Chapter 90 Shameless Old Man
The most discussed topic in Yong'an City these past few days has naturally been the murder committed by Song Jin, the newly appointed princess.
As a princess and the daughter of the all-powerful Grand Secretary Song, she has already caused quite a stir since returning to Yong'an City.
However, while previous incidents could be attributed to impulsiveness, this murder over a trivial matter is a completely different matter. Furthermore, with someone deliberately instigating the conflict, one must proceed with extreme caution.
therefore
The trial of Hou Qiaohe's death began publicly on September 12th.
Inside the Yingtian Gate government office, it was packed with ordinary people from Yong'an City. Those who managed to squeeze to the very front were, without a doubt, most adept at being cunning and unruly.
Because this operation did not restrict ordinary citizens, there were no extra officials or aristocratic families in Yingtian Prefecture, except for the officials in charge of the interrogation and witnesses.
It's impossible to squeeze in.
As for using the back door, there were too many people wanting to go and it was impossible to squeeze in, so only a few princes and Qi Ye, who was traveling incognito, were allowed in.
He was dressed in a low-key gray robe and stood next to Qi Zheng. The two could tell at a glance they were either father and son or relatives.
Qi Ye looked at Qi Zheng's gray clothes, nodded in satisfaction, and said casually, "Zheng, letting the common people in to watch will dispel the rumors, but with so many people, don't you think there might be assassins hiding among them?"
Qi Zheng frowned, then looked at the crowd swarming in front of the door like dumplings being dropped into a pot, and remained silent for a moment.
"I think the assassin can't get in."
Qi Ye: "That seems to be true. How has Mingguang been these past few days?"
Qi Zheng: "It's fine."
Qi Ye added, "Her mother must be very worried about her, right?"
Qi Zheng found him somewhat puzzling, but still nodded: "Of course."
Qi Ye then continued: "Chief Minister Song has sacrificed so much for the country and its people over the years, and now his fate is unknown, leaving behind only this widow and orphan, who have encountered these misfortunes. Alas, it is truly pitiful."
Qi Zheng followed his gaze.
When Song Jin was on trial, Niu Tielan and the five Song brothers naturally attended. They were also given special seats to keep them separate from the others.
This is not surprising; what is surprising is the person in the middle.
Dressed in white, tall and slender, handsome and gentle, he looked like a refined and virtuous gentleman. Standing among the five Song family members, each with their own distinct style, they seemed like one big family.
Qi Zheng paused, then turned to look at Qi Ye, who was waiting for him to reply, his expression becoming complicated.
Regardless of why Song Shang and Qi Ye staged this faked death, it certainly wasn't just for fun; it must have been something of great importance.
But Qi Ye didn't hide it from him. Although he didn't say it explicitly, his attitude spoke volumes.
Suppressing his complicated emotions, Qi Zheng offered a way out, saying, "Father is right. Since the trial hasn't started yet, why don't we go and see him?"
Qi Ye nodded in satisfaction and patted his shoulder: "My son is kind-hearted, then let's go over there."
...
The two men stood in the government office, unrecognizable to most commoners, but the officials were much more perceptive.
They might not know Qi Ye, but they definitely know Qi Zheng, who has been coming here frequently lately, given their similar faces.
No need to say more.
Niu Tielan sat on the stool, watching the people approaching. Her heart tightened, and she subconsciously glanced at the person next to her.
Qu Maoze gently placed his hand on her shoulder, smiling warmly and harmlessly, feigning doubt as he asked, "The woman next to His Highness Prince Qi looks remarkably like him, could it be..."
Upon hearing this, Niu Tielan turned her face away expressionlessly, too lazy to watch him put on this act.
She was too lazy to speak, but others had plenty to say, especially Song Shenzhi.
He warned in a deep voice, "It is indeed His Majesty. You'd better behave yourself."
As he spoke, his sinister gaze fell on Qu Maoze's hand on Niu Tielan's shoulder, as if he would interrupt if Qu didn't put it down.
Qu Maoze smiled slightly, his expression gentle and tolerant; he seemed like a really nice person.
Song Xingzhi's lips twitched, and he subtly pulled his third brother, who seemed intent on courting death, aside, saying, "Third brother, stop making trouble. Although Madam and Father have a younger sister, they live in different places. They are still family, so don't be so stubborn."
Song Shenzhi, his face tense and sinister, said, "Boss, do you need me to straighten out your sworn brother?"
Song Xingzhi couldn't help but retort, "I think you should really get your head straight."
What kind of person is he? I went to great lengths to find out about him before, even proposing to him every day, and now that he's right in front of me, he acts like this. He deserves to be taught a lesson.
