Chapter 61: The Importance of Clinging to the Right Thigh in a World Dominated by Imperial Power
As the townspeople retreated, the square gradually emptied.
Under Steward Xue's discreet signal, the yamen runners surrounded the two Scarred Men.
No escape this time!
Chu Wenqian gave the table a forceful thump, looking smug as he addressed the two Scarred Men, "Arrest these two bandit leaders."
This time, there's nowhere for you to run.
Asking for mercy now is out of the question.
Back to the prison with them, and their heads will roll!
Surprisingly, the two Scarred Men not only didn't run but fearlessly approached Chu Wenqian.
In the eyes of the bandit henchmen, the top and second-in-command seemed to embrace death willingly!
Therefore, one of them shed tears and said, "Top boss, second boss, don't worry about me, just run!"
"Brothers... we won't blame you!"
The Scarred Men, however, ignored their comrade's words and turned to the crowd, shouting loudly, "As the leaders of our gang, we fear no death!"
"I am here today to expose the true face of this official."
These words plunged the crowd into stunned silence.
The true face of the official?
Could it be that the collusion between officials and bandits is true?
The next moment, the Scarred Men pointed at Chu Wenqian and said loudly, "Do you know why this official fails in every bandit extermination?"
"Because I offer him a substantial tribute every year."
"Collusion between officials and bandits, understand?"
"Not only that, but all those arrogant local bullies and tyrants in Shengzhou City are acting under the secret instructions of this official..."
Damn it, he would settle the score sooner or later.
But it hurt so much.
The atmosphere became increasingly eerie...
Townspeople: "...?"
Is what this bandit leader saying true?
But, every festival, the magistrate distributes food and helps the poor and homeless...
Could it be that the magistrate is deceiving them, the common people, under the guise of charity?
If that's the case, they would collectively file a complaint.
Since Magistrate Chu took office, the public security in Shengzhou City has indeed deteriorated.
Chu Wenqian looked at the skeptical gazes of the townspeople and suddenly panicked.
Was this rascal planning to expose everything today?
Humph! The fish might die, but the net... won't break!
If they had known their place, his henchmen would have been spared.
Now, that's no longer possible!
He feigned composure and, with an angry expression, pointed at the two men in front of him, roaring, "Arrest them immediately and throw them into the prison!"
"If they dare to resist, kill them... without mercy!"
The yamen runners, ready to act at any moment, exchanged glances and drew their daggers, closing in on the two men...
Just as the yamen runners were about to take action, a sweet voice rang out from the crowd, "Stop!"
Welcome Jiang Ru's grand entrance!
The townspeople, hearing the voice from behind, spontaneously made way.
Jiang Ru, dressed in a white gown, slowly emerged into everyone's view.
She came to the most conspicuous spot, stood tall, and slowly raised the Dragon Soul Sword in her hand...
"His Majesty" is here...
Uh, I wonder if they recognize her.
What if they don't, would I make a fool of myself?
Jiang Ru muttered in her heart: His Majesty's divine spirit...
The townspeople gazed at the familiar-looking young lady, whispered to each other.
"This girl looks like someone we've seen before."
"She does seem familiar."
A woman said excitedly, "Oh, I remember now, it's her who exposed the bandit's hideout!"
Once this was said, everyone quickly recalled the scene where the bandits were bound together and brought to the magistrate's office.
Chu Wenqian, watching Jiang Ru intervene in his work, felt a chilling sense of foreboding as he didn't notice the Dragon Soul Sword in her hand.
He watched the boldly expressive Jiang Ru and grumbled inwardly, "Daring to interfere with my handling of the case, she's truly audacious."
Steward Xue was somewhat surprised by Jiang Ru's actions. When he saw the golden Dragon Pattern Sword, he immediately went weak in the legs... and knelt.
The Dragon Soul Sword? This was the very sword His Majesty used during his reign and on his personal expeditions.
In that battle, the Xuan Yu Dynasty, outnumbered by twice the Great Yan Dynasty's forces, suffered a crushing defeat.
Border generals believed that this sword held the spirit of a dragon.
Upon returning to the capital, His Majesty named it the "Dragon Soul Sword"!
