“Huh?”
“This matter concerns the reputation of my Ji family. Lord Liu is an intelligent person. You shouldn’t be too serious about those… processes. You know what I mean? In Jinjiang, with only a wave of my brush, even a death row prisoner could be pardoned! Our esteemed emperor is far away, you should be clear on which way to lean!” His words scared the magistrate no less, causing his whole body to tremble.
Ji Shuhan didn’t forget to add. “Although Lord Wei and Madame Wei were poisoned, as long as you say that their food was poisoned instead, everything can still be cleared up after my daughter’s release. It would preserve our family’s reputation and you would also pocket this 10,000 taels. Won’t it be a win-win situation for the both of us? What do you say?”
Magistrate Liu had to admit that Ji Shuhan’s offer was extremely tempting. He felt his will swayed in his favor. His eyes were glued to the banknotes as he felt torn in his innermost heart. He wavered. In the end, he truly wished that nothing would happen to Ji Yunshu.
Discovering the hesitation on the magistrate’s face, Ji Shuhan pushed the banknotes closer to Magistrate Liu. “Lord Liu, you should carefully consider my proposal.”
Magistrate’s body shook as if he was suddenly roused. He raised his head and observed Ji Shuhan. He placed his index and middle finger on the stack of banknotes and, unexpectedly, pushed it back to Ji Shuhan. Furthermore, he even declared, “Lord Ji, I shouldn’t take unjustified rewards. I only have a few words to say… Those 10,000 taels, please take it back.”
Ji Yunshu was shocked. “You’re not taking it?”
‘Unbelievable!’
“This official will absolutely not take it.” Then, he continued. “Yunshu is your daughter. You should believe that she didn’t poison anyone. Rest assured that I will certainly investigate the truth of this matter and give her justice. As for you, Lord Ji, for the sake of your family’s reputation, you tried to instigate me to hastily conclude the case regardless of the laws, and as a retired official, you dared to go against the laws by using money to bribe me in order to distort the truth. If I wanted to charge you for a crime, wouldn’t that add more to your crimes?”
Woah! Since when was Magistrate Liu’s eloquence this good? His words left Ji Shuhan stunned. Ji Shuhan’s threatening attitude also receded, replaced by annoyance at first, then panic and finally, anger.
He took back the banknotes and got up in anger; his eyes burning with unwillingness. He spat out, “Since you are this determined to be a good official, I have nothing more to say.”
He brushed his sleeves and left in fury.
Magistrate Liu let out a heavy sigh. His forehead was still covered in sweat while he held his stomach with both hands like he went through a frightening experience.
He hardly believed what he had just said to Ji Shuhan. It really made his heart fill with worry and apprehension!
Ji Shuhan, who had returned to the Ji mansion, threw his cup and slammed his table, causing the bustling sounds to echo through the reception hall. Old Madame Wei remained calm as she sat on the side. Ji Muqing, Ji Wanxin and Ji Yuanzhi were seated beside her.
Old Madame Ji waited until her son had vented his anger before inquiring about his discussion with Lord Liu. “What happened in the end for you to break everything as soon as you came back from the yamen? What did Lord Liu say?”
Ji Shuhan forgo any control he had on his emotions and hit the table once again.
“That obstinate rock didn’t heed my words!”
“How can that be?”
Ji Shuhan snorted and shook his head. “I don’t know. He was spouting about following the Great Lin’s code of laws.”
Ji Yuanzhi asked in an anxious voice. “Father, could it be that the 10,000 taels weren’t enough?”
Ji Shuhan didn’t reply as his anger grew stronger.
“How about we give him 20,000 taels? Perhaps, he would agree to it then.” Ji Yuanzhi tentatively asked.
“The money was not the problem.”
“Then what was the problem? It couldn’t be that he wasn’t moved by that much money? Isn’t it merely to alter the case a bit? A simple line of ‘The food which Lord Wei and Madame Wei ate was poisoned.’ shouldn’t have been too complicated?” Ji Yuanzhi was extremely agitated as he spoke.
