The tense atmosphere was instantly broken.
Qin Minglang was stunned for a moment, then quickly put the dagger away.
Before the yard could be tidied up, a lean and capable-looking man walked in.
He was in his thirties, with slightly dark skin, wearing a light gray long gown and a prefectural governor's badge hanging from his waist. He was not wearing official robes, so he was clearly not an official.
Liu Ruzhi looked at the chaos in the courtyard with slight surprise.
Before setting off, Qin Minglang was just a sixth-rank guard captain. He instinctively wanted to salute, but Su Yulan spoke coldly and arrogantly, "It is said that Liu Ruzhi, the Prefect of Jingzhao, is incorruptible and dislikes currying favor. Meeting him today is quite a surprise to this county princess."
She took Qin Run's hand and stood sharply beside Qin Minglang.
“Minglang, although you have not yet met the Emperor, the imperial edict for your promotion to the second rank has already been issued. Lord Liu is only a third-rank official, and as a local official, he should be well-versed in the rites and regulations of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
It is only natural for a third-rank official to kowtow to a second-rank official.
Qin Minglang straightened his back instantly.
Qin Run even raised his head as high as he could to the sky.
Such glory is something Jiang Qingwan could never give him in her entire life.
Liu Ruzhi raised an eyebrow slightly, and without refusing, bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, General Qin and Princess Su."
Qin Minglang felt instantly refreshed, and with a gesture of benevolence, he said, "Tonight's victory celebration banquet, this general grants you permission..."
Before he could finish speaking, Liu Ruzhi had already turned to Jiang Qingwan. Although she only cupped her hands in greeting, her tone was more respectful than when she had bowed earlier.
“Madam Qin, I have a favor to ask of you. Would it be possible to speak outside the mansion?”
Qin Minglang choked on the spot, his hand still raised in mid-air, looking both comical and embarrassed.
Su Yulan's expression was also not very good.
Qin Run, who was supporting her, immediately explained.
"She is not Madam Qin. My mother, Princess Su, is the real Madam Qin. Jiang Qingwan is just a discarded woman whom no one wants!"
Liu Ruzhi was quite surprised.
Does the Qin family not know Jiang Qingwan's abilities?
At this moment, Lian'er knelt down on the ground with a thud and began to kowtow repeatedly.
"Please, Your Excellency, do justice for my lady! The Qin family is forcing her to divorce, has stolen her dowry, and is even trying to kill her!"
"You lowly servant!" Su Yulan kicked him.
"Smack!"
The next moment, she received a solid slap across the face.
Jiang Qingwan felt weak, but she had used all her strength to deliver that slap.
Su Yulan was almost thrown away, and she covered her swollen face, furious.
"You bitch, how dare you hit me! Qin Minglang, kill her!"
Li Dou had already stood up, and he and Lian'er stood on either side of Jiang Qingwan, protecting her.
Jiang Qingwan raised her hand and pushed the two apart, her face grim and cold.
“Is Lian’er wrong in any way? A county princess and a second-rank military officer, yet they premeditatedly murdered someone in their own residence. Right under the nose of the capital, they disregarded the law. Even if we are just ordinary citizens, are we not allowed to cry out for justice before our magistrate?”
The Qin family members were all terrified.
Su Yulan had been spoiled since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation. Seeing that Qin Minglang did not move, she angrily drew the dagger from his body and was about to kill Jiang Qingwan.
Liu Ruzhi, however, stepped aside to block the way.
"Are you taking me for a fool?"
Although the sound was not loud, it was extremely intimidating.
Although the Prefect of Jingzhao was a third-rank official, he was appointed by the emperor and could even interrogate first-rank officials.
Qin Minglang immediately grabbed Su Yulan tightly.
He didn't know why Liu Ruzhi was siding with Jiang Qingwan.
But a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle.
If this matter escalates to the government office, his appointment as the garrison commander of the patrol battalion will likely be ruined.
"Lord Liu, you misunderstand. Jiang was divorced by me and was resentful. She offended the county princess with her words, which led to the fight. There was absolutely no murder as she claimed."
After he finished speaking, he whispered to Su Yulan.
"Don't tarnish the Su family's reputation for a slut."
Su Yulan was well aware of the stakes involved, and she angrily threw the dagger on the ground, suppressing her anger for the time being.
Liu Ruzhi turned to look at Jiang Qingwan.
"Madam Qin... no, Madam Jiang, do you wish to sue the Qin family?"
Qin Minglang was shocked and immediately rebuked in a deep voice, "Jiang Qingwan, do you really want to tear off the mask of civility?"
"Haven't we broken up yet?" Jiang Qingwan sneered. "I just gave you a choice, and now I'm giving you one too: let Li Dou beat you up, or we'll go to the government office together!"
"What?"
Qin Minglang was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
Qin Run was young and didn't think that deeply, but his anger was extremely strong.
With his hands on his hips, his finger almost poked Jiang Qingwan's nose.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Kneel down and kowtow to my mother to apologize. Otherwise, you'll never see me again in this lifetime."
Over the past five years, no one knew better than him how much Jiang Qingwan liked him.
He would act cute or throw a tantrum, and she would buy him a bunch of things to appease him.
He was waiting for Jiang Qingwan to obediently listen to him.
He was also certain that he could discard Jiang Qingwan at will, but Jiang Qingwan would absolutely not be willing to leave him.
Jiang Qingwan looked at him indifferently.
The boy before me no longer looked the same as before.
In just a short while, black energy began to gather between his brows. If the protective array in the mansion were no longer in place, trouble would be inevitable sooner or later.
"Don't worry, even if you die in front of me in the future, I won't shed a single tear."
Qin Run was stunned.
Jiang Qingwan ignored her and turned to give Liu Ruzhi a curtsy.
"Please, Your Excellency, grant me this favor..."
Before he could finish saying "seek justice," Qin Minglang interrupted him abruptly.
"etc!"
At this moment, his murderous aura exploded, impossible to suppress.
His handsome face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
After holding it in for a long time, he managed to squeeze out four words through gritted teeth.
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