Chapter 367
Even though Prefect Pang’s tearful accusations claimed Prefect Zhang had committed suicide, Prefect Zhang was already dead, leaving no witnesses. Coupled with the sounds of argument heard by the clerks and the disarray in the study, even if Lord Yao favored Prefect Pang, he would still face punishment, though perhaps not death.
Moreover, after Prefect Pang’s account, Lord Yao had remained silent, his expression unreadable, causing Prefect Pang’s demeanor to darken slightly as he knelt on the ground.
“My Lord,” the clerk presented Prefect Pang’s confession to Lord Yao, who sat at the head of the hall, once the ink had dried slightly.
As Prefect Zhang’s death involved Prefect Pang, and it was rumored that Prefect Zhao and Prefect Pang were at odds, both the coroner and the clerk responsible for recording the confession were brought by Lord Zheng from the Provincial Surveillance Department.
After a quick perusal, Lord Yao signaled the clerk to pass the confession to Lord Zheng and Inspector Chu, who were seated below, and said in a deep voice, “Take Pang Xian'an away.”
The constables waiting outside the courtroom immediately entered. Prefect Pang, likely having knelt for too long, stumbled as he rose, but a quick-handed constable supported him, preventing him from falling.
Inspector Chu wished to target Zhan Feiyu, but unfortunately, based on the testimonies of those present and the sketch of the crime scene drawn by Prefect Pang, Zhan Feiyu was not implicated in any way.
The only point of contention was that she, a mere scholar, had entered the crime scene without authorization. However, Zhan Feiyu held a token from the Imperial Guards, who only obeyed the Emperor. Inspector Chu, a fourth-rank official, did not have the authority to submit a memorial to the Emperor, making it impossible to lodge a complaint.
Casting a sinister glance at Zhan Feiyu at the back, Inspector Chu said coldly, “My Lord, we still need to discuss the case. Idle individuals should withdraw.”
Zhan Feiyu and Prefect Zhao, being sensible, rose to take their leave almost simultaneously.
Lord Yao did not detain them. After granting them permission to leave, he turned to Lord Zheng and asked, “Lord Zheng has served in the Provincial Surveillance Department for many years and has solved numerous cases. What is your opinion on this case?”
As the Deputy Envoy of the Provincial Surveillance Department, Lord Zheng was also a fourth-rank official. Since entering the Suzhou Prefecture Yamen until this moment, Lord Zheng had spoken very little. “Replying to my Lord, based on the current evidence and the autopsy results, Prefect Zhang likely died by accident. Setting aside whether Pang Xian'an had a motive to kill, but in the study in the back residence of the prefecture yamen, with guards in the courtyard and two clerks present, Pang Xian'an would not have chosen this location to commit murder.”
In fact, Lord Zheng leaned more towards Prefect Pang’s speculation that Prefect Zhang might have committed suicide. However, Prefect Zhang had used his life to frame Prefect Pang, creating a dead end. Even if Prefect Pang was innocent, he had no evidence to prove his innocence.
From an argument escalating to a push and then accidental death, Lord Zheng estimated that Lord Yao would ultimately close the case with this conclusion.
“Hmph, anyone with a brain can see that this was a trap set by Prefect Zhang. Prefect Zhang clearly committed suicide!” Inspector Chu interjected with a stern face, sneering at the peace-seeking Lord Zheng. “Is this how you have been investigating cases in the Provincial Surveillance Department all these years, Lord Zheng? If so, I truly suspect that many wrongful convictions have occurred in the Provincial Surveillance Department over the years!”
Lord Zheng did not even spare a glance at the rabid Inspector Chu. Although one was from the Provincial Surveillance Department and the other from the Commander’s Office, Lord Zheng had long heard of Inspector Chu’s notorious reputation for attacking anyone. This time, it was likely because Commander Xie did not wish to get involved in this mess, hence only Inspector Chu was sent for the trial of the three departments.
Lord Yao’s gaze returned to the confessions on his hand. After a moment, he ordered, “Inspector Chu, you will lead your men to investigate Pang Xian'an and see if he had any disputes with Prefect Zhang. Lord Zheng, you will investigate the remaining officials of the Suzhou Prefecture Yamen.”
“Yes.” Lord Zheng and Inspector Chu rose to acknowledge the order. Regardless of their private dealings, Lord Yao was their superior, and they dared not be negligent.
…
After leaving the prefecture yamen, Zhan Feiyu paused and turned to look in the direction of the prison. “Ah Sheng, why is Inspector Chu targeting me?”
