Chapter 53: Searching for Evidence

Hearing that Director Liu had evidence, Magistrate Zhao Da’s face instantly flashed a look of panic.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao down in the audience were frowning deeply.

Zhao Hongwei muttered something into Chen Hao’s ear, and cold sweat immediately broke out on Chen Hao’s forehead.

“This is the manuscript of the storybook *The Great Sage Sun* written by Chen Fan. We only need to compare this manuscript with the manuscript of *Water Margin*.”

“Then we can tell whether these two books came from the same person’s hand.”

Director Liu took out a manuscript of *The Great Sage Sun* from his robe and said.

“I ask Magistrate Zhao to please bring out the manuscript of *Water Margin* by Chen Fan!”

Director Liu looked at Zhao Da, but Zhao Da still did not move after hearing this.

Zhao Da gritted his teeth, looking rather conflicted.

“Comparing handwriting can naturally reveal whether there are differences between the two manuscripts, but what if the person making the comparison has a biased heart?”

“As far as this official knows, Director Liu greatly appreciates Chen Fan. If Director Liu were to make the comparison, I am afraid it would be difficult to convince the public!”

Saying this, Zhao Da cast a nervous glance at Director Liu before continuing.

“Why not let the private secretary of our county yamen make the comparison? He—”

“This handwriting comparison will be conducted by Lord Fang, the Imperial Tutor of the current dynasty. Magistrate Zhao surely won't doubt Lord Fang's impartiality, will he?”

Before Magistrate Zhao could finish his sentence, Director Liu directly interrupted him.

At this moment, Fang Zhengru also stepped forward.

“Magistrate Zhao, this old man considers himself to have some attainment in handwriting comparison. You have no objection to me making the comparison, do you?”

Fang Zhengru looked at Zhao Da expressionlessly and said.

Hearing this, cold sweat instantly poured down Zhao Da’s head.

“N-No objection.”

Zhao Da looked at Fang Zhengru with extreme nervousness and said.

Facing Fang Zhengru, Zhao Da didn't even dare to meet his gaze.

One must know that Fang Zhengru was not only a great scholar of his generation, but also the emperor’s personal tutor, holding an extraordinary relationship with the sovereign.

If he were to say a single word before the emperor, it could completely alter Zhao Da’s destiny.

Therefore, facing Fang Zhengru, Zhao Da naturally did not dare to act presumptuously.

At this time, Director Liu handed the two manuscripts over to Fang Zhengru, and Fang Zhengru immediately began comparing them on the spot.

Zhao Da, standing to the side, watched as the cold sweat poured down like a flowing stream.

Soon, a puddle of water formed on the ground around Zhao Da.

Unconsciously, Zhao Da looked toward Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao in the audience, only to see that their situation was no better than his own.

The two of them were so nervous that their faces had turned pale.

The scholars in the audience held their breath, afraid of disturbing Fang Zhengru.

Time ticked away second by second. Fang Zhengru continued his meticulous comparison, while the sweat poured from Zhao Da even faster.

Down below, the legs of Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao were trembling as if they might collapse at any moment.

The puddle of water on the ground around them was almost deep enough to raise fish.

“These two books were not written by the same person.”

How much time had passed was unknown, but to Zhao Da, Zhao Hongwei, and Chen Hao, it felt as long as several centuries.

Fang Zhengru laid down the two manuscripts in his hands and spoke.

As soon as Fang Zhengru uttered these words, Zhao Da’s pupils dilated instantly.

Chen Fan also let out a breath of relief.

“The handwriting of these two manuscripts shows distinct differences.”

“In the manuscript of *The Great Sage Sun*, the strokes are very even. In the manuscript of *Water Margin*, the strokes exhibit clear fractures.”

“Clearly, the two writers had different writing habits, so this old man concludes that these two manuscripts are not from the same person.”

Fang Zhengru said with a confident expression.

“I told you Mr. Chen was wronged! Thank goodness Director Liu and Lord Fang arrived in time, otherwise Mr. Chen would have been unjustly put to death.”

