【The Complete Story of Five Beauties】【20】【Author: Parasite】

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Twenty: Feng Xu Confesses to His Crime and the People Close the Market to Save Justice. Feng Xu arrived at the courtroom, and the guards reported, "Your Honor, bring on the torture instruments, prisoner!" A shout rang out from both sides, and the magistrate called out, "Prisoner Feng Xu!" Feng Xu replied, "Yes, sir." The magistrate asked, "Feng Xu, why did you rape a virtuous woman and kill her? Confess quickly, lest you be tortured." Feng Xu replied, "Your Honor, I am truly innocent." The magistrate was furious, slammed the gavel, and shouted from both sides, "You insolent servant, you open your mouth and cry innocence!" He ordered him to be slapped. The guards responded and slapped him five times. Poor Feng Xu's mouth was full of blood, which sprayed down his face. The magistrate shouted, "Confess quickly!" Feng Xu said, "Sir, please hear my testimony." He then recounted the entire story in detail, his testimony consistent from beginning to end, word for word. The official was furious and cursed, "You glib-tongued lackey, all you do is spout flowery words and try to evade the issue in this court. Human life is precious; you won't confess without torture!" He ordered his men, "Bring the torture instruments to torture this lackey!" The servants responded with a shout, like wolves and tigers, and rushed forward to clamp Feng Xu down, kicking his leg down. Feng Xu screamed and died instantly. Truly: The human heart may seem like iron, but it is not truly iron; the law of the court is like a furnace, but it is indeed a furnace.
A pitiful, thin, timid scholar, how could he withstand such a blow? He pitifully lay unconscious in the courtroom.
Seeing Feng Xu dead, the official ordered his men to bring cold water to spray his face. Before an hour had passed, he awoke with a cry of "Aiya!" and groaned, saying, "Human nature and heavenly principles, heavenly principles and human nature." The official said, "Quickly confess." Feng Xu said, "My lord, should I start by confessing? This whole mess was a trap. I only ask that you capture Wei Linchuan for questioning, then I will have a way out." The official angrily said, "Since ancient times, when one person kills another, there should be retribution. Do you expect Wei Linchuan to come and take your place?" He ordered, "Tighten!" The servants agreed and tightened the rope again. The poor fellow fainted again, and after a long while, he finally awoke and cried out, "I confess!" The judge asked, "How did you kill Young Master Hua's beloved concubine?" Feng Xu confessed, "That day, I went to Young Master Hua's residence for a poetry gathering. I drank heavily and couldn't go home, so I stayed in his study. I happened to see his beloved concubine, and at that moment, I had wicked thoughts and tried to seduce her. But the woman was fiercely defiant and cried out loudly. I was afraid that Young Master Hua would find out and it would be disgraceful, so in a fit of lust, I killed her." Seeing that Feng Xu had confessed, the judge had him write a statement, removed the shackles, sentenced him to death, and to be executed in the autumn. He was put in shackles in court and handed over to Qiantang County. The judge adjourned the court. Truly: Even with a copper tongue and an iron tongue, one can only fear the judge's opposition.
The official picked up his pen and wrote: "The investigation has confirmed that the murder was committed due to adultery. The execution is to be carried out in the autumn. Qiantang County is to imprison him. A detailed report must be prepared overnight." The document was immediately issued, and Feng Xu was escorted out of the camp.
Seeing Feng Xu in such a state, Qian Lin was heartbroken and cried out, "Brother-in-law, you have been unjustly tortured! When will this injustice be redressed? How can I find peace in my heart?" He embraced Feng Xu and wept bitterly. Feng Xu opened his eyes, sighed, and said, "So be it. I could not avenge this injustice in life, but I will surely seek justice before Yama after death. Brother Qian, remember that my mother only gave birth to me. After my death, I hope you will take care of me. Then I can die in peace. But your sister's marriage is not worth mentioning. It might ruin her life. Let you choose another noble family. Don't worry about me, or you will only hurt yourself." Qian Lin was about to reply when he heard a shout: "Bring Qian Lin!" Qian Lin was terrified and hurriedly said, "Brother-in-law, I don't have time to explain in detail. The magistrate has brought him in for questioning." A servant announced, "The prisoner enters." An inner servant responded, "Enter!" With a shout, he came to the steps. The servants