Chapter 009: When Scheming Encounters Scheming

Xia Chuqii would never allow them to continue staring at her. It was as if she had suffered a grievance from the Heavenly City, turning her head to lean on the fool's shoulder, crying in a heart-wrenching manner, causing those around her to involuntarily sigh with sympathy. Yet, she was shaking her shoulders, ... holding back laughter ...

Wretched person, are you playing with her again

The bureaucratic system of the Dayan Dynasty is strict, and the current emperor adheres to the principle of "harsh laws in chaotic times." Criminals face severe penalties, often resulting in death sentences. Officials who commit dereliction of duty will certainly face repercussions; losing their official hats and receiving corporal punishment are minor issues, while losing their lives is not uncommon. Fan Congliang warnedly glared at his daughter, brushed off the official attire of a county magistrate, and, with his corpulent body, stepped forward to perform a deep bow to Zhao Zun, respectfully saying: "Your Highness, this woman is my youngest daughter, who has been foolish and unruly since childhood, speaking without decorum..."

Fan was dragged away while crying out, and with the first slap, two of his teeth were knocked out, his screams were truly horrifying. However, the onlookers were left in complete silence. Along the roadside, apart from the sound of the wind rustling the flags, only the mournful wails of Fan and the dull thuds of clubs striking flesh remained.

Your Highness, the common woman speaks with utmost certainty; it is enough to part this little wretch's hair to know the truth.

In order to align with the plot of being a fool, she pouted, opened her arms, and embraced the fool's neck, sobbing and shedding tears as she rubbed her face against his shoulder, stifling her cries.

Zhao Zun cast a cold glance and said, "Push her hair aside."

Get lost already! You're making a fool of yourself

Zhao Zun's "swoosh" cut through the air, exuding an innate regal aura that looked down upon all beings, compelling people to not dare to raise their heads to meet his gaze

Or rather, he did not recognize her at all from beginning to end

The ancestors have finally escaped a calamity

He wanted to find an excuse to give Fan a way out, but unexpectedly, Zhao Zun asked seriously

Fool, I want to go home, the city is not fun, not fun...

Two constables exchanged knowing glances and came over to escort Fan away

Fan could not wait to step forward, and before Jin Weijun could grasp Xia Chiqi's shoulder, he brushed aside her bangs in one swift motion

However, such things cannot withstand scrutiny; although she secretly dealt with the Fan family, she still had to continue pretending to be foolish

I am the rule, does Lord Fan have any objections

She happily tugged at the seemingly thoughtful fool, as the crowd along the roadside, some chasing, some watching, and others engaged in their own affairs, gradually dispersed. Just as she was preparing to return to the city to buy two taels of meat from the butcher to celebrate the new beginning, a sudden voice reached her ears.

At last, that solitary figure with a horse, shrouded in the flow of soldiers, receded into the distance

Fan stared blankly at Xia Chuqii's forehead, murmuring loudly, "No, it's impossible, how could it be? I clearly saw it..."

And she is that monkey

Zhao Zun coldly raised a hand to stop him from continuing, and then, with an unchanged expression, asked the Fan family.

It is hard to imagine how so many ordinary people could maintain silence at the same time

The sudden change left the crowd petrified

How can a pregnant woman endure twenty lashes? Xia Chiqi no longer has the energy to pay attention to this. It was only when she first witnessed the brutality of ancient punishments that she suddenly had the illusion that a certain despicable prince was actually using a chicken to warn the monkeys.

Like being struck by a muffled thunder, her back stiffened

There is no need for excessive courtesy from adults! Pull them down, give fifty slaps, and twenty strokes with a cane, as a demonstration of punishment is sufficient

It shouldn't be like this! ... That day the sky was dim, and she looked quite disheveled ...

This matter allowed Xia Chiqi to let out a long sigh of relief

It seemed that he had given Fan Congliang a tremendous favor, but in reality, he had played a cruel trick on him, leaving him in a situation where he could only suffer in silence. However, Xia Chuqii discovered that this was precisely in line with the repressed and sultry nature of the man in the red shorts. She had long realized that beneath his serious and stern exterior lay a certain "sullen mischief" that could be said to be unmatched by anyone else.

Upon hearing this, Fan Congliang felt a surge of panic in his heart. According to the "Great Yan Code", those who falsely accuse the virtuous should be punished in return. Gritting his teeth, in order to provide an explanation to Prince Jin and also to consider the perspective of the citizens of the entire city, he hurriedly exchanged a glance with the clerk.