From then on, this sword symbolized supreme authority.
There was even a folk legend that whoever possessed this sword would be the next monarch.
But, why was it here?
Suddenly, Steward Xue recalled Chu Wenqian's words.
Could this Jiang Ru be the... Consort An, the one His Lordship mentioned?
Could it be that His Majesty passed on the Dragon Soul Sword to Prince An?
If that were the case, His Majesty... had deliberately chosen to pass the throne to Prince An.
Oh dear, who said a phoenix without feathers was inferior to a chicken!
His Lordship, at this moment, was merely temporarily unconscious, and when he woke up, His current Majesty was afraid...
Steward Xue turned pale and, trembling, crawled to Chu Wenqian's side, stammering, "My Lord, she's holding the Dragon, Dragon Soul Sword."
Chu Wenqian, upon hearing this, widened his eyes in shock.
Once he recognized it, his face changed drastically.
Is that really the Dragon Soul Sword?
Why is it in her... hand?
Jiang Ru, observing Chu Wenqian's change of expression, felt triumphant.
Haha... the importance of choosing the right patron in a world where imperial power reigns supreme.
That guy Xue Mocheng, with his sharp chin and monkey-like face, had no trace of imperial demeanor.
He could only play around as a crown prince!
The throne... belongs to her "patron."
Chu Wenqian stood up from his seat, staggered over to Jiang Ru, and knelt down with a "thud."
He trembled all over and couldn't utter a word.
It's over.
Will Jiang Ru use that sword to kill him?
The crowd: "...?"
What's going on?
Why is the Magistrate kneeling?
Seeing the resolute Jiang Ru, they murmured to themselves: Could this young lady be someone important?
Uh, the Magistrate himself is kneeling; it doesn't seem right for them to remain standing!
In a matter of moments, everyone around knelt.
Jiang Ru, maintaining a seemingly indifferent expression, was secretly itching to burst into laughter.
His Majesty, truly remarkable.
In terms of family ties, you're my "temporary" royal father.
We're family, and for the sake of the Great Yan Dynasty's people... I'm going to use you.
Jiang Ru cleared her throat, looked at the sword in her hand with a sparkle in her eye.
Hehe! I'm quite clever, you know.
No matter what, when it comes to playing tricks and being mysterious, I'm the best.
Chapter 62: Seeing Is Believing, Words Alone Are Not Enough
"Everyone, please rise!"
Jiang Ru's voice echoed above the bustling market square.
With every gesture, Jiang Ru exuded an air of righteousness.
Only after Chu Wenqian stood up did the townspeople slowly follow suit.
The townspeople couldn't help but feel that something extraordinary was about to happen in Shengzhou City.
Those who knew the origin of the sword were trembling slightly.
Those who didn't, on the other hand, assumed the sword-wielding woman was of high status.
Among them were some townspeople who had heard about Jiang Ru and her group's special circumstances. Because of this, they kept silent about their identities.
Jiang Ru glanced at the townspeople, who were waiting for her next words. She spoke with strength and conviction, "Dear fellow townspeople, this sword is named the Dragon Soul Sword."
"Our late Emperor once wielded it on countless battlefields, infusing it with the spirit of a dragon."
Jiang Ru thought secretly: It sounds quite majestic.
The townspeople: "...?"
Dragon Soul Sword?
They really should've paid more attention.
If they had known, they would have taken a closer look.
Well, it's not too late to sneak a peek now and brag about it later.
To set the mood, Jiang Ru deliberately paused.
"When we entered the territory of Shengzhou, this sword suddenly emitted a buzzing sound—a phenomenon that startled me."
"It's evident that, in some mysterious way, this sword was trying to communicate something."
"When we encountered this group of bandits, I suddenly understood the meaning of this sword."
"It must be the late Emperor's divine sign, instructing me to eradicate not only the bandits but also corrupt officials who embezzle and broke the law."
After Jiang Ru finished speaking, Nangong Yi, who was hidden among the crowd, clapped his hands enthusiastically, his face filled with excitement.
Haha! Look at the momentum of Ru Ru. It's even more domineering than back in the day!
Jiang Ru's words, while containing an element of persuasion, strangely had an air of credibility.
