UGB Chapter 36: Inner Court Case Handling
Chapter 36: Inner Court Case Handling
"Wait a minute!"
Finally, at the very moment that solitary figure was about to be swallowed up by the shadow of the city gate.
Zou Yun finally spoke; his voice wasn't loud, but it had a penetrating quality.
Ripples spread through the silent crowd.
"Um?!"
The burly thief in the lead stopped abruptly upon hearing the sound, his thick black brows furrowed as he turned around abruptly.
He stared at Zou Yun, who seemed about to step forward, and said in a cold tone, "This is not your business, so you should not interfere."
"Otherwise, even if you were to become a Marquis, you would still be subject to the laws of Qin!"
Every word he uttered carried a blatant warning.
However, Zou Yun ignored the threat in those words.
He didn't stop walking; instead, he quickened his pace to close the distance with the escort team.
As Zou Yun approached the burly thief, he slightly turned to the side and lowered his voice. Only the thief at the front and the old man being escorted could barely hear him.
"This person is involved in the incident and I need to take him away for questioning. I will inform the county government. You may all leave."
Zou Yun's tone was calm, yet undeniable.
Upon hearing this, the burly Qiu Dao's brows almost knitted together. He was already intimidated by the inexplicable aura emanating from Zou Yun, which made his heart tighten.
Judging from his tone, even without any evidence, he dared not completely ignore it.
However, the Qin law clearly stipulates that the arrested criminals must be escorted back to the county government to report. How could he, a mere thief, dare to release someone without authorization?
Once the investigation is completed, I might end up in prison myself.
Therefore, he steeled himself and said sternly, "Without verification or talisman, how can you release someone based solely on your words?!"
He pointed sharply at Zou Yun and said in a deep voice.
"Your behavior is suspicious, and your words are evasive; you must be an accomplice! Arrest you and take you away!"
Kuiwu Qiudao had made up his mind.
First, take this troublesome person who doesn't know his place away. Once the escort team leaves this bustling city in full view of everyone and reaches a quiet, secluded place, then find an opportunity to release him quietly.
This way, the dignity of the law is upheld, and the person of dubious origin is not offended.
"only!"
Upon receiving the order, the two accompanying thieves immediately grabbed the ropes in their hands and stepped forward like fierce demons.
Upon seeing this, the local people who had been peeking around lowered their heads even further, almost stopping their breathing, for fear of getting themselves into trouble.
Time seemed to stand still.
The air was thick with a suffocating tension.
Just as the rope in the hands of the two thieves was about to be slowly...slowly...slipped onto Zou Yun's sleeve.
but!
In that very instant!
Among the crowd, two seemingly ordinary men in plain clothes who were going to the market made a move.
Like ghosts, at a time when most people would be silent in fear, they unusually gravitated towards Zou Yun.
This movement naturally attracted the attention of the burly thief.
Seeing that the two men were dressed in coarse linen clothes and straw sandals, with simple bamboo water bags casually tucked into their waistbands—all the most ordinary attire of commoners—his expression grew increasingly gloomy.
But the burly thief knew that anyone who dared to step forward at this time must have some confidence in them.
Therefore, when faced with questioning glances from his subordinates, he shook his head slightly, indicating that they should not interfere and should wait and see how things develop.
In just a few steps, these two unremarkable old men, blending into the crowd of ordinary people, had already approached the group.
The person on the left subtly turned to block the view of others, and quickly reached into his robes with his right hand, pulling out a bamboo talisman about an inch long.
The bamboo section is entirely black, engraved with secret marks exclusive to high-ranking officials of the Xianyang Palace. It bears no official title or seal, and can only be recognized by high-ranking officials in the inner court and county governments.
The hidden markings gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the shadows.
These two men were the bodyguards that Zhao Gao had arranged for Zou Yun to accompany him on his secret trip.
He had remained hidden in the crowd the entire time, without revealing any clues.
Now, seeing that his protected target was about to be taken away, he finally couldn't sit still and stood up.
Behind the two, Zou Yun remained calm and composed.
Although he didn't know beforehand, the fact that he dared to stop people meant that he was certain that Ying Zheng couldn't possibly be completely unprepared for him.
Moreover, even if Ying Zheng really had lost his mind and was misled by himself.
The worst outcome would be simply revealing one's identity within the county government. Although it would be a bit troublesome, it wouldn't be a major problem, only causing a slight delay in departure time.
Therefore, when he saw someone approaching, Zou Yun didn't even lift his eyelids.
everything!
All of this was within his expectations.
The guard on the left gently pressed the cold, dark bamboo talisman onto the wrist of the leader seeking the thief.
He pressed his fingertips hard, keeping his voice extremely low, so that only the two of them could hear him.
"If an action is taken within the inner court and involves classified information, the person is released and no investigation is allowed afterward, and not a single word is to be circulated outside the court. The case will be closed as an 'unnamed case'."
The three words "Unnamed Case" were like poisoned ice needles, piercing the eardrums of those seeking theft.
The bamboo talisman's texture made his wrist tighten, and the burly thief subconsciously glanced down at the talisman.
When that taboo representing absolute authority came into view, his pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly.
In an instant, cold sweat gushed out, instantly soaking through his underwear.
A secret mission within the Qin Palace!
The alarm bells in his mind were ringing wildly.
These kinds of dispatches were never announced in any official document; they were communicated silently by these deadly secret symbols.
The lower-ranking officials were only allowed to obey orders. If they asked a single question or glanced at something they shouldn't have, they would be beheaded and their entire family would suffer the consequences!
"Now, lead us out without attracting unnecessary attention."
Qiu Dao's Adam's apple bobbed up and down with difficulty as he suppressed his fear. His facial muscles were stiff and tense, but he still tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor.
He quickly made a very subtle gesture to his subordinates beside him.
He then responded in a low voice, "Since this is an official matter of the inner court, it is left to you to handle. We will report the follow-up of this case in accordance with regulations."
The two subordinates were also alert, and although they were completely confused when they saw the gesture, they were still puzzled.
But his hands moved very quickly, untying the thick hemp rope from the old man's wrist.
Then the group quickly left the market, without attracting the attention of any other merchants or commoners.
The guard retrieved the bamboo talisman, and with a swift movement, disappeared back into the crowd.
Only one person remained, staying half a step away from Zou Yun at all times.
They appeared to be just passersby, but in reality, they provided protection throughout the entire journey.
Zou Yun's expression remained unchanged throughout, and he didn't say a word. He simply nodded slightly to the old man, indicating that he should follow him.
The group mingled with the local people going to the market and slowly made their way away through the side alleys of the city.
The burly thief stood frozen in place until those figures disappeared into the bustling crowd before he dared to turn and leave.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said to his subordinates in a deep voice, "Don't mention a single word about what happened today. Just say the prisoner escaped and file it as an unnamed case."
He paused, a deep fear flashing in his eyes, and added, emphasizing each word.
"Anyone who dares to leak this information will be in grave danger."
The thieves nodded repeatedly, not daring to say anything more.
Amidst the market, the aroma of steamed buns still lingered, mingled with the sounds of grain scoops scraping rice and the whispers of vendors.
The commotion just now was like a stone thrown into a deep pool; after the ripples subsided, the water returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.
Only the empty rows of seats stubbornly continue to emit steam.