Сhаpter 270: Тhе Firе Моth Party 2
Мо Qianzhi keрt repеаting thе sаmе fеw phrasеs, unwilling to reveal anything еlsе. Shen Du fоrcеfullу suррressеd his аngеr аnd turnеd to lоok at Wang Вuzui bеside him.
Рicking up the gаvel and slаmming it on the tаblе, hе dеmаndеd, "Wаng Buzui, when did уоu join thе Firе Мoth Рartу? Whу did you kill аnd bеheаd peoрle? How dо уоu cоntact the lеаdеr of thе Firе Моth Раrty? Соnfess еverуthing honestlу, and I саn grаnt yоu а whоlе corpsе."
Wang Buzui had led a grоup of Fire Мoth membеrs disguised аs Нalf-Fаced Ghosts, committing murder, arson, disturbing public order, and engaging in countless evil deeds. Even being torn apart by five horses would not be too severe a punishment.
Wang Buzui glanced sideways at Shen Du and sneered, "Since death is inevitable either way, why make it sound so righteous? Do as you please—kill or dismember me. Beyond that, I have nothing to say."
Trying to get something for nothing? Ha! No matter how incompetent he was, he shouldn’t be that foolish.
"Guards, drag him down and give him twenty strokes of the cane. Let’s see how long his mouth stays hard!"
Shen Du was completely enraged. He could tolerate Mo Qianzhi a bit more out of old affection, but with Wang Buzui, there was no need for restraint.
Unexpectedly, before the bailiffs could act, Mo Qianzhi spoke up first, "Great Pavilion Commander, are you planning to use torture to force a confession?"
The sarcasm in his words was palpable.
"Mo Qianzhi, do you intend to defy the imperial court single-handedly? Challenge the laws and regulations?"
"I wouldn’t dare. I merely have a question, that’s all."
Mo Qianzhi’s attitude of indifference infuriated Shen Du. Seeing the bailiffs still unmoving, he swept everything off the high platform onto the floor.
"Are you all deaf?"
Despite Shen Du’s outburst, the bailiffs only exchanged worried glances, hesitated, and finally lowered their heads without taking action.
Shen Du was so furious it made his liver ache. Clutching his chest, he breathed heavily, his emotions in turmoil.
In the end, Jing Lin personally stepped forward, dragged Wang Buzui away, and ordered the Inner Guard Bureau to carry out the punishment.
The Inner Guard Bureau’s methods of punishment were far more severe than the ordinary penalties of the local yamen. As the sound of the cane striking flesh echoed, Mo Qianzhi’s heart turned cold.
He no longer knelt but slumped to the ground. "Shen Du, Grand Commander Shen, have you truly forgotten everything from the past? By using torture publicly today, aren’t you confirming the accusation that the authorities force confessions through brutality? Back then, your father was... Hah, never mind, never mind. Since Wang Buzui is being punished, you should treat everyone equally. Drag me down as well and give me twenty strokes of the cane."
"Don’t think I wouldn’t dare!" Shen Du gritted his teeth in anger.
At this, not only were the bailiffs below the platform unsettled, but even the onlookers outside began to murmur and debate.
"Your Honor, could there be a misunderstanding? Prefect Mo is a good official who serves the people!"
"That’s right. During famine years, he set up porridge kitchens to feed the people for free. He led bailiffs to help rebuild houses for the common folk without charging a single coin. How could such an official be a villain?"
Since taking office as the Prefect of Yingzhou, he had accomplished many practical deeds, earning the deep affection of the people and the respect of his colleagues. His reputation was excellent.
Zhu Yan and Shen Du had learned about these matters on their very first day in Yingzhou.
However, they never expected that just yesterday outside the city gates, Mo Qianzhi had personally ordered the city guards to shoot and kill civilians, witnessed by many. Yet now, the people were turning around to plead for leniency on his behalf.Seeing this, Jing Lin leaned close to Shen Du's ear and whispered, "Sir, if Mo Qianzhi really gets beaten with the board, these commoners might riot. Look, I'm afraid we need to think this through carefully."
