Chapter 267: The Emperor is Wise!
t."He didn't call himself a villain. When he said "I", his eyes held a light like starlight in the darkest night, making Jia Ren's heart skip a beat.At this moment, he suddenly realized that this taci...Ergouzi and Zhuan柱 are hateful men. For the sake of silver, they helped Wang's family steal their son-in-law.
But they died a gruesome death, their heads severed and buried in the earth for years. Their flesh rotted away, leaving only scattered bones, unrecognizable from one another.
Both families cried so hard they wished they could pass out, constantly cursing the Wang family.
The entire city was in an uproar over this incident.
In the palace, an eunuch went out to buy things and told his companions about the exciting news when he got back.
The news spread around, and even the concubines had heard about it. Privately, they all felt sorry for Wang's misfortune and found his family cruel.
Occasionally, the Emperor would get tired and rest at a concubine's place for a while. After listening to a few words, he would return to his study and inquire with the chief eunuch.
The eunuch in charge knew everything that happened in the palace, so he naturally also knew about this matter. He then carefully told the Emperor, just to pass the time.
The emperor, interfering in this matter, said, "Wang Bo Wei is a scholar from an esteemed family. How could such a disgraceful incident occur His clansmen brazenly murdered a distinguished scholar. This is outrageous. Send out the order to thoroughly investigate and ensure justice for the scholar."
The Chief Eunuch immediately accepted the order and dispatched a young eunuch out of the palace to deliver the message.
At this very moment, Wang Sanye was sitting in the back hall of the government office, chatting and drinking tea with the Prefect. Although he appeared to be jovial on the surface, his heart was filled with anxiety.
Last night, the business of a businessman from the neighboring county encountered some problems, so he hurried to deal with it. As soon as he returned, he heard that his cousin had been arrested and his uncle's arrangements from years ago were exposed. The Wang family's reputation was trampled upon by the people of the entire city.
He was so furious that he didn't even bother to consult his father before coming to the county government office, eager to suppress the case as quickly as possible.
But this magistrate pretended to be confused and refused to comply.
Wang San'ye had reached his limit. He put down his teacup, ready to speak plainly, when a little eunuch came running with an imperial decree. He quickly knelt down and listened attentively, but the more he heard, the paler his face became...
The magistrate, having received the imperial decree, was even more confident. He no longer played any polite games with Wang San Ye and coldly sent him off with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, “Wang San Ye, as you’ve heard, the Emperor has issued an edict. This official must uphold justice and there is no time to spare for tea with you.”
Wang Sanye's face turned ashen and he bowed before leaving. He hurried home like fire was burning his eyebrows to discuss countermeasures with his father...
Unlike the Wang family's anger, when the people of the whole city heard that the emperor had spoken and would redress Wang Weiyuan's grievances, everyone was delighted.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Since the Emperor himself has spoken, this case will surely be solved. But poor Wang Yuanwai won't live to see it. Who was his son After he dies, he can't enter the Wang family and no one will know who his real family is. Isn't that a terrible fate – to become a lonely wandering ghost"
"Yes, yes, let's all ask, who has ever lost a son"
"Yeah, ask them all, just in case you hit the jackpot."
"Whose family is from outside the pass Have you heard of anyone losing a son"
With the emperor leading the way, the people became even more attentive to this case, and a wave of enthusiasm arose to help Wang Yuanwai find his family.
Anyone who has heard of a relative or friend going missing, with no news for many years, should ask more questions.
Some people rushed to the new capital just to confirm if Wang, the official's son, was their long-lost child.
Much to everyone's anticipation, the magistrate didn't keep the people waiting too long. After two days, the trial resumed.
However, there's really nothing left to investigate in this case. Wang Zhong explained everything clearly, and the skeleton was found.
Even, Dr. Sun, the big-mouthed one, wrote a statement proving that Wang Yuanwai's illness was delayed for over ten years, leading to his current state of terminal illness and imminent death.
This time, the crowd in front of the yamen was huge, dozens of times larger than last time. It felt like everyone in the city had come.