The atmosphere at the scene became unexpectedly serious.
At this moment, Chu Wenqian was no longer as frightened as he was earlier.
After serving as an official for many years, if he couldn't handle a situation like this, he might as well have been a waste of space.
As the Emperor's cousin by marriage, what if he made a small mistake?
In the end, when his cousin, the Empress, whispered a few words to the Emperor in bed...
Furthermore, this wretched man couldn't produce any evidence of their collusion. Even if the late Emperor himself came down, what could he do?
Today, he would make them realize how perceptive the Marquis of Ma truly was.
With this in mind, Chu Wenqian couldn't help but show a smug smile.
He glanced at the Dragon Soul Sword in Jiang Ru's hand, his expression filled with pride, and said to the bald bandit leader, "You claim that I, as an official, have colluded with you bandits. Do you have any evidence?"
The bald bandit leader winced as he struggled to rise from the ground, aggravating his wound, which made him grimace in pain. However, at that moment, the pain from his beating earlier seemed less significant.
As Chu Wenqian voiced his question, he felt a sudden eagerness for revenge. He retaliated without showing any weakness, "Evidence?"
"Of course, I have evidence. Today, I'll show you what it means to catch someone red-handed, hmph!"
Jiang Ru, who was enjoying the spectacle, couldn't resist joining in. With an air of impartiality, she added, "Words alone are not enough; seeing is believing. I believe even the late Emperor in the heavens would want to know the truth."
She thought to herself, "Get ready for a major twist of events. You probably have no idea yet!"
This time, you will face the consequences of your actions.
In the end, Jiang Ru selected several representatives among the townspeople who had been previously robbed by the bandits to accompany them to the "crime scene."
Xue Shiyue and the bailiffs followed closely behind, while the curious townsfolk tagged along. They were determined not to leave until everything was made clear.
Jiang Ru led the way with the Dragon Soul Sword in hand, striding forward as if she were the star of the show.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chengjin, who had sneaked out to watch the spectacle, wore a silver mask and leisurely stood by the window of a teahouse.
Beneath the mask, his deep eyes held a faint smile as he gazed intently at the white figure.
Ru Ru had been incredibly imposing just now, showing great potential as a queen. He wondered if his associate in the shadows could execute his plan effectively.
If they dared to mess things up... they would be returning to the shadow corps!
Jiang Ru felt a sense of unease; it seemed that there were "unfriendly" eyes lurking in the shadows.
No, perhaps there were thieves eyeing her sword!
Oh no, it was like the ancient saying: "Hiding a jade ring invites guilt." In this case, it was "Hiding a sword invites guilt!"
Jiang Ru looked around warily and gripped the sword tightly. In her mind, she muttered, "If anyone dares to snatch it, I'll use you to sacrifice the sword."
The crowd followed them to the entrance of the government office, watching Jiang Ru and her group enter.
Chu Wenqian, observing their audacious strides, began to feel uneasy. Weren't they heading to... his study?
They looked as if they were very familiar with the government office's backyard.
At this moment, Chu Wenqian couldn't maintain his calm facade any longer. He muttered to himself inwardly, "These people clearly came prepared!"
But how did they know about the study...?
Suddenly, Chu Wenqian thought of his wife, who had been somewhat "quiet."
Feeling unwell?
Hmph! That foolish woman must have done something stupid and was avoiding him!
Chu Wenqian subconsciously looked towards his wife's courtyard.
You foolish woman, dare to ruin my affairs, and I'll divorce you!
Jiang Ru, deliberately slowing her pace, sneakily glanced at Chu Wenqian, who was peering into his wife's courtyard.
Yes, it was his wife who had told me about the hidden treasures in their house.
Meanwhile, the Governor's wife, who had been secretly informed about the situation, hastily approached, deeply concerned about the unexpected turn of events.
Due to the loss of the treasures from the secret chamber, the Governor's wife had been living in constant fear, unable to sleep or eat. She prayed in her heart, "Please, don't let my husband know about the missing treasures."
At this moment, Xiaoxi, who had already obtained information, hurriedly approached the Governor's wife and whispered a few words to her.
