"That's right!"
"But those letters look like they're real!"
"It's so confusing, I can't figure it out at all!"
The onlookers, the common folk, all had questions written on their faces.
At this moment, someone in the crowd suddenly said, "How could General Yun possibly collude with the enemy and betray the country? Letters can also be forged!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu was a little surprised. The person who stepped forward at this moment to question was not an enemy.
She turned her head to look.
It was actually Yi Zixing.
Yun Shu sighed inwardly. She hadn't expected Yi Zixing to step forward at this time and speak words of justice.
"Isn't that Young Master Yi?" someone in the crowd recognized Yi Zixing and exclaimed in a low voice.
They probably hadn't expected Yi Zixing to show up.
"Young Master Yi thinks the same way we do!"
"..."
"Perhaps we've all been deceived by General Yun. The enemy country might just be trying to make us believe General Yun, thereby achieving their goals!"
"This..."
"It's unlikely, right? Every time General Yun went to battle before, he inflicted countless casualties on the enemy army, thwarting their plans. If this was to make us believe General Yun, wouldn't this sacrifice be too tragic?"
Yi Zixing listened to the discussions around him. Hearing that many people still believed in General Yun, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He was worried about Yun Shu kneeling on the cold bluestone ground.
She must be very scared right now, right?
Lord Meng, listening to the discussions of the people at the entrance, his face became even more unsightly.
He hadn't expected these people to trust Yun Changfeng so much; so many of them didn't quite believe Yun Changfeng colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country.
And that Young Master Yi, he's here to join the fun too!
"These are all material evidence, written in black and white, leaving no room for denial! Furthermore, there is even testimony from a witness. The witness is Yun Changfeng's brother, Yun Dezhi. His testimony confirms that you occasionally disappeared without a trace in recent years, acting mysteriously." Lord Meng, having prepared everything, then produced another testimony.
On the testimony, three large characters were clearly written.
Yun Dezhi!
Yun Dezhi, as Yun Changfeng's elder brother, would actually provide such testimony!
This is righteousness overcoming personal affection!
"Could it be that General Yun really colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country? Otherwise, why would General Yun's own brother provide such testimony?" someone in the crowd questioned.
Many people became suspicious of Yun Changfeng because of Yun Dezhi's testimony.
Yun Changfeng listened to the discussions behind him, his dark eyes gazing at the testimony.
Beside him, Yun Shu said softly, "Father, you have me."
What Yun Dezhi, what Old Madam Yun, none of them would be able to hurt her father's heart!
To protect themselves and to snatch everything from her father, Yun Dezhi and the others would resort to any means necessary.
Yun Changfeng heard Yun Shu's voice beside him, and the pain in his eyes was replaced by warmth. "Yes, I have Shu'er."
Seeing that the common folk were finally beginning to suspect Yun Changfeng, Lord Meng was very pleased. "Yun Changfeng, the evidence is conclusive. Do you plead guilty?!"
"I do not." Yun Changfeng said in a deep voice.
Lord Meng's face turned cold. "Yun Changfeng, you still refuse to plead guilty?!"
Then, he looked at Yun Shu. "Yun Shu, if you can also provide testimony, this official guarantees that I can intercede with the Emperor on your behalf and grant you a lighter sentence!"
He just wanted to convict them as quickly as possible.
Because someone had promised him they would help him find his son!
He believed that person!
"The evidence Lord Meng has regarding my father's alleged crimes is all fabricated." Yun Shu looked up, her gaze calm as she looked at Lord Meng, her tone utterly composed.
"How dare you!"
Lord Meng reprimanded her.
His authority was immense.
Many common folk were startled.
"The evidence is conclusive, how can you quibble?!" Lord Meng roared.
Just then, someone pushed through the crowd and entered.
He held dozens of letters in his hand.
"These are all evidence proving General Yun's innocence. Please examine them, Your Lordship!"
Lord Meng was stunned. "Who are you?"
"My name is insignificant. Your Lordship may simply examine the evidence. To avoid any doubts, the witnesses have also arrived." The man's attitude was neither servile nor overbearing.
As soon as he finished speaking, many people arrived.
Each of them held a testimony.
These testimonies all proved that Yun Changfeng did not collude with the enemy and betray the country.
In fact, some of the evidence even proved that someone had imitated Yun Changfeng's handwriting, and a careful comparison would be enough to show it was an imitation.
Yun Shu subtly curved her lips as she saw these people.
It seemed Yun Changfeng had made preparations long ago.
Lord Meng was rendered speechless by the well-prepared evidence.
He had never expected Yun Changfeng to react so quickly!
This was beyond their expectations!
Where did they get this evidence?
When did they prepare it?
They had taken Yun Changfeng and the others away yesterday precisely to catch them off guard. It had only been a day!
Lord Meng tightly clenched his fist, his tension palpable.
"Lord Meng, the evidence is conclusive. Someone has slandered this official. This matter must be thoroughly investigated!" Yun Changfeng said sternly.
Yun Shu lowered her gaze slightly.
It seemed her father had already smoothed everything over.
Her father had made preparations long ago.
Lord Meng gritted his teeth, staring at the evidence before him.
After a long time, the cold sweat on his brow increased.
It was too meticulous!
As expected, Yun Changfeng was not that easy to deal with!
At this moment, another person arrived, dressed in imperial attire, a servant of the Emperor.
"I am here on the Emperor's orders to ask Lord Meng for a result! Has General Yun colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country? Who is it that is framing General Yun from the shadows? The Emperor has decreed that this matter must be thoroughly investigated."
The eunuch adopted a haughty posture.
He clearly indicated he was sent by the Emperor.
The Emperor intended to protect Yun Changfeng.
Lord Meng's heart lurched, and he looked around outside.
He saw no one else.
He could only steel himself and say, "Now that new evidence proves General Yun's innocence and confirms that someone behind the scenes framed General Yun, then General Yun did not collude with the enemy and betray the country, nor did he commit any great crime."
"However..."
Yun Shu looked up at Lord Meng.
Lord Meng looked towards a certain spot outside, his expression shifting from slight panic to confidence. "However, General Yun lost his military tally. This matter is of grave importance. Any general who has lost their military tally in the past has been punished! Therefore, General Yun cannot be released yet. You need to be escorted to the Ministry of Justice."
Upon hearing this, the common folk at the entrance exclaimed.
One wave after another!
Hasn't this General Yun been too unlucky recently!
He was not only framed for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, but he also lost his military tally!
Yun Changfeng's brows furrowed slightly.
Suddenly, Yun Shu spoke.
"Who said my father's military tally is lost?"
"This matter is now public knowledge. Unless General Yun can produce the military tally, this matter is of great consequence, and General Yun must go to the Ministry of Justice."
Lord Meng looked at Yun Shu. He had exchanged a few words with Yun Shu yesterday. Even now, thinking of her calm demeanor, he felt a sense of dread.
He always felt that beneath that smile, something was hidden.