Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 83

“I don’t know that person. He’s not from Sihe Town, but I remember his voice was very hoarse that day. I don’t know if that’s just how he sounds or if he was sick. Also, he has a large mole at the corner of his eye. That’s all I can remember. Oh, right, he was very fat, at least twice my size, but not very tall, about my height.”

“Back then?” Feng Chunshan raised an eyebrow.

“It was three years ago,” Yu Shunhai replied with a bitter smile.

Feng Chunshan nodded. “Yunyang Restaurant sold opium wine, which constitutes a serious crime, and you have been involved for four years without reporting it.”

Yu Shunhai placed his hands on his knees, tightly clutching his robe. “I know I am guilty.”

Feng Chunshan stood up, holding the confession, and said, “However, by cooperating with us in your way, you have earned some merit to offset your crimes. Rest assured, it’s not a capital offense.”

Yu Shunhai’s clenched fists suddenly relaxed.

He knew he was guilty, but people are strange; when facing punishment, they fear death.

The sins he committed definitely deserved death.

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Yu Shunhai realized that the esteemed Lord of the Ministry of Justice had already left the cell.

The door to his cell was tightly locked. Across the corridor, he heard noises and Gu Yunhe’s voice.

While Feng Chunshan was interrogating Yu Shunhai, the supposedly dead father had already woken up, and Feng Chunshan’s men were interrogating the father and son.

After delivering the confession to Feng Chunshan, one of his subordinates cursed, “There really are idiots in this world who would do such things for just two hundred taels of silver, with no other reason!”

Feng Chunshan glanced over the confession, “Are you sure?”

The subordinate replied, “We used torture. They were interrogated separately, and their statements were consistent. However, I have already sent people to investigate their families to see if there are any other leads. But it seems highly likely that they are just two idiots.”

Feng Chunshan said nothing, stacking the two confessions together and handing them to someone beside him. “Deliver this to His Highness.”

The attendant took the confessions and left.

Feng Chunshan walked towards Gu Yunhe’s cell.

Gu Yunhe was already hanging in mid-air, with a yamen officer whipping him with a leather whip dipped in chili water.

Gu Yunhe, who had always lived a pampered life, could not withstand such punishment. After a few lashes, he couldn’t take it anymore. “I’ll talk!”

Feng Chunshan raised his hand, signaling the county magistrate to stop the beating.

Sitting down at the interrogation table, Feng Chunshan got straight to the point, “Those people you sent to the capital, how did they die?”

Gu Yunhe, who was writhing in pain, shuddered at these words, nearly choking on his own breath.

He had planned to confess, but only about the opium issue, claiming he was possessed by greed.

This wouldn’t result in a severe punishment, at most a few years in prison. After the situation calmed down, Gu Zongming would find a way to get him out.

He never expected the Lord of the Ministry of Justice to start with such a question.

How did he know?

Seeing Gu Yunhe’s shocked expression, Feng Chunshan chuckled, “Are you going to talk? If not, we’ll continue.”

The yamen officer brandishing the whip grinned, ready to strike at any moment.

Gu Yunhe shivered all over, “It was my eldest son.”

With the confession started, Gu Yunhe’s tense body relaxed, his shoulders slumping. “The restaurant was run by my eldest son. He sent those people to the capital. As for why, I’m not very sure.”

Feng Chunshan smiled, “Not very sure? Tonight, someone tried to break into the prison?”

Gu Yunhe protested, “I didn’t send them. My eldest son did. I had no idea about any prison break!”

He could admit to the opium business, but nothing else.

Feng Chunshan stood up, walked slowly towards Gu Yunhe, and grabbed his face, increasing the pressure. “Do you think I don’t know that your eldest son, Gu Songming, was expelled from the family and clan tonight?”

Gu Yunhe was shocked.

Damn!

He had forgotten about that!

“He was driven away by you, so how could he give orders using your family’s people to break into the prison? Those who tried to break in came from your family, and Gu Songming wasn’t there when they left.”

Gu Yunhe trembled, “I, I don’t know.”

Feng Chunshan didn’t bother to argue, “Then we’ll beat you until you know!”

He turned to leave, and the sound of the whip resumed.

Gu Yunhe shouted at Feng Chunshan’s back, “Gu Zongming—”

As soon as he uttered three words, Feng Chunshan stopped and turned back, “Gu Zongming? He’s far away in the capital and won’t know what happened here. Even if he did, would he associate with someone selling opium in a restaurant? If he did, it would only be to silence you and prevent you from dragging him down.”

Feng Chunshan turned to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he added ominously, “Huang Yunsheng hasn’t seen you, has he?”

Gu Yunhe was struck like a lightning bolt.

Huang Yunsheng hadn’t seen him!

What did that mean!

What did this Lord of the Ministry of Justice mean!

How did he know Huang Yunsheng hadn’t seen him?

How did he know he had tried to see Huang Yunsheng?

So…

Huang Yunsheng wasn’t absent, just avoiding him!

This revelation shattered Gu Yunhe.

He had always planned an escape route, thinking he could push everything onto Gu Songming if caught.

With Gu Zongming’s help, he could shift the blame.

But now, Gu Songming was expelled and missing.

Gu Zongming…

Not just Gu Zongming, even Huang Yunsheng was avoiding him!

Avoiding him?

Damn it!

These people were so sure he wouldn’t expose their secrets!

Wait, was this Lord of the Ministry of Justice trying to provoke him?

For a moment, Gu Yunhe’s mind raced with anger, despair, hope… emotions mixed, dulling the pain of the whip.

Until the whipping stopped, and a heated branding iron approached, snapping him back to reality.

“Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“I’ll confess~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

The Next Morning

Lu Tang woke up refreshed and stretched lazily. Before falling asleep last night, she had received news that Gu Yunhe’s attempted prison break had failed and he was captured, giving her a good night’s sleep.

Yuan Bao, who had been waiting at the door, heard the sounds inside and asked, “Young Master, should I prepare breakfast?”

Lu Tang dressed and walked out, “Where are Young Master Qin and Brother Zhan? Have they woken up? Ask them what they want for breakfast.”

Last night, she had settled the two gentlemen in the study in her courtyard. While speaking, Lu Tang headed towards the study.

Yuan Bao quickly replied, “Young Master Qin and Brother Song left early this morning.”

Lu Tang paused.

They left?

“Where did they go?”