Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 63: The Bastard's Bad Reputation

In the official residence of Zhang Shouan, the prefect of Zhen'an Prefecture.

Procurator Liu Binfang was reporting to the prefect on the progress of the trial of Ma Dao Po's witchcraft case.

"Sir, that Taoist Ma confessed to all the things recorded in the account book, such as poisoning and extorting money, and the victims involved have been found and verified.

However, the old woman refused to admit to the witchcraft that cursed the couple of Yuanwailang in Rongguo Mansion and Jia Cong, and insisted that she had never done such a thing.

But it was clearly written in black and white on her account book, and the handwriting was verified to be correct. This woman claimed that the words were not written by her, but she could not explain the reason.

Zhang Shouan said, "The things she has confessed to are enough to sentence her to death, but why doesn't she admit to this one thing?"

Liu Binfang said: "Your Excellency is right. She has already known that she has no chance of survival, but she refuses to admit it. I see that she does not look like she is lying, so there must be something fishy going on.

I also interrogated Wang Zhang from the Jia family. At first, she also refused to admit that she had colluded with Ma Dao Po to curse the Jia family's Yuanwailang and others.

Later, under the orders of Sanmu, he finally changed his story and said that he had done this at the instigation of Jia She and his wife. He also said that he was willing to provide evidence and only asked for a way out.

But Wang Zhang is a mean person. When she was in Jia's house, she had casually implicated others in public in order to get out of trouble. So she might just be repeating her old tricks. "

Zhang Shouan said, "But you found the cursed paper figurine and yellow talisman in her room, and it matched the record in Ma Dao Po's account book. This is solid evidence, and it is useless for her to deny it."

Liu Binfang said: "These two people denied the incident in unison. I suspect that they may have been framed for the Rongguo Mansion witchcraft incident!"

Liu Binfang is a meticulous person. He has seen many difficult and strange cases over the years and has extraordinary experience and knowledge. In the past few days, he has been pondering the case and realized that there seems to be another hidden story in it.

But I can't grasp the key to the case. It seems that this case is shrouded in an inexplicable fog.

The image of the calm and ruthless young man from the Jia family in the hall that day would occasionally flash through Liu Binfang's mind. He was somewhat amazed, but after a brief thought, he realized that it had nothing to do with the case, so he skipped it.

Zhang Shouan frowned and said, "If you suspect it's a frame-up, do you have any suspects or physical evidence?"

Liu Binfang was recommended by Zhang Shouan after he took office. He was his confidant, so he did not have too many reservations when speaking.

Liu Binfang smiled bitterly: "I have examined the case and found many suspicious points, so I made this inference. There is no concrete evidence for the time being."

Zhang Shouan sighed, "Wang Zhang was found guilty of witchcraft and sorcery. It is impossible for her to clear herself of the charges in public.

After all, she is just a servant. It doesn't matter if she dies.

The most difficult thing now is that you actually found out that she used witchcraft to murder the second branch of the Jia family, and it was instructed by the victim's brother, the first-class general Jia She and his wife.

Bin'an, you have caused me a lot of trouble."

Liu Binfang looked surprised and confused after hearing this.

“The Jia family has two dukes, and they are extremely powerful among the nobles. Although the two dukes Rong and Ning have passed away for many years, the connections they left behind in the court and the country are invaluable.

Now, my Zhen'an Prefecture has uncovered a scandal that the heir of the Jia family murdered his own brother. Wouldn't that be a huge offense to him? If he uses his connections, your career in the government will be difficult!"

Zhang Shouan worked hard for half his life before he climbed to the position of prefect of Zhen'an Prefecture. He attached great importance to this position and weighed the pros and cons of everything, fearing that he would make a mistake and ruin his career. He lived up to the name Shouan.

Liu Binan said hurriedly: "I am stupid and only know how to judge the case, but I didn't think of this. I really deserve to die."

Seeing Liu Binfang's panic, Zhang Shouan was slightly pleased: "It is certain that Ma Dao Po used witchcraft to harm people, and there is also complete evidence that Wang Zhang harmed the master. Report it to the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible!"

He added: "However, Jia She and his wife instructed their servants to murder their brother with witchcraft, which is suspicious, but there is not enough evidence..."

Liu Binfang suddenly realized that the prefect was trying to smooth things over.

Wang Zhang was just a servant of the Jia family, and the prefect did not take such people seriously at all. Now that he had found the solid evidence, he would use her life to solve the case.

