Since it was the day when the new top courtesan of the Floret Tower made her debut, there were a great number of guests in the Floret Tower. Moreover, the grand feast that day was held on a large boat.
"I... I didn't hear anything. I was watching the dance at that time and didn't hear any other sounds!" Han Wei's face now showed a bit of panic. His eyes darted around, but he just dared not look into Xuan Yuanjue's eyes.
"Oh, is that so! What Young Master Han said seems different from what I heard. At that time, this young master heard someone calling for help and even sent a servant to check it out specifically."
"Young Master Han, do you know what my servant saw?"
"Wh... What?" Han Wei asked. Then, as if he disliked himself for just following Xuan Yuanjue's words, he immediately changed his tune and said, "What your servant saw is his own business. What does it have to do with me?"
"Alas! Young Master Han can't say that. This matter is not only related to you, Young Master Han. It has a great deal to do with you. My servant saw that Young Master Han actually threw things at a person who had fallen into the lake. Not to mention teacups and bowls, Young Master Han even threw his small table into the water to hit that person. And the person who was hit is Qin An, who is lying here now!"
"Young Master Han, do you think what I said is different from your memory? If you think what I said is wrong, how about we call a few servants from the Floret Tower to ask them and see what they say?"
After Xuan Yuanjue finished speaking these few sentences, Han Wei's face looked extremely ugly. If it were someone else, with his usual overbearing and spoiled nature, he would definitely make a big fuss. But now, facing Xuan Yuanjue, he didn't dare to.
Although Han Wei knew in his heart that his father had already spent money to settle everything at the Floret Tower, he was still not at ease. If he could pay those people from the Floret Tower to change their statements, then Xuan Yuanjue or the Shen Mansion could surely do the same.
"Hehe, everyone knows what kind of place the Floret Tower is, not to mention the servants there! I'm afraid they would lose all their morals just for a few coins and would say anything casually. So, their words simply can't be trusted." At this time, Minister Han, who was standing outside, said.
Lord Liang also saw Minister Han, and the two saluted each other.
"Lord Liang, you've been working hard on this case! It seems that this case has now reached a deadlock. If it goes on like this, it will be difficult to tell who is right and who is wrong for a while. How about this, Lord Liang, let's call it a day today and continue the trial tomorrow?"
Lord Liang glanced at Minister Han's face and then immediately nodded and said, "Alright. Since that's the case, let's detain the suspect for now and adjourn the court. We'll continue the trial tomorrow!"
After Lord Liang finished speaking, two yamen runners stepped forward to grab Shen Zhang's arms and led him in the direction of the prison.
"Wait a minute!" Shen Zhang shook off the hands of the two yamen runners on his body, but unfortunately, he couldn't break free.
"My lord, I'm a suspect, but Han Wei also can't prove his innocence. Why am I the only one being taken to the prison while he is fine?"
As Shen Zhang said this, he pointed at Han Wei and looked angrily at Lord Liang. "Such differential treatment, what does this mean, Lord Liang?"
Lord Liang glared at Shen Zhang, walked up to him, and said in a low voice, "Shen Zhang! Behave yourself!"
But there was determination on Shen Zhang's face. He stared back at Lord Liang and shouted, "Lord Liang, may I take this as your friendship with Minister Han? Or is there some other hidden secret?"
"Shen Zhang, if you keep talking nonsense, you won't be able to keep your life." Lord Liang gritted his teeth and warned Shen Zhang.
Despite this, Shen Zhang had his own thoughts. Just now, the truth was about to come out, but as soon as Minister Han came, a few words made Lord Liang adjourn the court. It was obvious that Lord Liang was afraid or in awe of Minister Han.
Moreover, it was very likely that Han Wei had killed Qin An, and Minister Han was covering up his son's crime and had bribed Lord Liang. If so, Shen Zhang felt that his life would be in danger tonight!
Lord Liang might very well frame him with a charge of "committing suicide out of fear of punishment!" This was the simplest and easiest way to get rid of such a trouble.
"Hehe! Lord Liang, do you think I'll be afraid?"
"You..."
Minister Han stared at Shen Zhang with a sinister look, then turned to Lord Liang and said, "Lord Liang, I think in the current situation, it's necessary to take my son to the prison. Only in this way can we avoid the suspicion and doubt of the common people outside!"
"This... Lord Han, your son has a noble status. The prison is damp and dark. Can Young Master Han bear it?"
"It doesn't matter. It's only for one night. By tomorrow, there will be no more worries!"
Minister Han's tone was so certain that Lord Liang felt relieved. "Since that's the case, Young Master Han, please bear with it for a while!"
Naturally, Han Wei was extremely reluctant. That was a prison. There might be disgusting things like rats and cockroaches inside. How could he stand it?
"Lord Han, don't worry. I will take good care of Young Master Han!" Lord Liang promised. "By tomorrow, Young Master Han will be able to go home."
In this way, both Shen Zhang and Han Wei were taken to the prison, but their treatments were very different. Shen Zhang was still put back into the shabby cell he had stayed in last night. There were only some straws piled up in a corner of the cell.
But Han Wei's cell felt like an inn. The bedding, sheets, and tea sets were all new. Except for the damp and stuffy environment here, this cell was simply luxurious.
...
On the other side, after Lord Liang announced the adjournment of the court, the crowd began to disperse. Shen Li followed behind the crowd and felt that people were constantly squeezing beside him.
Just now, he had separated from Shen Yi. Now, only Jiaoyue was following him. Although Jiaoyue had been secretly taking care of Shen Li to prevent him from being bumped into by the crowd, there were too many onlookers this time, and Shen Li still couldn't avoid being brushed against a few times.
Just when Shen Li was thinking of withdrawing from the crowd first and waiting until everyone had dispersed before leaving, he suddenly felt that someone was standing on his right. The person stretched out his arms to form a protective circle in front of him. Whenever someone was about to touch Shen Li, he would reach out his hand to block them, preventing them from touching Shen Li.
When the crowd had all dispersed, the person withdrew his hands. Without even looking at Shen Li, he was about to leave.
"Xuan Yuanjue!"