The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 213 Confrontation

Qi Wuyu opened his mouth in surprise, but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

He even wondered if Tao Heng was bluffing him.

But Tao Heng looked back at him with an open and fearless gaze.

Very well, if it hadn't happened to someone he knew, he wouldn't have believed a word of it.

Aren't you going to try to persuade them?

Tao Heng shrugged: "How do you know I didn't try to dissuade you?"

Qi Wuyu had tried to persuade Wu Yuan about everything he had considered and others, but she wouldn't listen.

They wanted to avenge Miss Wu themselves.

He advised them not to gamble with their lives, but they said they weren't joking.

Ever since Miss Wu passed away, they have been thinking about revenge every moment.

But they were just ordinary people, with no connections and no powerful backers.

Their lives were like driftwood floating on water, constantly at risk of capsizing.

The county magistrate wasn't a high-ranking official, but he was enough to overwhelm them.

Later, they discovered that there was a way, but every path was fraught with crisis and risk.

"You say life is the most important thing? But the deceased was already terminally ill and dreamed of reuniting with his beloved."

"You talk about chastity and purity? Do you know what Wu Yuan said?"

"What did she say?"

"In life, we are all just flesh and blood; in death, we are all just a handful of dust. This world is very fair. What is chastity? What is innocence? They are just tools for them to attack and restrict me. But no matter how harsh their words are, they cannot hurt me in the slightest, because I know that my soul is still brave and kind."

Zheng Xun suddenly raised his hand and clapped his hands: "Well said!"

Qi Wuyu couldn't help but show a moved expression.

Tao Heng said calmly, "So, it wasn't me who persuaded her, but she who convinced me. This is their decision, and all I can do is make sure their efforts aren't in vain."

They had never witnessed Wu Yuan's gaze at that time, so they could not understand his shock.

Qi Wuyu composed himself: "Will Zhang Zheng investigate?"

Whether they investigate or not, we'll find out soon enough.

Zheng Xun opened the light screen.

What is Zhang doing inside the light screen?

He was fishing at the time, looking so relaxed and carefree, hardly like someone who was about to rush around for a case.

Tao Heng glanced coldly at Zhang Zheng and sneered, "He definitely won't go."

"Why?"

"Because he's a bastard."

Qi Wuyu: ...

That makes so much sense; he didn't even know how to refute it.

"He's probably still hoping to extract a confession through torture."

"So, Miss Wu is going to suffer under his thumb?"

Tao Heng did not answer, but silence was the best answer.

For the next two days, Zheng Xun and his group did not go to see Zhang Zheng again.

However, Zhang Zheng never got the result he wanted.

Every time Wu Yuan was hit a few times, she would decisively confess and beg for mercy.

However, the more readily they confess, the faster they regret it when it comes to signing and sealing the document.

After being repeatedly tricked by her, both the yamen runners interrogating her and Zhang Zheng were getting fed up.

Moreover, they weren't exactly known for their good nature.

He did want to do something, but unfortunately, Tao Heng was right next to him, eyeing him covetously and waiting to find something to use against him.

Therefore, another idea gradually took shape in his mind.

On the third day, Tao Heng led them to Zhang Zheng again.

His timing was perfect; Zhang Zheng was just about to interrogate Wu Yuan one last time.

Because Zheng Xun and his group arrived so suddenly, Zhang Zheng was completely unprepared, and Wu Yuan's injuries were not concealed in time.

Therefore, she looked much more miserable today than when we last met.

Qi Wuyu couldn't help but glance at her several times, simply out of curiosity.

Torture did not shake Wu Yuan's will; her gaze remained firm, and she was still the same Wu Yuan.

Enduring Zhang Zheng's torment was no easy task; he had even prepared for Wu Yuan to change her mind.

She didn't.

He couldn't hide his admiration, which naturally showed on his face.

Zheng Xun nudged his arm, signaling him to tone it down.

Qi Wuyu quickly averted his gaze, focusing on his inner thoughts.

Tao Heng raised an eyebrow: "Lord Zhang, are you using torture again?"

Zhang was very annoyed with him, but he still had to be patient: "A little bit..."

"Her blood had congealed into clots, her clothes were a stiff, lifeless mess, and her body, hands, and feet were covered in wounds. You call this a little bit?"

Tao Heng roared angrily, "Is it because I've been too lenient with you that you dare to treat me like a fool?"

Wu Yuan, drawing strength from who-knows-where, broke free from her guards and crawled to Tao Heng on her knees: "I beg Your Excellency, to do justice for this humble subject! I have been wronged!"

"Oh? Tell me more about it."

"Five days ago, I was traveling with my fiancé, but we ran into some of my girlfriends along the way. My fiancé and I had a bit of a disagreement, so I left with those girls in a huff."

She tearfully recounted her accusations, and coupled with her bruises, it was a heartbreaking sight that would move anyone who heard or saw her to tears!

"Who would have thought that my fiancé would meet such a tragic end that day? Before I could even process what had happened, Magistrate Zhang sent men to take me to prison. They said I was the murderer of my fiancé! But I had neither the time nor the ability to do so!"

She shakily raised her weak hand, her slender wrist seemingly a testament to her truthfulness.

Zhang Zheng: !

Okay, okay, so you were waiting for him here, huh?

He tried to force a gentle smile, but it didn't work. Instead, it made him look even more vicious and ferocious: "Miss Wu, I already know that you are innocent. It is my fault that you have suffered."

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply and respectfully.

Wu Yuan had no idea what he was up to, so she warily avoided him and refused his greeting.

Zhang Zheng feigned magnanimity: "It's only right that you blame me, young lady..."

The tea is so fragrant, even the 1982 green tea isn't as strong as yours. "It's understandable that you're upset with me, young lady~". Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd suffered some great injustice.

[He clearly knew Wu Yuan was a tough nut to crack, so he shifted his target, preparing to torture someone else into confessing. Pshaw! That's all he's capable of.]

Tao Heng and Qi Wuyu looked at each other in bewilderment.

Now that we know Zhang Zheng's plan, we naturally can't let him succeed.

Tao Heng coughed lightly and said with a solemn face, "Since that's the case, let's begin the court proceedings."

Zhang Zheng's voice was sharp as he retorted without hesitation, "No! You are an imperial envoy, how can you be allowed to enter the court?"

Tao Heng remained calm and composed: "Having served as an official for so many years, you know perfectly well whether I am qualified to preside over court."

Zhang Zheng, clinging to a sliver of hope, said, "Tao Heng! Did you really have to make things this ugly?"

Tao Heng turned his head to look at the yamen runner beside him: "Didn't you hear what I said?"

The constables were still hesitant, but Tao Heng was quite imposing when he got angry.