68: Blood splatters in Kyoto! Fan Xian is imprisoned! (35)

Chapter 68: Blood Splatters Kyoto Prefecture! Fan Xian Imprisoned! (35)

Kyoto Prefecture Yamen.

The entrance was already surrounded by commoners watching the spectacle. Fan Xian stepped down from the carriage amidst their pointing and whispering.

“Fan Xian is here! So this is Count Sinan’s illegitimate son!”

“I just heard that he was with several women on the street…”

“No, now two young ladies have come to file a complaint!”

“They said some of those women were Fan Xian’s personal maids, and they were having fun together, helping him bully people!”

“What?! This is too lawless!”

Fan Xian truly had a splitting headache. How did he get into such trouble right after entering the city?

After being attacked, he was immediately brought to Kyoto Prefecture. This must have all been planned beforehand!

Fan Xian’s heart pounded. He wondered if his never-before-met father would help him.

When he walked into the Kyoto Prefecture Yamen, besides two young women crying their eyes out, there were also several commoners watching.

At this moment, one of the onlookers was speaking.

“Your Honor, this humble commoner saw an older woman holding down this young lady’s hands and feet…”

Fan Xian was stunned. He was held down by several maids, how did the story get reversed?

The Female Official who led them was over thirty, her cultivation was comparable to his, and the other women who attacked him were all Seventh Rank.

Could it be that while they were attacking him, they still had time to put on a show?

These commoners in the hall were clearly the ones who had been watching from the side, and they spoke with conviction.

The two women who filed the complaint were definitely framing him, but it was hard to say about these few onlookers.

After all, what people see isn't necessarily the truth.

Seeing Fan Xian enter, Mei Zhili slammed the gavel. “The person below, are you Fan Xian?”

Fan Xian was pushed by several yamen runners into the main hall. He cupped his hands and said, “Your Honor, this humble commoner is Fan Xian.”

The yamen runner leader pushed Fan Xian. “Since you are a humble commoner, why do you not kneel!”

Fan Xian touched the Supervisory Council’s Supervising Commissioner’s Waist Token in his in my arms, and simply did not kneel.

As a Transmigrator, he really didn't want to keep kneeling.

Mei Zhili was extremely astute. Seeing Fan Xian’s small gesture and considering his identity.

“No matter, just stand and answer.”

Then, the scribe read aloud the complaint filed by the two plaintiffs in court.

After reading it, Fan Xian cupped his hands and said, “Your Honor, these two women are absolutely slandering and falsely accusing me! It was clearly they who assaulted this humble commoner!”

“I was just sitting properly in my carriage when these women suddenly rushed over, scantily clad, and publicly kissed and hugged me!”

As Fan Xian spoke, the commoners watching outside the hall erupted in jeers.

“Is there really such a good thing in the world? This Fan Xian is too much of a fibber!”

“How can any woman be willing to harm others with her own reputation? If you did it, just admit it!”

“Exactly, from a prominent family, if you did it, take responsibility!”

Discussions broke out, and Mei Zhili slammed the gavel. “Silence! Silence!”

After the gavel slammed, the two plaintiff women lunged at Fan Xian like madwomen.

“Fan Xian, you’ve lost all conscience! Are you saying we used our bodies and reputations to frame you?!”

“The Fan Family is powerful, can they really cover up everything with one hand?!”

“Fan Xian… may you die a terrible death!”

Fan Xian was so scared he retreated repeatedly. Why were these two so crazy!

Those women really used their reputations to frame Fan Xian; that was the truth of the matter!

“You debase yourselves! You dress in revealing clothes! If you don’t care about your own reputation, what does it have to do with me!”

Fan Xian was truly enraged. You frame others, and then you act as the injured party.

At this moment, the two plaintiffs cried even more miserably, each wishing they could devour Fan Xian.

“Fan Xian, you beast!”

