Chapter 35: Seduce Men

  Mrs. Dong paused for a moment, then opened her mouth and said: "That man is a distant relative of mine, named Feng Ji. He moved to Tianchang County just a few months ago. When he first came, he had no means of livelihood, so he became an apprentice in my husband's rice shop. He looks quite handsome, and his words are particularly sweet. Every time he sees me, he says things that make my heart flutter."

  Mrs. Dong said up to here, feeling a bit embarrassed, so she reached out and touched her cheek, before continuing: "My husband leaves home for over ten days every month to purchase goods, I'm very lonely at home alone, so when Feng Ji has nothing to do, he comes to keep me company, one thing leads to another, we became intimate, but we only had an affair, never thinking of harming my husband, please investigate clearly."

  After listening to Mrs. Dong's words, Hua Lang didn't show any reaction, for him, men and women having private affairs was nothing unusual, but for Bao Zheng, it was different, he was deeply bound by feudal etiquette, men and women having private affairs was a serious crime that harmed public morals, and severe cases could lead to imprisonment.

  "You shameless woman, how dare you do such a thing and expect me to believe that you and Feng Ji didn't conspire to kill Dong Cheng?" Bao Zheng's face was filled with rage, as if his own wife had been caught having an affair with another man.

  Madam Dong was scolded by Bao Zheng like this, but she didn't dare to have any complaints, only continuously kneeling down and kowtowing to beg for mercy, so that she could have a way out.

  Bao Zheng sat down with a burst of anger and looked at Madame Dong, saying: "Tell me where Feng Ji is. He's now suspected of murder."

  As soon as Madame Dong heard that Feng Ji was suspected of murder, she hesitated. She was willing to confess the private affair between the two, just to help Feng Ji shake off the suspicion of murder. However, she did not expect that after speaking out, Bao Da Ren still believed he was suspicious of murder.

  "Sir, Feng Ji is incapable of murder, I can assure you!" Madam Dong seemed to be deeply in love, and yet she could still say something like that.

  Bao Zheng saw this and angrily said: "Stop talking nonsense. If you don't tell me where Feng Ji is, I will sentence both of you to be thrown into a pig cage."

  When she heard that they were going to be thrown into the pig cage, Mrs. Dong was suddenly frightened out of her wits. With their current crimes, it was indeed possible for them to be thrown into the pig cage. And after being thrown into the pig cage, the two of them would probably lose their lives.

  If Fengji is exposed, there may still be a glimmer of hope, because for her, Fengji cannot kill Dongcheng.

  After repeated consideration, Mrs. Dong told the hiding place of Feng Ji, and Bao Zheng immediately sent someone to catch him.

  After the yamen runner left, County Magistrate's clerk Bai Butong hurriedly came to report that Zhou Ping was going to Yangzhou with Zhang Gonggong on Thursday.

  Everyone who heard this was somewhat surprised, but they could also understand that Zhang Gonggong had come to Jiangnan to select a daughter-in-law for the emperor. Tianchang County is under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou, and now that he has stayed in Tianchang County long enough, it's natural that he would go to Yangzhou, that bustling place, to take a look.

  According to the imperial court's etiquette, Bao Zheng had to escort Zhang Gonggong away. He knew about the relationship between Hua Lang and Zhou Si, so this time he did not let Hua Lang follow him. Under the leadership of Bai Tong, Bao Zheng came to Zhang Gonggong's room, after a conversation, he sent Zhang Gonggong away from Tianchang County.

  This old man walked hastily and went without hesitation, as if he had no interest in how Bao Zheng judged the case. What interested him was whether there were beauties in this Jiangnan land.

  If it weren't for knowing he was doing things for the emperor, one would really suspect that he is a eunuch.

  After sending away Zhang Gonggong, Bao Zheng came to the main hall. At this time, two bailiffs had already brought Ma Xiaoliu over. Ma Xiaoliu was a thin and small person, he was kneeling on the ground with a terrified face, seemingly still unclear about what was happening.

  Bao Zheng glanced at Ma Xiao Liu and shouted sternly: "Ma Xiao Liu, do you know that Dong Cheng, the old boss, is going to purchase goods?"

  Ma Xiaoliu nodded repeatedly: "I knew, but I waited for a long time at home for Dong boss, but didn't see Dong boss's shadow. I thought he was going to stand me up, so I put this matter down."

  Seeing Ma Xiao Liu like this, Bao Zheng coldly smiled: "Dong Cheng is dead, did you know?"

  Ma Xiaoliu was shocked upon hearing this and said: "I haven't entered the city for several days, I didn't know about this."

  "Dong Cheng, on the day you agreed to rent a horse carriage with him, where were you and what were you doing?" Bao Zheng continued to ask, his eyes wide open.

  Ma Xiaoliu thought for a moment, then said: "That afternoon, I was waiting for Boss Dong, but by noon, there was no sign of him. I was about to give up and went to drink with some friends instead. We drank until midnight before I returned home. If you don't believe me, you can go investigate."

  Bao Zheng coldly said: "This official will go and investigate."

  As they spoke, Bao Zheng ordered someone to investigate and see if Ma Xiao Liu's words were true. After giving the order, the yamen runners had already brought Feng Ji over. Feng Ji was indeed handsome, but at this moment his face was pale with fear, sweat dripping down profusely. When he arrived in the main hall, Feng Ji hastily knelt down and didn't even dare to lift his head.

  Bao Zheng gave a glance at Feng Ji and said, "Quickly confess your private affair with Dong Shi and the plot to harm Dong Cheng. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless." Bao Zheng's way of solving cases always involved intimidating first; if that didn't work, he would use other methods.

  Feng Ji heard Bao Gong's intimidation and was immediately panicked, hastily knocking his head to plead: "Your Honor is wronged, I've never thought of killing Old Man Dong! Your Honor can see that I had an affair with his wife, how could I dare to kill Old Man Dong? I'm not a shameless person!"

  Feng Ji kept begging for mercy and refused to admit that he had killed someone, saying that on the day Dong Cheng was killed, he had been helping out at the grain store all day and went to Mrs. Dong's room in the evening, which Mrs. Dong could also testify to.

  Although Feng Ji said so, it was hard to convince people, Bao Gong had no choice but to lock up Dong's wife and Feng Ji in the big prison, waiting for a clear clue before making a decision.

  After the yamen runner escorted away Madame Dong and Feng Ji, Bao Zheng stood up straight and looked at Hualang. Throughout today's trial, Hualang did not utter a single word, but from his eyes, Bao Zheng seemed to have discerned something.

  "Brother Hua is cleverer than ordinary people, after hearing the testimonies of these few men, I wonder if he has any thoughts?" Bao Zheng asked with a slight smile as he looked at Hualang.

  Hualang shrugged his shoulders and said, "This time I'm afraid Brother Bao will be disappointed. From the confessions of these people, I didn't hear any useful clues. And to verify whether what they say is true or not, it's not a difficult task at all. Just send someone to investigate Dong Cheng's grain store, right?"