Song Xingzhi subtly offered a hint, but after doing so, seeing that he still had that sinister, ghostly look, he rolled his eyes and gave up trying to remind him again.
He's really scared now.
Compared to the two, Song Shunzhi stood silently to the side, his expression unreadable. The brothers Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi squatted nearby, acting suspiciously; though they remained silent, their eyes spoke volumes.
Song Anzhi: 'Is it him?'
Song Qingzhi: 'Somewhat similar'
Song Anzhi: 'But it doesn't seem like it either.'
Song Qingzhi: 'Is it really true?'
Song Anzhi: 'Dogs know'
Song Qingzhi: 'Yes, even dogs know.'
...
The brothers were quite cunning with each other, but with Qi Ye and Qi Zheng arriving, they quickly put aside their chaotic thoughts, stood up one by one, and bowed in greeting.
Qi Ye waved his hand and said, "When traveling incognito, we don't need to be so formal. You five, no, six of you standing together really look like brothers. What, are these also children that Old Song picked up?"
The five brothers turned their heads to look, feeling as if they had a fishbone stuck in their throats.
Don't say it, don't say it, really?
Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi were horrified; Song Shenzhi clenched his fists warily; and Song Shunzhi remained silent.
Song Xingzhi, it's a long story.
He wiped away his cold sweat: "You're joking. His Highness Prince Qi should know this person better than we do."
Qi Ye raised an eyebrow: "Really? A-Zheng, you know this young master? How did you meet him?"
Qi Zheng glanced at the man who still maintained a gentle and refined demeanor, then at the expressionless Niu Tielan beside him. He understood somewhat and said softly, "Young Master Qu, I found him while I was away. He was injured and had lost his memory. His origins are unknown, but he must be from out of town. He and Madam have some past relationship."
Qi Ye glanced at the hand still resting on the man's shoulder, his expression meaningful: "Old flame? To me, it seems more like an old flame. Young Master Qu, do you know who Madam Niu works for?"
Qu Maoze lowered his hand and said gently, "I, Qu Maoze, pay my respects to Your Majesty. In my opinion, Madam does not belong to anyone; she is herself and has the right to choose for herself."
Qi Ye's face darkened: "You've got some nerve. Chief Minister Song's life is hanging in the balance, and you're trying to poach him in public. Are you really not afraid of being punished?"
Qu Maoze remained composed and respectful: "Your Majesty, on what grounds are you punishing us? Even if Chief Minister Song were here, let alone if he were not, I would still ask: My wife and I are in love, what crime have we committed?"
Qi Ye's face darkened: "Mutual affection? You say so, then so. If not, you're harassing the wife of a first-rank minister. Drag her away and give her thirty lashes."
Qu Maoze hesitated, "It can actually be like this? This..."
Qi Ye: "Of course, Madam Niu, don't you think so? Don't worry, just tell me what's on your mind, and I'll take care of it for you."
As they spoke, they both looked at Niu Tielan.
Listening to their back-and-forth banter, Niu Tielan thought to himself, "As expected of those who fought side by side, they have such great chemistry. Two shameless old geezers."
What should she say?
It's not mutual affection? This is the Emperor! Who knows what that old man will say next? Deceiving the Emperor is a serious crime.
Mutual affection? He's dreaming. He tricked her with sweet words back then, and now he's trying this again.
Niu Tielan bit her lip, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "Why should Your Majesty trouble yourself with such trivial matters? It's Jin Jin's affair that's causing such a stir outside. I wonder how it will unfold and whether it will affect your imperial prestige."
Seeing her being supported, Qi Zheng also spoke up: "Madam, don't worry. Since the princess is innocent, there's no other possibility. As for rumors, let the wise see them. And those without wisdom have nothing to care about. Father, what do you think?"
Qi Ye, who had only intended to join in the fun and stir up trouble, suddenly tensed up, and his eyes instantly lit up.
father
His son called him "Dad".
It's been so long! Hearing this really brought tears to his eyes. He didn't care about old friends anymore; he just kept quiet and didn't brag about it in public.
Qi Ye cleared his throat: "Father thinks my son is right. I see the time is almost up, let's go to the side and listen in on the proceedings. I want to see which audacious people have caused trouble in Yong'an City."
Qi Zheng nodded: "Then let's go over there."
Qi Ye: "Alright, alright, let's go."
As he spoke, Qi Ye completely forgot about the person behind him, but once he was far away, he still couldn't resist giving a smug, boastful look.
Oh my, my son called me "Dad"! Where's your daughter?
Oh, it's still being held up outside.
Qu Maoze: ...
Ugh, annoying.
It's like you're talking about someone who doesn't have a son. He has so many sons, but have you ever seen him brag about them?
Tsk, it's not like it's anything valuable.
...
