The people from the city lord's mansion were a step too late and watched helplessly as they entered the prefect's mansion.
After his subordinates reported back, Lin Licheng immediately had an invitation drafted, inviting the distinguished guest to his residence for a chat.
The invitation disappeared without a trace, which angered Lin Licheng so much that he smashed a lot of things.
"Wen Yuan is getting bolder and bolder, daring to ignore me!"
The servants in the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe, for fear of incurring his wrath and losing their lives.
The maidservant serving tea accidentally spilled some tea while pouring it, her hand trembling slightly. She shivered involuntarily and pleaded tremblingly, "Master, please forgive me... I didn't mean to..."
Lin Licheng smiled, placed his large hand on the back of her hand, and said in a voice so gentle it could melt water: "Don't be afraid, I won't eat you. Come to my room tonight."
Upon hearing this, the maid's face turned deathly pale. She knelt down and kowtowed, begging for mercy: "Master, I was wrong. I will never do it again. Please, Master, spare my life!"
Before Lin Licheng could speak, the steward came up and dragged the maid away, saying, "You're lucky to have been favored by the master. He's giving you the chance to be a concubine. Aren't you grateful to him? If you become successful, your whole family will be related to the city lord's mansion. What an honor! Besides, these days, if it weren't for the master, how could your family, including you, survive? Don't be ungrateful!"
The maid's face was filled with terror, and her eyes were filled with despair.
Upon hearing her family's voice, the maid's fear turned into numbness and resignation.
No matter who the master takes a liking to, no woman will live more than three days.
The city lord's mansion had no mistress, not even young ladies or maids, only a bunch of little maids.
Being able to work in the city lord's mansion is an honor for their families, but for them, it's a death sentence.
The maid was carried into Lin Licheng's room at night, and she was completely lifeless.
Lin Licheng was already waiting inside the room, and the butler closed the door.
Lin Licheng, who had been all smiles, suddenly put on a bloodthirsty expression.
Even though the maid had resigned herself to her fate, she couldn't help but tremble at this moment.
A moment later, a terrible scream came from the room, followed by a loud bang on the door, as if someone had slammed it hard.
Lin Licheng's curses rang out: "You bitch, you think you can run? I'll let you run! You can't even pour tea, do you look down on me, the city lord?"
"That bookworm Wen Yuan, when you mentioned him during the day, were you distracted because of him? Why do you all like him? You women are just shameless. I, the city lord, have money and power, so why do you all have your eyes on Wen Yuan?"
"But what's the use? Now they're still crying and begging for mercy in my bed, aren't they? A bunch of fickle scumbags!"
The man's cursing continued inside the house, interspersed with the woman's screams and pleas for mercy.
It was no surprise that the servants and stewards guarding outside looked perfectly normal.
The noise inside the house didn't subside until late at night.
The steward waited for a while, but the door still hadn't opened, so he told the servants to leave: "There's nothing to do today. Leave one person to keep watch, and the rest of you can go home and rest early!"
The next morning, when the maid entered, the room was in a mess. Lin Licheng had already left, leaving only the maid lying on the bed, barely alive, barely breathing.
The horrific injuries on the maidservant instilled fear in all the other maids, who were afraid they would be next.
Making a living in the city lord's mansion is like walking on thin ice.
Inside the Prefect's residence.
Wen Yuan knelt in the middle of the main hall, Shen Wei sat in the upper seat, and Ning Wenyi sat to his lower left.
"Your humble servant Wen Yuan greets Prince Duan!"
Shen Wei said, "Prefect Wen, please stand up and speak."
Wen Yuan didn't move, and continued, "I've heard that His Majesty has granted the Prince the power of regent. May I ask if this is true?"
Shen Wei nodded: "That is indeed the case."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuan kowtowed heavily: "This humble official wishes to accuse the City Lord of Nanjiang City of colluding with the Governor of Nanjiang City, using the name of Consort Lin to embezzle taxes, impose exorbitant levies, sell official positions, forcibly seize people, conscript laborers, and commit dozens of other crimes!"
Shen Wei felt a chill run down his spine. He exchanged a glance with Ning Wenyi, both realizing the seriousness of the situation.
"Does Prefect Wen understand how important the positions of city lord and governor are? If they have truly done such a thing, then these crimes, when combined, will cost them their heads!"
Wen Yuan remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "This humble official knows that what they have done is not only unforgivable but also violates the laws of the imperial court! Nanjiang City was originally a prosperous place, but they have made it miserable. This humble official is also a victim. The people have grievances but nowhere to seek redress. This humble official is extremely humiliated in his position as prefect. If possible, this humble official is willing to give up this official robe to seek justice for the people of Nanjiang City! I hope Your Highness will grant my request!"
Shen Wei continued, "Do you know that since I am here, no one can prove my identity? In the current situation, how can I help you? You know there is a saying that the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. The Lin brothers occupy Nanjiang City like local tyrants, and I am powerless to help them!"
Wen Yuan's eyes burned with fury, his words dripping with anguish: "My wife and children were brutally murdered by City Lord Lin Licheng! Countless bones lie buried in his mansion! Governor Lin Lixuan's harem is filled with people forcibly taken, both men and women! The Lin family helps Consort Lin Shu amass ill-gotten gains, oppressing the people and feeding on their misfortunes. The people of Nanjiang City are living in misery! I am truly at my wit's end. If I hadn't received Your Highness's invitation today, I would have already abandoned Nanjiang City tonight and followed my wife and children!"
Ning Wenyi was startled and quickly advised, "Lord Wen, you are wholeheartedly devoted to the people. The court cannot do without someone like you. Don't be so pessimistic. Doing so will only make your loved ones suffer and your enemies rejoice. If you have concrete evidence, the Prince will certainly not sit idly by. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
Shen Wei frowned deeply; he had no idea that the prefect of this city was living such a miserable life.
Looking at Wen Yuan, he was dressed in only a plain white robe, without any patterns or other decorations.
The prefect's mansion was also extremely poor, with the door frames, tables, and chairs all worn and old with peeling paint.
They weren't even offered a drop of tea, which was a proper service.
The wife and children were tortured to death; what a deep-seated hatred this is.
"In that case, hand over the evidence you have prepared to me, and I will thoroughly cleanse Nanjiang City and restore justice to the people!"
Wen Yuan bowed deeply: "On behalf of the people, I thank Your Highness. The evidence will be handed over to Your Highness shortly."
"You can get up now."
This time, Wen Yuan did not refuse and stood up directly.
"I have come here on a matter of business. One of our maids was tricked out of her quarters yesterday and has not been seen since. We suspect it was the work of the City Lord's Mansion. Do you know anything about the Ke Lai Inn?"
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