Chapter 76: Absolutely Not

At that moment, He Chishan’s face turned a ghastly shade of crimson, beads of cold sweat streaming down his brow. He tugged at his sleeves, his mind whirling at breakneck speed for quite some time, yet he could not conjure a single word in his own defense.

Li Yi’s sudden three questions had not only hit the mark with each point, but every single one left He Chishan utterly speechless, suffering in bitter silence.

Any one of these charges alone was more than enough to condemn him to a grave offense.

He racked his brains, but could find not the slightest oversight to exploit.

“Your servant was truly unaware of Her Highness the Princess’s arrival, and failed to offer a proper welcome. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness for this lapse!” Though unable to defend himself, He Chishan chose to admit only the lesser of the accusations.

As for the other two charges of dereliction, he dared not confess them under any circumstance.

He knelt with utmost honesty, his head bowed low, not daring to move an inch.

He furtively sniffed at himself—indeed, the scent of a woman still lingered on his body, but to this he feigned ignorance, choosing silence.

If this matter truly came to light, losing his post would be a light sentence; a harsher judgment would cost him his head.

Anxiety gnawed at He Chishan’s heart.

Within the yamen, the constables kept their silence, scarcely daring to breathe, each one fearful that Li Yi’s next accusation would fall upon them.

Especially the constable who had earlier tried to drive away Wang Zhongfu—he now trembled uncontrollably, barely able to grip his staff, which nearly slipped from his hands.

The townsfolk outside, however, were overjoyed by the scene, as if a long-suffered grievance had finally been avenged.

“This Magistrate He has always been detestable. The court should have dealt with him long ago!”

“Haha! Thank the heavens the Princess herself has graced Wang Family Town. At last, someone’s here to give us justice!”

“Indeed! But… who is that man at the Princess’s side?”

“Yes, he must be an imperial inspector, surely…”

The crowd chattered with growing excitement, their smiles broader than if they’d married off a beloved daughter.

None would have guessed that the man beside the Princess, with just a single sentence, could render the once arrogant magistrate utterly cowed and silent.

Li Lizhi herself had not expected that with just a few words, Li Yi would lay three charges upon the magistrate, a display so forceful that he was left mute. It was as if her own resentment toward the magistrate had been avenged through him.

A fierce satisfaction welled up within her.

“Since you admit your guilt, then continue kneeling here. I… shall deal with you later,” Li Lizhi said coolly.

Then she turned to the kneeling He Chishan and said in a measured tone, “Prefect He, today I shall have Wang Zhongfu’s case tried by Young Master Li. You… have no objections, I trust?”

He Chishan’s heart skipped a beat; he sensed trouble. Yet he had no choice but to remain meekly kneeling, not daring to look up, and replied in a trembling voice, “Your servant is fearful, and naturally has no objection, Your Highness.”

Knowing Li Lizhi was angry, how could he dare protest? That would be courting disaster.

He was not that foolish.

Besides, Wang Zhongfu’s case now had no living witness. As long as his brother-in-law, Wang Fugui, kept his mouth shut, he had nothing to fear.

He was confident Wang Fugui would not slip up, for if the case were overturned, both their fates would be sealed.

“Very well.”

At this, Li Lizhi’s lips curled in a slight smile. She turned her gaze toward Li Yi, giving him a gentle nod of assent. “Young Master Li, I leave the rest to you.”

Li Yi rolled his eyes at her in exasperation. Hadn’t they agreed she would handle it herself? Why keep pushing this onto him?

But with so many onlookers, he could not openly contradict her.

So, with a rueful smile and a trace of hesitation, Li Yi replied, “Your Highness, I… fear this may not be proper.”

“And why not?” Li Lizhi smiled.

“Your Highness, you see,” Li Yi said, relaxing his brow and speaking unhurriedly, “I am neither an official nor a constable, but merely a pleasure-seeking young wastrel.”

“If you ask me to judge this case, and I happen to render a decision, what if the magistrate here feels wronged and claims I’ve convicted the innocent?”

“That would hardly do!”

“It would be better for Your Highness to preside over the trial, while I assist you as best I can.”

Beneath his measured words, the sharp edge of Li Yi’s mockery toward He Chishan was plain for all to hear, making the magistrate’s cheeks flush red.

His face was not flushed from shame or drink, but from the anger provoked by Li Yi’s words—red as a monkey’s backside.

“Sir, how could you say such a thing? Your integrity is beyond reproach. To assist the Princess in this trial is an honor, and I, your humble servant, accept Her Highness’s decision without complaint,” He Chishan protested, his face still red.

“Truly?” Li Yi feigned surprise.

At this moment, He Chishan wished he could bash his head against a block of tofu, but dared not contradict him. Bowing his head, he said soberly, “Your servant speaks sincerely—it is the truth.”

“That’s good to hear!” Li Yi let out a long, heavy sigh of relief. “Who would have thought that Magistrate He could speak the truth for once!”

His sigh was so conspicuous that everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

The magistrate’s face twitched with anger. He longed to have Li Yi dragged out and beaten. What did he mean, “for once”? Was he implying that everything He Chishan had said before was a lie?

Infuriating!

He was being insulted from every angle.

“Your Highness, please know that I have always spoken the truth—never a single falsehood,” He Chishan managed to say, suppressing his fury.

Watching He Chishan’s face puff up red with anger, Li Lizhi could not help but be amused by the sharpness of Li Yi’s tongue. She stifled a laugh.

Clearing her throat, Li Lizhi regained her composure and said, “Young Master Li, begin the trial.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Li Yi bowed with a smile.

He wasted no more words, but turned to Wang Zhongfu with a solemn expression. “Wang Zhongfu, tell your grievances truthfully, without the slightest fabrication!”

“Yes, sir, Your Highness.” Wang Zhongfu responded, and recounted his story in full once again.

When he finished, Li Yi turned to He Chishan and asked softly, “Magistrate He, let me ask you: Wang Zhongfu petitioned multiple times for justice, yet you had him imprisoned. Is this true?”

He Chishan, already intimately familiar with the details of the case, reflexively denied it without waiting for the full question. “Sir, that is absolutely false. I had already rendered judgment in this case!”

To all the esteemed leaders and supporters, please keep voting for this new work—it really matters… (The End of this Chapter)