I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 167 - 105: Crane Bone Flute, Corpse Collector

And so, half a month ago, a major event occurred in Baisha County.

The in-law of the Baisha County magistrate was implicated by the Celestial Heart Sect rebels who openly declared that Wu Yaohua was an accomplice. They said the five hundred taels of silver coins used by the Celestial Heart Sect to buy crossbow weapons were hidden in Wu Yaohua’s residence.

The official in charge of examining the Celestial Heart Sect rebels was none other than the newly appointed Prefect of Jinmen Prefecture, He.

As a new official, Prefect He would not tolerate the slightest misconduct. Upon hearing the rebels’ confession, he immediately sent officials to Baisha County to arrest the man and seize the evidence.

Poor Wu Yaohua was sitting at home when disaster fell from the sky. The leading official seemed to have an all-seeing eye, for upon casually searching Wu Yaohua’s residence, he found a package hidden within the wall bricks.

Though there were not five hundred taels of silver inside, there were still three hundred taels of residual money. In addition, there was a letter exchanging secrets with the Celestial Heart Sect, in which Wu Yaohua expressed various seditious remarks against the Dayong Dynasty, showing deep hatred and wishing for the Celestial Heart Sect’s leader to invade the Imperial City at any moment...

With both witnesses and physical evidence present, Prefect He showed no mercy and immediately imprisoned Wu Yaohua, awaiting his execution after autumn.

At first, Baisha County’s Magistrate Zhang did not really believe it, but he couldn’t withstand the public’s opinion either.

Zhang Yong’s eldest daughter, Zhang Yao, and her husband comforted him daily, mostly advising him to sever ties with the Wu Family and expel Wu Zhiyuan from their home.

"Reasonably, our Zhang Family should indeed sever ties with the Wu Family to prove our innocence. But Zhiyuan explained to me that his father was framed and would never commit such a rebellious act."

"If it is indeed so, I should help my in-law overturn the case, which would be the best strategy. Early estrangement, on the contrary, would be inappropriate."

Zhang Yao sneered upon hearing this, saying: "Father, you are so confused. How could this be the best strategy? If we don’t sever ties with the Wu Family early, our Zhang Family will also be seen as rebels. We could very well face the extermination of our nine generations. Thus, the best strategy would turn into the worst scenario of having our family annihilated."

Magistrate Zhang was awakened by these words. He immediately summoned his son-in-law, Wu Zhiyuan, insisting on expelling him and severing their relationship.

Wu Zhiyuan, being honest, knew his family faced a great calamity and feared implicating his father-in-law’s family. So, he agreed and signed the divorce paper.

Magistrate Zhang’s younger daughter, Zhang Wan, was also loyal and steadfast. She cried her heart out, reluctant to part, but she couldn’t resist Wu Zhiyuan’s determined will.

Seeing this, Zhang Wan had no choice but to swear to the heavens, saying that in this life, she would serve no other but him and marry none but him.

Wu Zhiyuan, dealing with his father’s imprisonment and his wife’s departure, couldn’t withstand these continuous blows, even if he were made of iron.

Magistrate Zhang, seeing Wu Zhiyuan’s sorrowful expression, felt pity and wanted to give him two hundred silver notes, but they were snatched away by Yang Hong.

"Father-in-law, why would you give money to an outsider? He’s no longer our Zhang Family’s son-in-law but the son of the rebel Wu Yaohua. Giving him money might make us appear as co-conspirators with the Wu Family if seen by ill-intentioned people."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhiyuan immediately clasped his hands and said, "How dare I drag everyone into this for my own sake? I cannot take this silver!"

With that, Wu Zhiyuan bowed to Magistrate Zhang, glanced at his sobbing new bride, and left Zhang Mansion without looking back.

What he didn’t see was the undisguised mockery on Zhang Yao and Yang Hong’s faces as he left.

...

In Linhe District, within a paper mache shop.

Wu Wencai recounted how the county magistrate was driven away and Yang Hong rubbed salt into the wound.

After Wu Wencai’s tearful recount, Xu Qing frowned, saying, "From what you said, it seems likely that someone deliberately framed Zhiyuan."

"To be able to bribe the Celestial Heart Sect rebels is not something an ordinary person can do. Zhiyuan hasn’t offended anyone except for the county magistrate’s eldest daughter and son-in-law, with whom he has some disagreements..."

Wu Wencai wondered, "Although my brother and Yang Hong had some tensions, they are brothers-in-law after all. There’s no way they would do such a despicable thing..."

Before finishing his words, Wu Wencai hesitated.

"Brother Xu, now that you mention it, I recall something. Before Zhiyuan’s engagement, Yang Hong and his wife tried to stop it, saying our family brought bad luck as we dealt with funeral business, advising the county magistrate not to agree to the marriage. Could this have caused the disaster?"

Xu Qing clicked his tongue.

These Wu brothers were still too inexperienced. He had dealt with so many corpses, seeing all kinds of people and things. What had he not seen?

The human heart is hard to fathom, and the world is as frosty as ever.

Those who drank with you yesterday and called you brother may stab you twice today; former enemies who fought to the death may end up in the same bed tomorrow...

These are all uncertainties!

But regardless, as long as you’ve seen a lot, you can always find some parallels from past experiences.

A jade must be polished to become a gem. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Looking at the unrefined Wu Wencai, Xu Qing advised, "This matter is a human sin; no one else can help you. But don’t lose heart. As the saying goes, the innocent remain clear while the dubious remain unclear. You and Zhiyuan don’t seem like timid people, so could you not think of a way to prove your innocence?"

Wu Wencai was stunned for a moment, then suddenly became excited.

He paced back and forth, right hand clenched, continuously striking his left palm.

"Brother Xu is right. The innocent remain clear. I can’t be defeated just because the prefect made a judgment."

"Saving a life is like putting out a fire. Right now, whether Yang Hong is the mastermind or not, as long as he is suspicious, he must not be let off easily."

"The Imperial Censor is about to arrive in Jinmen; I can write a petition to complain. Claim Yang Hong bribed the Celestial Heart Sect rebels, framing Zhiyuan. If it was indeed his doing, when the punishment starts, someone might not be able to hold back and confess the truth."