The restaurant across from the government office, especially the private rooms on the second floor, were being sold at exorbitant prices.
But the best private room is still booked by no one.
But this time, the guest sitting inside was not Liu Zhiheng and Mrs. Cui, but a distinguished guest!
Soon, all the plaintiffs and defendants from the last court hearing were gathered again. Only the wives of Erdouzi and Chuanzhuzi's families came.
It is said that the old man and old woman are already seriously ill and unable to get up. A white-haired person sends a black-haired person, no one can bear it....
Mr. Wang wore a bluish-grey long robe, which made his frame appear even more gaunt and thin. His complexion was still pale, but perhaps because of his child, he seemed to have mustered some spirit. His eyes, compared to the last time they met, held a glimmer that wasn't there before.
Only Wang Zhong and Wang E were particularly embarrassed.
That's because prison life is unbearable, they simply can't stand it!
The food is rotten, rats and cockroaches run everywhere, urine is all over the cages, it's so dirty you can't even eat or sleep.
Especially Wang E, the jailers hated her cruelly and sent her to a cell with other prisoners.
These two days, she was beaten without provocation and hadn't eaten or drunk anything. She had been huddled in the corner all the time.
So, at this moment Wang E's hair was tousled like a bird's nest, and her clothes were filthy, worse even than a beggar on the street.
As soon as she entered the room, she threw herself at Wang Yuanwai’s feet, crying hysterically, “Master, I was wrong, woo woo, I was afraid that if you remembered what happened before, you would leave me and the child. That's why I dared not treat your illness, but I didn't mean to kill you! Master, forgive me, please For the rest of my life, I will be your cow or horse to repay you. Please, don’t send me back to prison!”
Mr. Wang took a step back and refused to answer.
The magistrate, upon striking his gavel, had an officer immediately step forward to pull Wang E away and force her to kneel down.
With both human and material evidence, the magistrate read aloud every detail to ensure all present understood clearly.
Finally, the magistrate asked: "Wang Xinqiu, you are the biggest victim in this case. Tell me, what compensation do you want Whether it's gold or silver, or anything else, this official will do his best to satisfy you."
Mr. Wang stepped forward and said, “My lord, I don't want gold or silver; I only want the two children given to me. They are my bloodline and cannot continue the incense of our family for enemies! Also, I request that you investigate thoroughly. Either Wang E or someone in the Wang family must know my name. I want to find my family and return to my roots.”
"This request is reasonable. The magistrate nodded and said, 'Even if you didn't say anything, I would have to ask for clarification.'"
Having said that, he turned to Wang E, “Wang E, do you know Wang Xinqiu’s original name When your father forcibly took Wang Xinqiu to the Wang family and married him to you, since I've told you the truth, you must surely know his name. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer, just tell us!”
But Wang E shook her head desperately, "No, I don't know, my father didn't say!"
Mr. Wang gritted his teeth, his eyes reddening as he shouted, "Wang E, you're trying to kill me! Can't I have some peace before I die"
Wang E clutched her collar tightly and whispered, "If you promise not to pursue this and not send me back to prison, I'll tell you."
"Impossible!"
Wang Yuanwai was so enraged that his eyes darkened. He struggled to stay conscious, turning his head to look at the crowd of black-pressing people below. He choked out, "Elders and fellow villagers, you all look here, does anyone know who I am I don't want to die in my enemy's courtyard. I want to return to my family, I want to see my mother before I die, I want to be buried in our ancestral grave. I don't want to become a wandering ghost!"
The once elegant and handsome official, was now tortured to the bone. After years of hatred, the truth finally came to light, yet he still couldn't return to his ancestral home.
These were heart-wrenching pleas, simply wanting to see their loved ones one last time before they died. Anyone who heard them would surely be moved to tears.
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of voices, desperately shouting, "Everyone, lend a hand to Master Wang! Hurry!"after a while, the third princess let go of her worries.Adding Shui Ling and Shui Yun, plus Princess Three's beloved maid-in-waiting, a total of five people—master and servant—sat in the small garden,...