“This…”
“With Lord Liu’s wit, there’s no way your partner-in-crime, Du Sanniang, would be a fool as well. If she hadn’t realised who I was and informed you secretly, how would you know this Prince was coming to Anfu?”
Liu Zhiliang’s gaze darted back and forth as he tried to think of a counter-argument, but Ji Yunshu took over the narrative. “Not only that, Anfu County has enjoyed several years of peace; not one of your cases were submitted to the imperial government for judgement. Everyone said that Anfu’s peace was thanks to their governor, many even claiming that Anfu County is a place suited for retirement. In this one’s opinion however, these are all lies that Lord Liu has woven to project Anfu as a peaceful, lawful county. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have ordered your prison overseer to torture that actress so harshly. Whether she was the real culprit or not, her confession would help you protect Anfu’s image as a peaceful county. Lord Liu, isn’t that right?” Ji Yunshu gave a panic-inducing radiant smile.
He protested wildly, but silently, that’s not true! Of course you’re wrong! But his guilty conscience was already overwhelming him, and he retreated, putting up a last feeble argument, “Teacher has no evidence supporting what you have claimed. How and why, should this official accept these accusations?”
Jing Rong continued, “When Teacher Ji complimented you last night, you wouldn’t accept them; now that she’s exposing your true colours, you likewise refuse to admit to them. Liu Zhiliang, oh Liu Zhiliang, will you only shed a tear when you see your own coffin?” With that, he snapped his fingers and two guards pulled a woman in, with Mo Ruo following closely behind.
What in the world was this?
That woman was none other than Du Sanniang. Her arms were tied behind her back and her signature off-the-shoulder outfit had slipped further down, revealing part of her snowy, soft mounds. Her cheeks were flushed red while her eyes were bloodshot and fatigued; smelling strongly of alcohol, it was clear she had been drinking. Her curvaceous figure was much weaker than before, resulting in her immediately crumpling onto the ground once she was brought into court.
Liu Zhiliang gaped at the sight of Du Sanniang, his whole body trembling in fear! One of the guards detaining Du Sanniang also had a box in his hands, which he handed over to Ji Yunshu as he entered. “Teacher, the item’s inside.”
Ji Yunshu received it, and handed it to Third Madam without opening it. “It’s inside.”
Hmm? Third Madam opened the box, exclaiming, “It’s the Guanyin Seal!”
“Now that it’s been returned to its rightful owner, make sure not to lose it again in the future.”
“Understood.” Third Madam held that box tenderly, her eyes filled with tears of gratitude.
Ji Yunshu glanced at Zhang Yimo. “Young Master Zhang, bring your mother home.”
“Many thanks, Teacher Ji.”
Ji Yunshu but nodded calmly as Zhang Yimo led Third Madam back to Zhang Estate. Ji Yunshu next walked over to Mo Ruo, who was leaning against the door frame, pointing at Du Sanniang, asking, “What’s wrong? Why is she in this state?”
“Doesn’t she love drinking? After capturing her yesterday, I drank with her all night.”
Ji Yunshu rolled her eyes at him.
Mo Ruo shook his head and sighed, lamenting, “How great would it be if she weren’t a thief.”
“So that you can marry her?”
“I wouldn’t dare marry such a woman. I just want to have her as a drinking buddy; as a fellow lover of wine, Du Sanniang is not too bad a choice.”
Ji Yunshu rolled her eyes at him again. Mo Ruo decided to leave the court as he continued his drinking session outside on the stone steps.
In court, Liu Zhiliang was as limp as a deflated balloon. Du Sanniang scoffed as she knelt, looking up at Liu Zhiliang, “Lord Liu, this time, we’ve truly lost. Everything has been exposed; I think it won’t be long before you lose your official’s robes.” She smirked!
Liu Zhiliang stumbled backwards straight into the large desk at his bench, falling to the ground with a loud, resounding ‘thud’. His forehead was glistening with cold sweat, but who knew if it were from the pain of the bump or his downfall?