Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

Chapter 748 Execution at Noon

"Lin Wuqing".

A deep voice came from Lin Ping's mouth; he didn't even bother to look up at the prefect.

"What crime did you commit?" the prefect continued to ask.

Lin Ping was a little confused. Did he have to explain this to himself?

"Whatever crime the magistrate says I have committed, that is the crime I have committed," Lin Ping said weakly.

Although there was no strong rebuttal, the words were barbed, and it would be a case of "fabricated charges" to convict him directly.

"Lin Wuqing, you killed Zhang Mingfang, a capital offense," the prefect said sternly. He had thought he could face the matter calmly, but he was still somewhat angry.

Lin Ping's indifferent attitude is truly unpleasant.

Is he fearless? Or does he look down on himself?

"I did kill the person, don't you want to hear the reason?" Lin Ping raised his eyes, which immediately startled the prefect.

The law of the Daye Dynasty was that murderers should be executed, but criminals should be given the opportunity to defend themselves before being convicted.

The prefect looked somewhat embarrassed. After all, there were many common people watching outside the government office, and he had to maintain the image of an upright and just official.

"Tell me about it," the prefect had no choice but to ask.

“Zhang Mingfang arrested Meng Qingfan and threatened him with his life. I had no choice but to take action to save him. This is self-defense, and I am not guilty,” Lin Ping explained calmly.

Although the prefect did not know the meaning of "self-defense," he knew that killing someone under duress could indeed be punished more leniently.

If someone has a knife to your throat, what's the difference between you and a coward if you don't fight back?

This factor must have been considered before the law was drafted, and it was specifically stated that a lighter punishment could be imposed, or even no punishment at all.

"Your Excellency, this brat is spouting nonsense! How could my son have kidnapped Meng Qingfan?" Zhang Mingfang's father, Zhang Yonglin, knelt on the ground and cried. Regardless of whether his tears were real or not, at least his expression was convincing. If it weren't for his somewhat unattractive appearance, he could have made his own.

"Do you have any witnesses?" the prefect asked, his eyes narrowed.

witness?

Your dozens of officers and soldiers are all witnesses; when they arrived, Meng Qingfan was already lying on the ground.

Lin Ping was speechless for a moment; he really couldn't find any witnesses.

"I can testify!"

A beautiful voice came from outside the door, and Meng Qingge rushed inside like a madwoman.

Once they became involved in the case, the guards could no longer obstruct the process.

"Your Excellency is wise, it was indeed Zhang Mingfang who kidnapped my younger brother." Meng Qingge knelt on the ground and said hurriedly, her face somewhat embarrassed.

"What are you doing here? This is a courtroom, not a place for jokes," Lin Ping shouted angrily.

He didn't want to involve Meng Qingge, lest she also go to jail and potentially be labeled an accomplice.

The prefect glanced at her and said angrily, "You are Lin Wuqing's fiancée, you cannot be considered a witness."

In this feudal society, a fiancée was almost equivalent to a wife and was considered a relative, so she could not be used as a witness.

"Your investigation is quite thorough, sir." Lin Ping snorted coldly, having already seen through the trickery behind it all.

"Since there are no witnesses, it is intentional homicide. Take him to the execution ground and behead him at noon," the prefect said expressionlessly, having already sentenced Lin Ping to death.

"Execution at noon? Not even giving me a chance for a review? The Prefect is really in a hurry!" Lin Ping said coldly. He had already guessed this would be the result, so he was not surprised.

Generally speaking, even death row inmates are allowed to wait until the autumn to be executed, giving them ample time to appeal. If they feel it is unfair, they can even be transferred to the Ministry of Justice.

However, since the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture had already accepted the money from the Zhang family, he couldn't wait, lest the money grow legs and run away.

“My lord, when I was arresting the criminal, I did see the injured Meng Qingfan lying on the ground.”

Just then, the constable who had arrested Lin Ping stepped forward.

He wasn't doing this to uphold justice; he had simply accepted money from Lin Ping.

In front of Lin Ping, the Zhang family was nothing but a penniless bunch. The other party could bribe the prefect with silver, and Lin Ping could also bribe the head constable with silver.

As long as the money is there, there will always be people who dare to speak their minds.

At worst, I'll lose my official position; at least my future is secure.

The prefect was so angry that his face turned green. He never expected to be outmaneuvered by his own subordinate.

"Sir, you wouldn't distrust even your own subordinates, would you?" Lin Ping smiled mysteriously.

Just as Lin Ping was feeling smug, the constable spoke up again, "Although Meng Qingfan is lying on the ground, he is not seriously injured. Young Master Zhang did not intend to kill him."

Lin Ping was stunned on the spot; he had been tricked after all.

The constable accepted his money, and then testified in court on his behalf, thus fulfilling his promise.

However, he dared not offend the powerful and influential, and had already devised a way to remedy the situation.

“That’s very true. Young Master Zhang was just joking with Meng Qingfan. It was you who went too far and clearly committed intentional murder.” The prefect regained his confidence.

The kidnapping of Meng Qingfan by Zhang Mingfan was not handled well to begin with. Not only could dozens of soldiers testify, but also the servants of the Meng family could testify. They could even produce a threatening letter written by Zhang Mingfan himself.

Therefore, the kidnapping is very likely to be exposed.

The prefect had already devised a remedy: to charge him with "excessive self-defense," which would also warrant execution.

"Not seriously injured? A slit throat is considered not seriously injured? Commander, would you like to try it yourself?" Lin Ping retorted.

These words startled everyone. As everyone knows, a severed throat is fatal, even for gods.

Is this what you call a minor injury?

Thinking of Lin Ping's formidable strength, the constable visibly took a few steps back, genuinely afraid that Lin Ping would choke him.

The prefect, however, asked calmly, "So, Meng Qingfan is also dead? If that's the case, why didn't the Meng family report it?"

These words left Lin Ping speechless, and Meng Qingfan survived thanks to his treatment.

Even Meng Qingge felt powerless to refute it.

She saw Meng Qingfan this morning, and he was indeed not seriously injured; he could even eat.

"Qingfan is alright because I saved him." Lin Ping wasn't very confident; he didn't want to reveal his divine physician abilities to Meng Qingge.

"How dare you, Lin Wuqing, mock me! Do you think you're a miracle doctor? You think you can save someone by cutting their throat? It's obvious that Meng Qingfan's injuries weren't serious, and you took the opportunity to kill Zhang Mingfang. You've committed a capital offense!" the prefect said sternly, not intending to give Lin Ping any more chances to explain.

For a moment, Lin Ping didn't know what to say.

At the same time,

The morning court session in the palace had ended, and the civil and military officials went to their respective offices.

Bai Tiantian, the Grand General, was also on her way to the Five Armies Commandery.

Bai Tiantian was dressed in golden armor and rode a jet-black steed. Dozens of guards cleared the way for her, and merchants and commoners on both sides made way for her.

Merchants and common people along the way, even though they often saw Bai Tiantian's procession, couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence and worship.

It wasn't just his official title that was intimidating; his attire was also frightening, and his imposing gaze commanded respect.

Rou'er, hidden in the crowd, silently pulled out a crossbow.