Chapter 77: Fight Until Death

“Are you certain there is absolutely no such thing?” Li Yi asked again with an air of casualness, his expression calm as his gaze rested upon He Chishan.

“Absolutely none!” He Chishan replied, his eyes unwavering.

“That’s good to hear,” Li Yi smiled, not pressing further.

Yet the moment the words left Li Yi’s lips, He Chishan caught the faint smile on his face and, stunned for just a second, suddenly understood.

It was now that He Chishan realized that Li Yi’s question had not been about the case of Wang Zhongfu itself, but rather about the incident where the yamen runners had tried to drive Wang Zhongfu away when he came to lodge his complaint.

Damn it, He Chishan thought, who would have expected this man to play so far off the script...

The question was completely unrelated to the case itself, and because he hadn’t paid close enough attention, he’d ended up answering the wrong question, falling right into Li Yi’s trap.

He Chishan was filled with regret, glancing at Li Yi with a bitter sense of frustration.

He knew then that he’d been thoroughly played by Li Yi!

“So that’s good? Good for whom? If only you are well, what’s the point...”

Everyone’s wellbeing—that’s what truly matters!

“My lord, what I meant to say was—” He Chishan hurried to speak, hoping to defend himself, but Li Yi raised a hand, cutting him off.

“Magistrate He, there is no need for further pointless explanations. I have already understood,” Li Yi said, a cold smile flitting across his cheek as he shot He Chishan a disinterested glance before turning away.

He gave a slight bow to Princess Li Lizhi, shrugged, and said, “Your Highness, as you can see, this Magistrate He cannot distinguish right from wrong. He hasn’t even figured out what I was asking before carelessly babbling away.”

“With someone so reckless presiding over a case, it’s certain that Wang Zhongfu’s grievance has been unjustly judged!”

Li Yi smiled, his gaze clear and limpid as he fixed his eyes on Li Lizhi.

Li Lizhi immediately grasped Li Yi’s intention and nodded.

Yet, upon seeing the look on He Chishan’s face—like a man mourning his mother—she couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh, saying matter-of-factly, “Which is exactly why I put you in charge of this case. Carry on.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Li Yi answered, lips pressed together, nodding slightly.

Hearing their exchange, He Chishan’s face was filled with bitterness.

He knew that if he didn’t explain himself now, his guilt would only seem to grow, and soon not even the Yellow River could wash him clean.

But just as he opened his mouth to defend himself, Li Lizhi’s icy command cut him off: “Silence! Young Lord Li hasn’t asked you a question. Just kneel there as you were told!”

“...Yes, Your Highness,” He Chishan reluctantly replied, the words bitter in his mouth.

Only now did Li Yi leisurely turn around.

But instead of looking at He Chishan, his eyes settled on the yamen runner who had earlier tried to drive Wang Zhongfu away. He beckoned him over with a solemn command, “You. Come here.”

“...Yes, my lord.” The yamen runner turned pale on the spot, his words stumbling as he anxiously stepped forward and knelt in the hall.

Li Yi frowned. “Tell me, why did you try to drive Wang Zhongfu away the moment you saw him?”

The yamen runner’s face twisted in misery—he knew Li Yi had witnessed everything with his own eyes, so there was no hope of denial.

Instead of answering immediately, he furtively glanced at He Chishan and Wang Fugui, both kneeling nearby with their heads bowed.

Though they all knelt in silence, their eyes briefly met, and the meaning was clear between them.

The yamen runner now understood well enough what could and could not be said.

But what he failed to realize was that this tiny, furtive exchange was not lost on Li Yi and Li Lizhi, who watched and noted every detail.

“Your Lordship,” the yamen runner said, lifting his head slightly and bowing, “it was Wang Zhongfu’s own fault for refusing to listen to reason. Our magistrate had already investigated the case for him, but he insisted on causing a commotion.”

“Therefore, in order to ensure the people’s grievances could be heard without disruption, I resorted to this regrettable measure and tried to drive him off.”

He recited his lie with practiced ease, not even stammering as before.

His words flowed so smoothly it was as though an old ox, long familiar with the path, was returning to its stall at dusk.

His actions were nimble, his tone supremely confident.

“Oh? Is that so?” Li Yi’s brow furrowed, but he showed no surprise. He turned to Wang Zhongfu and asked, “Wang Zhongfu, tell me—was what he just said true?”

“My lord, he’s lying!” Wang Zhongfu’s face hardened, his lips pursed in indignation, and he bowed to Li Yi before retorting, “I never once intended to cause trouble at the yamen!”

“If it weren’t for their shielding of Wang Fugui, refusing to clear my name, why would I be forced to strike the drum for justice?”

“What’s more, each time I came to the yamen to make my plea, this runner beat me with sticks until I was driven away. The wounds on my body are all from him!”

“Your Highness, my lord, if you don’t believe me, I’ll show you my injuries right now...”

As he spoke, Wang Zhongfu loosened his collar, baring his chest and back. The crowd gasped as they saw thick, bruised welts crisscrossing his skin—new wounds layered over old, a sight appalling enough to make the faint-hearted flinch.

“Your Highness, my lord, I beg you, please give me justice...”

Wang Zhongfu knocked his head against the ground twice in earnest, tears glistening at the corners of his eyes.

Seeing the man’s injuries, Li Yi frowned, casting a sharp glance at He Chishan and the others, before waving his hand. “Wang Zhongfu, put your clothes back on. Since the Princess herself is here, if you truly are wronged, she will see justice done for you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, my lord.” Wang Zhongfu ceased his kowtowing, dressed himself, and fell silent.

At that same moment, Li Yi let out a slow breath, his expression darkening as he turned to the yamen runner and coldly asked, “Yamen runner, let me ask you—why, as I was questioning you, did you not answer directly, but instead exchange glances with He Chishan and Wang Fugui?”

“Ah—” The runner never expected his subtle gesture to be caught by Li Yi. His heart seized with terror, and he began to tremble uncontrollably, as if struck with a fit.

“My lord... I didn’t... I swear...” he stammered, burying his head in the floor, “everything I said is true, my lord...”

“Guards!” Li Yi, tired of the man’s endless lies, called out loudly in the hall.

Two yamen runners emerged, but the anxiety and fear on their faces were plain for all to see.

Li Yi paid them no heed, instead barking his order with a cold frown: “Take him out and beat him. Beat him mercilessly—do not stop until he’s dead!”

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