Chapter 73: No Choice

Wei Zhongxian looked at Sun Yunhe and directly ordered, "Take a few men to the prison and take a look—see whether that jailer killed himself or was killed by someone else."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, everyone present grew tense.

Whether that Zhang Laosan died by suicide or murder actually had a tremendous impact on this case.

If the jailer committed suicide, that would be easier to handle—at least he took his own life out of guilt. Though there would still be some impact, as long as no one could be traced as the mastermind behind it, things would be much easier to manage.

If the jailer was murdered, then the killer would inevitably be pursued, and no one believed the killer could not be found. Once the murderer was discovered, no matter who it pointed to, the matter would become extremely troublesome.

Everyone had originally assumed Wei Zhongxian would halt the court session, but he did not. He directly ordered, "Someone, bring Feng Sanyuan in."

No one had expected Wei Zhongxian to continue trying the case all of a sudden.

Zou Yuanbiao's brow furrowed at this moment as well. Clearly, continuing the trial at this point was disadvantageous to him.

Zou Yuanbiao spoke up, saying, "Eunuch Wei, a death has now occurred, and it also implicates Grand Secretary Yang Lian. Would you not suspend the interrogation and report the situation here to Your Majesty? After the murder case has been investigated, we can resume trying this case."

Wei Zhongxian glanced at Zou Yuanbiao and said with a smile, "Your Excellency Zou is mistaken. Your Majesty is waiting for me to get to the bottom of the case framing Xiong Tingbi. If I were to halt this trial because of the death of a Zhang Laosan, and something unexpected were to happen afterward, how could I account for it to Your Majesty? Zhang Laosan's death can be investigated in parallel, but Xiong Tingbi's case cannot be paused."

"If Your Excellency Zou feels something is improper, you may submit a memorial to Your Majesty. If Your Excellency Zou is dissatisfied with me, you may also impeach me."

As he said this, Wei Zhongxian's face had already turned cold. He had laid his plans for so long and prepared for such a long time—he absolutely could not allow any misstep at this moment.

The matter of Yao Zongwen had already sown uncertainty in Wei Zhongxian's heart. If he did not strike while the iron was hot now, and other problems arose, or the remaining men collectively turned against him, then he would truly be finished.

Even if Your Majesty trusted him, punishment would still be unavoidable, because he had botched the task. Your Majesty would not ask for reasons; Your Majesty only looked at facts and results.

And in truth, he had botched the task. Even if he dealt with those who had turned against him, it would be of no help.

Wei Zhongxian absolutely could not allow such a situation to occur.

Moreover, in Wei Zhongxian's view, Zou Yuanbiao's attempt to stop him at this moment clearly meant Zou Yuanbiao had a guilty conscience. The most likely possibility was that he was implicated in this case.

If he could drag Zou Yuanbiao down as well, then the gains this time would be substantial.

Under such circumstances, how could Wei Zhongxian possibly stop?

Wei Zhongxian directly announced in a loud voice, "Bring Feng Sanyuan!"

Seeing that Wei Zhongxian gave him no face at all, Zou Yuanbiao's face turned black as the bottom of a pot. He knew he was now on the defensive.

Whether it was Yang Lian or himself, as long as Zhang Laosan's death could not be clarified, both he and Yang Lian would certainly be unable to escape involvement.

Li Ruzhen's testimony pointed at Yang Lian, so Yang Lian could not possibly escape blame no matter what.

Now that Zhang Laosan was dead, old Zou could not escape involvement either, since he was currently the presiding judge.

As for going to see Your Majesty, Zou Yuanbiao had considered that too. If Your Majesty trusted him as the late emperor had, then naturally there would be no problem. After all, the late emperor had believed that a man of integrity like himself would never do such things.

But after Yang Lian had presented the trial records to Your Majesty, Your Majesty must already harbor doubts. Otherwise, he would not have been ordered to retry the case. As for himself, Your Majesty had probably grown suspicious of him too—otherwise, Wei Zhongxian would not have been sent to replace him.

If he went to see the Emperor now, not only would he be unable to explain things clearly, but it would also make Your Majesty even more suspicious of him.

Though his heart was extremely anxious, Zou Yuanbiao could only watch as Wei Zhongxian had Feng Sanyuan brought up.

Seeing Wei Zhongxian seated at the head of the hall, Feng Sanyuan's body swayed.

Though he had received word long before, fear still gripped Feng Sanyuan's heart.

One had to know that while in the Eastern Depot, Feng Sanyuan had suffered no small amount of torment. Now seeing Wei Zhongxian seated above, his heart suddenly felt hollow with dread.

Those humiliating memories left Feng Sanyuan with no confidence at all.

Wei Zhongxian sized up Feng Sanyuan. Indeed, he was different from when he had been in the Eastern Depot. Whether in mental state or physical condition, the current Feng Sanyuan was far better off than he had been in the Eastern Depot.

"Feng Sanyuan, I have something to tell you—Zhang Laosan is dead." After saying this, Wei Zhongxian laughed, his tone full of mockery and carrying a hint of threat. "Feng Sanyuan, so you had better think carefully before you speak."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, Feng Sanyuan was stunned.

Feng Sanyuan naturally knew who Zhang Laosan was.

This Zhang Laosan was the jailer. During these days in the prison, Feng Sanyuan had received Zhang Laosan's care, and his days had become much easier.

He had never expected Zhang Laosan to die!

Feng Sanyuan could not quite understand—how exactly had Zhang Laosan died?

"The men below reported that Zhang Laosan hanged himself. I have already sent people to investigate." Wei Zhongxian seemed to see what Feng Sanyuan was thinking and said directly, "As for Zhang Laosan's true cause of death, that still needs further investigation."

"But there is one thing I can tell you." At this point, Wei Zhongxian glanced at Yang Lian and Zou Yuanbiao before continuing, "Just now, Li Ruzhen testified that while he was in the prison, Zhang Laosan had delivered him a message, telling him that today in the courtroom, he must insist that I framed him, and absolutely must not retract his confession."

"If he did not retract his confession, then he could preserve his life and his official position." Wei Zhongxian laughed as he said this.

"But I also have something to say. Some matters, if you admit them, Your Majesty may show leniency in punishment; if you do not admit them, it is not certain you will be able to escape." As he spoke, Wei Zhongxian leaned his head forward, his eyes fixed intently on Feng Sanyuan, and asked in a lowered voice, "Feng Sanyuan, I ask you—did Zhang Laosan also deliver you a message?"

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's question, Feng Sanyuan was taken aback.

In a flash of lightning, a thought formed in his mind. He himself had been threatened by Wei Zhongxian, and he had indeed harbored the intention of not confessing.

But now it seemed things were not so simple. Clearly, Wei Zhongxian had already uncovered some leads. And the person who had Zhang Laosan deliver the message to him might well be a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river—unable to save himself.

If he did not retract his confession, his fate could be extremely miserable. One had to know that besides the matter of framing Xiong Tingbi, he had also confessed many other things while in the Eastern Depot.

Those matters would be very easy to investigate. Even if he escaped this disaster now, he would still have no way to turn things around by then.

Thinking of this, Feng Sanyuan already knew what he should do.

Though he wanted to be a good man, he had no choice.