Chapter 351 Rumors
Zheng Huiyin lived a secluded life and rarely appeared in front of ordinary people.
Except for literary gatherings and banquets attended by people of equal status, people would usually wear a veil when going out.
The earth-shattering accusation made outside the hall today was so perfectly timed. Who else could have arranged it except Qin Zhaoyue?
The reason why she didn't let Chunying deny the fact that she was "kidnapped" was because she saw this clearly.
In the face of surging rumors, the truth is no longer important.
The only thing that can be done at this moment is to use the power of Jingzhao Prefecture to weave a relatively decent lie.
Even if only a little bit can be salvaged, it is better than nothing.
He endured the great humiliation and washed and changed his clothes as quickly as possible, putting on the clean clothes that Du Zhubu had ordered people to find for him.
When they reappeared in front of Du Zhubu, at least on the surface there was no problem.
The exposed cheeks and skin had no obvious scars except for being pale and haggard.
Du Zhubu is extremely efficient.
In the short time that Zheng Huiyin was washing up, a "perfect" case file had emerged out of thin air and was quietly taken to Deng Hongyi, who was holding on in the front hall, for review.
Prefecture Governor Deng quickly glanced over the "meticulous" details and read the statement "A filial son rescued his mother and kidnapped a noble lady by mistake, only for the sake of money and without committing any wrongdoing." He did not ask any more questions and just nodded heavily.
Soon, the case in the front hall was concluded, and a middle-aged man who looked honest was brought up by the yamen runners.
Deng Hongyi slammed the gavel and shouted majestically, "Who is kneeling? Tell me your name!"
The man trembled with fear, "Little...little Zhang Ergou..."
"Zhang Ergou, you are incredibly audacious, but the day before yesterday evening, at the alley on the west side of Suzaku Street, you kidnapped Miss Zheng from the Duke's Mansion and her maid Chunying!"
Zhang Ergou kowtowed repeatedly: "It's me, the villain! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!"
"I really didn't know they were the daughters of the Duke's Mansion at the time. I just saw that they were dressed in bright and beautiful clothes and the carriage they were riding in was also very impressive..."
"You are so bold and unruly! You still dare to make excuses after all this? Why don't you confess the truth? Why do you do such evil things?"
Zhang Ergou burst into tears, "Your Majesty, I have no other choice but to do this.
My mother is seriously ill and bedridden.
I sold the few acres of land in my family, but still couldn't raise enough money for the life-saving medicine.
With no other options left, he entered the city to find work or... or to ask for alms...
When I saw that these two girls were dressed in luxurious clothes, I was tempted by the devil and thought that if I kidnapped them, I would be able to exchange them for some money to save my mother's life.
I swear, I never intended to harm their lives, I only wanted to save my mother."
"Since you're seeking wealth, why don't you extort money from the Duke's Mansion?"
Zhang Ergou shrank back in fear and said, "I regretted it after kidnapping them. They are from wealthy families, how could I, a commoner, dare to do that?"
I only dared to take the two girls' valuable jewelry, exchange them for some silver at the pawnshop, and buy some life-saving medicinal herbs.
"Everything the villain said is true. The villain deserves to die! The villain deserves to die!"
"Why are they wearing such tattered and dirty clothes? Where did the bloodstains come from?"
"That's because I thought their original clothes were valuable, so I asked them to change them.
I am poor and have only some worn-out clothes to cover their bodies.
I swear I never hurt them in the slightest!
That bloodstain might be...maybe it was scratched somewhere when they were struggling to escape?
I didn't know! I really didn't do anything! "
Deng Hongyi remained calm and turned to Zheng Huiyin, "Miss Zheng, is this man's confession true?"
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Zheng Huiyin.
She straightened her back, and there was no emotion on her face, only a calmness that was almost indifferent.
"My Lord, what he said is basically true.
This person did not make things difficult for us. He provided us with food, water, and clothes, which were very simple, but he did not harm us.
As for the dirt and stains on our bodies, and the little blood we accidentally stained...