“The matter is clear now, hurry up and release him.”

“Release him!”

……

The scholars below shouted one after another.

Magistrate Zhao on the stage was momentarily dazed, his lips trembling slightly.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhengru looked at the passionate and fiery scholars in the audience, a look of curiosity dawning on his face.

Unnoticed by anyone, Chen Hao and Zhao Hongwei collapsed in despair, sitting directly on the ground.

“Magistrate Zhao, the facts are already clear. Why haven't you released him yet?”

Director Liu said to Zhao Da with a cold face.

Hearing this, Zhao Da did not move; his mind raced at high speed until suddenly, his eyes lit up.

“He cannot be released just yet.”

Zhao Da suddenly declared.

“Does Magistrate Zhao not trust this old man’s judgment?”

No sooner had Zhao Da spoken than Fang Zhengru instantly voiced his displeasure.

He was a dignified Imperial Tutor; how could a mere county magistrate dare to question him?

“Lord Fang has misunderstood. This official naturally trusts Lord Fang.”

Zhao Da quickly said.

Hearing this, everyone present wore perplexed expressions. Since he trusted Fang Zhengru’s conclusion, why wasn't he releasing the prisoner?

“It's just—how can we be certain that this manuscript of *The Great Sage Sun* came from Chen Fan’s own hand?”

“This book has already sold quite a few copies. What if someone deliberately forged a manuscript just to rescue Chen Fan?”

Zhao Da said with a stern face.

These words left Director Liu momentarily speechless.

The scholars below also fell silent.

Seeing this, a cold sneer crept onto the corner of Zhao Da’s mouth.

Zhao Hongwei and Chen Hao, who had previously collapsed, stood back up at this moment.

In their hearts, they could not help but praise that ginger truly grows more pungent the older it gets!

“This manuscript was given to me by Chen Fan himself. I can prove that it came from his hand.”

At that exact moment, an alluring woman suddenly stepped forward.

As soon as this woman stepped out, she immediately captured the gaze of everyone present.

Upon seeing the woman's visage, a single word sprang to the minds of all: enchanting.

This alluring woman was none other than Su Wenqi.

And the manuscript of *The Great Sage Sun* in Director Liu’s hands was the very one she had given him.

Chen Fan’s gaze toward Su Wenqi became extremely complicated.

Seeing the sudden appearance of this woman, Zhao Da showed no appreciation in his eyes; instead, there was only fury.

“Who are you? What evidence do you have to prove this manuscript came from Chen Fan’s hand?”

Zhao Da asked with a cold face.

Meeting Zhao Da’s stern and fierce expression, a trace of fear flickered in Su Wenqi’s eyes, yet she did not retreat.

“Replying to Magistrate Zhao, this humble woman is called Su Wenqi, and I am Chen Fan’s... aunt.”

“This manuscript of *The Great Sage Sun* was given to me by Chen Fan back then.”

After Su Wenqi finished speaking, her cheeks flushed slightly red, making her look all the more captivating.

“You are his aunt, why would he give this manuscript to you?”

Zhao Da asked, unwilling to let it go.

Hearing this, Su Wenqi’s cheeks grew noticeably redder, and a hint of panic appeared in her eyes.

“This humble woman has a daughter who is extremely fond of Chen Fan’s storybooks, so Chen Fan gave this book to my daughter.”

Su Wenqi quickly explained.

“You claim this book was given to your daughter by Chen Fan, do you have any evidence to prove it?”

Zhao Da retorted.

Upon hearing this, Su Wenqi could only shake her head silently.

Because when Chen Fan gave her this manuscript, there was no third party present.

Seeing this, Zhao Da felt a wave of relief wash over him, and a smile crept onto the corner of his mouth.

“Since there is no evidence, what on earth are you using to prove this manuscript was written by Chen Fan?”

“This official now suspects that you are fabricating false testimony in order to rescue Chen Fan.”

“Are you an accomplice of Chen Fan?”

At that moment, Zhao Da suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.