The main hall was bustling with noise, and the back was no less so.
Song Jin had already finished her disguise. She wore a clean and neat red peony and gold silk dress, and her hair was adorned with a gold butterfly and ruby hairpin. She looked radiant and elegant, like a young lady from a wealthy family who had just left home to attend a banquet. There was no trace of her being a prisoner who had spent six days in jail.
This stands in stark contrast to the two Dai brothers, who were victims in the case next to him.
They were honest prisoners who had served their sentences diligently. After six days, their clothes were wrinkled and crumpled, their clothes and heads were covered in bits of straw, their faces were dirty, they had dark circles under their eyes, their skin was dry and yellow, and their lips were cracked and stained with blood.
Especially Dai Yuanhua, whose usually overly refined face was now filthy, with obvious bloodstains and scars, clearly from a collision; his head was also a mess.
Even dressed like this, he wasn't as clean as Brother Fu and the other legitimate little beggars.
He had been overwhelmed with grief during this period, and now, seeing Song Jin, the murderer, so bright and ruthless, his expression contorted with rage, he was about to rush over to avenge his mother.
Dai Yuanhua gritted his teeth: "Let me go, let me go! I'm going to kill this poisonous woman, kill her! Brother, let me go..."
Dai Yuanhong's eyes were bloodshot as he gripped Dai Yuanhua tightly, trying to calm him down.
Song Jin stood there with her arms crossed, yawning, finding them rather boring.
Her attitude fueled Dai Yuanhua's resentment. A sudden burst of strength erupted within him; he shoved Dai Yuanhong aside and charged towards Song Jin, his desire for revenge intense.
It's clear he has deep feelings for Hou Qiaohe, which makes him much more pleasing to the eye than his usual naive and dim-witted self.
Of course, this didn't stop Song Jin from kicking him directly, then grabbing his hand and throwing him aside.
Dai Yuanhua groaned and clutched his leg, moaning on the ground.
Dai Yuanhong's expression changed drastically, and he rushed over: "Ahua!"
Song Jin yawned lazily: "I didn't use any force, I won't die, don't worry."
Dai Yuanhong looked at the person with heartache, daring not to speak out against his anger: "Thank you, Princess, for showing mercy."
Dai Yuanhua gritted his teeth: "No, you mustn't plead for her, brother, mother, mother..."
As he spoke, large tears streamed down his face. His expression was contorted with pain and indignation, and no one could doubt the sincerity of his feelings for Hou Qiaohe.
He must have a very good relationship with his mother.
Song Jin, who also had a good relationship with her mother, felt a pang of sympathy. She swallowed the sarcastic remark in her mouth and no longer minded the fact that the two brothers had caused her to go to jail.
Song Jin pursed her lips and looked at the constable beside her: "How much longer until it starts?"
The constable wiped away his cold sweat: "It'll be quick, just a quarter of an hour or two, Princess, don't worry."
Song Jin nodded and leaned against the wall, waiting for the court hearing to begin.
About fifteen minutes later, a shout came from the main hall: "Bring the defendant and the prisoner to court!"
Song Jin then followed them into the main hall. Once inside, she shook her head, searching for her mother. She quickly located her, happily ran over, and hugged her.
"Mom, I miss you so much."
Niu Tielan had rarely gone this long without seeing anyone. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she gently patted his back, saying, "Mother missed you too."
Song Jin complained, "You miss me but don't come to see me."
Niu Tielan paused, then lowered his eyes uncomfortably: "With your fighting spirit, you could still go up the mountain and fight a tiger, what's there to worry about?"
Song Jin gave a soft snort, released Niu Tielan, and carefully examined him.
Let her see what her mother has been like while she was away.
Rosy cheeks, full of energy...
During her absence, her mother truly did not neglect herself at all.
It's really making me happy.
I'm so angry!
Especially after glancing at Qu Maoze's smiling face next to her, Song Jin rolled her eyes, turned around, and walked back to her cell.
Qu Maoze: ...
They really don't give me any face at all!
She returned to her original position, and Li Xian in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. He picked up the wooden mallet beside him and struck it heavily, gradually silencing the commotion in the hall.
Li Xian: "The trial of the Dai brothers' accusation against Princess Mingguang for murdering their mother has officially begun. Dai Yuanhong and Dai Yuanhua, I ask you, do you still insist on accusing Princess Mingguang? If this matter is disputed, and you are wrongly accusing the princess, you could be exiled in the future. There is still room for you to back out."
Dai Yuanhong hadn't spoken yet
Without a second thought, Dai Yuanhua kowtowed heavily to the ground, filled with grief and indignation: "I will not go back on my word! Even if it kills me, I will sue her for murdering my mother! My mother, my mother, she died so unjustly!"
