Chapter 377 Half scared to death, half furious to death

He knew he was in the wrong, but he insisted on using his official authority to stubbornly defend himself.

If they admit it now, they will be utterly disgraced on the spot.

But if he stubbornly denies it, he might be able to use the excuse of "no evidence" to stall until he can find connections to smooth things over privately.

These two rich young masters and ladies, who he had never seen before, suddenly appeared and targeted him. It must be that someone with connections put them in there to make an example of him and pave the way for their own advancement.

However, since Prefect Tang had always trusted him so much, he believed that as long as he sincerely admitted his mistakes and made amends with benefits, he would surely be able to gain a glimmer of hope.

Prefect Tang was scared half to death by him, while the other half was furious with the county magistrate.

He almost jumped up and pointed at the county magistrate's nose, cursing: "Do you know who you're talking to? You don't want to live, but I don't want to die either!"

Unfortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince forbade him to reveal his identity, so Prefect Tang could only press his philtrum and take deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down his desire to slap Magistrate Nong to death immediately.

"Shut up!"

Tang Zhizhou looked at him as if he were a poison that could kill him at any moment. The Black Wind Stronghold incident had finally been resolved a few days ago, and this County Magistrate was caught embezzling by the two princes himself, yet he was still trying to argue. Don't say a few more words to this ungrateful County Magistrate and drag him down with you!

Prefect Tang broke out in a cold sweat and nearly fainted. Trembling, he said to Xie Yun, "Young master, please don't misunderstand. I know nothing about what this fellow said, and I will absolutely not cover up any of these things. I will order his house to be searched right now and report everything he did to His Majesty so that we can await His Majesty's judgment!"

County Magistrate: ?

"Lord Tang, no, there's no evidence at all. How can you believe the one-sided story of these people of unknown origin?" Magistrate Nong said, half probing and half goading. "Or is it that this young master is actually of high rank and power, and he's determined to make me weep at the sight of his coffin today!"

"How dare you!" Prefect Tang's voice cracked with fright. "Do you know what nonsense you're spouting? How dare you fabricate baseless charges to slander innocent people?!"

"Lord Tang, they..."

"No evidence? Has the Agricultural University student forgotten that last year, when you embezzled relief funds and were dividing the spoils with grain merchant Wang Laosan in the back alley of Zuixianlou, you were caught by the wine seller? Or have you forgotten that as the county magistrate, you secretly went to the neighboring county town every month to buy expensive tonics?"

Xie Yunyang chuckled, "How do you think we discovered what you did, Agricultural University students?"

With each word he spoke, Magistrate Nong's face grew paler, until finally he was trembling uncontrollably. The explanation he wanted to give was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Xie Yun-yang didn't look at him again, but raised her eyes and said calmly to the soldiers waiting below the steps: "The witnesses and evidence are all here. Take him into prison according to the law. After the three departments of the government review the case, we will deal with him accordingly."

The evidence wasn't presented to him, but the county magistrate already knew there was no room for maneuver.

I'm just a little unwilling. Even if His Majesty is investigating corruption, there's always a leak of information beforehand!

He always kept a low profile, and apart from the servants in his county magistrate's office, no one knew how many secrets he kept in his residence.

But how did these people suddenly discover these things, catching him completely off guard and leaving him no preparation whatsoever!

If it hadn't happened so suddenly, how could these people have so easily found something to use against him, given the image he had painstakingly cultivated?

However, there was no point in saying anything more, and there was no chance to say more to him.

They always act swiftly and decisively, and they deeply understand the importance of nipping all evil in the bud, leaving no possibility of it ever reigniting.

Xie Yunyang stared into the direction where Magistrate Nong had been dragged away, his eyes still cold.

This matter may seem like just an official's corruption, but in reality it involves the blood and sweat of the entire people of Jinzhou City.

The people of Jinzhou City had always believed that their poor harvest last year was due to a plague of rodents and insects. Little did they know that it was the honest official they had always thought of—the county magistrate—who was secretly manipulating the situation.

Not only did they waste so much grain, but they also swallowed up most of the subsidies issued by the imperial court.

Prefect Tang calmed down a bit: "Don't worry, Young Master Xie, I will personally oversee this matter until the result is in!"

"Yes, I have always trusted Lord Tang's character." Xie Yun smiled and patted Prefect Tang on the shoulder. "However, Lord Tang, you still need to be more careful."

Prefect Tang: "...Okay."

Tang, the prefect, was overjoyed and wept with gratitude for His Highness the Crown Prince's forgiveness!

...

The brother and sister had been traveling all day and finally made it back to Putuo Temple before dinner, because they had promised the Empress Dowager that they would have dinner with her.

Although it was described as a lot of travel, I didn't really do anything special. I just traveled from here to there by horse-drawn carriage and then back.

Not only was it not tiring, but Sheng Sheng also found it interesting.

The thought of the bewildered and helpless look on the county magistrate's face made Sheng Sheng unable to stop laughing.

The county magistrate certainly never imagined how they discovered that something was wrong with him.

If it weren't for Little Fox's words, they probably wouldn't have realized that the county magistrate was completely different from what he appeared to be.

Before Little Fox said those things, Sheng Sheng had praised him!

Therefore, Sheng Sheng felt that it wasn't just the people of Jinzhou City who had been deceived, but also her.

Yes, the county magistrate actually deceived her; he deserves to go to jail!

When Sheng Sheng finished getting ready and went to the Empress Dowager's courtyard, Xie Yun was already accompanying her.

Although the Empress Dowager appeared stern and solemn on the surface, she actually enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by family happiness.

Especially during her time of seclusion at Putuo Temple, after Xie Yunjia returned to the palace, she was all alone here, with only an old nanny and a palace maid by her side, which made her days seem rather lonely.

So now that her two children can spend some time with her, she is happy.

Therefore, as soon as Sheng Sheng entered the room, she saw the Empress Dowager sitting on the Luohan couch. Her eyes, which usually carried a somewhat aloof air, were now as gentle as if they were bathed in warm water.

"Royal Grandmother!"

Sheng Sheng jogged in with a smile, skipping over Xie Yunyang and rushing into her arms.

The Empress Dowager's previously dignified demeanor instantly relaxed considerably. She rose and gently helped the little girl who had snuggled into her arms, her fingertips softly brushing against the stray hairs on Seng Seng's forehead. Even her voice was unusually gentle: "You child, you don't act like a princess at all."

That being said, none of their actions, expressions, or tone of voice clearly indicated that they meant no blame towards her.