As the saying goes, one should not judge a book by its cover. Zhan Feiyu was a disciple of Scholar Gu. Although the Commander’s Office was composed of military officers and was not directly under Scholar Gu’s jurisdiction, even from the capital, it would be a simple matter for Scholar Gu to deal with Inspector Chu.
“Inspector Chu hails from the third branch of the Chu family in the capital. The Chu family has always supported the Second Prince,” He Sheng had already investigated this before Lord Yao and the others arrived in Suzhou Prefecture. “The Second Prince is currently in the Ministry of Personnel.”
Zhan Feiyu still did not quite understand. The adult princes in the palace had all tried to win over Scholar Gu, but all had failed. Even if they resented Scholar Gu in private, with the crown prince not yet established, the princes outwardly showed respect and awe towards Scholar Gu, a Grand Scholar.
How dare Inspector Chu so brazenly target Zhan Feiyu? Was this not bringing trouble upon the Second Prince?
He Sheng glanced at Zhan Feiyu, who was full of confusion, and continued to explain, “Besides the Second Prince, Consort Min also has the Seventh Princess. The Seventh Princess is willful. Previously, there was a rumor from the First Prince that Miss was a hidden gem. Upon hearing this, the Seventh Princess was furious and spoke wildly in the palace, her words even involving the Emperor. Fortunately, the Empress overheard.”
Zhan Feiyu’s dark eyes suddenly widened. She knew the subsequent outcome with her toes. The Empress had no children, and Consort Min had one prince and one princess under her care, naturally disregarding the Empress. Otherwise, the Seventh Princess would not have been raised with such a willful and spoiled disposition.
When the Empress heard that the Seventh Princess had dared to speak ill of the Emperor, she immediately punished her according to palace rules. Although it was only a month of confinement and copying the Classic of Filial Piety, it was considered a minor punishment.
However, the Seventh Princess harbored resentment. But no matter how willful she was, she dared not disrespect the Empress. This grudge naturally fell upon Zhan Feiyu.
Inspector Chu likely received family news from the capital earlier and knew about the Seventh Princess’s punishment. Therefore, targeting Zhan Feiyu this time was to please the Seventh Princess, and thereby please Consort Min and the Second Prince.
With a prince as a backer, in the long run, Inspector Chu indeed had no need to fear Scholar Gu. Moreover, he was only targeting Zhan Feiyu, a disciple of Scholar Gu.
“Then will he make a move against Ah Nuan?” Zhan Feiyu frowned. She herself was not afraid, and Inspector Chu would not dare to act openly.
But if Inspector Chu were to vent his anger on Ah Nuan, especially since Ah Nuan was currently imprisoned, Zhan Feiyu’s expression turned grim.
“Miss need not worry. We have people in the prison. Moreover, Lord Yao is in charge now. If Inspector Chu oversteps, Lord Yao will surely intervene,” He Sheng was not worried. If Inspector Chu dared to take revenge, his position as inspector would be over, and the Second Prince would not be able to protect him!
After all, if it truly came down to it, even setting aside Seventh Master, Scholar Gu would definitely stand up for Miss. However, the Second Prince would absolutely not go against Scholar Gu for a fourth-rank inspector.
Zhan Feiyu nodded, but her worries remained in her heart. “It depends on whether Ah Nuan’s case will be heard tomorrow.”
On the other side, at the Pang residence, after the constables and yamen runners took turns, they still vigilantly guarded the main, side, and back gates of the Pang residence.
“Fortunately, the weather has cleared up. These past few days have been truly miserable,” the constable on duty complained discontentedly. After all, it had been raining heavily, and they still had to stand guard, which was truly cold and hungry. Fortunately, their physiques were strong enough to avoid falling ill.
His companion yawned. “No matter how miserable it is, it’s better than Prefect Pang in prison. I thought Prefect Pang would take over as prefect after Prefect Zhang retired, but in the blink of an eye, he became a prisoner.”
A constable not far away chuckled. He glanced around and walked over. “This way, we don’t have to worry anymore. If Lord Zhao becomes the Prefect of Suzhou, our good days will come.”
Most of them, the constables and yamen runners, followed Constable Hu, who was aligned with Prefect Zhao. If Prefect Pang had indeed taken the position of prefect, their lives would have been miserable.
Fortunately, fortunes had turned. Even if Lord Zhao did not take over as prefect in the future, the new prefect would likely not target Lord Zhao without reason. They, the constables and yamen runners, would remain as they were.