After hearing the message, the Governor's wife didn't know whether to be happy or worried. She was happy because the secret chamber was now empty, and there was no longer any evidence of collusion between officials and bandits. However, she was worried that when her husband found out that all the items in the secret chamber were missing, he might faint from anger.
Well, she could only watch the situation unfold calmly now.
However, when she thought about it, with these outsiders showing up at her doorstep, as the Governor's wife, she couldn't just stand idly by!
No, she had to take charge of this situation.
At this critical moment, she needed to rush forward and throw a tantrum on behalf of her husband...
With that in mind, the Governor's wife, accompanied by her maidservants, quickly followed behind.
Chapter 63: She Can Dig into Anyone's Past
In front of the study door, Jiang Ru gave the bald bandit leader a meaningful look, her intentions clear.
Come on!
The opportunity to redeem yourself has arrived.
Upon receiving Jiang Ru's hint, the bald bandit leader first bowed to the townspeople who had been robbed by his gang in the past, expressing his apology. "Today, I will personally help you recover the possessions that were stolen from you."
Damn it, he thought, what was the point of all that early morning thieving?
Ah, the life of a bandit is truly unappetizing!
Several "representatives" responded to the belated apology of the bald bandit leader with cold snorts.
They thought, "Back then, you were extremely ruthless in your robbery. I was so scared I nearly wet myself. Did we dare to complain?"
Chu Wenqian, by now pale with fear, frantically signaled the bald bandit leader with his eyes.
You better stop this.
He felt an intense hatred inside him. How had he allowed these people to lead him by the nose like this?
The bald bandit leader chuckled at Chu Wenqian's plight and was about to push open the study door when...
"Stop!"
The Governor's wife shouted loudly, her skirts billowing as she quickly stepped forward, blocking the entrance to the study.
She glared at the group in front of her with an irritated expression and scolded, "Who are you people, daring to act recklessly in the government office's backyard?"
The bald bandit leader was taken aback.
Could he really lay a hand on a woman?
What should he do?
Better let the madam handle it!
So, the bald bandit leader turned his head slightly and exchanged glances with Jiang Ru.
Quick, get rid of this meddling woman!
Chu Wenqian watched as the Governor's wife suddenly blocked their path. He was quite satisfied with her current performance.
Even so, he couldn't help but mutter about his wife, "Hmph! I suppose you have some use after all."
Jiang Ru, looking at the intimidated bald bandit leader, couldn't help but smile.
She walked up to the Governor's wife and suddenly placed the sword horizontally at her neck.
"Hi there, Governor's wife. We meet again."
At the moment the sword touched her neck, the Governor's wife's pupils suddenly contracted, her legs almost giving way.
Where had this madman come from, daring to commit such a blatant act of violence?
Oh dear, thankfully she was carrying the sword sheath... Otherwise, her life would be in jeopardy.
Her gaze slowly moved to the Dragon Mark Sword...
Hmm, why did it look somewhat like the legendary... Dragon Soul Sword?
Well, well, they dared to fake something as precious as the Huang family's possessions. Truly audacious.
Jiang Ru noticed every change in the Governor's wife's expression.
Before the Governor's wife could protest, Jiang Ru took the initiative.
She lowered the sword, holding it with both hands, and presented it. "Do you know its origin?"
As expected, when the Governor's wife heard this question from Jiang Ru, she became infuriated.
She burst out, "You're making a fraudulent display here. The Dragon Soul Sword is a royal possession. The one in your hand is fake!"
Jiang Ru said, "Oh, so you do know about the Dragon Soul Sword!"
Chu Wenqian, hearing this, couldn't contain his frustration.
He stepped forward, pulled his wife to the side, and scolded her in a low voice, "She's the exiled Princess An."
It was perfectly normal for the sword to end up in the hands of Princess An, considering that the late Emperor had given it to Prince An.
The Governor's wife suddenly felt wronged.
It's not like she had "I'm the exiled Princess An" written on her face. How was I supposed to know?
Forget it; this sword's status is too high for her to dare to provoke.
When the meddler stepped aside, the bald bandit leader moved forward, taking a step to kick open the study door...
Chu Wenqian and his wife knew that there was no room to salvage the situation. They watched helplessly as more than a dozen people stormed into the study.
