Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 784 Anger
As soon as Guo Huang finished speaking, the constables prepared to take action.

Before Xie Yuyan could speak, Liu Zhi stepped forward to stop him: "If you want to use torture, does the court have the necessary documents to file a case? According to the laws of Daliang, torture must be signed by an official of the yamen. You may not be able to accomplish this on your own. If you insist on doing this, you will be creating a false case."

Guo Huang showed no sign of stopping.

Liu Zhi’s voice was strong and resolute, and his face showed a determined expression: “If you, Shaoqing, violate the law, as long as I can get out, I will definitely beat the drum to appeal.”

Guo Huang's eyelids twitched. He didn't want things to escalate to this point. If Xie Yuyan could be easily manipulated, he might have been able to just give her a few lashes. But this woman was quick-witted and had even managed to stump the witness. If things continued like this, she might just walk out of here unscathed.

This is something he will never allow.

He just didn't understand where Xie Yuyan got so many people to protect her from?
After stopping Xu Huaiyi, another lawyer arrived.

As Guo Huang was pondering, a clerk strode over and whispered a few words in his ear. Guo Huang stood up and instructed, "Wait for me a moment, I'll be back soon."

Guo Huang followed the clerk quickly to the duty room, where he saw the steward of the Prince of Qin's residence.

Guo Huang had a big smile on his face, and he looked like he was about to bow to the steward.

"Young Master Guo," the steward said, "I heard there's been progress in the Xie family's case. I wonder how the interrogation is going?"

The person in charge was naturally referring to Xie Yuyan.

Guo Huang's smile faded, and he said with some difficulty, "That criminal shows no remorse. Not only does he refuse to confess, but he also questions the witnesses and makes baseless accusations..."

"Then...won't we never get any results from this investigation?" The steward frowned. "This case has dragged on for too long. If this continues, things might get complicated. You need to come up with a solution, Shaoqing."

Hearing the steward's words, Guo Huang gritted his teeth and said, "The only way to deal with this kind of prisoner is through torture."

The manager's brows indeed relaxed.

Guo Huang knew he had chosen the right path: "Go back and tell the Prince that he can rest assured that I will remain in the prison and will not give up until the case is resolved."

The manager nodded repeatedly, and before leaving, he added, "Actually, there doesn't necessarily have to be a result."

It doesn't have to have a result, as long as the goal is achieved.

The steward refused to elaborate, leaving Guo Huang to ponder the matter himself. Was the prince trying to deal with Xie Yuyan? A mere woman wasn't enough to catch the prince's eye; the prince intended to use Xie Yuyan to deal with the Wang family father and son.

Therefore, as long as the Wang family gets anxious and can't help but intervene, the matter is settled.

Guo Huang, who had been somewhat hesitant, immediately made up his mind. Even if someone accused him and he went to the Dengwen Drum Court to appeal for justice, he would still do it.

Returning to the torture chamber, Guo Huang saw Xie Yuyan still standing there unharmed. His face immediately darkened, and he looked at the constables: "Make her kneel down and carry out the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi, who was already prepared, took advantage of the moment when the constables stepped forward and rushed forward himself, reaching out to block Xie Yuyan.

“The key points of the case have not yet been thoroughly investigated using the five hearings method. This is not an interrogation; this is oppressing the people,” Liu Zhi shouted. “Under the emperor’s nose, the dignified Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is openly bending the law for personal gain. How many people have been tortured into confessing?”

"I'm innocent!"

Liu Zhi's cry of "injustice" caused a commotion in the surrounding prison, and soon someone responded.

"Unjustly accused!"

"Unjustly accused!"

More and more people were shouting, and it seemed as if the entire prison cell was boiling over. The two prison guards who were reaching out to Xie Yuyan stopped involuntarily when they saw this.

The prison warden outside also came in to see what was happening. He saw Guo Huang with a dark face, staring fiercely at the two commoners.

"Young Master," the prison warden asked, "what has happened?"

Before Guo Huang could speak, Xie Yuyan said, "Minister Guo, the Court of Judicial Review is the central authority for all criminal cases in the country. If today's events are heard by the censors and officials, and they submit a memorial impeaching us for 'abuse of torture,' it will not just be a matter of right and wrong in a case, but a matter of the court's reputation and your future!"

Guo Huang felt a chill in his heart. He couldn't understand how a woman could use the rules of the court to pressure him. If it weren't for the prince backing him up, he would have been truly frightened.

The prison warden also said, "Shaoqing, what this woman said is not without reason."

Guo Huang paid no heed to any of this and shouted, "Execute him!"

The two constables had no choice but to obey. They stepped forward to pull Xie Yuyan away, but Liu Zhi refused and started arguing with the constables.

