(Three-in-one)
Zhou Hu sent Madam Yin back to the assistant minister's residence and conveyed Yu Shu's warning word for word. Yin Zhourong's face turned green, and Zhou Hu cleverly slipped away before Yin Zhourong lost his temper.
When Madam Yin Deng woke up from her coma, she wept and recounted what had happened to her at the Yu Residence. She only hid the part where Yu Shu revealed that she had drugged Yu Xiucai and Concubine Cui. Yin Zhourong breathed his last. Like Madam Yin, he had never thought that Yu Shu would be so 'ungrateful'.
"Master, we can't just let it go like this. Don't be fooled by that girl's young age. She's cunning and vicious. She's certain that even if she loses the case, we can't do anything to her, so she's so arrogant. She keeps saying that you ruined her father's future and wants to take revenge on us, "Madam Yin said as she wiped her tears.
"Nonsense!" The veins on Yin Zhourong's forehead throbbed as he said angrily, "Yu Xiucai was a despicable person. I helped him out of kindness, but he hooked up with my servant girl and almost ruined Madam's reputation. How could I allow him to stay in the capital? If Madam hadn't pleaded for Xiaocui, I would have beaten that lowly servant girl to death."
"If I had known that this would happen, I wouldn't have been so kind. I should have killed that ingrate and asked her to give birth to a little bastard. She's such a bitch who returns kindness with enmity." Madam Yin couldn't stop cursing.
"Enough." Yin Zhourong said impatiently, "What's the point of saying all this? Why didn't you scold her in front of her face? I asked you to scare her, but you were scared silly by her."
Madam Yin felt extremely wronged. She had suffered such a great humiliation, but he didn't comfort her and instead blamed her for being incompetent.
"Then tell me, what should we do now?"
Yin Zhourong sat down gloomily. After thinking for a long time, he finally hardened his heart: "We can't just let it go like this. If we don't kill the snake, there will be endless troubles in the future. Just like the former Celestial Commissioner, Judge Ji's family, because they provoked this woman Yu Shu, in the end, they ended up with a tragic ending. We can't follow in their footsteps. Once the joint trial of the three departments is over, we will capture Xiao Cui and first beat her half to death. I don't believe that girl really doesn't care about her mother's life or death."
"Isn't that going against father's wishes? How are we going to explain this to him?"
"What's there to be afraid of? I'm his son anyway. If he doesn't look out for me when something happens, will he look out for an outsider?" When Yin Zhourong said this, he had some confidence. After all, they were father and son. Prime Minister Yin had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. When the matter came to light, even if the emperor was angry with him, his father would definitely not ignore him.
"You're right," Yin Deng was relieved, as if she could see the scene of Yu Shu kneeling at her feet crying and begging not long after, so she was in the mood to tell Yin Zhourong,
"Today, when I went to her house, I saw a huge garden in her house. It was freezing cold outside, but the garden was full of spring scenery. Inside, she didn't feel cold even though she was wearing a thin layer of clothing. It's not strange."
She then described the rare birds, flowers, and trees in Yongchun Garden. Yin Zhourong was doubtful: "If there is such a fairy place, it has long been spread throughout the capital. Didn't you say that her housewarming banquet was very lively? Has no one ever walked through her garden? "
"When did that happen? It's not cold yet. How can it be strange?" Yin Deng curled her lips and said: "Didn't you see that the door of her house is closed all day long? How can there be any guests on weekdays?"
Yin Zhourong had an idea and said with envy: "It's said that she had an old immortal as her teacher, who has some extraordinary skills. That garden has probably been cultivated into a Fengshui treasure land. It's a pity that she has it. "
Yin Deng rolled her eyes and sneered: "When the lawsuit is over and we have her, we will ask her to give up the house in exchange for the safety of her mother. We don't have to worry that she won't agree."
The couple had a tacit understanding at this time, but at this time they were trying to take other people's money. They didn't know what would happen in court three days later.
***
The Supreme Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Censorate searched for evidence, understood the case in advance, and made preparations. On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, a public trial was held.