The two exchanged glances and nervously followed into the study.
Anya and the other royal guard each took their positions inside and outside the study, keeping a close watch on the surroundings.
One had to admit that their master was indeed clever. He had pulled off this unexpected move, leaving this corrupt official caught off guard.
Once the people entered, the bald bandit leader arrogantly placed his hands on a vase...
This lady is truly impressive! She can dig into anyone's past.
Terrifying, truly terrifying!
With a resounding bang, the secret chamber's door opened, and Chu Wenqian and his wife collapsed on the ground.
Both of them, at the same time, lamented in their hearts: This is it.
But their "this is it" meant different things. One feared that the secret chamber's stolen treasures would be exposed, while the other was worried they wouldn't be found.
After lighting the chamber's candles, several "representatives" entered...
Following that, various exclamations echoed from the secret chamber.
"Haha, I've finally found my family's heirloom jade pendant."
"What's in this box... it's our family's assets! Haha, I never expected they'd all be here."
...
The bald bandit leader, upon hearing this, had a big black line on his face.
He had a feeling that these people were implying that they were foolish.
So, they didn't even know how they had spent the stolen silver? Were they truly that foolish?
Jiang Ru, watching the joyous expressions of the crowd, couldn't help but smile.
And when she saw the complicated expressions on the faces of the bald bandit leader and his accomplice, she couldn't suppress a laugh.
She didn't expect these bandits to be such misers. Now, they must be regretting their decisions!
Looking at her dowry, Jiang Ru deliberately exclaimed, "Oh! Aren't these the dowries my uncle prepared for me?"
After saying this, she scolded the two men, "Blame you bandits for robbing my dowry. As a result, I received nothing from my maternal family when I got married."
The two men, the bald bandit leader, and his companion, glared at Jiang Ru, coldly snorting in response.
What is she pretending for?
Outside the study, the Governor's wife was petrified upon hearing these words.
What were they talking about?
Wasn't the secret chamber emptied?
Why is this matter so strange?
She became increasingly frightened as she thought about it and then fainted on the spot.
At that moment, Chu Wenqian's mind went blank. He didn't even notice that his wife had fainted next to him.
In his mind, there was only one voice: Quickly think of a solution...
Jiang Ru thought that the prelude to the drama had been set up, and it was time to perform the most exciting part.
In the astonished eyes of the crowd, she walked out of the secret chamber with an air of indignation.
Jiang Ru glanced at the fainted Governor's wife, then stood in front of Chu Wenqian, and sternly said, "Corrupt official, we have both witnesses and evidence. What else do you have to say?"
Chu Wenqian's brain spun in confusion as he desperately tried to appear composed.
"I don't know how this happened," he craftily argued. "I've been stationed in Shengzhou for years and had no idea there was a secret chamber in the study."
In an instant, Chu Wenqian suddenly thought of the previous Prefect, Lord Yun.
"I know now; it must have been a secret stash left by the previous Prefect, Lord Yun."
As soon as the several "representatives" who came out of the secret chamber heard this, they were furious and rushed forward to accuse Chu Wenqian.
"You corrupt official, don't slander Lord Yun!"
"If it weren't for your arrival, Lord Yun would not have been demoted."
"Yes, Lord Yun was the most upright official in the Great Yan Dynasty. You have no right to defame him!"
...
Jiang Ru was left stunned by the scene.
Fascinating!
Such an interesting turn of events. If only Lord Yun could be here to witness it...
Chapter 64: All Set, Just Waiting for the East Wind
Chu Wenqian had never expected that merely mentioning "Lord Yun" would provoke such an intense reaction from them.
Initially, when he took office, many citizens were disappointed with the transfer of the virtuous and public-spirited Lord Yun.
So, he quickly took the opportunity when he first arrived to distribute porridge and help the impoverished, building a good reputation for himself.
But now, these people seemed to have no appreciation for his efforts.
Thinking about this, Chu Wenqian couldn't help but curse them in his heart: What a bunch of ungrateful people.
Among the bailiffs outside the study, two had served under Lord Yun.
Upon hearing Chu Wenqian's words, a hint of anger flashed in their eyes.
How could anyone dare to defame Lord Yun by suggesting he had hidden wealth privately?
