Chapter 23
“Li Shi, Zhang Yongan, if you two do not admit that you are guilty, I will be using force!”
“Sir, this is too unjust! I only received silver from Zhang Yongan to sell Su Qing and Mu Yunyao to him, I did not have any affair with him!” Li Shi did not dare hide anything anymore . She cried as she told the truth .
“What, this old hag! Her son had just died and now she wants to sell her daughter-in-law and granddaughter? Is she not afraid that her son will not be able to rest in peace?”
Mu Yunyao lowered her head, her tears continuously dripped down onto the ground . She looked so pitiable .
The citizens imagined the tragic end that this little girl would have faced had she fallen into the hands of Zhang Caizhu, and thus their hatred against Li Shi grew .
Magistrate Liu furrowed his eyebrows and said to the servants, “Bring these two out and beat them . When they agree to tell the truth, you can stop . ”
Mu Yunyao immediately knelt down beside Li Shi and cried, “Sir, my Grandmother broke her leg . If she undergoes punishment, she might die! My Father had always been very filial, even when he is gone, Grandmother will always be my Grandmother . I will persuade her, she will definitely confess . ”
“She has hurt you so much and you still try to protect her?”
Mu Yunyao smiled bitterly, “She is my family . ” Although she did not say much, those four words were more than enough to express her pain .
Magistrate Liu sighed, “You’re very kind . Fine, you may persuade her . ”
Mu Yunyao quickly turned her head to look at Li Shi . Her voice was soft and gentle, but her gaze was icy cold . “Grandma, you should know what to say . There is no reason for you to die with Zhang Yongan . You have been alive for so long and have seen a lot, you should understand what I told you before . ”
Li Shi widened her eyes, her teeth started to chatter . She thought of what Mu Yunyao had told her earlier in prison: One wrong word and you will accompany Zhang Caizhu to the coffin . If you speak correctly, he will die alone……
Zhang Yongan will definitely die, but she wanted to live! Now, she had to get Zhang Yongan to confess and clear her own name!
Li Shi looked at Zhang Yongan and forced out, “Sir, I confess . I……did have an affair with Zhang Yongan and Dingshan . That night, they happened to see each other……”
Everything was clear now .
This Li Shi had an affair with both Zhang Caizhu and Dingshan . She suddenly broke her leg and thus Dingshan came to check on her . They got found out by Zhang Yongan and he became furious . Dingshan hated Zhang Yongan and thus tried to blackmail him, causing Zhang Yongan to have murderous intent against him .
Mu Yunyao happened to appear at the scene . Zhang Yongan was afraid that she might expose him and thus tried to silence her . When he saw that he could no longer kill her, he tried to push the crime of murdering Dingshan onto her! How vicious!
Two officials dragged the half-dead Zhang Yongan back into the court . Mu Yunyao glanced at him and calmly looked away .
Magistrate Liu gestured to the public to keep silent . He stood up and announced, “Zhang Yongan tortured and killed seven innocent girls and killed Dingshan . His crimes cannot be excused . He shall be receiving the capital punishment . From today onwards, he shall await his punishment in the dungeon . I will be reporting this case to the Emperor for his approval . Li Shi has been unfaithful, she shall be punished……”
Magistrate Liu was troubled . When a wife is unfaithful, she would be abandoned by her husband . But Li Shi has been a widow for many years and had an affair with both Zhang Caizhu and Dingshan . Capital punishment is way too heavy for her . If she was beaten too much, she might also die . But if she was not beaten enough, the citizens may be angered .
“Sir!” Mu Yunyao politely called . “Grandmother is old and even has a broken leg . Although she is in the wrong, she has not injured anyone . Please be lenient to her!”
“Li Shi, you will get twenty hits by the stick as a form of warning towards others . Mu Yunyao is kind and innocent . She is released . Li Shi, you have a good granddaughter . From today onwards, you must turn over a new leaf and treat her well . ”
“Yes Sir, I understand . ” Li Shi quickly replied .