novelhk Chapter 279 Imperial Censor's Token
Chapter 279 Imperial Censor's Token
Shen Li looked at him coldly and said, "Does the constable know that they are from Daliang?"
"So what if I know?"
"I'm not asking you to take sides, but could you please ascertain the situation at the scene before making the arrest?"
"Are you teaching the master how to do things?" the constable retorted.
Shen Li nodded: "I should point out your mistakes. You don't have to listen, but the consequences may not be something you are willing to bear."
"Little girl, who are your husband's family?" He could tell from Shen Li's hair that she was already married, so he asked about her husband's family.
"I also work in a government office, just not this one," Shen Li answered truthfully.
"Someone to do things?" The constable smiled contemptuously, then walked over to the shopkeeper and waiter who were at the back, and led them to the back to give them a few instructions.
Even though Shen Li was far away, she could hear clearly that the constable had asked the two to give false testimony, saying that he didn't know why they had fought, and that he would leave the rest to them.
The constable smiled after doing this; it seemed the other part of the money would soon be in his hands as well.
He didn't care about sacrificing an innocent young woman; perhaps he could even have some fun while she was locked up in jail.
Upon arriving at Shuntian Prefecture, the head constable summoned a clerk to help the Liang people write a complaint, then had them sign and affix their fingerprints before directly taking Shen Li and the others to prison.
"Let go." Peony kicked away the official who was about to touch Shen Li, but she didn't use too much force, just enough to make him stagger.
"Signing without trial? Is this the rule in Shuntian Prefecture?" Shen Li said calmly.
Several Liang men were smug, one of whom, whose face was already bruised and swollen, said, "I told you to let others suffer, but you insisted on fighting back. Now you'll be in for a beating."
The others exchanged knowing smiles, their expressions quite lewd.
"What business is it of yours what the rules of Shuntian Prefecture are? Go inside." The constable frowned and said impatiently, "If you say another word, watch out for our knife."
“Very well, the officials of the Great Zhao are turning their swords against their own people.” Shen Li stepped out from behind Shaoyao and Lianqiao, her handcuffed hands pulling out a plaque from her sleeve: “Now, may I invite Prefect Cheng of Shuntian Prefecture to see me?”
The people of Daliang didn't recognize what it was, but the officials were very familiar with it; it was the imperial censor's token that gave all officials the biggest headache.
The censors were responsible for supervising all officials below and the imperial family above. Even if the emperor dared to skip the morning court session, they would still investigate without fail. In many cases, the emperor could only issue an edict to admit his mistake.
Most of these people are neither greedy for money nor lustful, so they can only meddle in other people's business, and they have to respect them. Whoever sees them is doomed.
"The Imperial Censor?" The constable was taken aback for a moment, then said, "How did you get this, girl? Did you steal it?"
"Please bring Lord Cheng to see me. I want to ask who established the rule in Shuntian Prefecture that allows corruption, bribery, and arrests without trial?" Shen Li did not answer the constable's question.
The Liang people looked at each other in bewilderment. What was going on? Had they offended someone?
After a moment of stunned silence, the constable suddenly remembered that there really was a female censor in the capital, the most talented woman in the capital, the daughter of Grand Secretary Shen, the wife of Minister Gu, and a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Thinking of this, he took another careful look at Shen Li. She was stunningly beautiful. He knew it was her.
He felt a cold sweat breaking out on his body, his mind wavering between admitting or denying it.
If we accept it, we'll be in trouble now; if we don't accept it, what other options do we have?
"What's going on? Why all the commotion?" A man who looked like a clerk came out from the back room. "Can't you even get the master to conduct his case in peace? Don't you want your heads?"
The constable didn't even dare to reply.
"You are the clerk, right? Please present this to Lord Cheng and ask him to come out and judge the case." Shen Li handed the token to the clerk.
When the clerk saw the Censor and then looked at Shen Li in front of him, he dared not be negligent in the slightest. Before leaving, he instructed the jailer: "What are you standing there for? Open the shackles."
The jailer then went to remove the handcuffs.
Shen Li dodged the question, saying, "No need. If you don't give me an explanation today, I will take this to see His Majesty."
The constable's legs went weak when he heard this.
If it really is Shen Li, it's not just her prestigious status as both an Imperial Censor and a Hanlin scholar, but also the terrifying background behind her. The upright Shen family probably wouldn't resort to extreme measures, but the one from the Dali Temple is a different story.
The head constable was so shocked by the thought of how many officials and even dukes had died under Gu Chang'an's blade that he sat down on the ground. He had only thought of making some extra money as usual, and he never expected to provoke such a person.
These are the few people who can get him killed.
The other constables had just been showing respect to this head constable, eager to praise him to the skies in hopes of getting more money, but now they all kept their distance from him, afraid of getting involved and getting implicated.
These low-level officials are masters of opportunism, reading between the lines, and changing their tune faster than flipping through a book.
Cheng Sheng was somewhat surprised to see the Imperial Censor. How had he offended the Imperial Censor again? He felt a little relieved when he heard that it might be Shen Li.
Compared to other censors, he had a past relationship with Shen Li. Shen Li had once reminded him that his prospective son-in-law was a married man and a close friend of her daughter, unlike those rigid and inflexible censors who lacked empathy.
But precisely because of this, he cannot be negligent or speak in official jargon; he must genuinely serve others.
Cheng Sheng put on his shoes, straightened his official hat, and went up to the main hall. He immediately saw Shen Li standing below, wearing handcuffs.
The head constable looked at his superior with hope, eager to get a conclusion that the censor's identity was fake, so that he could live for several more decades.
“Niece Shen, it really is you.” Cheng Sheng walked down from the hall and said, “Uncle, I didn’t know it was you. I’m so sorry for the neglect. Quickly, take off the handcuffs.”
When the clerk saw that the handcuffs were still on, he got angry with the constables. Where had their usual quick wit gone? How could they be so clueless now?
"Uncle, we may be friends, but I'm involved in this case, so it's best not to show favoritism." Shen Li dodged the official again.
They just wouldn't let her pass; she didn't wear that for nothing in the first place.
It's impossible to settle things peacefully.
Cheng Sheng knew he was in trouble when he saw Shen Li's attitude. It must have been one of his men who had offended her. So he looked around and finally glared at the constable sitting on the ground.
It must be this idiot.
The people of Daliang also became somewhat nervous. It was obvious that this girl really did have a powerful background, and they had gotten themselves into big trouble.
“Alright, Uncle, then let’s proceed with the proceedings. Whatever you have to say, niece, let’s discuss it here in the hall,” Cheng Sheng said with a smile.
Shen Li was somewhat satisfied, but her face remained expressionless.
The shopkeeper and his servant had been coerced into giving false testimony, but now they realized the tide had turned against them.