Chapter 379: Alive
"What?" The people halfway up the hill looked confused and stood there blankly, obviously not realizing the seriousness of the situation.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep confusion and bewilderment, as if they were unable to understand every word Jiang Li said.
Jiang Li snorted coldly, then raised his voice and said loudly, "Let you go? But some of you said that the headman had killed someone. Aren't you afraid that your ruthless headman will silence you?"
Her eyes were sharp, like a razor-sharp sword, sweeping across the kneeling crowd. She continued, "Think carefully, would a ruthless man like him allow those of you who have revealed the truth to leave unharmed?"
"Only under the protection of the princess can you save your lives and have a chance of survival."
When the man halfway up the hill heard this, his body trembled violently, as if he had been struck by lightning. The confusion on his face was instantly replaced by extreme fear.
Some began to sob softly, while others widened their eyes in fear, their lips trembling as they said, "What should we do? We didn't think that much."
Others banged their heads against the ground, their foreheads bleeding, and begged bitterly, "Princess, please save us, we won't dare to do it again."
Chu Ci looked at their pitiful and helpless appearance. Although he felt reluctant, his face remained serious. He said in a deep voice: "This princess will weigh the pros and cons. If you are truly repentant and confess the truth, I will protect you."
Seeing that they were still skeptical, Chu Ci frowned slightly and continued, "Don't worry, there are many well-trained guards guarding here, and the surrounding area has been strictly guarded. It is absolutely safe."
"As long as you behave yourself, once the matter is thoroughly investigated, you will be cleared of all charges and given your freedom."
After hearing this, the people in Banshanpo Village exchanged hesitant glances with each other, and no one could make up their minds.
After a long while, Niu Daner gritted his teeth and stood up, saying in a trembling voice, "Since the princess has said so, we will believe her this time."
Seeing this, the others nodded in agreement, but their eyes still showed uneasiness and their bodies were trembling slightly.
Seeing this, Chu Ci said no more and turned to look at Qiao Chi.
Qiao Chi understood immediately and asked someone to carry freshly steamed buns to the front and said, "Everyone come in, dinner is ready, please line up and get your meal!"
When the people halfway up the mountain saw the steamed buns, their eyes suddenly lit up, and their originally frightened expressions were instantly replaced by extreme desire.
Some even immediately started thinking: "If we were locked up here forever, would we have white rice and big steamed buns for every meal?"
A few people thought their voices were very low, but there were no ordinary people in Chu Ci's guard team, and everyone had sharp ears and eyes.
Upon hearing this, a guard stepped forward and mercilessly kicked several of them. He shouted, "Miss Qiao, these guys are dishonest. Don't give them the steamed buns anymore."
Qiao Chi nodded and said seriously, "Pull them aside to prevent them from taking advantage of the situation and disrupting order."
Killing the chicken to scare the monkey is a simple but extremely effective method.
Those who had originally hoped to take advantage of the situation looked at the people who were pulled aside with fear and dread in their eyes, their hearts in their throats, fearing that they would be the next to be punished.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became solemn and quiet. Everyone stood properly, not daring to make any small movements, not even daring to breathe.
Seeing this, Chu Ci left with peace of mind.
In the backyard of the county government office, Fan Jingrui looked at the news brought back by Fan Wu with a serious expression. His brows were furrowed as if tied in a knot, and the deep wrinkles on his forehead seemed able to pinch a fly to death.
He was filled with anxiety and paced back and forth in his study.
At this moment, Chu Ci suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. "Husband, take a look at this?"
As Chu Ci spoke, he handed over the information he had obtained from the interrogation at the sheep oil soap workshop.
Fan Jingrui took the information, but at the moment he had no intention of reading it. Instead, his face was heavy as he slowly said, "Madam, the fake Li Qin is still alive."
Chu Ci frowned slightly when he heard this, and asked with a puzzled look on his face, "So, he opened the sheep oil soap workshop? So stupid?"
Chu Ci paused, her beautiful eyes moving around, and continued, "Since we know he did it, why not just arrest him? What are you so anxious about, my husband?"
Fan Jingrui frowned and expressed his concerns anxiously, "That fake Li Qin seems to be linked to a powerful figure in the capital. If we act rashly to arrest him, I'm afraid it will ripple through the entire situation, leading to unpredictable consequences. This is what worries me."
Chu Ci, however, was unconcerned. He crossed his arms and said with a determined look, "Are the powerful greater than the prince or the emperor?"
After hearing Chu Ci's words, Fan Jingrui's eyes lit up, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkness, and he said anxiously: "My wife, let your baby run a trip later!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ci immediately understood Fan Jingrui's plan. She smiled and made an OK gesture.
At the same time, the crown prince and the emperor in the capital city received the letter that Fan Jingrui asked Hai Dongqing to deliver.
"Announce the message from the purple-robed envoy." The emperor hurriedly read the letter with a serious expression and immediately gave instructions to the eunuch beside him.
The eunuch responded respectfully, then turned and left in a hurry.
The emperor then continued, "Let's go to the Prince's Mansion..."
However, before the emperor could finish his words, a young eunuch hurried in with a panicked look on his face, "The prince is outside asking to see you!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes fixed, and he immediately said decisively: "Announce."
Soon, with a voice saying "Announce the Crown Prince into the hall", the Crown Prince walked in with steady steps.
After entering, he went straight to the point and asked anxiously, "Father, has Master Xiao Fan written to you?"
Having said that, he hurriedly handed over the letter in his hand respectfully.
The emperor took the letter and quickly scanned it. He then looked up at the prince and said, "I plan to ask Yan Xin to run a trip. What do you think, Prince?"
When the Crown Prince heard the Emperor say this, he realized that Fan Jingrui had informed his father of the situation. He quickly bowed and said sincerely, "Your Majesty is wise."
After a brief pause, the Crown Prince hesitated and said gently, "Father, if this happens, we may not have enough manpower in the capital."
"Father, I have an idea. I wonder if you can let your fifth brother be responsible for the investigation in the capital?" After saying this, the prince lowered his head slightly, with a hint of caution in his eyes. He secretly glanced at the emperor sitting above him, observing the emperor's expression.
The emperor looked at the cautious and secretive prince below and immediately lost his temper. His face darkened and he shouted angrily, "Get out!"
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