Traveling through ancient times: daily life on the run

Chapter 322 The Bai Family Case

"What else can we do? Just detain him first! Then we can torture him slowly when we get back. I don't believe his mouth is tougher than our torture instruments."

"Sister Luo Yu is very smart."

I had thought the case was almost over, but Eunuch Yao suddenly spoke up, "Let's not try this case anymore. I'll take it back to the palace and report it to the Emperor. If that doesn't work, bring the Bai family's second wife to the court and let the Emperor judge her. If there's evidence, I'm sure the Empress won't just shield a guilty person."

Zhu Jinyou sneered: "Can't your Imperial City Department directly investigate this case? Why make things difficult for my brother?"

When Ma San heard this, he wondered why a man from the Imperial City Bureau and a prince would get involved in the Bai family's affairs?

Although the second branch of the Bai family has the support of the Queen, I wonder if it can hold on?

Eunuch Yao sighed, "It is precisely because the Bai family's affairs are implicated by the Empress that this old servant must give a thorough explanation to the Emperor. This case cannot be dismissed with a single trial."

"That's perfect. This time I'll go back to the capital with Chief Envoy Yao to see what the Emperor decides. If I really marry Bai Fengchu, I can't get myself into trouble."

Ma San was shocked: "Bai Fengchu is not dead?"

Lord Zhang was extremely surprised and asked quickly, "Bold Ma San, did you see her die right before your eyes? Why are you questioning her now?"

"Your Excellency, I don't know. I just heard from the bandits who escaped later that the eldest daughter of the Bai family jumped off a cliff and died."

After hearing this, Bai Lingyi retorted, "Impossible! The bandits were all killed by Bai Hu, so how could any of them have escaped? There were a few bandits who escaped with you, but you forced my sister and her maid to jump off the cliff."

Ma San was panicked. It would have been better if he hadn't said this. Now that he said it, he would be exposed.

The lawyer who was recording the case on the side wrote furiously, not daring to miss a single word.

Lord Zhang suddenly understood and slammed the gavel on the table, saying, "Since this is the case, Ma San participated in the kidnapping and murder of Bai Fengchu, the eldest daughter of the Bai family. He should be executed in the future. If he can make meritorious contributions and report the mastermind behind this, he can be spared the death penalty but not the punishment of life."

Ma San wondered if this case still needed multiple reviews. How could the prefect have just handed down a sentence? If he had truly reported the Bai family's second branch's crimes, he'd probably be on the verge of death. What was he supposed to do?

Qin Bingrui and Luo Yu looked at each other in bewilderment. The fact that Lord Zhang did not use torture arbitrarily was beyond their imagination. They did not expect that although this man was timid and submissive, he was still quite opinionated when it came to trying cases.

The tactic of forcing a confession by torture cannot be used casually, but when dealing with people like Ma San, the most efficient way is to chop off their heads.

Seeing Ma San's doubts, Lord Zhang softened his tone. "Ma San, if you're afraid of retaliation from the Bai family's second branch and dare not confess, rest assured. His Royal Highness Prince Ning and Chief Envoy Yao will personally escort you back to Muzhou City to try the Bai family case. As long as you perform meritorious deeds to atone for your sins, you will be spared."

"Really?" Ma San was slightly shaken.

The second wife of the Bai family bribed him to frame the eldest lady of the Bai family and two young ladies. Although there is no evidence to prove this, he did receive a huge sum of money from the second wife at that time. Because he was afraid of being killed by the second wife's family to silence him, he also stole a red agate gold ring inlaid with the second wife's maiden name. The magical thing about this ring is that the second wife always wore it on her hand. If she had not personally come into contact with Ma San several times, Ma San would have no chance of stealing this ring.

Ma San knew that a ring was not enough as evidence. If there was a real confrontation in the future, what would he do if he couldn't please both sides?

You have to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Qin Bingrui and Luo Yu emerged from behind the scenes at this time.

"I have a good idea that can directly convict the second branch of the Bai family."

Luo Yu's cunning gaze first fell on Ma San, then moved to the faces of Eunuch Yao and Zhu Jinyou, and finally, fixed on the gavel of Lord Zhang.

Ma San shuddered. This girl's figure really resembled Bai Fengchu. But if you only looked at her face, it looked a little gloomy and not like a young girl at all.

Mr. Zhang was overjoyed and asked hurriedly, "Miss, please tell me what you have planned?"

Luo Yu looked at Ma San again, and his sharp gaze made Ma San feel uncomfortable all over.

Her tone was extremely cold: "Ma San, I know you must have something from the Bai family's second branch on you. If you are willing to hand it over, I will find a way to make the Bai family's second branch let you go."

Ma San's voice couldn't help but tremble: "What, what do you mean?"

Qin Bingrui chuckled and said, "What I mean is, if you don't hand it over, we will spread the word that you have evidence against the second branch of the Bai family."

"I, I have the red agate gold ring that the Second Madam of the Bai family often wears on her hand. But this only proves that I have had some contact with the Second Madam of the Bai family. It doesn't mean that she ordered me to do anything."

Luo Yu chuckled lightly: "It seems that you are quite knowledgeable about the law. Therefore, in the end, you will be the only one to bear the responsibility for this matter. If you die cleanly, I believe the second branch of the Bai family will be relieved."

