Li Ying was deeply puzzled when a familiar customer approached her with a hesitant look on his face and said gingerly, "Boss Li, don't you know? That beggar who caused a ruckus at your place today... is really dead!"
What? Li Ying was completely taken aback. She never expected that such a life - and - death incident would occur just a few hours later. For a moment, she was struck dumb.
"The man's death is quite suspicious. I heard the coroner has examined the body, and it's confirmed that he was poisoned. There were even two roasted phoenix tails in his broken bowl..."
Just as she was about to ask the customer for more details, a group of constables arrived with a solemn air. "Are you Mrs. Li? The yamen has received a report suspecting you're involved in a poisoning case. Quickly gather your things and come with us!"
The customers all wisely stepped aside. Li Ying, however, remained calm and composed. She had a clear conscience and thought that facing the official was no big deal.
In a short while, they arrived at the Court of Judicial Review. The vice - minister of the court sat upright, exuding an imposing aura even without getting angry.
Kneeling in the courtyard was the little beggar they had seen during the day. Now, with her head bowed low and tears streaming down her face, the dirt on her face was washed away a bit. Only then did Li Ying realize that she had thought the beggar was a young boy, but in fact, it was a girl about the same age as A Man.
"Mrs. Li, the deceased, Zhou Da, had a quarrel with you and tried to swindle your money first. After you saw through his scheme, you harbored a grudge and secretly poisoned the roasted phoenix tails, killing him. Is that right?"
In just a few words, the vice - minister put forward his speculation. Li Ying couldn't help but frown slightly upon hearing this. This vice - minister of the Court of Judicial Review seemed eager to close the case quickly and was not an easy person to deal with.
"My lord, I'm truly innocent. Although Zhou Da and I did have some verbal disputes, we're all poor and powerless commoners. Why would I make things difficult for him? What good would it do me to take his life?"
She paused for a moment and continued, "Moreover, my lord, even if I were really petty and deliberately poisoned someone, why would I choose to do it on the roasted phoenix tails from my own stall? Once the truth comes out, wouldn't it also affect my own business?"
Her words were reasonable. The vice - minister frowned slightly, but then quickly regained his serious expression and said, "There are many people selling roasted phoenix tails in the capital now. You knew your business was being taken away and were angry, so you came up with this strategy of mutual destruction. You deliberately tampered with the phoenix tails to make sure no one could make money."
These words were quite harsh. If they spread, it was likely that all the newly opened roasted chicken stalls in the capital would unite against Li Ying, seeing her as a thorn in their side.
Li Ying retorted, "My lord, you enforce the law impartially. When handling a case, you should pay attention to evidence. I believe you won't just listen to one - sided words and jump to conclusions..."
She tried to butter him up, but the vice - minister was not impressed. He snorted and said, "Bold commoner! Don't try to sweet - talk me! Under severe punishment, the truth will surely come out! I didn't want to use torture on you because you're a woman, but seeing your stubborn attitude, it seems I've been too kind!"
He waved his hand, and several constables quickly carried in a bench. It seemed they were going to extort a confession by torture.
Li Ying frowned secretly. This vice - minister of the Court of Judicial Review was so eager to convict her without distinguishing right from wrong. Could it be that he was also in the same camp as Inspector Lin? But now that she was in such a difficult situation, with no one to turn to for help, it was really a tough problem to figure out how to get out of this predicament.
Just as she was hesitating, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, shouting, "Vice - minister, stop."
Li Ying looked in the direction of the voice and caught a glimpse of a dark purple figure out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. It was Lord Wu, the minister of the Court of Judicial Review!
She quickly rolled off the bench and crawled a few steps on her knees to Lord Wu. With tear - filled eyes, she said, "My lord, I'm innocent. Please uphold justice for me!"
The vice - minister of the Court of Judicial Review originally thought that dealing with an ordinary commoner would be a piece of cake. But he never expected that his superior would come in person to protect her. He was secretly shocked. No wonder Inspector Lin was quite wary of this woman. She really had some abilities!
Lord Wu sat upright, looking serious. The vice - minister had no choice but to bow respectfully with his head down.
"You keep saying you're wronged. Since I'm here, prove your innocence properly!" Lord Wu said coldly. But Li Ying knew that he must have come here specially to rescue her. She quickly retorted, "My lord, Zhou Da never came to my stall. The customers can testify!"
The vice - minister interrupted, "What are the customers' names? Where do they live? If we're going to summon them as witnesses, we need to know their details so that we can call them. Otherwise, how would I know who to arrest?"
As a business - owner who welcomed customers from all over, Li Ying was just a merchant. How could she keep asking the customers about their identities and backgrounds? Moreover, when the vice - minister sent the constables to arrest her, they came in such a hurry. The customers, not knowing the severity of the situation, had already scattered and hidden. Even if there were kind - hearted people, they couldn't have watched her stall all the time. It was really difficult to find witnesses to prove that Zhou Da never came to her stall.
Li Ying continued, "My lord, I'm not the only one selling roasted phoenix tails in the capital. Although I can't prove that Zhou Da never came to my stall, how can the vice - minister prove that the poisoned food came from my stall?"
"The roasted phoenix tails I make always use cumin for seasoning, and I'll add chili powder according to the customers' tastes. These two spices are not easy to obtain. A simple test will reveal the truth!"
She spoke with certainty, but the vice - minister seemed to be well - prepared. He calmly waved his hand. A constable immediately brought up a broken bowl with two roasted phoenix tails in it. The strong aroma of cumin could be smelled from afar.
"Mrs. Li, what else do you have to say?"
Looking at the broken bowl, Li Ying was even more certain. This could never be from her stall. Cumin was a very rare spice. The cumin she usually used was specially supplied by the Ping'an Bank. Currently, the only place in the capital that could afford to use it so generously was the Yunlai Restaurant. It seemed that Li Yun would stop at nothing to frame her.
Li Ying understood what was going on, but it was really troublesome to figure out how to prove her innocence and get out of this charge. Just as she was hesitating, a constable reported, "My lords, Lord Su from the Imperial Academy requests an audience!"
Su Buchi? The vice - minister's face turned even uglier. This Lord Su was a student of Yan Lianzhi and was the newly - crowned champion personally selected by the emperor. He was highly regarded. There were already rumors in the court that he would soon become a prominent new noble. First, the minister of the Court of Judicial Review came, and now Su Buchi. He had originally wanted to quietly deal with Li Ying, but now it had become a difficult task.