I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 90
Wang Linlang and Mama Lu, who were kneeling on the side, also had knee pains, but they couldn't care less.

Wang Linlang looked up at Zhan Feiyu who stood up, with a twisted resentment on her slightly immature face. She planned to leave Shangsi County to go home, but Zhan Feiyu stopped the carriage!It was she who didn't let herself go that she made a false confession in court!
Madam Lu's heart also sank to the bottom. She didn't plan to go on stage to frame Zhan Feiyu and Master Lin herself, but since she was in court, Madam Lu wanted to seize the opportunity.

Everyone who has spread the rumors knows that with just a few words from the young lady and herself, they can convince Zhan Feiyu and Master Lin of being guilty and end the matter completely.

"Sir, people's women... people's women..." Xiao Yaoshi finally knew that he was afraid, and fell to the ground, his blood-stained face was full of fear and anxiety, "I remembered wrong... There is no mark on Xiaoyu's body. …”

Since the rumors were all released by those who received the money, then the confessions made by Xiao Yao and the others were all false, and it was enough to frame Zhan Feiyu. Although the prodigy's name sounded good, it was of little use.

But Master Lin has the reputation of being a scholar, so it's no wonder that several people are afraid.

In the teahouse, Zhang Xiucai was in a good mood and poured a cup of tea for Master Xie, who was sitting across from him. "The tea is crude. I have half a catty of Longjing before the rain there. I'll invite Master Xie to taste it another day."

"I'm just a vulgar person, I drink the same tea taste." Mr. Xie is over 50 years old, and he smiles like a Maitreya Buddha. He doesn't have a merchant's philistine, but there is a gleam in his eyes.

"Master, it's not good..." There was an urgent cry from the door, the door of the private room was pushed open with a bang, and the little servant who reported the letter was panting, "Master, the county magistrate Chen arrested many people, and they all confessed. It's gone!"

Zhang Xiucai's face sank suddenly, and Master Xie also put down the teacup.

They have been sending people to keep an eye on the movements of the county government. After the rumors spread, Fei Zhaotou personally led the government officials to investigate, but the effect was minimal. prone to anger.

In addition, the county magistrate must also take into account his own official voice. As an official of the court, why does he value Zhan Feiyu so much?If there are any more unbearable rumors, the official career of the county magistrate will come to an end.

"What's going on? Tell me in detail!" Zhang Xiucai suppressed his anger.

The little servant hurriedly recounted the scene in the courtroom...

"Mingxiu's plank road is dark in Chencang! Master Chen is so high in chess that he even asked people from the Nanxuanwei Institute to investigate this matter." Master Xie sighed and shook his head helplessly, "You and I have both been deceived."

Zhang Xiucai's eyes were gloomy and terrifying. He thought it was foolproof. Who would have thought that it would fall short.

Above the court, Magistrate Chen was still trying the case, and outside the court was already crowded with people on the third and third floors.

"Isn't that Mrs. Zeng?" Someone with sharp eyes recognized the woman with a big belly.

With the silk and satin removed, and wearing a coarse cloth dress, Mrs. Zeng was extremely thin, and her belly, which was more than eight months old, was as big as a ball.

"The sinner Mrs. Zeng pays a visit to the adults." Madam Zeng knelt down slowly with her big belly in one hand, raised her head, her pale and thin face was numb, "This matter was ordered by the sinner, and Mama Qian just obeyed her orders."

"Miss, this old slave is just a cheap life." Aunt Qian knelt beside Mrs. Zeng with tears in her eyes, and then looked at Zhan Feiyu with hatred, "If it wasn't for her, how could the young lady fall into such a situation? The old slave only hates not to kill her to avenge my uncle!"

The accused Zhan Feiyu looked indifferent. Not only did the Zeng family sell girls, but Hou Fei, the Jade-faced Lang Jun, manipulated these abducted girls with Zhuyou, and then sold them into Beijing, waiting for an opportunity to steal confidential information and even assassinate them. Assassination.

Zeng Yuquan and other people involved were escorted back to Beijing by Tao Baihu, but according to the "Daqing Law", all pregnant women who commit crimes must wait [-] days after giving birth before they can be interrogated.

Mrs. Zeng did not know about what Zeng Yuquan committed, nor did she participate in it, so she stayed in Shangsi County and was held in solitary confinement.Never thought that she would take revenge on Zhan Feiyu.

"My lord, it's the money this old lady gave me! Your lord spare your life!" Wang Ping, who was kneeling on the ground, accused the old lady who was supporting Mrs. Zeng, and then kowtowed and begged for mercy.

