nashuaworldcup Chapter 216 Tell the Truth
Chapter 216 Tell the Truth
As the poisoned person gradually regained consciousness, the originally tense and angry atmosphere in the court suddenly became extremely awkward.
At this moment, a sudden loud shout suddenly rang out: "Sir, I am innocent!" This sudden voice was like thunder, instantly breaking the whispers in the court.
Steward Ding bowed deeply to Magistrate Huo, then stood up straight and raised his voice to speak loudly, "Sir, I want to sue these twenty-seven people for colluding with each other, poisoning the people, and deliberately plotting to frame Tianxianglou. I beg you to uphold justice for me and clear my name!"
These words were like a stone that caused a thousand ripples, leaving everyone in and out of the hall stunned and at a loss for a moment.
Everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and shock.
Who could have imagined such an unexpected turn of events? The supposed victim suddenly became the defendant. This... this... this... is truly unbelievable!
Magistrate Huo glanced solemnly at the people kneeling in the hall. How could he tell whether they were human or ghost under the outer clothes? But it didn't matter, Magistrate Huo thought to himself, it would not be long before the "ghost" who was trying to use his hand to achieve some ulterior motive would reveal its true form.
So, he decisively ordered: "Wang Bantou, quickly take people to the clinic and bring all the poisoned people to the lobby for interrogation!"
Magistrate Huo's voice was not loud, but it revealed majesty and oppression, which made everyone below shudder. The magistrate was really angry!
The bailiff responded to the order and turned around and left swiftly.
At this time, many people from Jiaqing Prefecture gathered here. It was not the first time for them to witness the prefect personally presiding over a public trial, but it was the first time in history that a case with such ups and downs and twists and turns had occurred.
Everyone stared with wide eyes at the courtroom, but faced with such a complicated case, it was difficult to tell who the real "bad guy" was for a moment.
Looking at the poisoned people who were rescued, they were now kneeling in the middle of the hall, extremely weak, with their heads hung down, as if they had committed a terrible sin and looked extremely guilty.
After this lawsuit, I'm afraid they will no longer have the face to stay in Jiaqing Mansion.
Time passed minute by minute, and after about half an hour, the people who were originally full of expectations and eager to know the outcome of the case gradually lost their patience, and even their initial speculation about the case stopped.
Just when everyone was beginning to get impatient, a group of yamen runners finally returned to the court with more than 20 people who were walking unsteadily, with hunched shoulders and drooped heads.
The prefect shouted, "Those kneeling in the courtroom who are here to file complaints on behalf of their victims, please step aside. Now let the real victims come to the courtroom to be tried in person!"
Magistrate Huo's words were like an amnesty, which instantly relaxed the people who had been kneeling until their legs and feet were numb.
Before this, they had united in their efforts, sharing a common hatred for the enemy, to fight against Tianxianglou. But now, after this long and agonizing wait on their knees, a sense of camaraderie seemed to blossom among them, born of the shared hardship of kneeling. So, everyone began supporting each other, limping slowly down.
Immediately afterwards, those victims who had just been detoxified but were still limp as if they had no bones took their place and knelt down.
At this moment, there was a crisp "pop" sound. This sudden sound was like a thunderclap, which startled the originally depressed people.
Everyone raised their heads and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the prefect sitting upright in the hall, his eyes as sharp as two lightning bolts, staring straight at the group of people who had been detoxified below the hall.
"Tell me! How exactly were you poisoned?" Magistrate Huo had obviously lost his patience with the twists and turns of the case, so he stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point.
As he spoke, he pointed at a young man who was kneeling at the front and looked to be in good condition, and said sternly, "You answer my questions!"
However, facing the prefect's harsh questioning, the young man was terrified and stammered in response, "Sir, I... I really don't know..."
There was a crisp "bang" sound, like a bolt of thunder in the blue sky, which startled the man so much that he trembled violently. After a shiver, he actually knelt down.
His head was lowered, as if a heavy burden was pressing on his neck. He did not dare to raise it even a little to peek at the Magistrate Huo who was sitting upright in the hall with a sullen face.
"You bold and unruly people! Even at this moment, you still dare to flatter and make all kinds of excuses! If you don't confess the truth, don't blame me for punishing you severely!" Magistrate Huo's eyes were wide open and his voice was like a bell. The majesty contained in it surged towards the people in the hall like a mountain crushing an egg.
This pressure caused everyone present to tremble uncontrollably and shudder together.
At this moment, the two groups of yamen runners understood what he meant and shouted in unison: "Mighty and powerful!"
The deafening shouts echoed endlessly in the courtroom, adding a touch of solemnity and majesty.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire court was solemn and frightening.
"Several of you are involved in the case, but in my judgment, the crimes you committed should not be punishable by death. If anyone can confess the case voluntarily, I will consider the circumstances and give a lighter sentence; but if anyone is stubborn and refuses to tell the truth, I will punish them severely and will not show any leniency!" Magistrate Huo looked around the entire audience with a sharp gaze, and his powerful aura instantly enveloped everyone's heart.
How could these ordinary people resist such awe-inspiring official power?
At this point, these people have a clear mind and know that it is hopeless to continue hiding it.
Instead of protecting the mastermind behind the scenes and ultimately suffering physical pain or even risking his life, why not just hand him over? Maybe he can get forgiveness from the government and reduce his punishment?
Then, only a few trembling voices were heard from the crowd: "Sir, I am willing to confess..." "Sir, I am willing to tell the truth..."
......
In the blink of an eye, the situation suddenly changed, and these people's attitudes took a 180-degree turn and they all changed their words.
This sudden reversal was like a thunderclap, causing huge waves in everyone's hearts.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, muttering to themselves, "This... is too easy to be fooled, isn't it? At least we should hold on a little longer. To give in so easily doesn't seem too weak and spineless."
One of them trembled and said, "Sir, I tell you the truth. This was ordered by the young master of the Lin family of Jinxiangzhai. He found me, gave me a sachet and five taels of silver, and promised me another five taels if I could successfully bring down Tianxianglou."
This person was quite straightforward and clear in explaining the whole incident in just three or two sentences.
Before he finished speaking, someone in the crowd immediately echoed: "Sir, I was also entrusted by the young master of the Lin family."
Then, one after another, voices rang out: "Me too."
"Me too."
For a moment, the sound of confessions filled the entire space.
Hearing this, Ru Yue frowned slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes. She muttered to herself, "Master Lin from Jinxiangzhai? The name seems familiar, but I can't remember where I've heard it before."
She tried hard to search for relevant clues and impressions deep in her memory, trying to uncover the connection between this person and what was happening before her.