77 In the Palace (1/2)

Chapter 77: In the Palace

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The crowd understood the situation after Song Shiren spoke. Gathered here were people from the capital who worked night shifts. After being questioned by Song Shiren, all of them admitted to having seen the Fan family carriage head west yesterday after leaving Jing Palace, without returning to the Mansion, only discreetly returning to Fan Mansion in the middle of the night.

Fan Xian observed the situation before him with slightly narrowed eyes. He was quite impressed by how capable the Guo family was at finding so many witnesses in merely half a day. Seeing Fan Xian’s lack of concern, Zheng Tu began to panic. He whispered in a low voice, ”Whatever you do, don’t admit anything. Just say that the Guo family bribed them with money.”

Fan Xian replied with a sigh, ”It’s true that Guo Baokun has been assaulted and hurt terribly. Why would he go through all the trouble and money just to frame me? It’s doesn’t make sense.” Zheng Tu stalled, as he had not expected young master to think in the perspective of their opponent.

Just then, Song Shiren’s lips curled into a sneer as he looked at Fan Xian, ”Wasn’t Mr. Fan at home last night? Why is it that there are many witnesses who say otherwise? Dare I ask Mr. Fan what he was doing in the middle of the night that required so much discretion?”

The capital's magistrate, Mei Zhili, glanced at Fan Xian, and wondered how he would respond.

A heavy silence permeated the court.

Fan Xian exhaled. His face was tinged with embarrassment, as if his secret had been revealed. He answered quietly, ”Last night… I was at Drunken Immortal Tavern.”

Everyone knew what kind of place Drunken Immortal Tavern was. It was perfectly understandable to have wanted to be discreet about spending the night at a brothel. The crowd responded with ”oohs” and laughed and as some people made fun of Fan Xian. On the other hand, Mei Zhili seemed relieved by this explanation. However, a smile remained on Song Shiren’s face as he questioned in a direct manner, ”Drunken Immortal Tavern? Does Mr. Fan have someone who can back this up?”

”Si Lili can vouch for me.” Fan Xian replied awkwardly.

Song Shiren paused before he spoke mockingly, ”Is that so? But… Miss Si Lili has left the capital this morning to travel to Suzhou. What a perfect coincidence, one might think that someone was afraid she might say something she shouldn’t.”

Fan Xian lifted his head and stared at Song Shiren. Only then did he realize that Guo family has somehow forced Miss Si Lili out of the capital. It looked like they came prepared. After seeing Fan Xian’s speechless state, Song Shiren knew exactly what he had to do. He bowed at Mei Zhili, ”Everything is quite obvious now. Mr. Fan had beaten someone and admitted to it after. Please arrest this criminal and decided on his punishment.”

Zheng Tu, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly spoke up, ”What a magnificent conclusion. Just because my master was out late at night, he is being charged with such a serious crime?”

Song Shiren pressed further, ”Then why did you say beforehand that he was in the mansion for the duration of the whole night when he was out?”

Zheng Tu responded in an instant, ”Visiting prostitutes is not exactly a reputable thing to say so we had no choice before but to…” Song Shiren’s laughter cut him off. ”Visiting prostitutes? So tell me, where is the prostitute?”

He waved his arms in the air and bellowed, ”Mr. Guo and Mr. Fan had an argument just the other day and Mr. Guo was attacked yesterday. The attacker was arrogant and claimed to be Fan Xian. Mr. Fan did not return to Fan mansion at the time of the attack and he can’t account to where he was. The obvious truth lies right in front of your eyes. Who do you say the culprit is?”

Mei Zhili regarded the lawyer coldly. Did he really think that he could end the case even if he actually cracked it? Did he not realize that this was not a normal court case? It looked like he overestimated the famous lawyer.

Mei Zhili turned and questioned Fan Xian, ”Do you have evidence to prove where you were last night?”

Fan Xian thought about it and laughed. ”Actually… Prince Jing came as well. Does he count as a witness?”

If Prince Jing was getting dragged into the case then there was no way Mei Zhili was going to continue to judge the case. His face darkened as he called in the people at his side and whispered something to them. He then announced that he was wrapping up the case for today.

Fan Xian was to remain in the capital at all times. Naturally, the Guo family was not happy, but they couldn’t do anything, as their opponent’s witness was an important figure. They could only further discuss their tactics in the meantime. Realizing the boring ending to the dull argument, the crowd left after a collection of disappointed sighs.

As Fan Xian and Zheng Tu exited the courthouse, they were surprised to see Song Shiren awaiting them.

”Mr. Fan.” Song Shiren bowed with a smile.

Fan Xian returned the bow even though he has no idea what Song Shiren was up to.

Song Shiren spoke softly, ”I am indebted to the Guo family. It was not by my choice to cause any offence. My apologies.” Fan Xian suddenly remembered something, ”Is Miss Si Lili really leaving the capital?”

”Yes.” Having left the courtroom, Song Shiren treated Fan Xian with utmost respect. Fan Xian stared into his eyes and asked, ”Was it your doing, or was it the Guo family?” Song Shiren was surprised as he replied, ”I thought it was Mr. Fan who forced her to leave the capital… so you were really at the Drunken Immortal Tavern last night?”