Chapter 62: Recognized by People in the Capital

Magistrate Li was momentarily stunned before quickly calling out to Young Master Li, “Stay put and behave yourself!”

Young Master Li dared not disobey his father’s command. He could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

Zhou Ruizhen stepped beside Du Wanchun and continued speaking to Magistrate Li. “Whether or not Young Master Li was involved, Liu Lanzhi has already confessed that he was the one who instructed her to find a way to bring my wife to the Li residence. From the very beginning, he harbored the sinister intention of forcibly seizing an innocent woman! How does he still dare to deny it?”

Magistrate Li was momentarily speechless.

Zhou Ruizhen pressed on. “If Magistrate Li cannot handle this case impartially, then we will escalate the matter to Qingzhou Prefecture and have Prefect Zheng personally preside over the trial.”

Prefect Zheng was renowned for his unwavering integrity. If the case reached him, it would undoubtedly result in severe punishment, including physical chastisement.

Hearing this, Magistrate Li furrowed his brows, deep in thought. Finally, he slammed the table and declared, “As the county magistrate, I would never practice favoritism! Rest assured, I will deliver justice to the Zhou family.”

Then, he turned to Young Master Li with a stern expression. “Tell me the truth immediately!”

Young Master Li clenched his jaw, refusing to speak no matter what.

Growing impatient, Magistrate Li waved his hand and ordered the guards, “If he won’t speak, then apply torture!”

Young Master Li’s eyes widened in shock, and he abruptly looked up at his father. “Father, you wouldn’t really punish me, would you?”

Magistrate Li remained firm. “In this courtroom, I am not your father—I am the magistrate! Speak the truth now, or you will face the interrogation rack!”

Young Master Li finally felt fear. He immediately dropped to his knees and pleaded, “Father, I did have the thought, but I truly never ordered Liu Lanzhi to kidnap her!”

Zhou Ruizhen scoffed coldly. “So, Young Master Li has now personally confessed.”

Magistrate Li’s expression darkened. Left with no other choice, he turned to the guards and commanded, “Take Li Maosheng away and give him twenty lashes as punishment!”

“Yes, my lord.”

The guards stepped forward and seized Young Master Li.

Young Master Li was so frightened that his legs went weak. He clutched his throat and shouted toward Magistrate Li, “Father, I know I was wrong! Please don’t let them hit me! Father!”

Soon, agonized cries from both Young Master Li and Liu Lanzhi echoed through the courtyard of the yamen.

Twenty lashes were no small punishment—it left them both with torn and bruised flesh, unable to even stand properly.

Seeing that justice had been served, Du Wanchun led the Zhou family out of the yamen.

As soon as they left, Magistrate Li immediately had a divorce letter written and delivered to Liu Lanzhi. He then ordered his men to pack her up and send her back to the Du family.

Meanwhile, the Du household was in complete chaos.

Hongxiang, now pregnant, had assumed the position of the household mistress.

Madam Liu shamelessly refused to leave, staying in the Du household to serve Hongxiang by pouring tea and running errands.

When she saw her daughter being sent back in disgrace, she wept bitterly, her cries filled with heartbreak.

News of this scandal spread like wildfire. Within no time, it had traveled from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred, until several villages in the surrounding area had all heard about it.

Despite everything, Du Wanchun and her family did not leave Cheng’an County in a hurry. Instead, they took the opportunity to purchase daily necessities from the local shops, such as oil and fabric.

Madam Zhou counted their silver and decided to buy Du Wanchun a better-quality wooden comb.

Turning around, she called out to Zhou Ruizhen, “Ruizhen, do you see any cosmetic shops nearby?”

Zhou Ruizhen lifted his head and pointed forward. “There’s one over there.”

Madam Zhou whispered, “Your wife has been married into the family for some time now, but she still doesn’t have a proper comb. Go inside and buy her one made of sandalwood. When we return home, you can surprise her with it.”

Zhou Ruizhen nodded. In truth, he had already planned to buy one for Du Wanchun even without Madam Zhou’s reminder.

Taking advantage of the moment when Du Wanchun went to buy oil, Zhou Ruizhen secretly entered the cosmetic shop.

Inside, aside from wooden combs, the shop also had a variety of rouge and other beauty products.

After purchasing the comb, Zhou Ruizhen hesitated for a long while. In the end, he took out the last of his copper coins and bought a small box of rouge.

As he was leaving the shop, holding both the rouge and the comb, he suddenly bumped into someone.

It was a tall man dressed in a long black robe, exuding an icy, intimidating presence.

Zhou Ruizhen was startled and quickly lowered his head, attempting to brush past the man unnoticed.

However, the man still recognized him. Spinning around, he immediately gave chase, calling out urgently—

“Your Highness!”