"Adult, the little one knows that he is wrong, and the little one should not be greedy for money."

"Uuu... The people's women are wronged, it's all this woman who instructed the people's women, you harming people!"

"Zhan Xiaomengtong, I'm kowtowing to you, please forgive my brother this time." Wang Ping is the servant of Taifu Restaurant, and he can be considered a bit knowledgeable. Zhan Feiyu kowtowed and begged for mercy.

Others are begging for mercy.

Looking at Wang Pingren who kowtowed, Zhan Feiyu's calm and indifferent face didn't look like a child.

Perhaps out of sympathy for the weak, outside the courthouse, a woman couldn't help but said, "This little girl is too ruthless, she's still a scholar, she's ruthless."

"Wang Ping has both the old and the young. If he goes to a big prison, how can the whole family live?"

"It's still poor. Even if these women go back to the village, I'm afraid it's a letter of divorce. Is this forcing people to death?"

Hearing the discussions outside, several women felt sad in their hearts, and the mournful cries were unbearable.

Ignoring Wang Ping's unwillingness to beg for mercy and resentful eyes, Zhan Feiyu ignored the sarcastic words outside the court, and said to the county magistrate: "Returning to your lord, there are no rules and circles, and the sages and sages rule the country, only the emperor breaks the law and the common people. The same crime, if the law is changed at will, who will abide by the law? The students urge the adults to strictly investigate and deal with them, so as to set an example!"

"This county knows, you should step aside." The county magistrate Chen nodded, and there was a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Confucianism prevails inside and outside the court, but the magistrate Chen thinks that Legalism cannot be abandoned. Many years ago, he offended the master, not because he did not care about human feelings and did not raise his noble hand to the juniors of the same family, so he was demoted to Shangsi County. , a stay is seven years.

……

Mrs. Zeng and Grandma Qian confessed to their crimes. Coupled with the confessions of Wang Ping and others, the rumors became clear. After the signature and drawing were postponed, those who should be beaten should be beaten, and those who should be sent to prison should be sent to prison.

Xiao Yaoshi, Wang Linlang, and Mammy Lu were still kneeling on the court, as if a guillotine was hanging over their heads, and the three were even more frightened.

With a shot of gavel, the county magistrate Chen said in a solemn voice, "Small Yao from Jinlin Village falsely accuses Master Lin, and he will be punished by [-] gauntlets!"

"Mighty!" The yamen shouted Tang Wei again.

Xiao Yao's face was pale, and he suddenly fell to the ground, but looking at the serious and cold-faced Magistrate Chen, he didn't dare to cry out and beg for mercy.

Compared with the caning of a few long-tongued women, Xiao Yao's flogging was already considered light, which made Wang Linlang and Lu Ma's expression a little lighter. They were both false accusers like Xiao Yao's. , an old man, the punishment will definitely be lighter.

"Sir, the student sued Wang Linlang and Lu Shi for poisoning my wife. This is a complaint." Zhan Feiyu knelt down and took out a complaint that had been prepared.

Ho!The people outside the courtroom were in an uproar. They thought that the case had been cleared, but they could have imagined that Zhan Feiyu would suddenly hand over the case.

And Mrs. Lin was actually poisoned, as the rumors said, but the murderer was not Mrs. Lin, but Wang Linlang and Mrs. Lu.

Lin Fuzi and Lin Xiuyuan, who were standing on the side, were also shocked and stunned. The father and son looked at Zhan Feiyu in a daze. If they doubted they also suspected Lu Mama, but because there was no evidence, Zhan Feiyu passed the father and son to sue. .

"You are talking nonsense!" When he came back to his senses, Wang Linlang saw it sharply, his face was pale, and he didn't know if he was scared or angry.

Madam Lu thought of Wang Pingren, who had been brought to court before, and the hands on her side kept shaking. Could it be that Magistrate Chen and Zhan Feiyu have evidence?

"Did you make a mistake? Why did Mrs. Lin's niece poison her own aunt?" Passerby A said in confusion.

Passerby B immediately took over, "Maybe there is some kind of hatred. There is no evidence that Zhan Xiaomengtong dares to submit a lawsuit? Besides, there is no need for her to falsely accuse Wang Linlang's master and servant."

"That's right, there is no grievance and no enmity, and a false accusation is also a slap in the face."

Doctor Ji and Doctor Xu of Ji Shitang were both declared to court.

Dr. Ji said, "Master Hui, Mrs. Lin died of this mushroom, which was caused by too much consumption."