Guo Huang was still worried that Liu Zhi wouldn't act, and seeing Liu Zhi's hand touch the bailiff, he almost excitedly said, "This man is disturbing the court, which is a serious crime of disrespect. He should be punished with caning immediately."

Guo Huang thought Liu Zhi would stop when he heard this, but Liu Zhi, a weak scholar, was still like a wild beast with bloodshot eyes, still stretching out his arms to block Xie Yuyan and the yamen runners.

Two more constables stepped forward with sticks, ready to strike Liu Zhi and Xie Yuyan. Liu Zhi steeled his resolve and prepared to fight back. Since meeting Madam Xie in Daming Prefecture, his life had been vastly different. He was filled with gratitude towards her. Her village association and shops had helped many people, and in his eyes, she held a very high position. No one could slander or frame her, especially not in front of him.

Liu Zhi never expected that he would have such courage.

“Liu the lawyer,” Xie Yuyan reached out and pulled him back, “Don’t get into a conflict with the yamen runners.”

Xie Yuyan's calm expression brought Liu Zhi, who was on the verge of going berserk, back to his senses. "If I can't get out, I'll need you to go to the Dengwen Drum Court."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi's eyes immediately welled up with tears. He would likely remember this scene for the rest of his life. How powerless he, as a lawyer, was, and how much he hated those corrupt officials.

Guo Huang couldn't help but raise his lips slightly. He finally felt the superiority of an official. He sat down in his chair and said, "Put the finger-crushing device on her to calm her down. I will then interrogate her." He wanted Liu Zhi to witness Xie being tortured.

Liu Zhi was so angry that he trembled all over, watching helplessly as the yamen runners drew closer and closer.

Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Huang, who had raised his head: "Guo Shaoqing, is the time right?"

Guo Huang's gaze sharpened. Did Xie know their intentions? He instinctively wanted to get up and question Xie, but... all the constables in the room were watching him, and he couldn't delay any longer.

"You are not allowed to speak again until I ask you a question, otherwise... don't blame me for being impolite."

Guo Huang then looked at the yamen runner, who understood and picked up his disciplinary rod to strike Xie Yuyan's leg.

……

After leaving the palace, Wang Yan immediately went to the Dali Temple.

"grown ups."

On the way, they encountered officials from the Jinzouyuan (a type of academy).

The official, holding a document in his hand and looking anxious, said, "Important documents have arrived from Fujian. Please handle them, sir."

The urgent documents required Wang Yan's immediate review before being sent to the palace.

This time, Wang Yan did not reach out to take it, but looked directly at the official. The official's gaze twitched slightly when their eyes met.

"Was the document just delivered?" Wang Yan asked.

The official paused for a moment and said, "Yes, it was just... sent to the yamen."

Wang Yan's face was ashen: "If I don't leave the palace today, will it be sent again tomorrow?"

The official was stunned and speechless for a moment, watching as Wang Yan pulled on the reins to leave. The official hurriedly said, "Sir, if you don't read this document, you will delay government affairs and... you will be impeached."

"Then let them impeach me!" Wang Yan ignored him and continued riding towards the Dali Temple.

He learned the news very late. If the Dali Temple acted quickly... he dared not think about it. Not to mention suffering, just the thought of Ayan being forced to kneel on the ground made him unable to control his emotions.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Dali Temple, Wang Yan dismounted, ignored the yamen runners' questions, and headed straight for the prison.

Su Man hurriedly followed behind.

"Please come to court."

Xu Huaiyi, who was stopped outside the prison, saw Wang Yan first and hurriedly went to greet him.

Wang Yan asked directly, "Where are they?"

Xu Huaiyi looked at the prison: "They've been inside for at least half an hour."

Wang Yan kept walking forward without stopping. The constables were about to step forward to question him, but Wang Yan ignored them and shoved them aside. By the time they regained their footing, Wang Yan had already entered the prison.

Wang Yan had only one thought in his mind: to find A Yan immediately.

At the far end of the prison cell was the torture chamber...

"You are……"

He pushed aside the approaching jailer.

As they drew closer to the torture chamber, an anxious voice suddenly rang out.

"Madam, Madam... what's wrong..."

Wang Yan's mind went blank for a moment, and he immediately rushed forward.

When Wang Yan saw the scene before him clearly, his heart sank even further. He saw that the constables were carrying instruments of torture, and there was a glaring crimson stain on Xie Yuyan's lips.

Guo Huang seemed to be startled by the scene as well. He heard the noise, turned around and saw Wang Yan, and then came to his senses.

"Your Excellency, what are you doing?"

Guo Huang regretted his words as soon as they were spoken, and he met Wang Yan's bloodshot eyes.

Guo Huang had a bad feeling. He was standing in front of Xie Yuyan, and Wang Yan might do something. He tried to dodge, but he was too late. Wang Yan had already kicked him.

(End of this chapter)