nycdaug Chapter 523: Changes happen one after another
Chapter 523: Changes happen one after another
Just when the crowd was gradually feeling bored and was about to disperse, and just when the prefect could no longer bear it and scolded the yamen runners to arrest Lin Yutang, a hearty voice slowly came from outside the crowd, with grace and elegance, and unquestionable majesty.
"Of course there is law!"
Everyone turned around at the same time, and even Murong Yanhui and Yu Qingli saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Murong Feng, why is he here? !
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, what brings you here?" The prefect came out flatteringly.
"The imperial examination is imminent, and such a major event has occurred. How could I not come and see?" Murong Feng said as he personally helped the sobbing woman to her feet. He then carefully examined the deceased before standing up and saying, "I wonder if the prefect has any idea?"
"This... I'm incompetent." The prefect sweated. He had been tangling with that pedantic scholar Lin Yutang all day, and the people he sent out had all returned empty-handed. He was just about to go to the Nine Gates Admiral tonight to try his luck, but who knew the eldest prince would suddenly appear? Could this matter have alarmed the emperor? The prefect was getting more and more panicked.
"I'm on a tour today under the imperial order, and I've done an errand for the prefect." Murong Feng said softly as she turned aside.
The prefect looked up and saw two palace guards escorting a man in. The man's arms were tied behind his back, his head was lowered, and his face could not be seen clearly.
"This is..." The prefect looked up at Murong Feng in confusion.
Murong Feng turned around and glanced at everyone, then pointed at the man and said, "This is the murderer who killed Zhang Laosan!"
Wow! The crowd erupted in a roar, and the prefect's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Murong Yanhui and Yu Qingli both looked gloomy and watched the development of the situation silently.
"What? This prince's words are as good as gold. Prefect, don't you believe me?" Murong Feng said as he reached out and grabbed the man's hair and lifted it up. Someone in the crowd immediately exclaimed, "It's Boss Sha from the Sea Shark Gang!"
Murong Feng smiled slightly and looked at the prefect, "This guy was trying to cover up his tracks, but when I caught him, he confessed to killing Zhang Laosan."
A hint of doubt flashed in the prefect's eyes. Why would the Sea Shark Gang become enemies with a lonely Zhang Laosan? However, since the matter had escalated to this point, the prefect also wanted to make a big deal out of a small matter, so he simply went along with it.
However, before the prefect could speak, Lin Yutang had already pushed through the crowd and walked over to Boss Sha. "Sir, I recognize this man. He must have killed Zhang Laosan!"
Murong Feng was secretly delighted when he heard this. He glanced at Lin Yutang and said with a smile, "What is the name of this scholar? Why are you so sure?"
Lin Yutang bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am Lin Yutang. As for why I believe this is the murderer, it is because he once thought of harming me."
"Really?" Murong Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, and a fierce light in his eyes flashed across Sha Qianli's cheek.
"Yes!" Lin Yutang reached out and grabbed Sha Qianli's clothes, "Tell me! Why did you kill this old man!" In his rage, Lin Yutang suddenly remembered that Sha Qianli was Wang Shipan's acquaintance. He frowned and said angrily, "Did Wang Shipan ask you to do it?!"
Wow! The crowd roared again, looking at Lin Yutang with pity, thinking that this young man was doomed.
Murong Feng's expression grew increasingly grim. He winked at the prefect, who immediately waved his hand and said, "Everyone, disperse! Since the eldest prince has brought the suspect, and Young Master Lin has already identified him, this prefecture will investigate thoroughly and give everyone an explanation!"
The yamen runners drove people away and the gate of the yamen was slammed shut.
Murong Yanhui sneered, and Murong Feng's hand stretched longer and longer.
Murong Yan glanced back, only to see Yu Qingli still standing calmly beside her. She couldn't help but sigh, "This Lin Yutang is truly a bookworm. I wonder if he's having a good time in jail tonight."
Yu Qingli glanced at Murong Yanhui and said coldly, "If you are curious, you might as well stay and take a look. Xiluo and I are going back."
Murong Yanhui had indeed leaped onto the roof of the government office. Yu Qingli got into the carriage, saying nothing, and the air seemed to thin out.
Xiluo drove the carriage and finally couldn't help asking, "Miss, is Lin Yutang just going to leave it alone?"
Yu Qingli said coldly: "He is so brainless that he is not worth saving."
Xiluo immediately fell silent. She could tell that Yu Qingli was in a very bad mood at the moment.
Over there, the prefect invited Murong Feng to take a seat and then said, "Your Highness, I am a dull and ignorant official. I hope you can give me some pointers."
Murong Feng took the tea from the prefect and said calmly, "Sir, how does our dynasty's law determine this crime?"
"As long as the evidence is conclusive, a conviction can be made."
Murong Feng nodded and put down his tea. "Father is still waiting for me to return to the palace to report. The imperial examination is approaching, and if any unsolved cases arise in the capital, it would be extremely inappropriate."
