Chapter 68: Turning Clouds and Rain (Part 2)

  After a while, footsteps sounded outside, and Tang Zixuan, Su Yanyu, and others arrived one after another. Even Xiang Wu came in full armor. It turned out that after this period of turmoil, the large number of infantry and cavalry of the Fengwu Martial Arts School had already surrounded Bao Ying Fu tightly, with dense rows of green-clad flying eagles blocking the outside open space tightly, each standing upright like a spear. The slaves of Bao Ying Fu had all retreated to the south, leaving only a few remaining remnants, who were quickly killed or captured by the green-clad flying eagles, leaving almost none behind.

  Butterfly Dance wore a suit of armor, looking even more majestic and refreshing, with an aura of inviolability in her proud and cold demeanor. Even Yang Suofeng didn't have the slightest thought of approaching her, feeling that she was sacred and untouchable. But Butterfly Dance barely gave Yang Suofeng a glance, walking directly to Ling Qing's side and sitting down calmly.

  As soon as Tang Ziyu saw Yang Shuangfeng, his eyes turned red with rage, and he wished he could kill him. Unfortunately, Yang Shuangfeng didn't notice at all why Tang Ziyu had such a strong murderous intent towards him. Su Qing'e, Cai Bingxia, and the other two women, however, had their eyes completely red, deeply lowering their heads as if they were in a state of deep anger and silent numbness. Even Zi Yue, who accompanied them, gave Yang Shuangfeng a hateful glance before turning away, as if looking at him one more time would be a sin. At that moment, Yang Shuangfeng felt his heart turn to dust, and he wished he could just die.

  Ling Qing Si waved his hand to let everyone sit down, and when the whole court was quiet, he solemnly said: "Since both the plaintiff and the defendant are present, we will now begin the trial proceedings. Please record the records."

  Butterfly Maple Dance looked up and glanced around, suddenly asking in a low voice: "Where's Si Shi?"

  Ling Qing thought had not yet responded, Yang Xiao Feng was already triumphantly and quickly interjecting: "She was so angry she cried, accidentally fainting to the ground, smashing two bricks, she should be awake by now, who knows if she's still crying inside!"

  Butterfly Dance looked at Ling Qing Si with anger and surprise, Ling Qing Si nodded slightly, Butterfly Dance's face sank, and she immediately stood up and went to the side room. Cai Bing Xiao couldn't help but look at Yang Shuang Feng in surprise, Yang Shuang Feng stretched his waist with a pleased expression, Cai Bing Xiao's eyes dimmed, and then lowered her head. Yang Shuang Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of loss in his heart.

  Ling Qing thought for a moment, then struck the alarm wood to draw everyone's attention back to the case. He said calmly: "Tang Zongdu, you accused Yang Shuangfeng of murdering Mu Shunying, the governor of Baoying Prefecture. Do you have any evidence?"

  Tang Zisu said solemnly, "There is. This official personally witnessed that at the scene of the crime, only Yang Suofeng had a weapon, and Misses Su Yunruo, Cai Bingxia, and others were all witnesses."

  Ling Qing thought for a moment, then turned to Su Yunruo and said solemnly: "Miss Su, did you personally witness Yang Shuofeng killing Mu Shunying? Please answer based on the facts."

  Su Yunxiao seemed dazed, as if she hadn't heard, her mind completely elsewhere. On the other hand, Cai Bingyun's lips moved a few times, wanting to speak but stopping herself, and in the end didn't say anything.

  Yang Shuang said hastily: "Your Honor, there is no need for the witness's accusation. I admit that it was I who killed Mu Shunying Prefect."

  Her eyes sparkled with complex and astonished glances.

  Ling Qing nodded calmly and said indifferently, "Yang Suofeng, since you have voluntarily pleaded guilty, it means that the crime of murder is established. I'll ask you one more question, are you certain that you indeed killed Mu Shunying?"

  Yang Shuang said calmly: "Yes, I'm sure."

  Ling Qing thought said: "Good, I find you guilty of murder. Now the second case begins. Su Yunruo, Cai Mianmian, Cai Xianxian, Cai Bingxia, do you four accuse Yang Songfeng of raping you after getting drunk?"

  No one answered.

  The four women all hung their heads in shame.

  Ling Qing thought again and repeated it, but still no one answered.

