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Everything happened so suddenly.
Clearly they were just having a normal conversation, well, not exactly normal.
But to be fair, Fang Chengyu's methods of coercion weren't too excessive for an interrogation.
If it were them, they would do the same.
The only excessive part was Fang Chengyu's identity, as the victim, a commoner.
But they tolerated it because Lord Prefect permitted it.
No one expected that after the interrogation, someone would be killed.
Blood was still flowing, and the person who had been speaking just moments ago was dead.
Right under the officials' noses, killed by a young man holding a knife.
Song Yunping, standing nearby, let out a scream.
The officials who had been seated all rose to their feet, each with a look of horror.
Fang Yuxiu covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a scream, her eyes wide with cold sweat.
Old Lady Fang was also in shock.
No one expected Fang Chengyu to commit murder, including the person who had shouted for the murder, herself.
She had shouted it impulsively out of anxiety, although she did want County Magistrate Li dead, because once dead, he could never speak.
If she were standing there, she would have done it herself.
But, Chengyu...
This grandson of hers, who had been sick for almost ten years, trapped at home like in a prison, had just turned fourteen.
She had not expected him to act with such decisiveness, as if his hand were hers.
No, even more agile than her hand.
As soon as she had the thought, he had already acted on it.
With such a grandson, what did she have to worry about?
She had always thought the Old Heavenly Father gave her this grandson as a hardship, but it turned out to be a blessing, a treasure.
Old Lady Fang's tears suddenly flowed.
"Chengyu," she called, staggering as she rushed over.
Fang Chengyu stepped forward to support her, holding a knife still stained with blood, and with blood splattered on his face and clothes.
Old Lady Fang embraced Fang Chengyu and wept.
Soldiers stood with swords drawn, guarding the officials.
"How dare you, how dare you commit murder," the officials shouted, "Arrest him."
The soldiers remained motionless, making the shouting officials feel a bit awkward, and they looked at Prefect Ma.
Of course, Prefect Ma was no longer seated.
"How could you just kill someone?" he spoke.
This was the first statement he made since he entered, though it sounded like a question, his tone was calm, devoid of anger.
Not to mention he didn't aggressively order the soldiers to arrest him.
Fang Chengyu held the knife in one hand, comforting Old Lady Fang with the other.
"Grandmother, don't be sad anymore. He confessed, and I avenged Grandfather Father," he said with a voice filled with grief and indignation.
Upon hearing Prefect Ma's inquiry, he gently moved Old Lady Fang aside and knelt down, tears streaming down his face, his expression one of utter despair.
"Lord," he cried out.
This sudden change startled the officials.
Moments ago, he was coercing confessions, even killing, with fresh blood on his face and clothes, terrifying everyone. Suddenly, he transformed back to a pitiful child.
There wasn't even a brief pause to indicate the change.
"Lord, I truly hate him. My Fang Family over three generations has he killed. How many of my family did he slaughter? Ah, heavens, today you finally opened your eyes," Fang Chengyu cried out, his voice hoarse as he crawled forward a few steps on his knees.
As he still held the knife tightly in his hand, stained with blood, the officials couldn't help but take a few nervous steps backward.
It seemed he was overwhelmed with grief, bordering on madness.
Having already killed one person, if he went berserk again, it would spell disaster.
"Take his knife."
"Take his knife."
The officials shouted in unison, and someone stepped in front of Prefect Ma.
Chaos ensued once more, and this time, without waiting for Prefect Ma to speak, the soldiers voluntarily took Fang Chengyu's knife but did not trouble him.
Prefect Ma wasn't flustered, pushing through the crowd a few steps forward.
"If you have a grievance, speak it. The person has been captured, you are not forbidden to speak," he stated calmly, "You mentioned knowing the national law, knowing what it means. Why, then, did you disregard the national law and commit murder?"
Fang Chengyu wept, kowtowing.
"I know the national law," he lifted his head, "But ten years of accumulated grudges, the cruel deaths of Grandfather Father, my ten years of illness, such a vile person cannot be tolerated by reason or emotion. I just wanted to avenge with my own hands, to eat his flesh, drink his blood. Even then, it cannot erase the hatred in my heart."
