Seeing Da Bao's worried expression, Chen Qingqing felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She could leave at any time if she wanted to, but she couldn't disregard the safety of her family.
If Qin Shousheng's true aim is control of the sugar factory, then if she leaves, Qin Shousheng will certainly not let any member of the Chen family go.
Especially her parents and Da Bao, who know the secret recipe for making white sugar, will become victims after she escapes. For their sake, she must stay.
Chen Qingqing narrowed her eyes, a sinister glint flashing in them. If she couldn't escape this calamity, even if she had to flee, she would kill Qin Shousheng and Miao Hong, at least to give her family a chance to live.
To avoid worrying Da Bao, she forced a relaxed smile and said, "Da Bao, it's not time for me to leave yet. But don't worry, if it really comes down to a life-or-death situation, I will definitely go."
Da Bao's expression was grave. "Sister Qingqing, I'm afraid they might try something underhanded with you."
"Don't worry, they haven't achieved their goal yet, they won't do anything to me," Chen Qingqing glanced outside the prison and urged, "Dabao, it's not safe to stay here any longer. You should leave first, and remember to protect yourself and take care of my family for me."
"Okay, I'm leaving then."
Watching Da Bao's departing figure, Chen Qingqing frowned slightly. Others who transmigrated were doing very well, but why was she so miserable, almost to the point of wandering the world?
You two liar brothers, you're really good at lying! You even said you were reborn into a family of kings and generals, but you're nothing at all.
I thought that by supporting Chen Han's studies, I could enjoy the good life when he passed the imperial examination with top honors. But now it seems that I won't be able to live to see that day.
Not long after Da Bao left, Warden Sun pushed open the door and came in, holding a list of charges in his hand.
“Miss Chen, we have been instructed to interrogate you thoroughly every day, but I have never laid a hand on you. I have done everything I could. Please sign and affix your seal to this petition, so as not to make things difficult for us.”
Chen Qingqing understood what the jailer Sun meant: the higher-ups wanted to force a confession out of her, making her sign a document admitting that Hu Yuniang's death was related to her.
He had bribed everyone here, so Chief Sun hadn't tortured him. Judging from his words, it seemed that people above had put pressure on him again.
She raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "I am innocent. Hu Yuniang's death has nothing to do with me. I will not sign or put my fingerprint on any confession."
“Miss Chen, I have already gone against the orders of my superiors. If you insist on doing this, and they really send someone down to interrogate you personally, I can’t protect you.” Warden Sun spoke sincerely, his face showing a kind reminder.
"Warden Sun, thank you for your kindness, but I cannot sign." Chen Qingqing understood better than anyone that once she signed the indictment, her crime of poisoning someone would be confirmed, and she would face the death penalty.
After spending a few days together, everyone in the prison, from the guards to the head jailer, was won over by Chen Qingqing's boldness. They all felt sorry for her, but there was nothing they could do.
The jailer sighed helplessly and continued to persuade her, "Miss Chen, I advise you to give up hope. No one who's been targeted by the higher-ups has ever walked out of Anyang Prison alive. No matter how much you struggle, you'll still end up dying. If you confess now, you'll suffer less. When the trial is over, I'll inform the executioner so you won't have to suffer so much."
Chen Qingqing curled her lips into a smile but remained silent.
"He who takes a bribe is bound to be obligated to feed him," and seeing that Chen Qingqing refused to sign the indictment, Warden Sun knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he had no choice but to give up.
He winked at the jailer outside the door, who immediately understood and came in.
“Miss Chen, we know you are generous and righteous, and would never harm anyone, but we are just lowly people and our words have no effect.” The jailer said, picking up his tools with a respectful expression. “These past few days, the higher-ups have been pressing us hard, so I have to put on a fake face for you. Otherwise, if someone comes down to investigate, we won’t be able to explain ourselves. Please cooperate, Miss Chen.”
"Okay, let's get started!" Chen Qingqing didn't want to make things difficult for anyone, so she nodded in agreement.
The jailer picked up a tool and carefully made realistic cuts on Chen Qingqing's face, hands, and neck.
Chen Qingqing secretly rejoiced that she had given them money, otherwise they would have beaten her to death.
It seems the person behind this is getting impatient. Chen Qingqing is quite eager to know what this person's true purpose is.
The inner residence of the Anyang County Government Office.
"Lord Shen, the suspect in the grocery store murder case has been locked up in jail for quite some time now. Why haven't you gotten him to sign his confession yet? What are you people doing?" Chen Ruolan said angrily.
Ever since Chen Qingqing was thrown into the death row, Chen Ruolan has been urging Qin Shousheng to quickly sentence Chen Qingqing to death.
However, Qin Shousheng also had to follow the rules. He needed Chen Qingqing to put her fingerprint on her statement before he could submit the case file to the Ministry of Justice for review.
Only after obtaining approval from his superiors did he have the authority to execute Chen Qingqing.
However, several days have passed, and Chen Qingqing has still not been forced to confess and submit to punishment in prison.
This greatly worried Chen Ruolan. Not wanting to urge Qin Shousheng any further, she summoned Shen Yuanze to the inner courtyard to find out what was going on.
Seeing her cold expression and the way she immediately began to scold him, Shen Yuanze felt a surge of displeasure.
Shameless bastard! He's a petty person who gets arrogant after achieving success; his eyes are on his ass!
This little bitch used to be just my plaything, but now she's acting all high and mighty.
However, she was indeed quite shrewd, managing to completely win over Qin Shousheng and effortlessly become his legal wife.
He decided not to hold a grudge against her for entrusting him with the cushy job of managing the salt transport.
Thinking of this, he smiled broadly and began to explain respectfully.
"Your Majesty, this matter is not the fault of our subordinates for their incompetence. It is only because Chen Qingqing is stubborn and defiant. The jailers beat her all over, but she just wouldn't confess or sign anything. Our men were helpless!"
Chen Ruolan gritted her teeth fiercely, "There's no other way, so beat her hard until she confesses."
“I have already instructed Warden Sun to double the torture on Chen Qingqing. No matter how strong she is, she can’t withstand the severe torture. In a few days, she will have to sign and seal her confession. Madam, please wait a few more days.”
"Okay, then I'll wait for your good news."
"Rest assured, my lady, I will certainly not let you down." Shen Yuanze glanced at Chen Ruolan unintentionally, his heart fluttering.
She was fair and tender, with a firm and shapely figure. We didn't know how to cherish her back then, and we just handed over such a wonderful beauty to someone else.
Looking back, every move was exquisite, like a dragonfly skimming the water, or a raging storm.
It was truly intoxicating, captivating everyone who experienced it, making them linger and reluctant to leave, as if they were experiencing a blissful, decadent state of being.
But he was self-aware enough to know that this was no longer an option.
If Chen Ruolan were to lose her temper and disregard past feelings, that would be considered an act of insubordination.
But Shen Yuanze was still a little unwilling to give up, and with a tentative tone, he changed his voice slightly, "Ruolan..."
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