Chapter 50: Living people can lie, but memories cannot lie
Zheng Shirong burst into tears at this moment. "I didn't want to hide it, but I couldn't let the Zheng family be humiliated. So I didn't dare to say it. Dad, I'm sorry for your teachings..."
Magistrate Zheng was so angry that he slapped his son twice and scolded him, "Your father has always taught you: 'Women are the axe that destroys your nature!' How could you commit such a grievous mistake because of a momentary lust?"
He turned around and solemnly bowed to Dongfang Yan, saying, "Your Highness, this bastard is indeed immoral. I will punish him severely according to family rules later. As for the deceased Miss Wang... she was the daughter of a commoner, and she certainly couldn't enter the Zheng family as a wife..."
At this time, Zheng's relatives and friends came forward to help speak:
"Our Zheng family is a prominent family with hundreds of years of history. Not to mention that Shirong is a legitimate son, even if he was a bastard, it would be impossible for him to marry a village girl."
"Although Shirong made mistakes, he was ultimately seduced by that village girl."
"Yes, Shirong agreed to take her as a concubine, but she dreamed of soaring to the sky and becoming the main wife. It was clearly her own greed that killed her!"
"Humph, if she takes the initiative to offer herself to seduce a man, how can she be a good woman?"
"Your Highness, Prince Jin, don't be deceived. That woman is cunning and greedy, and her family is definitely not good people either. They must be trying to use this to blackmail you for benefits!"
County Magistrate Zheng sighed and said magnanimously, "Death is the greatest thing of all. Let's stop gossiping. Your Highness, my Zheng family is willing to grant Miss Wang the status of a concubine, so that she won't become a wandering ghost, restless and in peace."
So those relatives and friends began to praise:
"As expected of the Zheng family, their family tradition is integrity!"
"Which decent family would want a woman of low birth who dreams of marrying into a rich family? Not to mention she's dead."
"Both the Zheng family and their son are kind and virtuous gentlemen, so they are willing to endure this."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yan began to doubt: Was Wang Ling'er really so vicious? She seduced Zheng Shirong in life, and after her death, she forced him into a ghost marriage and caused trouble for the Zheng family?
He was about to speak when he heard a "bang!" Lin Qingyue slammed her palm on the table, and the fruit plates and cups were all shattered.
"You're right, what people say is terrifying. Even though he's dead, he's still being lashed out at by you with vicious words!"
County Magistrate Zheng said, "Princess, I know you sympathize with Miss Wang. But the gap between social classes has existed since ancient times, and not just anyone can cross it. For example, if you weren't the daughter of a marquis, a noble lady from an aristocratic family, even if you and the prince..."
He paused and didn't continue, but the fact that Prince Jin was drugged and stayed in the same room with Lin Qingyue in an unclear manner was no longer a secret in the aristocratic circle.
"If you were a commoner or from a humble family, His Majesty would not grant you a marriage, no matter how close your relationship with the Prince of Jin is."
"Shut up!" Dongfang Yan scolded, "How dare you speak ill of the king and the princess?"
County Magistrate Zheng quickly apologized: "I dare not make such irresponsible remarks. I just wanted to point out that the difference in family background is an insurmountable chasm."
Dongfang Yan turned to Lin Qingyue and said, "Wang Linger was also at fault for what happened before. Even if she wants revenge, then..."
"Do you really think that's the truth?" Lin Qingyue interrupted Dongfang Yan.
She looked at Zheng Shirong and sneered, "Do you think that once someone dies, the truth will never be known? Your lies are still too clumsy."
Dongfang Yan frowned: "You said he was lying?"
Lin Qingyue said, "The living can lie, but memories are real. Why don't we take a look at that real memory of the past? Master Zheng, do you dare?"
For some reason, Zheng Shirong felt a little scared when he saw Lin Qingyue's smiling face. He subconsciously stepped back: "I'm not lying. What I said is true. It's true."
Lin Qingyue didn't care whether he agreed or not. She flipped her palm and cast out a talisman, chanting, "The heavens can bear witness to all that has happened in the past. Using blood as a guide, I will trace back my dreams!"
Her movements were quick; in just a moment, the talisman transformed into a ray of golden light and penetrated into Zheng Shirong's mind.
Zheng Shirong was stunned for a moment, his mind was in a daze, and the most real memories of the past slowly emerged -
The galloping horse passed through the heavy rain, and after a neigh, it stopped in front of a house.
The elegantly dressed young man rushed in with his men, and was greeted by the panic-stricken face of the girl.
"Who are you and how did you get in?"
"My son is the legitimate son of the county magistrate. I'm borrowing your place to shelter from the rain! What are you talking about? Why don't you make some hot tea and get some towels?"
This young woman was Wang Ling'er. After being startled, she heard that the man was the county magistrate's son, so she didn't dare refuse and hurried to pour tea and get a towel.
Zheng Shirong dried his wet hair, sat on the bench, and stared at the girl.
The fifteen-year-old girl was bright and pretty, with a pair of wet eyes filled with anxiety.
"Where are your parents?" he asked.
"My parents are working in the capital and haven't returned yet," the girl said, looking out the window, hoping they'd be back soon. But the rain was still pouring down, so she wondered if they were trapped there too.
"How old are you? What's your name?" Zheng Shirong seemed to have a lot of questions. His eyes were fixed on the girl, slowly moving from her face to her chest, waist, and hips.
"You're really good-looking. Have you promised me?"
Wang Linger felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by him, so she turned around and went into the inner room. Just as she was about to close the door, the simple wooden door was pushed open with great force.
Zheng Shirong came in, closed the door, and ordered his men, "Watch out! Don't let anyone disturb this young master's pleasure!"
His hobby was the beginning of the girl's nightmare.
The cries and shouts were drowned out by the heavy rain.
After a while, the heavy rain outside finally stopped, and the remaining raindrops fell along the eaves like a string of pearl tears.
The beast put on clothes and became a gentleman again.
"I...I'm going to sue you!"
He heard the girl's words behind him and suddenly laughed: "You want to sue me? Do you know who my father is? My father is the county magistrate, and our Zheng family is a famous and prestigious family. You want to sue me? What? Breaking into a private house, or raping a woman? Do you think my father will believe it? Will he convict me? Hahaha..."
He laughed wildly, "Go ahead and sue me. If you dare to tell me, your parents will lose face and their business will be ruined! I have plenty of ways to destroy your family!"
He pinched the girl's thin chin and said, "As a lowly commoner, it is your supreme honor to be favored by this young master! You should be grateful, don't you know? If you don't know what's good for you and make trouble, this young master will take you to a brothel and let thousands of people ride on you and sleep with you!"
Leaving the girl behind, he led his men and rode away on horseback.
The girl silently wiped away her tears, put on her clothes, and endured the discomfort to wipe the bloodstains on the bed.
Since ancient times, the people have not fought against the officials, not because they dare not, but because they cannot.
So, she concealed everything and even put on a forced smile when her parents came back.
She wanted to treat what happened that day as a nightmare and just forget about it quietly.
But I never expected that the beast would come again a few days later.
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