Chapter 40: This Woman Sure Has Many Tricks Up Her Sleeve

Chapter 40: This Woman Sure Has Many Tricks Up Her Sleeve

Although most of the officers didn't believe He Zhiran could have beaten the men so brutally, Peng Wang did.

In his opinion, this woman still had many hidden talents. Witnessing the miserable state of the He brothers, Peng Wang added another trait to her list of capabilities—she was skilled in combat.

In Peng Wang's mind, this woman was not someone to be provoked. Even though she currently worked under him, he couldn't afford to offend her.

Especially now that he was enjoying the delicious food she had sent, he knew there would be more treats like this in the future.

Someone who could bring such convenience to him, Peng Wang would naturally take care of her interests.

With a disdainful look, Peng Wang turned to the He brothers.

"You claim you were beaten by someone from the He family?"

"Absolutely true, sir. It was He Zhiran who attacked us," the He brothers felt extremely wronged.

After years of bullying others in the capital, it was their first time being beaten by a woman. At this moment, the brothers wished they could kill He Zhiran.

"I see that you two have no intention of living. How dare you toy with us?" Zhang Qing's anger escalated as he slammed his chopsticks onto the table, bellowing at the brothers.

The He siblings trembled in fear.

However, they were telling the truth, and their visit was to seek justice for themselves. Thus, they steeled their nerves and continued.

"Sir, we swear we're not lying."

Seeing Zhang Qing on the verge of another outburst, Peng Wang quickly intervened, mindful of spoiling the dining atmosphere.

"Since you claim to have been assaulted by Madam He, do you have any witnesses?"

The He brothers pointed to the family members who had assisted them.

"Sir, my family can attest to it."

Peng Wang glanced over the He family members present.

"That won't do. If Madam He's family were to testify that you attacked her, would you accept their account?"

"Well..." The He brothers were immediately at a loss for words, unsure of how to proceed.

Peng Wang waved his hand. "I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold you accountable for your false accusations. Scram!"

Just as the dejected He brothers were being supported out, a woman's voice echoed from outside the door.

"Sir, I can attest to it. I saw He Zhiran strike someone with my own eyes."

Peng Wang looked toward the entrance and saw Li Rouer.

He cursed inwardly, wondering what offense the He family had committed against Li Rouer that she kept causing trouble everywhere they went.

With an air of dignity, Li Rouer walked in as she spoke.

"Sir, I witnessed He Zhiran assault someone with my own eyes. It's an undeniable fact."

With so many people present, Peng Wang couldn't afford to be too obvious in protecting He Zhiran.

"In that case, call He Zhiran over for a confrontation."

Seizing the opportunity while someone was fetched to call He Zhiran, Peng Wang instructed his men to take the He family members out and question Li Rouer separately.

"Tell us exactly what you saw, how Lady He struck someone!"

It had to be said that Peng Wang was truly wasted as a mere supervisor in charge of transporting prisoners. His interrogation skills were just as effective as those of any high-ranking official.

Li Rouer hadn't actually witnessed He Zhiran striking anyone. Her sole intention was to make life difficult for the latter.

Since she couldn't directly provoke He Zhiran, she had no choice but to exploit the authority of these officers.

In an attempt to enhance the credibility of her words, Li Rouer delivered her account with vivid emotion.

"Sir, I saw with my own eyes that He Zhiran was holding a thick and long rod. She first knocked He Ming down, then used the same method on He Liang until both were incapable of retaliation," she recounted.

Peng Wang nodded expressionlessly. "Very well, stand aside for now."

At that moment, He Zhiran was summoned as well.

She had been contemplating that she might not even finish her meal before being called away. Little did she expect the He brothers to take such a leisurely approach to filing their complaint.

Not until she had eaten and drunk her fill did the officials come to fetch her.

The He brothers were also brought back by the officers, standing side by side with He Zhiran before Peng Wang.

"Peng Sir, the He brothers have accused you of assault. Is there any truth to this?"

He Zhiran's eyes were filled with disbelief.

She dramatically leaned closer to the He brothers, deliberately highlighting her vulnerability in front of them.

"Sheriff Peng, do you really believe such matters?"

Peng Wang chuckled at her words.

This woman was quite cunning...

"Cough... It's not a matter of whether I believe it or not. The He family has witnesses."

Only then did He Zhiran's gaze fall upon Li Rouer.

"Magistrate Peng, could the witness you mentioned be her?"

"It doesn't matter if it's me, He Zhiran. I saw with my own eyes how you attacked the He brothers. That's the truth, so there's no point in your denials." Li Rouer wore a smug expression.

She was eager to see just how much influence He Zhiran had to turn this situation around.

He Zhiran sneered. "Li Rouer, putting aside our past as inseparable friends who shared everything, even if there was some misunderstanding, would you really go this far to target me?"

With that, she pointed at the He brothers.

"Look at their build. Could I possibly have the strength to harm them?"

The officers had been swayed by Li Rouer's vivid recount and were starting to believe that He Zhiran was capable of such violence.

But seeing the stark contrast between the two parties, they found it impossible for He Zhiran to have laid a hand on these two burly men.

Their gazes collectively shifted to Li Rouer.

One among them, however, stood out from the rest.

Fixing his gaze on Li Rouer, he subtly gestured to her, seemingly warning her to refrain from further speech.

All of this did not escape He Zhiran's watchful eyes.

She discreetly sized up the officer who had signaled to Li Rouer, and a hunch formed in her mind...

As the situation threatened to escalate, Peng Wang sought to resolve it swiftly so they could resume their meal.

"Enough, let the He brothers speak for themselves. How did He Zhiran assault you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Rouer grew anxious and continued to signal to the He brothers.

Unfortunately, the He brothers were fixated with hatred on He Zhiran and failed to notice Li Rouer's cues.

He Liang stepped forward, "Your Excellency, He Zhiran first punched me in the abdomen, then tripped me, followed by hitting my back..."

This left Li Rouer dumbfounded.

Her plan had been impeccable—by testifying for the He brothers, even if they weren't assaulted by He Zhiran, she was certain that He Zhiran would still face consequences.

To everyone's surprise, Peng Wang turned out to be so cunning, reversing the situation so swiftly.

Peng Wang slammed his hand on the table, sending the chopsticks in front of him flying to the ground.

"Drag Li Rouer out and give her ten hard lashes!"

"Sir, I really did see He Zhiran hit the He brothers. Everything I said is true!"

At this point, Li Rouer stubbornly clung to her lie, hoping to salvage the situation.

However, the bailiffs didn't give her a chance to further plead her case, immediately moving to seize her.

They all knew in their hearts that Li Rouer was giving false testimony, and the He brothers were certainly not beaten by He Zhiran.

The bailiff who had shown a peculiar interest in Li Rouer hurriedly caught up to them.

"Zhang Qing, leave this trivial matter to me! Go back and continue dining with the chief."