Your Highness, this official will immediately escort this guilty woman back to the county jail and will impose severe penalties in accordance with the law

Lord Fan is overly concerned; this prince is well aware that you are upright and impartial, not swayed by personal feelings. However, although the Fan family is guilty beyond redemption, the unborn child is indeed innocent

Yet whenever she tentatively glanced at him, his indifferent gaze never met hers

Fan Congliang sternly reprimanded his daughter, but when facing Zhao Zun, he put on a flattering and ingratiating expression, saying, "Your Highness, my daughter is truly foolish and incompetent, having delayed your journey. Upon returning, I will certainly impose a severe punishment on her."

As Zheng Erbao's sharp voice rang out, the long-stationed Jinwei army set off once again, marching in orderly formations from the distance. The grand and imposing spectacle made Xia Chuqii so tense that cold sweat soaked through his back

Miss, His Highness requests your presence

This matter is difficult to say, yet simple to explain

You, step forward

Unexpectedly, Zhao Zun淡淡 said, "Slow down—"

Ah—she gasped.

Bloody, violent, and utterly horrific

What evidence do you have

Fan cast a sidelong glance at his father, his voice considerably weakened, "Your Highness, this vile woman has an unknown background and is known to be cunning and cruel. When I had a dispute with her yesterday, I personally saw the tattoo of a punishment on her forehead. She must undoubtedly be a fugitive criminal. I implore Your Highness to investigate this matter thoroughly."

The Fan father and daughter suddenly felt as if they had fallen into the cold of December, rendered speechless.

So it turns out to be a birthmark, then does the lady from the Fan family... can she read?

He did not recognize her

In her previous life in the modern era, the skin wax used in film and television makeup was not a rare item. Many beauty-conscious young women made their own skin wax to cover eyebrows and scars in order to save money. However, due to the urgency of the situation, she was unable to create a skin wax that matched her skin tone. Since black provided the best coverage, she improvised and had the fool help her gather the raw materials for gel production, which included soap pods and plant-based black dye from persimmon leaves and holly leaves. She added a handful of pot bottom ash, soaked it in salt to set the color, and boiled it down to create black skin wax. After evenly applying and allowing it to absorb, it appeared at first glance like a black birthmark.

How does Master Fan intend to impose punishment

Punishment? Xia Chuqii scoffed coldly in her heart

Zhao Zun looked at the top of her head, his brows slightly furrowing

Fan looked smug and thought to himself, this little wretch is still putting on an act, but it won't do any good; under these circumstances, it is absolutely impossible for His Highness, the Prince of Jin, not to pursue the matter.

Your Highness, according to the Great Yan Code, to punish before a trial is to disrupt the established order

His Royal Highness the King is setting out!

The brutality of Prince Jin, along with his calm yet wild demeanor, has once again been confirmed

Fan Congliang was overjoyed, his old face glowing with happiness, willingly bowing his head in submission.

The entire venue was in an uproar, and all eyes turned towards Xia Chuqii

Fan Congliang was drenched in cold sweat, yet he still had to fight for his daughter

Thus, she sought a compromise solution

Certainly, although the character "cheap" from the acupuncture may not penetrate deeply into the body, completely removing it is not an easy task. In modern times, even with laser treatment, countless sessions are required. Relying solely on traditional Chinese medicine is not a matter of a day or two. Moreover, improper use of medication could very likely leave scars. How could she dare to experiment recklessly?

How dare you! What nonsense are you speaking in front of the court?

The county government office is all run by the Fan family, so isn't the prison equivalent to their guest room

On Xia Chiqi's forehead, there were no expected刺字, only a lump of something black and murky

The wretch is indeed despicable

The shoulder trembled slightly, and Xia Chuqii buried her head even lower.

Could it be that he recognized her long ago

A sudden jolt ran through her heart, and Xia Chuqii thought to herself that it was all over. Her gaze crossed the crowd and landed on the man who stood high above them. Perhaps due to her overwhelming sense of guilt, although she could not clearly see his face, she could distinctly feel the chilling mockery in his gaze.

The one who could take the lead in action is Fan Congliang, the biological father of the Fan family.

Come here!

Prince Jin, truly ruthless!

Imperial court's criminal

The young lady is quite beautiful, yet her appearance is marred by that birthmark

Ah, what a large birthmark!

No one expected His Highness Prince Jin to plead for the Fan family, and Xia Chiqi was even more infuriated, her teeth itching with anger. She shared the same sentiment as everyone present, unable to comprehend how a man known as the "Cold-faced Yama" could so kindly consider the fetus in a pregnant woman's belly, and thus intended to let the Fan family off the hook like this

Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness ... ...

Fan Congliang felt a cold sweat on his back, "Your Highness? Do you suspect that I would shield the guilty woman?"

It is truly quiet on site. The silence makes the cries of the Fan family particularly piercing to the ears

"Your humble servant dares not!" These few words were particularly difficult for Fan Congliang to utter