It was because we two were unwilling to be trapped and tried to escape several times. In the struggle to avoid, we were infected by the kitchen staff in the woodshed."
Having said this, Zheng Huiyin took two steps forward and bowed.
"Sir, although Zhang Ergou committed a serious crime, it was for a reason, and he did not humiliate us.
Considering his filial piety and the fact that he has not caused any harm, I beg you to consider and give him a lenient sentence."
Deng Hongyi nodded: "Well, the case is clear.
Zhang Ergou kidnapped the wives of officials. Since the victim has pleaded for mercy, I will give him a lighter sentence.
I sentence you to eighty strokes of the cane and three thousand miles of exile!"
Zhang Ergou was so grateful that he burst into tears, as if he had been pardoned. "Thank you, Lord Justice, for your mercy! Thank you, Miss Zheng, for your pity!"
Outside the yamen, the captain of the guards, Liu Feng, was completely dumbfounded.
He had no idea how things had turned out like this.
Why did the lady just... admit it?
As the people around heard the verdict, the buzz of discussion began again, but the content had quietly changed.
"So that's how it is. No wonder Miss Zheng wasn't on the list. She was kidnapped by this fool."
"Hiss... Falling into the hands of someone like this, even if it doesn't lead to that, it's still pretty bad. This reputation..."
"This young lady from the Duke's Mansion suffered an unexpected disaster, yet she still pleaded for mercy. What a pity."
…
What they didn't know was that the news about "the eldest daughter of the Duke's Mansion being kidnapped", "her clothes were covered in blood", and "she was in a miserable state" had already spread like wings to every corner of Fengjing.
At this moment, in the wine shop in Zhuquefang, in the teahouse in Yunshaofang, in the market in Yongxingfang...
Countless versions of the story are being passed on by word of mouth, vividly describing the story, and the three words "Zheng Huiyin" have become firmly tied to "blemished reputation" and "suffering a great disaster."
The carefully woven lies in court were nothing compared to the surging rumors.
Of course, Mo Liu’s instigation was indispensable behind this.
As an expert in disguise, infiltration and intelligence dissemination in the Mo Group, Mo Liu quietly shuttled between the most bustling markets.
Or they may become women whispering on the street corner, or wealthy customers who "accidentally" reveal secrets in a tavern.
She just needs to throw out the eye-catching information in a casual yet highly provocative tone.
The rest are left to the countless curious, gossipy, or malicious mouths, who exaggerate the details and spread them rapidly.
In less than half an hour, the core areas of Zhuque, Yunshao, Yongxing and Luming were already completely covered by the rumor, and she no longer needed to worry about its subsequent spread.
The mission was completed, Mo Liu changed his appearance again, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Humph, you dare to set up a trap to frame her prince?
Zheng Huiyin deserved what happened to her!
I heard from Sister Sui Mo that this woman had the audacity to ask someone to ask for help at the princess's residence. She really has no idea about her princess's temperament.
Mo Liu had heard from the old man in the mansion that the last maid who dared to betray His Highness, along with her relatives, had already been "dealt with" completely.
If Zheng Huiyin had not been the legitimate daughter of the Duke's Mansion, killing her would have caused such great consequences. Given His Highness's vengeful nature, both the master and the servant would have had grass growing over their graves by now.
After a thought passed through his mind, Mo Liu did not stay any longer and disappeared in the bustling crowd.
Sui Mo left earlier than her.
After a simple disguise, relying on his fourth-grade cultivation, he blended into the crowd and revealed Zheng Huiyin's identity without being exposed.
Moreover, when the commotion just started and everyone's attention was focused on the hall, he quietly withdrew and fled as far away as the wind.
The mission was successfully completed, and His Highness regained both face and dignity.
As for whether His Highness has any more ruthless tricks up his sleeve?
Don’t worry, let’s see how the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion responds.
Now, all the means used in this back and forth are to destroy people's reputation.
Even if Duke Zheng was so angry that he vomited blood, he couldn't find any reason to complain. He could only swallow his anger and bear it!
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