Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 57 : Case Closed

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“It was a cold day that day, thick with dark clouds and strong wind. This slave was distributing fortune candies to the various imperial concubines. When I came out of Caiwei Palace, I happened to encounter Imperial Concubine Mu-niangniang setting out, so I withdrew to the corner of the wall. It was then I heard someone in the midst of reprimanding another. I took a peek and saw the eunuch-in-charge of Caiwei Palace arguing with Aunt Fuling inside.”

“Why did you keep silent on this matter during the first trial?” 

It was quiet in the hall, except for the sound of record-taking. A few lamps had been lit. Kong Qiu, who had been investigating for several nights in a row, had already drunk many a pot of strong tea. Right this moment, both of his hands were clasped before him as he asked Yinzhu, who was kneeling in the hall.

Yinzhu’s mouth opened and closed. “To reply Your Excellency, this slave thought this was a trivial matter. And because of the strong wind that day, I really didn’t hear what they were arguing about. So I was afraid I would give the wrong answer.” 

“If that’s the case, then why did you suddenly confess?” Fu Linye questioned.

Yinzhu wrung the corner of his clothes and gulped down his saliva in panic and trepidation. It took him quite some effort before he replied in a small voice, “I was scared to death by the beatings of the prison guard grandpa… Ever since I was thrown into the prison, I’ve been listening to the sound of whipping every night. This slave’s godfather was beaten half to death until he confessed everything regardless of importance. This slave is truly afraid now…”
 
“You are in the solemn place of interrogation. How dare you ramble on and on?!” Fu Linye rebuked in a stern voice. 

Yinzhu was so frightened by him that he trembled and stammered while kneeling on the ground, “This slave… had no idea that she would commit such a despicable act!” 

“It’s easy for one to be beaten into a confession under heavy torture. This person’s words cannot be trusted.” Fu Linye said to Kong Qiu. “How can such a confession be submitted before the Emperor?”   

“The detailed discussions of the third trial are all recorded in writing. Whether it’s true or not, His Majesty will naturally make a ruling himself.” Kong Qiu said. “Once the statement has been transcribed and copied, the Secretariat Elder will require a copy on their end too.”   

Fu Linye had never expected a Cheng Yaojin to come charging out of nowhere when the case had already progressed to this stage. He could stomp on Xiao the Second because he was certain that Xiao the Second could not retaliate this time. A Yuan Liu whose name could not be clear meant that he, Xiao the Second, would not have a clean name too. Who knew that Caiwei Palace would be dragged in as well? This was just great. Everyone was tainted. Could they even continue to investigate this case in-depth? 
Fu Linye could immediately tell that this Yinzhu was not a simple man. He waited until the third trial before he was willing to voice this out. Most likely, someone had planted him here to wait! 

Fu Linye was burning with anxiety. He was different from Wei Huaixing, who had the Wei Clan behind him, while the Wei Clan had ties to the other clans. Even if Wei Huaixing could not explain himself, he would only end up with a punishment based on the outcome of the investigation. But what about him? He had no influential clan to fall back on! 

Seeing his expression undergoing several changes, Kong Qiu said, “Caiwei Palace is the imperial harem after all. It’s not appropriate for us external ministers to investigate, so we still have to discuss this matter before the Emperor. Your Excellency Fu, go back and get some rest. We’ll meet again before the Emperor.”