Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Death of Ji Sheng

Because Qi Rui was dead, the case was transferred to the prefectural office. With Fu Cen’s directives, Prefect Sun also took his seat to oversee the proceedings.

In less than a day, the murderer of Qi Rui was captured. It was Wei Xin.

Fu Cen, accompanied by Lin Menghua and Pei Zhenzhen, arrived at the scene. The Prefect was much more accommodating, having arranged seating for them well in advance.

"Your Highness, please take the seat of honor," Prefect Sun approached with a fawning smile.

"No need. Proceed with your trial." Having said this, Fu Cen sat in the first chair on the left. Lin Menghua and Pei Zhenzhen took their seats in turn.

The Prefect took the central seat, with the County Magistrate and the Prefectural Magistrate seated on either side. Kneeling in the center of the hall were Wei Xin and Mistress Rong, while Xu Qi stood nearby.

To put an end to the rumors, a group of scholars had been invited to observe the proceedings, with some even standing in the courtyard outside the courtroom. This had been Lin Menghua’s suggestion to Fu Cen; he had approved and instructed the Prefect accordingly. The outermost courtyard remained crowded with onlookers.

Wei Xin’s state was completely different from the day before. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair disheveled, his face deathly pale, and his expression was somewhat vacant. There were even bloodstains on his clothes. According to the bailiffs, they had found him at a brothel; after the incident, Wei Xin had not returned home but had gone into hiding at his mistress's place. It had taken them quite an effort to track him down. He had been in this dazed state since they found him—likely shaken by the shock of killing someone for the first time.

"Wei Xin, do you confess to the murder of Qi Rui?" the Prefectural Magistrate struck the gavel and demanded of the man kneeling before him.

"This student confesses," he replied, collapsing onto the floor. His expression was blank, and he admitted to the crime readily, without a shred of attempt to shirk responsibility.

"Why did you kill my son?" a middle-aged man in luxurious robes demanded harshly.

"He killed Yu Su," Wei Xin said, his face devoid of emotion.

"So you did it to avenge Yu Su?" The County Magistrate frowned; he did not believe this man possessed such loyalty.

Wei Xin regained a sliver of composure, let out a cold snort, and remained silent.

"How did you know it was Qi Rui who killed my son?"

The County Commandant knew he shouldn't have come today, but Yu Su was his only son; he could not stay away…

"Qi Rui admitted it himself yesterday," Wei Xin said. He began to scan the surroundings, seemingly searching for something. Finally, his gaze lingered for a second on a servant outside before shifting away instantly, his expression visibly sagging with despair.

"May I ask, My Lord, what sentence will be passed upon me?"

The Prefectural Magistrate paused, looking at the young man, who was barely of age to have had his capping ceremony. He sighed inwardly, "You have studied in the prefectural school for three years and should be familiar with the laws. According to the legal code, this warrants the death penalty."

"However, if you confess everything you know in detail, you may be granted leniency and allowed to keep your body intact! You should think carefully."

The County Commandant’s lips twitched, and he glared at Wei Xin with unwillingness.

The Prefectural Magistrate turned his gaze to Xu Qi. "Xu Qi, yesterday Wei Xin accused you of killing Yu Su, which is why Magistrate Yang summoned you. Now that it is confirmed to have nothing to do with you, do you have anything to say?"

Xu Qi was stunned for a moment, but then he bowed his hands, "This student does not." After speaking, he respectfully retreated to the side.

"Mistress Rong..."

"This woman is here."

The Prefectural Magistrate frowned. Everything seemed unrelated to her, yet everything was connected. "Mistress Rong… do you have anything to add regarding the death of your son, Ji Sheng?"

"My Lord?" Mistress Rong looked up and smiled. "This woman does not."

The Prefectural Magistrate sighed, looking at the woman before him, feeling a sense of pity for Ji Sheng.

"Wei Xin, this office has also discovered that the death of Ji Sheng is related to you all!"

"Regarding Ji Sheng… I know nothing." Wei Xin slowly closed his eyes, feeling the murmurs of the crowd growing louder and more intense.

"That day, we were gathering in a private room on the second floor of the Yanyu Pavilion. Ji Sheng was in a foul mood because he had performed poorly on his exams, so he drank a lot of wine. We couldn't stop him."

"You lie!" Xu Qi suddenly rushed forward, grabbing him by the collar. "Brother Ji once said he could not drink alcohol since he was a child; every time he drank, he suffered from shortness of breath. He never touched a drop of alcohol his entire life, and since we started school, I have never seen him drink. It is impossible for him to have drank voluntarily!"

"Why won't you tell the truth?"

"Heh…" Wei Xin suddenly laughed and looked at Mistress Rong on the side. "Who knows? Perhaps his mother pushed him too hard, and since his studies weren't going well, he wanted to drown his sorrows in wine?"

"He knew he couldn't drink, yet you say he tried to drown his sorrows? Brother Ji was absolutely not that kind of person!"

"Or perhaps he didn't want to live anymore? He didn't want to be your son anymore! Xu Qi, you, who abandoned him early on to go to Class A-3—what do you think you know about him!"

Xu Qi choked, his fists clenched tightly, glaring at Wei Xin with burning intensity.

"Impossible, impossible…" Mistress Rong collapsed to the ground, muttering to herself.

"What is impossible? Ji Sheng having a mother like you is the real tragedy. If I were him, I wouldn't want to be your son either!"

"Your son was forced to his death by you!"

Mistress Rong froze. "Impossible, impossible…"

Wei Xin enjoyed the scene with interest, a flash of madness crossing his eyes.

"Wei Xin, this is the real you, isn't it?" A clear, cool female voice brought him back to reality. He followed the sound; a woman sat not far away, her face cold and elegant, her demeanor noble.

"You have tasted the osmanthus and chestnut cakes that Ji Sheng brought from home every morning, haven't you?"

Wei Xin’s expression stiffened.

Xu Qi seemed to recall something. "How does this lady know that Ji Sheng brought osmanthus and chestnut cakes every day?"

Lin Menghua looked at Mistress Rong, who was slumped on the ground, and spoke slowly.

"The osmanthus and chestnut cakes are the best pastries Mistress Rong makes, and they were Ji Sheng’s favorite. Every evening, Mistress Rong would stop selling them, just to save a portion for her son returning from the prefectural school."

"Mistress Rong prepares the ingredients and makes the pastries very early every morning. Naturally, she would prepare a portion for her son, and even prepare extra for him to share with his classmates."

"Mistress Rong… she loved Ji Sheng very much."

Wei Xin’s expression twisted. "And so what? It is still a fact that she pressured Ji Sheng!"

"If your definition of pressure refers to wanting a child to succeed, then I fear no one present here could escape such a charge. Parents' love for their children is profound and far-reaching, just like your own mother’s!"

"What do you know! You are just a woman! What do you know!" Wei Xin roared.

"Insolent!" the Prefect exclaimed, unable to contain his rebuke.

"It is fine," Lin Menghua said, looking at him. "Because I am a woman, I understand your mother. Wei Xin, turn around and look at her."

"My son…"

Wei Xin’s body trembled slightly. "Didn't you say she didn't come?"

A woman dressed in dark silk robes was being blocked outside the courtyard, weeping uncontrollably.

"Your father has so many sons, but I only have you. As long as I am alive, even if you are not successful, I can fight for you. If I were to die, your father would remarry, and if you cannot stand on your own two feet, what would become of you…"