For the next two days, Murong Yue returned to her usual state of eating and drinking.
The imperial guards who followed had all gone through the open road, so they no longer hid.
A small carriage followed behind Murong Yue's carriage.
Above them were a new imperial physician to replace Kuang Hu, an imperial chef, and a nanny responsible for doing rough work on the road.
Several imperial guards, disguised as ordinary bodyguards, followed on horseback.
This makes things much easier for the team. Qi Yuan only needs to be on guard and ensure safety, while A Hao only needs to take care of Murong Yue.
Li Chi was even happier.
All he had to do was drive the train, and he had plenty of delicious food to eat.
The accommodation conditions along the way have also improved a lot.
However, every time she passed through a county, Murong Yue would have another place to explore.
The first thing she did was check the notice board and count on her fingers the several official announcements about the severe drought.
The second thing is to go and check out rice shops, both official and private.
While you're at it, ask Qi Yuan to find out where there's good food.
After eating, they went to squat by the government office.
If you're lucky, you might encounter a government trial.
Murong Yue thought this was much more interesting than haggling.
In the Qing Kingdom, most cases were tried in public, and ordinary people could watch from outside the government office.
The cause, process, and result can all be known.
The verdict would then be posted on the bulletin board outside the government building for three days.
The legal basis for the trial, the outcome of the trial, and the execution period are all clearly stated.
If there are any errors or new evidence, it should be sent to the yamen within these three days, and the government will add the new evidence to continue the trial.
However, only two additional pieces of evidence can be provided at most.
Because there was once a very clever man who was sentenced to death in the autumn for murder and arson, and his family was wealthy.
Every time an announcement is posted, new evidence is presented on the third day.
At first, it was solid evidence, but later it turned into baseless and nonsensical stuff.
The authorities had to stop investigating, which allowed the prisoner to live for much longer.
Later, the Ministry of Justice changed this rule.
Murong Yue was eating melon seeds outside the yamen again today.
This county town is of medium size, and the cases are quite varied.
"Sir, I am Old Zhang's son. Would I lie to him?"
An old man and a young man were kneeling below the hall.
The young man was heartbroken, his eyes filled with tears, and he cried out that he was wronged.
People were talking amongst themselves, "I have a feeling that this son really cheated his father out of his money?"
"Sigh, the world is going to the dogs."
An old man standing nearby also shouted, "Your Honor, please understand! My wife passed away early, and I raised him with great difficulty. He even swindled away all the money I had saved for my funeral."
"Oh dear, this is so unfilial, it's really tragic."
"Yes, it's better not to have a son like that."
Public opinion is on the old man's side.
The young man's lips trembled, and his voice suddenly rose, "You've worked so hard?"
“It was me! I started cutting grass and herding sheep at five, started cooking at six, and started earning money to support the family at seven. I was the one who farmed all ten acres of land at home.”
“You drink every day, and when you’re drunk you beat me. If it weren’t for the government’s mandatory schooling policy, I probably wouldn’t be alive today.”
"You said you didn't remarry because of me? It's because no one in the surrounding villages would want to marry their daughter to you!"
"Oh my god, this is terrible."
"No one could stand having a father like that."
"So, he tricked his father out of his coffin lid?"
"I don't think things are that simple."
Murong Yue sometimes thought the old man was right, and sometimes she thought the young man was right.
It was also the first time I discovered that not all human blood ties are so reliable.
During the years she was a zombie, she witnessed countless instances of humans turning against each other.
Friends and comrades-in-arms are few and far between.
I used to think that family ties and blood relations were reliable, but now it seems that they are not necessarily so.
However, I can definitely rely on my own mother.
The little zombie has a very rich inner world.
Before you know it, the case in the yamen has taken another step forward.
The county magistrate who presided over the case was in his forties and appeared very composed.
After listening to the two people arguing for a while, and having learned all the information they wanted to know, they found out.
He slammed his gavel down and looked at the young man. "Zhang Yousan, I'm asking you, did you take all the silver from your house?"
"You must not lie, otherwise, if it is discovered, your crime will be compounded."
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes.
At a critical moment.
It was quiet outside the yamen.
Unexpectedly, after hesitating for a few moments, Zhang Yousan lowered his head helplessly, his face showing bitterness.
"Forget it, those are all things of the past. We were father and son, and things have turned out like this. I'm tired."
Zhang Yousan raised his head and said, "Sir, I took the silver from the house, a total of eighteen taels, and I took it all."
ah?
You really took it!
What an unfilial son!
Public opinion can change in an instant.
"Master, how can this person be so wicked?" Ah Hao was a little angry.
Eighteen taels of silver—that's two years' living expenses for an average family.
Murong Yue shook her head. "It doesn't seem like it."
Qi Yuan nodded, "This person has clear eyes and is not lying, but he also does not have a wicked look."
Ah Hao looked up at him and asked, "You can read faces?"
At this time, there were many people outside the yamen, so everyone was standing very close together.
Qi Yuan could smell the peony scent emanating from A Hao as soon as he looked down.
It has that soft, delicate peony scent that's only found on tribute items.
Of course, it's not osmanthus oil, it's peony flower cake, a specialty of Luozhou.
Luozhou is famous for its peonies, and the locals make peony cakes, which have a sweet and refreshing taste and are the favorite of Murong Yue and her servant Ahao recently.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
