Chapter 57 (1/2)
Chapter 57 Abysmal: A Close Call
Feng Luodi had been detained in her room in Situ’s courtyard for the past three days, but thanks to the regular visits of Qi Jianqiu, her days hadn’t been too unbearable. She was afraid at times, being unable to do anything about how predicament, but she placed her faith in Situ and Jiang Moyin, knowing that they would do their best to help her get out of this predicament.. An elder brother and good friends – that is my biggest reward in this world.
On the third day, a member of the Covert Guard appeared before Situ in his study.
“General, we have found the families of the seven merchants. Unfortunately, I had to kill a few of their captors in the fray.” The Guard knelt on the floor on one knee.
“That is fine. Have the families been escorted to the yamen?” Situ stood up.
“Yes.” The Guard paused. “However, the captors that we have subdued denied working for the 7th Prince; the Administrator had not pressed the issue.”
“Have the merchants changed their statements?” That was what Situ was more concerned about. I will have more time to sort out the Administrator in the future.
“Yes, they have. They now say that they were blackmailed by Zhao, the owner of the Mingxuan Zither Emporium, into falsifying their statements. The Administrator has already sent orders to bring in Zhao.”
“Good. I will head to the yamen first. Monitor the constables when they escort Luodi to the yamen.”
“Yes, General, I understand.”
When Feng Luodi reached the yamen escorted by uniformed constables, she saw Situ sitting inside, his features uncharacteristically angry. Seated in the hall, naturally, were the Administrator, the a.s.sistant magistrate, and a troop of constables. Kneeling on the floor were the seven merchants she had never met, and Owner Zhao from Mingxuan Zither Emporium. Beside them knelt a few wounded men, dressed in the fas.h.i.+on of mercenary guards. Situ was sitting in for the session, and though Feng Luodi was the suspect, she wasn’t made to kneel.
The Administrator was looking at the owner of the zither emporium. “Zhao Wu, answer my question: were you the one who had ordered the abduction on the merchant’s family to have them testify against Feng Luodi?”
“Administrator, I have been wronged! It is true that I know these merchants, but I was not the one behind the kidnapping, nor the one who had gotten them to slander Miss Feng. Please believe me, Administrator!”
“How outrageous, still trying to lie through your teeth?” The Administrator pointed at the seven merchants beside him. “Are these merchants not commissioned by you for Feng Luodi?”
“Yes, they are. But I have no idea why their families were abducted, nor did I know that they were blackmailed to slander Miss Feng. Please believe me, Administrator!”
“Is he speaking the truth?” The Administrator asked the merchants.
The merchants exchanged looks, and the leader, Merchant Wei, spoke up hesitantly. “I’m not very sure about that, sir. I am acquainted with Zhao Wu, but I cannot confirm if he is involved in this.”
The Administrator furrowed his brows, and turned to the wounded guards kneeling on the floor. “Were you instructed by this man?”
The guards shook their head in unison. “We’ve never met him before.”
Feng Luodi frowned. At the rate this goes, Zhao Wu would be released as a free man. But there’s no way that he didn’t partic.i.p.ate in this!
The Administrator was conflicted. He wanted very much to end the case as it is, but he knew Situ and Jiang Moyin wouldn’t let Zhao Wu’s involvement slide like that. Just as he was thinking of what else to do, the constable brought in another man, dressed in black.
“Sir, this man had turned himself in, confessing that he is the person who had kidnapped the families of the merchants and blackmailed them.”
“Who are you? Why did you want to frame Feng Luodi? Tell me the details of how you’d kidnapped and blackmailed the merchants.” The Administrator quickly commanded him.
The man replied the Administrator’s questions. Out of the corner of the eye, Feng Luodi saw Situ leave the hall.
Outside, a member of the Covert Guard reported to Situ.
“General, this is indeed the man I’d seen the other time. Do you need me to testify that he is a follower of the 7th Prince?”
Situ shook his head. “He is a sis.h.i.+, a phantom without any official ident.i.ty. There is nothing we can prove his affiliation with the 7th Prince.”
“Are we going to let the prince go just like that?”
“Aren’t you still investigating the officials from the Judicial Bureau? We’ll work on that.” Situ’s darkened. There is no way I am going to let the 7th Prince off so easily!
“I understand, General. I will see to it immediately.”
“Good. Remember to continue keeping tabs on Zhao Wu. Be careful about it.
When Situ entered the hall again, the merchants were testifying against the man animatedly. “Yes! It’s him! He is the one who had kidnapped our families and used their safety to blackmail us!”
The wounded guards had testified against him as well.
The Administrator smiled, eager to close the case. “Miss Feng, are you satisfied with the outcome of this investigation?” He looked at Situ.
Feng Luodi looked to Situ as well, reading his decision from his eyes. She turned back to the Administrator. “I am satisfied. Let’s close the case.”
“I hereby announce that Feng Luodi is found not guilty, and to be released immediately. Zhao Wu is found not guilty, and to be released immediately. As for the seven merchants, I have decided to lighten your sentence seeing as how you were blackmailed into it. As for Xiao Yi, you have been found guilty of kidnapping hapless citizens, framing others for crime they did not commit. You will be thrown into prison for seven years.”
When the case was closed, Situ and Feng Luodi ignored the Administrator who had tried to approach them and quickly left the yamen. Feng Luodi stopped halfway.