C131 (1/2)
The fact that the case could almost be decided had even changed its nature, turning it into a murder case of framing.
”Yes!” That's it! Someone must be framing me! ” Li Mingyuan seemed to have seen the light of dawn as he stood up from the ground.
”Whap.” A crisp sound came from the chopping board, ”Kneel!”
All the constables nearby stomped on the wooden staff in their hands. ”Wei...” ”Martial …” Li Mingyuan lost control of his strength and knelt down once again. His hand grabbed onto Chu Yunge's pants uncontrollably.
”Great Master Qing Tian, now it has been proven that Li Mingyuan was with us three days ago. Can you let this innocent Ming Yuan brother go?”
When Chu Yunge said this, Li Mingyuan ruthlessly tugged at her pants. Could it be that it was because she came in a rush that her father didn't have the time to tell her the whole story? His case was already more than half a month old, how could there be three days?!
”Three days?” The Lord Prefect found a flaw in Chu Yunge's words, ”Li Erniu's case was sent on the 26th day of the previous month. During this time, Li Mingyuan has been living in this Ya, and you said that you were together with him three days ago? I'm afraid you have probably just arrived at Greencloud City. ”
”No, no, Lord Prefect, you are mistaken. Although it was half a month after the murder, I said that three days ago was not anything wrong, because as long as it was before the seventh day of the month, it would still be counted as three days ago?” Chu Yunge spoke her own words and replied back, but even though she did so, it was too far-fetched.
”You are trying to force the truth!” The Prefect rolled his eyes. Since he was able to say something like that, it meant that she was not familiar with the case. Furthermore, based on his accent, he was not a local.
”Since you said it's a witness and you're on good terms with Li Mingyuan, then tell me about the fifteenth of last month. What did you two do together at the lantern festival?” ”Don't think that this official knows nothing about the crime of Li Mingyuan not only killing Li Erniu!”
Fifteen last month? There were no lanterns in the city! He was bluffing, and Li Mingyuan tugged on Chu Yunge's pants again, ”Don't …” He had just spoken a single word when she was hit by a wood pillar flying towards him.
”I'm asking for a witness, shut up, Li Mingyuan.” The yamen runner immediately went over and pulled Li Mingyuan away from Chu Yunge's legs, covering his mouth at the same time.
Chu Yunge turned her head and nodded towards Feng Yi. This Prefect was someone that could be used, he only needed a little bit.
”Lord, you are abusing lynchings! On the fifteenth of last month, Brother Ming Yuan and I were at a lantern festival, reciting poems and guessing riddles, talking about ancient and modern literature. Even if we have a beauty accompanying us every now and then, it shouldn't be a serious matter! ”
Once Chu Yunge's words came out, the people inside and outside the hall started to sigh. Everyone knew that other than the fifteenth day of the first month, there had never been a lantern festival in Greencloud City, let alone a competition where people guessed the riddle and wrote poems.
”Hmph, there's never been a lantern festival in Greencloud City!” You actually said that you and Li Mingyuan were enjoying the lanterns together, what else do you have to say? ”
”I …” Chu Yunge was speechless, and angrily pointed at the Palace Chief's head, ”You lied to me.”
”If you have a clear conscience and answer truthfully, why would I lie to you?” ”Also, this young man, did you not know that you are going to jail for falsifying others?!”
Of course she knew! Otherwise, the devil would come and wade in this muddy water.
”Mummy Li is here, Miss Cui Er is here!” Outside the hall, the yamen runners broke through the crowd of people and jogged to bring the two of them into the hall. Chu Yunge turned to look, she had casually said those two, she did not expect them to be true, but this was better.
”This humble woman pays her respects to the great master of the Azure Sky!” Mommy Li and Cui Er both knelt on the ground. For some reason, a bailiff came looking for them.
The Prefect's voice was low. ”Raise your heads. Do you know why I have summoned you here?”
The two of them shook their heads. They were both frightened, ”No, this humble woman doesn't know.”
”Do you know what happens when you lie in court?”
Hearing this, Mama Li and Cui Er, who were kneeling on the ground, bowed their heads, ”No no no, this humble woman doesn't dare. This humble woman will say whatever old master Qingtian asks?”
”Alright, then turn around and take a look at these people. Have you all seen them before?” The Prefect pointed to Chu Yunge and the other two as well as Li Mingyuan.
The only thought in his mind was to leave the yamen as soon as possible and point at Chu Yunge, ”I have not seen these people's women, but Young Master Ming Yuan often goes to the Ten Thousand Flowers House, a place where commoners live.”
On this point, the magistrate continued to ask, ”When was the last time Li Mingyuan went to your Ten Thousand Flowers House?”
Mama Li tried hard to remember, and said tremblingly, ”Probably... Two months ago. ”