Li Xian tapped the wooden stick and asked again, "Dai Yuanhong, are you insisting too?"
Dai Yuanhong hesitated for a moment, subconsciously glancing at Qu Maoze beside him, then quickly looked away, taking a deep breath: "I insist, Princess Mingguang murdered my mother, the evidence is conclusive, she must pay for my mother's life."
Li Xian nodded, then looked at Song Jin, who was standing there lazily, and asked, "Does Princess Mingguang plead guilty?"
Song Jin yawned: "Why should I admit to doing it if I didn't?"
Li Xian: "Since neither of you pleads guilty, the case continues. The plaintiffs, the Dai brothers, insist that the princess killed their mother and have presented evidence, including the princess's sword. What is the princess's explanation?"
Song Jin said lazily, "I've offended so many people in the capital. It wouldn't be difficult for them to find my personal belongings. What are these material things? I've thrown away countless handkerchiefs, hairpins, and purses. If you're so inclined, just go out on the street and shout 'high price buyback,' and you can collect a whole box in half a day."
Before Li Xian could speak, someone below shouted.
"The princess isn't talking nonsense. She loves losing things. I even found her sachet last time; it had candied fruit inside, and the children in her family were so happy eating it."
"I picked up the silver hairpin; she broke it and threw it away. I exchanged it for two large coins."
"There are even more handkerchiefs now; the little ones around here all like to follow her around."
...
As they continued their back-and-forth banter, Li Xian's lips twitched, and he could only sigh inwardly that Song Jin was indeed a spendthrift.
He interrupted them and continued, "Besides this evidence, the Dai brothers claimed that the day before, the victim, Hou Qiaohe, went to the Song residence, returned home injured, and was murdered in the middle of the night. Does the princess have anything to say about this?"
Song Jin waved her hand: "I have some old grudges with her, but that doesn't mean I'd rush to kill her the next day. Are you trying to make sure people don't suspect me? Besides, these are just clues, not evidence."
Li Xian nodded and looked to the other side. A yamen runner came over carrying a wooden tray with a dress on it, stained with blood.
He said, "Before Hou Qiaohe died, she was clutching a piece of cloth in her hand, which happened to overlap with the princess's clothes. What explanation does the princess have for this?"
Song Jin was taken aback: "Where did this come from? You didn't find it in my room that day."
Li Xian nodded: "There were suspicious people in the mansion, so I sent people to investigate. The princess only asked, 'Are these your clothes?'"
Song Jin frowned and subconsciously glanced at Qi Zheng on the other side.
Qi Zheng's expression remained as cold and stern as ever, unchanged. He nodded slightly to her, indicating that there was no need to worry.
Song Jin was relieved and nodded: "It's mine, and it's the clothes from yesterday. It was raining heavily that day, and I changed several outfits, all of which I gave to the maid to wash."
Although she didn't know what they were up to, Song Jin still trusted Qi Zheng.
To put it simply, as the two most esteemed figures in the imperial era, if the father and son truly wanted to target them, they wouldn't need to go to such great lengths.
Dai Yuanhua roared again: "The dagger was taken by someone else, the clothes were dyed by someone else, and you're innocent, huh? Who do you think you are, that so many people want to frame you? Look at your face, you vicious woman! Murderers should pay with their lives! You deserve to be torn to pieces, ripped apart by five horses, and die a horrible death!"
Dai Yuanhong held the person down tightly, feeling the Song family's gaze upon him, his heart pounding with fear.
Stop talking! If you keep going, these deaths will fall on the two brothers once they leave the yamen.
"Please forgive me, Your Honor, but my mother's death has been a huge blow to him. She was perfectly fine the other day, and suddenly... she..." Dai Yuanhong said weakly, pressing Dai Yuanhua down to kowtow as well. "Please, Your Honor, seek justice for my mother."
Looking at the chaotic scene below, Li Xian shook his head and continued, "Bring in the witnesses."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow and turned around as well, wanting to see this so-called 'witness'. And what she saw...
Goodness
She clicked her tongue twice and looked towards Song Xingzhi on the other side.
The visitors were Chun Yuan and Xia Hua.
They were the head maids who helped take care of Song Jin and Niu Tielan when they first arrived at the Song residence, teaching Xiao Mei and Xiao Er about manners and social etiquette. They were also Song Xingzhi's personal maids.
Even more so, the person in the room whom he had painstakingly rescued and taught to read and write little by little.
Over the years, their lifestyle has surpassed that of most noble ladies in the capital.
Standing amidst the Song family's entourage, facing the angry glares of everyone, Song Xingzhi closed his eyes briefly, a pang of sorrow gripping his heart.
He couldn't understand.
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