She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 247 - 246 The Untouchable Person

Chapter 247: Chapter 246 The Untouchable Person

Jiang Yifan slowed his tone and said to Liang Qiyuan, "You have already heard the interrogation in the main hall. The officials are apprehending people everywhere. Would Elder Liang prefer to clarify matters now, or wait until all the criminals are gathered and tried together?"

After suffering through the entire night and being shocked by the earlier trial, Liang Qiyuan heard Jiang Yifan’s gentle question and a glimmer of hope rose in his heart. With bloodshot eyes, he eagerly looked at Jiang Yifan and asked, "Could Lord Jiang first allow me to see my family?"

Jiang Yifan seemed to ponder before nodding, "That is possible. Your crime is the serious offense of assembling a mob to rush the government office. The Liang Residence is currently under watch, and those inside may not come and go without reason." At these words, Liang Qiyuan’s face turned even paler, "Whomever you wish to see, have the official relay the message inside. I will arrange for them to visit you in the prison tomorrow."

With hope in his heart, Liang Qiyuan thought it best to have the steward or Lady Liu come over. He then heard Jiang Yifan continue to ask, "Have you decided? You will only describe the case after seeing your family members?"

Reluctant to speak further as his fate was still in others’ hands, Liang Qiyuan bowed his head and said, "I implore you, Lord, to grant this request."

Jiang Yifan watched him for a long while before slowly speaking, "There are benefits to acting early. If you clarify things sooner, the case can be resolved quicker, and Elder Liang could show a cooperative attitude with the government office. Perhaps there might be leniency in your treatment."

Liang Qiyuan kept kowtowing, repeatedly pleading, "I implore you, Lord, to fulfill this humble one’s small wish." Even lenient treatment would mean he was guilty. He was waiting for his brother-in-law to rescue him and to see Jiang Yifan, the county magistrate, unseated.

Jiang Yifan nodded, "Since you have made up your mind, then we will wait until after you have seen your family." He then instructed Zhang Yue, "Take him away, and remember to treat him properly. The case has not been finalized, and Liang Qiyuan is merely a suspect, do not mistreat him."

Zhang Yue acknowledged the order.

The official did not delay and promptly conveyed Liang Qiyuan’s request to see his family into the Liang Residence.

The butler of the Liang Residence, along with several capable servants, were called to the government office for questioning. They were not seen returning for the whole day, leading Lady Liu to think about the actions of the Old Master and the words of the county captain. She surmised that these few individuals must also be implicated in crimes and were likely detained. Considering the lack of capable people left in the residence, she decided she had to make the trip herself.

The next day, Lady Liu, along with two old woman servants, came to the prison to visit Liang Qiyuan. Later that night, when it was quiet, a servant from the Liang Residence slipped out through an inconspicuous small door in the back wall. As soon as the city gates opened at dawn, he hired a carriage and headed to Yuyuan Prefecture to send word to Liang Qiyuan’s sister, seeking help.

In the few days’ time, Jiang Yifan had already apprehended all the individuals involved in the case. He organized his advisors to interrogate them separately, verifying their testimonies and collecting the evidence.

In the meantime, Jiang Yifan conducted another symbolic interrogation of Liang Qiyuan in the secondary hall, going through the motions of asking for his testimony.

Liang Qiyuan, having instructed Lady Liu to arrange for someone to send a message to his sister and brother-in-law, felt reassured. Seeing that Jiang Yifan was interrogating him in the secondary hall again, he believed Jiang Yifan did not dare to ignore Zhou Bingyi’s influence. With this in mind, he was fearless. During the interrogation by the prefectural magistrate and the county captain, he remained silent, answering not a single one of their hundred questions.

Jiang Yifan did not overly trouble him further. Seeing that he could not obtain a testimony, he ordered Liang Qiyuan to be taken away to await further trial.

He estimated the time, guessing that the messenger from the Liang family was probably halfway there by now. He then arranged for a fast horse to carry the case file, along with a letter from him, to be delivered to the Prefectural Magistrate of Yuyuan Prefecture.

