Lian Ji frowned and flatly denied it without hesitation.
"Boss Li and Mr. Su, don't make unfounded accusations. I don't understand what you're talking about."
She gave Feng Yuan a meaningful look. Feng Yuan immediately understood and clenched his teeth, stubbornly refusing to admit guilt.
"My lord inspector, I'm wronged! I've never seen this box, nor have I ever heard of such a vicious recipe. Please investigate thoroughly, my lord!"
As if he suddenly remembered something, he crawled two steps on his knees and tightly grabbed the corner of Li Ying's robe.
"Boss Li, it's you! You saw that the bird's nest business was booming and asked me if there were better - quality bird's nests. You wanted to take them from me under the guise of cooperation. But the blood bird's nests are precious, and I refused to give them up for nothing, so I sold them to Madam Lian Ji.
"You were jealous, so you deliberately set this trap to frame me. Boss Li, we should maintain courtesy even if a deal falls through. I never thought you could be so cruel - hearted!"
With just a few words, he reversed the truth and shifted all the blame onto Li Ying.
Li Ying sneered coldly.
"Shopkeeper Feng, that day you came to me in great distress, swearing to turn over a new leaf and asking me to show you a way out. Shopkeeper Bao of Yufengxiang and others all saw it with their own eyes. It was you who served two masters. How can you blame me instead?
"Moreover, if I really knew the method of smoking blood bird's nests, why wouldn't I just do business on my own to make money? The fewer people who know, the less likely the truth will be exposed."
Li Ying's words were well - reasoned, and many onlookers nodded in agreement.
Feng Yuan kowtowed heavily in front of Inspector Lin and said, "My lord, please make a fair judgment! I'm clumsy - tongued and can't argue as well as Boss Li. But Bao Guiyou, Su Buchi and others have received many favors from the Li family, so they're on her side. How can their testimonies be trusted?"
He had discussed with Lian Ji earlier that if things ever came to light, they would both firmly claim to know nothing about it. He believed that since Li Ying couldn't find solid evidence, Inspector Lin wouldn't be able to convict them.
Su Buchi's face darkened, and he snorted coldly. "Indeed, listening to only one side leads to darkness, while listening to both sides leads to clarity. Since I've come here today to accuse Shopkeeper Feng, I've naturally brought all the witnesses."
He gave Lu Xunguang a look. Sure enough, a disheveled young servant walked in dejectedly. It was Feng Yuan's confidant.
"My lord inspector, you must uphold justice for me! I was just following Shopkeeper Feng's orders. I had no choice!"
This young servant served Feng Yuan closely and was highly trusted by him. He had been involved in every step of the process of smoking blood bird's nests.
Lu Xunguang had informed Li Ying of this person's existence earlier. So when she saw him being brought here for confrontation, she wasn't surprised.
Whether it was because he was afraid of Lu Xunguang's fists or was convinced by Su Buchi's eloquence, this young servant didn't hesitate at all. He told the whole story of how Feng Yuan had ordered him to deceive and cheat, leaving nothing out.
As soon as he finished speaking, an uproar broke out among the crowd.
Since the pregnant woman and her child were safe, her husband left the wet - nurse to take care of them and rushed to the yamen. He stubbornly demanded an explanation.
Su Buchi bowed slightly to Inspector Lin and looked angrily at Feng Yuan kneeling on the ground. "Shopkeeper Feng, now that you've been accused by your own confidant, what else do you have to say?"
Feng Yuan roared angrily, "I've treated you well. Why are you colluding with villains to frame your own master!"
The young servant knelt on the ground, trembling. Hearing this, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with resentment.
"Shopkeeper, do you still remember Feng Sheng? He was my brother! We both served under you back then. We've done so many dirty things for you, both openly and secretly!
"Before the martial arts conference, he followed your order to scheme against Boss Li's reputation. He was beaten and his hands and feet were broken by someone who saw injustice. Originally, he could have recovered after some recuperation. But what about you?
"You were busy pretending in front of Boss Li and didn't care about his serious injuries. You beat him so badly that he died!"
Feng Yuan was slightly stunned and subconsciously squinted his eyes.
He had many servants around him. Useless people like this were of no use, and he would dismiss several of them every month. How could he remember any names?
Seeing his expression, the young servant felt even more heart - broken. He roared angrily, "Feng Yuan, rather than being abandoned by you like a useless pawn, I'd rather turn over a new leaf earlier!"
The young servant banged his head on the ground, making a thumping sound. He said to Inspector Lin, "My lord inspector! Feng Yuan had evil intentions. He tried to smear Boss Li's reputation. These bird's nests were also snatched from fishermen in various villages. And the smoking of blood bird's nests, which disregards human lives, I've witnessed it all with my own eyes! I'm willing to testify one by one. I only hope to atone for my crimes!"
Feng Yuan was extremely angry. He lifted his foot and was about to kick the young servant.
"You ungrateful dog!"
Before he could finish his words, he saw Lian Ji beside him gracefully curtsy and suddenly cover her chest in shock.
"Shopkeeper Feng, I never thought you were such a person!"
Her face was as white as a sheet. Disregarding her dignity, she knelt down in front of Inspector Lin.
"My lord, please investigate! I started this bird's nest business because I was instigated by Shopkeeper Feng. He bribed me with bird's nests. I'm shortsighted. After eating his bird's nests, I really thought they were good, so I agreed to cooperate with him. All the goods were supplied by him.
"I was just careless for a moment and fell into his trap. Although it wasn't my intention, I still caused that pregnant lady to almost lose her life. I can't shirk my responsibility and I've been suffering deeply in my heart. No matter how you punish me, my lord, I'm willing to accept it!"
Lian Ji really looked extremely frightened and her words were very convincing. A sneer involuntarily appeared on Li Ying's face.
Humph.
Feng Yuan and Lian Ji were truly of the same kind. They knew very well how to discard people once they were no longer useful.
Feng Yuan's face turned deathly pale. He looked at Lian Ji in disbelief.
Was she... going to use him as a scapegoat?
"Shopkeeper Feng, it's okay that you deceived me. But now you've done such a stupid thing. Your parents, wife and children will also be shamed because of this. It's really not worth it!"
Lian Ji looked extremely heart - broken, but there was a faint hint of intimidation in her eyes when she looked at Feng Yuan.
Feng Yuan immediately understood her warning.
If he was determined to take her down with him, he was just an ordinary merchant, while Lian Ji was the legitimate wife of the major shareholder. She might not really be punished.
He would end up in prison, while Lian Ji would still live a carefree life. At that time, what hope would his family have?
Feng Yuan lowered his head and said nothing. Seeing his dejected look, Lian Ji knew that he must have understood the situation. So she calmly stood aside.
"My lord, it was really my greed that got the better of me for a moment. I'm willing to accept the punishment. Please show mercy, my lord!"
Feng Yuan's knees went weak, and he honestly confessed his guilt.