Chapter 342
Chapter 342
Shen Lang's words were quite reasonable. At the time, many believed Li Wenzheng was doomed to die. At the banquet that night, Li Wenzheng had publicly admitted to his close association with the disgraced prince. But who could have imagined that the King, in his bid to counter the Jin Clan, would merely penalize Li Wenzheng with a salary reduction? The case had quickly reached an impasse, as everything Shen Lang said was entirely plausible.
*I sold the poetry collection to He Wanwan purely to show off and woo a woman, ultimately aiming to snatch away the woman Li Wenzheng admired and frustrate him. Is that so wrong? Does everyone not know that I, Shen Lang, am a philanderer? Why is the belly of the invincible she-devil, Qiu Yao'er, swelling? Rumor has it that even Grandmaster Xue Yin had an affair with me. On top of that, the thrice-widowed Princess Ningyan is standing guard outside. Didn't she even attack the Supreme Court for my sake?*
Of course, what everyone admired and acknowledged the most was that, among the three women, he had managed to get Qiu Yao'er pregnant. Qiu Yao'er was an extraordinary woman. While Xue Yin was one of the six Grandmasters of Yue, Qiu Yao'er was destined to become one of the most powerful martial artists in the entire Eastern world within a few years. She was an invincible commander on the battlefield and a fearsome she-devil.
“We should first wait for the results of the autopsy!”
Eunuch Lü Zhun said. With the case having reached this point, the results of the autopsy had become crucial. If it was confirmed that He Wanwan had committed suicide, her final letter would be devastating evidence. A person willing to die to prove their innocence would hardly lie. In that case, no matter how cleverly Shen Lang argued, he would not be able to escape the charge of framing her. He Wanwan's letter had pointed the finger at Shen Lang with every word.
One of the most serious accusations was that Shen Lang had arranged for someone to ruin her purity, ensuring the King would not see blood when he favored her. This could not be openly interrogated in court, as it was a taboo subject. Everyone knew about it, but no one dared to speak of it. Therefore, if He Wanwan had committed suicide, Shen Lang would find it difficult to absolve himself, no matter what he said. But if she was murdered, he might find a sliver of hope for survival.
* * *
Inside the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate.
Su Nan was fully aware of the interrogation proceedings at the Supreme Court. Someone there was transcribing the entire record and continuously sending it to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate. He had read through dozens of pages of the interrogation records.
“Zhang Chong is causing trouble. Shall we deal with his son or grandson?”
Su Jianting asked. From his utterly dry tone, it was clear he held no regard for the Grand Censor of the Censorate. This was likely the perspective of a powerful figure at the pinnacle of authority. They treated most people like weeds.
Su Nan shook his head and replied.
“For now, that won't be necessary.”
“I hear Shen Lang's pregnant concubine is at the Jin Clan's villa. Should we make a move on her?”
Su Nan shook his head.
“Are you certain He Wanwan's death was a suicide?”
“Absolutely. I didn't lay a single finger on her. She wrote that letter in her own hand right in front of me. She also drank the poisoned tea herself.”
Why would He Wanwan drink poisoned tea? In truth, she believed it contained not arsenic, but Soul-Scattering Powder from Mount Fudao, so she drank it without hesitation. Like arsenic, Soul-Scattering Powder was a type of poison that induced a painless death in one's sleep. However, if one drank only a single drop, it would induce a deep sleep, but the person could be saved with timely treatment. In reality, He Wanwan's suicide attempt was a gamble. Firstly, it was to take revenge on Shen Lang. Secondly, it was to win the King's trust and pity, and to prove her own innocence. By doing so, she might even be able to return to the King's side and enjoy wealth and glory.
Su Jianting had dropped a single drop of Soul-Scattering Powder from Mount Fudao into her tea right before her eyes, repeatedly vowing to save her in time. Consort Su had also promised to help her return to the capital, suggesting they could join forces to counter Consort Bian in the palace once she was back. He Wanwan's reason was clouded by her desire for revenge, enough to risk her life, and she was blinded by greed.
Cooperating with the Su Clan was like asking a tiger for its skin. Su Jianting had already coated the rim of the teacup with a layer of arsenic. He Wanwan willingly drank the tea from that cup, dying unknowingly, never to return to the King's side. Thus, Su Jianting was confident he had not made a single mistake.
“Father, that bastard Shen Lang will surely die this time. No matter how they investigate He Wanwan, they will conclude it was suicide. Didn't that fool Shen Lang leave such a huge loose end when he tried to kill Li Wenzheng, giving us this massive opening? He brought this upon himself; he will certainly die this time. Ning Yuanxian is a selfish and harsh man. As much as he liked Shen Lang, he will not tolerate his betrayal and will surely sentence him to death by a thousand cuts.”
A trusted subordinate, Su Yong, who was standing nearby, said.
“Raging Tide City is isolated across the sea. If the King kills Shen Lang, won't the Jin Clan rebel? Might the King hesitate to kill Shen Lang out of fear of that?”
Su Nan said.
“The Jin Clan won't be able to think of rebellion. Many are looking to annihilate them, so trouble will soon befall their family.”
The subordinate Su Yong muttered.
“For a useless lot like the Jin Clan to try and rise to the same status as our Su Clan, what a pipe dream!”
Su Nan gave an order.
“Dispatch two groups of warriors. Send one to the State of Wu and the other to the State of Jiang to prepare for any eventuality.”
“Yes!”
