Chapter Fifty-Nine: I Am Here to Help You

Song Yongnian’s eyes flashed with a trace of panic, but he quickly concealed it. After all, this was the public court, and under Li Yunjie’s watchful eye, he dared not show any sign of losing composure.

Striking the gavel on the table, Song Yongnian adopted a stern expression and asked, “What is your complaint?”

The authority exuded by his fourth-rank official robe made Mao Shan hesitant. The fear of officials was the underlying tone of this world.

Li Yunjie seemed to notice Mao Shan’s apprehension and leaned forward to whisper, “Just speak the truth. If your grievance is genuine, I will see justice done for you.”

Li Yunjie seldom referred to himself as the Crown Prince. He did so now only to give Mao Shan some courage.

Choking back tears, Mao Shan glanced at Li Yunjie and began to state his accusation, “He forcibly took a woman and dishonored my wife!”

His eyes were bloodshot, and each word was spoken with anguish.

“Do you have any evidence?” Song Yongnian tried to steady his nerves, but his voice betrayed a slight tremor.

Mao Shan took a deep breath and pulled an embroidered money pouch from his sleeve. “This is the evidence left behind by Song Zeye!”

Li Yunjie’s brows furrowed slightly. The pouch was identical to the one he had seen at Zhang Shu’s house.

“Seven days ago, while I was away, this scoundrel broke into my home,” Mao Shan said. “He violated my wife by force. She fought desperately, but how could she defeat him? In the end… she suffered at his hands. Afterward, he left this pouch and swaggered away.”

Mao Shan wept bitterly, blaming himself, “By the time I returned home, it was too late…”

Seven days ago? Li Yunjie felt a chill run through him. That was exactly the day he first arrived in Jiangnan and encountered Song Zeye’s reckless behavior.

“If the crime occurred seven days ago, why did you not report it then?” Song Yongnian asked suspiciously. “Why wait till today and make a public spectacle?”

Mao Shan snorted coldly, “Song Zeye is the son of Lord Song. If I had come alone to report, I’d likely enter the yamen alive but not leave it so.”

His tone was fierce, his gaze resolute.

Li Yunjie silently sighed with relief: thankfully, hatred had not clouded his judgment. Otherwise, given Song Yongnian’s temperament, the chances of silencing the victim were high.

By bringing this matter to public attention, the odds of justice were greater.

---

Song Yongnian’s face darkened, but he forced himself to remain calm and signaled to the bailiff to present the evidence.

Taking the pouch, Song Yongnian poured out ten taels of broken silver, his brows tightly knit. After a moment’s contemplation, he asked, “How can you prove it belongs to Song Zeye?”

Mao Shan’s eyes burned with hatred. “My wife confessed it to me herself! How could it be false?”

Song Yongnian continued, “Where is your wife? Why is she not present?”

“She is overwhelmed by shame and refuses to see anyone. After settling her, I came alone to report to the authorities.”

With that, Mao Shan turned and knelt before Li Yunjie, pleading, “Your Highness, please uphold justice for the common people!”

Li Yunjie nodded slightly, his voice solemn, “Song Yongnian, you have both witness and evidence. Why not summon Young Master Song for questioning? What are you waiting for?”

Song Yongnian’s expression grew heavy. He knew well that Li Yunjie was not someone to be trifled with; a single misstep could bring disaster.

After a brief hesitation, he finally ordered, “Bring Song Zeye to the court!”

“This is a serious matter!” Li Yunjie suddenly spoke aloud, “The Grand Court should assist in this investigation!”

He finished and shot a glance at Su Qingmeng.

Su Qingmeng nodded in understanding and followed several bailiffs as they hurried out.

---

Song Mansion.

East wing.

The two infamous thugs, Black and White, burst into the room, panting.

“Young Master! Trouble!”

Song Zeye waved away the maid massaging him and snapped, “What now? Why are you so flustered?”

“Ma… Mao…” Black was so out of breath he could barely speak. After a moment, he managed, “Mao Shan is crying injustice in the marketplace, accusing you of breaking into his home and violating his wife.”

Song Zeye’s face changed drastically and he sprang to his feet. “Where is he? Did you kill him?”

Black recalled the attempt to shoot Mao Shan and sweat beaded on his brow. “I almost succeeded, but there was an expert hidden among the crowd! He used sword energy to deflect my arrow and saved Mao Shan.”

“Where is he now?” Song Zeye’s eyes blazed with murderous intent.

“He’s at the yamen, Young Master.”

Upon hearing this, Song Zeye let out a long breath, a smile appearing on his face. “If he’s gone to the yamen, Father will handle it for me.”

Black and White exchanged glances. White’s expression was grim. “Young Master, this time, it might not be so easy.”

“Why do you say that?”

“There’s someone else in the yamen,” Black said, his voice trembling.

“Who?”

---

“The Crown Prince of Northling, Li Yunjie,” White replied, fear flickering in his eyes. “He’s the one who took Zhang Shu away that day!”

Song Zeye’s legs went weak and he collapsed into his chair, his face pale as death, cold sweat streaming down. “He—he’s the Crown Prince of Northling?!”

“Young Master, I’ve prepared a fast horse. You should escape now!”

With that, Black quickly opened the door.

“Yes, yes, escape!” Song Zeye struggled to stand, staggered a few steps, his mind in chaos.

Just as he stepped out, Wu Jin appeared before him.

“Young Master Song, where are you headed?” Wu Jin’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

“Who are you?” Song Zeye sized him up anxiously.

“No need to be nervous,” Wu Jin replied, bowing with a smile. “I am Wu Jin, under the Crown Prince. I came today to help you…”

---

Back at the court.

Half an hour later, Su Qingmeng and the others brought Song Zeye before the hall.

Seeing Song Zeye’s composed demeanor, Li Yunjie felt a faint sense of foreboding.

“Wretch! Kneel!” Song Yongnian thundered, his voice shaking the rafters.

Song Zeye stood tall, unafraid. “May I ask, Your Excellency, what crime am I accused of?”

Song Yongnian’s brows furrowed. “You are accused of abducting women and violating a married woman. Is this true?”

Song Zeye sneered, his gaze unwavering. “A baseless accusation! I have never committed such a heinous act. I ask Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly.”

He glanced at Li Yunjie, a hint of provocation in his eyes.

Song Yongnian seemed to sense something and his tightly knit brows began to relax.

“If you haven’t done it, why would this man accuse you?”

Song Zeye cast a contemptuous glance at Mao Shan, who knelt on the floor, and snorted, “I don’t even know this man. Why would I violate his wife?”

Mao Shan’s eyes widened with rage, struggling to shout, “Song Zeye, you slander me! My wife accused you herself—how dare you deny it!”

Song Zeye replied calmly, “Is there any proof?”

Mao Shan, trembling with anger, pointed at Song Zeye, “That embroidered money pouch is the proof!”

Song Zeye laughed disdainfully, “Such pouches are everywhere—hardly convincing as evidence.”

Then he crouched before Mao Shan, challenging him, “If your wife truly said I violated her, let her come and identify me herself. If it really was me, she should know many details about me. Even if she can reveal just one, I will accept my punishment willingly.”

With these words, Song Zeye looked up, meeting Li Yunjie’s gaze, the corners of his mouth curling into a wicked smile…