Chapter 67 The two embraced as they accepted the beating.
When they met, they were both taken aback.
A lady recognized the box that had been delivered from her home, took a couple of steps forward to check it, and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
One of the merchants stepped forward and asked, "And what are you here for?"
Several officials' wives showed their displeasure, pinching their handkerchiefs to cover their noses and turning away.
People who have been wronged have a desire to confide in others. They want to express to anyone they see that they have been oppressed and hope that others will uphold justice.
Before the ladies could say anything, the merchant said indignantly, "That Miss Zhou is shameless! She said she was helping the disaster victims by paying for house repairs, but now we haven't received any money!"
Someone took the lead, and others quickly chimed in, "That's right! We're all workers, we all have families to support. We volunteered to reduce our wages when we heard about the disaster relief efforts, but she's trying to fool us with this money meant for the dead!"
The man grabbed a handful of paper money, threw it into the air, turned around and pointed at Zhan Xingzhuo's nose, angrily cursing: "And you, you're supposed to be an official, yet you were saying so many nice things just now, trying to get us to praise you, right?"
He stomped heavily on the paper money, grinding it forcefully. "A good official should act like a good official! If you don't pay us our wages today, we'll sue you in court!"
"Yes, we'll sue you!" All the workers clenched their fists and shouted, and the call was echoed by everyone.
With the riots by displaced people now gaining momentum, the imperial court, fearing further unrest, pressured the Prefect of the Capital to step in and appease the people, and also ordered the Five City Garrison to strengthen patrols within the city.
At this time, if any official's family gets into trouble, it's like they're banging their head against a wall.
"I heard that this Lord Zhan was protecting the daughter of a corrupt official, but it turns out he wasn't just protecting her; he's in cahoots with her!"
"They want fame but also want to exploit us ordinary people. It's too shady. We common folk have it so hard!"
"Heavens above! Who will stand up for us?!"
"This week, the girl said she was raising money, but I think she's just using charity to line her own pocket!"
"A rat's daughter knows how to dig holes; she's just like her corrupt official father!"
"All corrupt officials should be killed! This woman is a menace; she must die too!"
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of angry curses, creating a scene as chaotic as a marketplace.
The crowd was enraged and grew increasingly agitated, on the verge of losing control.
Zhou Zhining's eyes widened. All she could see were staring bull eyes and constantly opening and closing lips, spittle flying directly onto her face. Some people were even pulling at her clothes and hair.
She was both scared and disgusted. She pulled up her sleeve to cover herself, but was suddenly pushed and stumbled a few steps, almost falling. Fortunately, Zhan Xingzhuo caught her in time.
"Zhi Ning, how are you?"
Zhou Zhining sobbed, nestled in the man's arms, and cried, "Brother Xingzhuo...no, it's not like that...you know it's not like that..."
She couldn't escape it, nor could she explain it.
Fortunately, amidst the chaotic storm, there was a gentle yet sturdy wall blocking her way.
Through the dense crowd, Zhou Zhining glanced at Yao Qingling standing under the eaves, her eyes filled with hatred.
Yao Qingling!
It must have been her doing!
Yao Qingling glanced at the two men with a slight smile, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Isn't she good at pretending to be wronged?
Just because someone is protecting you doesn't mean you can escape condemnation.
Compared to those who died from floods, hunger, and hardship, being scolded is too lenient.
As the crowd moved forward, they formed a circle, with Zhan Xingzhuo and Zhou Zhining in the center.
Zhan Xingzhuo was worried that Zhou Zhining would be attacked again, so he nervously held her in his arms, his face alternating between red and black.
He had never been so disliked and scolded in his life; spittle was sprayed in his face, and he was almost pushed over.
Yao Qingling used underhanded tactics; he fell into her trap!
The man's eyes pierced through the crowd of heads, pointing directly at Yao Qingling.
She seemed to be on a clean shore, watching the capsized boatman struggle for his life in the water; while she remained untouched by the water, coldly watching him sink.
Although Zhan Xingzhuo was a civil official, his fierce glare was still quite intimidating.
