Chapter 128: Blood-Written Last Words

Zu'an was stunned. He had never imagined he would have dealings with officials.

"Have I committed a crime? What could it be?" As he stood there, bewildered, the bailiffs already approached with iron chains and shackles to arrest him. Fortunately, he was accompanied by guards from the Chu Residence. They wouldn't allow him to be apprehended so inexplicably, especially after he had just paid them yesterday.

"Zu'an, are you resisting arrest?" the leading constable said coldly.

Zu'an finally came to his senses. He had been in this world for quite some time and understood the power of the imperial court. He didn't want to be branded a resistor of arrest. He stepped forward, gesturing for the Chu family guards to stop. "If you're going to arrest me, there must be a reason. You can't just come and shackle me without telling me what's going on, can you?"

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it," the constable said, pointing to the side. "Haven't you heard?"

Zu'an turned around and was immediately startled. A large, dense crowd was surging towards them, each person holding banners high and shouting indignantly:

"A life for a life, a life for a life!"

"The Chu family oppresses the people and condones their son-in-law's violence!"

Some banners bore slogans such as "Heaven's justice always prevails; the Great Zhou Dynasty will certainly uphold it" and "Hearts align with loyalty; no commoner's vengeance goes unfulfilled."

Zu'an's brow furrowed. In that instant, he understood he had fallen into a grand conspiracy.

Just then, the Chu couple, Chu Chuyan, and others rushed out upon hearing the commotion. Chu Hanzhao, who was recovering from an injury and didn't have to go to the academy that day, was resting at home, and Chu Zhongtian didn't let her come out.

"What on earth is happening!" Chu Zhongtian demanded, dispatching men to block the "indignant" crowd while glaring coldly at the constable.

Facing Chu Zhongtian, the constable's attitude immediately became much more respectful. "Reporting to Duke Mingyue, Zu'an is suspected of murdering Yang Wei, the Clerk of Households, and commoners Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen. The City Lord has ordered me to apprehend him."

Upon hearing this, the Chu family members were all startled. Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen were key members of the Plum Blossom Gang, which was one thing. But Yang Wei, though not high-ranking, was an official Clerk of Households formally appointed by the court. His death was no small matter.

Zu'an's mind raced. Both Plum Blossom Thirteen and Yang Wei had grudges against him. With their deaths, it seemed his opponents had indeed come prepared.

"Nonsense! Ah Zu has been at my residence all along. How could he possibly murder anyone!" Chu Zhongtian knew full well this was a frame-up.

The constable replied, "We are merely carrying out orders. We hope Duke Mingyue will not make things difficult for us humble officers."

Seeing the officers feign weakness, the surrounding crowd immediately began to clamor:

"Is the Chu family shielding a murderer?"

"Can Chu family members commit crimes and escape punishment?"

"Where is the law of our Great Zhou Dynasty?"

The common people are always easily incited. Moreover, upon seeing officials or wealthy individuals suffer misfortune, most will instinctively applaud, wishing them even more ill luck. Such is human nature.

Chu Zhongtian's eyelid twitched. He knew that if this matter wasn't handled properly, it could easily escalate into a public uprising, which would be no small affair. "Very well, I will return to the county office with you. I want to see how you intend to try this case."

He patted Zu'an's shoulder. "Ah Zu, you needn't worry. With me here, you will not be wronged." After all, he was a respected Duke, and with him supervising, the other party wouldn't dare to arbitrarily judge and convict.

Zu'an felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that this nominal father-in-law was quite a good person.

Next, Chu Zhongtian instructed Qin Wanru to oversee the Chu Residence, ready to provide support at any time, while he himself took a group of guards to the county office.

Chu Chuyan, who had silently followed, was stopped by Zu'an. He whispered, "Help me find someone. When you do, say these words..."

Chu Chuyan paused, then nodded, turning to disappear into the crowd.

Cheng Shoubing also eagerly approached. "Young Master-in-law, Young Master-in-law, is there anything I can help with? I'll go through fire and water for you, no matter the cost!"

"Yes!" Zu'an replied.

Cheng Shoubing's eyes lit up. "What is it?"

"Keep your mouth shut."

"Oh~"

Given Cheng Shoubing's tendency to cause trouble, Zu'an would only entrust such an important matter to him if he were tired of living. Chu Chuyan, on the other hand, made him feel much more at ease. As for Cheng Shoubing, it wouldn't be too late to use him later to disgust his enemies.

Because Chu Zhongtian was present, the bailiffs did not insist on shackling Zu'an. The group proceeded directly to the county office.

Upon arrival, City Lord Xie Yi and County Lieutenant Pang Chun personally came out to greet them. "What brings Duke Mingyue here?"

Chu Zhongtian snorted. "You've sent people to my residence to make an arrest. How could I not come myself?"

Xie Yi smiled wryly. "Today, someone came directly to the county office to beat the drum and report a grievance, and a Clerk of Households has died. How could I not hold court?"

"Who is reporting the grievance?" Chu Zhongtian asked gravely. He needed to find out who his hidden enemy was.

As the group walked inside, Xie Yi quietly said, "Yang Wei's widow, and relatives of Plum Blossom Twelve and Plum Blossom Thirteen. Also, Mei Chaofeng has come."

Chu Zhongtian's eyes narrowed. "It seems the Plum Blossom Gang is intent on a complete confrontation with the Chu family. I wonder where they get such confidence."

Xie Yi cautioned, "Don't be careless. They seem very confident."

The group had already entered the county office. Xie Yi stopped speaking, his face resuming a severe expression.

Zu'an quickly observed his surroundings. In the main hall, two massive banners displayed the large characters "Virtue Upholds Law, Righteousness Enforces Law," instantly exuding an atmosphere of solemn majesty.

