"Just you..." Feng Jin raised her eyelids and glanced at Chu Chenyi, scoffing at his words.
Then, she quickly followed Ling Mohan's steps, feeling that staying by Ling Mohan's side was the safest option.
The gates of Yuncheng County Office were wide open, and the surrounding area was packed with people.
Earlier, Ling Mohan had already sent word throughout Yuncheng about the punishment of Fan Shun.
Most of the crowd had gathered to witness Fan Shun's fate, hoping to vent their anger.
Fan Shun was brought in by guards, completely devoid of his former arrogance. Instead, he lowered his head subserviently, like a rat crossing the street, reviled by all.
As the crowd saw Fan Shun emerge, they picked up rotten vegetables and rotten eggs, anything they could throw, and hurled them at him, aiming to release the pent-up hatred they had held for years.
When Fan Shun was brought into the main hall of the county office, Ling Mohan almost didn't recognize the pathetic figure before him, so disheveled and emitting such a foul stench. It was only his considerable girth that helped him identify the man.
The moment Feng Jin stepped inside, she was hit by a nauseating odor. She covered her nose, nearly gagging. The smell was truly vile.
"Aren't you going in?" Chu Chenyi, who was following behind, asked Feng Jin, puzzled. "Weren't you waiting to watch the show? We're here now, why are you just standing around?"
"You go ahead. I forgot something and need to get it. I'll be right back. You go in first."
Feng Jin's eyes darted about as she fabricated an excuse. She then turned and hurried out, leaving Chu Chenyi standing there, utterly bewildered. He couldn't fathom what Feng Jin was up to. Shrugging helplessly, he walked straight inside alone.
Just like Feng Jin, Chu Chenyi rushed to cover his mouth and nose the moment he entered and immediately turned around. He finally understood why Feng Jin had run off. Few people could tolerate that smell.
However, the outside was filled with citizens, and he had already made an appearance. Turning back now would surely make him the laughingstock.
Chu Chenyi took a deep breath and, steeling himself, walked further inside, forcing down the urge to vomit as he sat down.
Ling Mohan glanced at Chu Chenyi and knew exactly what he was thinking.
"You'll have to bear with it for now. If you feel like throwing up, swallow it down!" Ling Mohan threatened Chu Chenyi sternly. He couldn't possibly flee halfway through.
Ling Mohan fanned himself with a paper fan, holding it to his mouth and nose, which slightly alleviated the stench.
"Fan Shun, do you have any denials regarding your actions!"
"No... it wasn't me..." Fan Shun immediately denied.
After all, there was no concrete evidence at the moment to prove that he was the perpetrator. As long as he denied it, the crime could not be pinned on him.
"Fan Shun, refusing to admit your guilt is not a wise choice!" Ling Mohan gave a signal to Lu Shi, who was standing outside the door.
Immediately, Lu Shi entered with several people.
"Young General, the witnesses have been brought here."
Ling Mohan nodded slightly, indicating for the witnesses below to step forward and recount their grievances.
"Your Highness, Young General, I have a grievance to state. Fan Shun wanted to force my daughter into marriage. My daughter is spirited and refused, choosing death over dishonor. And that scoundrel Fan Shun, that heartless dog, he actually... he actually... forcibly... forcibly..."
"My daughter, unable to bear the humiliation, threw herself against a wall and died... Your Highness, Young General, please avenge my daughter!"
"This humble woman also has a grievance. Fan Shun forcibly seized our fertile land and beat my husband to death. I implore the Young General to deliver justice for me!"
"Young General, Fan Shun forcibly occupied..."
As if by prior arrangement, everyone simultaneously narrated their grievances. Instantly, the entire county office was filled with cries of suffering and voices filled with hatred for Fan Shun.
"Fan Shun, all the people of Yuncheng hate you to the bone. Do you dare say that these accusations are all fabricated to frame you!"
Ling Mohan reprimanded him with righteous anger. He had always known that Fan Shun had committed many wicked deeds, but hearing the people's indignant accusations firsthand ignited a furious fire in his heart, making him wish he could slice Fan Shun into a thousand pieces.
"These unruly peasants, these lowly wretches! I am now a tiger fallen to the plains, bullied by dogs. I admit my misfortune!"
He now regretted not killing Ling Mohan sooner, which had led to his current predicament. He considered this his own bad luck.
"The evidence is conclusive. Fan Shun, as the guardian of Yuncheng, has failed to uphold the emperor's grace and, on the other hand, has oppressed the people of Yuncheng, committing countless heinous acts. Fan Shun is hereby sentenced to death by slow slicing tomorrow at noon!"
He wanted the people of Yuncheng to witness firsthand the death of Fan Shun, who had once oppressed them, with no place to bury his remains. This would also serve as a warning to other officials. If they behaved like Fan Shun, their fate would be the same as his.
"Ling Mohan, you cannot kill me. If you kill me, Yuncheng will fall into chaos. You dare not kill me!"
Fan Shun shouted loudly, confident that Ling Mohan would not dare kill him.
As long as he created even a hint of chaos in Yuncheng, and Yuncheng descended into disorder, the eastern border of Dong Chu would be vulnerable. Such a responsibility would be beyond their capacity to bear.
Chu Chenyi's expression suddenly tightened. He slammed his palm on the table and stood up abruptly. "Fan Shun, you have immense audacity! Facing death, you still dare to speak such wild words! Guards, drag him out and have him flogged!"
"You cannot kill me, you cannot kill me! If you kill me, Yuncheng will not be safe, Yuncheng will not be safe!"
"Lord Fan truly has a bold tone. It's a pity that these matters have long passed, and you can only dream of them now!"
Feng Jin's delicate and clear voice entered the county office. Everyone turned their heads in unison towards the source of the sound.
Feng Jin walked in front, with Lu Shi by her side, and behind them were several individuals bound tightly.
Fan Shun's face drastically changed when he recognized the person beside Feng Jin. His heart seemed to skip a beat.
How could this be... this is impossible...
How did they find out? He had always acted in extreme secrecy.
"Lord Fan, you indeed have impressive methods. All the officials in Yuncheng are under your control. It's a pity you forgot the saying, 'One emperor, one court.' Once you lose power and fall, those who once bowed to you will no longer be loyal!"
Feng Jin could not bear to let Fan Shun continue living in his self-created illusion.
"I only spoke a few words to them, and they confessed everything, including how you harmed the people of Yuncheng and your collusion with the people of Xiliang. I know everything you have done."
Fan Shun's face turned ashen. His eyes widened as he scanned everyone. He could not believe that his years of planning had crumbled to dust, all for naught... What then was the point of all his previous efforts?