Chapter 128: Bloodstained Final Words

Zu An was startled. He never imagined he would be dealing with government officials."Have I committed a crime? What kind of crime could I commit?"

While he was still in a daze, the constables already approached him with iron chains and shackles to arrest him. Fortunately, he was accompanied by Chu Manor's guards, who wouldn't allow him to be apprehended so inexplicably, especially since he had just paid them yesterday.

"Zu An, are you resisting arrest?" the lead constable asked coldly.

Zu An finally snapped out of his daze. He had been in this world long enough to know the power of the imperial court and government, and he didn't want to gain a reputation for resisting arrest. He stepped forward and told the Chu family guards to stop: "There must be a reason for my arrest. If you're going to put me in chains without explanation, you should at least tell me what happened, right?"

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place," the constable said, pointing to the side. "Didn't you hear?"

Zu An turned around and was immediately startled. A large crowd of people, a dense mass, surged towards them, each holding up banners and shouting indignantly:"Life for a life! A life for a life!""The Chu family oppresses the people and condones their son-in-law's violence!"

The banners displayed slogans such as, "Heaven's justice will return, and the Great Zhou will surely uphold righteousness," and "The hearts of the people are aligned, and even a commoner's vengeance will not be denied."

Zu An frowned. In that instant, he understood that he had fallen into a huge conspiracy.

Just then, the Chu couple, Chu Chuyan, and others rushed out after hearing the commotion. Chu Hanzhao was recovering from injuries and didn't have to go to the academy today, so she was resting at home. Chu Zhongtian didn't let her come out.

"What exactly is happening?!" Chu Zhongtian demanded, dispatching people to block the "indignant" crowd while coldly staring at the constable.

Facing Chu Zhongtian, the constable's demeanor immediately softened considerably: "Reporting to Duke Mingyue, Zu An is suspected of murdering Yang Wei, the Household Officer, and commoners Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen. The City Lord has ordered me to apprehend him and bring him to justice."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Chu family was shocked. Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen were key members of the Plum Blossom Gang, which was one thing, but although Yang Wei's rank wasn't high, he was an official Household Officer legitimately appointed by the imperial court. His death was no small matter.

Zu An's mind raced. Both Plum Blossom Thirteen and Yang Wei had grudges against him. With these people dead, it seemed his opponents had indeed come prepared.

"Nonsense! Ah Zu has been at my manor all this time; how could he possibly commit murder?!" Chu Zhongtian knew perfectly well that this was a frame-up.

The constable replied, "We are just following orders. We hope Duke Mingyue won't make things difficult for us humble officers."

Seeing the officers showing weakness, the surrounding crowd immediately began to clamor:"Is the Chu family shielding a murderer?""Can members of the Chu family commit crimes and go unpunished?""Where is the law of our Great Zhou!"

Common people are always easily incited. Moreover, when they see officials or the wealthy suffering, most will instinctively cheer, hoping for them to fall even further. Such is human nature.

Chu Zhongtian's eyelids twitched. He knew that if this matter wasn't handled properly, it could easily escalate into a public uprising, which would be no small thing. "Very well, I will accompany you back to the county office. I want to see how you intend to try this case."

He patted Zu An's shoulder: "Ah Zu, you don't need to worry. With me here, you absolutely will not be wronged." After all, he was a dignified duke, and with his supervision, the other party couldn't possibly make arbitrary judgments or convictions.

Zu An felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that this nominal father-in-law was truly a good person.

Next, Chu Zhongtian instructed Qin Wanru to oversee Chu Manor, ready to provide support at any time, while he himself took a group of guards to the county office.

Chu Chuyan, who was standing nearby, also silently followed, but Zu An stopped her and whispered, "Help me find someone. When you do, say these words..."

Chu Chuyan paused, then nodded, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

Cheng Shoubing also eagerly approached: "Master-in-law, Master-in-law, is there anything I can do to help? I'll brave any danger for you, even death!"

"Yes!" Zu An replied.

Cheng Shoubing's eyes lit up: "What is it?"

"Shut your mouth."

"Oh."

Given Cheng Shoubing's unreliable nature, Zu An would only entrust such an important matter to him if he were tired of living. In contrast, Chu Chuyan made him feel much more at ease. As for Cheng Shoubing, it wouldn't be too late to use him later to disgust his enemies.

Because Chu Zhongtian was present, the constables didn't insist on shackling Zu An. The group thus headed straight for the county office.

Upon arrival, City Lord Xie Yi and County Lieutenant Pang Chun personally came out to greet them: "What brings Duke Mingyue here?"

Chu Zhongtian snorted, "You've sent people to my manor to make arrests; how could I not come in person?"

Xie Yi gave a wry smile: "Today, someone came directly to the county office to beat the drum of injustice, and a Household Officer also died. How could I not hold court?"

"Who is beating the drum of injustice?" Chu Zhongtian asked gravely. He needed to find out who his hidden enemy was.

As the group walked inside, Xie Yi whispered, "Yang Wei's widow, along with the relatives of Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen. Additionally, Mei Chaofeng has also arrived."

Chu Zhongtian's eyes narrowed: "It seems the Plum Blossom Gang intends to completely turn against the Chu family. I wonder where they get their confidence."

Xie Yi warned, "Don't be careless. They seem very confident."

The group had already entered the county office. Xie Yi stopped speaking, his face resuming a stern expression.

Zu An quickly surveyed his surroundings. In the main hall, two massive banners bore the large characters "Virtue Upholds Law, Integrity Enforces Law," instantly exuding an atmosphere of solemn majesty.

