Capítulo 20: Chapter 20: Framing
Du Huoguan flicked a gemstone into the pond from a distance, and while facing away, he asked, "Are you pleading on behalf of two thieves?"
Lan Qiaoyan replied, "I wouldn't quite say pleading. If it truly was them who stole, then whatever death or punishment they face is self-inflicted."
Du Huoguan paused in front of a tall basin, his finger sifting through the gems, as he asked, "What's your relationship with those two thieves?"
Lan Qiaoyan stopped in front of him, "Just two locals from hereabouts. What kind of relationship could I possibly have with them? They often sold things at Bowan Building. Over time, we became familiar—that's all."
Du Huoguan picked a gemstone between his fingers and examined it closely, "There are plenty who come to sell at Bowan Building. You're well-acquainted with Ba Yingshan—is this matter serious enough to come to me? Miss Lan, are you treating me like a fool?"
Lan Qiaoyan hastily expressed an apology, "Absolutely not! Compared to other locals, I indeed know those two better; they could even be considered friends of my daughter."
With an expressionless face, Du Huoguan's eyes suddenly sparkled, and he turned around with interest, "Are they that 'prospective son-in-law' of yours?"
At these words, Lan Qiaoyan's face involuntarily tensed, not expecting even him to have heard such talk. Thinking of her daughter's reputation, her complexion grew more unnatural, and her tone lost some of its respect, "Prison Inspection Envoy, rumors are not credible. My daughter is not married yet, and if you spread rumors everywhere, it will tarnish her purity."
Du Huoguan struggled to conceal a smile, "What's the problem with that? If it's true, it's true; if not, it's not. But let's get back to the point—if he really is your prospective son-in-law, stealing petty things isn't a big deal. As long as proper restitution is made to the owner and the owner has no complaints, why not make an exception for you just this once?"
Lan Qiaoyan emphasized firmly, "The ignorant perspectives of others are understandable, but why does the Prison Inspection Envoy take pleasure in teasing me? My daughter might not be a celestial beauty, but she's not just anyone's match, either."
Du Huoguan looked her in the eye and inquired, "If you look down on him, why bother with this?"
Lan Qiaoyan fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Indeed, I do not hold him in high regard. The difference in social status and reality lies clearly before us; a simple 'willingness' cannot bridge that gap. He cannot provide what my daughter needs, and I cannot allow him to ruin her future..."
As she spoke, she lowered her head, paused, then lifted her gaze again, "Although I look down on him, the lad has qualities I admire—in just four words, loyal and faithful! In life, apart from facing reality, one should also have some aspirations. Encountering someone for whom I'm willing to speak up is, I believe, him doing me a favor!"
Du Huoguan's eyes flickered non-stop, while the gemstone twirled between his fingers. After a while, he coldly uttered five words, "I want to hear the truth."
Lan Qiaoyan choked up, not knowing what to say. She felt her previous words had been heartfelt; that was the truth she spoke, yet he didn't believe her at all, leaving her speechless.
Yet, she understood why.
Her mood shifted slightly, and she put aside her emotional response, speaking to the point, "It seems nothing escapes the Dharma Eye of the Prison Inspection Envoy, so I won't beat around the bush. That lad is the so-called 'Master' of East Nine Plain. A month ago, a strange incident occurred in East Nine Plain—suddenly, a large number of goods were sold at Bowan Building, a transaction so large it sent over a hundred people from East Nine Plain out at once.
I've heard recently that something odd happened in East Nine Plain, and today that 'Master' was captured. I don't know if it's related to that transaction.
I'm aware of the rumors about him and my daughter. Regardless of how outsiders misinterpret their closeness to Bowan Building, I feel it necessary to clarify with the Prison Inspection Envoy: that large quantity of goods was certainly not smuggled in by Bowan Building from outside. I'll say it again, if they did steal the items, then death or mutilation is self-deserved, but I certainly hope that no one is framing them with the intent to implicate Bowan Building."
Having said all that needed to be said, she bowed slightly, without any more to add, and gracefully turned to leave.
Stepping over the threshold and facing the daylight once more, her demeanor was calm and composed, even somewhat indifferent.
Since some words could not be understood by others, then she would have to speak in a way others could understand.
Du Huoguan watched her retreating figure, the gem in his hand now still, his thoughts clearly still immersed in the information she had unexpectedly provided.
After a while, he came out of his reverie, nonchalantly tossing the gem back into the basin, and with a swift move, he stepped onto the stairs inside the building and swiftly ascended to the top floor.
In the elegantly sparse space on the rooftop, where light poured through, the primary furnishing was a desk with a chair.
Instead of sitting in the chair behind the desk, the man wrapped in a violet gauze robe sat on the steps in front. He was holding a large black umbrella, drawing an erotic picture with lifelike precision, using a desk beside him to place his paints.
When Du Huoguan arrived in front of him, he glanced at the lewd images on the umbrella, already accustomed to his taste for the perverse.
He remembered asking once why he chose to draw erotic images on an umbrella.
Pointing his brush toward the sky, he had answered that if someone enjoyed looking, then he should let them look to their heart's content.
Admittedly, through sheer practice, his artistic skills had greatly improved from before.