reported, "Sir, the prisoners have been called out in person. Remove the shackles." They asked, "Qian Lin, why did you steal so many gold and silver utensils from the Prime Minister's residence? Confess truthfully and you will be spared punishment." Qian Lin replied, "My lord, please allow me to explain in detail." He then recounted the entire story of the marriage between the two families, just as detailed in the Qiantang County records. The magistrate said, "It wouldn't be beneath the Prime Minister's family to arrange a marriage between you and her. Why are you insisting on marrying your sister to Feng Xu? Feng Xu committed murder by rapist, and this court has already convicted him and he will be executed in the autumn. Instead of letting your sister marry elsewhere, why don't we act as matchmakers and arrange for her to marry into the Prime Minister's family? This would strengthen the bond between the two families, firstly to absolve you of your crime of theft, secondly to spare you from official duties, and thirdly, Grand Tutor Hua, out of consideration for your sister, might grant you an official position, bringing honor to your family. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Qian Lin was speechless with shock. After a long while, he finally replied, "My sister is already engaged to the Feng family. Who in Hangzhou doesn't know this? Besides, it was the old scholar Zhu, a member of the Hanlin Academy, who acted as matchmaker. It's unreasonable. How can one woman be served by two families? I beg Your Excellency..." "My lord, please have mercy! This cannot be done!" The magistrate was furious. He slammed his fist on the court, and shouts thundered from both sides. "You ungrateful wretch! This minister is acting as matchmaker for your sister. Are you less important than a mere scholar? This is unreasonable!" He hurriedly ordered the head servant, "Take Qian Lin away! Write down the agreement and bring it up. The Hua family will choose a date for the betrothal." Qian Lin replied, "Please allow me to go back and discuss this with my mother before I return to report." The magistrate said, "It has been said since ancient times: 'A woman's way has three obediences.' What are these three obediences? At home, a woman obeys her father; after marriage, she obeys her husband; and after her husband's death, she obeys her sons. Now that you have made the decision here, what other opinions does your mother have?" Just as Qian Lin was about to report again, he suddenly heard three drumbeats in the courtroom, signaling the magistrate's departure. The servants shouted, and the assistant urged Qian Lin out of the gate, saying, "Sir Qian, quickly write down the agreement!" Only after handing it to the assistant was Qian Lin allowed to return home.
The magistrate then ordered Feng Xu to be imprisoned again by the Qiantang County government. Magistrate Sun was puzzled in his inner hall when a servant came in and reported, "The magistrate has imprisoned Feng Xu and given Chengxing, the clerk, thirty strokes of the cane. Feng Xu is scheduled for execution in the autumn. The official document is here; please take a look, Your Honor." Magistrate Sun was greatly alarmed. He quickly took the document and read it: "Enough! It's a pity that a talented scholar from Hangzhou has been unjustly framed and is already scheduled for execution in the autumn. This is infuriating!" He immediately ordered Feng Xu to be imprisoned and summoned Chengxing into the house. The clerk, upon seeing the magistrate, wept and said, "Your Excellency has reprimanded me severely and demands that I provide details immediately, or I will be impeached and dismissed." Magistrate Sun asked, "What is Qian Lin's testimony?" The clerk replied, "Your Excellency released Qian Lin, but then forcibly declared that Qian and Hua were to marry, and forced me to write a statement of compliance." Magistrate Sun was furious upon hearing this, saying, "This is clearly a case of framing Feng Xu for murder, and forcibly declaring Qian and Hua a marriage. Reprimanding my clerk is like beating me, and now you want me to provide details, but I refuse! Let's see how he impeaches me! I am an official appointed by the court, receiving the emperor's salary, and it is my duty to serve the court and redress grievances for the people. How can this be allowed? I would rather lose my career than do such a deceitful thing!" He ordered the criminal investigation department, "The document must not be written. Let's see what they can do to me." To know how the magistrate made things difficult for Magistrate Sun, please read the next chapter.

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【The Complete Story of Five Beauties】【20】【Author: Parasite】

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