CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: DRIVEN BACK WITH A SHOUT

"Mighty—"

A deep and resonant voice echoed as a squad of government officials lined up on both sides, tapping their sticks with a dignified and solemn demeanor.

"Move, quickly, don’t dawdle!"

Several constables urged, bringing Long Yue and her husband into the courtroom.

Zhang Bingwen was already seated in the courtroom. He had received orders, no matter how this young couple defended themselves, the final result would be that he was the son of a criminal minister, to be imprisoned, awaiting execution in spring!

As for why not after the autumn? The time in autumn was too long, and easily prone to changes!

Of course, in this courtroom, there was another special person present, that person was Zhou Zhiqin.

At this moment, Zhou Zhiqin was at the bottom of the courtroom, watching Long Yue and her husband come in, a vicious smile curled at the corner of her mouth, and she unabashedly greeted them.

"Cousin, long time no see!"

Her voice was sharp, filled with resentment and venom, her gaze icy cold as she looked at Long Yue, wishing to tear to pieces this vile woman who had ruined her reputation!

Long Yue remembered the memories from her previous life, knowing well it was this cousin who was causing trouble, was she now stepping out personally?

Facing her provocation, Long Yue did not back down at all, smiling as she replied, "Indeed, my elder sister is truly well, however, my younger sister seems to be unwell?"

In an instant, Zhou Zhiqin’s face turned livid!

This was a sarcastic remark about her lost dignity!

Pang Longyue, you wretch!

Zhou Zhiqin was furious, glaring fiercely at Long Yue, then immediately turned and knelt, saying, "I accuse Li Qingmu from Qingshui Village, this person is suspected to be the son of the traitor Zhang Wen Zhuo, I implore the lord to discern the truth thoroughly, do not let the son of a traitor harm the world, disrupt the law and order of our dynasty!"

These words had been memorized beforehand, so Zhou Zhiqin spoke them fluently.

"Ah, so it turns out he is the son of a traitor! Bang!"

Zhang Bingwen, embodying his theatrical skills, slammed the gavel fiercely, shouting angrily, "Why do the people in the courtroom not kneel on seeing me?"

"Mighty—"

The government officials once again tapped their long sticks on the ground, while two constables stepped forward to force Li Qingmu and the others to kneel.

Li Qingmu shook off the constable, speaking coldly, "I am a newly appointed top scholar, holding an official title, and thus need not kneel!"

After he spoke, Long Yue took out her identity documents, not giving Zhang Bingwen a chance to go back on his word.

Zhang Bingwen glanced at the official document with the red imprint issued by the provincial city, looking distressed, his face was livid with anger, he slammed the gavel again in frustration.

"Bang! You refuse to kneel, very well, excellent, then you! You sinful woman, kneel before me!"

"My lord, you haven’t even settled the case yet, how can you call a common woman a sinful woman? Such words seem inappropriate, don’t they?"

Long Yue replied with a smile, but her gaze was cold.

Without a doubt, this county magistrate had long been bribed by Zhou Zhiqin, hence targeting them at every turn!

Sure enough, the county magistrate Zhang Bingwen roared angrily, "What a presumptuous and cunning woman, daring to rebuke me, kneel down, quickly kneel before me, or I’ll enforce punishment!"

Zhang Bingwen bellowed as he slammed the gavel, but Long Yue was unafraid, only laughed, "Mr. Zhang, you wish for a common woman to kneel? A common woman indeed could kneel, but I’m afraid your temple is small, what if the temple collapses when I kneel, what then?"

"Impudent!"

Zhang Bingwen felt himself about to faint with anger, this woman truly had audaciously spoken such ridiculous words!

"Make her kneel before me, I want to see if this courtroom can collapse!"

As soon as he spoke, two government officials came up to force her, but could they match Long Yue’s prowess?

With two swift moves, the two constables who approached were immediately knocked down.

"Rebellion, rebellion, this obstinate citizen is rebelling! Seize her for me!"

Immediately, more officials rushed forward, Long Yue stood firmly, unfazed, shouting coldly, "Who dares!"

Those rushing forward were startled by her shout, instinctively stepping back.

Long Yue then advanced a step, her gaze sweeping through the crowd, "My father is Pang Wenzheng, my grandfather is General Xiping Cao Yin, dare I ask, do you dare make me kneel?"

"The daughter of... Minister Pang?"

Zhang Bingwen was dumbfounded, there was already a daughter of Minister Pang, how come another is here?

He felt some resentment, why hadn’t he clarified clearly before agreeing? It was too careless, now it was embarrassing.

Kneeled on the ground, Zhou Zhiqin looked at the couple who didn’t need to kneel, feeling uneasy. Seeing Zhang Bingwen wanting to withdraw, she hurriedly said, "Don’t listen to her nonsense! She is Minister Pang’s daughter but has been expelled from the family, don’t be afraid of her..."

"Even if I have been expelled from the family, I am still a daughter of the Pang lineage, and a granddaughter of the Cao Family, and what are you then? A mere county magistrate dares to make me bow down, what do you count as? Are you worthy?"

Zhang Bingwen was left embarrassed by her words, unable to refute them, just as Long Yue said, he was merely a small county magistrate, they could breathe and have him eliminated.

He began to doubt himself, regretting accepting this matter, yet since he had already offended the other party, he could only continue bravely.

"Well then, not kneeling is acceptable, but Li Qingmu must be imprisoned, being the son of a criminal minister..."

"Wait a moment, you say my husband is the son of a criminal minister, do you have evidence? If not, then it is slander!"

"Of course, there is evidence, I ask the Lord to bring the witness Mrs. Li Zhou forward for identification."

"Summon Mrs. Li Zhou—"

Mrs. Li Zhou? Long Yue and Li Qingmu exchanged a glance, their eyes carrying a hint of coldness.

So it truly is her!

Zhou Zhiqin had really colluded with her, attempting to have Li Qingmu meet his end!

Mrs. Li Zhou carried a box into the courtroom, while on the other side, a large group of people rushed in.

These people were all common folk, each with excited expressions, chattering, appearing to be here for the spectacle.

"Someone is passing judgment, seems like it’s a remnant of the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, hurry, see and learn!"

"Quick, the witness is here!"

"..."

Zhang Bingwen was stunned, looking at the chief clerk beside him, full of confusion and anger, "Who are these people? Why are they here? This is a courtroom, how can anyone just enter to observe? Chase them out, all of them!"

This trial was supposed to reverse justice, directly convicting Li Qingmu, how can it be publicized?

Once exposed, any slight injustice would immediately be criticized by others, tarnishing his reputation, if it were an ordinary case it might be acceptable, but this is a treason case!

Such a case can’t be handled recklessly!

Immediately, officials went over to expel them, but the number of civilians rushing in increased, and with a bit of driving away, they immediately aroused anger from a portion of the people, saying this courtroom was meant for people to see, not allowing viewing meant they were fabricating false cases?

Instantly, Zhang Bingwen was caught in a tight spot.

"My lord, I am the witness, I can testify that Li Qingmu is indeed the son of the criminal minister Zhang Wen Zhuo, with this jade pendant as evidence!"

Mrs. Li Zhou was quite sharp, immediately taking out a wooden box, offering it up with both hands, drawing everyone’s attention.