At daybreak, just as groups of early risers began to appear in the streets of Huajing, they heard the sound of drums coming from the gate of the Dali Temple.
On the high steps of the Dali Temple, next to the solemn and majestic stone statue of Xiezhi, a woman in plain clothes was swinging her drumstick, beating the drum of grievance loudly.
The sound was dull and particularly eye-catching on such a quiet early spring morning.
The people gathered around and whispered about the person beating the drum.
Xue Zhiyi's face was stern, and the redness and swelling around his eyes had not yet faded, but there was no longer a single tear in his eyes, only firm hatred in his eyes.
Finally, after an unknown number of knocks, the door of the Dali Temple finally opened.
The two yamen runners came out, and the leader asked her, "Who's beating the drum?"
Putting down the drumstick, Xue Zhiyi shouted, "I am Xue Zhiyi, the Minister of Revenue. The cause of my sister Xue Runing's death is still unclear and full of doubts. I ask the Supreme Court to review the case!"
The two yamen runners exchanged a glance. They naturally remembered the case that had just happened yesterday. One of them said, "So it's Minister Xue's daughter. The case is still under investigation. The refugees in Fulufang are highly suspected. If we can apprehend the suspect, we will inform Minister Xue promptly."
But Xue Zhiyi said, "Please inform the Dali Temple Minister that there are still doubts about the cause of my sister's death. It may not be the work of refugees. I am afraid the murderer is someone else. I need to report this to the Dali Temple Minister in person."
Hearing this, the yamen runner was embarrassed: "Miss Xue, our lord will discuss this matter with Minister Xue. The Dali Temple has been handling cases for many years. If there are any suspicious points that Miss Xue can see, how can we let them go?"
What she meant was that it was really a bit presumptuous of her to say in front of the Dali Temple that the Dali Temple was not doing a good job in handling cases.
Xue Zhiyi understood that the Dali Temple was very capable in solving cases and would not be blind and fail to see the key points of the case.
However, if they are determined to pretend to be blind, it will only be more terrifying than being really blind.
Xue Zhiyi repeated, "Please inform the Dali Temple Minister."
The two yamen runners looked dissatisfied. They had received instructions from the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple that if Miss Xue came to make trouble, they would not let her in under any circumstances.
Although he didn't understand the reason, he had his master's support after all, so he became firm and said, "Miss Xue, the Dali Temple has its own rules for investigating cases. If you continue to cause trouble like this, I will have no choice but to ask you to leave according to the rules. I hope Miss Xue will not take advantage of the fact that Minister Xue is favored by His Majesty to make things difficult for us, the minor officials."
Xue Zhiyi's eyes moved slightly: she was not here today to submit the doubts to the Dali Temple, but to confirm one thing.
The case happened yesterday and the conclusion was reached last night. What kind of case would be concluded so hastily?
What's more, if you think about the details carefully, you will find that the conclusion that "the murderer is a refugee" itself is untenable.
Today she came to the gate of Dali Temple to beat the drum to appeal for justice, but as expected, some people did not want to continue investigating the case. Some people wanted to nail the murderer as a refugee, and then they would even catch any refugee to take the blame, and the case would be completely closed.
As the sky gradually brightened, more and more people gathered around and began to talk about it. Perhaps because they had seen too many children of officials who acted recklessly, they felt that she, the daughter of a minister, was relying on her status to embarrass the two young yamen runners.
At this moment, a voice was heard: "Zhi Yi!"
A figure squeezed out of the crowd: "Zhiyi, don't be afraid!"
Shen Qingtang came running hurriedly, her eyes were still red, and it looked like she had been crying.
The moment she saw Shen Qingtang, Xue Zhiyi's expression relaxed a lot. She whispered to Shen Qingtang, "Why are you here?"
But Shen Qingtang's eyes turned redder: "I heard everything. I wanted to go to Xue's house to find you, but I didn't expect to see you here before I even got there..."
As she spoke, she held Xue Zhiyi's hand and said, "Zhiyi, don't be afraid. I'm here. Sister Xue Wu and I are acquainted. If she has any grievances, I will definitely stand by you!"
After saying this, she looked coldly at the two yamen runners and said, "Whether the Dali Temple Minister sees him or not is his business, but whether or not to report it is your business. I only know that once the grievance drum sounds, the Dali Temple Minister will definitely receive him. Where do you think the law is?"
Xue Zhiyi wanted to say that her goal had already been achieved and there was no need to clash with them again, but the two yamen runners, upon hearing this, shouted angrily, "Miss Xue, what do you mean by this? Have you brought another person here to cause trouble? If so, don't blame me for being rude!"
The man said coldly: "Someone come!"
Before he finished speaking, a dozen yamen runners came out from the door.
"Those who cause trouble in the government office will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane!"
What Shen Qingtang said was reasonable and legal, so how could it be considered a disturbance? However, those yamen runners were indiscriminate and were ready to arrest people.
Caning hurts the body and makes people lose face. How could Shen Qingtang not be afraid? She said sternly: "My father is General Shen Chiyan, who dares to touch me!"
After these words were spoken, the yamen runners began to hesitate. They didn't really want to offend anyone in Huajing.
The leader hesitated for a moment and said, "First... detain him!"
"May I ask if you have any basis for your actions?" Xue Zhiyi blocked Shen Qingtang behind him.
Seeing the runners stunned, she said, "According to the laws of Dayong, once the Dali Temple's drum for appeals is sounded, the Dali Temple Minister must meet with the person to state his grievances. Therefore, beating the drum to appeal does not count as causing trouble. If I had truly caused trouble, I would have been punished with twenty strokes of the cane, but once you heard of my identities, you commuted the caning to temporary detention."
She sneered, "I'd like to ask the Dali Temple officials, you ignore the law, convict people at will, and change the punishment at will. It seems that the Dali Temple has long been beyond the law. Could it be that the people in the Dali Temple are above the laws of Dayong, above His Majesty who made the laws?"
After these words were spoken, several people looked at each other in bewilderment. The leader said, "Woman, you are talking nonsense and are so shameless! Let's arrest her first!"
Just as a scuffle was about to break out, suddenly a sword was placed across the neck of the leading yamen runner.
Xue Zhiyi and Shen Qingtang were both stunned.
The man holding the sword had a pair of phoenix eyes that were unusually cold, and the corners of his lips were stiffly drooping, making him look as cold as the sharp sword with a cold edge... But at this moment, it made people feel extremely at ease.
Shen Qingtang almost cried out: "Marquis of Lin'an!"
"Lin... Marquis of Lin'an!?" The yamen runner was so shocked that he almost fell to his knees. "My Lord, what are you going to do?"
But Huo Wuyou kicked the yamen runner in the knee, causing him to fall to the ground with a cry.
Huo Wuyou pointed his sword at him and said, "I don't know why the Dali Temple has such a casual rule of detaining people."
Seeing this scene, how could the other yamen runners dare to move? They all kept silent and held their breath, not daring to say anything more.
But when he heard this, a voice came from inside the door: "What wind brought the Marquis of Lin'an here?"
I heard the voice before I saw the person. I saw the door of the Dali Temple slowly opened, and a man in an official robe, about fifty years old, with a kind face, was looking at them with a polite smile.
It was the Dali Temple Minister.
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