58 Chapter 58: First Trial(3) - 3 years imprisonment
Half an hour later.
The Judgment Chief and the judges returned.
All rise.
The Judgment Chief announced the court decision, "According to the assessment of the judicial panel, the facts of this case have been clearly investigated and debated in court. Song Zhizhi instructed Zhou Xiaoqing to purchase abortion drugs and gave it to Nie Xiaofei, causing her miscarriage. That constitutes intentional harm. Considering the nature, circumstances, and threat to society of defendant Song Zhizhi's actions, in accordance with articles 120, 230, and 96 of the "Yanshang Country Criminal Law", the verdict is as follows:
1. Defendant Song Zhizhi is sentenced to three and a half years for intentional harm and one year and three months for incitement, which, in total, is three years and nine months in prison. The execution will be up to three years;
2. Zhou Xiaoqing, manipulated by someone else, is sentenced to three years for intentional harm.
The above is the verdict from the People's Court of Jin City. If you disagree, you may appeal within fifteen days of the decision's receipt.
Court adjourned!"
The court decision has concluded.
Everyone gets up, and after the Judgment Chief leaves, they all depart.
As the judgment was only receivable three days after the court session in Yanshang Country, that is, if no appeal is filed within eighteen days, Song Zhizhi would be detained.
Song Zhizhi left, along with Wen Tian, Song Zhidao, and Luo Xiaolang.
At the main gate of the court, a sea of journalists was still waiting.
As they came out, a journalist was interviewing Nie Wenzhi and Nie Xiaofei.
Song Zhizhi heard Nie Wenzhi saying, "Actually, this whole thing was my responsibility, if I had better managed these two daughters, this would not have happened. Regardless of the result, I feel terrible."
"As everybody knows, Mrs. Song treats Song Zhizhi as her own daughter. Now that she has done such a thing, aren't you disheartened? Why still find fault with yourself?"
"I'm not disheartened, I just blame myself for not taking proper care of her, leading her to face the risk of imprisonment…" Nie Wenzhi's eyes reddened as he spoke.
Song Zhizhi found this extremely ironic.
On the other hand, Song Zhidao was somewhat moved. He looked back at his sister's cold face, paused but eventually said nothing.
11:34
Just a few steps away, a reporter shouted loudly, "Song Zhizhi has emerged."
Then, the reporters around Nie Wenzhi rushed over in a gust, blocking their way.
Nie Wenzhi, Nie Xiaofei, and Yi Wenhan looked at the besieged Song Zhizhi. The three shared a glance, their faces seemed satisfied, as if their scheme had succeeded.
"Mrs. Song, Miss Nie, let's go." Zhang Meng gently reminded.
Nie Wenzhi nodded in agreement, leading Nie Xiaofei and Yi Wenhan away from the scene.
On the other hand, Song Zhizhi was having a really hard time.
She heard numerous voices whispering in her ear.
"Miss Song, do you accept the sentence? Do you think a three-year prison term is too harsh?"
"Miss Song, Yi Wenhan just said you still have feelings for him, yet you claimed to love Ji Baijian. Are you saying this because you still want to marry into the Ji Family?"
"Miss Song, could you please respond to that?"
"Miss Song....."
Song Zhizhi really didn't want to say a word.
Luo Xiaolang received a hint from Song Zhizhi, clenched his fists, and was about to forcefully suppress these ruthless journalists. However, at this moment, a familiar male voice suddenly sounded.
"If Song Zhizhi says she loves me, then she does!" A firm and captivating male voice, neither loud nor low, mellow and magnetic.
At that moment, Song Zhizhi felt as if the most beautiful voice in the world was speaking. It was so charming that it reminded her of the popular phrase "music to my ears." Ji Baijian's voice had such charm.
She looked at Ji Baijian.
Ji Baijian pushed away the reporters and came directly towards Song Zhizhi.
The reporters were stunned for a second, then they became even more excited when they saw Ji Baijian.
"Mr. Ji, do you believe Song Zhizhi loves you? Does it mean that there will be no changes to your engagement, and you don't mind Song Zhizhi's evil deeds?"
"Who said Song Zhizhi has done evil deeds?" Ji Baijian retorted, his face not looking good.
The reporter was somewhat uneasy and then said, "The court has just sentenced her. Song Zhizhi was found guilty of plotting against Nie Xiaofei and sentenced to three years' imprisonment."
"Even courts make mistakes, and I believe in Song Zhizhi!" Ji Baijian responded firmly.
"Mr. Ji, are you defending Song Zhizhi because you are compelled by the family marriage agreement and can't refuse? Or is it just because only Song Zhizhi would accept your physical condition, and your families are well-matched?" The reporter continued his sharp and direct questioning.
Ji Baijian's lips thinned in a line, his eyes chillingly fierce. "Didn't you say you don't believe what Song Zhizhi said before?"
The reporters looked puzzled.
"Well then, let me repeat it. My physical condition is good. I was not rendered impotent by the accident. I didn't bother to clarify the public's suspicions about me because I felt it was unnecessary. I don't have to explain my physical condition to any of you, except…" Ji Baijian extended his voice, emphasizing each word, "Song, Zhi, Zhi!"
It meant that the state of his body was his own business and he only had to answer to Song Zhizhi. Everyone else was inconsequential.
He didn't say anything particularly emotional, but Song Zhizhi felt inexplicably moved at that moment.
She thought that the secret Ji Baijian had kept for so many years was revealed for her sake. Was it because of love?
It must be because of love.