One of the plaintiffs, while speaking, lunged at Fan Xian like a madwoman, and two yamen runners couldn't hold her back.

Fan Xian instinctively dodged, “Crazy woman!”

“Bang!”

That woman’s head directly hit a pillar in Kyoto Prefecture!

Immediately, red and white matter splattered everywhere, and a pool of blood flowed!

The sudden turn of events stunned the commoners, and even more so, it stunned Fan Xian!

He thought these two women had just taken some money to falsely accuse him.

This matter shouldn’t be difficult to investigate, especially since there were Imperial Guards nearby at the time. A thorough investigation would surely clarify everything.

However, now that the plaintiff had died in court, what good would clarifying it do!

Fan Xian suddenly felt a chill down his spine!

Someone was using a woman’s reputation and life to ruin his name!

This was a living human life!

At this moment, Fan Xian had no idea of the true meaning of the term 'dead soldier'.

Indeed, with the plaintiff’s death, the onlookers instantly erupted.

“What a heroic woman! Fan Xian, do you have no conscience?!”

“The Sinan Count Manor is a scholarly family, how could such an utterly wicked person emerge from it?!”

“She’s taking her own life to bring down Fan Xian!”

At this moment, Mei Zhili was also sweating profusely down his back. A death in court, this was a major incident!

“There are many irregularities in this case, and it is of great importance. This Prefect has decided to close the yamen for trial!”

With a slam of the gavel, the yamen runners slowly pushed the surging commoners out of the Kyoto Prefecture compound.

Just then, a report came from outside the gate.

“Clear the way, idlers!”

“The Second Prince has arrived!”

Prince Yong's Residence.

Li Chang’an sat cross-legged in the training room, a faint red glow emanating from his body.

This was the state of the Muscle Third Cycle, Red Level Futu, with all his pores greedily absorbing the Origin Qi of heaven and earth.

The Origin Qi entered his Meridians, then diffused into his flesh and blood. His Meridians, flesh, and blood were repeatedly cleansed, emitting a faint yellow glow. The Fourth Cycle, Yellow-level Floating Pagoda, was forming.

Most Martial Artists can only store True Qi in the Meridians around their body.

If Li Chang’an Cultivated to the Yellow-level Floating Pagoda, every acupoint in his body would be able to store True Qi, and at that time, the True Qi capacity within his body would expand dozens of times!

Increasing the True Qi capacity within his body was a necessary path for Li Chang’an to Breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster Realm.

The process of reshaping his Meridians and Physical Body was very painful and arduous. He could not Cultivate for more than three hours a day.

Li Chang’an finished his Cultivation for the day and called Jing Ni and Wang Qinian, who were waiting at the door, inside.

Name: Wang Qinian

Age: 32

Realm: Ninth Rank Lower Level

Talents: Tracking (Ninth Rank), Cartography (Eighth Rank), Espionage (Seventh Rank)

Abilities: Tracking (Ninth Rank), Cartography (Ninth Rank), Espionage (Eighth Rank), Acting (Sixth Rank), Socializing (Sixth Rank)

Affection: 100 (Die-hard loyalty)

After the construction of the Dragon Guard Manor was completed, Li Chang’an transferred him back.

Old Wang’s Ninth Rank was openly known. Anyone with ears in the capital knew that the Supervisory Council had tried to win him over many times in secret.

However, Wang Qinian, with an annual income of three thousand taels, had long been tied firmly to Li Chang’an, and the Supervisory Council couldn't win him over at all.

Even if they offered Old Wang a position as a department head, Old Wang wouldn't take it.

In these past few years, he temporarily managed the Net, and his espionage ability soared to Eighth Rank, making him a top talent in Li Chang’an’s hands.

In his first year of temporarily managing the Net, he was surprised to discover that Miss Gao was a core member of the Net.

So he used his position to marry Miss Gao and had a daughter named Baba.

Madam Wang never knew that her husband, whom she slapped and twisted by the ear daily, was actually her direct superior.