“Even if Shen Lang's guilt is confirmed, Ning Yuanxian, fearing the Jin Clan's rebellion, will not kill him but will sentence him to castration. However, Shen Lang must die. Make arrangements beforehand so that even if he receives the punishment, he dies during the ordeal.”
The punishment was castration.
Su Yong said.
“Yes, even beasts like oxen, horses, sheep, and pigs can die from castration, let alone a man. I will ensure Shen Lang's lower body rots away completely, making his death as miserable as possible.”
* * *
Four female physicians from the royal palace arrived, and Grand Princess Ningjue finally made her way to the Supreme Court. Of course, she was not there to save Shen Lang. She couldn't care less about his life or death; she was there to supervise the autopsy under the King's decree. The only remaining question was whether He Wanwan's death was a suicide or not. If it was murder, Shen Lang might have a chance to survive. But if it was suicide, he would never be able to clear his name.
He Wanwan's body was stripped bare, and the four female physicians frowned as they examined every inch of her. Grand Princess Ningjue supervised from the side. Everyone outside held their breath, waiting for the results. The outcome of the autopsy would decide the fate of many. Ningyan was so nervous that her palms were sweating, while Shen Lang appeared remarkably calm.
Grand Eunuch Lü Zhun closed his eyes, continuously rolling the prayer beads in his hand. He only ever held these beads when he left the palace; inside, he kept them safely stored away and never brought them out. He had not slept for several days and nights, and his energy was severely depleted.
The Minister of the Supreme Court and the Blackwater Terrace's Chiliarch Yan Weiyi waited with gleaming eyes. The moment He Wanwan's death was ruled a suicide, Shen Lang would be finished; no amount of clever sophistry would save him. It was said that a dying person speaks the truth. The fact that He Wanwan would go so far as to commit suicide to expose her resentment toward Shen Lang would be enough. In this case, the evidence was not as important as the King's disposition.
Yan Weiyi sneered inwardly. The Blackwater Terrace had already examined He Wanwan's body multiple times and concluded it was a suicide. Trying to turn black into white was nothing more than a foolish dream!
* * *
A long half-hour later, the four physicians had examined every inch of He Wanwan's body and walked out to the court.
“Your Excellencies, He Wanwan definitely committed suicide!”
At those words, some were delighted, while others were horrified. Ningyan nearly burst into the Supreme Court.
*How can it be suicide? If He Wanwan killed herself, Shen Lang is finished.*
Grand Eunuch Lü Zhun said.
“This matter is of great importance. You must be absolutely certain in your investigation.”
“It is undoubtedly a suicide. The deceased has a metallic smell in her mouth, her esophagus is severely corroded, and there are traces of blood in her loose stool, indicating clear rectal bleeding. These are all symptoms of arsenic poisoning. Furthermore, there are no wounds or signs of a struggle on her entire body.”
Yan Weiyi said.
“We have already investigated this several times. Noble Lady He mentioned in her letter that she would drink poisoned tea. Everything was voluntary, with no signs of coercion. Moreover, after drinking the poison, she lay quietly on her bed to await death. The fact that she was wearing the same dress she wore when she first met His Majesty makes her suicidal intent abundantly clear.”
Eunuch Lü Zhun asked.
“Grand Princess, what is your assessment?”
Grand Princess Ningjue replied.
“I supervised the entire autopsy process. What they say is true.”
Her words were tantamount to a death sentence for Shen Lang. Ningyan's face changed color in that instant. This was her aunt? This was the master she had revered so deeply? She had no intention of helping Shen Lang at all, and by stating unequivocally that He Wanwan had committed suicide, she was indirectly condemning him to death.
The Minister of the Supreme Court sneered.
“Shen Lang, do you have anything left to say? Noble Lady He committed suicide and exposed your conspiracy in her final letter. She sought to prove her own innocence with her death. Both her parents are gone, so there is nothing in this world that could be used to threaten her. Therefore, the words in her letter must be her true feelings, and that letter is undeniable proof of your guilt.”
He then turned to Zhang Chong and said coldly.
“Lord Zhang, Noble Lady He clearly committed suicide, so why did you claim it was murder? Are you perhaps in league with Shen Lang? Your Highness the Third Prince, Eunuch Lü, this official believes that Grand Censor Zhang Chong of the Censorate is not qualified to preside over this case. Furthermore, he is suspected of colluding with the criminal. In my opinion, he should be returned to the Supreme Court's prison. Eunuch Lü, may we now strip Shen Lang of his rank and use torture to make him confess everything?”
Lü Zhun flinched and asked Zhang Chong.
“Zhang Chong, you are not a physician. Why were you so certain that He Wanwan was murdered and did not commit suicide?”
Yan Weiyi of the Blackwater Terrace said.
“Lord Zhang Chong must have wanted to clear Shen Lang's name. The two of them have clearly been colluding for some time; they must be accomplices. Eunuch Lü, please petition His Majesty to arrest Zhang Chong as well.”
Zhang Chong stood up abruptly.
“Everyone, what happens immediately after ingesting arsenic?”
Yan Weiyi answered.
“One does not die instantly, of course.”
“One would be in unbearable pain. The stomach and esophagus would feel like they are burning, leading to incontinence and vomiting. The entire body would contort as if undergoing extreme torture. Everyone, look. Did He Wanwan not die very peacefully, as if she felt no pain at all? Aside from the incontinence, why did she die as if she had simply fallen asleep?”
Hearing this, everyone showed expressions of shock, and the four female physicians nodded in agreement. After ingesting arsenic, one should be in excruciating agony. It would be unbearable even for an ordinary person, let alone a delicate woman like He Wanwan. She could not have died so peacefully.