Chapter 79 Covering up the truth
With tears falling, he had no choice but to agree to part ways.
He leaned against the bed, his body covered in blood as if a large piece of flesh had been gouged out.
In the past, he heard people say that when sad people complain about separation, they would swallow their words before speaking, and he felt that it was too feminine.
Now that I am in this situation, I realize that the sorrow I feel is beyond words.
He thought that this meeting was a chance for God to forgive him, but in fact, their relationship was over as early as when they divorced.
He no longer had any right to be with her, nor did he have the chance to be tied to her...
He couldn't stop sobbing, forcing himself to accept this ending. This was good for her. He advised himself that night, he lost his light and his faith...
…………
A few days later, Zhao Yan gave his usual instructions to the various departments in the government office. When the matter was completed and no one was around, Wang Zhubu approached and said, "Sir... I heard that you and Miss Yu from the Dengshi Hall were once husband and wife?..."
Zhao Yan put down the book in his hand and asked, "Where did you hear this?"
Wang Zhubu hesitated for a while. In fact, he and Lord Yan were hiding nearby that day and naturally heard it. He would never tell this to Zhao Yan in the past.
But yesterday he happened to have a brother take him to the art building, and many people inside were talking about it, so today he thought of reminding Zhao Yan.
"This humble official... I also heard it by accident... so I wanted to ask you, sir."
Zhao Yan asked, "Where is it, and how can it be so?"
"To be honest, sir, I went to the art building with my brothers yesterday. Everyone there was talking about this matter, and a storyteller even made it into a tale." Wang Zhubu replied hurriedly.
Zhao Yan paused and said, "This is true, but I don't want too many people to know about it. Thank you, Lord Wang, for telling me this today."
He then continued, "Who is the storyteller? Do you have his home address? How popular is his version of the story? Has anyone followed the rumor?"
Wang Zhubu was relieved at this moment and came over. "This is a play written by the imposter from Yuanxiang Lane. I heard that it was leaked by a few prostitutes. The rumor is not too strange. They just say that Miss Yu is very lucky. With the master in front and Mr. Baili behind, I don't know how to choose..."
Zhao Yan understood at this time. It was not that he was ignoring the strange thing, but the storyteller did not dare to frame him, so he put the blame on her. Since ancient times, people have liked to listen to some erotic stories after dinner. The storyteller did this on purpose in order to make more money and attract more listeners.
It's not just the brothel. In a few days, the news will probably spread throughout the entire town. The same will happen to the rural families, and the speed may be even faster.
Before this, she had already been criticized because of the Chen Juezi incident, and now with this incident, she is probably even more criticized by everyone.
In this world, people don't care whether the woman is wrong or not, or whether the man has done something wrong. Once a rumor starts, people will ask, "Why her and not someone else?" Naturally, the death can be justified.
If he hadn't personally sent someone to silence Youyou about the incident with Chen Juezi that day, she would probably have no peace now.
Now that he is involved again, people's curiosity will probably be even greater. Some will even dig deeper into her past in the capital, which will only add salt to her wounds.
He won't suffer any setbacks. For a man, it's just a good story. But for her, her reputation will be talked about forever!
He couldn't let this matter continue to spread. Huatang should be known for her skills. Even if people discussed it, it should be about her efforts, not her past with a certain man. These were all disrespectful to her.
After a moment's silence, Zhao Yan said, "The case of Jiang Huaxiang has already come to light, and the amount of bribes his nephew embezzled should also be calculated. Tomorrow, you will have your men write down the amount of money they embezzled, their misdeeds, and the people they colluded with on every bridge in Quanzhou City. Have the yamen runners and attendants beat drums and shout these things through the streets. The more lively the better. Also, there are several criminals awaiting execution in the government office. They will be escorted to the streets as well, and their misdeeds will be publicized as well, to serve as a warning to others!"
Wang Zhubu was surprised. In the past, even the most serious crimes would only be posted with a notice. Now, not only would they make a big noise with the sound of gongs and drums, but they would also bring out the death row prisoners from the prison for people to see. Would this make people say, "Sir, there is no precedent for bringing out the death row prisoners from the local government office for inspection?"
Zhao Yan said, "I know, but these people have committed many evil deeds. In the past, they mostly paraded high-ranking officials in the capital as a warning to the public. However, the punishment for crime is the same. If we want long-term peace and stability, this method is feasible. Even if they are blamed, the most they will suffer is a salary deduction. I will bear the responsibility."
Wang Zhubu couldn't help but persuade him again, "Sir, this actually won't do you any good. Although the common people will praise you when they know about this, the censors will still say that you acted improperly and were reckless."
"I understand. Let's proceed with this arrangement. What I want is a huge buzz. After two days, you will also send people to Fuzhou to publicize this matter. No need for loud gongs and drums, just tell the local government office and post some notices. Ask the Chief Clerk Wang to lead a team to each of the forty villages in the countryside, preferably bringing local storytellers with him, to spread the word widely."
"Besides that, you must give the letter to the owner of the art house. No one is allowed to discuss matters related to Miss Yu, and any sample storytelling must be confiscated."
Zhao Yan's words were so resolute that Wang Zhubu was stunned for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement. He stopped asking questions and said, "This is going to be a busy matter. There's the amount of money involved, and the related crimes. Some people might even discover how they were deceived in the past, so the government office will be busy then."
"Then do this. Just tell them that if any of the money seized from the Jiang family belongs to them, they can provide evidence to verify it and it can be returned."
Wang Zhubu originally wondered if this gentleman still had any feelings for Miss Yu, but now there are parades, investigations, and notices posted to publicize the matter, and the more lively the better. It seems that this is all to suppress the matter.
He couldn't help but sigh that Lord Zhao, who was usually cold, still had a warm heart.
It is estimated that from tomorrow onwards, the streets and alleys will be full of discussions about the amount of corruption. Who will care about the love history that has nothing to do with them? Maybe in another month, everyone will just say with understanding, "Oh, that gentleman is Miss Yu's ex-husband."
It seems that what Lord Zhao wants is this kind of naturalness and this kind of tranquility.
Because Zhao Yan was personally supervising the matter and Wang Zhubu was personally handling it, early the next morning, when all the shops opened for business, a group of storytellers came from nowhere, following closely behind the yamen runners. When the yamen runners posted a notice, they stopped and explained in detail to those who could not read or who were not clear about the matter.
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