Jing Ni reported on the events near the Qing Temple, and Wang Qinian then spoke about the situation at Kyoto Prefecture.

“Your Highness, one of the two commoner women who accused Fan Xian died in court!”

“Now Mei Zhili has closed the yamen for trial, the Second Prince has already rushed over, and the Crown Prince is also on his way.”

Jing Ni was somewhat surprised upon hearing this and said, “Just one Fan Xian, yet he has stirred up so many people.”

“The Emperor personally summoned him, The Eldest Princess personally set up the scheme, the Crown Prince is helping, and there's the Second Prince causing trouble.”

Li Chang’an mused, “Li Yunrui must have received some news, which is why she turned the complaint into a cry for justice with a life.”

“This woman is a lunatic. This case has too many irregularities, and it won’t be resolved that quickly.”

Wang Qinian asked, “Your Highness, do you need your subordinate to do anything else?”

Li Chang’an smiled faintly, “No need. Now that the plaintiff has died in court, no matter how the verdict is, Fan Xian’s reputation will not be cleared.”

“Your Majesty will not allow Fan Xian to be given a heavy sentence, but both the Crown Prince and Li Yunrui will be severely reprimanded, losing many of their wings.”

“The current court is too chaotic. Let’s observe quietly; developing ourselves is the most important thing.”

Kyoto Prefecture Yamen.

A man dressed in luxurious green robes, with a strange strand of hair, slowly walked in.

Mei Zhili, along with all the officials, knelt down in the hall, only Fan Xian stood foolishly in place.

The Second Prince didn’t even seem to mind, just casually waved his hand for everyone to rise.

“Prefect Mei, have someone deal with the dead soldier’s corpse. It’s an eyesore lying there.”

Mei Zhili, while ordering people to collect the corpse, said, “Dead soldier… Second Prince, what do you mean by that?”

The Second Prince sat beside Mei Zhili, “Nothing, you just continue with your case, I’m just here to listen.”

“However, Kyoto is a mixed bag of people, don’t wrongly accuse good people.”

Fan Xian was to enter the capital to marry and take over the Imperial Treasury, making him an enemy of the Crown Prince and The Eldest Princess's faction.

The Second Prince, who was contending with the Crown Prince for power, naturally wanted to unite with this enemy’s enemy.

Emperor Qing’s firm decision to bestow the marriage, even overriding the objections of Chen Pingping and Li Yunrui, made Li Chengze naturally realize Fan Xian’s importance.

Fan Xian, who hadn't figured out anything yet, suddenly had a Prince show up, who seemed to be helping him.

Mei Zhili reseated himself and said to the plaintiff, “State your identity and residence clearly, one by one.”

He naturally understood the Second Prince’s hint: the identities of these two women were problematic!

However, just as the woman opened her mouth, another announcement came from outside the gate.

“The Crown Prince has arrived!”

Mei Zhili, who hadn’t even warmed his seat, stood up again and, with a group of people, knelt on the ground.

The Crown Prince walked into the main hall with a cold face. He saw Fan Xian standing there, not kneeling, but pretended not to notice.

He knew Fan Xian had the Supervisory Council’s Supervising Commissioner’s Waist Token, and that was the Supervisory Council directly managed by Emperor Qing. The Supervising Commissioner held a high position and great power, so not kneeling was acceptable.

However, at this moment, Fan Xian did not know about this.

He didn't kneel simply out of a Transmigrator's instinct, unaccustomed to constant kneeling.

At this moment, Fan Xian noticed a very comical scene.

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince sat on either side of Mei Zhili, with Mei Zhili caught uncomfortably in the middle.

The Crown Prince’s attitude was firm. “The plaintiff’s statement in this case is clear, and the witnesses are conclusive.

For public indecency and ruining a woman’s reputation on the street, Prefect Mei should quickly convict Fan Xian!”

The Second Prince, however, said, “What the Crown Prince said is different!

