CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: PUBLIC TRIAL (PART 1)

The next day, the county government of Ye County opened the main hall to publicly interrogate the case of Zhou Ying’s patricide.

The crowd outside the county government was bustling, each person straining on tiptoe to get a better view, their voices filled with uncontrollable excitement and fervor.

"A daughter kills her father, an act of utter unfiliality and rebellion. Does such a case even need a trial? Just execute Zhou Ying on the spot!"

"I heard that the father was a live-in son-in-law who wanted his illegitimate son to take the Zhou family name and inherit the family’s estate, often verbally and physically abusing his wife and daughter. That Zhou girl was tough and spirited, forced to extreme rebellion."

"But even so, she shouldn’t have killed her own father!"

"So should she have just endured the beatings and watched the family estate being taken over?"

"Shh! Keep your voices down! I heard that our Commandery Princess will be personally attending the trial today!"

The news that Nanyang County Princess was coming to Ye County had already spread among the people. These past few days, the County Magistrate had been accompanying the Commandery Princess on inspections of the grain warehouses every day! However, common folks rarely had a chance to see the Commandery Princess up close, so today’s bustling event, with the possibility of seeing her, made everyone even more excited.

"By the way, you only brought your son to watch the excitement. Where are your wife and daughters?"

"Oh, of course they’re at home weaving silk. These days, there’s an unending demand for silk fabrics, so we can’t stop. The entire family relies on this for their livelihood!"

In Ye County, every household had a loom, and such meticulous work was almost always done by women. Whether it was an old mother or a wife, or even a daughter, they had to stay home and work. Most of those who came out to gossip were men.

A few sturdy government officials came over, shouting loudly, "Move back, move back, and keep your voices down in the court. Otherwise, you’ll get a beating."

The people, fearing the officials, quickly stepped back, their eyes fixed straight on the main hall.

Soon, the young and handsome County Magistrate Cui made his appearance with the staff of the county government, followed by a middle-aged official who was tall and appeared quite authoritative.

"That’s today’s chief judge, Yang Shi."

"The older one is Chief Historian Chen."

"Look quickly, the Commandery Princess is coming out!"

The crowd was stirred into a commotion, wishing they could take out their eyes to see more clearly.

They saw a lively, elegantly dressed young lady step out of the back office, her spirit bright and appearance stunning.

Is this the Commandery Princess? Truly noble and beautiful.

The commoners were inwardly amazed, and then they saw everyone in the main hall bowing and cupping their hands in unison, chanting, "We respectfully welcome the Commandery Princess!"

Then, the Commandery Princess came forward gracefully.

The crowd, who had been craning their necks and chattering endlessly, suddenly fell silent as the Commandery Princess appeared.

This was naturally due to their innate awe of imperial authority. Or perhaps it was because this young and beautiful Commandery Princess unexpectedly exuded such a sharp brilliance, like the sun in the sky, dazzling and impossible to look at directly.

The beautiful young lady who appeared first was, of course, Chen Jinyu, the housekeeper Chen.

Once the Commandery Princess took her seat, Chen Sheren immediately stood by her side. Song Yuan stood at the other side of the Commandery Princess, along with a dozen strong personal soldiers surrounding her.

The presence of all these people inspired immediate reverence. The commoners each shrank their necks in awe.

Today’s chief judge was Yang Zheng, and the central position was naturally reserved for Yang Shi. Jiang Shaohua was seated on the left, Chen Zhuo on the right.

County Magistrate Cui and others took their seats in turn.

At this critical moment, there was no room for hesitation or retreat.

Sitting in the center, Yang Shi secretly sighed heavily in his heart, summoned his energy, and spoke: "Bring forth the Zhou sisters and their mother for questioning."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than another person came out of the back office.

This man was tall and handsome, with a scholarly and gentle demeanor. Probably due to a sleepless night, there were bloodshot eyes, and there was a faint air of exhaustion about him.

This was exactly Lu Xuan, the live-in son-in-law of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, and Nanyang County Princess’s father.

"I apologize for being late. Please forgive me, Commandery Princess," Lu Junma bowed and asked for forgiveness.

This action immediately caused a stir among the commoners outside the court.

In the Da Liang Dynasty, being a live-in son-in-law signified low status. In Ye County, it was common for families to refuse to marry their daughters off but rather accept live-in sons-in-law, as women could weave silk and sustain families.

Most live-in sons-in-law came from poor families, unable to afford a bride price or marry a wife. Good families’ sons would never agree to such a role. Hence, the low status of live-in sons-in-law was a fact.

But this was a prince consort and yet so humble?

And he even had to bow and ask for forgiveness from his daughter?

Jiang Shaohua, with good hearing, seemed not to notice the commotion outside the court and said calmly, "Lu Junma, it’s enough that you’re here. Please take a seat beside the judge Yang Shi!"

Indeed, there was an empty seat next to Yang Zheng. Such a conspicuous position destined him to be the focus of everyone’s attention today and ridiculed by the masses in the future.

Lu Xuan, having fought and struggled angrily all night, ultimately still came. Now there was no room for resistance, and he sat down with a somewhat wooden expression.

Yang Zheng, seeing Lu Xuan’s demeanor out of the corner of his eye, found himself secretly relieved. With Lu Xuan present, today’s trial of Zhou Ying’s patricide would make him, the chief judge, a mere supporting role.

At that moment, two government officials brought the Zhou sisters and their mother into the court.

After several days of detention, Mrs. Zhou appeared gaunt and filled with sorrow. Zhou Ying too had grown noticeably thinner, her chin was sharp, and her eyes unusually large.

The mother and daughter knelt down with a thud.

The commoners outside the court were in uproar, and someone shouted, "The rebellious daughter who killed her father should be executed by a thousand cuts!"

Soon, others joined in the clamoring, "Life for a life!"

"A daughter who kills her own father deserves double punishment, and surely Mrs. Zhou was behind it, inciting her. Both should be executed!"

Bang!

The hard black ebony gavel fell heavily.

The two rows of government officials immediately thumped their long sticks on the ground, making a muffled sound, the word "Majesty" was very loud, almost piercing the eardrums.

The agitation outside the court suddenly quieted down.

Yang Zheng, with a serious face, coldly questioned, "Who are you in the hall? State your names!"

"I am Mrs. Zhou, from Luyang County." Though clearly terrified, Mrs. Zhou spoke before her daughter, seemingly trying to shield her daughter from the storm with her meager body.

Zhou Ying was much calmer compared to Mrs. Zhou: "I am Zhou Ying, and the deceased Peng Cheng was a live-in son-in-law of the Zhou family and also my biological father."

As a man, Yang Zheng instinctively felt an aversion towards Zhou Ying, who had killed her father and remained so composed. His brows furrowed: "Why did you kill your father? Explain everything!"

Lu Xuan also watched Zhou Ying who was kneeling below.

This Zhou Ying, with a clear-cut appearance, fair skin, and elegantly dressed, looked like a delicate young lady at first glance. Who could have thought that such a gentle and soft-looking ten-year-old girl dared to kill her father...

Zhou Ying lifted her head and also glanced at Lu Xuan.

That bright and fearless gaze, surprisingly shared an uncanny resemblance to Jiang Shaohua’s, making Lu Xuan incredibly uncomfortable. Anger surged within him uncontrollably.

How dare this Zhou Ying look at him with such eyes?