Chapter 253 Censor's Trial of Cases
Snow-covered landscape, a pristine white expanse.
Heavy snow covered Yunhe County, and all was quiet.
Even though the weather was bitterly cold and the snow on the ground was already above ankle-deep, many people still hugged their clothes tightly and ran towards the entrance of the county government office.
"Is it true that Magistrate Fang and Young Master Fang are being tried today?"
“Someone in my family works as a servant in the county government office. He said this matter is absolutely true. Even the imperial censors from the capital have come to investigate Magistrate Fang.”
"What did Lord Fang do, and why is he being investigated?"
"I heard that he condoned Young Master Fang's murder and abused his power for personal gain."
"Stop talking nonsense! How could Young Master Fang possibly break the law!"
"He is the son of the county magistrate; he must be so audacious because he thinks his family has power and influence."
"How come I heard that a woman shed blood in the main hall, accusing Magistrate Fang of abusing his power for personal gain and harming her daughter?"
"What? Magistrate Fang has sons and daughters, how could he do such a thing? It must be a rumor, a rumor..."
"Yes! Lord Fang has been an official for many years and has governed Yunhe County in an orderly manner. How could he have done such a thing? Someone must be framing him."
"Shh, stop talking, or you'll get a beating!"
After someone stopped them, those gathered outside the main hall ceased their discussion and began to look inside seriously.
In the main hall, yamen runners stood on both sides.
Fang Bowen, dressed in prison clothes, knelt on the ground while lying down.
Opposite him, in the main hall, sat a middle-aged man dressed in a blue official robe.
He had a mustache and extremely sharp eyes that sent chills down one's spine wherever they looked.
On the side, County Magistrate Yu Ju and County Lieutenant Pang Zhao were also listening.
It seemed that everyone who was supposed to be there was there, except for Magistrate Fang, whom everyone was talking about.
With a slam of the chopping board, the person in the hall, his expression serious, said in a deep voice, "Bring witnesses!"
As the yamen runners arrived, one woman and two men were brought in.
Apart from the woman who glanced at the people in the hall, the other two knelt down straight, not daring to raise their heads, and even trembling slightly.
"This humble subject pays his respects to Your Excellency, the Imperial Censor."
Wan Qiqi blended in, and after bowing, she glanced at Fang Bowen out of the corner of her eye.
Although the person was wearing prison clothes, he was relatively clean and did not appear to have been tortured.
The censor glanced at the three men below and said coldly, "You three, recount what happened that day!"
Sun Daxiong was terrified. He spoke in a trembling voice, his words were somewhat unclear, and his face was deathly pale.
Chen Sanyuan, on the other hand, remained calm and explained the matter clearly.
When it came to Wan Qiqi, she was even calmer and spoke in a very organized manner.
She didn't hide anything and explained the cause and effect of the matter clearly, as well as the conspiracy that Lin Xiaohua and Aunt Yang had plotted together.
Upon hearing this, the censor frowned, looked at Yu Ju, and said coldly, "This matter concerns Fang Luxue, so why haven't you brought her here?"
Yu Ju hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Excellency, I have sent people to search for it, but they have not found it yet."
Wan Qiqi sneered inwardly. How could she not find him? Maybe he hid him and was planning something bad!
Just then, a woman dressed in coarse linen clothes squeezed through the crowd.
She stepped forward, but the constables immediately stopped her.
"This humble woman, Fang Luxue, greets Your Excellency the Censor!"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Although her attire was unlike that of a noblewoman, her manners were impeccable and her demeanor was outstanding, setting her apart from other commoners.
The censor declared, "Let her in!"
With instructions from above, the yamen runners dared not stop them any longer and hurriedly let them in.
Fang Luxue knelt beside Fang Bowen and bowed to the Censor. “I returned to the county two days ago, but for some reason, people kept blocking me from entering the county government. Today, I changed my clothes and managed to blend into the crowd to get in.”
Upon hearing this, the censor looked at Yu Ju, wanting to hear an explanation from him.
Yu Ju seemed surprised by Fang Luxue's words and immediately knelt down, saying, "My lord, I knew nothing of this!"
Wan Qiqi and Fang Luxue exchanged glances, their eyes confirming each other's feelings.
Fang Bowen didn't understand what was happening, but he had already guessed that someone wanted to drag the Fang family down completely.
He hurriedly kowtowed and said, "My lord, it was only because I was so eager to protect my sister that I injured the Lin family girl. It has nothing to do with my sister. Please forgive your sister."
The censor lowered his eyes, his emotions unreadable. "I am aware of this matter. You did indeed order your servant to injure someone and resort to private punishment. I will certainly punish you."
He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Bring Fang Ziming here!"
Fang Ziming wore only ordinary clothes because he was not wearing official robes.
Upon arriving at the Mingtang Hall, he knelt down and bowed, saying, "This sinful subject, Fang Ziming, greets Your Excellency, the Censor!"
The censor raised his eyes, looked coldly at Fang Ziming, slammed his hand on the table, and rebuked, "Fang Ziming, do you have anything else to say?"
Fang Ziming knelt upright, his expression calm, and said, "Yes!"
He glanced at Yu Ju and said coldly, "My son used private punishment, and he will be punished the same as the common people. I have already written an edict to send him to the border to serve for a year. However, after I wrote the document and stamped it, the document disappeared. The next day, I received a report."
Fang Luxue was startled.
She never imagined that her father would send her brother to serve in the border region.
Although the border is peaceful this year, the people have suffered from disasters for years, and there is often a shortage of military food. Soldiers often go without food and do all kinds of hard labor, and some die from exhaustion.
Sending someone to the border at this time is tantamount to sending them to their death!
Fang Bowen closed his eyes, as if to let himself process the matter.
He was willing to serve at the border if it would protect his family.
Wan Qiqi didn't frown, pondering the truth or falsehood of the matter.
The censor did not rush to a conclusion, but asked in a cold voice, "Now that the documents have disappeared without a trace, who can testify to your statement?"
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