The Junior Official of the Supreme Judiciary, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Censor formed a joint trial. They investigated separately and tried together. Everyone had different opinions. For example, if the Supreme Judiciary found the defendant innocent through investigation, but the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Censor both thought the defendant guilty, then in the trial, they would attack each other and give evidence to convince the other side. Only then could they decide whether the defendant was guilty or not and sentence him.
On the case of Aunt Cui, Xue Rui and Imperial Censor Wang were very firm. One wanted to exonerate Yu Shu, the other wanted to attack her.
As a result, the court hearing today started with a strong smell of gunpowder.
Yin Zhourong, as the plaintiff, was first brought in for questioning. The other people involved in the case were waiting to be summoned in the side hall. Because it was a public trial, other than Ning Wang sitting at the side, the door of the yamen was wide open. Some people came to see the commotion, and some common people stopped to watch. In a short while, the outside of the door was blocked.
"Who are you?" Assistant Minister Li of the Ministry of Justice was the oldest, so he was the first to ask.
Yin Zhourong reported his family name and handed over the petition. This was a necessary process. There were two registrars in the court recording their every word and action as a confession.
Imperial Censor Wang reached out to take the petition, glanced at it, and handed it to Assistant Minister Li. Without waiting for him and Xue Rui to read it, he slammed the gavel and shouted,
"Bring the convict slave Cui Ping."
Summoning the defendant before even questioning the plaintiff. Assistant Minister Li frowned and turned to look at Xue Rui. Seeing the other looking at the petition with a calm expression, he didn't say anything.
In a short while, Aunt Cui was brought in. The yamen runners on both sides shouted "Mighty" and she was so scared that she almost fell. She shrunk her head. Moreover, there was the righteous Yin Zhourong beside her. In contrast, she appeared to be even more guilty.
"You are Cui Ping?" Imperial Censor Wang took the initiative, "The one who worked as a servant in the Yin Family seventeen years ago and later eloped with someone?"
There was a trap in his words. Aunt Cui only needed to nod and she would fall for it. Fortunately, Yu Shu had been giving her advice for the past few days. She didn't rush to answer when she heard Imperial Censor Wang's question. Instead, she raised her head and looked at the person who asked the question. Seeing that it was an old man with a long face and big nose, she didn't say anything. Instead, she shut her mouth and looked at Xue Rui who was sitting on her right.
Yu Shu told her, "When you go to the court, no matter what the ugliest man asks you, you should ignore him. Just stare at my eldest brother and answer whatever he says."
Aunt Cui naturally recognized Xue Rui.
Imperial Censor Wang didn't see her answer and snorted coldly. He was about to make things difficult but was interrupted by Xue Rui, "Official Wang, don't worry. The plaintiff is here. Why don't you let him identify himself?"
He asked Yin Zhourong, "Did this Madam Yu work as a servant in your family in the past?"
Yin Zhourong answered yes. He didn't wait for Xue Rui to ask and took the initiative to say, "Her name is Cui Ping. She used to be a servant in my mother's courtyard. Because I got married, I was assigned to live in another residence. My mother was worried that I would be alone outside, so she assigned a few servants for me. Cui Ping is one of them."
By saying this, he clearly explained Concubine Cui's background and covered up Old Madame Yin's intention of sending him a maid who served as a concubine.
Xue Rui nodded and looked at Aunt Cui, "Is he right?"
Aunt Cui looked at him and nodded. She said foolishly, "Yes."
Imperial Censor Wang interrupted, "Then do you also admit that you betrayed your master and stole his belongings?"
Aunt Cui shut up and looked at Xue Rui. Xue Rui also asked her, "The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Yin Zhourong, accused you of eloping and stealing his belongings. Did you do it?"
"I didn't!" Aunt Cui didn't need to look at his face this time to know that she had to deny loudly, "I'm wronged! Please help me, he is making a false accusation!"
Yu Shu told her that as long as someone asked about her eloping and stealing, she must say that she was wronged. Not only that, but she must also say it loudly. She must not lower her head.
When Aunt Cui was young, she yearned for Yin Zhourong. But after more than ten years, when they met again, the handsome and weak Second Young Master had become a fat middle-aged man in front of her. She didn't have the slightest desire for him.