  Tang Zī suddenly said: "Your Honor, I can be a witness to prove that Yang Shǔ Fēng indeed raped four girls, and it was extremely cruel. This matter also has Xiǎo Yuè girl from Shàn Héng Táng as a witness."

  Ling Qing said calmly: "Please go on."

  Tang Zǐ gave Yang Shuòfēng a stern look and said slowly: "On that day, I left Língquán Xián because of something, leaving only Yang Shuòfēng and the four girls in the room. When I returned after handling my business, I found that the four girls had all been insulted by Yang Shuòfēng. So, I immediately sent the four girls to be treated by Zǐ Yuè at Shàn Héng Táng. After the incident, Yang Shuòfēng's whereabouts were unknown."

  Ling Qing furrowed her brow slightly and glanced at Yang Shuofeng.

  Yang Shuang said with a disbelieving tone: "I admit to the fact of rape, but after the incident, I didn't disappear without a trace. Instead, I was invited by Lord Tang to have tea and we chatted in the cold wind, having a great time. Lord Tang, isn't that right? The law is greater than the king, and the king is under the law - what an interesting topic..."

  Tang Zī's face slightly changed, and he said obscurely: "Yang Suō Fēng, what nonsense are you spouting?"

  Yang Xun smiled slightly and said faintly, "Tang sir, this is a secret between you and me. Don't force me too much, or we'll both end up with nothing. If you don't want to make it a lose-lose situation for both of us, then just keep quiet. I've already confessed, what more do you want?"

  Tang Zī's mustache at the corner of his mouth twitched slightly a few times, staring deeply into his eyes, and indeed didn't say a word.

  Ling Qing furrowed his brow and said, "You two, what are you talking about? Tang Zixun, the interrogation below may involve some sensitive topics for women, please step aside. All men on site, please withdraw. Zi Yue, please describe the situation at that time."

  Tang Zhi had just gone out, and those green-faced eagles also retreated to the outside of the door.

  Ziyue slowly sat down in the witness position.

  "Zi Yue, did you personally witness Yang Shuangfen raping Su Yunru and the other three girls?" Ling Qing asked solemnly.

  Zi Yue nodded slightly, her voice low but clear and coherent: "Your Honor, I did not personally witness Yang Suofeng's beastly behavior, but I can indeed prove that it was Yang Suofeng who insulted the four young ladies. I have clearly learned from the four young ladies that the one who harmed them was Yang Suofeng, a naval lieutenant general. At the same time, I also carefully examined their bodies on behalf of the four young ladies, and they all showed fresh signs of rupture, with men's... inside, which were indeed the marks of being recently insulted. Among them, Su Xuanruo's injuries were the most severe, according to her recollection, Yang Suofeng had raped her four times, taking various formal and informal postures, causing her great harm..."

  At some point, Die Xuan Wu and Die Si Shi had quietly appeared beside Ling Qing Si. Su Wan Rou suddenly trembled numbly, almost fainting to the ground, fortunately, Cai Wan Wan and Cai Yan Yan supported her, barely keeping her seated.

  Ling Qing Si looked at Yang Suo Fen, and it was clear that she could see the anger in her heart. She forced herself to hold back the flames of rage on her head, and coldly said: "Yang Suo Fen, do you have anything to say about this crime? Do you have any defense against Zi Yue's testimony?"

  Yang Shuang said calmly: "No, Miss Zi Yue's words are like eyewitness testimony, and that's exactly what happened."

  "You inhuman beast!" Butterfly Poetry cursed angrily.

  Willow in the morning, wood at night.

  "Butterfly Maple Dance" said with disgust: "Since all charges have been established, can't we just pronounce the sentence now?"

  Ling Qing thought for a moment and nodded, saying: "I now announce that due to the conclusive evidence, the defendant has confessed to the facts of murder and rape without any reservations. The court hereby declares that the defendant is guilty of murder and rape. Defendant, do you have any objections?"

  Yang Shuang said calmly: "No, I admit all the facts of murder and rape."

  Ling Qing thought for a moment, nodded slightly and said lightly: "You're quite straightforward! That's good. This is the transcript of your interrogation. You just need to sign it and you can go. However, as a judge, I have a duty to remind you that once you sign this, it will mean that you acknowledge the crimes of murder and rape mentioned above, and are willing to accept the legal consequences that come with them."

