Ruan Meiying and Hongshi returned to the Prince's Mansion. Although Linlang did not want to see them, she still put on a smile and greeted them at the door in order to win back Hongshi's heart.
Upon seeing Hongshi alight from the carriage, Linlang went up to him and said, "I heard that Your Highness and my sister went out for a trip? Did you have a good time?"
Ruan Meiying said, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I feel so happy to be with Prince Bei!" After Ruan Meiying finished speaking, she smiled and looked at Hongshi, who also smiled back at her.
Linlang watched the two of them exchanging glances, and gritted her teeth in hatred, but she still had to pretend to be nonchalant and said, "In that case, I'm relieved, Master. I've prepared your favorite dishes in the room. Could you come and stay with me for a while? I have something to tell you."
Linlang deliberately made her tone pitiful and asked cautiously.
Hongshi felt a pang of pity seeing her like this. He also realized that it had been a long time since he had visited Linlang, and he still had feelings for her. He nodded and said, "Go back to your room first. I'll be there in a bit."
Seeing that he had agreed, Linlang happily said, "Yes, then Linlang will take her leave first!" Then she gave Ruan Meiying a provocative look and left.
Hongshi said to Ruan Meiying, "Let's go! I'll take you back to your room first."
Hongshi escorted Ruan Meiying to her room. Ruan Meiying said to Hongshi, "Master, there's no need to see me off any further. Please go to Sister Linlang's place first! She's waiting for you!"
Hongshi asked in confusion, "Aren't you jealous?"
Ruan Meiying said with a charming smile, "We are all sisters, what is there to be jealous of? As long as I can stay by Prince's side, I will be content."
Hongshi was satisfied with her words and nodded, saying, "You rest first, I'll come see you later."
Ruan Dafeng arrived outside the Jingzhao Prefecture government office. He hesitated outside, wondering whether he should go in to file a complaint. After thinking it over, he decided to try his luck, in case the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture could help him!
Ruan Dafeng walked to the grievance drum, picked up the drumstick, and struck the drum forcefully, shouting, "Injustice! Injustice!"
After knocking twice, two soldiers came out of the government office and said, "Stop knocking, come with us!"
Li Wan, the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, also heard the drumbeat. He said to his clerk, "Someone has beaten the drum to appeal for justice! Quickly prepare for court!"
The clerk replied, "Yes." Then Li Wan went to the backyard to change into his official robes. He then asked the yamen runner, "Who beat the drum to appeal for justice?"
The constable replied, "Sir, he is a farmer from Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan Province."
Li Wan asked in confusion, "Why would people from Kaifeng Prefecture come to the capital to file a complaint? This must be a big deal! Take me there quickly!"
"Court is now in session!" the bailiffs on either side shouted. "Majesty!"
Li Wan sat down in the chair in the county government office, slammed the gavel on the table, and said, "Bring the person who filed the complaint to the court!"
Two constables brought Ruan Dafeng up, and Ruan Dafeng knelt on the ground.
Li Wan asked him, "Who are you, and why have you come to lodge a complaint?"
Ruan Dafeng replied, "I am from Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province. I have come today to appeal to the officials in charge of disaster relief."
Li Wan then asked, "Since you are from Kaifeng Prefecture, you should go to the Kaifeng Prefecture government office if you want to file a complaint. Why did you come to the capital?"
Ruan Dafeng replied, "Because the people of Kaifeng Prefecture are in cahoots with them, they forced this humble citizen to come to the capital."
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