"Bang!" Censor Wang knocked on the gavel and pointed at Concubine Cui as he scolded, "Shut up! We are asking you a question, and you only need to answer yes or no. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will slap your mouth."
"Official Wang," Assistant Minister Li interrupted coldly, "Although Madam Yu doesn't have an imperial title, she is an official of the imperial court. Her parents can't be punished before the case is finalized."
After saying that, he looked at Imperial Censor Wang with slight disdain. His eyes seemed to say: You don't even know this little bit of criminal law, and you still have the nerve to come out. I feel ashamed for you.
Imperial Censor Wang's face turned red and he turned his head to ignore Assistant Minister Li. He didn't say anything else. Xue Rui took the opportunity to question Yin Zhourong, "You accused Madam Yu of eloping and stealing your family's property. What evidence do you have?"
"There is a contract signed by Cui Ping and my family." Yin Zhourong slowly provided evidence, "Because she eloped with someone, the contract was naturally left behind. That adulterer was originally in the capital to take the imperial examinations. I took pity on his talent and let him stay in my residence. I treated him with good tea and food. I didn't expect him to have evil intentions and secretly touched my family's maidservant. After the matter was exposed, he was afraid that I would make things difficult for him, so he colluded with Cui Ping and stole some property from the upper room. After gathering enough money, they eloped in the middle of the night."
This story was no different from the one he used to deceive Prime Minister Yin. At first glance, there was no flaw in it.
Following that, Assistant Minister Li first called the witnesses that Yin Zhourong mentioned. They were the old maid in Madam Deng's room and an old doctor who lived in the south of the city. The two of them testified that when Aunt Cui was in the Yin residence, she did have an affair with someone.
Assistant Minister Li turned his head to discuss with Xue Rui, "Official Xue, what do you think?"
"Isn't there another contract? Bring it here."
Yin Zhourong took out an old document from his bosom. Aunt Cui's eyes widened. Yu Shu did not reveal to her that there were two contracts, so she was kept in the dark. She thought that it was a talisman that would bring her death and her face turned pale.
Yin Zhourong glanced at her and laughed coldly in his heart: Now you know fear. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for giving birth to a good daughter.
Xue Rui was the first to get his hands on the indenture contract. Yu Shu had already told him about Madam Yindeng's trick of substituting the peaches for the peaches. When he carefully examined the contract in his hands, he quickly noticed that it was different from the one he obtained from the Yu Clan.
Without revealing his emotions, he passed it to Imperial Censor Wang and said, "Official Wang, please examine it. Is this real or fake?"
Imperial Censor Wang had seen this contract before, but he pretended to look at it. He also ordered someone to take Aunt Cui's handprint and handwriting to verify it. He nodded and said, "I think it's real."
Xue Rui reminded him, "Although this contract was signed with the Yin family, it was Madam Yin who made the decision. It also has Madam Yin's name and mark on it. We should go to the Prime Minister's residence and let Madam Yin take a look."
The slave system in Da An was quite strict. Buying and selling slaves was not only done with a piece of paper. The seller had to sign his name and put his fingerprint on it, but there must also be a legitimate middleman. The buyer's mark would also be left on the contract, and a record would be made at the local yamen. There was only one copy left as proof. No matter who had this contract, as long as it was not returned to the slave, it would always be binding. This was also to avoid the situation where the middleman was cunning and sold more than one slave.
Yin Zhourong listened to Xue Rui's words and secretly frowned. He was afraid that Xue Rui would make an issue of this contract and insist that it was forged.
"Official Xue is making an unnecessary move. There is her signature on it. Is it not enough to prove that it is her contract? Why do you have to trouble Madam Premier?" Imperial Censor Wang disagreed.
Xue Rui said, "Official Wang's words are wrong. The joint trial of the three departments should be fair and impartial. Moreover, this case was personally supervised by His Majesty. How can we be lazy just because we are afraid of trouble? What do you think, Official Li?"
Assistant Minister Li nodded and said, "It should be more rigorous. It is better to send it to Prime Minister Yin's residence to verify it."
Imperial Censor Wang saw that they were in cahoots with him and opposed him at every turn. He was already dissatisfied and was about to say something sarcastic when he heard someone say, "There is no need to trouble. Wai-zumu is ill. There is no need to go through her for such a small matter. Just bring it to me and I will know."
