Chapter 522: General Liao’s Self-seeking For Humiliation
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
“Master Hei, there must be some misunderstanding!” By the time Liao Qingtian realized that he was pointed out, his first reaction was to clarify himself, “I’ve been running errands between the yamen and Bayview Seafood Restaurant. How could it be possible for me to send someone to commit a crime? Is someone trying to slander me? How dare they try to kill Master Hei in broad daylight? Even if I’m the bravest man, I would not dare to instruct anyone to do this!”
Liao Qingtian showed that he was really infuriated. He was wise enough to act in such a manner, and more importantly, as he paused, he did not forget to mention Helian Wei Wei, “Lord Wei, why are you ignoring the disturbance created by someone else? The court had to offer you plentiful of salary, so you better do your job!”
In fact, in normal circ.u.mstances, the local magistrate had to take responsibility for something that had happened in the provincial capital.
Liao Qingtian’s accusation was right. This was the reason why he dared to do so. He was obviously prepared for this from the beginning, ensuring no yamen runners meddling in this incident.
Without those yamen runners, Wei could not take action even if he did receive any news.
As for this incident, he would be blamed for being careless at most, but for Magistrate Wei, he could hardly escape himself from blame!
However, Liao Qingtian was not expecting to hurt Heize by accident.
Thanks to this commotion, the punishment for Wei would get increasingly heavier as well!
Liao Qingtian’s saying had caused some to respond to his words. After hearing his words, the lords sitting aside understood his purpose and looked toward Helian Wei Wei. “Lord Wei, Master Hei was seriously injured but the yamen is not sending any yamen runners to investigate? This is not right.”
“That’s true. The official’s salary given to the yamen from the court isn’t for no purpose.”
“What is the point of setting a yamen if the safety of the capital could not be taken care of?”
The sounds of punitive requests were covering up Helian Wei Wei like the tide.
Liao Qingtian did not know that Heize and Helian Wei Wei had known each other. So he seized the opportunity to clarify himself, “Master Hei, you’ve heard the words from the lords. Although I’m in charge of the City Defense Army, I couldn’t control if any accident happens in this city. If I’ve known that Master Hei had come to the provincial capital, I would send guards to protect you!”
“It’s easier said than done, General Liao,” Helian Wei Wei laughed faintly and answered in a light tone.
While Liao Qingtian put on a stern face, he uttered “Lord Wei, please stop slandering me. Again I ask, why didn’t you send some yamen runners to investigate when someone has created a disturbance? Lord Wei, I don’t think you’re eligible to be a magistrate for your dereliction of duty to this extent!”
Liao Qingtian thought that Helian Wei Wei had sent n.o.body over so he kept asking this question.
Yet, to his surprise, Helian Wei Wei raised the corner of her lips upon hearing his interrogation. She answered unhurriedly, “Who said that I didn’t bother about this incident?”
“Did you?” Liao Qingtian sounded unbelievable.
It was impossible!
All of the yamen runners were at his beck and call. They would definitely not leave the yamen without his order!
How did Wei take care of this matter?
Helian Wei Wei gazed at Liao Qingtian while revealing an expression that resembled a smile. “General Liao sounded astonished that I did bother about this incident. Why? Is General Liao not hoping for this?”
“I’m just asking you,” Liao Qingtian squinted his eyes.
Helian Wei Wei quirked up the corner of her lips. “General Liao has been asking me why I didn’t send any yamen runners for rescue. The answer is simple, they are not under my control. It’s so ridiculous that no one in the yamen would listen to me as a magistrate. Contrarily, they obeyed only to General Liao’s order. The people in the provincial capital are really loyal and devoted to General Liao.”
Upon hearing Helian Wei Wei’s words, Liao Qingtian was shocked and quickly looked toward the Retired Emperor subconsciously. Noticing that the Retired Emperor frowned his eyebrows, he raged in a guilty conscience. “Lord Wei, I’m just telling the truth, why are you slandering me? You said that you took care of the matter, then why was Master Hei still seriously injured? Do you think that those lords sitting in front don’t even have the ability to a.n.a.lyze this incident?”
After all, he did not believe that Wei was capable of defeating his a.s.sa.s.sins!
As expected, Helian Wei Wei remained silent after hearing this question.
Liao Qingtian was getting more complacent, “Lord Wei, facts are facts, why are you still trying to turn things upside down? The same goes to your accusation toward the Bayview Restaurant. It’s ridiculous!”
“Have you done speaking?” Heize, who stayed silent from the beginning walked out slowly. There were taunts inside his eyes. “It’s my first time having to encounter a person with invincible shamelessness. Honestly speaking, if Wei, Lord Wei did not show up there, I’m afraid that I would already be dead in the alley.”
This one single sentence slapped Liao Qingtian right in his face!
His smirk stiffed immediately at the corner of his lips!
Liao Qingtian’s tone changed and sweat was drenched on his forehead. “Hehe, I see. Lord Wei should’ve explained it clearly just now. I’m sorry that I have misunderstood.”
However, he really could not figure out who did Wei send out for the rescue!
“Is General Liao trying to s.h.i.+rk your responsibility with a single word ‘misunderstood’? Dream on!” Helian Wei Wei spoke in a cold voice while gazing at him.
At the moment, Liao Qingtian had no idea on what he should say as he met with the Retired Emperor’s enquiring gaze stiffly. He was thrown into a panic, “I…”
“Lord Wei,” Elder Helian spoke duly. “There’s no need to make things difficult for him. After all, Master Hei was injured inside the provincial capital and the safety concern should be the yamen’s responsibility.”
Couldn’t stand anymore?
Helian Wei Wei raised her thin lips while smirking, her face behind the semi-covered mask was filled with evilness.
With the support from Elder Helian, Liao Qingtian recovered to his expression as before, “The elder is right. Lord Wei. Since you’ve asked me lots of questions, so now it is my turn to ask you. Is it because of my brother who had accused you of embezzlement in Fuping so now you’re against the Liao family?”
“Embezzlement?” Helian Wei Wei stared at him with mockery eyes. “General Liao, are you making fools of the people up here? Did the way I dress look like an offender in corruption?”
Liao Qingtian sneered, “The attire doesn’t prove anything for someone. As the saying goes, cats hide their claws. As for the case that is still under investigation, originally I don’t want to come to a conclusion too soon but Lord Wei has been trying to plant false evidence against me repeatedly. Even Master Hei’s injuries are said to be my fault too. I am wronged. Thus, I have to show the evidence. Anyone, please hand over the confession written by the convicts to all the lords present here.”