Chapter 135: Next Time, I Will Kill You
by 福暖四时Chapter 135: Next Time, I Will Kill You
The white lantern hanging in front of the carriage swayed left and right in the cold wind under the afterglow of the setting sun, occasionally hitting the carriage with a dull thud.
Lu Mingchao repeatedly reassured Lu Lei to calm him down.
Honest and simple as Lu Lei was, he had always been tending to the fields. Suddenly entangled in a lawsuit, his heart was in turmoil—restless and uneasy.
"Big brother, the Lu family never backs down!"
Lu Yao added, his voice cold yet with a faint warmth, like the lingering heat of twilight. "Big brother, Mingchao’s nature is such that she never accepts defeat. If she does, she will find a way to make the other party pay double."
"The Jade String Gentleman’s impatience shows he’s out of options."
"A paper tiger—ignore it, and it disappears."
"If you fear it, it will continue to bare its fangs and bluff."
"That’s right, big brother. I will definitely get even!" Lu Mingchao declared resolutely.
Xie Yan pulled a portrait from his robe, unfolded it, and whispered, "Big brother, this is Fu the jailer, an old acquaintance of mine."
"Remember this man. If you run into trouble in the county jail, ask for his help. He will do his utmost to assist and ensure your safety."
"Magistrate Xu’s favor toward Mingchao is clear, and he might be hinting at letting Mingchao take Sun Zhiye’s place. The advantage is on our side."
Lu Lei took a deep breath, and his heart slowly calmed.
What’s there to worry about?
He’s the eldest son of the Lu family. Even if he can’t handle schemes, he must stay strong!
Before night fell completely, the group reached Changhe County.
The lanterns lining the long street had already been lit, one by one, adding a bit of warmth.
Magistrate Xu was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
After so many years in office, he had never had to hold an overnight trial.
Sun Zhiye flatly denied Old Woman Xing’s accusations.
Old Woman Xing, bloodied and battered, stuck to her accusations against Sun Zhiye without backing down.
The witnesses and evidence gathered by the eager common folk proved Old Woman Xing’s accusations were true.
Both sides were at a standstill, dragging the case on, until Du Zhong stepped forward to confess, admitting outright that Sun Zhiye had ordered him to destroy the spoiled grain. It was his own greed that led to this grave mistake.
Old Woman Xing, battered and bruised, cursed Du Zhong, calling him Sun Zhiye’s lapdog, a scapegoat.
Still, Old Woman Xing couldn’t prove Sun Zhiye’s direct involvement.
In the end, Du Zhong took the fall for Sun Zhiye.
Thinking the case was finally over, Magistrate Xu thought he could relax, only to hear the grievance drum sound again.
Master Cheng, the tutor from Lotus Town, filed a lawsuit accusing Lu Lei of Changxi Village of seducing and defiling his daughter.
Lu Lei!
The elder brother of Lu Mingchao!
What a twist of fate!
In just a moment, he quickly pieced together the crux of the matter.
Sun Zhiye was likely behind this.
The drum of grievance had already been struck, and the onlooking common folk had not yet completely dispersed. He was compelled to accept Master Cheng's complaint, ordering the officer to summon Lu Lei from Changxi Village for trial.
Lu Mingchao and Sun Zhiye crossed paths in an alley outside the county office.
The alley was deserted.
"Madam Xie, what a coincidence," Sun Zhiye bowed, pasting an awkward smile on his sullen face.
Lu Mingchao was methodically pushing him to self-destruct and sink deeper into trouble.
Perhaps the light from the county office lanterns was too soft, but he found Lu Mingchao to be as radiant as a glowing pearl or a piece of jade.
Before this, he had been more concerned with Lu Mingchao's status and intelligence, never truly appreciating her beauty.
Lu Mingchao sneered, "Is this really a coincidence?"
It was clearly intentional, lurking here to relish her anxiety and loss of composure.
Unfortunately, Sun Zhiye would be disappointed.
"The eldest son of the Sun family is indeed magnanimous, able to act decisively when necessary. When it comes to ruthlessness, I pale in comparison to the eldest son of the Sun family."
"I’ve certainly learned my lesson!" Lu Mingchao said sincerely.
"However, I wonder what the eldest son of the Sun family will sacrifice next."
Sun Zhiye's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions, constantly shifting.
"I hope Madam Xie can continue to smile."
Lu Mingchao raised an eyebrow, "Whether I can keep smiling is uncertain, but the eldest son of the Sun family surely won’t."
Furious, Sun Zhiye couldn't help but retort, "Your brother seduced an unmarried girl. If dealt with harshly, it won’t be a mere hundred lashes and three years of exile."
"At that time, I wonder if Madam Xie can endure the pain of losing a brother."
The smile on Lu Mingchao's face completely disappeared, like a sudden frost in the midst of spring blossoms, her expression as cold as steel, "Has the eldest son of the Sun family become an expert in the pain of losing a brother?"
"Huh, Jade String Gentleman?"
"The reputation you’ve worked so hard to build is fragile!"
"Pardon me!"
Lu Mingchao lightly lifted her eyelids, giving Sun Zhiye a disgusted glance, "By the way, thanks for the grand gift you sent my brother."
Thinking from another angle, it was indeed a grand gift!
If not for Sun Zhiye’s interference, Lu Lei might have already married the cunning Cheng Zhi.
Sun Zhiye gazed in a daze at Lu Mingchao's figure, growing smaller as she walked further away.
She was thin and frail, yet stood straight and unyielding, as if nothing could bend her.
He couldn't fathom why he had once again lost to Lu Mingchao.
"Lu Mingchao."
Lu Mingchao didn't stop; there was no point in continuing the conversation.
"Lu Mingchao, with such a serious matter involving your brother, Xie Yan actually lets you come to the county office alone at dusk?"
"He doesn't treat you that well, does he?"
Lu Mingchao replied nonchalantly, "Where is that dog barking from? It's really annoying."
Her A Yan had, of course, gone to find the best storyteller in Changhe County.
If a storyteller wants to strike it rich, they’ve got to stay on top of current events. You can’t make a fortune by staying cooped up and rehashing old stories.
As for Lu Yao, he was at a familiar bookstore, furiously writing a story that would stir up public anger.
Everyone has their specialty; the hypocritical mask of the Jade String Gentleman needs to be ripped off completely.
Sun Zhiye was even trying to stir up trouble; it was downright ridiculous.
Lu Mingchao couldn’t help but remember Xie Yan mentioning her portrait in Sun Zhiye’s study, which only made her feel more disgusted.
The night wind turned colder, and the jade pendant at Sun Zhiye’s waist tinkled softly, making his thoughts wander uncontrollably.
Sun Zhiye’s mind flashed back to Tian Dong’s advice to make peace with Lu Mingchao, suggesting that reconciliation could benefit both sides.
"Lu Mingchao, if I offered 70% of the Sun family’s fortune to marry you, would you divorce and marry me?"
"Only 70%."
With Lu Mingchao by his side, the Sun family’s wealth could multiply several times over.
Sun Zhiye’s absurd words hit Lu Mingchao’s ears like water droplets hitting a hot oil pan, sizzling and popping.
She had seen shamelessness before, but never like this!
Lu Mingchao had had enough. She stopped in her tracks, and under the cover of her white fox fur, she pulled out a bow and arrow from her spatial supermarket. With a flick of her fur, she drew the bow and shot an arrow straight through the paper lantern above Sun Zhiye’s head. The candle went out, and the lantern swayed. "If there’s a next time, I’ll kill you!"
"Stirring the pot."
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