Murong Feng finished speaking and looked at the prefect with a smile, "Your Majesty, I believe that the prefect will handle this matter impartially and give justice to the deceased."
The prefect received the advice and gratefully escorted Murong Feng to the government office. Suddenly, he remembered Lin Yutang and asked, "Prince, what about Lin Yutang?"
Murong Feng's eyes darkened. "This scholar is an important witness in this case. It might be a good idea to keep him in the mansion to assist in the investigation."
The prefect nodded in agreement and respectfully sent Murong Feng away. Turning around, he pulled a long face and said, "Put Lin Yutang in jail!"
……
"Let me go! Why are you locking me up? I have made great achievements, you can't torture me at will!" Lin Yutang pressed his face against the railing and kept shouting.
Upon hearing this, the prefect turned around and said coldly, "A name for yourself? Humph, in this capital, there are so many first- and second-rank officials who just died at the drop of a hat."
"Why are you being detained? Just because you said 'Wang Shipan' in court today!"
"What about Wang Shipan? Killing someone means paying with your life, that's the law of nature!"
"Royal law? Don't talk to me about royal law. The greatest law in the world is power!" The prefect stalked up to Lin Yutang, his heart filled with contempt for this utterly pedantic scholar. "Let me tell you, the Crown Prince's personal presence today simply means he wants this matter resolved swiftly. Regardless of whether it's Wang Shipan or not, since the Crown Prince has brought the confessed murderer, the case is closed."
"I advise you to keep your mouth shut about this matter if you want to save your life. If you wish to die, I will grant your wish."
The prefect reached out and patted Lin Yutang on the cheek. "My boy, only the fittest survive, and those who know the current situation are heroes. If you want to survive in this capital where good and bad people mix, you must know how to get along with both sides."
The prefect looked at Lin Yutang's suddenly surprised and unresponsive face and laughed sarcastically, "Fame? Fame is bullshit!"
The prison door was locked with a clang, and a rustling sound came from the dark corner, making the prison seem even more silent.
Lin Yutang sat down on the ground dejectedly, feeling mixed emotions. He had always believed in the laws of nature and in justice. He believed that there was justice in the world. Even though he had been bullied, he had never doubted that there was still justice in the world.
However, at this moment, his worldview was completely shattered, the prefect's words lingered in his ears, and the bloody reality lay before him.
Zhang Laosan's life was obviously sacrificed in vain, while the real murderer Wang Shipan is still at large!
Tears silently slid down, and the whole world suddenly became dark. Lin Yutang leaned against the wall, and suddenly felt that there was no place for him to stay in this big world.
"Young man..." A hoarse, old voice interrupted Lin Yutang's thoughts, and then a cracked, withered hand stretched out to Lin Yutang, "You don't want to eat this meal? Don't waste it!"
The hand holding Lin Yutang's bowl of rice retreated to the side, fearing that Lin Yutang would change his mind, and ate it all up in one gulp.
Lin Yutang laughed silently at himself, then shrank to the other corner and didn't move.
The man who was eating dinner, seeing Lin Yutang's expression, seemed to feel bad and smiled awkwardly, "Brother, I'm not a bad person. I've just been in this prison for too long and I'm hungry. Don't blame me. If it doesn't work out, I'll just give you my meal tomorrow."
"It's okay." Lin Yutang said weakly, "Have you been in this prison for a long time?"
The man pondered for a moment and said, "Almost twenty years!"
"What?! What have you done to deserve being locked up for so long?" Lin Yutang sat up straight, and then he noticed that the owner of those hands was extremely skinny, exuding a strange smell, and his long hair was clumps hanging on his head, making him look even more hideous.
"Me? What crime could I have committed? It's just that my wife is pretty and the squire took a fancy to her, so he framed me."
"Didn't you seek justice?"
"Seek justice? Young man, don't be ridiculous. If justice could be sought, why would you be here?" The owner of the hand paused and said, "Young man, I just heard that you are wronged, right? Let me advise you, be soft when you should. As long as you have the green mountains, you will never lack firewood to burn. Don't think that they won't dare to kill you because of your achievements. At worst, they can put the blame on the prisoners in the same cell. At worst, they will lock you up until you die of old age, and then your life will be over!"
"Well, little brother, just listen to me. I've seen it all in the past twenty years. How many people have died in this prison, and what accidents have happened?"
Lin Yutang looked at this man who looked nothing like a human in surprise. Listening to his words, his heart was in turmoil and he felt as if he had come to another Cang River.
At this moment, the prison door suddenly opened with a "crash", and two yamen runners walked towards the cell where Lin Yutang was, arm in arm, staggering. The smell of alcohol could be smelled from a distance.
Lin Yutang frowned again. Drinking and having fun during work, is this the prison in the capital?
Suddenly, his arm felt tight. Lin Yutang looked down and saw a skinny hand pinching his elbow. The man lowered his voice and said, "Young man, no matter what happens next, you must not stand out!"