Zhong Li had anticipated that Wei Fu, when discussing the matter of Wei Fu and Liu Wu, would cunningly attempt to escape like a cicada shedding its shell. However, she never expected Wei Fu to shoulder all the blame onto Liu Wu for her own sake.
Wei Fu's voluntary confession and plea for leniency were indeed more astute than Ma Su and Wang Gui in the Jia family case. After all, under the laws of the Southern Yue Kingdom, instigators could be considered for lighter penalties.
Now, could Liu Shi's testimony truly bring about a turning point?
"Liu Shi, do you have any objections?" It wasn't Lan Heng who spoke, but Xu Qing, who was leading Wei Fu away to return to her cell for rest.
Liu Shi, being unable to see, was unaware of the ferocious expression Xu Qing wore as he looked at her at that moment.
Zhong Li wanted to hold Liu Shi back and calm her down, but unexpectedly, Liu Shi, perhaps eager for revenge, knelt on the ground and grabbed Xu Qing's robes, saying:
"My lord, this Wei Fu is by no means a saint. This old servant has always been by Miss's side. Once, I accidentally stumbled upon Wei Fu consorting with Liu Wu, and they intended to kill me. Wei Fu forced me to swallow poison. Fortunately, I was rescued by someone, but I lost my eyes. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to come to this court, let alone seek justice for Miss."
Xu Qing's brows furrowed. He looked at Liu Shi's aged, wrinkled hand gripping his brand-new official robe and said, "Liu Shi, if you have something to say, say it properly. Don't be unruly! You claim that Miss Wei drugged you and blinded you. Do you have any evidence?"
Liu Shi quickly nodded, pointing to her own nose and saying, "Yes, yes, this old servant is the evidence. These eyes of mine are the evidence." As she spoke, Liu Shi fumbled along Xu Qing's robes, kowtowing incessantly, "I implore your lordship to handle this fairly."
"Liu Shi, are you joking? If this is considered testimony, then this official could pull any lame person from the street and claim you crippled them, and it would make sense?" Xu Qing sneered lightly, casting a contemptuous glance at Liu Shi as if he thought the old woman in soiled clothes was just looking for trouble. He raised his foot to kick her.
Zhong Li, with quick eyes and hands, pulled Liu Shi up and said, "Liu Ma, you're begging the wrong person. Lord Xu is merely a Shao Qing. Your case is being presided over by Lord Lan, the Da Li Si Qing. Lord Xu's words do not count!" She emphasized the word "count" at the end.
Xu Qing was stunned, knowing Zhong Li was mocking him. However, he couldn't refute her, so he could only roll his eyes in anger.
Liu Shi, oblivious to the undercurrents between them, turned her head with intuition and knelt before Lan Heng again, saying, "I implore your lordship to uphold justice for this commoner."
Zhong Li also looked up and met Lan Heng's gaze.
Lan Heng nodded, signaling the constables escorting Wei Fu and Liu Wu to return. Once everyone in the hall resumed their positions, he asked Liu Shi, "Liu Shi, you claim Wei Fu blinded your eyes. Do you have any evidence?"
"Yes!" Liu Shi nodded, pointing to her eyes as before, "This is the evidence. My eyes were blinded by poison." As soon as she finished speaking, a roar of laughter erupted around them.
Xu Qing, in particular, let out a cold snort, looking at Liu Shi with utter disdain, as if she were an idiot.
Lan Heng's expression darkened slightly. He raised the striking wood in his hand and struck it coldly on the table. Simultaneously, everyone in the hall fell silent.
Lan Heng sighed and said, "Liu Shi, you cannot be your own witness, do you understand?"
Liu Shi nodded with a bewildered expression.
Lan Heng patiently asked again, "Do you have any other evidence?"
"Other evidence?" Liu Shi thought for a long time, finally shaking her head. "It's been a year since the incident. Even if there was evidence, it's gone now."
Upon hearing this, Wei Fu cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Shi and said, "I say, Madam, I don't even know you. Please don't falsely accuse a good person."
"You!" Liu Shi was enraged and stomped her foot. Much of her resentment and anger could only be swallowed down. Wei Fu's lips curled slightly. She knelt and looked at Lan Heng, saying, "Your lordship, I don't know what kind of fate this is. Bad things are always being thrown onto me for no reason."
Lan Heng frowned. He clearly knew what was going on but was troubled by the lack of evidence. Having stayed in Huanxi Lou for so long, Wei Fu was adept at flattery. With just a casual glance, she could discern Lan Heng's temperament. Her eyes darted around, and she then sat down on the ground, saying, "My fate is truly bitter. I thought I would receive fairness at the Dali Si, but now I am being trampled upon by a beggar woman. Is there no law? Wuwu..."
Wei Fu's words were like a sharp blade piercing Lan Heng's heart. His nature was meticulous and upright. He valued the reputation of the Dali Si and, consequently, paid attention to others' evaluations of it. Wei Fu's outburst was truly masterful.
Just as the Dali Si fell silent, with only Wei Fu's muffled sobs audible, Zhong Li's eyes sharpened. She stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "My lord! This case is indeed not suitable for an adjournment."
"Oh?" Lan Heng saw Zhong Li step forward, and the seriousness in his eyes slowly softened.
Zhong Li glanced at Wei Fu, who wore a smug expression, and said, "Let's assume for now that Miss Wei killing Wu Xiuchu was done under duress, and this case is considered closed. Then, for the life of the first victim, Shen Hong, who will compensate?"
"Zhong girl, what do you mean?" Wei Fu's expression stiffened, and her smile slowly faded.
Zhong Li couldn't be bothered with Wei Fu. She said, "The true mastermind behind Shen Hong's case is Wei Fu!"
"Zhong Li, what are you saying? Stop slandering me!" Wei Fu glared at the woman opposite her. If not for the iron shackles, she would have rushed forward to fight Zhong Li to the death, assuming she could win.
Zhong Li ignored Wei Fu and turned her gaze to Lu Wu Xie, saying, "Does Your Highness often watch 'Nan Ping Diao'?"
Lu Wu Xie raised an eyebrow. Though unsure of her question's intent, he nodded with a smile, acknowledging it.
"Does Your Highness remember how many scene changes there are in 'Nan Ping Diao'?" Zhong Li asked again.
Lu Wu Xie thought for a moment and replied, "There are about eight scene changes back and forth."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Li took out a copy of 'Nan Ping Diao' from her怀 and said, "According to Your Highness, each scene in 'Nan Ping Diao' lasts about an hour. A total of eight scene changes. The first scene is the meeting of Wang Kui and Liu Fu Chu, the second is Wang Kui bringing Liu Fu back to the mansion and discovering Liu Fu's improper relationship with his father, Wang Ding. The third is Wang Kui's suicide, the fourth is the dispute between the matriarch Duan Shi and Wang Ding, the fifth..." She continued listing them one by one until all eight scenes were clarified. Then she asked, "If I recall correctly, Shen Hong could leave the stage during the third scene, right?"
Lu Wu Xie nodded. That was natural. Shen Hong, who played Wang Kui, was already dead, so why would he continue to be on stage?
Having received this confirmation, Zhong Li's lips curved upwards. She looked at Wei Fu and said, "Then Miss Wei had ample time to commit the murder."