It was Ning Wang who had spoken.
Xue Rui glanced at him but saw the usual hypocritical smile on Liu Hao's face. He looked like he wanted to muddy the waters. Without saying anything, he took the contract and handed it over to him. Liu Hao flipped it around and looked at it. He raised his head and said to Xue Rui, "This prince can testify that it is real."
Imperial Censor Wang raised his tail again and did not forget to compliment Ning Wang, "Wang Ye has filial piety in his heart. It is truly a great kindness."
Below, Yin Zhourong gave a sigh of relief and secretly cast a grateful look at Ning Wang. With Ning Wang's testimony, there was no longer any doubt about the authenticity of this contract.
"Both the witness and the material evidence are here. What else do you have to say?" Imperial Censor Wang pointed at Aunt Cui and said coldly, "Do you know that as a servant, you betrayed your master and stole your master's wealth. These two crimes are enough for you to be paraded on the streets and drowned in a pig cage!"
Aunt Cui's legs turned to jelly. She was counting on Yu Shu to come out and support her. Now that Yu Shu was nowhere to be seen, her superiors were going to convict her. How could she not panic? Out of her wits, she immediately looked like she was going to cry. She fell to the ground on her buttocks and could only say one sentence.
"I was wronged, I was wronged …"
Liu Hao looked with interest at Aunt Cui who was sitting on the ground and acting shamelessly. No matter how hard he tried, he could not associate her with the shrewd and experienced Yu Shu. With such a weak and useless mother, how did she raise such a competitive daughter?
"Bam!" Imperial Censor Wang knocked on the gavel once again, causing Mistress Cui to shut up. He turned around to look at Xue Rui and purposely made things difficult for him, "This criminal refuses to confess, and we can't use torture on her. Do you have any way to make her confess?"
Xue Rui said unhurriedly: "What's the rush? I still have questions to ask." He looked at Yin Zhourong: "This official found out that after Yu Furen entered the capital, she stayed at your fu for a few days. Is that correct?"
"There was such a thing," Yin Zhourong had long been prepared to be asked, so he didn't panic and explained, "At that time, Yu Nü Yu had just passed the imperial examinations and — — she had also hooked up with a noble. Cui Yiniang was fearless and came to my fu to claim kinship. She wanted to marry her daughter to my youngest son and shamelessly refused to leave my house. In the end, it was Yu Nü Yu who came to fetch her."
If Yu Shu was present, she would definitely spit on his face. At that time, it was Yin Deng who had taken a fancy to her identity as the Great Yan Nuzi and thought that this kind of daughter-in-law was easy to manipulate, so she detained Aunt Cui in her house and sent a matchmaker to Zhao Hui's house to propose marriage. In the end, she was chased out by Yu Shu.
Xue Rui's expression turned cold and he questioned him: "If that is the case, then you had already seen Yu Furen. Then why did you not report her at that time? Why did you wait until after the matter was over to bring up old scores?"
"Because my furen is kind, so I wanted to let her go." Yin Zhourong answered quickly, but his reason was a bit forced. He really could not find a better explanation. On the day of Madam Yin Deng's birthday, Yu Shu and Aunt Cui were also invited. Many people saw them 'living in harmony'.
Assistant Minister Li frowned and said: "Then why do you want to report her now?"
"It's because that mother and daughter bullied others too much. After the marriage failed, they went around to ruin my son's reputation and ruined several marriages. My furen was so angry that she could not get out of bed. Should I just swallow this humiliation?" Yin Zhourong said with a face full of unwillingness and humiliation.
Imperial Censor Wang said angrily: "The slave bullied the master, the slave bullied the master! It's simply despicable. How can this kind of wicked slave be tolerated? "
Yin Zhourong also pointed at Aunt Cui and sternly scolded her: "You lowly servant. In the past, you shamelessly had an illicit affair with someone. My furen and I were benevolent and spared your life. You lowly person do not know how to repay our kindness. Time has passed and now you come to me to seek revenge. You really deserve to die!"
