Chapter 7 Marquis Dingyuan is truly inhuman

"How dare you! You are a lowly exiled convict, and you are not worthy to speak to me!"

She didn't drink a drop of water from your Prince Jin's mansion, yet she's being implicated by you. I'm kind-hearted, that's why..."

Before Ling Ruofeng could finish speaking, Yun Zhao tilted his head back and earnestly retorted.

"No! Zhao Zhao drank water! Mom gave it to me, and she also ate peach blossom pastries, which were especially delicious!"

Ling Ruofeng: ...

Although Ling Ruofeng's words were infuriating, Xu Qingyi, as a mother, naturally hoped that her daughter could live a good life.

She opened her mouth, but finally managed to speak with difficulty.

“Zhaozhao…”

Yun Zhao was startled and spoke before Xu Qingyi could.

"Mother, don't you want Zhaozhao anymore?"

Looking into her daughter's misty eyes, Xu Qingyi felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

Yun Zhao knew that her mother wouldn't give up unless she took drastic measures.

So she secretly pinched her thigh and burst into tears.

"Mother, don't abandon Zhaozhao! They are bad people! They falsely accused me of pushing Xiaoxue into the water and beat me with a stick."

They even made me kneel in the snow all night as punishment! It was so cold and I was so hungry! Waaaaah, Mommy, I don't want to go back!

Crying and shouting, Yun Zhao rolled up his sleeves.

On the tender, delicate arm, a swollen, red wound was a shocking sight!

The onlookers gasped in astonishment.

"My God! Such a young child, and he was hit so hard!"

"That Marquis of Dingyuan is truly inhuman!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Qingyi and her uncles were immediately enraged!

Xu Yifei rushed forward and grabbed Ling Ruofeng by the collar.

You scumbag!

He was tall and strong, a full head taller than Ling Ruofeng, and as strong as an ox. He lifted Ling Ruofeng up in one go!

Ling Ruofeng was terrified and shouted without regard for his image.

"What are you all standing there for! Come and save me!"

The escorting officials felt ashamed, but what could they do when the other party was a marquis?

Leader Luo Qing shouted angrily, "Xu Yifei! Let go right now, or don't blame the whip for being merciless!"

The officials tried to break up the fight, but Xu Yifei was as strong as a bear, and none of them could pull him away.

"You're going to die, let go right now!"

This was the first time they had ever used whips in the capital.

Worried that the officials would really whip him, Yun Zhao rushed forward and grabbed Xu Yifei's leg.

"Waaaaah, please don't hit my uncle! Please, hit me instead! Don't hit my uncle!"

Upon hearing that his little niece was going to take the punishment for him, Xu Yifei instantly calmed down.

He released Ling Ruofeng's collar, took a few steps back, and picked up Yun Zhao with one hand.

"Zhaozhao, don't be afraid. I'm your uncle. With your uncle here, no one can bully you!"

Xu Yifei has a bad reputation outside, but he is very protective of his own family.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ling Ruofeng was almost beaten up, and he could not swallow this insult no matter what.

"Yun Zhao, I'll ask you one last time: are you coming back to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence or not!"

"No! I want to stay with my mother!"

Yun Zhao refused without hesitation, clinging tightly to Xu Yifei's neck with her short arms.

Faced with his little niece's affection, Xu Yifei immediately stood up in surprise.

"Did you hear that! Our Zhaozhao is a girl with backbone! You bullied her, and you still want her to go back? No way!"

"Pfft!"

Someone in the crowd chuckled, which immediately caused a burst of laughter.

The eldest son of the General Who Protects the Nation is usually quite uncouth, but today he showed some backbone and even knew to protect his niece.

Ling Xuerou was standing not far away. Ling Ruofeng was her biological father, yet he was being humiliated by an exiled convict.

If word gets out, the other nobles in the capital will probably laugh at us.

She pressed her lips together, buried her face in Lin Shujing's arms, and sobbed sadly.

"Mother, is it because Xiaoxue came home that Uncle bullied Father?"

Seeing her daughter cry, Lin Shujing hugged and comforted her child with heartache.

"Don't cry, Xiaoxue. You are your mother's own child. It's only right that you come home!"

Then, she earnestly persuaded Yun Zhao.

"Zhaozhao, be good. We're punishing you so you can learn to admit your mistakes."

"Exile is tough, don't be angry with us. Your parents are doing this for your own good!"

In their view, no one could give up the wealth and glory of the capital and turn around to suffer in exile.

Yun Zhao's refusal to go back is clearly a childish mentality.

Everyone present, including Xu Qingyi, thought the same thing.

Only Yun Zhao shook his head firmly and explained in a serious tone.

“I’m not angry. I am a daughter of the Yun family, and I should share the family’s honor and disgrace. Besides, I believe in my father. He is definitely not a corrupt official!”

On the contrary, it's you guys.

Yun Zhao did not say the last sentence.

She knew that Ling Ruofeng's retribution would come soon.

The others were unaware of this and could only marvel at how worthy he was of the Yun family.

Ling Ruofeng was very concerned about his reputation, and when his pride was shattered, he immediately made some harsh remarks.

"Fine! We, the Marquis of Dingyuan, will consider this a thankless wretch. Don't ever come begging to us again!"

Xu Yifei said coldly, "How dare you speak like that! The midwife has mixed up the two children!"

"Didn't the Yun family raise you for five years? How come it's our Zhaozhao who owes your Ling family something?"

Second Uncle Xu Yinan pondered for a moment, then joined his elder brother in cursing, "That's right! Your daughter has enjoyed the treatment of a princess for five years for nothing. No matter how you look at it, it's Zhaozhao who's at a disadvantage!"

None of Xu's uncles were easy to deal with; when they started arguing, Ling Ruofeng was no match for them.

His chest heaved with rage. "Fine, let's see if you can still be this arrogant after you're exiled!"

"You want to see it? I won't let you! If you're so capable, come with me to exile!"

Xu Yinan put her hand in front of her nose and, like a child, stuck out her tongue, making a slight, slight movement.

Yun Zhao blinked, looking completely innocent.

It has to be said that my second uncle's words came true.

Sounds came from the periphery of the crowd.

"The Jingzhao Prefecture is handling a case; all bystanders must make way!"

Oh ho~ karma has come back to bite you!

Yun Zhao looked at Ling Ruofeng with a hint of excitement, and was even happier to see his pale face.

The people quickly made way for Ling Ruofeng, and the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture led his yamen runners to him.

"The Marquis of Dingyuan is suspected of multiple cases of corruption and smuggling. I have already requested His Majesty's permission to bring the Marquis of Dingyuan back to the Jingzhao Prefecture with me to investigate this case!"

This statement caused an uproar.

Xu Yinan has a sharp tongue and always speaks in a sarcastic or sarcastic tone.

"Oh! So the Marquis of Dingyuan really intends to go into exile with us? Hey, sir,"

Why don't we go back to the prison for a couple of days and wait for Marquis Dingyuan to leave together? That way you won't have to rush to catch up with us!

At this moment, Ling Ruofeng no longer cared about Xu Yinan; all he could think about was "it's all over."

Ling Xuerou was even more surprised.

No, this never happened in my past life!

It wasn't until Ling Ruofeng was taken away that Lin Shujing realized what was happening and chased after him with her daughter in her arms.

"master!"

"Serves you right!"

Xu Yinan took a sip, feeling extremely refreshed.

Seeing his arrogance, Old Madam Xu reprimanded him with a cold face.

"Xu Yinan! Stop fooling around!"