The Anarchic Consort c1-1376

by Warring Young Seven

  After hearing Helian Wei Wei's words, someone from the civilians added loudly, "Lord Wei is right! Lord Liao is the one with selfish intentions!"

  "That's right! It's so obvious that he is protecting Yan Dazhao! Are they somehow relatives, Yan Dazhao and Magistrate Liao!?"

  The power of united villagers should not be underestimated. After the first one voiced his opinion, the others followed in a single voice!

  Maybe it was because of what Helian Wei Wei had said earlier.

  They did not want to wait for the day when their own daughters were insulted and yet they did not even have a place to ask for justice!

  Since there were a great number of people who fought back, the imperial officials from the provincial capital had to step in and calm the people down themselves, "Everyone, please believe in the imperial court and believe in Magistrate Liao's judgment. He is just trying to investigate this case."

  "Lord Wei also wanted to investigate this case, why don't you defend him instead?" Chen Liang did not show his face but his voice sounded from the crowd, "In my opinion, you people must have gotten benefits from Lord Liao, that's why you are defending him!"

  After hearing those words, Lord Chen, the governor of three provinces, sighed heavily. Even his st*pid son knew the things that should not be done, yet the imperial officials were as silly as a goose!

  The target of public opinion was now on the imperial officials from the provincial capital. They were no longer in a position to defend Magistrate Liao, so all they could do was follow the public opinion and said loudly, "Everyone, how can all of you think of us like that? All that we have done is to find out the truth, there is no such thing as tipping the scale or siding with a particular party at all."

  "If that's the case, why don't you people let Lord Wei continue to investigate the case?"

  More and more discussion flooded the place and soon the imperial officials from the provincial capital were afraid that they would be surrounded again like earlier in the day. They exchanged looks with each other before saying, "We did not say we would stop Lord Wei from carrying out his investigation, it is just that we don't think he is suitable for the case and might potentially affect the final judgment." Up until this point, they paused and then looked at Helian Wei Wei, "Since the villagers had requested for you to stay, then Lord Wei, the case is still yours to investigate, but let us make one thing clear, you must ensure that you judge with justice and fairness."

  Helian Wei Wei did not even bother to look at their fake peaceful expressions. She stood up and walked to the two girls who were still on their knees. Her elegant steps emanated a prestigious aura and it was brazen.

  Her eyes were locked at Xiao Cui and the others who dared not look her in the eyes, "Let me ask you one last time, do you really want to overturn your testimonials against Yan Dazhao from earlier?"

  One of the two girls remained quiet and dull, and the other one was looking at Helian Wei Wei in hesitation, "I, I…"

  She had only opened her mouth but was dragged back by her relative with astonishingly powerful strength.

  Her relative glared at her furiously. The fierce glare was overflowing with deep meanings that others could not comprehend.

  Helian Wei Wei captured every detail in her eyes and her gaze became slightly heavier.

  But Yan Dazhao was laughing joyfully. There's nothing you can do anymore! So what if you captured the two stewards? As long as no one reveals the truth, what can this Wei do about me?

  Baili Jia Jue saw through the man's thought in a glance, but he did not say anything. He bent down and with his gloved hand, he grabbed one of the stewards and held him up!

  "Tell us everything you know, or else…" Baili Jia Jue was still smiling but one could feel fear like never before.

  Especially when the steward was lifted above the ground, his face turned pale-white. He was afraid that he would be strangled to death just like that, so he stammered as he begged, "I'll talk, I'll tell you everything! R-Right before the trial, Private Advisor Zhang and Lord Yan thought of a way…"

  "Slander! This is slander!" Right after the steward spoke, Yan Dazhao's heart sank. At that moment he was furious, so he ran up to the steward and tried to shut him up!

  However, the two black figures standing on both sides were like a wall. No matter how hard he extended his hand, he could not get to the steward!

