#130: Fabricated Evidence

Feng Cheng also interjected, “Second Young Master, even if you want to exonerate Wu Meixue, you can’t falsely accuse us like this. Perhaps you misremembered—the box originally contained seventeen pearls. Adding the one found at the crime scene would make the numbers match.” Though he tried to maintain a calm demeanor, traces of panic were evident in his expression.

Li Shimin approached Feng Cheng and spoke coldly, “After hearing the night watchman’s ‘testimony,’ you wanted to solidify Meixue’s guilt. So, when you found the box of pearls at the Wu residence, you secretly took one and handed it to Li Feng, who is related to you through marriage, instructing him to mix it with the evidence. Later, you presented it in court to Magistrate Qin. Such pearls are extremely rare in ordinary households, yet the Wu family happened to possess them, making it seem like irrefutable evidence.”

Feng Cheng shifted uncomfortably and protested, “Our Feng family would never do such a thing.”

“If that’s true, why did you signal Li Feng during the trial? And you…” He pointed at the visibly nervous Feng Chunming. “Why did you say what you said?”

“I… I…” Before Feng Chunming could respond, Li Shimin cut him off again. “Feng Chunming, divine justice looms above. If you continue lying and falsely accusing the innocent, beware of heavenly retribution!”

Feng Chunming trembled in fear, involuntarily glancing upward, half-expecting a bolt of lightning to strike him down. The next moment, a sudden clap of thunder resounded!

Everyone turned toward the bright sky outside in astonishment. Though the weather was overcast, there was no reason for thunder to strike without warning. Could it really be divine punishment?

Amidst the collective unease, Feng Chunming collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. “Don’t punish me! It wasn’t my idea—it was Father’s plan! He made me do it!”

Hearing this, Feng Cheng kicked him furiously. “You worthless brat! Shut your mouth!” Despite his harsh words, fear flickered unmistakably in his eyes.

“Feng Chunming, the heavens are aware of your crimes. If you confess now, you might still have a chance to live. Otherwise, the moment you leave this courthouse, you’ll face divine retribution and die a gruesome death!”

“No! Spare me!” Overcome with terror, Feng Chunming blurted out, “I’ll confess! I’ll tell you everything!” Gulping nervously, he stammered, “After Father heard what the night watchman said, he stormed into the Wu residence to confront Wu Meixue. When he couldn’t find her, he discovered the box of pearls. I initially wanted to take all of them, but Father intervened and only let me take one. He said this pearl alone would be enough to condemn Wu Meixue to death. Later… later, I only know that Father gave the pearl to Uncle, but I’m not sure what happened after that.”

Upon hearing Feng Chunming recount the details of his actions, Feng Cheng trembled with rage, forgetting the presence of Li Shimin and others. He kicked Feng Chunming viciously and cursed, “You wretched fool!”

Li Shimin stared at him, his voice icy. “Feng Cheng, do you have anything else to say?”

Feng Cheng’s face alternated between red and white. After a moment, he stubbornly retorted, “Yes, I instructed Li Feng to plant the pearl. But Wu Meixue is still the murderer! The evidence is irrefutable—I haven’t wrongfully accused her.”

His unreasonable words infuriated Jiang Caiping, who shouted indignantly, “The eyewitness account was coerced, and the physical evidence was fabricated. How dare you call this ‘irrefutable evidence’? Have you no shame?”

Meanwhile, Magistrate Qin’s face darkened as he glared at the visibly anxious Li Feng. “You dare tamper with evidence and abuse the law! How dare you!” Li Feng was the leader of the bailiffs, known for his diligence and resourcefulness, earning Magistrate Qin’s trust. Now, his reckless actions left the magistrate deeply disappointed and enraged.

Realizing the gravity of his offense, Li Feng knelt hastily and pleaded, “Your Honor, I admit my mistake! I promise never to do it again. Please forgive me this one time!”

“Do you think a simple apology can erase the harm you’ve caused to an innocent life?” Magistrate Qin thundered. Turning to Li Shimin, he bowed deeply, his face filled with remorse. “Your subordinate failed to properly discipline his men, allowing such corruption to occur. I am deeply ashamed of betraying the Taishou’s trust. Rest assured, Second Young Master—I will personally apologize to the Taishou at his residence.”

Li Shimin steadied him and said, “Magistrate Qin, there’s no need for such formalities. The most pressing matter now is to resolve this case and clear Wu Meixue’s name.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Magistrate Qin agreed, nodding repeatedly. Returning to his seat, he slammed his gavel and declared solemnly, “In the case of Feng Cheng accusing Wu Meixue of murdering Feng Chunxiu, there is no evidence proving Wu Meixue as the perpetrator. She is hereby released!”

“Thank you, honorable magistrate!” Wu Laosan, overcome with emotion, pulled Yunyi into repeated kowtows, much to her chagrin. Though she was a princess of a nation, she now found herself bowing to a mere county magistrate—a situation she found utterly awkward.

“You can’t release her!” Feng Cheng glared with his sharp, triangular eyes. “Wu Meixue is clearly the murderer! How can you let her go?”

Already irritated with Feng Cheng, Magistrate Qin grew even more displeased upon hearing his defiant remarks. Slamming his gavel, he snapped, “How dare you, Feng Cheng! First, you conspired with Li Feng to fabricate evidence, and now you’re disrupting the court. What punishment do you deserve?!”

Realizing there was no escape, Feng Cheng decided to throw caution to the wind. Lifting his chin defiantly, he declared, “I’ll accept whatever crimes I’ve committed, but Chunxiu’s case cannot end here. If Your Honor refuses to handle this fairly due to Second Young Master’s influence and shows favoritism toward Wu Meixue, I’ll keep appealing as long as I draw breath. I’ll appeal to… to…” Being a butcher with only rudimentary education, Feng Cheng struggled to recall the official hierarchy. After a moment, he blurted out, “To the Prefectural Governor, or even the Censor of the Capital Region!”

The Censor of the Capital Region, a fourth-rank official, may rank lower than many Taishous, but his authority to oversee officials within and outside the capital region included fourteen prefectural inspectors. He had the power to dismiss corrupt officials and report commendable deeds for recognition.

Thus, local magistrates and officials treated such figures with utmost care, avoiding any offense that might incur trouble.

“How dare you!” Enraged, Magistrate Qin slammed his gavel and barked, “You insolent peasant! Both Lord Li and I have based our judgment on evidence. When have we shown favoritism toward the Wu family? If you utter another word of nonsense, I won’t show mercy!”

Feng Cheng spat bitterly, “Chunxiu’s murder is an undeniable fact. Her body still lies in the mortuary. If it wasn’t Wu Meixue, then who? Did she kill herself?”