Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 782 Questioning
Guo Huang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, strode into the yamen, and the officials who had been talking inside immediately fell silent.

Guo Huang glanced around and immediately saw fawning and humility on everyone's faces.

This was the first time he had displayed such official authority since taking office.

Guo Huang planned to press his advantage and not give Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan any chance to catch their breath. He wanted to get Xie Yuyan's confession before anyone could react, so that he would have evidence in his hands and wouldn't have to worry about Wang Yan causing trouble.

"Guards," Guo Huang ordered, "have the judge, the legal officials, and I go to the prison to hear the case."

After speaking, Guo Huang did not wait and led the clerks to the prison.

"Xu Si Cheng."

As soon as Guo Huang entered the prison, he heard the voice of a clerk behind him, clearly Xu Huaiyi had arrived.

Guo Huang turned to look at Xu Huaiyi: "What brings you here, Vice Minister Xu? Isn't there anything else to do in the yamen?"

"As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, I have the responsibility to verify evidence and interrogate criminals," Xu Huaiyi said. "If Vice Minister Guo is preparing to interrogate Xie, I will also be present."

“Xu Huaiyi,” Guo Huang said in a stern voice, “I have already said that this case is now under my jurisdiction. As an official of Daliang, you must not behave improperly in public.”

Xu Huaiyi's face was tense, his eyes fixed on Guo Huang. No matter how those around him tried to persuade him, he refused to move an inch. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Why won't you allow others to be present when you are presiding over the trial, Guo Shaoqing? Is there something you can't let outsiders know?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Huang's anger surged: "You have made baseless accusations against your superiors. I can punish you right now."

Xu Huaiyi still refused to back down: "As long as I am not convicted, I will remain the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, there is no case that I cannot handle."

Guo Huang suspected that Xu Huaiyi was lingering here to buy time. He didn't want to deal with Xu Huaiyi, but he blamed Xu Huaiyi for being ungrateful.

Guo Huang said, "Xu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, has neglected his official duties and is suspected of favoritism. He is hereby suspended pending investigation and is not allowed to interfere in any cases until the matter is clarified. If the court holds him accountable in the future, I will take full responsibility."

Guo Huang's words meant that if he couldn't find concrete evidence, he would inevitably face repercussions, but he clearly preferred to take the risk. Xu Huaiyi's bad feeling grew stronger, but all he could do was try his best to buy time.

The constables stepped forward to stop Xu Huaiyi, who watched helplessly as Guo Huang led his men into the prison.

“Xu, you should go back to the yamen and rest,” the yamen runner couldn’t help but advise. “After Guo Shaoqing returns from his trial, you can talk to him in detail.”

It might be too late then. Xu Huaiyi took a deep breath, his mind filled with Guo Huang's determined look. He didn't need to think to guess that Guo Huang would definitely use extreme measures to deal with Madam.

"Xu Si Cheng."

A voice called out from behind, and Xu Huaiyi immediately looked over to see Su Man rushing over with Liu Zhi.

Xu Huaiyi breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that once Madam was arrested, her guards would surely go to report it.

"Where is the Imperial Attendant?" Xu Huaiyi asked Su Man.

Su Man said, "My lord has gone to the palace."

Xu Huaiyi's heart sank. Sure enough, everything was arranged. Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen this time to arrest Madam Xie.

“I’ll go in first,” Liu Zhi said. “I’m the lady’s lawyer, and I’ve drafted all her legal documents. If the yamen has any cases to ask the lady, I’ll be there to listen in.”

There are more and more lawyers in Daliang, and they frequently visit government offices to seek justice for the aggrieved. Since this is all permitted by the court, there is no reason why it should be stopped when it comes to Xie Yuyan.

The constables blocking the prison gate looked at each other, unsure of what to do, when Xu Huaiyi said, "Are you going to change the laws of the imperial court too?"

The constables, startled by the shout, took a step back. Liu Zhi seized the opportunity to walk in quickly, not forgetting to nod back at Su Man as he went.

He, a lawyer, might not be of much use, but he would do everything in his power to protect Madam. Su Man remained expressionless. The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review harbored ulterior motives. How could Madam, a weak woman, possibly fight against those people if she were taken to prison? Thinking of this, he wanted to protect Madam and leave, but she refused. He knew that Madam might have made some arrangements, but... considering the bigger picture... the result might be that Madam would suffer.

Su Man disliked this situation, but she couldn't go against her mistress's wishes. Now she could only hope that her husband would find out soon.

……

Xie Yuyan was pushed by the jailer, and he stumbled and almost fell.

The cramped, damp, and dark cell was like a gaping maw of abyss, swallowing everyone who entered whole.

The jailer waited for Xie Yuyan to plead against the cell door, but to his surprise, the woman not only didn't say a word, but also kept walking deeper into the cell.

The jailer frowned; no wonder Guo Shaoqing had to interrogate her personally. Prisoners like this were unlikely to readily confess; Shaoqing would probably have to expend considerable effort.

As the jailer was pondering this, someone rushed over and said, "The young master has ordered that the criminal be taken in for interrogation immediately."

The jailer responded and immediately opened the cell to arrest the woman. He had brought Xie here to intimidate her, but it had no effect. Shaoqing probably had anticipated this and was going to deal with the woman with swift and decisive action.

The cell door opened again, and Xie Yuyan came out.

The jailer said coldly, "The magistrate is going to interrogate you. Don't blame me for not warning you... Once you're in jail, even the toughest bone will eventually have to confess the truth. Can a woman like you withstand those tortures?"

Seeing that Xie Yuyan remained silent, the jailer was about to strike again.

"Are you absolutely certain I won't make it out alive?"

A cold voice rang out, and the jailer froze instantly, as if only now realizing the situation before him. He was eager to gain favor with Guo Shaoqing, but he had forgotten one thing... this woman also had some influence, and if she managed to get out of here, he would be the one in trouble.

The jailer took a deep breath. It wasn't that he was afraid of the woman, but since Guo Shaoqing couldn't see him, it would be useless for him to take action.

"Let's see if you can still be so stubborn when we get to the torture chamber."

Without the jailer's guidance, Xie Yuyan walked straight ahead. When he arrived at the entrance of the torture chamber, Guo Huang happened to be walking over with his men.

Guo Huang had just finished arguing with Xu Huaiyi and felt that he had nowhere to vent his pent-up anger when he saw Xie Yuyan and said coldly, "Tie him to the rack."

The constables immediately prepared to take action.

Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Huang: "According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, torture is only permitted when the facts of a case are clear and the criminal still refuses to confess. May I ask, Vice Minister Guo, what crime has this woman committed?"

Guo Huang said coldly, "You're about to die, and you're still being stubborn. I have already investigated and found that you murdered your own grandfather. The evidence is conclusive, and this is an unforgivable crime."

Xie Yuyan asked, "Is there any evidence?"

Guo Huang picked up the body part and pointed to the clothes dug out beside it: "Old Prime Minister Xie was stabbed to death by a short man, and these blood-stained clothes are yours. With these two pieces of evidence, we can deduce that you committed the crime at Xie Family Manor that day."

Xie Yuyan's gaze swept over the dress: "May I ask, sir, on the day Prime Minister Xie passed away, was I the only woman in Xie Family Estate?"

Guo Huang frowned.

Xie Yuyan continued, "Is this dress only suitable for me?"

"Furthermore, how can we prove that the bloodstains on this dress are from Prime Minister Xie?"

(End of this chapter)