  Yang Su Feng silently let out a sigh and pressed his fingerprint on the interrogation record. Unintentionally, he saw that Cai Bing Xia's eyes were welling up with tears, as if she wanted to say something, but instead, she let out a long sigh in her heart, filled with sorrow. However, inadvertently, Die Feng Wu caught a glimpse of a sly smile at the corner of his eye.

  "Butterfly Maple Dance suddenly said: 'Yang Su Feng, in addition to murder and rape, I also accuse you of participating in the slave rebellion of Bao Ying Fu!'"

  Yang Shuang Feng said in a firm and low voice, "Die Xiang Wu, I resolutely refuse to admit that I participated in the rebellion. On the contrary, I was the first person to suppress the rebellion!"

  "Butterfly Maple Dance coldly smiled and said: 'Please, Your Honor, proceed with the trial.'"

  Ling Qing thought for a moment and then solemnly said, "Yang Suofeng, the plaintiff accuses you of participating in the slave rebellion. What do you have to say about this?"

  Yang Suofeng suddenly became excited and said loudly: "I admit that I committed murder and rape, but I absolutely do not admit that I participated in the riot. In fact, I paid a heavy price in blood to resist the riot. Look at the corpses in front of the government office, how many were killed by my own hands? You can send someone to take a look, go and see those corpses shot in the head by the Tuerkeshi rifle bullets!"

  Ling Qing thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright. Someone, go to the front of the prefecture's yamen and count the bodies of the slaves who were killed. See how many died from gunshot wounds to the head."

  An officer agreed and went.

  Miss Ziyue suddenly said: "Your Honor, I can prove that Yang Shuangfeng did not participate in the slave rebellion."

  Ling Qing thought for a moment and stretched out his hand: "Please go on."

  Zi Yue gently said without looking at Yang Shuangfeng, "On that day when I was treating the four girls' injuries in Shan Heng Tang, it was Yang Shuangfeng who led his subordinates to rescue us. After we arrived at the county government office, we were surrounded by slaves many times, and Yang Shuangfeng led his subordinates to guard the place, ensuring our safety. His subordinates included She Yan, Meng Diyou, Du Geer and others."

  Ling Qing thought for a moment and nodded slightly, saying in a light tone: "Prosecutor, you accuse the defendant of participating in the rebellion. Do you have any other evidence?"

  Butterfly Maple danced fiercely glared at Yang Shuofeng and said with a sense of unwillingness: "No."

  A moment later, the officer returned.

  "Butterfly Maple Dance frowned and asked: 'How many corpses are there like that?'"

  The officer said: "Report to General Fengwu, a total of sixty-seven enemies were shot dead by the Tuerkeshi rifle bullets, all of whom died from a single shot."

  Butterfly Maple Dance looked at Yang Shuangfeng with a hint of surprise, as if she found it hard to believe.

  Judge Ling Qing said decisively: "Based on the facts, this court rules that Yang Shuangfeng is not guilty of the crime of participating in a rebellion."

  Yang Shuangfen smiled wryly and said slowly: "Thank you."

  "Butterfly Maple Dance said with a sneer: 'Yang Su Feng, I no longer accuse you of participating in the rebellion, but your murder and rape crimes are inevitable, don't think about escaping!' "

  "Butterfly Poetry coldly said: 'For such a lustful demon, it must be dealt with the most severe punishment.'"

  Ling Qing thought for a moment, then looked at Yang Su and said calmly: "Alright, since you won't explain, that means you're admitting guilt. Take away his Lieutenant General rank..."

  "Butterfly Poetry hastily said: 'Military officer, according to the imperial law, what kind of punishment should be given for committing murder and rape?'"

  According to Article 34, Section 4 of the Imperial Penal Code, those who commit rape shall be punished with castration or imprisonment for more than ten years. In severe cases, they shall be punished by burning at the stake.

  "So he must have been executed by fire?"

  Ling Qing didn't answer, but continued to say calmly: "According to Article 6, Section 1 of the Imperial Penal Code, killing a government official is a serious criminal offense and must be punished by death, which should be carried out publicly."

  Butterfly Maple's face sank, and she gave a stern order: "Bring in the executioner, prepare the execution ground."

  It turned out that Ling Qing thought waved his hand and said, "No need."

  "Butterfly Maple Dance said in surprise: 'Why?'"