freenovelworld Chapter 645 Presiding Judge
Chapter 645 Presiding Judge
Xiao Heyu's throat tightened, not knowing whether Emperor Qianwu was asking only about the treatment of Feng Wan, or about the deeper meaning behind what Feng Wan said.
But no matter which one it was, it was enough to make him uneasy.
"Reporting to the Emperor, this matter is of great importance. I believe that the punishment should be severe. However, there is only one day left before the army sets out. Time is tight, and I am worried that I may not be able to find out anything."
Xiao Heyu bowed his head, but raised his eyes secretly, trying to gauge Emperor Qianwu's expression.
"It doesn't matter. It will take some time for the army to reach Yancheng. If we can get some information out, just rush to send it to Zhao Qi!" Emperor Qianwu said in a low voice.
"Your Majesty is right." Xiao Heyu wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Emperor Qianwu.
"In that case, this matter will be handed over to you. You must immediately take people to interrogate Feng Wan strictly. Other people related to the Feng family must also be investigated thoroughly. Once something is uncovered, they will be executed by beheading." Emperor Qianwu lowered his eyes and looked at his son, his tone softened but his expression unclear.
Xiao Heyu felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave, and the fingers hanging by his sides could not help but tremble slightly.
He will preside over the trial?
Although Feng Wan was not a close relative of his, she was still his cousin, and others knew that the Feng family was his confidant.
Now, his father is forcing him to wield the sword against his relatives and confidants. In this way, his prestige will be greatly damaged.
If he fails to handle the matter well, all those who followed him would be disappointed. However, if he pleads for the Feng family, not to mention the heinous crime of killing all nine generations of the Feng family, only confiscating their property and exiling his father is already extremely merciful.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Emperor Qianwu narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"
Xiao Heyu's heart trembled, and he immediately said: "Your son obeys your order, but... Your son is worried that Feng Wan, a woman, may not know anything, and may be blindly conceited."
Emperor Qianwu stared at him and asked again: "Who do you think would know?"
Emperor Qianwu's words made Xiao Heyu break out in a cold sweat. Although it was already spring, his whole body was freezing cold, as if he was falling into an icy cave.
"Your Majesty, I understand! I am just a little bit suspicious about this. I suspect that this is a rumor spread by spies from the enemy country, with the purpose of shaking the morale of our Daqian army and affecting its morale!"
Emperor Qianwu glanced at him coldly, and his eyes fell on Zhao Qi again: "Zhao Qi, since you are the one being slandered, and Pang Xinlian is your blood relative, how do you think you should deal with her?"
Zhao Qi stepped forward, his eyes reddened, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this time Xinlian was bewitched, practicing witchcraft, cursing the general and Your Majesty, her crime is unforgivable, and she has shaken the morale of the other three armies when they are ready to go. According to the laws of Daqian, her crime - should be executed!"
"Grandfather!" Pang Xinlian screamed, her tearful eyes filled with shock!
Zhao Qi closed his eyes and felt melancholy in his heart.
But a blood relative who cannot be raised like this is not a blood relative, but an enemy. I am afraid that Zhao Deyue will hate him as a father to death because of this.
"Master..." Old Madam Zhao's body trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but was too weak to speak.
Zhao Dechuan, Zhao Dehai, Yan Wanshuang and the others looked at Pang Xinlian, all with a bit of sadness.
After all, no matter how much they disliked Pang Xinlian's temper, they had lived under the same roof for many years, so how could they not be moved?
But they were also disappointed and felt an inexplicable hatred towards Pang Xinlian for her actions.
Therefore, all the complex emotions turned into silence at this moment.
"Grandfather! Grandmother! I am your granddaughter! You can't kill me... Please save me!"
"Xinlian knows she was wrong! Xinlian really won't dare to do it again..."
Zhao Qi closed his eyes in grief. Wang Xi stepped forward and said to the guards, "Drag him out and behead him."
If it weren't for the consideration of the reputation of the Qingyuan Marquis' Mansion, Pang Xinlian would never have been simply beheaded.
Pang Xinlian was so frightened that she collapsed, her eyes were dazed, she no longer felt sorry for herself or wronged, everything turned into the most real fear.
*
In the afternoon, at 15:00 p.m., Shen Shuyi was drinking tea in the yard. The weather had warmed up recently, and today was a rare good day.
Qin Xin came in hurriedly: "Miss, Pang Xinlian has been beheaded. She was frightened before she died. Madam Zhao asked someone to send her a last meal."
Shen Shuyi's expression was calm, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.
It would be fine if ignorant people could just stay within their own limits, but the most terrifying thing is that ignorant people not only kill themselves, but also implicate others.
"She has reaped the fruits of her own actions." Shen Shuyi said softly.
Harming others will eventually harm yourself, but it was just such an ignorant and stupid person like her who caused the entire marquis's mansion to be executed in her previous life.
Fortunately, the Marquis's Mansion survived safely in this life.
Not long after, the brothers Zhao Xueqing and Zhao Baokun came to the door, and they were inevitably in a depressed mood.
After all, although he didn't have much sympathy for Pang Xinlian, after all, he had been with her day and night for so many years, so it was inevitable that he would feel disappointed.
"Cousin, thanks to you this time. I never thought that cousin Xinlian would..." Zhao Baokun sighed and didn't want to think about it.
Shen Shuyi looked at Zhao Baopeng and whispered, "When we get to Yancheng, Baopeng, change your identity and keep a low profile. Sometimes when you are in the middle of something, it is often difficult to see the truth."
"You need to stand outside the situation, watch your grandmother and the generals of Yancheng, observe their actions in secret, identify their factions, and observe their conflicts."
"Yes, Baopeng has noted it down." Zhao Baopeng remained silent. He nodded in agreement and kept it in mind.
"Everyone has weaknesses. Where there are people, there will be conflicts. Help grandfather get rid of traitors who cannot be won over, intimidate and subdue those who show favor to the neutrals, treat those who are loyal to the emperor and patriots well, and promote those who are talented and ambitious but have no one to rely on."
Shen Shuyi gave instructions softly, still worried, but feeling relieved when he thought that his brother would also go this time.
Zhao Baokun looked at Shen Shuyi with burning eyes: "I will not let my cousin down."
Shen Shuyi smiled and said, "You won't."
*
At night, Xiao Heyu was in the prison, looking at Feng Wan who was beaten to a bloody mess, and his mood was not very good.
However, my father sent the Minister of Justice to cooperate with us. Naturally, the so-called cooperation was just a disguised way of keeping an eye on him.
Because this assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice is from Xiao Yuncheng's faction.
With Xiao Yuncheng's party around, it is impossible for Xiao Heyu to be merciful.
But he couldn't interrogate her strictly, otherwise if Feng Wan said something about her uncle or mother, it would be even more disadvantageous to him.
More importantly, the emperor said bluntly that he would execute her by beheading after interrogation, which meant that he could not beat her to death and could not send Feng Wan directly to death.
"What else do you know? Think about it carefully." Xiao Heyu looked at the bloody Feng Wan with a sullen face, his throat tightening.
Feng Wan looked at Xiao Heyu in front of her through her messy hair with hazy eyes.
Cousin and aunt, are you going to lose this time too?
Feng Wan was barely breathing and chuckled, "I don't know anything. I just think that my uncle has fought in many battles and is a well-deserved general who protects the country. That Zhao Qi... is nothing, bah!"
Guan Qu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, this woman is very stubborn, let's punish her!"
Xiao Heyu looked at the red-hot iron in the prison boss's hand, and his throat tightened.