Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Gu Zheng had just returned to the General's Mansion and hadn't even had time to change his clothes when a servant came to report that yamen runners from the Jingzhao Prefecture had come to ask him to go to the yamen for questioning.

Gu Zheng was startled. Did Lord Xu know that he had evidence?

That's impossible. Even his elder brother didn't know that he had secretly kept evidence of Liu Yanran drugging him. How could Lord Xu know?

It wouldn't be right for Lord Xu to go to the dungeon to question him the moment he left.

He originally intended to preserve the evidence and let Yuyao suffer in prison first to temper her temperament, so that he could control her in the future. But now his plans were completely ruined.

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Gu Zheng grabbed the outer robe he had just taken off and hurriedly rushed to the front hall.

On the other side, a deer was carrying the food brought by the jailer, but he kept picking at it and couldn't bring himself to eat it.

This rice isn't as sweet as heavenly rice, the vegetables aren't fresh enough, and the meat is completely tasteless. I really miss my milk tea and fried chicken.

Youlu complained inwardly.

Pixiu shook its head helplessly. The boss was too picky. He didn't even like the spiritual plants in the celestial realm, let alone the food in the mortal world. The food he ate in the modern society was all made by the boss using ingredients he cultivated. Otherwise, the boss wouldn't have liked it either.

It seems it has to find a way to return to the Immortal Realm and bring back its boss's magic weapon, otherwise it worries that its boss will starve to death before completing its mission.

Pixiu made up its mind and advised, "Boss, please eat a little first. We can't starve to death; that would be too shameful for a beast."

Seeing that he hadn't eaten for a long time, Shen Yuyao gently advised, "Young master, please eat something. Once our innocence is cleared, I will host a banquet for you at Zuixianlou."

Xu Zheng didn't speak, but a hint of inquiry appeared in his eyes.

The boy mentioned the celestial realm in his thoughts. It seems that the one occupying this body is not some demon or monster, but a god from heaven. No wonder he dared to claim that he would help him. He is blessed.

Xu Zheng stroked his beard and smiled faintly.

After picking and choosing for a long time, the deer reluctantly ate a small half bowl of rice, and secretly fed the rest to the Pixiu.

After the two finished eating, Xu Zheng waved his hand and said, "Come with me to court!"

You Lu and the other followed Xu Zheng to the courtroom. Gu Zheng and Li Gou were already waiting in the hall. Even Gu Cheng and Liu Yanran were called over. Now the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses were all present.

The people who heard the news gathered outside the hall, craning their necks to look inside.

Upon seeing the two, the Gu brothers and Liu Yanran's expressions turned sour. Liu Yanran clenched her handkerchief tightly, turned her head and gave a wink to a man in black outside the hall. The man understood, pulled up his hat brim, and turned to leave.

Xu Zheng strode confidently to the desk and sat down, while the bailiffs on either side shouted, "Majestic!"

With a thud of the gavel, Xu Zheng shouted, "Today we are re-examining the adultery case from three days ago. Who is kneeling before me, and what grievance do they have to voice?"

Shen Yuyao walked confidently to the front of the hall and knelt down, saying, "I am Shen Yuyao, and I have a grievance to seek justice."

Lu looked around curiously when his clothes were suddenly tugged. It was Shen Yuyao, who was giving him a meaningful look, signaling him to bow.

I'm willing to kneel, but I'm afraid Xu Zheng won't be able to bear it.

There was a deer harboring resentment.

Xu Zheng's hand holding the gavel trembled; he dared not make a god kneel before him!

He coughed lightly and said, "Considering the injustice you suffered in prison, I will exempt you from kneeling."

Unexpectedly receiving such treatment, Shen Yuyao stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

A deer descended the steps and said, "This humble subject has... a wandering deer. Thank you, sir." After saying this, he sat down cross-legged on the ground.

Youlu is the original name of the character.

Seeing this, Gu Zheng sneered, "As expected of a lowly commoner, behaving so disrespectfully in front of Lord Xu."