"Stop! This is my home, how dare you act so presumptuously!" he shouted sternly, adding, "My mother is the Grand Princess of Deyang, and my father is the Duke of Zhan. If you dare to harm any member of the royal family, you will be executed on the spot!"
Under the intimidation, the crowd dared not step forward, and some even took a few steps back.
After all, life is more important than money.
"Today was just an unexpected incident. My wife messed up the storeroom. Once it's sorted out, the money owed will definitely be paid. Please go back first. The money owed will be sent to your residence."
As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for anyone's reply, he called the guards and had everyone leave.
Even as people were being shoved and grumbling, some were still being pushed away unwillingly.
Leaving behind a quiet atmosphere and a scene of utter chaos.
Zhan Xingzhuo and Zhou Zhining's disheveled and miserable state was on full display before the officials' families.
Zhou Zhining quickly turned her back to tidy her messy clothes and hair.
Zhan Xingzhuo still stared coldly at Yao Qingling.
Ha, trying to get away?
No way!
Yao Qingling stood at the front of the group of women, coldly staring at the man.
Even at this point, they still threw dirty water at her.
That's shameless.
Zhan Xingzhuo saw Yao Qingling's composure and calmness, her clothes were neat and tidy; her calm face was full of mockery towards him, making his disheveled state seem so ridiculous!
The man's eyes were bloodshot. Ignoring his loosely torn clothes, he strode up to Qingling and pointed at the equally messy pile of boxes: "Did you do this! You switched all the silver in the boxes!"
He was furious and acted wickedly.
Yao Qingling gave him a cold look: "Is everything in there silver?"
She turned to look at the ladies and young women of the officials behind her, her face blank with confusion, "Have you all brought silver?"
The first person to jump out from behind her, Lady Cao, the Imperial Censor, said angrily, "Doctor Zhan, what are you saying?"
"To comfort the souls of the deceased, we used our most sincere hearts. The ladies and I copied the scriptures by hand, without taking off our clothes or even eating, and we worked hard to fill these boxes of scriptures. The young mistress never mentioned to us that she wanted to donate money for incense oil, and she refused to accept a single penny."
"She paid for all the money needed for the ritual herself. How come you're saying we brought her money?"
Several family members showed disdain and contempt, their gazes sweeping from Zhou Zhining to Zhan Xingzhuo, and then back to Zhou Zhining.
Birds of a feather flock together.
He's the second son of the Duke's mansion, how could he do something so disgraceful?
Even if you're trying to make money, you shouldn't do it in such an unsightly way.
Zhan Xingzhuo learned even more shameless and ridiculous methods from Zhou Qin.
The wife of Zuo Tongzheng, being the most senior among the ladies, said coldly, "Doctor Zhan, those people came here today in such a commotion to demand their wages and material costs. Did you think those boxes were full of silver notes, and that you were using our 'incense money' to pay them?"
The fifth young lady of the Earl's family was furious when she saw the prayer flags she had spent several nights making being overturned and stepped on.
She added insult to injury, saying, "Using our 'incense money' to accumulate merit for them. What a 'brilliant' idea! They failed to accomplish their goal and made a fool of themselves, while we are the ones who are guilty, having donated a bunch of useless things."
She then looked at Yao Qingling: "Young Madam, if you need money, just say so. Why bother telling us? We don't charge you a single penny. Donating money would save you a lot of trouble."
She looked at her fingers and saw several needle marks; her fingers were still swollen.
Yao Qingling smiled bitterly and said helplessly, "If I take the opportunity of performing the ritual to ask everyone for money, regardless of whether the money is actually handed over or not, as long as it enters the treasury of the new mansion, I will be suspected of accepting bribes privately."
"Now that the imperial court is cracking down on corruption, how could I dare to do such a thing and ruin the new mansion and the Duke's mansion?"
"If you all have kind hearts, you can use the money to rebuild Yongning Temple."
"I just don't understand. Doctor Zhan said I switched the silver. What... how did he get that?"
Yao Qingling turned to look at Zhan Xingzhuo, her clear eyes holding a hint of ruthlessness.
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