Chapter 372: Something big is about to happen

An Qinghe was stunned.

At this moment someone squeezed over and stood beside He Jinglan.

The three then stopped talking and turned their gaze over.

An Qinghe exclaimed in surprise, "Meng..."

Meng Chengping hastily gave a glance.

An Qinghe understood; with so many people around, he certainly couldn't directly call Meng General.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan had deliberately changed their appearances to come here, precisely to avoid attracting attention.

Thus he smiled and clasped his hands, "Mister Meng, long time no see."

Meng Chengping also cooperatively returned the salute, "Boss An, hope you've been well."

As he raised his head, he glanced at the two young ladies beside him.

They were completely unfamiliar faces.

Meng Chengping stood properly again, still staying close to He Jinglan.

He Jinglan shifted a bit toward Gu Xixi, kept a straight face, making it clear "we're not acquainted, don't get involved."

She and Gu Xixi whispered, "Indeed, this person still has suspicions, concerning the Fan family's suspicions."

"We just don't know what Mu Nan Zhao will do next."

Gu Xixi said, "Given his nature, if he doesn't act, then fine."

"Since he has acted this time, he should not let the Fan family off the hook."

"The mystery of the illegitimate child might be the key here."

He Jinglan seemed lost in thought.

At this moment, they saw an attendant of Mu Nan Zhao's retinue deliver something into the Prefect's hands.

Seeing the Prefect unfold it, it was a sheet of paper.

His expression first changed dramatically, then he quickly finished reading the content.

Everyone in the hall had no idea what had happened.

The Prefect's face grew grim; this time he did not pass the paper to others for circulation.

He paused, and when his gaze fell on Fan Dongping, a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes.

"Fan Dongping is a prisoner sentenced to immediate execution, needing solitary confinement, to be publicly tried and executed on a chosen day!"

"Court adjourned! Close the main gate!"

Lv Jing was stunned.

The other assistant judges, clerks, and constables also were slow to react.

We had thought Fan Dongping was sure to die today, but unexpectedly it shifted from immediate execution to a delayed trial and execution.

Why did the Prefect change his mind on the spot?

Executing by beheading in public does indeed have considerations about the time of day; at noon the yang energy is strongest, able to suppress evil spirits.

But there are exceptions, such as immediate execution; our dynasty does have examples of ordering execution and carrying it out right away.

Therefore the Prefect is certainly not merely because the time is wrong.

The real reason must be whatever the Regent Prince had him look at.

The constables took the prisoners away.

The gate of the Capital Prefecture was also slowly closing.

Everyone in the hall harbored their own thoughts, but because it involved the Regent Prince, no one dared to ask directly.

Only Lv Jing, her expression shifting for a moment, lifted her head and stared straight at the Prefect.

The Prefect said solemnly, "This official knows what you want to say."

"What I can tell you is that no one is trying to protect him; you can rest assured on that."

"As for your family's case, it has already been decided."

"The Imperial Court's judgments are no trifle; I also guarantee them with my personal reputation, today's verdict will not be reversed overnight."

Lv Jing fell silent for a moment, performed a great bow, and said, "This commoner girl is willing to trust the Imperial Court, to trust you, sir."

"This commoner girl awaits the day she can personally witness justice!"

Lv Jing had just stepped away when the Prefect immediately rose, clasped his hands toward Mu Nan Zhao, and said, "This matter is of great importance; I will immediately go to the palace to seek an audience and present the case in person to His Majesty."

Lv Jing had just left when the Prefect immediately stood up, cupped his hands toward Mu Nan Zhao and said, "This matter is of great importance; I will immediately go to the palace to request an audience and personally inform His Majesty of the details of this case!"

Thus the Prefect, busy from early morning until now, didn't even have time to eat a bite of lunch before leaving.

The assistant judges looked at each other, secretly puzzled.

Impeaching the Fan family is no trivial matter.

Moreover, according to convention, investigating a senior official like Fan Grand Secretary does not rush the process even a little.

