Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 413 One Dead, One Seriously Injured
Lin Shi'an's eyes were filled with astonishment.

Wang Yuan actually spoke up for Yan Yu!

This situation was completely unexpected by everyone.

Even Yan Yu frowned as he looked at Wang Yuan.

The information he received was that Wang Yuan disliked the Lin family very much, and that Wang Yuan was also a student of the former Imperial Censor.

It should be noted that the former Censor-in-Chief was also among those who framed Lin Congrong.

How could someone like that possibly speak up for the Lin family?
The Minister of Justice opened his eyes wide and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Things seem to be getting more interesting.

Zhou Chongzheng took a deep breath, equally puzzled. He slowly sat down before speaking:

"Lord Wang, Lin Zhiqing has not yet arrived, so this matter should not be investigated any further."

"As for this Yan Yu, who knows if he's just making baseless accusations against others?"

Wang Yuan didn't look at Zhou Chongzheng, but stared at Lin Shi'an:
Will Lin Zhiqing be able to attend today?

"Yes! Definitely!" Lin Shi'an nodded without hesitation.

"Lord Wang, this is against the rules!" Seeing that things were not going well, Zhou Chongzheng spoke up again.

Wang Yuan extended a hand, signaling Zhou Chongzheng to stop talking, and then began:
"The matter of Lin Congrong is of great importance, concerning the very foundation of Dasheng."

“The Da Sheng Law does stipulate that if the victim does not appear, the case is void and will not be retried.”

"But the law does not specify whether it is valid if the victim arrives during the trial period."

“Of course it’s invalid!” Zhou Chongzheng replied without hesitation.

The Minister of Justice immediately sat up straight:
"Lord Zhou, you are mistaken. In all my years in charge of the Ministry of Justice, I have never heard of a case being invalid if the victim is present during the trial."

In other words, he did not agree with Zhou Chongzheng's statement.

With the Minister of Justice, who was in charge of the law, speaking in this way, Zhou Chongzheng's words naturally lost their credibility.

Jiang Yunhe's eyes narrowed as he sensed the danger: "Lord Wang, this is not fair."

"My lord, if you feel there is a problem, you can consult the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince afterward," Wang Yuan said calmly.
"Furthermore, today's court hearing is time-limited. Regardless of the circumstances, if Lin Zhiqing does not attend, all the results will still be invalid."

The Lin family's hearts were in their throats once again.

In other words, the court hearing can continue, but regardless of the outcome, if Lin Zhiqing does not arrive at the Dali Temple today, the hearing will be null and void.

This may seem like a minor change, but compared to the previous situation where Lin Zhiqing's absence would have resulted in an immediate defeat, this presents a significant opportunity.

This approach gave both the Lin family and the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion an opportunity.

Wang Yuan was known for his uprightness and rarely had such a moment of balancing things.

It seems he also has his own opinions on this case.

Without time to think too much, Lin Shi'an understood that if they didn't follow the procedure Wang Yuan had described, the Lin family would have had no chance long ago.

"Your Excellency, my Lin family has no objection to this arrangement." He had always believed that Lin Zhiqing would definitely come, no matter what.

Contrary to Lin Shi'an's idea, Jiang Yunhe gave a wink to the crowd, and immediately some people turned and left.

Lin Zhiqing must never come back.

Even if they come back, they won't come back alive.

His eyes were extremely sinister.

Yan Yu's appearance was outside of Jiang Yunhe's plan.

Seeing that no one had any objections, Wang Yuan then looked at Zhou Chongzheng.

Even if Zhou Chongzheng was unwilling, he could not find any reason to object.

He took a deep breath and looked at Yan Yu, his voice extremely low:
"Yan Yu, explain everything you just said clearly. If you conceal even a single word, I will tear you to pieces!"

Yan Yu curled the corners of his mouth; he really wasn't easily intimidated.

He began by talking about his father, Yan Weiyu.

Meanwhile, the guards of the Marquis of Zhenyuan arrived at Qiwu Mountain on horseback and found Jiang Liuyun. "Your Highness, there has been a change in the court proceedings; Yan Yu has appeared."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyun simply nodded and said nothing more.

He gazed at the cliffs of Qiwu Mountain from afar, his mind filled with Lin Zhiqing's face.

Seeing that Jiang Liuyun did not react, the guards became somewhat anxious:

"Young Master, the Marquis specifically sent me to remind you that if you find Lin Zhiqing, you must not let him live."

"If she cannot reach Dali Temple by today, the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence will be safe..."

His voice trembled at the end, and he quickly lowered his head.

Because Jiang Liuyun was looking at him with a gloomy gaze.

Seeing him lower his head, Jiang Liuyun finally looked away: "Since when did it become your place to teach me how to do things?"

His tone was flat, but it contained a murderous intent.

The guard dared not say anything more and slowly withdrew.

Jiang Liuyun sat upright on the ground, staring only at the empty space in front of him.

He had been waiting for three days on the only road leading out of Qiwu Mountain.

For three whole days, I neither saw Lin Zhiqing nor heard any news about her.

Thinking of this, he waved his hand outside, and someone immediately stepped forward and spoke:
"Your Highness, the latest batch of people has not yet returned, and there is no news of Lin Zhiqing for the time being."

Clearly, Jiang Liuyun had asked the same question many times, so much so that the guard had already answered before he even had a chance to speak.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyun seemed numb.

He looked again at the spot where Lin Zhiqing had jumped down, completely forgetting Jiang Yunhe's instructions.

He had been pondering this for several days, thinking about one thing.

If he hadn't pressed him so hard that day, would Lin Zhiqing still be standing in front of him?

Hit him or scold him.

Those are all vivid portrayals of Lin Zhiqing.

At least it proves that Lin Zhiqing is still alive, right?
"Your Highness, Your Highness!" The guard's anxious voice pulled Jiang Liuyun back from his thoughts.

"What happened?" Jiang Liuyun frowned and stood up.

The guard quickly reported, "We've spotted Lu Huai and Lin Zhiqing."

"What?" Jiang Liuyun's eyes widened, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"I knew it, I knew Qing'er couldn't have died like this."

"Where is it? Come quick, let's go see!"

The guard's expression was grim: "Your Highness, one person is seriously injured and another is dead. The situation is not good."

Jiang Liuyun's smile froze on his lips, and his expression changed: "Who is seriously injured? Who is dead? Explain yourself!"

"Didn't I tell you not to lay a hand on Lin Zhiqing?"

The guards dared not raise their heads.

"Your Highness, our men have found traces of them in a cave at the bottom of the cliff, as well as a vine that led down the cliff."

"They tried to get to the ground using the vines."

“You said you wanted to leave survivors, so our men didn’t dare to do anything. We could only pull the vines up.”

"But, but those two were hot-tempered and actually jumped off the vines."

"Idiot!" Jiang Liuyun couldn't help but exclaim upon hearing this.

He paced back and forth, the thought that Lin Zhiqing might be dead intensifying the pain in his heart.

"Keep searching! Find him alive or dead!"

Before the guard could answer, another guard stepped forward:

"Your Highness, they're here! Lu Huai is here!"