Fan Yu is the one who used his own blood to write the blood letter. Seeing Magistrate Gu dumbfounded, he thought he hadnât understood and shouted again, "Lord Magistrate, the student comes on behalf of the heavens to accuse the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew from the Jiangnan noble family. During their stay as guests at the Old Gu Family, they forcibly took Gu Rong and Gu Ya. Please send someone immediately to arrest these shameless men!"
After hearing this, Magistrate Guâs head ached even more. How could he be so reckless? This office is not deaf, do you need to shout it again?
"Judge Tang, take them to the back office to speak," Magistrate Gu quietly instructed Judge Tang.
"Yes." Judge Tang also knew the situation had escalated and couldnât let these scholars shout here, so he personally went down to them and said, "Gentlemen scholars, please follow me, letâs talk in the back office."
Also knowing Fan Yu was reckless, he added, "The Zhan Family is not an ordinary family, and this matter involves secrets that cannot be disclosed here."
Fan Yu, whether truly reckless or pretending, upon hearing this, knelt and shouted, "Lord Magistrate, we know that the Zhan Family is a noble family with the Great Masterâs position as a Capital Official, beyond what we youngsters can accuse. But we truly canât stand it anymore and wish to use our passionate blood to restore justice to the Great Chu Criminal Law!"
Tomb-Sweeping Festival, your father! Even Judge Tang couldnât help but curse, donât you know weâre doing this for your good? Arenât you afraid of Zhan Familyâs revenge?
That Zhan Family is a noble family, with hundreds of years of legacy, secretly raising many Shadow Guards, snuffing out you little bean sprouts quietly is effortless!
Elder Gu had already fainted once in the courtroom from anger, and hearing the scholarsâ accusations, was near fainting again, glaring at them, asking, "What did you say? Zhan Sanâs uncle and nephew forcibly took Sister Ya and Sister Rong? How is that possible? They are here to..."
"Elder Gu!" Gu Jinâan timely interrupted Elder Gu, quickly stepping forward, leaning in and whispering in his ear, "Didnât you receive the Zhan familyâs betrothal token? Use that as a pretext, directly marry Gu Ya and Gu Rong to their uncle and nephew. Although marrying two sisters to two uncles and nephews does not sound good, donât you love money? As long as you align with the Zhan Family, you will gain immense wealth."
Elder Gu was startled, glaring at Gu Jinâan, "How do you know?"
Gu Jinâan smiled at him and whispered, "You underestimated us. Now, we have the means to deal with you."
San Langâs men had been monitoring the Old Gu Family. When Zhanâs uncle and nephew visited, Daqing quickly found out.
And upon learning Zhan San wanted to marry Xiao Yu, San Langâs face was dark with anger, almost heading out to ruin Zhan San.
But he remained calm and continued as planned. Unless thereâs a mishap, those two marriage contracts should have been swapped with Gu Ya and Gu Rongâs names, preventing the Zhan Family from taking advantage of Sister and Xiao Yu.
Elder Gu was dumbfounded at Gu Jinâanâs words... this was no longer the weak child easily bullied by the Old Gu Family; now he had grown into a pillar protecting his family.
After speaking, Gu Jinâan returned to kneel beside Gu Dashan.
Fan Yu and the others responded to Elder Guâs prior question: "Of course itâs true, this matter has spread throughout the Prefecture, and everyone knows."
Everyone knows?
Then Sister Ya and Sister Rongâs reputation is ruined!
Elder Gu couldnât bear it, screamed, and fainted again.
Fortunately, Doctor Xiao was always waiting here, quickly administering acupuncture to disperse the blood, preventing a stroke.
At this point, the crowd watching the commotion exploded, shouting, "Lord Magistrate, these scholars are right. Regardless of those two uncles and nephewsâ illustrious background, as long as theyâve broken the Criminal Law, they should be arrested... Isnât there a saying âEven the King is punished as equals to commoners when they break the lawâ? They should be caught."
Magistrate Gu felt he didnât need his head, might as well die from the headache. That saying is âEven the Prince when breaking the law is punished as equal to commonersâ! Commoners? How mature are they, Iâm still a raw commoner.
Seeing the chaotic courtroom, Magistrate Gu knew this couldnât continue and decisively ordered two Government Officials, "Take this handwritten letter from the office to Squad Leader Zhang, have him arrest the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew and send them directly to prison."
Then said to the scholars, "Iâve ordered my men to arrest the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew, but there are too many cases today, everything must follow priority. We need to settle the case of Gu Dashan accusing Mrs. Gu Pan of conspiracy first, then handle the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephewâs case. You may return home and wait, or rest in the back office, awaiting further developments."
Recalling Ke Yuliâs advice not to overreact, Fan Yu and the others thought briefly and acquiesced, "Understood, we will comply."
Magistrate Gu was relieved, quickly gesturing for Judge Tang to escort them to the back office... Hot-blooded scholars cannot be offended, all fearless, should they really run into a pillar, it would not only affect his reputation, heâd have to deal with their aftermath, not worth it.
Fan Yu and the others, seeing the Deputy Magistrate himself attending them, were excited, their faces flushed as they confidently entered the back office.
...
Old Gu Family, the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew eventually couldnât resist Squad Leader Zhang, personally writing a letter, entrusting it to Squad Leader Zhang to deliver to Magistrate Gu, requesting their release.
However, before the ink could dry, two Government Officials arrived, bringing Magistrate Guâs handwritten letter to Squad Leader Zhang.
On seeing it, Squad Leader Zhang immediately ordered, "Come, tie up the Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew, escort them to the Prefecture Government Office!"
The Zhan familyâs uncle and nephew were bewildered, quickly asked, "What do you mean by this, why are you arresting us?"
We are not someone you can arrest!
Squad Leader Zhang held up Magistrate Guâs handwritten letter, "Lord Magistrate says four scholars submitted a blood letter accusing you of forcibly taking the girls. Weâre to imprison you pending trial."
Zhan San retorted, "Nonsense, all the women weâre involved with were willing, how could it be forcible, this is slander!"
Squad Leader Zhang replied, "Iâm unclear, but Magistrate Gu states itâs widespread that you forcibly took the girls. Citizens in town are cursing you to death. If youâre not arrested, public anger cannot be appeased."
Also said, "Magistrate Gu instructs you not to resist, obediently follow us. If itâs slander, your name will be cleared. If true, you can retain some dignity, writing a letter for help while imprisoned."
Zhan San shouted, "Retain dignity? After being imprisoned, what dignity remains?"
Old Master Zhan San was furious too, "Utter humiliation, utter humiliation indeed! I, the Mad Zhan, have lived for fifty years, gained fame for over twenty. Never have I been imprisoned for such a matter. That Gu desires to ruin the entire Zhan Familyâs reputation!"
Pointing at Squad Leader Zhang warningly, "Tell that Gu man not to cross the line, or heâll suffer in future."
Squad Leader Zhang furrowed his brows, looking at Old Master Zhan San, "Are you threatening a court official? Fine, Iâve noted it, will add this during trial."
Then shouted to the Government Officials, "Tie them up, babble all you want, delaying our duties."