Years of planning had amounted to nothing but a futile effort; all his endeavors were in vain.
"Fan Shun, the situation has come to this. There's no need for you to resist further. Your actions have already been exposed to the world. Your crimes are unforgivable by law. Guards, take Fan Shun away!"
Ling Mohan stated in a deep voice, and the black-armored soldiers behind him dragged Fan Shun away.
"As for you who have colluded with Fan Shun for years, oppressing the common people, your crimes will be investigated one by one. You will all be temporarily imprisoned."
These individuals had fawned over Fan Shun for years, and they were not innocent of his misdeeds. None of them deserved to live.
After dealing with Fan Shun's affairs, Ling Mohan didn't have the energy to handle the remaining minor figures. He ordered them all to be locked up in the jail for subsequent investigation.
"Lu Shi, you've done well to capture all of Fan Shun's cronies in a timely manner!"
Ling Mohan, uncharacteristically, praised Lu Shi. If it weren't for Lu Shi apprehending Fan Shun's associates, he would have been blackmailed by Fan Shun.
After all, Yuncheng was located at the border with Xiliang and served as the most crucial defensive line for Dongchu. Yuncheng could not afford any mishaps.
"This matter is largely thanks to the Young Madam. She provided evidence of Fan Shun's collusion with other officials in Yuncheng, as well as correspondence with Xiliang. This allowed us to apprehend Fan Shun's cronies so quickly."
Lu Shi dared not claim credit for himself and readily revealed the truth of the matter.
When the Young Madam rushed in with the letters, he had been greatly surprised. However, given the urgency of the situation, he hadn't had time for further questions and had immediately led his men to arrest everyone.
"Young Madam, where did you get those letters?" Lu Shi finally had the opportunity to voice his query.
As the words left his mouth, Ling Mohan and Chu Chenyi's gazes snapped towards Feng Jin.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Feng Jin glanced at the three of them. Their gazes made her feel uneasy.
"Where did you get the letters?" Ling Mohan asked gently.
"This..."
A trace of hesitation crossed Feng Jin's face. Could she explain that she had gone to find cotton to plug her nose, accidentally encountered a servant from Fan Shun's residence, who was mysteriously carrying some items out, so she intercepted him and obtained these letters?
After hesitating, Feng Jin recounted the entire incident. Although it sounded a bit far-fetched, it was the truth.
"If this sort of thing works, then I can only say you've stepped on dog poop!"
Chu Chenyi couldn't find any other words to describe the situation. After all, something like this, which happened once in a century, had befallen Feng Jin. Apart from sheer luck, there was no other explanation.
"You're the one who stepped on dog poop. I have good luck, blessed by heaven. Unlike you, who is unloved and uncared for. The wife you finally married wants to divorce you every day. You should really reflect on where your problems lie!"
Without any regard for Chu Chenyi's feelings, Feng Jin's words struck a raw nerve, deeply wounding him.
"You... don't you know it's improper to strike someone in the face and to expose their shortcomings when scolding them? Speaking of people's pain points and weaknesses like this shows no grace. Truly, it is difficult to raise women and petty people!"
"Not to mention people's pain points would make one a fool! And I don't need you to raise me. My husband will naturally provide for me."
At this moment, Feng Jin still remembered to latch onto Ling Mohan, offering him flattery. The man was quite pleased with Feng Jin's unconditional dependence on him at this juncture.
Ling Mohan stepped forward, blocking Feng Jin, and said with a forced smile, "Your Highness the Prince of Jing, do not concern yourself with how other families' wives are provided for. First, tend to your own household."
After all, the news of Lin Yuwei's intention to divorce Chu Chenyi had already caused a sensation throughout the capital.
The Emperor, upon hearing this, was enraged. It was rumored that he had punished Chu Chenyi by making him kneel at the palace gates for a day before reluctantly allowing him to return. However, he had issued a decree, stating that if Chu Chenyi did not appease Lin Yuwei and bring her back, he would be held accountable.
"You two are simply... simply colluding like wolves."
"Shut your foul mouth. We are in harmony, husband and wife singing together. You are envious and jealous of us because your own marriage is failing. I strongly suspect you have psychological issues and recommend you see a therapist immediately!"
Feng Jin indignantly uttered her parting words and then directly pulled Ling Mohan away.
...
At noon, Fan Shun was dragged by two soldiers to the execution platform.
His complexion was ashen, and he knelt there in a daze, muttering, "This is fake... it's not real... it's not real..."
Chu Chenyi, with an displeased expression, sat in the high seat, coldly observing Fan Shun kneeling there, feeling a surge of disgust.
If it weren't for Feng Jin deliberately deceiving him, he wouldn't have had such bad luck to face such vexing matters.
As noon arrived, Chu Chenyi immediately declared, "Verify identity, proceed with execution!"
Once the matter was settled, he could return to his bed for a nap. He had been traveling day and night these past few days and was utterly exhausted. Now he had to oversee Fan Shun's execution; he was truly worn out.
"I don't want to die... I don't want to die..."
Fan Shun suddenly shouted loudly, breaking free from the soldiers restraining him and charging into the crowd.
Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Chu Chenyi drew his bow and arrow, aiming at Fan Shun's knee and shooting.
The arrow flew out, piercing Fan Shun's knee. A strong survival instinct caused Fan Shun to stand up abruptly. Ignoring the pain in his knee, he bolted outwards.
Seeing this, Chu Chenyi shot another arrow, which directly lodged into Fan Shun's other knee.
With both knees pierced by arrows, Fan Shun lost the strength to stand. He lay on the ground like a stray dog, desperately clinging to life.
The surrounding commoners witnessed this scene. The person who had oppressed them was now lying pathetically before them, utterly helpless.
The pent-up anger that had been suppressed for so long could no longer be contained. They surged forward, unleashing punches and kicks at Fan Shun.
The scene spiraled out of control. Amidst the citizens' roars of hatred, Fan Shun's tragic and helpless cries for help could also be heard.
Witnessing this spectacle, Chu Chenyi was also inwardly shocked. To be beaten by so many people simultaneously was a fate only Fan Shun could experience. The scene was truly astounding.
"Your Highness, shouldn't we disperse the crowd?"
"It's too late. Fan Shun has probably been beaten to death by now."
Looking at the scene, even if Fan Shun wasn't dead, he wouldn't last much longer. Chu Chenyi, unwilling to get involved in further complications, let the situation unfold as it would.