Chapter 882: Killing
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ye Xiaoci’s eyelids twitched heavily, and he suddenly felt that the wooden stick in his hand was a little hot. Standing in the hall, Princess Shaoyi was wearing a jade crown and ceremonial robe. Her posture was straight, and she looked straight ahead. Her every move revealed the demeanor and upbringing of a n.o.ble lady of a n.o.ble family.
A sentence suddenly popped into his mind. The land-owning cla.s.s had kicked an iron plate!
Indeed!
Yu Youyao continued, “This common woman was like a drowning man clutching at a straw, but it’s understandable. Our county has no intention of holding it against the commoners. However, the country has the law of the country, and the court has its rules. It’s originally the duty of the government to distinguish clearly and resolve grievances. How can our county violate the law and overstep the rules of the court? Wouldn’t that be disrespectful to the law of the country? Although our county is graced by the heavens and has received the emperor’s grace, and the daughter of a foreign minister has been conferred the position of Princess, we’re always careful with our words and actions. We obey the law and behave appropriately.”
Although the land-owning cla.s.s’s scheme on the streets had failed, there would definitely be rumors about Madam Zhang intercepting her carriage and crying out for justice on the streets. The land-owning cla.s.s would definitely use public opinion to deal with her.
When someone had a good reputation, others would be jealous of them. When someone was doted on, they would be slandered.
Regardless of whether she interfered in Madam Zhang’s complaint, as soon as this matter spread, there would still be some arrogant people who would think that she was the one who did not know her place and relied on her status as a Princess to publicly interfere in the matters of the government.
Although she was upright and wasn’t afraid of her shadow being crooked, it was said that one who had a mind to beat their dog would easily find a stick.
The more rumors spread, the more true they would become.
She needed to be open and aboveboard. From the perspective of a victim, she needed to completely cut off the malicious speculations of others.
As the governor of Youzhou, Ye Xiaoci’s responsibility was to restrain the va.s.sal lords and balance the n.o.ble families.
General servitude, listening to litigation, teaching, simplifying customs, raising the people, and so on were all handled diligently by him.
The Imperial Court issued a national policy and accommodated a large number of refugees. The promotion of the planting of sweet potatoes was the most important and was directly related to him. Now, it was difficult to prevent the epidemic.
Yu Youyao was the key to both.
This morning, Madam Ye had gone to the Dragon Phoenix Temple and even mentioned Ms. Ye to her openly. It was Ye Xiaoci who was expressing goodwill to her.
She and Ye Xiaoci had a common interest. Before that, Ye Xiaoci’s position was on her side.
This was why there was the matter of beating the drum and crying out for justice.
Of course, this was her first step in her plan.
Ye Xiaoci’s eyes flashed, and he went with the flow. “Princess, you’re right. It’s the duty of the government to redress grievances. Some commoners crossed the government office and begged you. It’s undoubtedly because you’re kind and benevolent. The commoners don’t know the etiquette. Furthermore, isn’t it because the local officials aren’t managing it well, causing the commoners to have no way to seek help? That’s why they were desperate and looked for you. It’s also my fault for overlooking this.”
The county office was under the rule of the state government office. Ye Xiaoci had the right to supervise, control, and hold all the counties in Youzhou accountable.
Yu Youyao’s expression was a little solemn. “I was also puzzled. If Madam Zhang had been wronged, why didn’t she go to the county office to plead? However, at that time, the commoners were discussing the matter fervently, so it wasn’t appropriate for me to wash my hands of it. I planned to ask about the situation, but the guards around me accidentally realized that someone in the crowd was deliberately instigating and inciting the commoners.”
Ye Xiaoci’s expression immediately turned solemn. “Princess, do you have evidence to confirm what you just said?”
Yu Youyao said, “Our county’s guards captured them one by one. They also admitted in public that they were paid to do it. Now, they’re outside and guarded by our county’s guards.”
