Chapter 22: A League of Villains

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Wang Lingxin finally felt relieved when the madam, Chen Meiying, recited in full the confession they had agreed upon that night. Although Chen Meiying was weeping bitterly now, which somewhat redeemed her earlier foolishness, the silver had already been paid, and there was no intention of giving her a penny more.

“Bang!” The judge’s wooden gavel struck sharply. Wang Lingxin said, “Very well, Chen Meiying, you may stand down for now.”

“Thank you, Your Honor. Please make a ruling for my daughter, Qin Ming,” Chen Meiying said, stopping her sobs and wiping away tears with her sleeve before stepping aside.

Wang Lingxin gave no chance for Meng Yuxi to speak and continued, “Someone, summon the coroner!”

Now all Wang Lingxin hoped was that Meng Yuxi’s poison would take effect quickly to avoid further complications.

“Xu Zhihuan, have you finished examining Qin Ming’s body?” A middle-aged man hurried into the hall. His temples were graying and his face lined with wrinkles. This was Xu Zhihuan, the veteran coroner of Sucheng, known for his integrity and skill, respected by the townspeople.

Xu Zhihuan bowed and replied, “Your Honor, the examination is complete.”

“Miss Qin Ming died from a fatal sword wound. There are no other injuries on her body. The killer struck a single, lethal blow with ruthless precision, clearly determined to kill at once.”

“Good. Did you find any signs of intercourse on her body?” Wang Lingxin asked further.

“Uh... Your Honor, there are indeed signs, but...” Xu Zhihuan began.

Wang Lingxin cut him off hastily. “You only need to answer my questions. No extra words. You’ve been a coroner for years—don’t you know the rules? If you speak out of turn again, I will charge you with contempt of court and strip you of your position. Understand?”

This official had a dual nature, and Wang Lingxin knew exactly how to play him.

Xu Zhihuan dared not speak further and nodded in compliance.

Wang Lingxin thought, no matter how prestigious this coroner was in Sucheng, his authority was absolute here. Having power was truly a blessing. Once he concluded Meng Yuxi’s case, more influential figures would bow to him, fueling his burning desire for authority.

“Bring the murder weapon.”

“Xu Zhihuan, see if this sword’s blade matches the wound on Qin Ming’s body.”

With a grand gesture, Wang Lingxin’s subordinates hurried forward, presenting a treasured sword.

Xu Zhihuan drew the sword, its weight heavy in his hand, carefully inspecting and comparing it.

“Your Honor, the wound on Qin Ming’s body corresponds precisely with the blade’s cut and angle.”

Wang Lingxin smiled in satisfaction. “Madam Chen Meiying, come and see if this sword matches the one Meng Yuxi carried that day.”

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The madam approached the sword and nodded without hesitation. “Yes, Your Honor, this is the sword.”

“Bang!” The gavel struck fiercely as Wang Lingxin glared and asked, “Meng Yuxi, how dare you leave the murder weapon at the crime scene after killing someone, and now you claim innocence despite witnesses! Who gave you such courage, Meng Hong...?”

“Cough! Cough!” Deng He stood nearby, coughing incessantly.

Wang Lingxin suddenly realized his slip of the tongue and blushed with embarrassment. He hurriedly corrected himself, “Meng Hongchang is an honest official serving the court and the people. How could you be such a rebellious son? Meng Yuxi, do you still have anything to say?”

Meng Yuxi faintly smiled, “I... you... hmm? Cough, cough.”

His face suddenly paled as he cleared his throat in disbelief, trying to speak but no sound came out.

Everyone saw that Meng Yuxi was utterly speechless, seeming to admit guilt under the irrefutable evidence.

Murmurs rose quietly outside the hall.

Wang Lingxin understood immediately and glanced at Li Zhao with admiration shining in his eyes. At this critical moment, Meng Yuxi’s silence made the commoners believe he was confessing.

