Shocking Mountain Moon

Chapter 19 Waiting for a result

Upon hearing that there was physical evidence, the hall fell silent.

"Send it up."

A yamen runner presented the small box in Qiu Heng's hand to the prefect of Jingtian. After opening it, he found a jade pendant protected by soft cloth inside.

The jade is good, and the carving is even better. It is obvious that it was made by a famous craftsman. Such a jade pendant is not something that ordinary people can have.

There were words written on the jade pendant: Riding on the Cloud.

"This jade pendant was dropped by the person who bumped into my daughter's adoptive father. Please identify the owner."

The prefect of Jingtian pointed at the jade pendant and asked Han Ziheng, "Master Han, do you recognize this jade pendant?"

Han Ziheng's expression changed.

People in Beijing pay attention to elegance, and elegant things pay more attention to their origins. The masters of incense, tea, calligraphy... the best in each field are not unknown.

This jade pendant was carved by a famous jade carving master. The rich and powerful people and scholars in Beijing with some background can tell which master made it. The two words "Chengyun" on the jade pendant are the name he gave himself.

But he couldn't accept it.

Han Ziheng was about to insist on his own opinion when Han Wu, the commander-in-chief of the palace, stepped forward to look at the jade pendant and bowed in shame: "It is indeed my son's jade pendant."

"Dad!" Han Ziheng couldn't believe it.

Han Wu slapped Han Ziheng with his palm: "You bastard, why don't you explain yourself clearly!"

Han Ziheng was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head under his father's stern gaze: "We were in a hurry to return to the city that day, and we accidentally knocked someone down...but I didn't know that the person was killed."

This light-hearted way of shirking responsibility made Qiu Heng look at him deeply.

"Mr. Han, you rode your horse and knocked someone down, but you didn't even dismount to take a look? It shows that you think the lives of ordinary people are worthless."

"How dare you slander me, little girl? I have something urgent to do!" Han Ziheng glared at Qiu Heng with anger in his eyes.

A little country bitch actually dared to sue him, making him the topic of conversation among people. I will make her live a life worse than death!
"Mr. Han, what's the urgent matter?" asked the prefect of Jingtian Prefecture.

"I—" Han Ziheng received the look from Han Wu, and an idea suddenly occurred to him, "I'm not feeling well, and I'm in a hurry to go back to the city for treatment."

Han Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

With the intervention of the Imperial City Bureau and his son's jade pendant, it is impossible to deny the matter, so he must try to reduce the punishment as much as possible.

According to Daxia law, letting a horse injure someone is considered a crime of injury and killing while riding a horse. The punishment for injuring or killing a passerby due to urgent matters such as seeking medical treatment is much lighter.

"Is that so—" the prefect of Jingtian pondered.

Qiu Heng felt chilled when she saw that the prefect of Jingtian Prefecture was biased towards Han Ziheng.

This would still be the case even with the intervention of the Imperial City Bureau, so one can imagine what would happen if she was alone.

"Sir, my daughter went out with my grandmother on the second day after arriving in Beijing. Because Young Master Han rode too fast, his carriage flipped over. It can be seen that it is common for Young Master Han to ride on the street. Asking for medical treatment when feeling unwell is just an excuse."

"I just felt unwell that day. You accuse me of lying. What evidence do you have?" Han Ziheng sneered.

"Seeking medical advice, who is the doctor?"

"The doctor from Suiyun County, how do I know his name?"

"Ahem." Jingtian Prefecture Governor said, "Since the two of you insist on your own opinions, I will send someone to Suiyun County to investigate and make a judgment then. Do you have any opinions?"

Han Ziheng didn't care: "Just check it out, sir."

"I have no objection."

Qiu Heng knew very well that at this point, the so-called investigation was a contest between Xue Quan and Han Wu. If someone was injured or killed by a vehicle, the crime could be reduced to one level of intentional injury, or to negligent injury, or even just a ransom.

She wanted to see with her own eyes what the outcome would be.

After leaving the court, Qiu Heng glanced at Earl Yongqing who was chasing after Han Wu, and got on the carriage that came to the Earl's house to pick her up.

"The Sixth Miss is back."

After hearing the maid's report, the old lady said sternly, "Let her in." As soon as Qiu Heng entered the room, she heard someone shout, "Kneel down!"

The first wife, Mrs. Zhao, the second wife, Mrs. Lan, and the sisters Qiuxuan were all in the room.

Qiu Heng knelt down silently.

"You said you went to the street to buy cosmetics, but ended up going to the government office to sue Han Dianshuai's son? Are you going to kill everyone in the Qiu family?"

Facing the old lady's questioning, the girl said calmly, "Han Ziheng has admitted in court that he killed my adoptive father on horseback."

"Admit it?" The old lady was stunned.

"Yes. Next, the government will continue to investigate the nature of this case."

"Then you shouldn't have gone to the authorities without telling your family! A noble lady like you is going to face others in court. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Will you get married in the future? How will others talk about the Bo's family?"

"My granddaughter is not wrong."

The old lady slammed the table angrily: "What did you say?"

"I said I did nothing wrong. It is despicable that you knew who killed your adoptive father but pretended not to know for the sake of a bright future."

"What about the Bo's Mansion? Have you ever thought about it?"

Unlike the furious old lady, the kneeling girl stood with her back straight, like a pine tree facing the snow, calm and upright: "It was for the sake of the Bo's Mansion that my granddaughter went to report to the authorities herself. Everyone knows that my granddaughter was just brought back from the countryside, so her behavior cannot be blamed on the Bo's Mansion's upbringing."

The old lady laughed angrily: "You are so considerate."

"My granddaughter only asks for a clear conscience."

"Sharp-tongued!" The old lady was furious. "What if you sue? That young master Han may be punished lightly or heavily, but he still has a father who holds great power! Do you think Commander Han is only holding a grudge against you? It's the Yongqing Marquis' Mansion!"

The old lady became more and more angry as she spoke, and she grabbed the teacup and threw it at Qiu Heng.

Qiu Heng did not dodge and let the teacup hit her arm.

I felt a pain and my sleeves were wet with tea.

A girl's low cry was heard in the house, but it was impossible to tell who made it.

But Qiu Heng didn't say a word.

This little pain was nothing to her, and the old lady's anger was even less important.

"Go to the ancestral hall and kneel down to reflect on your mistakes. When you realize you are wrong, come out again!"

"Grandma—" Qiu Xuan couldn't help but speak.

The old lady cursed back: "You have no right to speak!"

Qiu Xuan blushed and lowered her head.

"Why don't you take the Sixth Girl away!"

As the old lady spoke, two maids came forward. Just as they were about to lift Qiu Heng up, Master Qiu San rushed in.

"Heng'er, I heard that you went to report to the police, why didn't you ask daddy to go with you--"

Master Qiu San heard about it while he was out shopping, and he rode his donkey home with his bag still on his arm. But because he ran so fast, the bag opened, and rouge, powder, wooden comb, purse...a bunch of small things were scattered all over the floor.

One of the colorful clay dogs with a black background was rolling in front of the old lady and looking at her majestically.

"What did you buy?"

Master Qiu San was so focused on his daughter that he only had time to answer his mother's question: "This is a clay dog."

As he spoke, he picked up the clay dog and blew hard at the hole on its body.

A clear whistle sounded, shaking the roof tiles.

The old lady’s eyes went dark, and she pinched her thigh hard to avoid fainting.

(End of this chapter)