  The steward was also frightened that Yan Dazhao would blame him after this, so he got scared after his first sentence.

  However, how could His Highness allow the steward to take back his words? The fingers around the neck tightened and he was filled with a cruel aura, "What way?"

  Chapter 484 - His Highness' Domineering Aura

  The steward felt like breathing became a luxury and with the utmost difficulty, he blurted, "B-Bri—cough—bribe them to shut them up…"

  After hearing his stammers, everyone inside and outside the yamen rose to a clamor!

  Helian Wei Wei, however, was very calm.

  Magistrate Liao and Yan Dazhao both had their expressions changed and it was utterly hideous!

  Baili Jia Jue released the steward and his voice was as cold as winter, "In detail."

  "Although Old Master was sent to the dungeon, he was very clear about what's happening outside. Among all this, Private Advisor Zhang was the middleman." After the near-death experience earlier, the steward dared not keep the secret anymore. So, he panted as he revealed the whole story, "After Private Advisor Zhang knew that two more families were going to testify against Old Master other than Old Man Liu, he went to the dungeon and discussed with the Old Master. In the end, the two of them decided to send Steward Zhang and me to those two families with 50 silver each, telling them that they would be rewarded with another 50 silver after the trial if they agreed to change their testimonials against Old Master…"

  After hearing the steward, Xiao Cui who had been tortured by her own conscience all this while suddenly pushed away from her relative who had been threatening her secretly. Then, she kowtowed to Helian Wei Wei with a thud and said, "I am sorry, Lord Wei!"

  Helian Wei Wei stood still, she knew that the time for the tides to change was coming.

  Xiao Cui looked up with teary red eyes. "I should not have taken those silver! But Lord Wei, I was really out of options! I should have already married someone at my age, but because of that one nightmare, Yan Dazhao, he neglected my consent and r.a.p.ed me! After that, he tossed a piece of silver note at me and warned me not to make a report, otherwise, I would end up 10 times worse than I already was! I was young back then and didn't know the ways of the people or society, neither could I endure such insult! So I made a report at the yamen but in less than a day, he was released! The county magistrate back then even deemed me guilty of a.d.u.l.tery and I was soaked in the river for one whole night! It has been over a hundred days and I have nightmares about this pig every night! I was eager to drink his blood and eat his flesh! I want to see him get punished! But heaven did not answer! The Yan fellow has someone supporting him but I- I am just a peasant. Fighting against him is suicidal. Like what he said, even after I made a report against him, he did not get punished, but I was deemed as unfaithful and unchaste. As the days went by, all the relatives were laughing at me behind my parent's back. And right before the trial, someone sent silver over and told us that if I took it, I could even collect some money for my parent's retirement. If we were not to accept, I would again end up miserably. This is what my second uncle had told me, so I listened."

  As Xiao Cui's sobbing grew louder, all the civilians finally got to know what really happened, so they turned toward Yan Dazhao. "This Yan fellow is inhuman!"

  Yan Dazhao glared back fiercely. "Who are you calling inhuman!"

  The man ignored him and looked at Helian Wei Wei, "Lord Wei, you must punish him! No matter who is above him, if people like him aren't penalized, we civilians will not be at peace!"

  "I think it's a little hard, that Yan fellow has Magist
rate Liao covering up for him. Besides, it might not just be Magistrate Liao, the lords from the provincial capital seem to take extra care of him too."

  Chen Liang admitted to himself that he was being very dutiful as a support behind the crowd.

  Someone asked, "Wasn't there a governor of three provinces sent here from the capital? Shouldn't he do something about this?"

  Chen Liang extended his neck and lifted his c.h.e.s.t proudly. Right before he wanted to boast a little about his old man, he heard the reply from the crowd.

  "What would he do? Aren't all imperial officials the same? If that Governor Chen had not allowed this, how would the lords from the provincial capital behave like this!?"

  Governor Chen was rendered speechless.