As he spoke, he turned sharply, and still kneeling, rushed towards the already dead County Magistrate Li, bound to the execution pillar.
His expression twisted and frenzied, tears mixed with blood on his face, raising his hand, opening his mouth as if really intending to eat someone.
Song Yunping, beside County Magistrate Li, screamed once more.
"Restrain him!" the officials urgently shouted.
Old Lady Fang had already rushed forward, hugging Fang Chengyu.
"Chengyu, we have avenged them, we avenged your grandfather and father," she cried.
Fang Yuxiu also rushed over at this moment.
The cell was suddenly filled with the sound of women's wailing.
Seeing this scene, the soldiers didn't further restrain Fang Chengyu, and the officials frowned, troubled.
"Hasn't it been said that the victim shouldn't participate in the trial? There's no rationality to speak of with such deep-seated hatred," someone shook their head and said.
"Now a man is dead. How do we explain this?" someone else asked.
"Exactly, such a big case, involving the mobilization of two armies, causing turmoil as if it's a rebellion, and now the defendant dies without trial. How can we explain it?"
Such discussions became more frequent.
Prefect Ma turned his head to them, and the clamor ceased.
"How to explain?" he said, "Summoned two armies, ten years of blood feud, almost three lives lost, the evidence is conclusive—can't a criminal not be afraid and commit suicide?"
The officials present were stunned.
Is that even possible?
Prefect Ma pointed at the three generations of the grieving family huddled together on the ground.
"Look at them, father, son, and grandson. It's truly tragic," he continued, "Who would have thought someone could plot against their own like this? Ten years, it chills the heart to think."
Then he glanced at the already dead County Magistrate Li.
"Such a wicked person," he snorted coldly, "deserved death. Even if the boy hadn't acted, my Imperial Sword could have slain him."
Finished, he flicked his sleeve.
"Escort Song Yunping to the prison awaiting execution."
Having said that, he strode out.
The officials looked at each other.
Is that possible?
"Enough, if that was possible, then what is this?" someone murmured.
"That," they naturally referred to allowing the Fang Family to deploy armies and cause a stir.
Since they agreed then, naturally they must see it through to the end, letting the Fang Family vent completely to their satisfaction.
The officials understood, following along, though some frowned.
Something seemed off.
Was it truly an impulsive murder due to overwhelming blood feud?
Reflecting on the earlier conversation, it seemed County Magistrate Li was about to reveal something, then…
"Kill him."
That old lady screamed sharply.
Then, the boy's knife rose and fell.
He turned back to look at the grieving three-generation family.
White-haired, frail-faced, youthful with black hair, crying together created an unbearable sight.
Yet at the same time, they were the owners of De Sheng Chang, the wealthiest in Shanxi with money businesses all over.
Who, under heaven, amid fortune and nobility, didn't sometimes use unscrupulous means, killing and burning for golden belts?
Clearly, County Magistrate Li indeed schemed against the Fang Family, prompted by the sighting of the Fang Family's secrets, which certainly were the reason for the Fang Family's prosperity, an unspeakable reason.
Deep-seated blood feud on one side, murder to silence on the other side, perhaps.
Did no one notice?
The official glanced around before looking ahead at Prefect Ma striding away.
Come on, who here isn't savvy? Not noticing would indeed be strange.
Since no one else spoke, why should he take the lead, especially when the deceased wasn't his father?
He cleared his throat, smoothing his brow, quickly following.
Officials left, soldiers handling County Magistrate Li's body and escorting Song Yunping.
"It's not my fault, I was incited by Li Changhong."
Now that County Magistrate Li was dead, all blame could be pushed onto him, Song Yunping screamed hysterically.
Soon, the soldiers left, Song Yunping's voice gradually fading, leaving the cell cold again.
Fang Chengyu lifted his head, his crying ceased, tears still on his face, yet his expression calm.
"Grandmother, Second Sister, no need to cry anymore," he said, "now we should laugh."
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Thanks to Qingcai Bookworm, Bianhua Who Always Hurts for rewarding He's Bi.
It's Wednesday, love everyone O(∩_∩)O
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