Song Chaoyu saw his appearance and said to Ping Jiang behind her, "Bring the person up."
Ping Jiang nodded, then brought Zhu Zhu, who had been hiding behind him, forward.
The moment he saw Zhu Zhu, Governor Gu's expression became extremely complicated.
It carried a hint of anger, a touch of regret, and a trace of fear.
Among these, fear was perhaps the most prominent, as Governor Gu knew that if Mu Changxi and the others had found Zhu Zhu, it meant they had indeed been to that cellar.
Mu Changxi saw all the expressions in Governor Gu's eyes. He sneered at Governor Gu, "Governor Gu, what else do you have to say? Seeing Zhu Zhu, you probably understand everything now, don't you?"
Governor Gu lowered his head, unwilling to look at Zhu Zhu, his mind still calculating how to explain.
But Mu Changxi spoke first, "Governor Gu truly has remarkable methods and capabilities! Beneath your own residence, you actually dug out such a large cellar. The cellar held over forty people, and who knows how many have died. If the Emperor were to learn of this, how do you think he would deal with you?"
"No! Your Highness, spare my life, Your Highness, spare my life!"
Governor Gu clearly understood that at this moment, any explanation would be futile and unnecessary.
He suddenly changed his attitude, kneeling before Mu Changxi, "This humble one knows his mistake, this humble one knows his mistake! I beg Your Highness to spare my life and grant me a way to live! This humble one is willing to confess everything, only asking for a way to live. I beg Your Highness to spare my life, do not kill me, I beg Your Highness to spare my life!"
Just asking for a way to live?
Song Chaoyu felt that Governor Gu's change in attitude was somewhat abrupt.
Mu Changxi asked him, "Then are you willing to tell this King everything that has happened in your cellar over the past three years?"
Governor Gu was rather clever; at this moment, he had already thought of a solution, "It was all that Taiyi Zhenren! That muddle-headed Taoist, he made this humble one do it! It must be that he had some demonic sorcery that confused this humble one's mind, causing this humble one to do these things. This was by no means what this humble one thought or wished for, I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly! It is all that Taiyi Zhenren's fault!"
Indeed, shifting all the blame onto someone who had already disappeared could be considered clever of Governor Gu.
According to Zhu Zhu, Taiyi Zhenren had been missing for a long time.
Even if they were to search for him, they would likely not be able to find this Taiyi Zhenren anytime soon.
Therefore, pushing the blame onto him was indeed a good idea.
But Mu Changxi was not buying it, "You say that everything was done by Taiyi Zhenren, does that mean the residence was also Taiyi Zhenren's, and not yours, Governor Gu?"
Governor Gu lowered his head and mumbled, "Naturally, it was because he used evil arts to confuse this subordinate, which is why this subordinate was so compliant with him."
"Hehβ"
His demeanor made even Song Chaoyu unable to help but let out a scoff, "Governor Gu, I understand what you mean by your words. It's all irrelevant to you, right? I actually think that if Taiyi Zhenren were still alive, he could prove that he used evil arts on Your Excellency, and that you were forced to do this."
Song Chaoyu's eyes held a hint of amusement, "Unfortunately, Taiyi Zhenren is now nowhere to be found. What evidence does Governor Gu have to prove that you did such things because you were subjected to evil arts, rather than because you yourself wanted to do them?"
Song Chaoyu's words blocked Governor Gu's last avenue of explanation.
Governor Gu opened his mouth, but could not utter another word.
Mu Changxi smiled slightly as he watched Song Chaoyu, "The Princess Consort is right. If no one can prove your words, Governor Gu, no matter how much you say, this King is afraid I cannot listen."
He sneered, "Since my father has entrusted all matters to this King to handle, tomorrow morning, this King will hold court to try this case! Let everyone know what the consequences are for doing these things!"
Mu Changxi's words were resounding, causing Governor Lei to tremble, "Your Highness, the most pressing matter now is the disaster relief. I fear there is no need to be so hasty with trying this case, is there?"
Mu Changxi glanced at Governor Lei.
Song Chaoyu sighed, "After arriving in Haizhou, I have certainly broadened my horizons."
Governor Lei was confused.
Song Chaoyu then said, "Anyone can make decisions over Your Highness, anyone can do as they please. Is the vast Haizhou a place without any law at all?"
"No, no, no."
Governor Lei did not expect that Song Chaoyu, a young woman, would possess such imposing presence.
He quickly waved his hands, "This subordinate... this subordinate absolutely did not mean that! I absolutely do not mean to presume to tell Your Highness what to do, I just feel..."
"Since you did not mean that, Governor Lei, there is no need to say more."
Song Chaoyu lowered her head and eyes, increasingly unwilling to deal with Governor Lei, "Following Your Highness's wishes is the best support Governor Lei can give Your Highness. Is that not the truth, sir?"
What else could Governor Lei say?
At this moment, he could only nod dumbly, remaining silent.
Mu Changxi settled the matter, and regardless of how Governor Gu pleaded and begged behind him, he did not say anything more, only leading Song Chaoyu and the others away.
β
No one expected that the next morning, the prefectural yamen of Haizhou City would indeed convene court!
Everyone was puzzled as to why court was being held at this time.
Upon seeing that it was the former Prefect, Gu Xue Zhuo, being tried, many citizens spontaneously gathered without the yamen needing to release any further news.
Some even came forward to inquire if they could see Mu Changxi, stating they wanted to accuse Gu Xue Zhuo.
At first, Governor Lei had the yamen staff block these people from entering, saying that Mu Changxi's status was noble and not something anyone could simply request to see.
However, when Mu Changxi heard of this, he ordered Ping Jiang to hold back Governor Lei's men. He told the crowd that anyone who wished to see him could do so. Since he was handling this matter, he would certainly see it through to the end. He wanted all the citizens of Haizhou City to know that the court had not sent him to collude with people like Governor Gu.
Thus, in less than half a morning, quite a crowd had gathered at the entrance of the yamen.
Mu Changxi had Ping Jiang record their requests and then address them one by one during the trial of Gu Xue Zhuo.
However, when the court truly opened, no one expected that Gu Xue Zhuo had committed so many wicked deeds in Haizhou City!
The digging of cellars to imprison men and women was merely the tip of the iceberg.
There was also deceiving the situation in Haizhou City, and exploiting the people's livelihood... Whatever crimes Song Chaoyu and the others could think of, Gu Xue Zhuo, relying on his status as the Prefect of Haizhou City, had committed them all!
Over the years, he had indeed committed all sorts of evil in this Haizhou City!