  "Old Master…" The servant also heard the rising discussion from the surroundings. All of a sudden he was a little afraid to look at his old master's expression.

  Chen Liang really wanted to explain on behalf of his old man, but the numerous villagers did not give him the chance to!

  "These imperial officials are really corrupted!"

  Governor Chen thought, there are actually non-corrupted officials, you guys can just look at me!

  As a matter of fact, no one cared about who was standing beside them. Even though Governor Chen was dressed decently and looked very prestigious, the crowd was paying full attention to the events in the yamen. All of them wanted to see what would happen to Old Master Yan!

  Yet, Yan Dazhao was not bothered at all. Was there something wrong with these poor people? They could not tell that the reason Magistrate Liao invited all the imperial officials from the provincial capital was to protect him?

  Just because of a mere county magistrate?

  Death was knocking at Yan Dazhao's door but he still did not know what Helian Wei Wei's best hand was.

  He also was not aware that Helian Wei Wei would neglect Magistrate Liao and went straight for the imperial officials from the provincial capital. Her eyes were glaring as she said, "My lords, did you hear the people's voice? How should the case go on? Do we really need to invite Governor Chen here?"

  After hearing Governor Chen's name, the faces of the four officials instantly turned green and unconsciously, they exchanged looks with Magistrate Liao.

  Magistrate Liao also knew that he could not afford to protect Yan Dazhao anymore. He would probably be dragged down if he continued to do so!

  However, he really could not tolerate the grievance!

  Earlier in the field, the methods of the one named Wei had already insulted him.

  And now, all this further disgraced him!

  No matter what would happen to Yan Dazhao or how the case would end, he had to recover his own dignity!

  The servant instantly understood the meaningful glance and he quietly disappeared from the public.

  After the little action, Magistrate Liao made up his mind as he suddenly went up to Yan Dazhao and looked at him with a regretful gaze, "Old Yan, I really didn't know that you are such a person. You've done so many things for Fuping County over the years yet you are careless enough to commit such an act!"

  Yan Dazhao was stunned instantly. "My lord, what, what do you mean?"

  "I have always believed in your character, but you!" Magistrate Liao shook his head, the look on his face was as heart-wrenching as he could possibly be. "Fine, it's time to give the people an explanation. Men, bring him away and beat him to death!"

  Yan Dazhao finally reacted to the situation, Magistrate Liao was determined to use him as a scapegoat!

  How could he be willing to take the blame!

  All the silvers that he handed out every year were not enough to protect himself during such a critical moment!

  Having said this, he too went all out, he ought to perish together with the magistrate!

  "My lord, you can't do this! The one who bribed the two families with silver was obviously…"

  Chapter 485 - Dramatic Turnaround Of The Plot!

  "Well!"

  Before Yan Dazhao could finish his words, he was given a hard punch by the guards brought over by Magistrate Liao!

  The guard was a Water League warrior, a single punch on Yan Dazhao's face broke his front teeth. His mouth was bleeding and he looked terrible.

  Yan Dazhao was unable to speak anymore even if Helian Wei Wei wanted to continue the interrogation. One could only imagine how cruel Magistrate Liao's means were.

  The case finally had a turnaround.

  Yan Dazhao's crimes became a reality.

  He also finally got a taste of reality where everyone pushed him aside after he had fallen, and no one was there to defend him.

  He just lay on the floor and after he was beaten half to death, the guard dragged him down.

  Liu Yin and Old Man Liu were very excited as they watched all that.

  Especially, Liu Yin, she could finally shake off the 'unusual' gaze from others. When she looked at Helian Wei Wei once more, her eyes were filled with grateful tears.

  The other two girls cried out loud right away.

  The grievance that plagued them for so long finally got vented out!

  As long as Yan Dazhao remained a free man, they would have to live under the trauma from that incident forever. Aside from being physically hurt, they still had to endure the criticism from the public of being 'indiscreet'.

