Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 113

“The Xie family denies that Xie Jin is the culprit. They promised the young owner of the inn a substantial reward if he ensures a top-three rank in next year’s imperial examinations.”

The young owner of the inn was about the same age as Xie Jin, both students of the Baiyun Academy. However, this young master was usually a playboy with average grades.

“Such a reward won’t be realized until after spring next year. Will they agree?” Xu Shen sneered.

Qin Mo said, “Of course not. So, the Xie family offered a second option, promising the inn owner ten thousand taels of silver.”

Ten thousand taels of silver was not a huge fortune, but it was still substantial.

Framing a stranger for such a sum would be easy money, as long as one could suppress their conscience, especially since the person was an outsider.

“Unfortunately, with Boss Dou around, the inn owner wouldn’t dare take the money for fear of losing his life. As long as they don’t change their testimony, Lu Tang will be fine.”

“Doesn’t the Xie family fear being exposed in court?” Guo Dawei asked angrily.

“They do. That’s why the inn owner’s eldest grandson went missing tonight.”

Everyone’s faces changed immediately.

“They kidnapped him?” Zhou Shu stared at Qin Mo incredulously, slamming his hand on the window sill in anger. “What kind of wolfish family is the Xie family to do such a thing?”

Xu Shen thought further, “If they kidnapped someone tonight, it means they planned it before the incident happened. But how did they know Little Tang would jump into the water? Moreover, we just arrived in Yuhang yesterday and don’t even know them. How could they set us up?”

He paused, looking at Qin Mo and Song Qingzhan, and probed, “Has Boss Dou’s people already found the kidnapped child?”

Qin Mo nodded.

Liang Cheng, sitting on the bed, was sweating with anxiety, “Their plan is so thorough. Even if the inn owner is too scared of Boss Dou to change his testimony, what if the Xie family bribes the magistrate to extract a false confession under torture!”

The mention of a forced confession under torture made everyone shudder.

Song Qingzhan coolly said, “We won’t give them that chance.”

While they discussed their plans for the next day, Xie Yu sat facing his grandfather, Xie Chengnian.

“Grandfather, Little Tang is my only friend. He has no grudges with Xie Jin. He just arrived in Yuhang yesterday. Why would Xie Jin harm him? Is it because of me? Grandfather, I can’t let my friend be implicated.”

Xie Yu sobbed uncontrollably.

Xie Chengnian sat in his chair like a dead man.

“Even if Jin’er did it, what does that have to do with you? Don’t take it upon yourself. Besides, are you sure it was Jin’er?” His voice was weak and old.

Xie Yu nodded, “It’s him, I’m sure!”

Xie Chengnian’s face darkened, “He’s your younger brother. Without solid evidence, are you going to convict your own brother based on rumors?”

Xie Yu glared at Xie Chengnian.

“Younger brother? Grandfather, do you know how my younger brother treats me?”

As he spoke, Xie Yu rolled up his sleeve.

“I have sixty-eight scars on my arm, all burned into me by my younger brother with a hot hook!”

He pulled up his trouser leg, revealing half of his calf.

“I have three long scars on my calf, all cut by my younger brother with a knife.”

Xie Chengnian knew about Xie Yu’s injuries but thought they were from being bullied outside.

He didn’t expect it to be Xie Jin and was stunned for a moment. He trembled, “He…”

Xie Yu’s eyes were red, “He told me if I let him do it, he would let me see my mother.”

Even though he knew his mother didn’t want to see him, Xie Yu couldn’t help but want to be close to her.

He was really foolish!

Xie Chengnian leaned forward from his chair, hunched over, reaching to touch the centipede-like scars on Xie Yu’s leg, “Why didn’t you ever mention this before?”

“Because, not only am I your grandson, so is he. If I told you, what would you do? Scold him? Punish him? Or what?”

Xie Chengnian felt like his heart was being torn apart by an iron hook.

Xie Yu gritted his teeth, “I was afraid if I told you, I would lose your love too.”

Xie Yu slid off his chair, kneeling before Xie Chengnian.

“Grandfather, you were once the Minister of Works. You must know someone in the court. Can you save Little Tang? Grandfather, I’m begging you.”

Xie Yu banged his head on the floor in front of Xie Chengnian.

Xie Chengnian reached out to lift him, but his hand paused halfway.

Tears streaming down his face, Xie Chengnian gritted his teeth and said, “It’s sinful!”

He slowly stood up and walked towards his bedroom.

“Don’t make it hard for your grandfather. Whether Jin’er did it or not, your grandfather can’t save your friend. I was the Minister of Works years ago. A new Emperor has been on the throne for over a decade. I have no friends left in the court.”

“Grandfather.” Xie Yu turned to grab Xie Chengnian’s leg, “But everyone says my father has someone in the court.”

Xie Chengnian struck Xie Yu’s hand with his cane, “Then go beg your father!”

Xie Yu stared at Xie Chengnian in shock.

“Even if I suspect it’s Xie Jin, even if it wasn’t him, do you think my father would see me?”

Xie Chengnian suppressed the bile rising in his throat and pulled his clothes free from Xie Yu’s grasp, “We’re just ordinary people. Don’t think we can influence the government. If your friend is innocent, the magistrate will decide.”

With that, he walked out.

Before Xie Yu could react, there was a click as a large lock sealed him inside the room.

Xie Yu scrambled to the door, banging and shouting, “Grandfather, what are you doing? Let me out!”

Xie Chengnian stood outside, his eyes cold, “I fear you might go and die!”

With that, he ignored Xie Yu’s cries and left the courtyard.

Leaving his courtyard, he walked about a tea’s time to an old locust tree and stopped.

Before the tree was a large, two-entry house.

His son lived there.

Xie Chengnian stared at the red-lacquered door, hesitated for a while, then took a deep breath and knocked.

Soon, a servant’s voice came from inside, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

The servant opened the door, saw Xie Chengnian, and paused before speaking in a not-so-respectful tone, “Master and Madam are asleep. What do you need, old master?”

The door was only opened a crack, showing no intention of letting Xie Chengnian in.

Xie Chengnian didn’t get angry, just stood there expressionless, “Go ask your master if he needs my help with Xie Jin’s matter.”

With that, Xie Chengnian turned and sat on a nearby stone stool.

The servant cursed the old man for bringing bad luck but had no choice. He closed the door and went to the main house.

If the old man sat there all night, it would be his fault in the morning.

Fortunately, their young master had gotten into trouble today, and the lights in the master and madam’s courtyard were still on. The servant sent a maid to inform them and waited by the door.

After about a tea’s time, there was a response, telling him to bring Xie Chengnian in.