Aunt Cui was scared silly by Imperial Censor Wang earlier. Now that she was being scolded by him, she became a bit more clear-headed. She knew that she had been wronged and felt indignant. When she heard him call her a lowly person, she did not know where she got the courage to crawl up from the ground. She wiped away her snot and tears and trembled as she tugged at his sleeve. She cried:
"Master, why did you harm me like this? It was clearly Furen who saw that I was pregnant and didn't want me to announce it, so she sent me away with him. How did it become me eloping? Master, you can't lie like this. You're forcing me to die! In any case, I have served you before. Based on our past relationship, please be merciful and spare me! "
Yin Zhourong saw that she had rubbed that lump of filth on his sleeve. The yellow and white color was disgusting. He also heard her mumbling about 'past relationship'. He was so embarrassed that his neck and face turned red. He used all his strength to shake her off and the two of them started to tug at each other from below.
"What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of relationship do we have? Lowly person!"
"Master, Master, you can't be so heartless. Back then, I served you with all my heart. How could you forget about it? Master, sob sob sob …" Aunt Cui was crying her heart out.
"Shut up, lowly person."
"Master, Master!"
Hearing these cries, the crowd outside the yamen burst into laughter. It was obvious that they were enjoying the show. Xue Rui looked at this scene coldly. Before Imperial Censor Wang could do anything, he grabbed the gavel and slammed it on the table. "Pa!"
"Summon the witness, the female Celestial Commissioner, Imperial Official Yu Shu."
A moment later, Yu Shu arrived. The first thing she did when she entered was look around. She didn't know what had happened earlier, but she could roughly guess what had happened based on the expressions of the crowd.
"Who are you? What relationship do you have with the defendant? " Assistant Minister Li asked. Although he and Yu Shu were neighbors, they didn't have much of a relationship. Thus, there was no awkwardness or awkwardness in meeting her in court.
"I am Yu Shu, the female official of the current Celestial Commissioner's Kun Ling Bureau. The defendant is my birth mother." Yu Shu's last four words were spoken clearly. She didn't seem to be trying to avoid suspicion, nor did she feel ashamed.
This kind of calmness made the onlookers who were snickering outside the door speechless. They looked at each other and actually felt embarrassed. No matter how unbearable that woman was, her own daughter didn't despise her. What was there for them to laugh about?
From the moment Yu Shu appeared, Liu Hao put away his smile and silently stared at her every move. No one knew what he was thinking in his mind.
When Aunt Cui saw that Yu Shu had arrived, she threw Yin Zhourong aside and turned to pounce on her with tears and snot. Yu Shu didn't avoid her. She hugged her shoulder and took out a handkerchief to wipe her face.
Assistant Minister Li coughed lightly and didn't say anything else. Just as Xue Rui was about to speak, Imperial Censor Wang interrupted, "You say that this is your mother. Then do you know that she and your father had an illicit relationship and later eloped? In reality, she was a servant in someone else's residence?"
Yu Shu coaxed Aunt Cui and raised her eyes to look at the aggressive Imperial Censor Wang. A few days ago, at the Imperial Court, he had led the charge to impeach her. She didn't defend herself. Today, in front of him, she didn't plan on pretending to be a grandson.
"I know that my mother was once a yahuan in the fu of the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Yin Zhourong. As to the illicit relationship, it is not true."
Imperial Censor Wang seemed to have predicted that she would quibble. He raised the indenture contract that Yin Zhourong had handed over and sneered, "If your mother didn't elope, then why is the indenture contract still in the hands of the owner?"
Yu Shu replied, "That is fake."
"Ning Wang personally verified it. How can it be fake?"
"Can I take a look?"
"Why not, take it to her." Imperial Censor Wang was very generous.
When Yu Shu received the indenture contract, she was the same as Xue Rui. She first confirmed a few points and then said with certainty, "This is fake."
"Stubborn," Yin Zhourong snorted coldly at the side, "His Highness Ning Wang and several daren have verified the authenticity. On it, there is your mother's handprint and signature, and also my mother's mark. It really can't be any more real. What right do you have to say that this is fake?"
Yu Shu didn't even look at him. Her hand reached into the wide sleeve of her robe and took out a scroll. She said, "Because my mother's real indenture contract is with me."
