"Alas!"
After Tang Wei shouted, Qian Wei alone furrowed his brow in thought. He had just beaten three men to death. It was not the first time he had killed someone by caning; during his thirteen years in the prefectures and counties, including six as a county magistrate, he had beaten criminals to death, supervised executions, and even overseen the suppression of bandits shortly after the founding of the dynasty.
"But it is the first time I have beaten someone to death when their crime did not warrant execution." Qian Wei shook his head, bitterness filling his mouth. Yet as he looked below, his gaze hardened once more. "For the sake of the court, would I begrudge my own reputation for integrity?"
He was about to reach out and strike the judge's block when a cry suddenly rang out from below. "My lords, I have something to report—"
The miserable cry was as piercing as a night owl's shriek. Its abrupt appearance made everyone present shudder.
Qian Wei nearly dropped the judge's block in his hand, and the muscles in his face twitched. Though everyone had lost their composure, fury still surged within his chest.
Bang! Qian Wei slammed the judge's block down and roared, "Your Marquis of Pacifying the South's Residence is under suspicion. Out of respect for your family's rank among the meritorious, we have shown you courtesy by not summoning the Marquis or the Heir himself, but questioning you instead. And now you dare bellow in this court? Outrageous!"
Who would have thought that these words would once again provoke Hong Dao below?
Hong Dao nearly wept blood as he shouted, "No! I am the Heir of the Marquis of Pacifying the South! A Monster suppressed me and took my place!"
What?
Qian Wei and Tan Ping