The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 576: I’ll Do It

After weighing the options, Wen Yuanting still felt troubled. If he punished the young girl, the princely heir of Prince Cheng, who came to stop it in such a condition, would certainly not agree, wouldn’t a big fuss break out? Concubine Cheng even sent someone to say that if the sky collapsed, she would hold it up.

By then, not only would it be against the law, but even decorum would be lost.

As for the princely heir of Prince Cheng, if he was killed after surviving an assassination on the street, the Emperor wouldn’t let him go even before Concubine Cheng took action.

But with so many people watching outside, if no punishment was administered, how could he accept the complaint?

He felt like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, and with a stern face, he said, "No matter who gets punished, someone must take the beating. The rule of the Injustice Bell is that a beating must be administered before a complaint can be accepted. You all decide among yourselves!"

Whoever cares!

Anyway, he felt his neck wasn’t stable, so he might as well let it break.

"I’ll do it!"

"I’ll do it!"

Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen spoke in unison.

Xia Wenjin said to Wen Yuanting, "Sir, I am the one seeking justice for my father, I am the one involved, so the punishment should be on me. This gentleman, Huang Zheng, is just my friend and should not take the punishment for me!"

She whispered to Huang Zheng, "I appreciate your kindness, but you should not get involved in this matter. It might drag in your family." She knew Huang Zheng’s family was probably respectable, but this was the Capital City. His mother sent a message through an old servant, obviously unaware of the imperial grandson involved behind this. As just a friend, Huang Zheng shouldn’t take such a risk for her.

Huangfu Jingchen whispered, "Wenjin, if you consider me your friend, then disregard all this. If I stand here and watch you be punished, then I’m not worthy to be your friend!"

Huangfu Jingchen said to Wen Yuanting, "Sir, I am a man, I volunteer to take the punishment!"

"I’ll do it!"

"I’ll do it!"

"Let me do it then!" A voice suddenly interjected, and then someone pushed through the crowd watching the commotion and strode in. It was a young man around twenty, with delicate features, looking somewhat frail, but his movements carried an air of open-minded heroism.

He said, "Sir, my father and my uncles are wronged. It is my sister seeking justice, so this punishment, I will take it!"

Xia Wenjin, surprised to the extreme, exclaimed, "Brother!"

This was Xia Sichen, whom she hadn’t seen since arriving in the Capital City these days.

As Xia Sichen passed Huangfu Jingchen, he patted him on the shoulder and strode to the bench, promptly lying down.

Huangfu Jingchen was a bit stunned. He recognized him as the one he saw the other night carrying Xia Wenjin away, thinking he was encountering a lecher, and ended up fighting Xia Sichen fiercely.

Turns out, this was Wenjin’s brother.

Why did he pat him on the shoulder just now?

Lost in thought, Xia Sichen already positioned himself and said to the government officials, "Start. My father’s case is urgent, no delay is permissible. Hurry up and finish, so the sir can accept the complaint!"

Wen Yuanting: "..."

He’s seen people afraid of being beaten, but never seen anyone vie to be beaten. However, having this young man take the beating solved all current issues.

This young girl, resembling a delicate spring flower, though commendably filial, would die if punished.

The princely heir of Prince Cheng was already unhealed and frail, coming here to take punishment for a friend, if beaten, would also be fatal.

However, this brother was a legitimate candidate and seemed in better condition than the princely heir.

He furrowed his brows, slammed the gavel in anger, and roared, "Outrageous! This is the Capital Governor’s grand hall, is this the place for you to push and shove around? What time is it? Lunch! Hurry up and punish them?"

A few government officials heard, raised the sticks, and immediately began to beat down.

Xia Wenjin worriedly exclaimed, "Brother!"

Xia Sichen took the opportunity to wave his hand, "This is what I should do!"

That day, failing to negotiate with Xia Wanqing, he left the capital. Recently, upon learning Xia Wenjin had also arrived in the city, concerned she might really agree to marry Huangfu Yuxuan, he rushed over, coincidentally witnessing the execution notice.

The sound of the beating echoed, the forceful thumping quickly stained Xia Sichen’s arm and back with blood. However, Xia Sichen remained unflustered without uttering a single groan.

Xia Wenjin’s hatred for Huangfu Yuxuan intensified.

If that insidious and despicable person hadn’t used such underhanded methods to trap Uncle Hua and Uncle Gu, how would today’s situation have occurred?

She knew even if she could present all evidence and truths before the Capital Governor’s case, even with clear proof, it couldn’t touch that person one bit. The identity of an Imperial Grandson provided him with the greatest protection.

This was the court of Nanxia, the laws of Nanxia, though they say a prince and commoner are equal before the law, it was just a slogan. Otherwise, how could someone guilty of abducting peasant women, causing deaths, chasing murder along the way, still live prosperously as Prince Liang?

Xia Wenjin understood this and did not entertain such hopes.

Her goal now was not to punish Huangfu Yuxuan but to save her father and uncles. Not allowing them to repeat the tragic fate of her previous life!

After fifty strikes, ordinarily a person wouldn’t be able to get up, but Xia Sichen, though bloodstained on the back, stood up effortlessly like a robust pine.

Wen Yuanting sighed internally. Tang Jinlin and he obviously saw through Sun Liangcai’s intention of wanting this case to be an ironclad case?

They couldn’t interfere, nor should they intervene.

Yet now things were different, he said impassively, "Alright, the beating is done. Where’s the complaint?"

Xia Wenjin immediately presented the prepared petition, and Wen Yuanting received it. The execution was scheduled for tomorrow at noon. Without substantial evidence to change the course, the case sanctioned by the Emperor wouldn’t flip.

Wen Yuanting said, "Complaint received, the trial will be open at the first刻 of Shen Time, court adjourned now!"

After all, he had to present the Injustice Bell incident to the palace, send people to extract prisoners, and gather witnesses and everything else. Opening at the first刻 of Shen Time was already the fastest.

Xia Wenjin understood this too, all she needed was such a chance.

A chance for more people to get involved, for more attention, preventing Sun Liangcai and Song Chang’s covert manipulations.

As for the rest, she had arranged it all.

Xia Wenjin supported Xia Sichen as they walked out of the Capital City Government Office, many eyes following them.

Several gazes carried sympathy.

If it wasn’t a grave injustice, why bother ringing the Injustice Bell? After all, if the case couldn’t be overturned, all complainants would be beaten to death.

And that case, which had been posted with a death penalty announcement, with clear evidence and a settled verdict, how could it be overturned in a day’s time?