Watching the miserable family, even Constable Ke and his men felt a pang of sympathy. One wrong step led to another. Yao Damin had died, which was a quick end for him, but had he ever considered how the rest of his family would survive?
"Whose daughter is this? She looks so young, how can she be so heartless?" a woman in a blue jacket asked from the crowd, frowning. Seeing Zhan Feiyu look over, she raised her head without fear, her voice deliberately amplified by a third.
"Did I say something wrong? Yao's son lost his life helping you, and now you're forcing his entire family to their deaths. I've never seen such a cold-blooded and heartless person."
The surrounding commoners nodded in agreement. Old Madam Yao had almost smashed her head against the wall, Old Master Yao was still unconscious, and the four children were crying until their voices were hoarse. The Yao family was in such a state, yet this girl refused to relent, truly intent on ruining the Yao family.
"Miss." He Nuan's gaze was sharp as she fixed on the woman in the crowd. Others knew their young lady was staying at Yufeng Tower and, out of fear of offending the noble lady, dared not speak out even though they sympathized with the Yao family. Only this woman was deliberately inciting trouble.
"The yamen investigates cases based on witness and material evidence. Since this auntie is so certain that Chef Yao killed someone at my behest, what evidence do you have? Since the Shun Tian Prefecture constables are here, why don't we go to the yamen? Perhaps I can be convicted there."
Zhan Feiyu smiled and walked forward. The aunties surrounding the woman immediately took a few steps back, afraid of offending the noble lady and suffering undeserved disaster.
Suddenly becoming the focus of everyone's attention, the woman in the blue dress faltered. Especially when Constable Ke and his men subtly blocked her path, making her expression even more unpleasant.
"Auntie, are you speaking nonsense? Or have you been bribed by someone with ulterior motives to spread rumors and frame me?" Zhan Feiyu raised an eyebrow slightly and signaled to He Nuan.
Before the woman could speak, her basket was snatched away by He Nuan. Inside the basket were only pastries wrapped in oil paper.
"Miss, these are pastries from Hu Ji." He Nuan took out the pastries. The oil paper still had the logo of Hu Ji Pastry Shop, along with the date. It turned out to be yesterday's pastries.
"What are you doing? These pastries were given to me by my relatives!" The woman angrily reached out and snatched the pastries back from He Nuan's hand. Her eyes showed a hint of panic, but the excuse she gave was reasonable. "Because these are pastries from Hu Ji, I went to get them early this morning, thinking of bringing some good food home for the elders and children."
The commoners in the capital knew Hu Ji Pastry Shop, but few had tasted their pastries. After all, even a small portion of Hu Ji pastries cost three hundred wen, enough to buy thirty catties of coarse grain that could feed a family for several days.
Even if the children craved sweets, they would at most buy half a catty of mung bean cake from a grocery store, which would only cost twenty wen.
Constable Ke glanced at the pastries and asked, "May I know the name and residence of your relatives? I will send someone to verify it."
The woman's clothes were ordinary, and her palms and fingertips had calluses, indicating she was someone who worked hard. Her relatives were unlikely to be wealthy.
Moreover, Constable Ke estimated that this bag of pastries weighed one catty. Even the cheapest ones from Hu Ji would cost nearly an tael of silver. No one's money was easily earned. Why would someone buy pastries yesterday and give them to relatives instead of eating them themselves?
"I..." The woman stammered. It was a fabricated excuse, and the moment the officials investigated, it would be exposed.
The onlookers also realized that this woman was indeed talking nonsense.
Chef Xiao walked over and whispered to Zhan Feiyu, "Miss, judging by her posture, she's likely not an ordinary commoner but a servant from some household."
Ordinary women, who spent their lives washing and cooking at home, often worked with hunched backs, so their bodies were not as straight when they got older. However, Chef Xiao and the others had learned proper etiquette after becoming servants.
Especially servants from large families, who were even more particular about their posture and demeanor. Therefore, seeing the woman's upright stance and the Hu Ji pastries, Chef Xiao was certain she was a servant from some household.
"Did Zhe Jing send you?" Zhan Feiyu's sudden question caught the woman off guard, and her surprised expression was impossible to conceal. Zhan Feiyu smiled, "So these pastries were a gift from Zhe Jing to you."