Zhao Zhukuai took a few brightly colored mushrooms from a small tray and delivered them to the county magistrate Chen.

"The color is so bright, it must be a poisonous mushroom!" The onlookers couldn't help but say.

Everyone knows several mushrooms that are often eaten. The bright colors are obviously not edible. If you can't tell whether they are poisonous or not, most people choose to abandon them and not eat them.

Zuo Zuo also went to court, "Returning to my lord, I have already experienced my humble position. Lin's death was due to suffocation, and eating this poisonous mushroom will cause a person's throat to swell and eventually block the trachea."

"Wang Linlang and Lu Shi are still not recruiting!" With a shock, the county magistrate Chen looked at the master and servant with sharp eyes, "Does the county have to use a severe punishment to confess!"

"I didn't, it wasn't me..." Wang Linlang seemed to be frightened, and cried with a wow, her delicate body couldn't bear the fright, as if she could succumb at any time.

"The old slave has wronged that! Please see the adults clearly!" Madam Lu kowtowed desperately, but refused to admit her guilt, "Reporting to the lord, this mushroom is poisonous and brightly colored, how could my aunt and wife eat it in large quantities, the old slave is wronged …”

The old and the young were crying out for injustice. If the county magistrate Chen really used a severe punishment, he would inevitably be suspected of being abusive.

Outside the court, passerby A nodded in agreement, "This old lady's words are not bad, Mrs. Lin is not a three-year-old child, she knows that it is poisonous and eats a lot of it."

"Zhan Xiaomengtong, my young lady has a quarrel with you, but it's just a quarrel between little girls, how can you wrong us!" Madam Lu asked in a hoarse voice, as if she couldn't believe that Zhan Feiyu was eight years old The children were so ruthless that they falsely accused them of poisoning Mrs. Lin just because of a few words.

"Sister Zhan, I was wrong, I shouldn't be jealous of my aunt and uncle's preference for you, but I didn't hurt my aunt... I didn't, that's my aunt..." Wang Linlang cried out of breath, and the tears were weak With a small face and a white skirt, it doesn't look like a murderer no matter what.

"I asked Dr. Ji and asked Dr. Xu for confirmation." Zhan Feiyu looked at the two master and servant who were still acting, and continued: "After drying the mushrooms, grind them into powder. I can't find out, Madam Lu, you are in charge of three meals a day, so you can avoid people doing all this."

Although Mr. Dong also made a false confession because he received money, he was indeed innocent in the case of poisoning Mrs. Lin.

In the entire Lin's private school, except for Wang Linlang and Madam Lu, it is impossible for everyone else to go to the stove to dry the mushrooms without being discovered.

Fei Butou said in a deep voice: "My lord, I found more than 20 mushroom stalks on the back hill of the Lin Family Private School. Based on the number of mushrooms that were picked, drying them and grinding them into powder can kill people."

"Is it really the two of them?" Hearing this, the people on the outside of the court looked suspiciously at Wang Linlang and Madam Lu. All kinds of evidence pointed to the two of them.

"Sir." Madam Lu wiped her tears and looked at Doctor Ji and Doctor Xu, "I dare to ask the two doctors, if this mushroom is ground into powder, if it is put into water or eaten, will it change the taste of the food?"

This is like good medicine is bitter. Since mushrooms are poisonous and the dose that can cause death is large, if they are put into food or tea, can Mrs. Lin not find it?

"After inspection by the old man, the powder tastes bitter and slightly astringent. It is difficult to detect a small amount, but if it is large, the taste will be bitter." Dr. Ji's answer made Mama Lu very satisfied.

"My lord, the old slave is indeed wronged. According to Dr. Ji, if the old slave puts the powder into the food, the aunt will definitely be able to detect it. As long as you shout loudly, others in the private school may be able to hear."

After Mama Lu finished speaking, she banged her head three times and stopped talking, but her words already proved her innocence.

Seeing that the situation was on his side, Wang Linlang choked up, her delicate body kneeling straight, "Sir, although Linlang is the daughter of a businessman, she has also hired a female master to teach her. Dare to ask Zhan Xiaomengtong, a civilian girl was poisoned. What's the motive for kissing your aunt? And what method did you use to poison the aunt?"

Zhan Feiyu was favored by the county magistrate because of his status as a child prodigy, so standing in the court, Wang Linlang seemed to be a pitiful being bullied and could only be tried on his knees.

