Chapter 50: The Truth Is Only One!

Seeing Li Goudan sincerely plead for mercy and rush off to find Jiang Mingyu, the female complainant finally abandoned her idea of going to the capital to file a complaint.

At this moment, the female complainant’s eyes were red, tears swirling in her lashes, her voice trembling as she stared at her husband’s corpse: “Husband, go in peace—I will avenge you.” Her heart was filled with grief, all she wanted was revenge for her beloved.

Two incense sticks passed quickly, yet the so-called “murderer,” Jiang Mingyu, remained nowhere to be found. The onlookers chattered among themselves, growing increasingly impatient.

“Why is the Imperial Commissioner taking so long? Hurry up and come back—we’re all waiting for the show!” an old man complained irritably.

“With something this big happening, he’s probably already fled,” another speculated, his tone dripping with schadenfreude.

“He’s an Imperial Commissioner—what can we common folk do? We’ll just have to swallow this anger,” a middle-aged man sighed, shaking his head.

Just as the crowd buzzed with discussion, Jiang Mingyu’s anxious voice suddenly cut through: “My fellow townspeople, I’m back!”

He had just received a hefty bribe from He Dachuan and was in high spirits, but Li Goudan’s sudden appearance threw him into chaos.

The incident came out of nowhere—he had no time to ask for details, so he rushed back to the county office with Tukesiluo and others, mentally scrambling for a strategy.

Jiang Mingyu arrived at the county office, breathless, to find a ragged, sallow-faced woman with bloodshot eyes glaring at him like a furious lioness.

“Jiang Mingyu, you murderer!” she clenched her teeth, trembling all over. “Your inferior coal killed my husband—what more is there to defend?!”

Before Jiang Mingyu could speak, the woman Liu Churan, whom he had just saved, spoke up: “Sister, are you mistaken? The Imperial Commissioner is a good man—he just rescued me from He Daoshao. How could he do something like this?”

When she learned the man who saved her was the newly arrived Imperial Commissioner, Liu Churan was too stunned to speak. But Jiang Mingyu had been too busy dealing with the He father and son to bow or thank her.

The female complainant ignored Liu Churan entirely, fixing her gaze on Jiang Mingyu, waiting for his reply.

The female complainant ignored Liu Churan entirely, fixing her gaze on Jiang Mingyu, waiting for his reply.

Jiang Mingyu’s face darkened as he asked sternly: “What exactly happened?”

The female complainant cut straight to the point, wiped her tears, and repeated her account once more, then pointed at the corpse: “My husband’s body is right here—clear evidence. What’s left to argue?”

Jiang Mingyu forced his way through the crowd to the corpse. One glance tightened his brows; his expression grew as grim as a storm about to break.

The dead man’s face was contorted, his lips smeared with vomit—clear signs of violent struggle before death.

His frozen trousers bore a damp stain—he had lost bladder control from prolonged suffocation.

Jiang Mingyu knew well: these were classic symptoms of coal gas poisoning, common knowledge in his former life.

Tukesiluo’s brows knotted into two knots as he hurriedly asked: “Your Excellency, what’s going on?”

Jiang Mingyu let out a deep sigh, then spoke with heavy sorrow: “Death by coal gas poisoning is certain.”

The atmosphere grew heavy. After hearing this, the crowd erupted again into murmurs, the scene descending once more into chaos.

“So he really died from coal fumes? How terrifying!” An elderly onlooker’s face was etched with fear; others whispered among themselves, all visibly terrified. “I told you all along—we should stick to chopping firewood. This coal is utterly unreliable,” a middle-aged man urgently advised his neighbor, frowning.

“The Imperial Commissioner’s coal just caused a death—this is going to be good entertainment,” a burly man in blue whispered with glee. The crowd’s murmurs rose and fell, deepening the panic.

The female complainant’s eyes burned red as she glared at Jiang Mingyu, hatred and grief blazing in them: “Good! You finally admit it! If you hadn’t supplied inferior coal, my husband wouldn’t have died so senselessly—you murderer!”

Something’s off. This woman is too certain—there’s a trick here.

Jiang Mingyu frowned, lost in thought, puzzled.

Although he hadn't studied chemistry in his past life, he understood the basic principles of coal combustion; according to his methods, such severe poisoning shouldn't have occurred—something was wrong.

As Jiang Mingyu still frowned in thought, a clear male voice rang out from beyond the crowd: “His Royal Highness, Prince Qi, arrives!”

No sooner had the words spoken than Prince Qi and Ma Defake, his bearded companion, appeared.

Prince Qi surveyed the chaotic scene, a faint sneer curling his lips as he cast a meaningful glance at Ma Defake.

