novelhk Chapter 194 True and False Ling Wenzhan (1)
Chapter 194 True and False Ling Wenzhan (1)
The next afternoon, Ling Yuchi was released and the housekeeper brought people to pick him up.
Ling Yuchi was beaten with a stick and was badly injured, but he was still able to walk with support. On the way, he must have learned the good news that Sang Xi was pregnant. When he came back, he first went to see the old lady, and then went directly to Sang Xi's yard.
The Marquis's Mansion was filled with joy, and the old lady even arranged extra meals for the entire mansion.
It was as if what happened to Ling Shaochong before had never happened, or in other words, he had been completely abandoned.
The one who suffered the most and was the most frustrated was Jiang.
Because the Marquis' Mansion not only gave up on Ling Shaocong, but also blamed her for not teaching her son well and bringing shame to the entire mansion. Now, Ling Shaocong has become a taboo and shame in the Marquis' Mansion. Even Ling Yuchi doesn't want to mention her. In addition, Sang Xi's matter is a fait accompli, so she is also neglected.
After Ling Shaochong came back, he stayed indoors and refused to see anyone. However, she could not do anything in the current situation. One can imagine how upset Jiang was.
So, out of sight, out of mind, she went to the Duke of Fuguo's mansion that night to see her daughter and complain.
Of course, there is another troublesome person who almost never leaves his room unless it’s necessary, and that is Ling Wenzhan. I don’t know if it’s because of the pressure or the bad mood, but he accidentally dropped a lot of things.
In Yuxiu Courtyard, listening to the maid reporting the information collected from each room, Mu Lianzhi just smiled faintly and said nothing.
……
The day of the public trial came in a blink of an eye. Although Ling Wenzhan's case was more of a private matter of the Marquis' Mansion, because it involved Beitang Wing and many people, although the trial was not open to the public, the venue was still set in the lobby of the government office.
Early in the morning, all the staff of the Marquis' Mansion went out.
The prefect of the capital, Mr. Bao, came out personally to greet her in the outer courtyard. The first time Mu Lianzhi saw him, she thought of Justice Bao. Although the middle-aged man was not dark at all, his facial features were regular and his demeanor was dignified. He did have a rather majestic demeanor. During the greetings and salutes, he was neither humble nor arrogant, and there was not a trace of emotion or flattery.
Of course, this gentleman could not have come from the Marquis' Mansion. From top to bottom, even if Ling Yuchi did not stop his post, he would not be qualified.
The two elders of the Mu family also came. Just looking at his parents, Mu Lianzhi couldn't help but smile.
One after another, the jurors arrived, and a large crowd of people crowded into the courtyard. Just when Mu Lianzhi was wondering which judge so many officials were waiting for, the eunuch's voice suddenly came from outside the door:
"Your Majesty has arrived, the virtuous prince has arrived—"
No one expected the emperor to come in person. This voice really startled everyone. The whole place fell silent, and then everyone returned to their seats at the same time and knelt down in unison.
"Your Majesty, long live the emperor."
"Stand up, no need to be polite."
Mu Lianzhi stood up, raised his eyes slightly, and looked into Beitang Yi's eyes.
There was no expression on his face, and he was wearing a plain white gown with one hand naturally behind his back, but strangely, she felt that he was nodding to her, and she felt as if she had taken a reassurance pill.
Almost side by side with him was an old man with gray hair and a round figure. The old man had a peaceful face but a sharp gaze. He was wearing a dark yellow brocade robe embroidered with gold thread, which made him look very prestigious. He should be Prince Xian.
"Uncle Wang and I have never seen a trial before. We just happened to be free, so we came here to broaden our horizons... Just do whatever you want."
After the emperor spoke, the group moved to a small court in the side hall.
The Emperor and Prince Xian sat behind a screen in the distance as listeners. Chairs were also arranged in the hall. The old lady and the eldest wife sat on one side, and Mu Lianzhi and her parents sat on the other side.
In this trial, there was only one party involved, Ling Wenzhan.
The hearing officially began with the bang of the gavel.
Ling Wenzhan briefly elaborated on his experiences over the past three years, which were nothing more than disasters, serious injuries, amnesia and various accidents. On the one hand, it explained why he had not been heard from for three years, and on the other hand, of course, it provided reasons for the differences in his current appearance, voice and so on.
"Since you said you are the second son of the Marquis's Mansion and you want to recognize your ancestry, then you should do the blood test in public!"
"In order to prevent you from doubting my bias, injustice or manipulation, I, the Marquis's Mansion and Mr. Mu can each appoint one person to go to three places to collect three samples of clean water and verify them in public. Do you have any objection?"
Since Mr. Bao said so, who would dare to object? Soon three bowls of water were brought up. After the imperial physician examined them one by one, the old lady and Ling Wenzhan each took a drop of blood and dripped it in.
As expected, the three results were consistent and compatible.
The old lady was a little excited on the spot:
"Sir, how could I have mistaken my own son? He is really..."
However, before she could finish her words, Mu Lianzhi stood up and said:
"Sir, I have only heard of blood testing before, but I have never seen it myself. I wonder if you can let me see three samples at the same time?"
Just now, they each only saw the portion assigned to them, and this request was not excessive. Mr. Bao raised his hand and signaled, and someone put all three bowls on a tray, and walked past the old lady to let everyone have a look.
When she arrived in front of Mu Lianzhi, she also took a look and nodded to indicate that she had no objection.
Just as the yamen runner was about to leave with the tray, Mu Lianzhi suddenly screamed. Her hand touched the long tassels on her head, and a drop of blood suddenly fell on one of the plates:
"Wait! Sir, how come my blood is also soluble?"
Her exclamation startled everyone and made them all stand up. The yamen runner was also confused when he saw it, and turned around and replied:
"Sir, it has indeed melted. The blood of the Second Madam just accidentally fell into the second bowl and has completely melted."
Number two is the one prepared by the Marquis’ Mansion.
There was a deep silence at the scene. Mr. Bao was also stunned for a moment before he said:
"Try the other two as well."
At this time, there was an obvious scratch on Mu Lianzhi's fingertips. She squeezed harder and looked at the three bowls. The expression on the yamen runner's face was a little embarrassed:
"My Lord, all three bowls blend together."
What does this mean?
This means that there are problems with all three bowls or they are not accurate at all.
"What's going on?"
Everyone present was puzzled, and even the officials and the imperial doctors could not explain it, because the water was taken from three places and had been checked and there was nothing unusual.
Mr. Bao arranged for a few more people to try it. Some of the blood mixed, some did not, and there was no pattern at all. In the end, almost everyone present tried it. His own blood actually mixed with that of a maid and boy he didn't know at all. He was dumbfounded.
For a while, sweat broke out on his forehead due to his anxiety.
The whole place was in chaos after the blood test. The whole place was silent. Finally, Eunuch Defu came out from behind the screen:
"Sir, let me do it again."
This time, Eunuch Defu whispered to the young eunuch to fetch water, and then divided it into several portions, one for the old lady and Ling Wenzhan to drip blood, one for the old lady and Ling Yuchi, another for Ling Wenzhan and Ling Yuchi, and the last one for himself and everyone present.
Then, all eyes focused on him——