"Girl, I will give you the ring. Please be magnanimous and save my life. I don't want to die now. As long as you ask me to do something, I will give you all my money and work like a slave for you..."

Everyone: It turns out that what you said just now is not as good as what the girl said.

Luo Yu was too lazy to pay attention to Ma San.

He turned and bowed to Master Zhang, saying, "Master Zhang, if I had this ring, I would have a way to convict the second branch of the Bai family."

"Oh, then tell me about it."

Luo Yu walked up to Fang and whispered his thoughts in her ear.

Fang's face turned pale instantly, but she nodded without hesitation.

Afterwards, Luo Yu wrote his plan on a piece of paper and passed it to Eunuch Yao and Zhu Jinyou, and then to Lord Zhang.

After reading the note, Lord Zhang saw that Prince Ning and Eunuch Yao both nodded in agreement, so he hastily closed Ma San's case and asked his lawyer to organize the files and send someone to Muzhou City for a retrial.

Ma San's body collapsed. He knew he could still be of some use and wouldn't be beheaded soon, but he was so frightened that his legs went limp. The two yamen runners who helped him escape were only waiting to be executed in the autumn.

After Ma San was imprisoned again, all the people sent to guard him were Ning Wang's men. Presumably, no one would dare to break into the prison this time.

On the way back, Luo Yu saw that Fang looked unhappy, so she asked Bai Lingyi to take her back first, and she and Qin Bingrui prepared to go shopping.

Qin Bingrui whispered to Luo Yu, "Sister, how are you going to convict me?"

"I just asked my mother if we could reopen the grave where Bai Fengchu was buried."

"..."

"Even if Ma San confesses and incriminates the Bai family's second wife, I don't think the Bai family's second wife will admit it. So, we can only put Ma San aside for the time being and just say that the discovery of the Bai family's second wife's ring in Bai Fengchu's deceased body is enough to prove that the gang of robbers was sent by the Bai family's second wife."

"Sister, you're really smart. Although fabricating evidence is unethical, this is obviously the only despicable way to deal with people like this. Besides, the Bai family's second branch never had any direct contact with the bandits. They will definitely deny it and will definitely say that Ma San is deliberately framing them."

"Then we'll see how they fight each other. Anyway, the evidence is solid. When we get to Muzhou, we'll use this ring to scare the maids under Mrs. Bai Er. As long as her maids admit that the ring is her personal belongings, then since it was found on Bai Fengchu's body, it must be related to Mrs. Bai Er.

Unless Madam Bai Er can prove that Ma San took the ring from her, it would only prove that she was in cahoots with the bandits who killed Bai Fengchu. Otherwise, where did the bandits get the ring from?

"Sister, this move of yours is ruthless. Just clearing Ma San of all charges is too easy for him, isn't it?"

"Even if he wasn't the main perpetrator, isn't murdering Wu Wanqian, robbing a large amount of money, and escaping prison also a capital offense? Three deaths wouldn't be a pity."

After Fang and Bai Lingyi returned home, Fang told Bai Lingyi about Luo Yu's plan.

After some thought, Bai Lingyi spoke earnestly to Fang: "Mother, I believe in what Sister Luo Hong has done. I believe that Sister Luo Hong's spirit in heaven will understand her. Besides, it's time for Sister Luo Hong to return home."

"I never thought that our eldest branch of the Bai family would finally get revenge one day. Yi'er, you must study hard and learn all the skills to become a person like your sister Luo Yu."

"Yes, I will. In my heart, Sister Luo Yu has always been as important as my own sister."

Mrs. Fang was so relieved that she smiled and laughed, tears welling up in her eyes. Her Chu'er could finally go home!

Bai Lingyi was at a loss as to what to do. He knew his mother was crying tears of joy. He was happy too, and excited enough to want to cry, but he was a man and couldn't shed tears easily.

He didn't know how to comfort his mother. He was now more than half a head taller than his mother. In the future, the eldest branch of the Bai family would still need to rely on him to support the family.

Fang looked at Bai Lingyi's childish face kindly. He stood in front of her, straight and tall, as if he had grown into a grown man in an instant.

These days, Bai Lingyi's growth is visibly rapid. He is no longer the pampered and somewhat stubborn little boy. Fang's eyes are moist and a warm current surges in her heart.

"Mom, I will go back this year to take the college entrance examination. I want to stay with Sister Luo Yu and Brother Bing Rui."

"Okay, our Yi'er? We must establish our hearts for the world, our lives for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the past sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity."

Bai Lingyi understood what his mother said. If it weren't for Sister Luo Hong using the help of His Royal Highness Prince Ning and Chief Envoy Yao, even if they found Ma San, how could they bring down the second branch of the Bai family?

They were born into wealthy merchant families, but without the backing of the powerful, they were driven into desperation. But what about ordinary people? What about those who have suffered injustice? Where can they find a forum to appeal for injustice and grievances?

Does the perfect world that Sister Luo Yu talks about really exist? If he were to become an official, would the government really be able to address the injustices of the world and the grievances of the lower classes?

At this moment, Bai Lingyi suddenly understood that Sister Luo Hong and Brother Bing Rui were single-handedly challenging this class with solidified authority.