very cautious in making decisions about executions. For people who are still in doubt or whose identities are more sensitive, they will usually sentence them to execution pending trial, which means that the verdict will be made after the court hearing next year.

With a status like the eldest son of Marquis Changxing, and with Marquis Changxing arranging activities outside, it is very likely that he will be spared the death penalty after a year.

Therefore, the difference between beheading and imprisonment is huge. One determines death, and the other determines life.

Zhen Shicheng sat upright under a plaque with the words "A Bright Mirror Hanging High" and said in a loud voice: "The emperor who breaks the law is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Cao Xingyu, the son of the Marquis of Changxing, abducted, raped and killed ten women. The evidence is conclusive and his crime is unforgivable. He should be sentenced to death immediately! If the Marquis has any objections, you can file a complaint. I will fight to the end!"

"Zhen Shicheng, you wait--" Marquis Changxing seemed to have aged seven or eight years in an instant, and pointed at Zhen Shicheng with trembling fingers.

Zhen Shicheng had seen many threats before, so even if he heard this, he smiled and said, "I will wait in Shuntian Mansion. Lord Hou, remember to go back and prepare some money."

Marquis Changxing was stunned for a moment.

What does this mean? Is it a satire that he would bribe the emperor? Don't be ridiculous. He is not a fool. It is more like bribing someone who can speak in front of the emperor.

But these words shouldn't come out of the mouth of someone named Zhen.

For a moment, Marquis Changxing had the illusion that things were looking bright.

Although he knew in his heart that this idea was ridiculous, when people are in desperate situations, they will grab at even a straw, so why would they think so much?

Zhen Shicheng frowned, "Your son has killed ten innocent women. Their families will soon be summoned by the government. Isn't the Marquis' Mansion prepared to compensate these victims?"

"What?" Changxing Hou Wan didn't expect this to be the answer and almost couldn't breathe.

The onlookers cheered.

"Well done, Master Zhen!"

"You are truly a great and honest person. We can feel at ease now."

"Yes, if a good official like Zhen Qingtian is bullied by someone like Changxing Hou, we will file a complaint!"

The thoughts of ordinary people are the most simple: How can a father who can raise a murderous son like the Prince of Changxing be a good person?

The son should pay the father's debts and if the son is not well educated it is the father's fault. These are not just empty words at this time but truths that everyone believes.

These words were like flying knives piercing Changxing Hou's heart. He was so shocked that his eyes went dark and he passed out.

"Someone, send Marquis Changxing back to his mansion, escort the prisoner to the prison, and adjourn the court!" Zhen Shicheng slammed the wooden door and slowly stood up.

Countless rotten vegetable leaves and fruit peels flew towards the Prince of Changxing.

The bailiffs frowned.

It's been so many years, and the people in Beijing still have this kind of reserved program. I wonder if it will be troublesome to clean up later!

The manager of Changxing Marquis's Mansion, who came to Shuntian Prefecture to listen to the case, hurried back to the mansion first.

"How is the prince?" Lady Changxing asked impatiently.

"The Crown Prince... The Crown Prince has been sentenced to beheaded!"

The wife of Marquis Changxing shook her body but did not faint.

No matter how fragile a woman is, she will quickly become strong when her children encounter great troubles.

"Where is the Marquis? Didn't the Marquis do anything?"

"The prefect of Shuntian said that he was not afraid even if the Marquis filed a complaint, and the Marquis was so angry that he fainted..."

The wife of Marquis Changxing stared at him intently, muttering, "Behead him immediately, behead him immediately... My son is a good man, how can he be beheaded..."

Her unfocused eyes suddenly fell on Jiang Qian.

Jiang Qian stood there with her eyes downcast, having not spoken for a long time.

At this point, she didn't know what to say.

She has fought for everything she could, and her parents must be trying to find a solution too. For now, all she can do is wait patiently.

The wife of Marquis Changxing suddenly rushed towards Jiang Qian like a mad beast and started slapping her in the face.

"Madam..." The maids and servants dared not to persuade her at this moment and could only shout a few words weakly.

"I'll beat you to death, you idiot. How can you be someone else's wife? You never noticed that the prince did these things, and you didn't know how to stop him?"

Jiang Qian was raised in the palm of her parents' hands, but she had been beaten countless times since she married the son of Marquis Changxing. Now, a beating from the wife of Marquis Changxing was nothing to her.

She didn't fight back or even dodge, just let the slaps fall on her face, and soon her delicate face became swollen.

At this time, a maid came to report in a hurry: "Madam, someone has come from the Dongping Marquis's mansion."

Such a big thing happened, Mr. Jiang and his wife came over together.

The wife of the Marquis of Changxing insisted, "My father-in-law and mother-in-law are here."

"Madam Marquis, we heard about what happened to the prince. How could such a thing happen?" Xiao said, wiping away tears.

The wife of Marquis Changxing wept silently.

At this moment, a man suddenly rushed in, threw himself into Xiao's arms, and trembled violently: "Mother, please save our daughter——"

The wife of Marquis Changxing suddenly changed color.

How dare this scumbag come out to complain? Is the maid looking at her dead?

"Qian'er, what's wrong with you?"

As soon as Xiao saw Jiang Qian's swollen cheeks, she cried out in surprise.