Li Zhao wore a smug smile, feeling secure now in the Meng household’s favor. He thought to himself how fortunate he was to have the miraculous “Five Lost Scattered” medicine left by the ancestor. If he ever became the Imperial Advisor, he would return to the Five Immortals Sect and bow multiple times before the ancestor’s monument.

“No, no—it would be improper for an Imperial Advisor to bow—better to offer incense instead.”

“Bang!” The gavel struck again.

“Advisor, since Meng Yuxi has confessed to the crime of murder, what punishment should be carried out?” Wang Lingxin arrogantly asked, beginning his final procedures.

The advisor cursed inwardly, “What punishment? Yesterday we agreed I wouldn’t have to answer this! You big fish, me the shrimp? Damn you, corrupt official! Damn!”

Though furious, the advisor could only say, “Killing is a grave offense in the Great Li Dynasty, but since Qin Ming was of low status, the sentence is thirty strokes of the cane plus exile.”

Wang Lingxin threw the official order onto the floor, shouting, “Guards, carry out the punishment!”

Two lines of constables drew out prepared benches, forced the mute Meng Yuxi onto one, and raised their cudgels to strike. Suddenly, a fierce shout came from the crowd outside.

“Who dares touch him? Today whoever lays a hand on him shall feel the sharp blade both entering and leaving!”

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With a sharp “clang,” a noble youth drew his treasured sword from his waist, slashing through the barricade blocking the Sucheng citizens and strode forward.

Behind him followed a slender, graceful young man, silent but gripping a sword tightly, ready to fight.

Wang Lingxin immediately recognized the swordsman as Meng Hongchang’s son, Meng Xueqiao. The slender youth behind him, head bowed and face hidden, was likely his third sister disguised as a boy—a well-known fierce character in the Meng household.

Wang Lingxin dared not provoke the Meng family’s legitimate heirs and looked to Li Zhao and Deng He for support. Both wore expressions of surprise, especially Deng He, who wondered when Meng Yuxi had become so close to the third sister and the fifth young master.

The constables holding the cudgels saw the officials’ lack of reaction and lowered their weapons, stepping back.

“Meng Xueqiao, are you rebelling? How dare you openly defy the law! How have I taught you?” came the voice of Wu Jiwen from behind. Meng Xueqiao frowned, and though reluctant, he halted just steps from his fourth brother.

“And Meng Xuexian, always dressing as a man, thinking you can do as you please? Hah! Now you hang your head in shame?” Wu Jiwen continued.

“If not for Zhao Senhu reporting this to me, I would never have believed you two dared to disrupt the court! Step aside now, or you will be severely punished according to Meng family rules for delaying justice!”

Meng Xueqiao cursed the traitor silently, sighed deeply, and together with Meng Xuexian, they slunk to the side.

Wu Jiwen’s servants pushed back the crowd outside and entered the hall. Seeing this, Wang Lingxin quickly rose to offer his seat.

Wu Jiwen sat in the magistrate’s chair, while Wang Lingxin remained standing.

“What are you waiting for? Begin the beating!” Wu Jiwen ordered from her seat. The officers no longer hesitated and raised their cudgels, striking with full force, delivering all thirty blows.

Meng Yuxi’s back was already a crimson blotch, motionless as if unconscious.

Neither Wu Jiwen nor Wang Lingxin showed any sign of announcing exile or leaving the hall. Wu Jiwen calmly sipped her tea.

At that moment, Madam Chen Meiying suddenly rushed forward, kneeling before the hall.

“Your Honor, I suddenly recall—Miss Qin Ming was not of low status. She was the niece of Officer Zhang Dewang of the Eighth Prince’s residence!”

“You old madam, why didn’t you say this earlier? Meng Gongzi suffered the cane for nothing. Advisor, if she’s not low status, how should she be sentenced?”

The advisor thought bitterly, “Wang Lingxin, damn you!”

“Your Honor, she should be sentenced to death by beheading,” he finally answered.