Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 334 - 332

People like this, words like those aren’t worth paying attention to.

Upon returning home, Mrs. Liu noticed that father and son were not in high spirits as usual. She said sympathetically, "The hot water is ready. Go and take a bath, then eat something and have a rest. You must be exhausted from the past few days."

The father and son both nodded. Exams were naturally exhausting, and they both felt a bit drained after encountering that matter right after the exam. All they wanted to do was to get a good night’s sleep.

Jinghao also noticed that the two were listless. He didn’t dare ask how their exams went. After they both went to wash up, Jinghao could not hold back anymore and asked, "Sister, how did father and brother do in their exams? Why did you come back home so late?"

"Father said that he was able to answer all the test questions and should be able to pass. Mother, aren’t you concerned about how father and brother did in the exams? Why haven’t you asked them about it?" Normally, most people would be most curious about the examination results.

"Which is more important, the examinees — your father and brother — or the results of the examination? Now that the exams are over, the outcome will not change whether or not I ask about it immediately. Isn’t it the same if we ask about it later? They both seemed so drained, so of course I had to let them rest first!" explained Mrs. Liu as if it was the most normal thing to do.

Xiao’er gave Mrs. Liu a thumbs-up: "Mother, you are truly the epitome of a good wife and mother! My father is indeed fortunate to have married you!"

"What nonsense are you saying! I’m going to see if the stew in the kitchen is ready!" Flustered by Xiao’er’s words, Mrs. Liu blushed, found an excuse, and then hurried off.

"Sister, you scared mother away. By the way, you haven’t explained why you came back home so late."

"We met a peculiar mother and son..." Xiao’er recounted the incident in detail to Jinghao.

"They were hired to intentionally slander? Who did we upset this time?"

"Yes, we need to investigate this thoroughly. I have a feeling that this is just the beginning." Xiao’er had always trusted her instincts.

Separated from this conversation, Jinghao’s countenance turned solemn as well.

During dinner, after Mrs. Liu was informed about the incident, she was livid!

"These people must think their lives are too peaceful, always wanting to stir up trouble! If they only knew what we have been through, they would stop with their instigations! Why would that man publicly mock your father and brother? What’s his purpose?"

"He wants to tarnish our reputation! He probably thought that since we used to be commoners, we would fight back at a bitter quarrel like this. If father, brother, sister or any of us had argued back with that woman, our family may be labeled as oppressors of the common people."

"So what are we going to do now?" A worried Mrs. Liu asked.

"Mother, there is no need to worry. At the time, none of us had any disputes with that woman. And as for Yang Liu, she was just defending us; it’s a servant’s duty! Besides, there are two sides to everything. If we’re accused of exploiting the people, didn’t she also insult a government official? This matter will not cause a huge stir." Xiao’er comforted.

Hearing this, Mrs. Liu thought it made sense; since ancient times, the people have been afraid of officials, and insulting a government-appointed official was a crime. Comforted by this, she felt relieved.

Xiao’er returned to her room, then took out some paper and pen, closed her eyes, and slowly recalled the images in her mind, trying to identify that person from her memories.

Once she had a visual, Xiao’er picked up a charcoal pen and quickly began to sketch.

The next day, Xiao’er gave a drawing to Yang Liu and asked her to find this person.

"Miss, who is this person?" Yang Liu looked at the sketch, guessing about the identity of the man with jug ears and ordinary looks, who would be easily forgotten once merged into a crowd.

"The man who gave the woman five taels of silver yesterday."

"Miss had noticed him at the time?" Xiao’er must have taken particular note of that man and specifically memorized his appearance in order to be able to capture his look so vividly, even including the glint of triumph in his eyes.

Miss’s drawing skills are remarkable! It’s a pity the subject is a villain, otherwise, she would like to have it framed.

"Yes, please find him as soon as possible." Xiao’er advised.

Rumors started circulating in the city, accusing Marquis Shengping and Rui’an of oppressing common people. They said that the woman merely made some disrespectful remarks out of ignorance, priding that ignorance is a plea. But Rui’an ordered her to kneel until her head was bleeding and her face was swollen. Rui’an also demanded a formal apology.

However, there were also some people who defended them, giving the strong impression that there was someone deliberately fanning the flames.

As for those who were present at the time, along with their families, they were mostly students busy preparing for the prefectural, and college examinations. There was no time to be concerned about these rumors.

Upon hearing the news, Jingrui was furious, slamming the table and exclaiming, "This is a complete reversal of right and wrong!"

"Brother, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it! Let’s wait and see," Xiao’er added with a comforting smile. There’s always a way to solve problems.

Several days past but the rumours did not cease, and now the impeaching party started to target Shen Chengyao and Xiao’er.

The Emperor personally intervened, looking into the matter.

Shen Chengyao narrated the incident as it had occurred.

After hearing the story, the Emperor quickly understood. Someone was fanning the flames behind the scenes!

He then instructed the Fu Yin of the Shuntian Mansion to bring that person to justice — that person’s blatant defamation of a court official was absolutely unforgivable!

Upon hearing these words, the Fu Yin of the Shuntian Mansion felt distressed.

Without knowing what the person looked like, how could they catch him?

Should they go around arresting anyone wearing a grey robe with jug ears?

Why did he always have to preside over the trials involving the family of Marquis Shengping?

Once this matter was over, he had to advise Marquis Shengping to buy some clothes for little people on his way home, to ward off the evil spirits!

This old man was always haunted by evil spirits, and he was always the one to deal with trouble!

On the seventh day since the incident, the woman passed away.

The woman’s son went to the government office, beating the drum and accusing the family of Marquis Shengping of causing his mother’s death.

A life had been lost; the entire city was immediately in an uproar!

Even those who previously supported Marquis Shengping and Rui’an dare not make any comment.

The students who had been present during the incident remained silent. They had all seen government officials oppressing ordinary people before. Since they had not witnessed this incident firsthand, it was safer to stay silent.

The Fu Yin of Shuntian Mansion had a headache. He remembered how the Sixth Prince had defended the family of Marquis Shengping at the peril of his own life!

Now someone was suing Marquis Shengping again!

Could he just resign now and retire to the countryside?!

Of course, that was not an option. Dressed in his official uniform, the Fu Yin of Shuntian Mansion sat on the panel with great majesty and sternly slapped the table: "Who dares to beat the drum? What is your purpose?"

"I, Xing Tao, accuse Marquis Shengping and Rui’an of being responsible for the death of my mother," Xing Tao knelt on the ground, holding up a long roll of accusation over his head.

"Bring it up."

The court secretary took the accusation and handed it to the Fu Yin of Shuntian Mansion.