In the yamen, the powerful accusations of Xue Yongnian and Xu Jiang echoed ceaselessly.
The county magistrate, caught between the two imperial princes, naturally wore an unpleasant expression, but he remained unfazed.
Just yesterday, Concubine Xi had secretly sent him a message: the Emperor had already ruled on this matter as a mere disturbance. Therefore, no matter how high-ranking and influential the two officials standing before him were, he had no fear.
A mere disturbance, at its most basic, was simply a brawl.
As for those who had pursued Princess Wenhui yesterday, the magistrate was adamant that the yamen had nothing to do with them.
Xu Jiang and Xue Yongnian, looking at the magistrate who was as unyielding as a dead pig that feared no boiling water, clenched their fists tightly beneath their sleeves, filled with hatred.
Seeing this situation, Xie Jingzhou let out a sigh of relief, then suddenly coughed heavily, "Cough, cough, cough..."
The magistrate quickly looked pleadingly at Xie Jinglan, "I heard that His Highness Fifth Prince was injured while saving His Majesty some time ago. Now, he is still burdened by his injuries and expending great effort. If the Emperor were to worry further about His Highness Fifth Prince's condition, it would truly be a loss outweighing any gain."
These words not only used the Fifth Prince's injuries as leverage but also invoked the Emperor's authority to apply pressure.
Xie Jinglan, leaning back in his grand chair, smiled faintly, "My Fifth Brother's health has not yet recovered. It is not only the Emperor but also I, his elder brother, who feel his pain with deep concern."
The magistrate hastily continued, "This matter is clearly just a few drunken men harassing and causing trouble. Why not close the case here..."
Xie Jinglan directly interrupted, "Perhaps His Highness Fifth Prince should first return to the temporary palace to recuperate. I will remain here to continue the investigation. Rest assured, His Highness Fifth Prince, I will handle this matter with strict impartiality."
Xie Jingzhou: "..."
It was precisely that impartiality he feared!
The magistrate knitted his brows, "Your Highness Fourth Prince knows very well that His Highness Fifth Prince is here on His Majesty's orders. Now that Your Highness Fourth Prince insists on staying, how can His Highness Fifth Prince leave with peace of mind? This matter has already been ruled upon; it is merely a trivial affair. Why must Your Highness Fourth Prince insist on keeping His Highness Fifth Prince here?"
"General Xue has fought valiantly for the nation, his merits are countless! Lord Xu, during his tenure, was incorruptible and upright, establishing public schools in the capital for diligently studying scholars! Her Majesty the Empress, as the mother of the nation and mistress of the inner palace! Yet, her own family members were nearly crippled by a group of thugs! Regardless of the reason, even if it were truly a simple disturbance, if such arrogant individuals cannot be brought to justice, how can we account for these officials who dedicate their lives to the country! How can we account for Her Majesty the Empress! And how can the common people of Yulin live in peace and contentment!"
The smile on Xie Jinglan's face had long since vanished, replaced by a stern, resolute demeanor.
Such a Fourth Prince made the magistrate reluctant even to meet his gaze.
Xie Jingzhou's expression was also far from pleasant. He had never expected his usually gentle and amiable Fourth Brother to be so difficult to deal with.
Xie Jinglan's good temper in the past stemmed from his position in the Ministry of Revenue, where he held no real power.
But now, it was different. The authority personally bestowed upon him by the Emperor was enough to allow him to stand here with absolute justification.
The magistrate's rear end ached from sitting, yet he dared not truly lose his temper. He could only smile and say, "This subordinate is merely concerned for His Highness Fifth Prince's health, after all..."
Before he could finish, he was directly interrupted, "This humble subject has come to take His Highness Fifth Prince's pulse."
Xie Jingzhou looked at Ji Zizhao, who emerged from the crowd carrying a medicine box, and his head instantly felt enlarged. "How did Miss Ji, the eldest daughter of the Ji family, happen to be here?"
After bowing, Ji Zizhao said, "This humble subject heard that His Highness Fifth Prince was handling this case despite his injuries, and was deeply impressed, thus I followed."
Xie Jingzhou: "..."
He didn't believe a single word of it!
The magistrate, bewildered, asked, "May I know who this is..."
Xie Jinglan good-naturedly clarified, "An official from the Imperial Hospital."
The magistrate's eyes widened in astonishment.
Was the Fourth Prince this ruthless?
Had he anticipated that the Fifth Prince would use his health as an excuse and had already prepared an official from the Imperial Hospital?!
Seeing that Ji Zizhao had already begun to take the Fifth Prince's pulse, the magistrate truly didn't want to say another word. It would be a waste of breath. He might as well continue to sit.
Xie Jinglan had not actually expected Ji Zizhao to appear so suddenly. However, upon reflection, he understood. Today's events would not end amicably. Ji Zizhao had proactively brought her people into the open. This way, even if some uncontrollable incidents occurred later, they would have no bearing on these individuals.
The yamen fell into a stalemate.
Although the noble ladies injured in this incident were of high status, even generals and ministers had been alerted, the common people gathered outside the yamen gates remained silent.
The magistrate should have felt triumphant seeing this. Even if the Fourth Prince was present, in the end, these common people were already terrified and dared not cause any trouble. But now, looking at the Fourth Prince, who was even more composed and self-possessed than himself, he truly couldn't muster a smile.
Xie Jinglan seemed to notice the magistrate's gaze. He raised his teacup and smiled faintly, "The tea is excellent."
The magistrate: "..."
To be honest, he had never seen anyone so contentedly resigned to their fate.
This imperturbable Xie Jinglan made both Xu Jiang and Xue Yongnian uneasy.
Xie Jinglan, looking at the two men whose composure was cracking, maintained his smile. Even though they were on the same boat, they still couldn't fully trust him. Their current panic was normal, but he believed that as long as Ji Zizhao said she had a solution, she would find one.
This unwavering trust was something even Xie Jinglan found incredible.
The yamen remained in a state of deadlock.
The crowd standing at the entrance, initially just looking, gradually saw a silent disappointment gather in their eyes.
Suddenly, they heard someone beside them say, "If today, even the two esteemed officials return disappointed, how will we live our lives from now on?"
Everyone turned to look, and saw Tang Di, his face filled with righteous indignation, tears welling up in his eyes.
However, Tang Di was no longer the agile and strong man he once was. After Ji Zizhao's intervention, his face was now severely burned, he limped on one leg, and several of his teeth were missing as he spoke.
Perhaps it was too tragic, but he managed to awe the surrounding common people.
"Those people acted atrociously and disregarded the law. The injuries I bear are the best evidence! They burned down my house, stole my young daughter, and threw my critically ill mother into the well..."
The common people were stunned.
They had never heard of that group not sparing even young children!
Tang Di realized he had exaggerated and quickly steered the conversation back, "If this matter is simply let go, won't those people become even more lawless in the future? And in the end, who will suffer? It will be us! I heard that His Highness Seventh Prince, who is currently fighting on the front lines, is closest to His Highness Fourth Prince. If we miss this opportunity with His Highness Fourth Prince today, there will truly be no one left to help us!"
Tang Di's voice was loud enough for everyone inside the yamen to hear clearly.
The common people flinched and retreated, fearing that such loud shouting might be heard by the magistrate.
Ji Zizhao, who was taking the Fifth Prince's pulse at that very moment, smiled silently.
One could say, it was precisely because she wanted the magistrate to hear that she had orchestrated this.