Chu Jiuqing had no interest in watching them fight like dogs. He coldly glanced at Qin Shousheng, took a stack of evidence from Zhuifeng, and threw it in front of Qin Shousheng.
"The evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say!"
Qin Shousheng didn't believe the so-called irrefutable evidence at all, and picked it up shakily.
He glanced at it once, and his face turned deathly pale; cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
How is that possible? How did Prince Ning collect all these pieces of evidence?
His expression froze instantly, and his body slumped down as if his bones had been removed.
"Qin Shousheng, confess immediately! Where did the embezzled funds go, and into whose pockets? Tell the truth, and I will spare your life."
Qin Shousheng's face was ashen. What good would it do to expose the Crown Prince now?
He has become a scapegoat, a pawn discarded by others.
Stay calm, absolutely do not confess!
If the crown prince is really dragged into this, he'll probably die even faster.
His only son was serving as a companion to the Crown Prince's son in the Crown Prince's residence; the slightest mistake would surely mean his son's death...
Qin Shousheng feigned composure, adopting a fearless demeanor, "All the gold and silver treasures I plundered have long been squandered. I don't have a single penny left; it's all gone..."
"Even your powerful backers are struggling to protect themselves, so don't expect anyone to save you." After saying this, Chu Jiuqing's eyes instantly turned cold, filled with chilling killing intent. "Qin Shousheng, you have been corrupt, extorted, formed cliques, abused your power for personal gain, and disregarded human life. The evidence is conclusive, so you should be executed immediately!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Shousheng collapsed to the ground. The guards who were close to him could clearly see some yellow liquid flowing from his groin.
Qin Shousheng didn't want to die, so in order to save his life, he had no choice but to bring up the Crown Prince.
“Prince Ning, spare my life! Prince Ning, please reconsider! I am the magistrate of Anyang County appointed by the Crown Prince. Even if there are any illegal or disorderly acts, they must be dealt with by the Court of Judicial Review. You have no right to act first and report later.”
Chu Jiuqing's lips curled up slightly, revealing a disdainful sneer. "Your crimes are heinous, the evidence is conclusive, and even ten thousand deaths would not be enough to appease public anger. Take him out and keep him under close guard. Tomorrow at noon, he will be beheaded at Caishikou as a warning to others!"
Qin Shousheng was so frightened that his eyes rolled back and he fainted.
Chu Jiuqing continued, "Shen Yuanze's act of seducing and raping respectable women is a capital offense, but you show no remorse, instead aiding and abetting evil by assisting Qin Shousheng in smuggling salt for profit and exploiting the people. Your crimes are unforgivable, and you shall be executed!"
"Prince Ning, spare my life! Prince Ning, spare my life!..."
Shen Yuanze was terrified, so much so that he suffered from diarrhea and soiled his pants.
Knowing he had no way to refute the argument, he mustered all his strength and kowtowed repeatedly to the ground, shouting as he was dragged out by two guards and locked in the death row.
Chu Jiuqing's cold gaze swept past Chen Ruolan and landed on Miao Hong.
"Miao Hong's medical skills are incompetent. He conspired with Chen Ruolan to switch the medicines from Jishetang, which led to Hu Yuniang's death by poisoning. You are vicious and disregard human life. You shall be executed immediately."
Miao Hong was struck dumb, his whole body frozen in shock. He had been kneeling on the ground with his back straight, but now he collapsed to the ground with a thud, as if his bones had been pulled out, his eyes filled with terror and despair.
He regretted it. If he had known this would happen, he would never have listened to Chen Ruolan's urging. Instead of living a good life, he insisted on harming others, and now he had even killed himself...
His face was deathly pale, his heart pounding. He kowtowed repeatedly, slapping his own face repeatedly. "My lord, spare my life! Miss Chen, spare my life! I was blinded by greed and bewitched by Chen Ruolan. It was all Chen Ruolan's doing! My lord, please spare my dog's life!"
"Shut up! You killed the person, you switched the medicine, I didn't force you to do this, don't make false accusations!"
After Chen Ruolan finished speaking, she crawled on her knees to Chen Qingqing, kowtowing and begging for forgiveness as she spoke.
"Sister Qingqing, I know I was wrong. I was so ignorant and foolish. I was bewitched and stupid. Please save me. We'll still be good sisters. I'll never dare to go against you again."
Chen Qingqing stood looking down at her, watching her kowtow repeatedly, her face completely expressionless.
After she had kowtowed until her forehead was covered in blood, he leaned down slightly, hooked his hand under Chen Ruolan's chin, and gave a cold smile.
"You know I'm your older sister now? Too late. I stopped acknowledging you as my sister a long time ago, because you don't deserve it!"
Chen Ruolan felt a chill run down her spine from the look in her eyes, but her will to survive made her beg for mercy and say kind words at all costs.
"Sister Qingqing, I really know I was wrong. Please don't hold it against me, just forgive me this time! I'll change, I promise I'll change..."
Chen Qingqing looked down at Chen Ruolan, who was kneeling on the ground weeping, with a disdainful gaze, her eyes devoid of any sympathy.
"You brought all this on yourself; no one can save you."
Chu Jiuqing's face was full of disgust, and his voice was cold and ruthless, "Criminal Chen Ruolan, stop trying to deny it. I have already investigated and found that you instructed Miao Hong to kill someone and frame Jishetang. The evidence is conclusive, and you are sentenced to immediate execution."
After saying that, he turned to the bailiffs on his left and right and said, "Take them away, prepare their last meal, and take them to the execution ground to be beheaded first thing tomorrow morning."
Chen Ruolan was so frightened that her bones went limp and her soul almost left her body. She was dragged away by the yamen runners.
Everything has settled down.
Chu Jiuqing looked at the Chen family members, his gaze no longer as sharp as before, "Uncle Zhanshan, I'm late, I'm sorry you've suffered."
Chen Zhanshan felt like he was dreaming. His family's injustice had finally been redressed, the sugar factory was saved, and they no longer had to live a life of hardship as fugitives.
Finally, someone has dealt with that bastard Qin Shousheng.
Okay, that's great!
Just as he was secretly pleased, he heard Chu Jiuqing call him "uncle," and he was immediately flattered and waved his hand, "No, no, this humble subject dares not accept such a title. Your Highness, please just call me by my name."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness Prince Ning is wise and mighty, clearing my family's name. I am deeply grateful." Madam Lin also said respectfully.
Chu Jiuqing shook his head and smiled, "Punishing evil and promoting good is my duty. Uncle and Aunt, there's no need to be so polite. This is not the place to talk. I've already had my men prepare guest rooms. Let's leave here first."
Seeing that Chu Jiuqing had a warm and approachable face and no airs of a prince, Chen Zhanshan's tense heart relaxed. "Alright, let's go."
Chen Qingqing remained standing still, but looked at Chu Jiuqing and asked, "Prince Ning, can I handle Chen Ruolan?"
Chu Jiuqing was taken aback and looked at Chen Qingqing with confusion. "Benefactor, Chen Ruolan has committed murder and is extremely guilty. You must not be soft-hearted."
"Don't worry, Prince Ning, I won't be soft-hearted."
"Okay, I promise you." Chu Jiuqing nodded in agreement.
Chen Zhanshan and his wife left the prison under the escort of guards...
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