"You're not a lowly person, so kneel down." Youlu shrugged.

Gu Zheng choked, and Gu Cheng shook his head, signaling him not to act impulsively.

Gu Cheng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I wonder why Lord Xu summoned us here..."

Xu Zheng raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Young Master Gu, don't be in such a hurry. The trial must be conducted according to the rules." He slammed the gavel, "Where is Li Gou?!"

Standing in the witness area, Li Gou trembled, knelt down timidly, and said, "This humble subject, Li Gou, pays his respects to Your Excellency."

You Lu focused his gaze on Li Gou and read his life story in detail.

"Li Gou, You Lu claims that you knocked him unconscious and framed him and Miss Shen. Do you agree?"

Upon hearing Xu Zheng's words, Li Gou cried out in protest, "Your Honor, please see the truth! I'm innocent! I've always been honest and law-abiding; how could I possibly have done such a heinous thing!"

"Oh?" Xu Zheng sneered, his face appearing profound, but in reality, he was feeling uneasy.

He had presided over this case before. Considering Shen Yuyao's status and reputation, he had investigated it carefully and found nothing amiss, which is why he sentenced both of them to death.

At present, apart from You Lu's identification, he has no other evidence to prove that Li Gou knocked You Lu unconscious.

The reason he dared to reopen the case without any evidence was that he hoped You Lu would reveal his true feelings.

Seeing Xu Zheng remain silent, the others began to feel uneasy.

Lu glanced at Xu Zheng suspiciously. He hadn't spoken for so long. Could it be that Xu Zheng hadn't found any evidence to prove Li Gou guilty?

He was secretly anxious.

"What's so difficult about this? The day we were arrested, Li Gou spent fifty taels on drinking at a brothel, one hundred taels on treating people to dinner at Zuixianlou the day before yesterday, and he lost a thousand taels at the gambling den yesterday without batting an eye. Where would a good-for-nothing like him get so much money? It must be ill-gotten gains! He became rich overnight after we were arrested. You can't even find such a simple clue? Old Xu, are you confused?!"

coming!

Xu Zheng was secretly pleased and immediately looked directly at Li Gou, saying solemnly, "Three days ago, the day You Lu Shen Yuyao was arrested, you spent fifty taels of silver at the brothel. Two days ago, you treated people to drinks at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, spending one hundred taels of silver. And yesterday, you lost one thousand taels of silver at the gambling den. Do you admit to all of this? I ask you, where did all this silver come from?"

The clerk standing to the side was puzzled. When did the master find out about these things? How come he knew nothing about it?

"This...this..." Li Gou, who had just been protesting his innocence, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

He glanced at Gu Cheng subconsciously, but when he met Gu Cheng's fierce gaze, he hurriedly looked away.

Gu Cheng was also covered in cold sweat.

How did Xu Zheng know all this? He had clearly made arrangements, silenced everyone, and erased all traces of Li Gou these past few days, all to prevent Xu Zheng from finding any clues. So why did Xu Zheng still find out?

He was completely baffled, but for now he could only threaten Li Gou with his eyes not to say anything out of line.

If he had known this would happen, he should have killed Li Gou with one stroke instead of hesitating and planning to wait until the case was completely closed before taking action.

You Lu took in everything, raised his hand and fanned himself, saying, "Some people's glares are practically flying into my face."

Xu Zheng, who was also watching from above, saw everything clearly and said with a half-smile, "Young Master Gu, why are you looking at Li Gou like that? Could it be that you know him?"

"I don't know him." Gu Cheng quickly looked away.

Xu Zheng slammed the gavel again, "You audacious Li Gou, confess the truth now!"

Li Gou trembled and lay prostrate on the ground, large beads of sweat rolling down his face. He stammered, "I was indeed instructed to knock out the deer, but I know nothing about what happened afterward. I... I hope you will investigate thoroughly, sir."

"Who bribed you? Tell the truth, or you'll suffer physical pain." Xu Zheng's gaze swept over the Gu brothers.