Chapter 52: Hold Your Blade

Chen Fan was escorted by bailiffs from the dungeon to the execution grounds.

Along the way, numerous scholars and commoners cried out grievances on Chen Fan's behalf.

The bailiffs drew the sabers at their waists, casting vigilant glances at the surrounding crowd.

Intimidated by the cold, gleaming weapons, none of the onlookers dared to step close.

Seeing this, Chen Fan realized that the father-and-son Zhao duo cared nothing at all for the commoners and scholars, rendering his public opinion campaign utterly useless.

Yet, Chen Fan remained entirely composed, devoid of the slightest trace of fear.

From time to time, he even reminded the people around him to mind their safety.

Chen Fan's calm demeanor stemmed not from a lack of fear of decapitation, but from absolute confidence that he would not be beheaded.

Concealed within his palm was a tiny piece of copper, allowing him to pick his foot shackles at a moment's notice.

Moreover, he was supremely confident that these bailiffs could never capture him.

This was precisely why Chen Fan had earlier implored Yan Bei to escort the two sisters out of the city.

Although Chen Fan loathed subjecting the two young women to hardship alongside him, ensuring their safety left him with no other choice.

Naturally, Chen Fan knew this was the worst-case scenario, and he would not resort to it unless driven to absolute desperation.

Soon, surrounded by a dense sea of commoners and scholars, Chen Fan arrived at the execution grounds.

The execution grounds were already packed with a massive crowd.

It was the first time the bailiffs and Zhao Da had ever witnessed such a colossal turnout for an execution.

"Master Chen is innocent! Release him!"

"Release him!"

...

The moment Chen Fan appeared, the crowd erupted in thunderous shouts.

A closer look would have revealed that in an unassuming corner of the crowd, Guo Hua, disguised in costume, was shouting at the top of his lungs.

Listening to the deafening uproar, Zhao Da furrowed his brows, but quickly regained his composure, pretending not to hear.

With a tranquil expression, Chen Fan walked onto the execution platform. Showing no sign of fear whatsoever, he even smiled faintly and waved to the crowd below.

It was reminiscent of modern pop stars stepping onto a stage to greet their fans.

Amidst the crowd, Chen Fan caught sight of a woman gazing at him with eyes full of worry.

Chen Fan deliberately cast a reassuring smile in her direction.

The woman was none other than Su Wenqi.

Meeting Chen Fan's smile, Su Wenqi's eyes instantly turned red with unshed tears.

Chen Fan also noticed Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao not far away, looking at him with triumphant grins.

A cold smirk played on Chen Fan's lips. He knew perfectly well that those two were the masterminds behind his framing.

"Audacious Chen Fan! You conspired to commit treason. By order of the Ministry of Punishments, this official shall execute you this very day!"

Zhao Da proclaimed with stern majesty.

Chen Fan paid him no heed whatsoever, fixing his gaze upon the horizon as if awaiting someone.

At the same time, he tightly gripped the copper piece in his hand, ready at any moment to unlock his shackles.

Seeing Chen Fan maintain such arrogance in the face of death, a chilling gleam flashed in Zhao Da's eyes.

"Execute!"

Zhao Da issued the command.

The executioner grasped a massive broadsword and strode toward Chen Fan.

At that instant, Chen Fan pinched the copper piece between his thumb and forefinger, preparing to retaliate at a second's notice.

Simultaneously, his eyes kept scanning the distance; he wished to avoid becoming a fugitive until the very last resort.

As the executioner drew closer step by step, Chen Fan lowered his stance slightly, ready to shed his shackles in the blink of an eye.

Down below, the crowd watched Chen Fan with sorrowful and regretful expressions.

*Clop, clop, clop.*

"Stay the execution!"

Just as Chen Fan was about to make his move and everyone believed his head was about to roll,

The sound of pounding hooves echoed through the air, and Imperial College Assistant Director rode into view at a gallop.

Hot on his heels was another man of similar age, also racing forward on horseback.

"Imperial Tutor Fang Zhengru? He... why is he here?"

Zhao Hongwei exclaimed, his eyes widening in nervous disbelief.

At this sight, Chen Fan immediately tucked the copper piece away. Knowing that Assistant Director Liu had arrived, he would have no need for such drastic measures.

The tightly packed crowd instantly parted to clear a path for the two men, who only reined in their horses upon reaching the foot of the execution stage.

Assistant Director Liu vaulted down from his saddle.

Perhaps having ridden far too fiercely, his body failed to adjust immediately, causing him to stumble and nearly fall upon dismounting. Fortunately, nearby scholars rushed forward to steady him.

The grueling, high-speed journey had taken a heavy toll on Assistant Director Liu, but he had not a moment to spare for recovery.

Hurriedly, Assistant Director Liu turned to help the man accompanying him dismount.

The man was of an age comparable to Assistant Director Liu, yet his condition appeared far more wretched.

With disheveled hair and a pallid complexion, the scholar's robe he wore was torn in several places, and his legs trembled visibly.

Supported by Assistant Director Liu and a throng of scholars, the man finally managed to climb down from his horse with trembling limbs.

It defied imagination how men of their advanced years had managed to ride at such breakneck speed without tumbling to their deaths.

At this spectacle, Zhao Da's brows knitted tightly together.

Never had he anticipated that Assistant Director Liu would appear at this juncture. He scarcely needed to guess the man's intentions.

Though deeply displeased, Zhao Da rose to greet them.

"Greetings, Assistant Director Liu. And might this esteemed gentleman be...?"

Zhao Da inquired, casting a glance at the person beside Assistant Director Liu.

"Fang Zhengru."

Though appearing somewhat frail, the man spoke with a robust and resonant voice.

Hearing this name, Zhao Da stared at Fang Zhengru in profound disbelief.

Down below, the scholars fell into absolute silence, gazing at Fang Zhengru with eyes burning with reverence.

For this Fang Zhengru was no ordinary man—he was the venerated mentor of the reigning Emperor himself.

"G-Greetings, Lord Fang," Zhao Da stammered nervously.

He had never imagined that the illustrious Imperial Tutor would grace Dongyang County in person, and judging by the circumstances, he had come specifically for Chen Fan.

This realization filled Zhao Da with intense apprehension.

"Lord Zhao, Chen Fan has been grievously wronged," Assistant Director Liu interjected promptly.

Zhao Da's brow furrowed deeper still.

"Assistant Director, the crimes committed by Chen Fan are substantiated by irrefutable human and physical evidence. Furthermore, the Ministry of Punishments has issued a decree for his immediate execution. This humble official dares not defy the commands of the Ministry!"

Zhao Da invoked the Ministry of Punishments as a shield, feigning utter helplessness.

Assistant Director Liu showed not a shred of panic, instead breaking into a triumphant smile.

"This old man made a special trip to the Ministry of Punishments myself. Here is the latest decree issued to you by the Ministry, commanding you to reinvestigate this case thoroughly."

With that, Assistant Director Liu drew an official document from his robes and handed it to Zhao Da.

Zhao Da took the missive, scanning it repeatedly to confirm its authenticity. The seal and handwriting were undeniably those of the Ministry of Punishments, and its contents matched Assistant Director Liu's words precisely.

He never dreamed that Assistant Director Liu would travel all the way to the capital's Ministry of Punishments merely to secure this document for Chen Fan.

"Since it is an order from the Ministry, this humble official shall naturally obey. However, there is not a shred of evidence proving Chen Fan's innocence in this case!"

"Who says there is none? Why else would I have troubled Brother Zhengru to come along?"

Before Zhao Da's words had even faded, Assistant Director Liu retorted instantly.