PNB Chapter 235: Slandering Good People
Chapter 235: Slandering Good People
The old man's gaze swept over the crowd, and he slowly said, "After these few days of investigation, I believe you are deliberately framing me."
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others were all shocked and looked at the old man in disbelief.
"Sir, are you mistaken? We have solid evidence to prove that he stole the chicken."
Fang Xiaoxiao said anxiously.
The old man's face darkened, and he said sternly.
"Evidence? Your so-called evidence is nothing but baseless speculation. He has always been an honest and law-abiding villager, how could he do such a petty theft? You must just dislike him and deliberately frame him."
Pei Yan stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Sir, this is absolutely not the case. Many of us have personally witnessed him sneaking out at night, and we even found chicken feathers in his house. How could these be baseless accusations?"
Although he was not usually talkative, he had some guesses in his mind at this moment, knowing that the old man must know the scoundrel and even intend to protect him.
But he wasn't about to let them off the hook.
The old man snorted coldly.
"That could also be something someone did on purpose, trying to frame him."
Li Renyi said angrily.
"Old man, we have no grudge against him, why go to such lengths to frame him?"
The old man spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Who knows what you're up to? Maybe you want to establish your authority in the village and make an example of him."
Long Jinyan glared angrily.
"I'm telling you, you old bastard, this kind of biased favoritism towards scoundrels is really unfair."
Hearing this, the rogue felt as if he were the one being called an old codger, and immediately got up to speak up for the old man. However, he found that the other man was tall and his eyes were filled with murderous intent, which frightened him quite a bit.
He only dared to do petty theft because he had the support of the elders in the village.
Seeing his condition, he could only deflate like a punctured balloon, then turned to the only woman among them and said pitifully.
“Uncle, you’ve watched me grow up since I was a child, and you know my personality. There’s no way I would do such a thing as stealing chickens or dogs.”
"They must have wronged me! Uncle, you must seek justice for me!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao's expression turned serious, and she spoke loudly.
"Sir, how can you be so unable to distinguish right from wrong?"
The old man raised his voice.
"Shut up! The facts are clear. If you continue to pester me, don't blame me for being impolite."
At this point, the villagers watching outside also began to discuss the matter.
someone whispered.
"Could it be that they really made a mistake?"
Some people refuted it.
"Impossible, they're not like that."
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said.
“Sir, what you’re doing will allow the real bad guys to go unpunished and disrupt the peace of the village.”
The old man remained unmoved.
“I have said that this matter is settled. If you are not satisfied, you may leave the village.”
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others looked at each other, their hearts filled with anger and helplessness.
Just then, He Jinnian, who had been silent all along, stepped forward. He looked firmly at the old man and the rogue and said.
“Old man, I don’t think this matter is so simple. Everyone knows what kind of behavior this scoundrel usually does. If you make such a conclusion so easily, I’m afraid it will be difficult to convince the public.”
The rogue's expression changed, and he shouted.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
He Jinnian said calmly.
"Whether I'm lying or not, everyone knows the truth. Sir, your favoritism towards him, could it be that you've received some benefits from him?"
The old man became enraged.
"You brat, don't you dare spout such nonsense!"
He Jinnian continued.
“Sir, if you insist on doing so, we will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.”
As the head of the Judicial Commission of the Great Yu Dynasty, he was naturally adept at investigating cases.
This scoundrel not only steals chickens and dogs, but also dares to slander them; his crimes are simply unforgivable.
The scoundrel continued to act as if nothing had happened, sitting on the ground in a lazy posture.
"Investigate all you want, make a big deal out of nothing, you're really something else."
“As outsiders, our village not only kindly took you in, but also provided you with food and medicine.”
"You not only don't know how to be grateful, but you also do petty theft and even try to frame me. You are a bunch of ungrateful bastards!"
He dared to say such a thing because he saw the village chief's daughter, Li Yuting, walking gracefully into the house.
Li Yuting, accompanied by her servants, glanced around at the crowd.
Seeing this, the others all took a few steps back.
The village chief's daughter was spoiled from a young age. She was arrogant and domineering, and had a shrewish personality, cursing at everyone she met.
Li Yuting put her hands on her hips and glared at Fang Xiaoxiao.
"Fang Xiaoxiao, what are you doing here? This scoundrel is under my protection, what can you do to him?"
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and replied.
"Yuting, you can't be so unreasonable. The evidence of this scoundrel stealing chickens is conclusive. We can't just let him get away with it."
Li Yuting sneered.
"Evidence? I think you're framing me on purpose. This scoundrel is usually very respectful to me, how could he possibly steal a chicken? It's you who's been causing trouble in the village with these outsiders."
Fang Xiaoxiao said angrily.
“Yuting, you can’t distort the truth. We are doing this for the sake of justice in the village.”
Li Yuting snorted.
"Fairness? I think you're just jealous of my good relationship with that scoundrel and want to take this opportunity to get revenge."
Pei Yan couldn't help but say.
"Young lady, you can't be so unreasonable."
Li Yuting rolled her eyes at him.
Who do you think you are to lecture me?
Li Renyi said.
"Girl, everything should be based on reason."
Li Yuting pointed at him and said.
"Stop arguing with me. If you don't apologize to this scoundrel today, don't even think about staying in this village."
Long Jinyan shouted angrily, "Don't go too far!"
Li Yuting was fearless.
"What? Trying to scare me? You'd better try."
He Jinnian said.
“Girl, your act of protecting scoundrels is not good for the village.”
Li Yuting looked disdainful.
"What's it to you? This is a matter for our village, and it's none of your business as outsiders."
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said.
“Li Yuting, this will only embolden the scoundrels. Who knows what kind of trouble will arise in the village in the future?”
Li Yuting scoffed, "Him? What trouble could he possibly cause? I think you're the ones who want to make the village miserable."
At this point, the villagers started talking amongst themselves again.
Some people said, "Yu Ting has gone too far."
Some people say, "She's always been like this; nobody can control her."
The situation became even more chaotic, and Fang Xiaoxiao and the others found themselves in a predicament.
Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Li Yuting suddenly stepped forward and reached out to push Fang Xiaoxiao.
"You ungrateful wretch, how dare you talk back!"
Li Yuting shouted.
Fang Xiaoxiao stumbled and almost fell. Pei Yan quickly steadied her, glaring at Li Yuting as he spoke.