Chapter 78. Parading around in public, making the Shen family infamous!
As soon as the group turned out of the alley and onto the street, they instantly attracted the attention of passersby.
In no time, curious onlookers gathered around, pointing and discussing them.
"Look! It's the eldest son of the Shen family! Wasn't he just returning from doing business overseas, enjoying great success? Why is he being escorted by officials?"
"Huh? Why is that maid holding a child? Who gave birth to it?"
"Who is that woman with the pregnant belly? She looks unfamiliar."
"Could it be that it's a new concubine that Master Shen has taken? She's already pregnant?"
"Oh dear, the two elders of the Shen family are behind us too! What... what exactly happened? Weren't they just awarded the imperial title of 'Loyal Merchant'—a tremendous honor?"
"Yes, I heard they were going to reward us with ten thousand strings of copper and three thousand acres of land! We haven't even enjoyed that incredible wealth yet, and now the whole family is a prisoner?"
"Judging by this situation, they've probably committed a serious crime..."
Someone else spotted Lu Zhaoruo and raised their voice: "Isn't that Lu Shi from the Shenmen Clan sitting on horseback? Why is she sitting on a horse? Isn't that her brother, Lu Wujie, next to her?"
Lu Zhaoru sat calmly on horseback, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise.
She knew exactly what was going on...
If the Shen family is paraded through the city like this, it won't be long before the whole city of Jizhou is abuzz with the news: "The Shen family has been wiped out by a high-ranking official and taken straight to the prefectural government office!"
She gently gripped the reins, but couldn't help thinking that without Xiao Yeming's help, she would have had to go to the county government alone to submit her complaint, not to mention the long and tedious process of submitting the complaint, waiting for approval, verifying the facts, and summoning the defendant...
Before even entering the courtroom, the magistrate had already punished him with a rod for "violating the law and disobeying justice."
Then they would be placed with the "official media" to wait, which would take at least six or seven days, during which time many unexpected things could happen...
But now, thanks to Xiao Yeming's status as a fifth-rank military officer, everything is completely different.
He personally escorted the people straight to the prefectural government office, where the people surrounded them in layers. With such a scene, how could the officials of the prefectural government office dare to be negligent?
She didn't even need to go through layers of bureaucratic procedures to submit her legal documents; they could be presented directly to the court.
The criminal was right in front of them, and they confronted and interrogated him on the spot!
Needless to say, what Commander Xiao saw and heard with his own eyes is the strongest testimony.
She is no longer a weak woman kneeling and begging for justice, but someone who can stand tall and personally carry this play to the very end.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhaoruo's lips curved into a faint smile.
Xiao Yeming turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Lu Zhaoruo's calm profile. He knew perfectly well the purpose behind her "taking advantage" of the situation.
However, instead of feeling used, a smile flickered across his lips.
He willingly became the "east wind" she borrowed.
Only Lu Bohong couldn't understand why Commander Xiao of the renowned Linhai Navy would suddenly appear here. Judging from his demeanor, he was clearly here specifically to support his younger sister.
When did the two of them meet?
However, now is not the time to investigate further. If Commander Xiao hadn't intervened today, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Thinking of this, Lu Bohong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This person was so young yet already commanded the navy and had such outstanding military achievements, and yet he was so upright and fair in his dealings.
Looking at his appearance, he was even more handsome and extraordinary, with a dignified and imposing air.
He unconsciously glanced at Shen Rongzhi, who looked lost and dejected. He used to think that this man was gentle and refined, but now he saw that beneath that gentlemanly exterior, there was only hypocrisy and affectation.
Xiao Yeming keenly noticed the gaze directed at him from the side, turned his head, and bumped right into Lu Bohong's wide grin.
That smile was a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and curiosity, fervent and unreserved. It made Xiao Yeming pause slightly, instinctively averting his gaze, feeling an inexplicable unease throughout his body.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoruo caught up with Xiao Yeming on horseback.
Lu Zhaoruo turned her head, her voice extremely low: "General Xiao, I have one more request..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming leaned forward slightly and replied in a low voice, "Sister Lu... Madam Lu, please speak."
He paused slightly midway through his speech, almost calling out the wrong address.
Lu Zhaoruo glanced at the street corner ahead and said quickly, "The City God Temple is just ahead. Please send men immediately to arrest the temple keeper, He Qiang, and order him to hand over the secret accounts of the money that Zhang has entrusted him to send overseas over the years. This is of utmost importance and must be sent to the state government as well."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming realized that he had already instructed Ban Ling to handle the matter, and the temple keeper was probably already at the prefectural government office.
However, he showed no sign of it on his face, and instead turned his head and ordered the guards following him in a deep voice: "Wang Wu, take two men and go to the City God Temple to arrest the temple keeper He Qiang, search for the secret accounts, and send him directly to the prefectural government."
"yes!"
Without hesitation, Wang Wu immediately accepted the order, selected two soldiers, and rode off at full speed.
Xiao Yeming then looked back at Lu Zhaoruo, his gaze steady, as if he were simply following orders, and said calmly, "Don't worry, Madam Lu."
Lu Zhaoruo thanked him.
She was even thinking about how to repay him after this incident...
Suddenly, a person squeezed out from the crowd; it was Wu Jiasanlang.
He used to be Shen Rongzhi's closest friend, but now he looked alarmed and rushed to the front, grabbing Shen Rongzhi's sleeve and saying urgently, "Brother Shen! What happened to you? Didn't you just return home in glory? How could you be like this in the blink of an eye..."
When Shen Rongzhi saw that it was an old friend, a trace of awkward shame flashed across his face.
The gazes around him were like branding irons burning his back, but he gritted his teeth and suppressed his embarrassment. Soon, he took a slow breath and forced a gentle smile at Wu Sanlang: "Brother Wu, I'm sorry to have troubled you with such trivial matters at home."
Although his face was pale, his back remained straight, like a bamboo swaying in the wind.
His posture made it seem as if he wasn't being escorted by officials, but rather had just encountered an old friend and was temporarily caught in the turmoil. His gentle appearance and composed demeanor revealed a unique vulnerability and stubbornness in his disheveled situation, which made some of the onlookers feel emotional and the murmurs subsided.
Lu Zhaoruo glanced back indifferently.
She knew Shen Rongzhi too well; he had always had an almost pathological obsession with "respectability," preferring to starve rather than compromise his dignity by wearing a long robe and carrying a folding fan.
It was precisely because of his handsome appearance and feigned composure that he became the most sought-after "Shen Langjun" in the dreams of countless young ladies in Jizhou City, attracting the admiration of so many...
Just then, a woman in the crowd couldn't help but whisper among herself: "How could someone as refined and noble as Mr. Shen have fallen into such a state? There must be some misunderstanding..."
Another woman chimed in, "Look at him now, in his current situation, he remains calm and composed; he has clearly been wronged..."
These whispers drifted into Lu Zhaoruo's ears, and a cold sneer appeared on her lips.
Shen Rongzhi's greatest skill was using her gentle and refined appearance to easily gain the pity and trust of the world.
"Isn't this 'respectability' what you value most?"
Soon... I will strip you bare, leaving you completely clean!
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