Her words caused everyone's expression to change. Outside the court, there was an uproar. Only Xue Rui calmly said, "Bring it up."
Yu Shu handed it over. Xue Rui held it in his hand and identified it with Assistant Minister Li. Imperial Censor Wang stretched his neck to take a look. He saw that they were comparing the two indenture contracts. It was obvious that the seller was the same person, but when it came to the owner, there was a difference. The contract that Yin Zhourong took out had Old Madame Yin's mark. On this contract, there was someone else's mark. Just looking at the mark and the seal, he couldn't tell who it was.
"Aha, this is obviously fake," Imperial Censor Wang concluded, "Yu Shu, you have guts. You dare to forge evidence to deceive the court. How should you be punished?"
Yu Shu smiled as she looked at him. She turned her head to Yin Zhourong, who had an expression of seeing a ghost the moment she took out the indenture contract. She said,
"Assistant Minister Yin, dare I ask your wife's name. Is it 'Yu Rong'?"
Yin Zhourong's body stiffened. He couldn't answer. The others didn't understand. Assistant Minister Li, who was holding the two indenture contracts, was the first to react. He looked down and read it again. He said to Yu Shu in surprise,
"Could it be that this indenture contract was made by Old Madame Yin?"
Yu Shu replied, "Yin Zhourong's wife, Madame Yin Deng. Her surname is Deng and her name is Yu Rong. This indenture contract was made by her more than ten years ago. This commoner girl has grievances. Please forgive me, Your Excellency. "
Imperial Censor Wang widened his eyes and was about to speak when Xue Rui cut him off, "Speak."
"Actually, this is what happened …" Yu Shu gave a simple and clear account of how Aunt Cui was given to the son of a concubine by Old Madame Yin. Madame Yin deceived Aunt Cui into signing another indenture contract. When the matter between Scholar Yu and Aunt Cui was exposed, she returned this indenture contract to Scholar Yu in order to send the two away.
"My father was a scholar who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations. He lived in the outer courtyard of his house. How could he get together with Old Madame's servant girl? Someone must have deliberately set them up. Regardless of who that person was, after the incident, Assistant Minister Yin drove my parents away. He was afraid that the matter would be exposed and his wife's reputation would be tarnished. My father felt guilty towards Assistant Minister Yin. In order to protect my mother and the child in her womb, he had no choice but to give up the imperial examinations and bring my mother back to the village to get married. However, because he left in a hurry, he didn't go to the yamen to remove my mother's household registration. He was afraid that my mother would be sad if she found out, so he hid her indenture contract. Later, when my father died, this indenture contract was passed through many hands before it landed in my hands. Because of his last words, I didn't tell my mother. "
According to her description, Scholar Yu seemed to be a good man who was affectionate and righteous. He was not the ungrateful villain that Yin Zhourong had described him to be.
Among the people present, Aunt Cui had the biggest reaction. She had never thought that Scholar Yu had done anything for her. When she heard this, she was stunned.
Yin Zhourong, on the other hand, was unusually silent. Only the flickering in his eyes betrayed his panic at the moment.
Assistant Minister Li looked pensive, but Censor Wang didn't care and reprimanded him. "Don't make irresponsible remarks. Do you think you can distort the truth with just your mouth? I think you found someone to forge this indenture contract and made up such a story to exonerate your mother. Unfortunately, your words are full of loopholes. Even if you lie endlessly, you can't cover up the truth."
Yu Shu sneered. "Then, Official Wang, why don't you tell me what I said is wrong."
Censor Wang was proud of his intelligence. When she provoked him, he said without hesitation, "You said that this indenture contract was re-signed by Madam Yin and your mother. This is a lie. Your mother was originally Old Madam Yin's maidservant. She already had an indenture contract. Why would she need to sign another one? Moreover, she was already a slave. If her master didn't release her, it would be illegal for her to sign a second indenture contract. Madam Yin came from a wealthy family. How could she not understand this? How could she knowingly break the law?"
Yu Shu pursed her lips and smiled. If it wasn't for the fact that this was not the right place, she really wanted to applaud him. He really sold out a good teammate.
