When the court convened half an hour later, the crowd outside was packed so tightly that not even water could seep through. Quite a few scholars were among them.
Lord Yang struck his gavel, and the trial officially began.
The three burly men were brought in. At the sight of them, Ran Xiaoxue's expression turned especially ugly.
She would have recognized those three even if they had been burned to ashes!
The moment they entered, all three cried that they had been wronged.
Lord Yang barked, "Silence!"
Everyone below immediately fell quiet.
Lord Yang pointed at Ran Xiaoxue and asked the three men:
"Do you know her?"
The three had spotted Ran Xiaoxue as soon as they were brought in. Of course they knew her.
They had heard all about the uproar over Ran Xiaoxue's accusations against Zuo Fanzheng.
Only then had they learned that the person who saved Ran Xiaoxue that night was a scholar.
Over the past few days, they had been gloating over his misfortune. It served him right for sticking his nose into their business and spoiling their fun.
Now look what had happened. Instead of appreciating his help, Ran Xiaoxue had falsely accused him. They had even heard that his mother had died from sheer anger.
Served him right!
Who could have known that, while they were enjoying themselves at the gambling house today, bailiffs would arrest them and bring them here?
The three looked up at Ran Xiaoxue and answered in unison:
"No."
Lord Yang said, "You don't? Very well, very well! Death is staring you in the face, and you're still being stubborn. Guards, beat them hard!"
"My lord, we've been wronged!"
"My lord, we've been wronged!"
Lord Yang had seen plenty of scoundrels like these. Talking only wasted time and breath.