TPATTHU Chapter 52
by VolareThe witness was brought forward.
When Shen Zhejiang clearly saw the old, sallow face of the man, he exclaimed in surprise, “Why is it you?”
It was the Zhao family’s steward.
“It was him who kidnapped the young master from my residence! This humble one personally saw him taking the young master out of the city gates under the cover of night. After that, the young master never returned!”
The steward knelt on the ground, identifying Shen Zhejiang’s crime.
Shen Zhejiang ignored his words and said to himself, “Three years ago, when I first arrived in Luo City, I received your kindness and was introduced by you to the Zhao residence to work as a tutor. I have treated you well these past few years, giving you thirty percent of my salary to repay your kindness. I never thought you would slander me.”
An indescribable feeling arose in his heart, and he only felt extremely ironic.
“He even threatened me not to reveal this matter and even bribed me with a tael of gold. This humble one was truly blinded by greed to accept it! Please investigate thoroughly, Your Honor!”
The steward trembled as he held up his withered, skeletal hand, took out a bamboo-green money pouch from his chest, raised it above his head with both hands, and presented it to Governor Yang.
“!!”
Shen Zhejiang’s heart jolted violently, as if a bronze bell on the drum tower had been struck hard, and his ears rang.
This money pouch…
He couldn’t fail to recognize it.
That day, when Han Weiwei beat the drum to appeal her grievance, he originally intended it for her to bury Old Man Han, but Xiao Zhinian exchanged it with silver.
It had long fallen into Xiao Zhinian’s hands.
“Xiao Zhinian…”
Shen Zhejiang murmured distractedly.
His blood seemed to have congealed into ice, and his whole body was chillingly cold.
“What else do you have to say in your defense?”
Governor Yang took out the gold mentioned by the steward from the money pouch. It glittered brightly, extremely dazzling under the sunlight.
Shen Zhejiang felt a little dizzy, clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth, “What did you do to him!”
“When did it become your turn to question this governor? Furthermore, this governor can’t understand what you’re raving about. Confess honestly, and this governor advises you to hand over the Zhao family’s young master as soon as possible. Then you’ll suffer less. If you know what’s good for you, this governor can handle things easily.”
Governor Yang threw the so-called evidence to the yamen runners next to him, signaling them to detain Shen Zhejiang.
Shen Zhejiang asked in a deep voice, “As a court official, you must be aware that plotting to harm the emperor is a crime that implicates nine generations. Aren’t you driving yourself to your death by doing this?”
“What plotting to harm the emperor? Shen Zhejiang, watch your mouth! Slandering this governor is an additional crime!”
Governor Yang rushed up to him in one stride and slapped Shen Zhejiang hard. Shen Zhejiang was caught off guard, and his face was turned to the side by the slap, numb to the point of being almost unconscious, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
“You dare hurt Mr. Shen, I’ll fight you!”
Huai Wu immediately flew into a rage, drawing his sword and stabbing at Governor Yang. Governor Yang was alarmed and quickly grabbed the yamen runner closest to him to use as a shield.
Blood splattered everywhere.
“Ah—!”
The yamen runner was pierced through the heart by the sword and died instantly.
Seeing this, Governor Yang quickly threw the yamen runner away, looking for the next human shield, his face filled with horror. He ran around the courtyard with his official robes flying, shouting, “Assassinating a court official in public is a capital crime! Seize him for this governor! Seize them all!!”
The yamen runners panicked and fled in all directions.
“I’m going to kill you!”
Huai Wu only recognized Governor Yang, and his sharp gaze followed Governor Yang like a shadow. He inevitably killed the yamen runners who were grabbed by Governor Yang to block the sword. For a time, blood flowed in the courtyard, and corpses were scattered everywhere.
“Crazy! What are you all standing there for?! Hurry up! Capture him! Whoever captures him will be heavily rewarded by this governor!”
Governor Yang fled like a rat, hugging his head and running wildly, wanting to rush out the door, but halfway there, he was tripped by the gold that had fallen to the ground in the chaos. He rolled around, his official hat fell off, and finally, he fell on his back, hitting his forehead against a large bruise.
He raised his head and discovered that he had hit the threshold that he had just stepped on.
“Ouch! This governor’s old back!”
His old bones cracked.
Huai Wu stepped on him.
Governor Yang had nowhere to escape, and his cunning face was filled with fear, “Help—Shen Zhejiang! Do you know who is in this governor’s hands! If anything happens to this governor today, he can forget about living!”
This inescapable net covered Shen Zhejiang again from all directions, making him feel suffocated.
He was very confused now.
He didn’t know what Xiao Zhinian’s current situation was, whether he was really imprisoned by Yang Shihui, whether he was alive or dead, he didn’t know anything, and he couldn’t be sure whether Yang Shihui was really tricking him.
Huai Wu didn’t care what Yang Shihui was yelling about. He raised his sword and slashed at the neck that was wriggling out of his official robes, shouting angrily, “You still dare to be so arrogant!”
“Shen Zhejiang, think carefully! This governor has given you a choice! The speed at which the imperial court dispatches troops is not as fast as the people working under this governor!”
A blatant threat.
“…”
Shen Zhejiang didn’t say a word, and his fingernails had already dug into his flesh, dyeing it blood red, but he didn’t feel any pain.
What if it was true?
He couldn’t gamble with Xiao Zhinian’s life.
The sword shadow fell—
“Ah—Help!!”
“Huai Wu, stop.”
Almost at the same time, both voices spoke out.
Only an inch away.
Shen Zhejiang’s clear voice rang out, “Let him go.”
Huai Wu was shocked and asked again uncertainly, “What?”
“Let him go.” Shen Zhejiang repeated.
“Mr. Shen! He just hit you! His Majesty regards you as a treasure, and will definitely tear him into pieces when he finds out about this!”
“I won’t say it a third time, let him go.”
The last two words were emphasized.
Shen Zhejiang completely released his fingernails, and his palm was covered in blood red.
Huai Wu didn’t understand what he had done wrong. With a clang, he threw his sword to the ground and crossed his arms.
“Quick! Help the governor up!”
The yamen runners rolled back with lingering fear, and helped Governor Yang up in a flurry. Some flatteringly patted the dust off his official robes, and some picked up his official hat and put it back on Governor Yang’s head.
How could Governor Yang not be afraid? He was also angry that this group of good-for-nothings only came when they smelled something good. Supporting his back that he had just sprained, he raised his foot and kicked the yamen runner who was putting his hat on several times to vent his anger, “You know how to flatter me now, what were you doing earlier! Bring the iron chains, and lock these two murderers back into prison for this governor. This governor will personally interrogate them!”