Inside the Green Bamboo Hall.
As soon as Jiang Wan entered the room, she saw Lin Zhiquan sitting to the left of Zhou Shi, smiling and talking to him.
Lin Zhiquan was over thirty years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He had been in charge of the Ministry of Justice for many years and exuded a stern and murderous aura.
A hint of mockery flashed in Jiang Wan's eyes when she caught a glimpse of his crimson official robes.
According to etiquette, it is inappropriate to wear official robes to family gatherings, as this is considered disrespectful to elders.
Lin Zhiquan's grand display was clearly an attempt to assert his official power and intimidate him.
"Is this your sister-in-law?"
Lin Zhiquan scrutinized Jiang Wan with sharp eyes, and his words were unusually cold.
"Shu Ling has been staying at the manor for several days. Thank you for taking care of her, younger brother and sister-in-law."
He emphasized the word "take care" with particular emphasis, clearly indicating that he knew about Song Shuling's drowning and had come to confront Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan raised her eyebrows slightly.
As far as she knew, Song Shuling and her husband did not have a good relationship.
Lin Zhiquan's defense of his wife had only one reason...: self-interest.
He came from a humble background, having passed the imperial examinations.
Over the years, although he looked down on the foolish and arrogant Song Shuling, he could not do without the support of the General's Mansion. Therefore, he tacitly approved and even urged Song Shuling to ask her family for money.
Clearly, this was something Gu Yurong had promised them.
That's why these people are birds of a feather.
"Brother-in-law, you're too kind."
Jiang Wan smiled enigmatically, her expression carrying a hidden meaning.
"Next time Second Sister returns to the manor, I will take good care of her."
Song Shuling was so angry she gritted her teeth: "Jiang Wan, you..."
"Who taught you to be disrespectful to your second sister? Apologize right now!" Song Ziyu snapped.
He disliked Jiang Wan's confrontational attitude, especially in front of outsiders.
It made him lose face completely.
"Yes, sister. Second sister is our elder, yet you pushed her in... and you are so disrespectful today. If word gets out, our Song family will have no face left."
Gu Yurong chimed in.
"Your brother-in-law is here today, so you should apologize sincerely and beg for their forgiveness."
Upon hearing the commotion, several old women strode forward, attempting to force Jiang Wan to kneel.
Jiang Wan's single glance was cold and sharp, exuding an imposing aura that immediately intimidated people into staying away.
"Sister-in-law, you have quite the airs! It seems that after being away from the manor for three years, you've forgotten how to write the word 'rules'."
Lin Zhiquan stood up with his hands behind his back, his eyes revealing a deep meaning.
"Actually, if it were just a domestic dispute, it wouldn't be so bad, but you shouldn't have committed such a heinous crime—"
His voice suddenly turned cold, and he shouted.
"You audacious Jiang, you've colluded with bandits and committed adultery! Kneel down now!"
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean by that?"
"Five days ago, who did you meet at Wangyue Tower?" Lin Zhiquan questioned.
Jiang Wan frowned, her expression wary.
No wonder Lin Zhiquan had been silent for so many days, yet he managed to find this place.
However, Shen Ci was a pawn she wanted to plant next to Song Ziyu, so of course she couldn't tell the truth.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Lin Zhiquan snorted coldly.
"On that day, the whereabouts of a desperate bandit were discovered at Wangyue Tower. The time and place coincide with your appearance."
"I have reason to suspect that you are colluding with bandits and have ulterior motives!"
"What?" Gu Yurong covered her mouth in surprise. "Why is my sister so confused? This is a crime that could implicate the whole family!"
Upon hearing that his entire family would be implicated, Song Ziyu could no longer remain silent.
"Brother-in-law, is this really that serious?"
"Don't worry, as long as Jiang admits her crime, I will not let this matter implicate the General's Mansion."
Lin Zhiquan narrowed his eyes.
“But if she doesn’t confess, I’ll have to take her back to the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon for a thorough interrogation.”
The Ministry of Justice's torture methods were extremely cruel; rivers of blood flowed in the dungeons, and people were carried out every day covered with white sheets.
This dungeon is a place where you might enter alive but not leave alive.
As an elder, Madam Zhou pondered for a long while before finally speaking: "A-Wan, it would be good to go to the Ministry of Justice. If you are innocent, Zhiquan will surely clear your name."
Jiang Wan countered, "What constitutes innocence?"
A cold smile flashed across Lin Zhiquan's lips: "If you still don't change your story after enduring all thirty-six forms of torture from the Ministry of Justice, then I will believe you are innocent."
Biluo couldn't help but angrily say, "...You've gone too far!"
"Although I may suffer some physical pain, it is worth it if it can clear someone's name."
Gu Yurong's voice was gentle, but her eyes held a deep malice.
Zhou nodded, adopting a fair stance: "Awan, if you have a clear conscience, why be afraid of being punished?"
“Not bad.” Song Ziyu’s eyes turned cold. “Jiang Wan, you will go to the Ministry of Justice to cooperate with the investigation. Don’t implicate the General’s Mansion.”
The prison guards in the Ministry of Justice were ruthless and cruel.
If Jiang Wan couldn't withstand the torture and died, it would save him the trouble of getting rid of her.
With a few glances and a few words, the group instantly decided Jiang Wan's fate.
Song Shuling slowly smiled, her face full of victor's posture.
"Someone come here and take her away!"
"Wait a minute."
Jiang Wan spoke, her beautiful eyes clear and calm, without the slightest hint of panic.
"I would like to ask Lord Lin a question."
"I did go to Wangyue Tower that day, to the second floor, to the top-class private room."
Her voice was clear and melodious, as if it came from the top of a snow-capped mountain.
"You say I'm meeting with bandits in secret, so the person in this room is the desperate bandit you're talking about?"
Lin Quan frowned. He only wanted to convict Jiang Wan and didn't care about these details. Upon hearing this, he said, "That's right! You met here!"
Jiang Wan chuckled and nodded: "Lord Lin should investigate this person's identity thoroughly."
"Don't try anything funny!"
Lin Quan's expression was sinister.
"I will investigate what you have said, but today you must go to the Ministry of Justice. No one can save you!"
"Guards! Detain the criminal!"
Biluo was anxious and secretly reached for the long whip at her waist, wanting to fight these Ministry of Justice soldiers to the death.
Since the lady returned to Beijing, every step she took has been fraught with danger.
Although they were granted official titles and had the support of Madam Sheng and Princess Zhaohua, under the blatant power of the authorities, they were still like duckweed, at the mercy of others.
She suddenly understood why Jiang Wan wanted to plot against the Song family army.
In this capital city where power is manipulated and abused, the only way to protect oneself is to reach the pinnacle of power.
And today... even if it costs her life, she will protect the lady!
Just as the guards rushed forward, preparing to attack Jiang Wan, a servant boy suddenly ran in through the door.
"Reporting to the General, Lord He, the Prefect of the Capital, has arrived!"
Song Ziyu asked, puzzled, "He Xingyun? What does he want with me?"
He hasn't done anything wrong lately.
"Lord He said he's here to see Lord Lin of the Ministry of Justice..."
Before the servant could finish speaking, He Xingyun had already strode into the hall.
"Lord Lin, I have received an anonymous tip that your wife, Song Shuling, has committed numerous crimes, including disregarding human life and accepting bribes. She has been brought here to be detained!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com