She looked at Yin Zhourong again. He could no longer pretend to be calm. His face was pale. Now that things had come to this, how could he not guess that Scholar Yu had cheated him more than ten years ago?
"Official Wang is right," Xue Rui continued expressionlessly, "Her old master hasn't been released. Signing another indenture contract is a crime. Knowingly doing it, it is an additional crime. Both master and servant are guilty of the same crime. They should receive thirty lashes and be imprisoned for fifteen days."
Censor Wang completely did not notice that something was wrong with Yin Zhourong's expression and continued to sell out his teammate. "Exactly. Official Xue is familiar with the laws. Official Li, what do you think?"
Assistant Minister Li was much smarter than him. He still held the two indentures in his hand. Looking at the calm and steady Yu Shu, he already had a conclusion in his heart. He only needed one last step to verify it.
"Come, go to the Assistant Minister's fu and retrieve Yin Furen's imprint and handwritten letter. Whether it is real or fake, we will know once we verify it."
The bailiffs obeyed. Censor Wang glanced smugly at Xue Rui as though victory was in his grasp. Just now, Ning Wang had verified that the indenture contract that Yin Zhourong had taken out was real, so he was sure that the one that Yu Shu had taken out was fake.
Yin Zhourong watched as the bailiffs ran away. His heart was burning with anxiety. He wanted to run back home and tell Yin Deng shi not to take out the imprint, even if it was a futile effort.
The evidence collected by the three bureaus wasn't something that you could refuse to give just because you wanted to.
Yu Shu sensed his anxiety and helplessness. She thought, "If Yin Zhourong is smart, he should think of a way out now. Otherwise, when the dust settles, the consequences won't just be a few lashes."
In order to control Aunt Cui, Yin Zhourong signed the indenture contract. This was not only solid evidence that she knowingly broke the law, but also solid evidence that she was disobedient and unfilial. Just think, Old Madam Yin, as a mother-in-law, gave her daughter-in-law, a servant, and even gave her the indenture contract. However, she wanted to deceive her superiors and make a new one, causing Aunt Cui to "change owners." To put it in perspective, she was scheming and shrewd. To put it in perspective, she was disobedient and unfilial to Old Madam Yin!
"Milord," Yin Zhourong gritted his teeth and said, "This concerns an insider. Someone forged the indenture in her name. Shouldn't she come forward to testify?"
Xue Rui looked at him. His eyes seemed to see through his thoughts. He smiled slightly and didn't say anything. He let Assistant Minister Li be the good guy.
"Send someone to invite the Assistant Minister's wife," Assistant Minister Li said.
Prince Ning simply closed his eyes and rested.
They waited for almost an hour. The yamen runner who went to the Assistant Minister's Mansion to collect evidence came back with Madam Yin.
Madam Yin came to the court with a nervous expression. She must have asked the yamen runner about what had happened on the way here. She stood behind Yin Zhourong without saying a word. She secretly looked in the direction of Prince Ning and suppressed the fear in her heart.
Yu Shu noticed her small movements. A sneer flashed across her eyes.
Soon, Assistant Minister Li and Xue Rui jointly verified the authenticity of the indenture contract that Yu Shu took out. At the same time, Censor Wang also burst into a strange cry of disbelief.
"This, this, this, how is this possible!?"
Assistant Minister Li shook his head and pushed the two indentures to him. Then, for the first time today, he knocked on the gavel and questioned the people in the court in a cold voice, "This indenture contract is real. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Normally, if both indentures were real, they would have the effect of restraining the servants. However, the two indentures were signed by two different people. How could a servant have two masters?
This kind of illegal thing happened. It was Aunt Cui's fault for being stupid. Yin Zhourong and Madam Yin also had to bear the responsibility.
"I, I don't know." Aunt Cui stupidly said the only smart thing she said today. Yes, she didn't know.
"When I signed this indenture contract, it was Madam who told me that she had torn the contract with Old Madam. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to sell myself again." This was the truth. She didn't have the courage.