The eldest daughter of the Zhe family naturally didn't care about pastries worth an tael of silver.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I just can't stand your wicked heart for forcing people to their deaths!" The woman gritted her teeth and spoke, then suddenly turned, pushed aside the people behind her, and darted away, running towards another alley.
"This is between Zhe Jing and me. Constable Ke, you don't need to interfere." Zhan Feiyu's words made Constable Ke and his men immensely grateful.
After all, arresting this woman would mean offending the Zhe family. Thinking of Zhe Jing's temper, Constable Ke and his men were genuinely afraid.
As for the Yao family, Zhan Feiyu found them difficult to handle, but for Constable Ke and his men, it was not a problem at all. "Miss Zhan has been in the capital for less than ten days and has no enmity with the young master of the Bai family. The yamen has not yet discovered who took money to have Yao Damin assassinate the young master, but this person could absolutely not be Miss Zhan."
Constable Ke spoke in a low voice while examining Old Master Yao, his sharp gaze fixed on Yao Damin's wife, who was avoiding his eyes. "You came to our door in desperation, only seeking money. But have you considered whether you'll live to spend it?
"I..." Madam Xu, an ordinary woman, was now pale with fear from Constable Ke's threat. Her lips trembled, but she didn't know what to say.
Constable Ke maintained his stern expression and added unceremoniously, "Your entire family, young and old, even if Miss Zhan doesn't bother with you, any ruffian can drive you to desperation!"
Where there are widows, there are troubles. Madam Xu is only in her thirties. Whether it's the old widowers or the penniless ruffians who can't afford wives, if anyone sets their sights on Madam Xu, her family will have no peace.
Seeing that Madam Xu and Old Madam Yao were both frightened, Constable Ke stopped playing the villain and softened his tone. "We will pay more attention when we patrol. You should all go home now."
Old Madam Yao, wiping away tears, looked at Old Master Yao, who was slowly regaining consciousness. "Let's all go home."
They had been instigated by someone to cause trouble here, hoping to get some money to support the four children back home.
However, after Constable Ke's words, Old Madam Yao realized she had miscalculated. Offending a noble lady meant not only no money, but potentially no way to survive for the entire family.
...
The Yao family, old and young, left leaning on each other, and the surrounding crowd dispersed. However, less than half an hour later, a summons from the yamen arrived.
"Auntie, will Miss be alright?" Cui Ya looked anxiously at Zhan Feiyu, who was being escorted away by the constables. The constables this morning had been very polite to their young lady, unlike these officers just now, who had been so fierce they almost kicked the door down.
Thinking of Zhan Feiyu's identity, Chef Xiao was not so worried. "Don't worry, Miss will be fine."
Their young lady had saved the life of the young master of the Bai family. No matter who tried to frame her, Lord Bai would surely not stand idly by.
Shun Tian Prefecture Yamen.
"Lord Bai, please forgive us. This case involves Bai Zhaohui, so the entire Shun Tian Prefecture Yamen should naturally recuse itself." Sitting in the lower left position, Lord Liu continued with a forced smile, "However, although this case is presided over by me, Lord Bai and Deputy Lord Sun can still observe."
"Deputy Lord Sun, please hand over all the case files to Lord Liu." Lord Bai's expression was impassive, showing no hint of his emotions.
Deputy Lord Sun, who was called upon, stood up, bowed to Liu Yu, and said, "Please wait a moment, Minister Liu. I will go and retrieve the case files immediately."
After leaving the room, Lu Tongpan, who had been waiting around the corner, rushed out and pulled Deputy Lord Sun aside. "This is a case from our Shun Tian Prefecture. Why is the Ministry of Justice interfering? And it's Liu Yu, that old scoundrel. Everyone knows he has a feud with Lord!"
Liu Yu was also a Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, holding the same rank as Lord Bai. However, Lord Bai was trusted by the Emperor and managed all sorts of affairs in the capital, while Liu Yu had the Minister of Justice and the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice above him. In terms of real power, Lord Bai was naturally superior.
When Liu Yu returned to the capital after being posted elsewhere, he had aimed for the position of Shun Tian Prefecture Governor. However, that position was eventually taken by Lord Bai, and thus their enmity began.