“What are you doing?” Several constables were chatting together, but when they saw a gap suddenly opened in the side gate, Ma Wu, who had just come over to chat, shouted and quickly walked over.
The gapped door was now fully opened. Qian Shipeng looked at the swaggering Ma Wu with displeasure. “I am merely a temporary resident of the Pang residence, not a prisoner. Why are you preventing me from leaving?”
“Get in!” Ma Wu patted the saber at his waist as a show of force and sternly reprimanded, “We are ordered to guard the Pang residence. No one is allowed to leave! Consider yourself unlucky!”
Qian Shipeng had previously accused He Nuan, so the constables of the Suzhou Prefecture Yamen had all seen him. As for why he was staying at the Pang residence, it was not difficult to guess. Qian Shipeng was from the Qian family, implying he was not short of money. He must have offered a heavy gift, hoping to have Prefect Pang favor him during the trial.
Unfortunately, Qian Shipeng had bad luck. The case had not yet been judged, and Prefect Pang had already been imprisoned.
“How dare you yell at me?” A small constable dared to be so overbearing. Qian Shipeng glared with dissatisfaction, his neck stiff as he roared, “You little brat, just wait for me! Once I get out, I’ll drown you in silver!”
“You!” Ma Wu was stunned for a moment. After his rage, he felt a bit worried. After all, Lord Yao had already arrived, and the people of the Pang residence could not be confined forever.
Qian Shipeng was clearly an innocent victim. If he were to get out, it would be easy for him to deal with a small constable like Ma Wu in the future.
“Scared, aren’t you? Then get out of my way!” Qian Shipeng became smug, pushing Ma Wu’s shoulder with one hand, intending to force his way out.
“Get in!” Even if Ma Wu was afraid, he absolutely could not let Qian Shipeng out at this moment. Otherwise, if Lord Yao investigated, he would not be able to wear his constable’s uniform anymore.
“You dare to lay hands on me?” Qian Shipeng, pushed, stumbled and fell directly onto his backside over the threshold.
The scene immediately became chaotic. Fortunately, other constables quickly came over. Two of them held back the enraged Ma Wu, while the other two pushed Qian Shipeng back inside the door. After some soft words, the matter was settled.
“Damn it, what is he? Just a constable and he dares to lay hands on me!” Muttering curses, Qian Shipeng walked towards the guest courtyard where he was staying. Along the way, he saw almost no servants of the Pang residence. Even if a servant passed by occasionally, they hurried their steps. After all, Prefect Pang was in prison, and the Pang residence was surrounded by constables. At this time, who cared about the dandy Qian Shipeng? It was good enough to save themselves.
Upon returning to his room, Qian Shipeng closed the door. Then, he took out the purse that the constable had stuffed into his sleeve. Upon opening it, he found a pill and a folded piece of paper.
After opening the paper and reading it quickly, Qian Shipeng’s expression became more solemn. There was unwillingness and anger in his eyes, but thinking of his own life, he finally calmed down, realizing that as long as he was alive, there would be opportunities.
…
As night fell, the Suzhou Prefecture Yamen was still brightly lit.
Although the day was not long, they had investigated what they could. Further investigation would not be a short-term matter. Without finding a breakthrough or a crucial point, it was basically impossible to find anything.
“My Lord, I have investigated all the officials, big and small, in the Suzhou Prefecture Yamen. Prefect Zhang governed effectively. Although Suzhou Prefecture is not a place where doors are left unlocked and lost items are not picked up, the people have lived in peace and contentment over the years…”
Lord Zheng quickly reported the findings of his investigation to Lord Yao. Suzhou Prefecture was not wealthy in this Longyou Circuit, but Prefect Zhang could be considered a capable and honest official. He imposed no harsh taxes on the people.
Although Prefect Zhang was a scholar, he did not look down on merchants. He had even introduced some regulations to promote business. Compared to other prefectures in the Longyou Circuit, Suzhou Prefecture’s annual evaluations were always in the upper-middle tier.
Precisely because Prefect Zhang was incorruptible, the officials in the prefecture yamen dared not engage in corruption. Even the constables and yamen runners below, although they would use underhanded means to accept some silver, did not go too far. Moreover, such things existed in every prefecture; water that is too clear has no fish.
“Sit down and report,” Lord Yao gestured for Lord Zheng to sit down before saying in a deep voice, “It is said that Prefect Zhang secretly met with Zhan Feiyu at an inn late at night.”
Lord Zheng was not surprised that Lord Yao could uncover this hidden information. After all, Lord Yao was the master of the Longyou Circuit, and nothing in the prefectures could escape his informants.