Xie Yi and Pang Chun returned to their respective seats on the dais. On both sides of the hall, like in historical dramas he had watched before, stood two rows of constables holding "water and fire rods," giving an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Kneeling below the dais were several men and women. One middle-aged woman, judging by her clothing, was likely Yang Wei's wife. There were also several farmer-like individuals, probably family members of Plum Blossom Twelve and Thirteen.

Mei Chaofeng stood to the side, his gaze filled with triumph and coldness as he looked at Zu An, as if he were looking at a dead man.

Zu An smiled faintly. "I'd like to see what tricks you have up your sleeve."

"Since both the plaintiff and defendant are present, this official..." Xie Yi was about to strike the gavel and announce the start of the interrogation when a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door. A constable had already come to report:"The Prefect has arrived!"

Xie Yi was startled and, along with Pang Chun and other subordinate officials, quickly rose to greet him. Sang Hong's laughter was already heard at the doorway: "Lord Xie, no need to stand. You are in charge here today. I just came to observe on my way."

Chu Zhongtian snorted, his tone less polite: "Lord Sang, you truly are everywhere." Yesterday, during the grand competition, Sang Hong clearly favored the Yuan family, and today he was coming after his own son-in-law. Even a clay figure would feel a bit of anger.

Sang Hong wasn't offended and smiled slightly: "Originally, I was supposed to return to my administrative seat today, but upon hearing about a disturbance in the city, I inquired and learned it concerned the Duke's Manor. So, I came to observe, lest some uninformed commoners claim that our Great Zhou imperial court is bending the law for personal gain and officials are protecting each other. Duke Mingyue shouldn't mind, I presume?"

The opponent was using the law to pressure him, but Chu Zhongtian calmly stated, "The innocent will prove themselves innocent. If someone tries to twist white into black, I will not stand idly by."

Sang Hong chuckled, "Naturally, naturally. Everything will be handled justly. I trust Lord Xie will ensure that."

Xie Yi secretly cursed him as an old fox, but he also knew that someone like Sang Hong would never leave any weaknesses. So, as long as he truly handled the matter impartially, neither side could say anything.

Just then, Zu An's voice rang out. He had sharp eyes and immediately noticed Shi Kun, who had arrived with Sang Hong. It seemed things were indeed as he had expected. "It's one thing for the Prefect to observe, but what is the identity of this Young Master Shi, and what right does he have to be present here?"

"My father is the Grand Marshal of the current court..."

Before he could finish, Zu An interrupted: "I asked if you hold an official position. Why are you bringing up your father? 'My father' this, 'my father' that — is there nothing you can show for yourself apart from your father?"

"You!" Shi Kun's handsome face immediately flushed crimson. Given his family background and his usual reputation, he was always treated as a distinguished guest wherever he went. No one dared to expose his weaknesses so directly.

"What's with 'you, you, you' and 'I, I, I'? Don't you greet your teacher and use respectful terms? Is that the Shi family's upbringing?" Zu An's mouth fired off words like a machine gun.

Shi Kun felt a little dizzy. Was today's session meant to interrogate him or himself?

"Impudent! Is the Shi family's reputation something a mere stripling like you can insult?!" Shi Lezhi, standing behind him, stepped forward and angrily rebuked him, a powerful pressure spreading outwards.

Chu Zhongtian casually waved his hand, and the pressure immediately lightened. He calmly said, "Sir, you've come to the wrong place to show off your might. Moreover, Ah Zu isn't entirely wrong; he is, after all, a teacher at Brightmoon Academy. According to the rules, Young Master Shi should perform a disciple's bow when encountering him."

Shi Kun's face flushed crimson, feeling utterly humiliated. But to make him perform a respectful disciple's bow in front of so many people was something he absolutely could not do.

Xue'er, who was behind him, had originally intended to defend her young master, but facing her former patriarch, she felt inexplicably guilty and dared not speak.

Fortunately, Sang Hong spoke up, easing the tension: "After all, Zu An is currently the accused. Before his suspicions are cleared, his status as a teacher might be a bit inappropriate, so I think those courtesies can be suspended for now. As for Young Master Shi, since he doesn't hold an official position, it's also not suitable for him to observe from inside. He can watch from the doorway."

He gave a balanced ruling, leaving no one able to object.

However, Shi Kun felt intensely aggrieved just thinking that he could have been comfortably sitting inside watching the show, but now had to squeeze together with a crowd of commoners. Fortunately, Shi Lezhi quietly activated his aura, preventing anyone from approaching them.

Even so, Shi Kun's face remained terrifyingly grim.

"You, Zu, let you be pleased for a moment. Soon, you won't even be able to cry!"

"Silence!" At this moment, seeing Chu Zhongtian and Sang Hong seated, Xie Yi struck the gavel. "Zu An, do you plead guilty?"

Zu An spread his hands: "What crime have I committed?"

At this point, the middle-aged woman in expensive clothes pointed at him and cursed: "You, Zu, are so cruel! My husband merely had a conflict with you at the academy, and not content with seizing his teaching position, you even laid a poisonous hand on him and killed him! Esteemed judges, you must grant me justice!"

Observing the woman wailing, Zu An showed no emotional fluctuation. He calmly said, "What does Yang Wei's death have to do with me?"

At this, Xie Yi cleared his throat: "Because Lord Yang left a dying message written in blood, identifying you as the murderer."