"Miss Wang Liu." Although Zhan Feiyu wanted to question Wang Linlang condescendingly, others were not much shorter than her when they were kneeling, so Zhan Feiyu could only take two steps forward, "Let's talk about the method of killing first."

"You offended Zhao County Magistrate's nephew Zhao San in Huai County, so you took refuge in Lin's house." When Zhan Feiyu spoke, the court was quiet inside and out, and even Chen County Magistrate didn't know the inside story.

"If you want to marry my senior brother, you may have tried verbally, but my wife will never marry a foreign woman as a wife to my senior brother who is a scholar."

"You..." Wang Linlang's eyes were full of anger, and she wanted to say that Zhan Feiyu was talking nonsense, but what the Wang family did was not secret, as long as she inquired a little, she knew that her mother was a brothel girl and could not enter the Wang family's door. It can be kept outside by Master Wang as an outer room.

Zhan Feiyu's Qingling Ling's eyes flashed with chills, "Scholar, Nong, Industry and Commerce! You think your wife is opposed to you because you are a businessman, so you put a little poisonous mushroom powder in the diet of your master and brother, which will cause poisoning after a small amount of consumption. The symptoms are like a cold, and you can take the opportunity to take care of your brother and win the favor of your mother."

Zhan Feiyu's inference is reasonable, Wang Linlang may be panicked, so she can't say anything to refute, she can only listen to her continue.

"Even though you are taking care of your senior brother, your mother's attitude has not changed, and she even sensed your thoughts and planned to send you back to the Huai County Wang Family, but you are in a hurry, and you are afraid that Zhao San will still pester you after you go back, so you can only Poisoning my mother and wanting her to fall ill, thus delaying time."

Zhan Feiyu also later learned from Master Lin's conversation that Mrs. Lin planned to send Wang Linlang away, and that a woman outside the house and a businessman would account for two different things. Mrs. Lin estimated that Lin Xiuyuan would not marry Wang Linlang if he would not be married in his life.

"Wang Linlang, you put mushroom powder in your mistress's food, but you never wanted to kill your mistress!" Zhan Feiyu's voice was cold, and his sharp eyes stared at Wang Linlang, "After your mistress passed away, you realized that after being panicked and frightened. Your own opportunity has come, without the interference of your mother, it will be much easier for you to marry a brother!"

This is also the reason why Wang Linlang did not leave Shangsi County immediately after Mrs. Lin's death and continued to stay in Lin's private school.

"You talk nonsense, it's all your nonsense." Wang Linlang retorted, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that she was panicking.

"Later, Mrs. Zeng asked Mammy Qian to spread rumors in Shangsi County. Mammy Qian should have also approached you. You took the opportunity to say some specious words, but it was just to confirm the rumors, cover up the truth of the poisoning of Mistress, and put the blame on the Master. Take revenge on me along the way." Zhan Feiyu's words are already real, after all, Wang Linlang made a false confession just now in the same hall.

It doesn't matter whether Wang Linlang recruits or not, as long as Mama Qian is arraigned, she will know whether she has approached Wang Linlang.

Perhaps her emotions were broken, Wang Linlang suddenly screamed, "I'm leaving, but you stopped me at the gate of the city! It's you who caused me! My aunt would rather choose you, a country girl than me, by the way. What? Am I willing to be a businessman? I don't want to be a maid!"

After exhausting all her strength, Wang Linlang threw herself on the ground and cried, "I didn't think about killing my aunt... I just put in a little mushroom powder... How did I know that my aunt would die... I didn't do it... "

"Miss?" Madam Lu hugged Wang Linlang, who was crying, and hugged him tightly, "My hard-working young lady, why does God treat you like this!"

If it wasn't for being forced by Zhao San, Wang Linlang wouldn't want to marry Lin Xiuyuan. If she came from a better background, Mrs. Lin might agree to the marriage, and Wang Linlang would not poison Mrs. Lin for delaying time, and finally kill her. .

Everyone thought that the case of Mrs. Lin's poisoning had come to an end. Although Wang Linlang was young, she still could not erase her crime of poisoning and killing.

"I don't want to die, mammy, I don't want to die..." Wang Linlang repeated blankly, begging to the county magistrate Chen who was sitting in the lobby, "I'm still young, I can't die, I didn't mean to kill Aunt's, I'm not..."

"Yes, you didn't kill Shima!" As soon as Zhan Feiyu said these words, there was a deadly silence inside and outside the courthouse. The county magistrate Chen, who was just about to shoot the gavel, shook his hand and almost threw the gavel away. go out.

(End of this chapter)