CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: I STILL HAVE EVIDENCE!

Mrs. Li Zhou produced the wooden box, and the noisy crowd surrounding her gradually quieted down, all eyes fixed on her.

"Bring it up!"

Zhang Bingwen coughed once and ordered someone to retrieve the box. When opened, inside was a Mutton Fat Jade Pendant of exceptional quality.

"Tsk, what a fine thing, this is clearly the property of a wealthy family!"

As soon as Zhang Bingwen arrived, he labeled Li Qingmu as someone from a noble lineage and then inspected the pendant carefully, finally focusing on the "Zhang" character on the back.

Mrs. Li Zhou seized the opportunity and said, "Sir, when our third child was born, he passed away immediately. On the night we were preparing to bury him, a man in black broke in, carrying Li Qingmu, coercing us to raise him to adulthood and offered this pendant as payment!

That man was terribly fierce and terrifying. If we didn’t agree, he would kill our whole family, so we had no choice but to agree. He also forced us to swear a solemn oath! As for this pendant, from its appearance alone we knew its origins were extraordinary, and did not dare to use it recklessly, just kept it at home all these years."

"Your actions were correct! Had you dared to use this pendant back then, it would have brought disaster to your family!"

At that moment, Zhang Bingwen took on the guise of a deity of justice, furiously striking the gavel, angrily shouting, "Bang! It truly is a descendant of the traitor Zhang Wen Zhuo! The pendant bears the Zhang family’s engraving!

Well, during the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, lives were ravaged, and Zhang Wen Zhuo was one of its culprits. The Emperor decreed, the Zhang family must be exterminated! Kid, you escaped once back then, but Heaven’s net is vast and leaves nothing overlooked, and now you deliver yourself here! Men, seize him!"

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Swords were drawn, and the courtroom was instantly awash with murderous intent, the spectators felt a chill down their spines, retreating in fear.

"Who dare!"

Long Yue shielded Li Qingmu, who spoke coldly, "Merely on the basis of a single pendant, you deem me a descendant of the Zhang family, sir, you’re truly arbitrary! Such a grave conviction of treason, can it be judged so rashly by you? So, the nation’s stability in your eyes is nothing but child’s play!"

"Insolent, where have I been rash? I possess a record of the Zhang family engraving, identical in shape and character to that on the pendant!"

"Yue’er, go bring the pendant and the engraved sample."

Li Qingmu said calmly, and without hesitation, Long Yue walked towards Zhang Bingwen, extending her hand, "Hand it over! If you refuse, I’ll personally retrieve it! Anyone who dares to obstruct, will have the opportunity to witness the Cao family’s eighteen martial skills!"

Zhang Bingwen’s mouth twitched hard; this woman was rude and overbearing, yet she was the granddaughter of General Xiping, Cao Yin of the Cao Family... this military family of the Southwest Border, infamous and with countless merits, who would dare trouble them?

Just moments ago, Long Yue toppled several soldiers with ease, demonstrating her impressive skill.

Zhang Bingwen considered it wise not to make the situation worse for himself; destroying evidence would appear suspicious, and he’d be able to conclude the case directly.

Thus, he instructed the Chief Clerk beside him to hand over the items.

Long Yue retrieved the pendant and returned, Li Qingmu took it, inspecting it against the light.

"Sir, you are indeed foolish."

Li Qingmu’s remark made Zhang Bingwen so frustrated he felt like spitting blood, just as he was about to rebuke him, Li Qingmu continued, "The recesses of the engraving on the pendant are murky and rough, when observed against the light, tiny white hairs are visible. This indicates that the engravings were made recently; had these characters existed for years, the jade would have integrated with the engravings, leaving recesses smooth and lustrous. Sir, am I correct?"

Zhang Bingwen paused, he didn’t know!

"I..."

He was about to suggest consulting a professional, when Li Qingmu sighed, "Clearly, sir is unaware; indeed, enjoying privileges means such craftsmanship nuances remain unknown to you."

Damn it, you brat!

This was a jibe at his ignorance and laziness, only consuming court salaries without doing actual work? Such slander, if spread, would be a blemish on his official career!

Your tongue is so venomous!

Zhang Bingwen felt his lungs ache, irked beyond measure!

"He is right, recent engravings will have some white hairs; it’s normal, they will blend with time."

Someone among the spectators said, and immediately many echoed the sentiment.

When facing the crowd, Zhang Bingwen wished to confront the speaker, but with a sea of people, he had no idea where the voice came from, who could he target?

Just when things seemed to be spiraling out of control, Li Qingmu added, "Sir may have witnesses, but I do too!"

What?

Zhang Bingwen was merely stunned, Zhou Zhiqin was utterly shocked; Li Qingmu also had witnesses? Damn, this meant he anticipated her move against him!

How did he know?

She looked at Mrs. Li Zhou, who quickly shook her head, "We haven’t uttered a single word!"

Soon after, an old man was brought forward.

"Master Wang, was this pendant processed by you?"

With so many people watching, Zhang Bingwen couldn’t show favoritism; he asked, and Master Wang, seemingly frightened, trembled as he answered, "Yes, I recall it was the second day of the first lunar month... most were closed then, but our shop was open, and a female guest came in..."

"Is this female guest present?"

Master Wang glanced around and then shook his head, "No."

"Sir, this Master Wang can’t recognize the person, indicating he’s colluding with Li Qingmu for a defense! This vile person should also be detained!"

Zhou Zhiqin seethed, frustrated for overlooking this craftsman earlier, wishing she had just killed him, leaving no evidence!

Master Wang exclaimed, "Sir, every word I said is true! Someone indeed came to have it crafted..."

"Ah, let go, release me!"

"Bang!"

Suddenly, someone was thrown in like a sandbag—upon closer inspection, it was a middle-aged woman.

She rolled over, rose up, and seeing Zhou Zhiqin, she shouted, "Miss, these people dragged me from my home..."

As she spoke, she suddenly covered her mouth, seeing the fury in Miss’s eyes!

"Is it her?"

Li Qingmu asked, and Master Wang took a closer look, instantly crying, "Yes, yes, it’s her. Back then she even told me not to speak... Sir, I haven’t lied!"

Zhang Bingwen, "..."

This situation is a real mess!

Li Qingmu stood confidently, one hand behind his back, exhibiting a commanding presence, "Sir, I have evidence to prove they conspired to falsely accuse!"