Ms. Pan was almost fainting, prison, or being caned? She couldn’t accept either.

In contrast, Eldest Pan, with a sullen face and anger unable to release, respectfully asked Qi Lie, "May I ask, my Lord, if we’re to replace imprisonment with caning or flogging, how many strokes would be required?"

Qi Lie remained expressionless, "For fornication, it’s eighty strokes, the punishment is the same for both men and women."

That means not just Ms. Pan, but even the Pan Family’s butler who was accused by Ms. Pan, would have to face the same punishment.

However, eighty... Ms. Pan, being a woman and already of age, for her, it’s tantamount to a death sentence; she simply couldn’t bear it.

Pan, in utter panic, grabbed Eldest Pan’s arm, "Big brother, save me, save me, I don’t want to go to prison or be caned, I will die." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Eldest Pan closed his eyes; how could he save her? He was just a merchant, without power or influence. The only background he had was due to his sister’s husband, but he was a wealthy merchant from another place; what use was that?

Wait, could this situation be ameliorated with money?

Eldest Pan quietly raised his head and glanced at Qi Lie, only to quickly lower his head again.

No, even if money could replace it, the amount wouldn’t be small; perhaps half of the Pan Family’s wealth would be drained.

Rather than that, it might be better to let little sister go to prison. Anyway, now that her deeds have been exposed, the Pan Family has become a laughingstock. Sister going to prison at least avoids the storm; if not, staying at the Pan home, the situation would only worsen.

Thus, Eldest Pan shook his head, "This is Dasu’s law, what can I possibly do?"

Ms. Pan let go, collapsing to the ground in despair.

Qi Lie understood, "Ms. Pan and the Pan Family butler committed adultery, even bearing two children. In accordance with Dasu law, sentenced to two years in prison, executed immediately."

Chen He and Chen Qiu were even more stupefied; not only were they children of mere servants, but also born of adultery.

Chen Qiu thought of himself as yet unmarried, and the local scholar Xun Sheng whom he almost got engaged to, finally couldn’t contain himself and burst into tears, then turned to hit Chen He, "Why did you reveal it, why did you come out and say it?"

Chen Bing suddenly burst into laughter, pointing at the sibling pair and scolding them doggedly, then pointing viciously at Ms. Pan, "You were afraid I’d get you implicated and wanted a divorce. Well, look now, you yourself will serve two years in prison. What’s the difference with me?"

Qi Lie raised an eyebrow, "There’s still some difference between you two."

Chen Bing stopped, his eyes still blood-red, as he heard Qi Lie said, "The case hasn’t yet announced the final results. The criminal Chen Bing, associated with Constable Li in a major conspiracy case, sentenced to exile three thousand miles."

Chen Bing’s pupils dilated, what major conspiracy case, what did the Lord just say? He, he did nothing but frame a young servant, how is it now three thousand miles of exile?

That was exile, how could he withstand it?

"My Lord, I’m innocent, there must be some misunderstanding. My Lord, don’t leave..."

Qi Lie slapped the gavel, and stood up to leave the courtroom.

The case had been tried, and Chen Bing crawled forward, "My Lord, wait..."

No one waited for him; Chen Bing was held by two officers and dragged away.

After being dragged a few steps, Shu Yu appeared, and immediately they stopped, "Wen’an County Lord."

"Hmm, we have something to say to him."

"Please, County Lord." The officers released Chen Bing’s arms.