Furthermore, years ago, Liu Yu's cousin had committed an offense and was imprisoned by the Shun Tian Prefecture. Liu Yu had intended to resolve the matter quietly, but Lord Bai, being impartial, had refused to give face to anyone.
Liu Yu's cousin was sentenced to thirty strokes. Already weakened by alcohol and debauchery, he fell ill after the punishment and died a year later.
Liu Yu had always believed that Lord Bai had taken personal revenge. Although it was only thirty strokes, the constables who carried out the punishment had secretly acted, causing internal injuries to his cousin, which led to his death after thirty strokes.
"Watch your words!" Deputy Lord Sun knew Lu Tongpan's straightforward temper. He glanced around and continued walking forward. "Zhaohui is the victim. No matter how Lord Liu investigates or presides, this case will not involve Lord."
If Bai Zhaohui were the culprit, Deputy Lord Sun would have been worried.
Thinking of Zhan Feiyu's identity, Deputy Lord Sun, whose expression remained unchanged while examining the case files, took down the page containing Zhan Feiyu's information and tucked it into the files of another case.
By the time Zhan Feiyu arrived at the Shun Tian Prefecture Yamen, Minister Liu had already finished reviewing all the case files, including Yao Damin's confession before his death. "Bold! You dare not kneel and pay your respects upon seeing this official. Who gave you the courage to disrespect the court!"
As the gavel struck, the constables holding the court staffs immediately shouted "威武" (Weiwu - Long live the Emperor/Authority).
Although Zhan Feiyu was Bai Zhaohui's savior, with Minister Liu presiding over the case, Zhan Feiyu received no special treatment in the courtroom.
Lord Bai and Deputy Lord Sun, who were observing, remained silent, but they both saw that Minister Liu was clearly trying to intimidate Zhan Feiyu and annoy Lord Bai.
Accused from the moment she entered the hall, Zhan Feiyu still stood tall. She looked at Minister Liu, who was seated above, and said, "Yao Damin attempted to assassinate Bai Zhaohui and was stopped by my guard. Yao Damin's assassination failed, and knowing he deserved death, he falsely accused me before his death to seek revenge. Without conclusive witness or material evidence, how can Your Lordship believe the false accusations of a criminal?"
Unexpectedly, such a delicate young girl was not only unafraid in the courtroom but could also ask questions clearly. Minister Liu struck the gavel again and sternly said, "I am the presiding official of this case. You will answer whatever I ask!"
"Yes, Your Lordship." Zhan Feiyu replied. As for kneeling before officials, since Minister Liu did not mention it at the moment, Zhan Feiyu acted as if it were not an issue.
As time passed, the employees of Yufeng Tower on the day of the incident, the ruffians like Zhao Hu, and even the First Madam of the Zhe family were all summoned to the court. Their answers did not differ significantly from their statements on that day.
Yao Damin had taken money to assassinate Bai Zhaohui, but even Lord Bai had not discovered the motive of the person behind it. Yao Damin was merely a tool being used. Even if he hadn't died, no useful clues could have been obtained from him.
"I have served in the Ministry of Justice for many years. Excluding other motives, the most unlikely one is often the truth!" Minister Liu's sinister gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Bai Zhaohui is Lord Bai's youngest son, twenty-one years old this year. There are rumors in the capital that you saved his life, and the Bai family, to repay your kindness, intends to betroth you to Bai Zhaohui, which would be a beautiful story."
Even though Zhan Feiyu had remained calm and composed in court, she was stunned by Minister Liu's words.
"This is your true intention for bribing Yao Damin to assassinate Bai Zhaohui. Bai Zhaohui will surely succeed in the imperial examinations next spring, and you will marry into the Bai family by leveraging your life-saving grace!"
Minister Liu did not give Zhan Feiyu time to think and continued to question her. "Since you came to the capital to visit elders, why have you been staying at Yufeng Tower? Coincidentally, your guard saved Bai Zhaohui. Shouldn't a guard stay by your side to protect your master? Less than half a day after the incident, rumors of a beauty saving a scholar spread throughout the capital. All of this was premeditated by you!"
Minister Liu sneered, his gloomy gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu. Now that the motive was established, he wanted to see how she would defend herself.