Yet the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture actually showed not the slightest hesitation or wait-and-see attitude.

Is he really rushing off to the palace to see the sovereign like that?

Could it be that something major is about to happen...

The officials forced themselves to stay in their seats, but in fact their hearts had already flown away.

Finally they waited for Mu Nan Zhao to leave the Capital Prefecture.

Everyone felt as if a great weight had been lifted, and without even exchanging greetings they all hurried off.

Outside the Capital Prefecture, the common people had gradually dispersed.

Only then did Meng Chengping dare to openly speak to He Jinglan, "Even if we have to pretend not to know each other, you wouldn't go so far as to not even glance at me, would you?"

Meng Chengping only then dared to openly speak to He Jinglan, "Even if you have to pretend not to know me, you wouldn't go so far as not even glancing at me, would you?"

These words sound aggrieved, and there's still a little resentment.

Gu Xixi and An Qinghe both laughed when they heard it.

He Jinglan also found it funny yet helpless, saying, "Everyone's watching the trial; who's got time to look at you?"

"But I've ended up like this; how did you recognize me?"

Meng Chengping replied truthfully, "When I arrived, I searched for a while; thanks to Boss An's special eyes, they shine especially bright in the sunlight."

Gu Xixi glanced at An Qinghe and said, "He really stands out; easy to recognize."

"But how did you tell me apart from Jing Lan?"

This morning, the two of them put on masks, stood together, and looked in the mirror, only then discovering their builds and figures are quite similar.

After altering their appearance, if they don't speak or move,

It really becomes hard to tell who is who.

Meng Chengping, however, accurately stood beside He Jinglan the moment he walked over.

This shows he has a unique eye.

However, Meng Chengping doubted, "Distinguish? Isn't it obvious at a glance?"

He Jinglan raised her eyebrows, "When did you also learn to sweet-talk women with such false words?"

Meng Chengping startled, anxiously defending himself, "I didn't; I said I would never lie to you."

"But I can see that your appearance is completely different from Boss Gu's."

He Jinglan felt defeated, "It seems my disguise technique still falls short."

Meng Chengping hurried to comfort, "No, no; if Boss An weren't here, just you and Boss Gu mingling in the crowd, I'm afraid I couldn't pick you out."

He Jinglan tilted her head to look at him, "Really?"

Meng Chengping gave a foolish smile, "I wouldn't dare lie to you."

……

An Qinghe quietly watched for a moment, then softly asked Gu Xixi, "Are these two..."

Gu Xixi smiled meaningfully, "Perhaps; who knows."

An Qinghe understood, "Rest assured, as long as they themselves don't speak, you don't speak, and I won't speak either."

Several people waited near the side gate of the Capital Prefecture.

Upon seeing Lv Jing come out, they all went to meet her.

Gu Xixi said, "You've worked hard; you did well."

Since burying her parents, Lv Jing hasn't shed a tear.

During the most perilous and trying moments in the capital city, she gritted her teeth and endured.

At this moment, hearing Gu Xixi's words made her eyes instantly redden.

"Xixi!"

Lv Jing excitedly stepped forward two paces, seized Gu Xixi's hand, and after a while choked out:

"You always said I could; thank goodness I haven't let you down!"

Gu Xixi smiled gently, "It's you who hasn't let yourself down."

Lv Jing nodded firmly, "Mm! Fan Dongping, County Magistrate Chen, and those people have all been convicted."

"It's a pity I couldn't witness Fan Dongping's beheading today to comfort my parents' spirits in heaven."

An Qinghe said, "Just now the Prefect still said Fan Dongping is a death-row inmate."

"This means his death sentence probably won't change."

"Perhaps they discovered he committed other crimes, so they had to delay."

Lv Jing nodded, "I hope so."

Gu Xixi made introductions between He Jinglan and Lv Jing.

Lv Jing said, "Although I've never met Miss He before, I've long heard of her great reputation."

"Seeing her in person now feels even more cordial."

She said this, then suddenly knelt down without warning.