Ji Shuhan shook his head and sighed. He didn’t know what to say.
Ji Muqing snorted, pouting her small and red lips before speaking. “See that, there’s 80% probability that she poisoned them to death just because she didn’t want to marry that idiot.”
“Muqing! Yunshu is not the kind of person to do that. A kindhearted person like her would absolutely not have poisoned anyone. Moreover, the Wei’s people treated her so well, how could she bear to harm them?” Ji Wanxin refuted Ji Muqing while her brows wrinkled with worry.
“Ji Wanxin, I know you are on good terms with her, but you better keep your eyes open and look at it more objectively. Lingzhi was pushed by her, next I was the one who fell in the water. Maybe, she was the one who pushed me, then she blamed it on Lingzhi. If she can do something like that, what else can’t she do?”
“That impossible! I reiterate that I believe in Yunshu’s character. Let’s keep things as it stands and don’t confuse one thing with another.”
“When did I confuse one thing with another? Ji Yunshu is simply a ruthless person. If people said she poisoned someone, I will absolutely believe them. She should be beheaded.”
BAM!
A loud sound resounded as soon as Ji Muqing finished speaking. Ji Shuhan had hit the table with all his might once again.
The flames of anger were furiously burning in his eyes as he glared at Ji Muqing. “What do you know? If our Ji family actually had a murderer bearing our surname, that would be a tremendous disgrace! In the future, how will I have a firm foothold in Jinjiang? Your eldest brother’s and second brother’s official career in the capital will also be greatly affected!”
Ji Muqing lowered her head despite feeling that she had been wronged. “Father, I…” She had yet to finish her sentence, but Ji Shuhan interrupted her.
“In addition, you should think more about your situation. If Yunshu really killed people, do you still think you can become the crown prince’s consort?”
“Hey?!”
That revelation frightened Ji Muqing to no end!
“If our Ji family had a murderer and the words were to be spread to the ears of the emperor and empress, you can stop dreaming about becoming the crown prince’s consort. The road I have paved for you will be completely destroyed.” Each word Ji Shuhan spoke nailed the precarious situation Ji Muqing was in.
Her complexion turned blue. Since her childhood, she had been cultivated to be the crown prince’s consort.
It wouldn’t be long until she was sent to the capital for the crown prince’s consort selection. However, at a crucial moment in her life, such a big incident had occurred. She could not let herself be rammed into such an obstacle that would destroy all her efforts!
Ji Muqing panicked. Her eyes reddened. She urgently spoke, “Father, your daughter must become the crown prince’s consort! Later when the crown prince ascends to the throne, I will become the empress. We absolutely cannot let anything go wrong! It would be better if we send more money to Lord Liu. We’re just buying a few of his words, it should be easy.”
Old Madame Ji also gave her suggestion. “That’s true. We can add in another 10,000 taels. In any case, our Ji family doesn’t lack money. As long as we can sweep the case under the rug, anything is good.”
“Nothing but talk. I said money wasn’t the problem.” Ji Shuhan felt distressed as he had no plan to suppress this case. He continuously shook his head and continued. “Lord Liu seemed determined and didn’t listen to what I said. Even if we gave him 10,000 taels more, it would not make a difference.”
“Then, what do we do right now?”
Old Madame Ji began to worry.
Ji Wanxin opened her mouth to speak. “Grandmother and Father, It’s impossible for Yunshu to poison people. The truth of the matter will certainly come to light. When her innocence is proven, will not everything be resolved at that time?”
“What do you understand?!” Old Madame Ji reprimanded her. “Our Ji family had never had anyone imprisoned! This matter is too ominous. If words were to spread to the capital, it will affect our influence.”
“Alright, alright!” Ji Shuhan raised his hand to stop the discussion. He sighed. “At present, we can only hope that Yunshu isn’t the murderer.”