Chapter 93: Sowing Discord

Feng Neng did not immediately sign and seal; after the senior clerk handed over the indictment paper, he took it and began to read it.

The Town Magistrate pressed his lips together and said, "Feng Neng, before the verdict I have something to say first: poppy is strictly prohibited in our country. What you have done is a serious crime."

Feng Neng's hand shook as he held the indictment paper.

Qiao Sheng, seeing this, asked, "Sir, how is this kind of crime usually sentenced?"

The Town Magistrate spoke at a measured pace: "It depends on the circumstances; someone like him is usually exiled, and if the circumstances are more severe, sentenced to death."

So severe?

The Zhang family people are truly vicious!

Qiao Sheng thought to himself.

Unbeknownst to him.

Zhang Yun also didn't know it would be this serious, because his shady friends never mentioned any of this.

Qiao Sheng exclaimed, "This is far too serious; I've heard many people don't even survive the place of exile. Feng Neng, I don't know if you can handle this! If your family found out, they'd be heart‑broken to death—who can blame you for doing such a thing?"

As soon as she said that,

Feng Neng's mindset cracked; he's still young and doesn't want to die.

Qiao Sheng continued, "Feng Neng, I suddenly feel sorry for you! You've done so much for the Zhang family, sacrificed so greatly, and in the end they don't even utter a plea for mercy…"

"Qiao Sheng, stop sowing discord here!"

Zhang Yun glared at Qiao Sheng.

Qiao Sheng, with an innocent expression, said, "I'm sowing discord? Where did I sow discord? Isn't this just speaking the truth? How come people aren't allowed to speak the truth these days?"

"You…"

Zhang Yun was at a loss for words.

Qiao Sheng snapped at him, "What's your 'what', just shut up if you can't speak!"

Her words just fell,

Yun Tian said from beside, "Feng Neng, have you finished reading the indictment? If so, sign and seal it quickly, and you can set out first thing tomorrow morning."

"Right, right, we can set out tomorrow."

Qiao Sheng echoed.

Feng Neng's mindset completely collapsed; he knelt forward and said, "Sir, sir, I was wrong, I'll tell the truth honestly."

"Feng Neng!"

Zhang Yun panicked.

Qiao Sheng raised an eyebrow and said, "What are you shouting for? You're not trying to threaten him, are you? You're this bold in the courtroom—do you think the Town Magistrate is just a figurehead?"

"I didn't, I just told him not to speak recklessly."

Zhang Yun explained.

Qiao Sheng opened his mouth, "Everyone says he's wrong and should confess honestly; how could he be speaking nonsense? Whether he's speaking nonsense, we'll know once we listen."

"Feng Neng, speak!"

The Town Magistrate stared at Feng Neng and said,

Feng Neng knelt on the ground and recounted everything that had happened.

"Sir, the lower-bean earlier was ordered by Zhang Yun for me to have someone make; to keep them from talking, he both threatened and paid them. If you don't believe me, you can check their money—there's definitely money of unknown origin."

"Because the first attempt failed, Zhang Yun later had me hire someone to act, and he even gave me poppy. Sir, I truly didn't know poppy was prohibited; had I known, I certainly wouldn't have done this."

"Sir, I have confessed everything, please see clearly."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Zhang Yun shouted at Feng Neng, "I never imagined, even in my dreams, that at the moment of verdict there could still be a mishap."

He could even strangle the life out of Feng Neng right now.

We had clearly agreed.

He actually reneged.

The Town Magistrate slammed the court gavel, "Zhang Yun, keep your voice down; if you shout any louder, don't blame us for having someone drag you down to be beaten with a board!"

(End of Chapter)