Xie Yi and Pang Chun returned to their respective seats on the dais. On both sides of the hall, like in ancient dramas, two rows of bailiffs stood holding "water-fire clubs," creating an inexplicably oppressive atmosphere.

Kneeling below the dais were several men and women. One middle-aged woman, judging by her clothes, appeared to be Yang Wei's wife. There were also several farmer-like individuals, likely family members of Plum Blossom Twelve and Thirteen.

Mei Chaofeng stood to the side, her gaze at Zu'an filled with smugness and coldness, as if looking at a dead man.

Zu'an smiled faintly, thinking, "I'd like to see what tricks you have up your sleeves."

"Since both the plaintiff and defendant are present, this official..." Xie Yi was about to strike the gavel and announce the start of the inquiry when suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door. A bailiff quickly came to report.

"The Grand Administrator has arrived!"

Xie Yi was startled. He and Pang Chun, along with other subordinate officials, hurriedly rose to greet him. Sang Hong's laughter was already heard at the doorway. "Master Xie, there's no need to rise. In this court, you are the highest authority. I've merely come to observe."

Chu Zhongtian snorted, his tone less polite. "Master Sang, you truly are everywhere." Yesterday, Sang Hong clearly favored the Yuan family during the grand competition, and today he was here to deal with Chu Zhongtian's son-in-law. Even a clay figurine would feel some anger.

Sang Hong was not angered. He smiled slightly. "Originally, I was supposed to return to my administrative seat today, but I heard there was trouble in the city. Upon inquiry, I learned it concerned the Duke's residence, so I came to observe, lest some uninformed commoners accuse our Great Zhou court of bending the law for personal gain or officials protecting each other. Duke Mingyue wouldn't mind, would he?"

The other party was using the law to pressure him. Chu Zhongtian calmly stated, "The innocent are self-evident. If someone wishes to paint white as black, I will not stand by idly."

Sang Hong laughed heartily. "Of course, of course. Everything will be handled impartially. I trust Master Xie will ensure that."

Xie Yi cursed him inwardly as an old fox. However, he also knew that someone like Sang Hong would never leave any weaknesses. Thus, as long as he truly handled the case impartially, neither side could complain.

Just then, Zu'an's voice rang out. "It's one thing for the Grand Administrator to be present as an observer, but I wonder what identity this Young Master Shi possesses, and what qualifications he has to observe here?"

His keen eye immediately spotted Shi Kun, who had arrived with Sang Hong. It seemed things were indeed as he had expected.

Shi Kun stated coolly, "My father is the Grand Marshal of the current dynasty..."

He hadn't finished speaking when Zu'an interrupted him. "I asked if you hold an official position. Why are you bringing your father into this? It's 'my father' this, 'my father' that. Do you have nothing else to show for yourself besides your father?"

"You!" Shi Kun's handsome face immediately flushed crimson. With his family background and his usual reputation, he was always treated as an honored guest wherever he went. No one had ever dared to expose his weaknesses so directly.

Rage points from Shi Kun +500!

"What's with all this 'you, you, you' and 'I, I, I'? Don't you greet your teacher with respect? Is that how the Shi family raises their children?" Zu'an's mouth kept firing like a machine gun.

Shi Kun felt a little dizzy. Was today's session meant to interrogate him or Zu'an?

Rage points from Shi Kun +653!

"Bastard! Is the Shi family's reputation something a mere youth like you can insult!" Shi Lezhi, standing behind him, stepped forward and angrily rebuked him, a powerful pressure spreading outwards.

Chu Zhongtian casually waved his hand, and the pressure immediately lightened. He said coolly, "Sir, you've come to the wrong place to show off your power. Besides, Ah Zu isn't wrong. He is, after all, a teacher at Brightmoon Academy. By custom, Young Master Shi should perform the disciple's bow when encountering him."

Shi Kun's face flushed deep red; he felt immensely wronged. Yet, to make him respectfully perform the disciple's bow in front of so many people was something he absolutely could not do.

Xue'er, who was behind him, had originally intended to defend her young master, but facing her former family head, she inexplicably felt a little guilty and dared not speak.

Fortunately, Sang Hong spoke up to defuse the situation. "After all, Zu'an is currently the defendant. Before his suspicion is cleared, maintaining the identity of a teacher might be inappropriate. I think those courtesies can be waived for now. As for Young Master Shi, he doesn't hold an official position, so it's also not suitable for him to observe inside. He can just watch from the doorway."

He dealt out equal treatment to both sides, leaving no one able to complain.

However, Shi Kun felt intensely aggrieved just thinking that he could have been comfortably sitting inside the hall watching the show, but now had to be crammed together with a crowd of commoners. Fortunately, Shi Lezhi had secretly activated his aura, preventing anyone nearby from approaching.

Nevertheless, Shi Kun's expression remained terrifyingly gloomy.

"You, Zu, enjoy your moment of triumph now. Later, you won't even be able to cry!"

Rage points from Shi Kun +444!

"Silence!" At this point, seeing that Chu Zhongtian and Sang Hong had taken their seats, Xie Yi struck the gavel. "Zu'an, do you confess your guilt!"

Zu'an spread his hands. "What crime have I committed?"

At this, the richly dressed middle-aged woman pointed at him and cursed, "Zu, how cruel you are! My husband merely had a conflict with you at the academy, and not only did you usurp his teaching position, but you weren't satisfied and actually resorted to murdering him! Esteemed High Officials, please bring me justice!"

Watching the woman wail, Zu'an showed no emotional fluctuation. He calmly said, "What does Yang Wei's death have to do with me?"

At this, Xie Yi coughed. "Because Master Yang left a dying testament in blood, naming you as the killer."