As for the fact that Jia She ordered his servants to perform witchcraft, Zhen'an Prefecture would most likely try to shirk responsibility to avoid causing trouble. In this way, such a major witchcraft case was handled cleanly in the hands of Zhen'an Prefecture, and no one else could find any fault with it.

Zhang Shou tried to appease Xu Youran, looking like he was planning a strategy: "Our Zhen'an Prefecture is only responsible for civil crimes. As for matters involving military merits and personal morality, they are the affairs of the Imperial Clan. So let's send this letter to the Imperial Clan for a decision."

Liu Binfang showed a look of sincere admiration on his face: "Your Excellency, I will handle it right away."

……

Ever since the incident in the East Courtyard that day, Jia Cong had become known as a vicious person among the servants in the Jia family.

Many maids and old women were spreading rumors behind the scenes that it was this Third Master Cong who had Wang Shanbao's legs broken in Donglu Courtyard that day.

Wang Shanbao was usually a respectable servant in the mansion, but that day he was like a skinned mangy dog ​​in front of Master Cong Sanye.

No matter how much she cursed or begged, this gentleman didn't even blink and watched Wang Shanbao's legs being broken before he stopped.

It was Wang Shanbao's fault for forcing the maid of Master Cong Sanye to death. He is now seeking revenge.

I didn't expect that the illegitimate son of the eldest wife, who came from a humble background and even disliked cats and dogs, would have such a vicious heart.

Most of these servants in the Jia family were monsters who flattered the powerful and bullied the weak. Jia Cong had lived a miserable life in the East Courtyard before, so they naturally looked down on him.

Although the old lady recently agreed to take him to the West Mansion to be raised, she arranged for him to live in the lonely Qingzhizhai. It was obvious that the old lady still didn't like him.

So a few days ago, countless people secretly ridiculed dog meat for not being allowed at table.

Not to mention the distant past, just take the old women in the kitchen as an example. They were a little jealous and envious when they saw that the daughter of the Liu family suddenly earned a second-class monthly salary.

Later, when he saw that she had moved into Qingzhizhai, a cold palace, with Jia Cong, he mocked her in the kitchen, saying that she was just a prostitute's child and no matter how hard he tried, he could not do anything to her.

He also said that the Liu family had really raised a daughter, who had risen to prominence so quickly, which made the Liu family so angry that they almost vomited blood.

But after the incident in the East Courtyard, the news had spread throughout the mansion. Not only did Wang Shanbao have his legs broken by Jia Cong, he was also sent to Zhen'an Prefecture to be imprisoned and would be executed in the autumn.

After hearing such horrifying news, those old women and wives who had been saying weird things immediately dared not even fart.

If he talks nonsense again and that evil star hears it, he will punish him like he did to Wang Shanbao, and he will still be alive.

In the past, when Wu'er went to the kitchen to get Jia Cong's meals, the old women and wives would always order her around, calling her the Liu family's maid all the same.

Now, seeing Wu'er's face full of wrinkles, she can smile like a flower, and still respectfully calls her Miss Liu, and even said that if we can't ask the girl to come in person, we will just send her over when the time comes.

Wu'er was a smart person. Although she felt disgusted by the arrogant and flattering faces, she did not show it on her face. She still came to get it herself, or asked Juan'er and Si'er to come, so that people would not say that the people in Qingzhizhai were frivolous.

But Qingwen didn't dare let her come, because she had a hot temper and couldn't tolerate any grain of sand in her eyes. She couldn't stand such filth and would definitely make a scene every time she came.

Ever since the incident with Wang Shanbao's wife, the East Courtyard suddenly became quiet. Jia She no longer dared to drink and have fun every day, for he was afraid that Wang Shanbao's wife would talk nonsense in prison and people from Zhen'an Prefecture would come to his house.

Grandmother Jia asked Mrs. Xing to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors. She had always looked down on the eldest daughter-in-law, who was always greedy and harsh and had caused many jokes.

Now her companion was practicing witchcraft to murder the second wife, which touched the old lady's sore spot. It was obvious that she was trying to pin the crime of instigating Wang Shanbao's family on her and to shift the blame to her son in advance.

At the moment, the couple were both in a difficult situation, so they naturally had no energy to bother and plot against Jia Cong, allowing him to spend a rare comfortable time in Qingzhizhai since he arrived at the Jia Mansion.

In addition, he was still waiting for news from Zhen'an Prefecture. He was sure that Wang Shanbao's wife would cause trouble. Not only was he waiting, but Jia Mu, Jia She and others were also waiting.

It’s just that Jia Cong was just watching from the sidelines, while they were like ants on the hot pan.

(End of this chapter)