That was simply impossible!
Back when Lord Yun was in office, he was truly an upright and devoted official, always working for the people.
Three simple meals of plain rice porridge a day.
Besides his official robes and three sets of ceremonial clothing, he wore coarse clothes in private.
Nothing like you, living in luxury every day, surrounded by beautiful concubines.
Jiang Ru paid no attention to Chu Wenqian's nonsense and sneered before leaving the study.
She raised the sword in her hand and addressed the row of bailiffs, saying, "Bring the stolen goods from the secret chamber to the courtroom."
"The late Emperor is watching, hurry up."
Chu Wenqian, who was sitting on the ground, signaled to the bailiffs outside with his eyes.
Can you guys please move the items for me?
The bailiffs received Chu Wenqian's threatening gaze and exchanged glances.
Brothers, should we... move them or not?
Jiang Ru, without leaving any trace of her intentions, pulled out her sword...
Almost the moment the sword left its sheath, those two bailiffs led the way and rushed into the study.
Jiang Ru watched their backs and couldn't help but comment, "What a bunch of cowards. If you're brave, stand still here. With this sword in my hand, I can handle all kinds of stubbornness and disobedience."
Chu Wenqian, looking at his spineless subordinates, couldn't help but tremble with anger.
After all the wealth from the secret chamber was moved to the courtroom, Jiang Ru gestured with her eyes to Anya, who led Chu Wenqian to the courtroom.
Once the group left the study, Xiao Qian and another maid hurriedly dragged the fainted Governor's wife back to her room.
Chu Wenqian had a premonition that his position as the Prefect was hanging by a thread.
At this moment, the crowd of citizens waiting outside the courtroom had already become fervent.
Especially those who had been robbed before, upon hearing that there was a chance their stolen property might be recovered, were filled with indescribable excitement.
Knowing about Chu Wenqian's secret accumulation of wealth, the conversation among the people naturally turned to the former Prefect, Lord Yun.
Previously, they had simply thought that Lord Yun was demoted due to "poor performance."
But now, it seemed that he had been deliberately squeezed out by certain people!
"If only we had known, we should have jointly petitioned the court to keep Lord Yun."
"Yes! Ever since Lord Yun left, our taxes have increased significantly."
"The extra taxes must have been embezzled by some corrupt officials!"
...
Nangong Yi watched the fervent discussions among the common people with secret delight.
What did he say?
The position of Lord Yun, this fatherly official, was unshakable in the hearts of the people.
When Nangong Yi sensed the opportune moment, he exclaimed righteously, "We must collectively petition the court to have Lord Yun reinstated!"
These words quickly resonated with the common people, and Nangong Yi, satisfied with their enthusiastic response, left discreetly.
Haha, he was off to secretly suggest this to Ruru
Meanwhile, An Er, dispatched by Xiao Chengjin, was driving a carriage toward Shengzhou City. He was rushing in the direction of the Prefect's office.
Inside the carriage, two middle-aged men dressed in coarse clothing were thrown about, their faces pale.
These two individuals were none other than Lord Yun and Sir Su.
Xiao Chengjin may appear to be an idle prince, but privately, he had some knowledge of the officials in the Great Yan Dynasty.
Upon learning of Jiang Ru and her uncle's intentions, he decided to bring Lord Yun here, giving Ruru a pleasant surprise.
So, he dispatched the ever-obliging An Er to handle the task.
An Er was currently feeling rather smug. Since his master woke up, he had been subtly poking and testing him. Did he think he hadn't noticed?
Unfortunately, the master would be disappointed again.
This time, he had successfully completed his mission, so there was no need to return to the secret guard camp.
Haha, it seemed like even the heavens were on his side.
This whole thing began earlier in the morning. During breakfast, when his lady went to the front yard to dine, the master saw an opportunity and immediately arranged for him to go to Linyang County to invite Lord Yun.
The master had given him just two hours for the task, which was basically setting him up for failure.
He swiftly prepared a carriage and urged the horses...
Surprisingly, halfway there, he encountered Lord Yun.
His luck was simply unmatched.
Well, he wondered why Lord Yun had come to Shengzhou City in the first place?