Only when the man stopped drawing to dip his brush in paint did Du Huoguan speak up, "Prison master, Miss Lan says those two thieves and the large amount of goods might be connected to the current case. It might be worth investigating."
The prison master remained silent, as if he hadn't heard anything, and continued to concentrate on his painting on the umbrella surface.
Seeing the prison master show no reaction, Du Huoguan did not say more and inclined his body as he withdrew.
On the other side, just as Lan Qiaoyan was about to leave the inner city, her gaze fleetingly caught sight of Ba Yingshan emerging from a side path, resulting in an "unexpected" encounter.
Ba Yingshan looked surprised and glanced at the direction she had come from, asking, "Madam, have you been to see the prison master?"
Lan Qiaoyan smiled and said, "City Lord Ba is jesting. The prison master is so revered, admired by gods and men alike, how could I see him whenever I wish? I simply came to ask the Prison Inspection Envoy a question."
Ba Yingshan uttered an "oh" and asked, "What matter requires you to find the Prison Inspection Envoy?"
It was clear he meant why she didn't come to him and was also prying for information.
Lan Qiaoyan did not hide much, "The city guards just arrested two people right at my doorstep. I'm quite familiar with these two and don't believe they would steal anything. It just so happens that the Prison Inspection Envoy is also here—how coincidental? I was worried that it might somehow involve the Bowan Building, so I went to ask him. City Lord Ba can rest assured, I have no other intentions, as long as it has nothing to do with my Bowan Building."
Ba Yingshan's expression grew tense, but he smiled thinly, "Arrests at your doorstep? There's such a thing? I will inquire about it immediately. Madam, next time something like this happens, just come directly to me; there's no need to bother the Prison Inspection Envoy."
Lan Qiaoyan returned the smile, "I haven't seen him in a long time, I would disturb him with or without matters. I still have accounts to settle on my end. If City Lord Ba has no further instructions..." She gestured towards the entrance with her hand.
Ba Yingshan stepped aside to give way, still smiling, "I will not see you out."
The two parted ways, and not until the woman's figure disappeared outside the cave, did Ba Yingshan's expression darken as he turned to leave.
Yet, halfway along, a subordinate reported, "City Lord, the Prison Inspection Envoy has gone to the dungeons."
Ba Yingshan tensed up, grunted an acknowledgment, "Understood."
He was about to rush to the dungeon when his subordinate hastily added, "The Prison Inspection Envoy personally selected a few people to take over the dungeon, drove out the other brothers, and no one is allowed to approach without permission. The accuser who made the charges has also been kept inside and not let out."
Ba Yingshan's pupils shrank sharply, and he lowered his voice to ask, "What about the person who directed the accuser?"
The subordinate replied quietly, "City Lord, rest assured, as soon as he left the city, we took care of him. I have confirmed it over and over, it definitely won't trace back to me."
Ba Yingshan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded for his subordinate to continue monitoring, and then quickly walked away himself.
Zhixu City's dungeon was desolate, with dim and erratic light; most of the cells were empty, save for the ones holding the newly captured prisoners.
In just a short time, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang's bodies were covered with the marks of whipping, their clothes torn to shreds, and Shi Chun's toes burst out from the holes in his shoes.
Although they were separated into two interrogation rooms, their attitude was the same; neither would confess to theft, both shouting their innocence and claiming they had been framed.
Du Huoguan, having learned of the confession, showed his face to Shi Chun, primarily to take this opportunity to see the young man rumored to be pursuing Lan Qiaoyan's daughter.
After the visit, he left, and someone else took over the interrogation, asking only about the origins of the property from East Nine Plain, and no longer inquiring about the theft.
Shi Chun keenly sensed the shift in the focus of the interrogation.
The same was true for Wu Jinliang in the other room.
Although they were interrogated separately, the two knew what they could and could not say.
The theft case was not put aside, as Du Huoguan took the matter into his own hands, confronting the accuser directly.
As soon as the guard accompanying the interrogation revealed Du Huoguan's identity, the accuser's face went pale, never having expected to receive such high-level attention.
In the Land of Exile, Du Huoguan was an absolute figure of terror.
For the accuser, this was entirely outside the planned script.
Du Huoguan calmly offered advice, "Is it a false accusation? If so, reveal the instigator. If you're misled, I'll overlook the past; my guarantee is effective."
Without any menacing words, the sheer pressure was suffocating.
The accuser's Adam's apple bobbed, and cold sweat broke out inexplicably, unable to respond for a moment.
Yet Du Huoguan had already seen the answer in his reaction. With just a step forward, the accuser suddenly knelt on the ground and confessed the truth, trembling.
The accuser admitted he was instigated to deliberately frame Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, and the instigator was his own Master, the Master of Seven-bay.
The accuser explained that he originally dared not frame anyone within Zhixu City and did not want to agree. Only after the Master revealed someone from the city guard had suggested the plan did he muster the courage—though the Master did not disclose which city guard it was.
His final admission was directed urgently to the accompanying guard, appearing eager to confess.
Du Huoguan hadn't heard it, seeming to lack even the interest to listen to the end, and turned to leave early.
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder