Chapter 19 - I Also Know How to Frame Someone (1/2)

Chapter 19: I Also Know How to Frame Someone

Translator: Wu Meixin et al.

Proofread by Fu Tianying

Two people wrapped in black cloth were pushed out in the night. Torn off the black cloth, they were shrouded in red with long hair falling loosely—they were just the two female ghosts in the granary.

“Childe Hu, help us!” One of the ghosts shouted to Hu Chunqiu.

“Are you mad? I do not even know who you are.” Hu Chunqiu did not expect Wu Zhong could catch the two ghosts so quickly and brought them over here.

“Hu Chunqiu, do you wanna turn your back on us? Do not forget that we have your token.” Having already anticipated Hu’s betrayal, the other ghost shouted angrily.

Ma Tian’en did not expect that Wu Zhong caught those two ghosts in such a big warehouse in such a short time. That was not the right time to ask him, however. He should set aside the interests and be patient to see what Wu would do. It became a matter of even greater urgency that Wu Zhong had to push Hu to admit the guilt.

“Don’t you remember the gold leaf? How about the gold leaf which was found on the ghost. It was the tribute that Burma paid to the Emperor if my memory does not fail me. You may get it from your uncle, right? Giving the royal gift away at will and using it to hire someone to disturb the water transport are really big crimes. Governor, please render fair judgment.”

Hu did receive the gold leaf from his uncle. Once caught playing ghosts in the granary, the two martial arts masters would receive harsh punishment. They were not willing to take a risk. Thus Hu persuaded them by using the gold leaf as a guarantee. If something was wrong, his uncle would try to protect them since the gold leaf was royal gift. How could he expect Wu Zhong would find it out?

Though the gold leaf was kept as evidence, it could not speak as human.

“This was the royal gift that my uncle kept in my house. It suddenly disappeared a while ago. You guys stole it! Governor Liu, I am innocent. The gold leaf has disappeared one month ago. It was stolen by them to frame me. Thank Heaven it is found now or I will be beaten to death by my uncle.” Hu Chunqiu was determined to deny everything, so he made a false countercharge.

“You are right. These two stole the gold leaf and then played ghosts to rattle people. Come on, take them…” Liu Ping was interrupted by Wu Zhong before he finished.

“Governor, I still have evidence.” Wu Zhong took out one piece of paper and spread it in front of people. It was clearly written on the paper that two men were hired to play ghosts with one hundred taels paid in advance and another one hundred taels after it was done. Hu Chunqiu’s signature was clearly at the bottom.

“It is a forgery.” Hu Chunqiu jumped to snatch it but was interrupted.

“Just compare the handwriting of the paper with the handwriting of Childe Hu. We will know it in court tomorrow.” Wu Zhong said. He put away the paper rather than give it to Governor Liu.

“Governor, we already have human testimony and material evidence. I beg you to uphold the justice!” Then Wu Zhong bowed to Governor Liu respectfully.

With so many witnesses and much evidence, Governor Liu could not cover up the evil deeds of Childe Hu.

“Get them! And take them to the government office!” Governor Liu gave orders that Hu Chunqiu and others be sent to the office at once.

Hu Chunqiu was greatly mortified and wanted to fight against. Being a scholar, however, how could he free himself from strong government runner?

“Wu Zhong, you want to set me up. But you know, you’ll pay a price!”

Ignoring all Hu’s complaints, Wu Zhong respectfully sent the Governor off and returned to Ma family.

It was already at midnight but the lights in the study of Tian family were still on. Tian Ronghua drank tea absentmindedly with eyebrows furrowed. According to the plan, someone should have been sent by Hu Chunqiu to tell him good news. Even Ma Tian’en escaped, and there should be some news. Maybe, something was going wrong.