Back at the courtroom, Jiang Ru sat coolly in Chu Wenqian's seat, her face composed and rational.
Xue Shiyue, who had been guarding the courtroom, sensed that today's situation wasn't looking good.
The Prefect probably wouldn't recover from this.
As a result, as her lady's maid, he should also start seeking another way out.
He looked at Jiang Ru, who was seated at the highest position in the courtroom, and felt that this woman was extraordinary.
Could he take this opportunity to voluntarily reveal all the wrongdoings Chu Wenqian had committed and then... seek credit?
With this in mind, Xue Shiyue cast a calculating look at Jiang Ru.
Around every corrupt official, there was always a cunning attendant. This attendant, with his shifty eyes and crafty appearance, was no exception.
Xue Shiyue, who had made up his mind, wore a face full of fawning smiles and approached Jiang Ru...
But when Jiang Ru saw Xue Shiyue approaching her, she immediately pointed her sword at him and said, "Stop!"
Xue Shiyue, looking at the sword pointed at him, was taken aback.
Could she have seen through my intentions?
Impossible!
Chu Wenqian, who stood on the other side, watched Xue Shiyue's obsequious behavior and felt his veins throb with anger.
Based on his understanding of this attendant, he could instantly see what Xue Shiyue was planning.
This ungrateful scoundrel!
He dared to use betrayal to... seek credit!
At this moment, Chu Wenqian deeply regretted not being more cautious with Xue Shiyue.
After all, Xue Shiyue seemed to know almost everything he had done.
Jiang Ru glanced at both men and, with a sinister smile, said, "People who do so much evil should keep their distance from this sword. Otherwise... it might resist the urge to kill."
Xue Shiyue heard this and quickly took several steps back, his face filled with fear.
This woman seemed so intimidating.
Well, for now, he should back off temporarily.
He could seize the opportunity later!
Jiang Ru looked at Nangong Yi, who raised his thumbs up at the door, and knew that everything was in place, just waiting for the right moment.
She placed her sword on the table and quietly picked up the gavel.
Well, let her handle this case as "the late Emperor" today!
Haha, nobody should interfere today.
No matter what, she wanted to experience being the Prefect for a while.
Chapter 65: Truly Deserving of Protection
As the gavel struck, the courtroom fell into a sudden, heavy silence, both inside and outside.
Jiang Ru stood tall and suddenly turned her gaze toward Chu Wenqian, who wore a displeased expression.
"Prefect, in front of the people of Shengzhou City, explain the origins of this stolen property," she demanded firmly. "Don't attempt to incriminate yourself."
Chu Wenqian, unwilling to appear weak, decided to counterattack. "Jiang Ru, Xiao Chengjin has already been demoted to a commoner, and you are no longer the esteemed Princess An..."
"You are clever, and you must understand... the principle of not meddling in others' affairs."
Jiang Ru, upon hearing Chu Wenqian's words, suddenly perked up. This guy was insinuating that she was meddling in others' business.
He even ridiculed her husband for being demoted.
"The Prefect's intentions, I understand very well," Jiang Ru said, her tone sharp. "However..."
Changing the subject, she continued with a stern voice, "Regarding this matter, I, Jiang Ru, will take charge."
Chu Wenqian, pointing a finger at her, attempted to speak, but Jiang Ru completely ignored him and instructed An Yi, "Go and ask the common people outside if they have encountered any injustice during Mr. Chu's tenure. If they have, they can come to the courtroom and confront the Prefect."
An Yi promptly bowed and withdrew.
Chu Wenqian secretly thought, even if they've experienced injustice, those timid common people wouldn't dare to come to the courtroom to confront him personally.
The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense.
After about a quarter of an hour, an elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane, entered the courtroom tremblingly.
She cast a resentful glance at Chu Wenqian and knelt directly on the ground. Instead of shouting, she spoke calmly, "Since the late Emperor has manifested himself in Shengzhou City, it's a blessing for the people of Shengzhou."
"Today, as a common woman, I will reveal all the injustices I have suffered." Her voice sounded a bit hoarse, and she exuded a sense of vicissitude.
As you sow, so shall you reap. She had finally waited for this day when heaven had its eyes open.