Who would insult a woman on the street? Would a normal person do such a thing? There must be another hidden story in this case!”

The Crown Prince angrily said, “Second Brother, you are confused! It is precisely because Fan Xian is dissolute and shameless that he would commit such an outrageous act!”

“Now that a life has been lost, if Fan Xian is not convicted quickly, how can we explain it to the people of the world?!”

Li Chengze didn’t buy it at all. “For a weak woman to break free from two yamen runners and hit a pillar is itself unusual. There are great irregularities in this case.”

The two argued for a few more sentences, then Mei Zhili suddenly walked down from the dais and knelt before the two Princes.

“Your Royal Highnesses, the Kyoto Prefecture judiciary handles cases, and it has nothing to do with Your Royal Highnesses. Please withdraw!”

Mei Zhili wasn’t foolish. Now he understood the meaning of what Jing Ni had said last night.

Those words were a reminder to him that Emperor Qing did not allow the Imperial Family to interfere with Kyoto Prefecture. His association with the Crown Prince had already crossed a line.

Today’s incident was his last chance to declare his loyalty to Emperor Qing and distance himself from the Crown Prince, in order to save his life.

Both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were somewhat stunned. The usually amiable Mei Zhili, who always played both sides, was actually so unyielding!

Especially the Crown Prince, whose expression was even more displeased!

Just before he arrived, Gong Dian had returned the paintings he sent, and even personally tore up several precious ones!

Was Mei Zhili now also drawing a clear line with him? What on earth was going on!

Fan Xian was even more bewildered. Everything was directed at him, yet the entire struggle had nothing to do with him!

Kyoto, oh Kyoto, the waters are too deep. Should I just go back to Danzhou?

The Crown Prince sternly said, “Mei Zhili, do you know what you’re saying?”

Mei Zhili’s face was already covered in sweat, but he had already struggled internally last night, and now there was no turning back.

Leaving aside everything else, that female assassin last night could take his life at any moment.

Such a high level of Cultivation, probably around Ninth Rank Upper Level, was not something an ordinary person could command.

In fact, he was almost certain that the other party was someone from the Inner Court.

“This old official Mei Zhili, deeply favored by Imperial Grace, presides over a vital position in the capital. Please, Your Royal Highnesses, do not make this old official difficult!”

“If Your Royal Highnesses still do not withdraw…”

The Crown Prince instantly became furious and said sternly, “I will not withdraw! Can you send people to arrest me?!”

“Mei Zhili, are you perhaps muddle-headed in your old age? I’ll give you one more chance!”

“If you have the guts, say it again!”

Mei Zhili kowtowed to the ground, “If Your Royal Highnesses do not withdraw, this old official will remain kneeling indefinitely!”

The Crown Prince was dumbfounded, completely unable to believe that his own man would suddenly disobey him.

The Second Prince suddenly smiled, then whispered to the Crown Prince, “Let’s go. He won’t listen to either of us.”

The Crown Prince suddenly looked up, a hint of panic in his eyes. The Second Brother meant that Mei Zhili was listening to someone else.

So who was this old fellow listening to, daring to drive away two Princes… it could only be Emperor Qing!

The Crown Prince thought of Gong Dian’s reaction today, and his heart instantly sank by half. The old man was going to deal with him!

Gong Dian, after being severely reprimanded by the old man, immediately drew a clear line with him. Was Mei Zhili doing the same?

“Cough, cough! Second Brother, we had a plan today to go to Uncle Prince Yong’s Residence for hotpot. How did we suddenly end up here?”

Li Chengze narrowed his eyes and said, “It’s all the fault of my subordinates for not clearing the streets, causing this Prince and the Crown Prince to take the wrong path.”

The Crown Prince chuckled and said to Mei Zhili, “Prefect Mei, please don’t misunderstand. We were just passing by.”

“We’ll leave immediately and won’t delay your trial, ha ha ha!”