When Ye Xiaoci heard this, he understood that Princess Shaoyi had come prepared. He patted the wooden stick and said, “Someone, bring the perpetrators up.”
A bailiff walked into the hall and cupped his hands to receive his orders.
The commoners outside the government office also consciously made way.
Ye Xiaoci looked at Yu Youyao. “Princess, please sit down for a moment.”
Yu Youyao thanked him and sat on the armchair. She had originally thought that it was a mutual understanding between King Yue Fei and the land-owning cla.s.s.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Madam Xie made a move, the Han family could not sit still.
They had directly schemed against her.
Since they did not abide by the rules of the game, she could not be blamed for killing the chicken to warn the monkeys and uprooting the Han family.
Moreover, borrowing strength was her second step.
After beating the drum and voicing their grievances, the government office would understand the case in detail. After confirming that the case was true, the government office would accept this case and establish a case.
She was Princess Shaoyi, personally conferred the t.i.tle by the emperor, and she had a common interest with Ye Xiaoci. This case was very important, and Ye Xiaoci would definitely investigate it strictly.
Who was the person who had bribed the hooligans?
Furthermore, who instigated it?
Why was Madam Zhang so bold as to stop the Princess’s carriage and cry out for justice? Who instigated this?
Which pharmacy was Madam Zhang going to sue?
What was the cause of Madam Zhang’s husband’s death?
… .
Once the government opened a case, they would investigate thoroughly.
Ye Xiaoci had been the governor of Youzhou for more than 20 years. He restrained the military power of the va.s.sal lords and balanced the relationship of the land-owning cla.s.s. He already had a certain level of suppression against the land-owning cla.s.s.
The government office of the state capital was located in Xiangping. His control over the three provinces of Liaodong far exceeded that of the land-owning cla.s.s.
Ye Xiaoci was from the Ye family of Linjiang, so the n.o.ble families were especially wary of him.
As the case went deeper, the person behind it would have nowhere to hide.
Behind the matter, it was often the case that evidence of other crimes would be uncovered during the investigation of a crime. On the surface, there was only one crime investigated, but once a case was opened for investigation, there were multiple crimes at the same time.
Not long after, the bailiffs brought 18 criminals to the court.
When these hooligans saw the officials, they were like rats seeing a cat. When Ye Xiaoci beat the wooden stick, they were so frightened that they peed their pants. They revealed everything in detail.
According to their confessions, it was already confirmed that there was something else behind Madam Zhang openly stopping the Princess’s carriage and crying out for justice on the streets.
The case was established.
At this point, Yu Youyao’s goal had been achieved. She walked into the hall. “I deeply feel that the emperor’s grace is vast, so ever since I was conferred the t.i.tle, I’ve inherited the rules of respect and etiquette. I’ve followed the laws of the country and followed the rules. I have been careful with my words and stayed in seclusion. It’s like walking on thin ice every day.”
Ye Xiaoci agreed deeply.
Although Princess Shaoyi was famous, she kept a low profile. She kept a low profile and did things in a high-profile manner, revealing the upbringing of a n.o.ble family.
“No matter what kind of scheme is behind this, one thing is certain. Someone wants to use the name of the county’s holy benevolence to instigate the commoners to interfere in the government’s matters and interfere in the rules of the court. They want to implicate the county for being disloyal and unrighteous.”
“Lord Ye, why don’t you think about it? If this matter spreads like this, wouldn’t those who don’t know the truth think that a woman from our county has interfered in the court and caused chaos?” At this point, Yu Youyao cupped her hands and bowed deeply to Ye Xiaoci. “That’s all. Lord Ye, please investigate this matter strictly and seek justice for our county.”
Ye Xiaoci hurriedly said, “Princess, please get up quickly and clear your name. It’s originally my duty. Since you’ve suffered such injustice under my rule, I’ll definitely investigate this matter strictly and restore your clean reputation.”