Shen Du was well aware of this. After a moment's thought, he said, "Everyone, rest assured. This official will definitely get to the bottom of the truth. I will not let any evildoer escape, nor will I wrong any innocent person."
He then clenched his fist tightly before relaxing it and instructed Jing Lin, "Take both of them to the prison. We will hold another trial on a later date."
After Jing Lin acknowledged the order, Shen Du strode out of the hall and returned to the rear courtyard.
This matter had far-reaching implications. Mo Qianzhi and the others were tough nuts to crack. He had originally thought the Half-Faced Ghost was a hard bone to chew, but he hadn't expected it to be connected to the Fire Moth Party as well. He couldn't tell whether the mystery behind this was a path to life or death.
Just in case, he still needed to write a letter, detailing everything to the Empress so she could make an early decision.
Already harboring pent-up anger, he turned around and saw Zhu Yan supporting Pan Chi as they strolled over.
Pan Chi seemed to have lost all his bones, practically draping his entire body over Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan hadn't noticed Shen Du, but feeling the weight on her increasing, she couldn't help but slap Pan Chi. "Walk properly. Don't push your luck."
If it weren't for the fact that he was injured so severely because of her, she wouldn't have had the patience to support him like this.
Pan Chi eased up a bit but still kept his hand on Zhu Yan's shoulder, shamelessly saying, "What do you mean, 'push my luck'? Yan'er, don't forget, you were the one who came to the clinic to pick me up. You promised to take care of me, and that's why I came back with you."
Originally, he thought he'd have to stay at the clinic for a few more days until his internal injuries were mostly healed before returning to the government office. By then, he planned to pester Zhu Yan all day long, determined to get an answer from her.
Unexpectedly, early in the morning, she walked in, led by a burly man. Her warm concern made his heart feel as sweet as if he'd eaten preserved fruit.
"Yes, yes, I must have taken the wrong medicine, inviting back a lord," Zhu Yan couldn't help but grumble.
The reason she brought him back was simply because Shen Du was also injured. Since she was going to brew tonic soup anyway, she might as well share some with him, hoping he would recover his strength sooner.
Jing Lin had the Inner Guards take Wang Buzui and Mo Qianzhi away. He then approached Shen Du and immediately sensed something was off.
Following Shen Du's gaze, he saw Zhu Yan and Pan Chi standing close together like a perfect pair. Suddenly, he understood why Shen Du couldn't suppress his murderous aura.
Shen Du couldn't help but kick him. "Since you've seen it, what are you standing there for?"
Only then did the two, who had been bickering, notice Shen Du and Jing Lin waiting at the intersection, momentarily frozen in place.
Jing Lin steadied himself, rubbed his backside, and then walked toward Zhu Yan. Before Pan Chi could react, he grabbed him and slung him over his shoulder. "Madam, let me handle this. This guy is too heavy. You're injured too and need to rest properly."
Zhu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "That's fine." At least this would stop him from spouting nonsense all the time.
But Pan Chi wasn't having it. "Two grown men, pulling and tugging like this—what kind of sight is that? Let go, I can walk on my own."
Really, this Shen Du fellow was too tactless, always showing up unexpectedly. He hadn't even had time to properly nurture his feelings with Zhu Yan yet.Shen Du was pacing over when he heard Pan Chi's words and couldn't help but glare at him: "Pan Chi, Zhu Yan is my wife. Besides, men and women should maintain proper distance—you ought to stay away from her."
"Just a marriage in name only," Pan Chi retorted without backing down. "Besides, Yan'er is a person, not an object. She has the right to make her own choices. With my dashing charm and handsome elegance, Yan'er is sure to be captivated by me."
"Different strokes for different folks. I wonder if Lord Pan is aware of how sentimental his son is? Being so flirtatious everywhere seems quite fitting for those women of the pleasure quarters."
The two went back and forth, arguing fiercely.
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