Shangguan Wan Ning came back from the palace. As soon as she got off the carriage, she saw a servant at the door beating a thin little girl.
"stop."
Shangguan Wan Ning scolded sternly, hurriedly stepped forward, raised her hand and slapped the servant. "Who gave you the right to bully the weak here?"
Seeing that Shangguan Wan Ning was really angry, the servant immediately knelt down, lowered his head and explained tremblingly: "Miss, please forgive me, it's because this girl is staying here and refuses to leave. The servants and others try to say whatever they want, but they just won't listen..."
"Kind sister, please save my elder brother..."
Shangguan Wan Ning only felt her calves tighten, and looked down to see the little girl's hands holding her tightly.
"Is it you?"
Shangguan Wan Ning recognized her as Huo Gang's younger sister, and leaned over to help her up. "Let's talk when we get up. Little sister, what's your name? What's wrong with your elder brother?"
"I...my name is Su Mo. My eldest brother was arrested by people from Jingzhao Mansion."
"Su Mo?"
Shangguan Wan Ning was a little surprised, why did Huo Gang and her have different surnames?
"Why did the people in Jingzhao Mansion arrest your eldest brother?"
"They said...my eldest brother killed someone and was a murderer. He has been put in jail. Sister, please save him. He is not a murderer."
"Don't worry, I'll think of a solution."
Shangguan Wan Ning took Su Mo's hand and walked into the house. She asked Lu Tong to prepare a change of clothes for her, and then brought her food after she took a bath.
She inquired carefully and found that Su Mo didn't know any more inside information. It seemed that only by meeting Huo Gang himself could she understand the real situation.
Shangguan Wan Ning comforted Su Mo and asked Lu Tong to accompany her, then went to find her father, hoping to get through to the Jingzhao governor and go to the prison to find out what was going on.
Unexpectedly, it happened that her father had not returned from an outing. She was a little anxious, so she ordered the housekeeper to prepare a sedan and went to Mu Mansion.
"You only met that Huo Gang once, how can you trust him that much?"
Mu Jingrui hadn't seen Shangguan Wan Ning for several days, so he held her hand and sat on his lap.
"I have always felt that Huo Gang does not look like a bad person. The crime of murder is not a trivial matter, and these are extraordinary times. I am afraid that the governor of Jingzhao will be eager for success and make an unjust, false, and wrong case."
Seeing Shangguan Wan Ning's persistence, Mu Jingrui couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
"Okay, then I will go to Jingzhao Mansion personally to understand the situation."
"I'll go too."
Shangguan Wan Ning took Mu Jingrui's arm and acted coquettishly. "I can pretend to be your follower. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble."
"You haven't caused me enough trouble?" Mu Jingrui pinched Shangguan Wanning's nose. "Going to Jingzhao Mansion to take charge of this case is just to create trouble for me. You should know that the Ministry of War has no right to interfere with Jingzhao.
The government will decide the case."
If Mu Jingrui really wanted to come forward, he could only use his personal friendship.
He brought Shangguan Wan Ning, who was dressed as a servant, to Jingzhao Mansion. Unexpectedly, the matter was much more serious than they imagined.
The governor of Jingzhao actually suspected that Huo Gang was the murderer of several recent serial murders.
Mu Jingrui was also shocked.
"What evidence did Master Fuyin find?"
"That's not true. However, I believe that as long as he is tortured, he will definitely be able to confess."
"Master Fu Yin, do you have any evidence?"
"Of course there is evidence." Jingzhao Prefecture Yin said with pride on his face, "This prefecture has always sent people to secretly protect those girls who are very popular and have the opportunity to become oiran. That Huo Gang is following a girl secretly.
Girl, you’re acting suspiciously. Who else could it be if it wasn’t him?”
The governor of Jingzhao is a member of the prince's party. Ever since Xiao Yujue was arrested by the Criminal Department and found at the crime scene, he has been hoping to remove his suspicion as soon as possible.
After all, they are a community of interests.
"Lord Fu Yin, can you let me meet him?"
Mu Jingrui was half a level higher than the Jingzhao Prefect, and since he was Xiao Yujue's absolute confidant, the Jingzhao Prefect had no choice but to give him face and took him to the cell.
Mu Jingrui met Huo Gang.
He found that Shangguan Wan Ning did have a unique vision.
This Huo Gang is not very old, but his whole body exudes an aloof coldness.
He sat in the middle of the cell, with his legs crossed and his body raised, and his face remained calm despite the harsh environment.
"Huo Gang, have you thought clearly? Do you want to confess?" The governor of Jingzhao was a little impatient, "If you don't confess, I will punish you with severe punishment."
Huo Gang raised his eyes and glanced at Jingzhao Fuyin, snorted and turned his head to the other side.
"Hey you……"
The governor of Jingzhao was about to get angry, but Mu Jingrui stopped him.
"Huo Gang, I was asked by one of your friends to come see you."
Huo Gang was slightly startled, a little confused. "My friend?"
"Yes, her surname is Shangguan."
Huo Gang's heart suddenly tightened, and then he saw the boy standing behind Mu Jingrui, blinking at him.
His expression relaxed, he smiled knowingly, and cupped his hands towards Mu Jingrui.
"That's it. That's disrespectful."
"Your friend asked me to tell you that your sister is safe and sound, and she will take care of her."
Huo Gang was a little excited, his lips trembling slightly. "Thank you."
"If you don't want your sister to be helpless, just tell the truth. Why are you following that girl?"
Huo Gang trusted Shangguan Wan Ning, and seeing that she was also present, he said calmly: "I followed that girl not to hurt her, but to protect her."
"Protect her? Why do you have that?" Jingzhao Prefecture Yin didn't believe it at all and sneered contemptuously.
Huo Gang didn't care. He stood up from the ground, took a few steps forward, and said, "You know, such murders are not unique to the capital."
As soon as he said this, everyone present was stunned.
"You mean...there are other places?" Mu Jingrui was shocked.
"No, it's impossible." The governor of Jingzhao retorted firmly, "A serious case like this, even in a remote place, will definitely be reported to the Ministry of Punishment. However, I have been an official in the capital for many years, but I have never heard from the Ministry of Punishment.
people mentioned it.”
"This can only show that the local officials concealed the truth and refused to report it. You officials are deaf and blind. You are negligent in your duties."
Faced with Huo Gang's sonorous and powerful accusation, Jingzhao Fuyin was even more furious and wanted to rush up and slap him twice.
"Besides the capital, where else has such a murder occurred?" Mu Jingrui asked.
"Two in Lihe County, four in Shouchang County, four in Yongfu County, and eight in Southeast Prefecture, a total of 18 victims, none of whom survived."
"These places you mentioned..." Jingzhao Fuyin's eyes looked upward, as if he was thinking about something.
"Don't worry, Mr. Fu Yin, these places all belong to the southeastern border and are under the jurisdiction of the Southeast Prefecture."
The governor of Jingzhao couldn't help but take a breath of air.
"Who are you?" Mu Jingrui's expression darkened and he asked coldly.