The odds favored him—he wouldn’t have to wait long to eliminate Jiang Mingyu and avenge his earlier defeat.

Prince Qi feigned sorrow, glanced at the corpse, and sighed softly: “Jiang Daoren, what happened here?”

He assumed a righteous, people’s champion posture: “Madam, rest assured—I shall see justice done for you.”

Then, feigning deep concern: “Jiang Daoren, your coal has caused such a tragedy—how heartrending!”

“Though we are both officials of the court, the law brooks no mercy. If you do not give this woman justice today, the people will never accept it.”

“To preserve public order in the city, I fear I must send you to the capital for His Majesty’s judgment.”

With that, he clapped his hands and barked to his soldiers: “Seize Jiang Daoren!”

Just as two soldiers moved to bind him, Jiang Mingyu calmly frowned and spoke: “Wait.”

Prince Qi snorted, eyes blazing: “What? Evidence is clear, you’ve confessed yourself—do you dare resist arrest, Jiang Daoren?” His tone brooked no argument, dripping with false righteousness.

“Breaking the law while enforcing it? That’s an aggravated crime. If you still refuse to yield, don’t blame me for forgetting past favors.” He nodded solemnly, as if delivering a verdict.

Yet Jiang Mingyu sharply noticed: beneath Prince Qi’s stern gaze, a hidden smirk flickered.

What’s going on?

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes darted, but he remained calm: “Your Royal Highness, you arrived rather quickly.”

Prince Qi maintained his solemn facade: “To uphold justice for the people is my duty.” He puffed out his chest, towering above them.

“Fortunately, I arrived in time—otherwise, these pitiful commoners would’ve been powerless against you, Jiang Daoren.” His tone dripped with contempt.

“Enough. Night falls. Explain yourself to His Majesty in the capital later.” He waved dismissively, eager to take Jiang Mingyu away.

Jiang Mingyu calmly shook his head: “I wish only to visit the deceased’s home first—to see what truly happened.”

“If it is truly my fault, I will pay compensation—even cover the cost of his coffin.” His tone was sincere.

“But if this is a deliberate frame-up, then matters are different.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qi subtly glanced at Ma Defake beside him.

Receiving Ma Defake’s confirming nod, Prince Qi smiled triumphantly—he believed Jiang Mingyu had fallen perfectly into the trap. It was time to make him taste defeat.

He glared fiercely at Jiang Mingyu, then switched to a sneering expression: “This delaying tactic is foolish.”

“But since you’re so eager, I’ll indulge you—let you die knowing the truth!” Prince Qi clenched his fist, exuding absolute confidence.

“Madam, lead the way,” Prince Qi ordered haughtily. He was certain the corpse’s home was nearby—once there, Jiang Mingyu would have no escape.

The female complainant, desperate for Jiang Mingyu’s death, bit her lip, hesitating: “Your Excellency, what if he tries to flee?” Her heart trembled—she feared the plan might unravel.

Prince Qi narrowed his eyes, threatening: “Then I’ll cut him down myself—I’m sure His Majesty will understand.” His cold, ruthless tone made the woman shudder.

“Don’t you agree, Jiang Daoren?” Prince Qi challenged, trying to provoke him.

Jiang Mingyu remained calm, speaking humbly: “Your Royal Highness, rest assured—I am not that despicable. Let’s go.”

Prince Qi’s smile widened—he was certain Jiang Mingyu was fully trapped, and the net was closing.

On the way to the complainant’s home, Murong Yunhai paced like a caged animal, his mind racing for an escape.

“Isn’t that the new official? Why is he being taken away?” a middle-aged woman exclaimed, bewildered.

“They say he caused a death—he’s being sent to the capital for trial under Prince Qi’s orders,” a neighbor gossiped eagerly, eyes gleaming.

“I thought he was a true benefactor of the people… who knew? Human hearts are unfathomable,” an old man sighed, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Jiang Mingyu, escorted by Prince Qi and his men, walked through the streets as onlookers peered and whispered—his brow furrowed.

Liu Churan, unnerved by curious stares, leaned close to Murong Yunhai and whispered: “Lord Murong, Lord Tu—the Imperial Commissioner is being taken away. What do we do?” Her voice brimmed with anxiety.

Murong Yunhai’s face was grim: “It’s too late now—we can only hope the complainant’s home holds a clue.” He rubbed his temples in distress. As the two struggled, Jiang Mingyu, at this life-or-death moment, remained calm, his mind racing.

Hearing the murmurs around him, his heart jolted—he suddenly grasped the truth: “There’s only one possibility...”