Madam Yin's expression suddenly changed. She pointed at Aunt Cui and scolded, "You traitorous b * tch, you —"
"Slap!" Before she could finish her words, she was slapped loudly in the face, which stunned her. She looked back at Yin Zhourong, who had raised his hand, and saw that he was looking at her angrily,
"Well, how dare you do such a shameful thing behind my back. When has mother ever mistreated you? Why do you have to play tricks like this? You didn't even let go of a maidservant! Since you returned her indenture contract, why did you hide it from me? You lied to me and said that they eloped and made me come here to make a fool of myself. "
Madam Yin was stunned, "Master, I, I didn't do that. You —"
"Slap!" She slapped her again. Yin Zhourong was afraid that she would talk nonsense and get him involved if the matter was exposed, so he didn't give her a chance to speak.
All he could think about now was that he couldn't let Prime Minister Yin know that he had lied to him, and he couldn't let his official mother think that he was not filial. As for who would take the blame, only Madam Yin could take the blame.
"How dare you say that you didn't? You evil woman, I thought it was strange that Cuiping was a maidservant in your yard. How could she have an affair with a scholar in the outer yard? If you hadn't been so careless, how could they have had the chance to do such a shameful thing? I thought you were a virtuous person, but it turns out that you also have evil intentions. "
The husband and wife had been in the same bed for twenty years, but they suddenly turned hostile. Madam Yin was shocked and distressed. At this time, she also realized that the master saw that there was no hope of retracting the confession and wanted her to take the blame, so he was eager to cut ties with her.
Yu Shu stood next to them and watched the husband and wife fall out on the spot. She couldn't say how happy she was, but she also felt a little emotional. She patted Aunt Cui's shoulder and really wanted to say to her, "Look, this is the rich young master you liked in the past. In order to protect himself, he could even abandon his wife who gave birth to his children. Think about Yu Xiucai, the pitiful person you despised until his death, but he was willing to give up his future for you and your children, go back to his hometown and live with you alone."
"Slap!"
"Enough." Xue Rui hit the gavel again and said in a hoarse voice, "Madam Yin Deng, let me ask you, seventeen years ago, when Madam Yu was a slave in your family, after she had an affair with Yu Xiucai, did the two elope, or did you release their slave contract and let them go?"
Madam Yin Deng's eyes were filled with Yin Zhourong's twisted face. She covered her burning cheeks and trembled, afraid that he would give her another slap in front of everyone. When she came back to her senses, she couldn't help but admit,
"Yes … I was the one who sold myself to Yu Xiucai behind the master's back."
"Then you also admit that you later tricked Madam Yu into revising the slave contract you gave him?" Xue Rui's tone was very sharp.
"Yes." Madam Yin Deng sobbed. She could have shook her head and found an excuse to drag Aunt Cui down with her, but she wasn't in the right state of mind at this time, so Xue Rui took advantage of the situation and exonerated Aunt Cui.
After Xue Rui finished questioning, he whispered a few words to Assistant Minister Li, and then interrogated Yin Zhourong and the two witnesses separately. He easily overturned the previous confession, and no one paid attention to the dumbstruck Imperial Censor Wang. Not long after, they came to a conclusion.
Assistant Minister Li drew a fire stick from the pot and handed it to Xue Rui, indicating that he would pronounce the verdict.
Xue Rui was unwilling to pass on this responsibility. He briefly exchanged a glance with Yu Shu in midair and loudly said, "After the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice's investigation, the case of the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Yin Zhourong, accusing the imperial eunuch's biological mother, Madam Yu, of secretly escaping was a false accusation. Now, because Madam Yu is a good citizen, the two contracts of slavery should be returned to her. Madam Yin Deng revising the slave contract and giving a false confession will be punished with thirty lashes and imprisonment for fifteen days. As for Madam Yu, because she was deceived, she is not guilty and will only be imprisoned for three days. "
When he finished, he looked at Prince Ning and asked in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, "Your Highness will supervise the trial from the side. Do you have any objections?"
Liu Hao glanced at Yin Zhourong and his wife, and his eyes paused on Yu Shu for a moment. He slowly stood up and said, "The officials are very perceptive and can be said to be fair. I have no objections. I will return to the palace and report to Imperial Father. Farewell."
He walked out with his guards and attendants, not even looking at Yin Zhourong's pleading eyes. Xue Rui threw a fire stick behind him and said ruthlessly,
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