Chapter 2606 - 2604: The Petty Man’s Triumph

Chapter 2606: Chapter 2604: The Petty Man’s Triumph

The Wu Family Mansion, Wu Zhi summoned the Yang Valley Prefecture Magistrate, and the two offices jointly tried the case of Ximen Qing.

The people at the foot of the mountain heard continuous rumbling from the mountaintop, and only the next day did they learn that trouble had befallen the Young Master of Rejuvenation Hall.

They also learned of Wu Zhi’s resurrection, which left everyone incredulous for a time.

Both matters were astonishing, each more shocking than the last.

Especially the matter of Ximen Qing, everyone felt he was wronged.

The manager of Rejuvenation Hall and all the pharmacy staff were taken away for investigation.

Because the Plague Demon Monarch escaped, there was no conclusive evidence to prove that Ximen Qing caused the plague.

At present, he could only be detained and convicted for unlawfully killing an official of the Imperial Court.

This matter wasn’t easy to handle either. Ximen Qing was caught on the first day, and by the second day, an official document was issued instructing the Yang Valley Prefecture Magistrate to be cautious with the investigation, to avoid wrongly judging a good man.

Someone even reminded him specifically to pay attention to Ximen Qing’s identity.

Upon inquiry, the magistrate was startled to learn that this young man was actually the godson of Prime Minister Cai Jing.

In the large hall, two rows of government officials stood on either side, holding authority sticks.

Magistrate, the presiding officer, struck the gavel, shouting at Ximen Qing, "Brazen offender, what reasoning do you have for conspiring to murder an official of the Imperial Court?"

Ximen Qing stood in the hall without kneeling, leisurely facing the magistrate, he said, "Sir, you are mistaken. I only learned that evildoers were going to cause trouble, so I went specifically to assist, not expecting the Wu family to misunderstand. Consider it, sir, this was General Wu Zhi’s funeral. If I were plotting to murder an official of the Imperial Court, would it make sense to do so upon his death?"

Wu Song in the hall roared in anger, "You shameless scoundrel, blatantly lying with your eyes open, do you take us all for blind and deaf?"

The magistrate struck the gavel, reminding Wu Song, "Erlang, do not bellow in the courtroom!"

Wu Song, indignant, said, "Sir, our Wu family’s pallbearers can all testify that this man induced the Daoists to our Wu Family Ancestral Tomb to kill, trying to kill us together there!"

The magistrate asked, "In the courtroom, words require evidence. Dare to ask Wu Family’s Second Son, do you have evidence?"

"I..."

Wu Song held his breath and shouted, "The witnesses are here, what more evidence is needed?"

The magistrate said, "These are just one-sided words from your Wu Family, without evidence from outsiders!"

Wu Song glanced askance at him, frowning and asking, "Why does Sir defend this offender?"

The magistrate immediately turned red-necked, saying, "What are you saying, I’m just handling matters according to the laws of Great Songg!"

"You’re just a muddle-headed official!"

Wu Song couldn’t hold back and cursed outright.

The magistrate, angry, shouted, "Wu Erlang, be careful with your words in the big hall!"

Wu Song was about to scold further when Wu Zhi coughed lightly, casting him a glance to step back for the moment.

Wu Zhi noticed that the magistrate was obviously siding with Ximen Qing.

However, to be fair, they really didn’t have much evidence.

If capturing the Plague Demon Monarch, it would be fine, but with the main culprit gone, there was no conclusive evidence to convict Ximen Qing.

He said to the magistrate, "My young son speaks without weight, hoping the magistrate won’t blame!"

The magistrate politely clasped his hands, saying, "We have served as officials in the same city for many years, I do understand Erlang’s temperament. General can also see, we have no way to convict the offender now. The public outside has already started to move, saying they want to make a ’ten thousand people’s petition’ for the offender to release him. According to General’s meaning, how should we handle this case?"

Wu Zhi glanced at Ximen Qing, who stood in the hall as if nothing happened, hands behind his back, perfectly dressed, and refined, showing Wu Zhi a bit of a smug smile.

While considering, someone immediately delivered a letter.

He took it, finding it was a secret letter from a high-ranking court official.

It instructed him to spare Ximen Qing, exchanging it for his feigned death without crime.

Deceiving the court, though with cause, is a charge that can be treated as either major or minor.

Someone used this charge to make a deal with those above.

He wanted to pursue Ximen Qing’s crime, but the higher-ups wanted to use this matter to make an issue of it.

Having been in the officialdom for many years, Wu Zhi naturally understood the importance of matters.

He put away the letter and negotiated with the magistrate, "Since there is no evidence, let’s not pursue this case further."

The magistrate breathed a sigh of relief, immediately striking the gavel, addressing Ximen Qing, "Offender, hear the decree. Although you are greatly involved in this case, considering your kindness to the people of Yang Valley Pass, you are exempted from guilt. But if there is new evidence in the future, this official will still summon you at any time."

Ximen Qing clasped his hands with a faint smile, "Sir, wise decision!"

"Court adjourned!"

The magistrate ordered, the two rows of government officials both shouted "Adjourn", and each dispersed on the spot.

Ximen Qing walked safely out of the Commandant’s Yamen, where the crowd outside had already gathered and congratulated Ximen Qing, shouting, "Master Ximen was startled!"

"Congratulations to Master Ximen on your acquittal!"

"I knew Master Ximen couldn’t be the murderer!"

"It must have been General Wu who misunderstood!"

"..."

Ximen Qing smiled, clasping his hands and returning the courtesy to each of these people.

At this moment, Wu Song came out, blocking his path.

Everyone was frightened and quickly dispersed, hastily reminding him, "Second Master, don’t act recklessly!"

"Second Master, Master Ximen is a great man!"

"Second Master, don’t cause any more trouble!"

"..."

A group of people spoke up for Ximen Qing.

Wu Song, with a dark face, looked around angrily, pointing at the crowd and shouting, "You brainless people, this plague was obviously spread by someone he sent, and in the end, you feel grateful for a small favor. You speak for him, defend him, have you considered the unjust souls of Yang Valley Pass who died with grievances?"

The stubborn crowd insisted, "That’s not how you say it, you don’t have evidence!"

"Second Master, everything needs evidence!"

"I believe Master Ximen isn’t like that!"

"..."

They were confident in their judgment, always believing Wu Song wronged Ximen Qing.

Ximen Qing smugly clasped his hands at Wu Song, saying, "Wu Family’s Second Master, I don’t know where I offended you to make you target me like this. Speaking of which, I also treated your elder brother without charge back then. Although in the end it was ineffective, my genuine heart bore witness to heaven and earth. You can’t keep making things difficult for me just because my medical skills aren’t sufficient!"

Wu Song coldly rebuked him, "You’re right, you’re a petty person, a sinister one at that. Do you think deceiving the crowd for a while can deceive everyone forever? Dream on, I’m not finished with you about this!"

He finished cursing and left angrily, clenching his teeth.

Ximen Qing appeared indifferent, clasping hands and thanking the people, swaggering back to Rejuvenation Hall.