Zhou Bingyi had just received a message from Madam Liang at home, saying that there was an urgent matter in the residence and that he should return immediately to handle it.

Just as he had finished giving a few orders to his subordinates, before he even had a chance to rise, an urgent message was announced by his personal attendant. Lord Jiang from Qingyuan County had sent a private letter on a matter of urgency.

All these urgent matters, and they always seem to come all at once.

Still, official duties are paramount. Zhou Bingyi called the envoy from Qingyuan County to come in, choosing to read Jiang Yifan’s letter first. As he read it, his heart skipped a beat, mixed with a touch of anger. That Jiang Yifan was really too thoughtless, even if he was on good terms with Prince Yu, he shouldn’t have disregarded his superior’s dignity like this. It was just Liang Qiyuan instigating a few troublemakers; couldn’t the matter have been dealt with privately? To cause a commotion in court, what was he thinking?

Under the surge of annoyance, he unrolled the case file and began to read it, which only made his heart pound more. That fool Liang Qiyuan, not only had he been foolish on his own, but was he also planning to drag down his whole family with him? If the charge was proven, even he, as the Prefectural Magistrate, couldn’t escape the connection!

I oversee Yuyuan Prefecture, and yet my brother-in-law has gathered a crowd to crash the Yamen within Yuyuan’s borders? Wouldn’t this reflect as my complacency in his rebellion?

The message from Madam Liang also crossed his mind; maybe it was about the same matter. He decided he should return home to hear more about what the Liang family’s messenger had to say.

Zhou Bingyi rushed home, anxiety and eagerness written all over him.

Madam Liang had been anxiously waiting at the door of the room, pacing back and forth outside, extremely worried. Upon seeing her husband return, she quickly stepped forward to greet him, speaking hastily, "My lord, there’s a message from Qiyuan saying there’s been an incident. Please read the letter and decide what we should do."

"What’s the hurry? Let’s talk inside!" Zhou Bingyi snapped irritably, hastening into the room.

After reading Lady Liu’s letter and comparing it with the case documents Jiang Yifan had sent, Zhou Bingyi felt infuriated to the point of gritting his teeth.

Madam Liang, who was watching anxiously on the side, asked, "Are these from the Qingyuan County government office? What do they say? Just inform the Qingyuan County magistrate that our Qiyuan would never rebel. That mere County Captain should listen to those of higher office if he wants to keep his position securely."

Zhou Bingyi scolded her, "What do you, a woman, understand? Jiang Yifan is only my superior as long as I continue to hold the position of Prefectural Magistrate. If I am found guilty, demoted, dismissed, or even detained, then I’m no longer his superior. Your foolish brother has driven us all to our deaths!"

Madam Liang, struck by the initial shock and now by the grievance, was on the verge of tears, "What exactly happened? I may be a woman, but even without much worldly knowledge, I know what kind of person my brother is. How could he rebel? Even if he had the will or the audacity, he lacks the means."

"Alright, alright." Zhou Bingyi calmed his anger, "It’s good that you realize your brother lacks the means. I’m going to consult with my advisors now. Don’t worry, for the sake of our family, I can’t let this case conclude as it stands. Your brother won’t be executed."

Madam Liang was somewhat relieved and glanced at the case file in Zhou Bingyi’s hands, asking, "How did Qingyuan County handle the interrogation, and how could they conclude such a trivial matter as rebellion?"

Zhou Bingyi replied irritably, "Your brother has provoked someone he shouldn’t have, and he’s still clueless about it, insisting on bumping heads with them. Is it really so strange for him to be charged with rebellion?"

Someone he shouldn’t have provoked? Madam Liang suddenly remembered the news her son had brought back from Qingyuan County and asked in shock, "Is it that Lady Qi who looks just like the Duke An’s Mansion’s young lady?"

Zhou Bingyi was so angry that he almost laughed, "Never mind who she really is, Duke An’s Mansion treats her like a granddaughter, yet your brother had the audacity to invite her over to his residence to serve his family’s whims. Such a great amount of gall!"