  At that very moment, Xiao Cui could not find words to describe her feelings. She cried out loudly as she grabbed Liu Yin's hand, "Finally, finally there's someone who can punish him!"

  Such a simple sentence, but it contained too much pain and hatred.

  Xiao Cui's second uncle was not that happy though; he puckered his lips and looked at Magistrate Liao. "You see, Lord Liao, what about the other half of the silver that Old Master Yan promised us…"

  How dare he mentioned the silver! Magistrate Liao wished that he could kill all of these foolish villagers. Not to say that they were being greedy, they could not even understand the situation before speaking!

  "My fellow villagers." Magistrate Liao's said in a cold tone, "Did you know that the false testimony that you gave about Yan Dazhao almost led to a wrongful judgment of the case by the lords? Men, bring this heckler down and give him 20 beatings!"

  Beatings? He was stunned when he heard it. He had followed the little rascal to the yamen just for the silver. He did not get any silver in the end and yet still had to suffer beatings?!

  "My lord!" The man went pale-faced and grew anxious. As he was about to defend himself, the guard who dragged Yan Dazhao away came and carried him whereas the other two yamen runners helped to press him down.

  A little while later, the court was filled with the sound of beatings. Whack, whack, whack.

  It pained everyone who heard it.

  Magistrate Liao shifted all his grudge for Helian Wei Wei at the villager who should not have spoken at that moment, "Beat him good. Let's see if anyone else dares to submit a fake testimony in the future. Beat him for 20 times first and let him remember to never influence with the investigation of the case!"

  Magistrate Liao's action was obviously trying to shift the mistake of the wrongfully judged case to a civilian. Based on what he claimed, the reason why the case was wrongfully judged had nothing to do with the imperial officials protecting the accused, it was because someone gave false testimony!

  "Lord Liao, you are really quick with your actions." Helian Wei Wei said softly, there was not a bit of emotion in her tone, neither did she stop Magistrate Liao. Those who provided false testimony must indeed be punished, especially the ones like the man. He should have known giving false testimony would hurt people but he still came to the court because he was greedy for silver, people like him must no doubt be punished.

  However, there were always men who were shameless beyond imagination in this world; Magistrate Liao said righteously, "There is nothing else to be said in front of people like him."

  Helian Wei Wei watched Magistrate Liao's act with a sneer; she twist
ed her fingers and curled her lips into a cold smile, "If that's the case, Magistrate Liao, should you explain the sentence that Yan Dazhao had said before he was dragged away? Based on the words of his and the villager who gave false testimony, bribing the witness with silver seems to be Lord Liao's idea?"

  When the words exited her mouth, the civilians who were there for the hearing looked at Magistrate Liao.

  The several imperial officials from the provincial capital were instantly put in a difficult and ugly situation.

  Magistrate Liao dangerously squinted his eyes and sinisterly said word by word, "Lord Wei, you really should not simply slander people. The two stewards on the ground are from Yan Manor and not from my Liao Manor. I don't think it's appropriate for you to hold me responsible for everything."

  "So Lord Liao, are you denying it?" Helian Wei Wei chuckled, "It's fine. Since the man is not dead from the beatings, Private Advisor Long, please bring that villager back onto the court."

  Baili Jia Jue curled his thin lips into an evil smile, but right after he took the first step, two guards were standing in his way.

  Helian Wei Wei's eyes instantly turned cold!

  Lord Chen, the governor of three provinces, thought that he must step out now, otherwise, things would go out of control and no one would be able to provide closure to the case!

  An ear-piercing voice came from outside, "My lord, I want to sue County Magistrate Wei of Fuping County!"

  The man was 17 to 18 years of age. Aside from the beautiful clothes, there was a big shiny golden ring on his finger. Judging from that proud and arrogant look, if he was not Master Liao, who else would it be?

  The moment he stepped into the court hall, he exchanged looks with Magistrate Liao.