Chu Wenqian stared at the familiar face and blinked.
How was this troublesome woman still in Shengzhou City?
Jiang Ru, observing the woman who appeared almost lifeless, quickly got up and approached her.
"Madam, please stand up," Jiang Ru urged.
The woman didn't refuse and stood up.
Jiang Ru noticed the trembling in her body and said in a deep voice, "You don't need to fear him. He has committed many wrongdoings and will be punished."
The woman looked at Chu Wenqian with hatred, gritted her teeth, and slowly recounted, "On the day of my son's wedding, a bully intruded into my home..."
"It was him... who determined the case as an accidental injury, compensated me with ten taels of silver. But that was worth two lives!"
"Unfortunately, even if my daughter-in-law is dead, she still carries the reputation of not being virtuous."
The courtroom fell silent.
After hearing the woman's words, some people instantly recalled an incident from two years ago...
It seemed like... on the night of her son's wedding, her daughter-in-law ran away with another man.
At the time, rumors circulated that her son's wife had been unfaithful and had eloped with someone else. Her son, enraged, went to reclaim his wife and ended up being "accidentally" killed by the other party. On that very night, her son's wife, unable to bear the shame, hanged herself at home...
So, it turned out her son's wife hadn't eloped with someone but had been forcibly taken away by that bully. What a despicable character!
The woman, holding back her inner sorrow, finished her story and shed two clear tears.
Jiang Ru, filled with anger, stared at Chu Wenqian, her fingers cracking.
"Chu Wenqian, do you acknowledge this matter?"
Chu Wenqian sneered. "Whether I acknowledge it or not, what does it matter? Whether I do or don't..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he was kicked to the ground by An Yi.
How dare he disrespect their lady! He deserved to be kicked.
Chu Wenqian, lying on the ground, felt dazed for a moment. This kind of situation had never occurred even in the capital. How did he end up being bullied here?
At this moment, someone outside shouted, "During Magistrate Yun's tenure, such calamities never occurred."
"Yes, Magistrate Yun was a truly benevolent official."
"We should unite and petition the court to have Magistrate Yun return to his post."
...
An Yi, in a hurry, parked the carriage not far from the yamen. He scratched his head awkwardly when he saw the two pale-faced individuals in the carriage.
Well, they had rushed quite a bit.
An Yi helped Yun Zhong'an out of the carriage and briefly explained the situation to him...
Yun Zhong'an was initially shocked, but he quickly accepted it after listening. In his mind, he thought, unexpectedly, Princess An had a sense of justice.
Well, it seemed her temperament... was different from her father's pretentious high-mindedness. This kind of character must have come from the Nangong family.
With the matter resolved, An Yi ushered the two inside the yamen.
Before they even approached the yamen, they heard the enthusiastic voices of the common people...
Looking at the familiar yamen and hearing the words of the common people, Yun Zhong'an was immediately moved to tears. He felt uncomfortable with all the praise from the common people since he had just done his duty. Besides, he had been demoted due to "poor performance" in the first place. For him, safeguarding any group of people was his duty, regardless of his official rank.
Actually, he had heard about some events in Shengzhou City, but he had been powerless.
"Magistrate Yun, do you remember what I just told you? We coincidentally met on the street ahead..."
An Yi cautiously looked at Yun Zhong'an, afraid he might accidentally reveal something to his master later.
Yun Zhong'an glanced at An Yi unhappily. "I understand."
They rushed as if they were escaping from something. Yun Zhong'an's bones almost fell apart during the journey.
Su Shiyue couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Whose useless servant is this? He's too unreliable."
That speed was like a wild horse without reins.
Fortunately, they had arrived safely.
In the courtroom, with this woman leading the way, several more victims entered...
At that moment, someone from the back shouted, "Magistrate... Magistrate Yun is here!"
The common people turned around in a frenzy...
Dressed in simple coarse clothing, wasn't that the former Magistrate Yun?
Jiang Ru, upon hearing the words "Magistrate Yun," thought she might be hearing things. But when she saw the reaction of the common people, she couldn't help but feel delighted.
Ha-ha! The turning point has come.
This luck... couldn't get any better.
Truly deserving of protection.