Volume 1: Zhu Xian Town Crisis Chapter 97: Rescuing People Also Requires Skill

  Yue Yun turned his head and said in a low voice to Meng Bangjie, "General Meng, you have already announced the case on the platform today, the evidence is conclusive. If we start again from scratch, it will be a waste of time and effort. Moreover, it would mean that we do not believe in Bai Guangren's accusation, which would offend the White family. This is not an ideal strategy at present!"

  Meng Bangjie nodded repeatedly after listening, and sighed: "Dà Gōng Zǐ (Great Young Master), I was originally just a military general, and I didn't know the first thing about governing. But over these past few months, I've come to understand what 'a clever wife cannot cook without rice' means. Now, I really don't dare offend the White family too much. Although I also know that some of the things they do have caused many complaints among the city's common people, I can only put it off for now... What I lack most in Cai Prefecture right now is first, grain, and second, officials to handle various civil affairs. My subordinates are all brave warriors, but when it comes to managing these internal governance matters, they're not up to the task..."

  Yue Yun also knew it wasn't easy, and slightly frowned: "Hmm, this little brother does understand. However, this case is quite suspicious. According to what Bai Guangren said, his jade pendant was stolen last night. Since Huang Xiuli had already stolen the item, she had a whole day and night of free time. Why wouldn't she have sold the jade pendant or hidden it in a secret place? How could she have left it in her own room in such an obvious position, allowing Sun Zhihui to find it so easily?"

  He paused for a moment, then continued: "This White family in Cai Prefecture is wealthy and influential. It would be easy to buy one or two prostitutes from the brothel and put them in the house. As long as it's done when Huang Xiuli is not around, it can be arranged. Then, even if Huang Xiuli has a hundred mouths, she won't be able to talk her way out of it."

  "Moreover, in the end, the case was handled by making Huang Xiuli a government slave, and Bai Guangren, as the master of the case, could buy her first. Isn't this exactly what he originally wanted? So today, during the trial, he is so eager to confess, wanting to buy Huang Xiuli tomorrow!" Yue Yun analyzed.

  Yue Yun's words made all the generals present immediately understand.

  Meng Bangjie furrowed his brow and cautiously asked Yue Yun, "Then tomorrow, will Huang Xiuli be declared not guilty?"

  "How can that be? Without any evidence, Brother Meng goes to change the verdict. Not to mention Bai Guangren won't accept it, even bystanders will think you're making arbitrary judgments. It's not good." Yue Yun shook his head and smiled: "If this Cai Prefecture had a full complement of officials, regular yamen runners and constables, we could investigate carefully. But now we're completely in the dark, don't know where to start. Why not just go with the flow?"

  "Going with the flow? What does it mean?" Meng Bangjie was even more surprised.

  Yue Yun smiled slightly at this time, leaned her head close to Meng Bangjie's ear and whispered something.

  Meng Bangjie initially looked surprised, but then his spirit lifted and he said with a sigh of relief: "Indeed, the young master's plan is cleverer than others. This is truly a soft knife cutting people, making Bai Guangren's efforts in vain. However, it won't damage our relationship with the Bai family... But if this matter spreads out, it won't be good for the young master's reputation! And does the young master have so much money? Will General and Madam agree to this?"

  Yue Yun smiled and said, "General Meng, you're worrying too much. Tomorrow, just make the announcement as planned. Even if Father Commander and Madam find out about it, they'll understand that I did it to save someone, and they'll only praise me for it."

  Meng Bangjie's heart was greatly settled. Since the eldest young master had said so, he wasn't afraid of anything anymore. He had not only saved the wrongly accused Huang Xiuli but also hadn't offended the White family, while avoiding the blame of Commander-in-Chief and his wife Madame Kuang. What else did he have to worry about?

  Meng Bangjie immediately called for Yao Wanyu and informed her that the next morning, he would formally announce Huang Xiuli's affiliation. Let her listen to the announcement at that time.

  Yao Wanyi was anxious as soon as she heard, originally listening to the sisters of Yi Qingyuan say that General Meng brought a group of people to welcome Chun to eat at the wine tower, and with a glimmer of hope, she rushed to this time to plead her case. With great difficulty, she saw the handsome young general speaking up for her mistress, thinking there was a turning point, but the result was still like this, how could it not make her anxious?

  "General Meng, this is..."

  But she had only spoken halfway when Yue Yun smiled and interrupted her: "Miss Yao, don't worry, just go to the court tomorrow morning to hear the verdict, who knows, there might be a surprise?"

  Yao Wannier's last sentence was stuck in her throat, and she couldn't say it out loud. Her big, dark eyes stared at Yue Yun's face for a long time before she said hesitantly: "This young master, I'll trust you this once. If you can really save my family's miss, I'll do anything for you, even if it means being your servant or slave!"

  Her gentle and charming eyes swept across Yue Yun's face, making Yue Yun also feel a little fluttered in her heart. However, thinking of her current identity, she had to stiffen her face and speak seriously: "I am not the kind of person who takes advantage of others' misfortunes and steals their maidservants, Miss, please rest assured! I and that Bai Guangren are not the same kind of people, how could I do such an unscrupulous thing?"

  Yao Wanyi heard this and her pretty face immediately showed a grateful expression. She bowed to thank the people present before turning around and leaving.

  Yue Yun narrowed his eyes and watched Yao Wanyu's light and agile footsteps, until her slender figure completely disappeared from his line of sight before he withdrew his gaze.

  Then, Meng Bangjie pulled Yue Yun to a drinking contest. Although Yue Yun had a good capacity for liquor, he still got drunk and returned to his residence with a bright red face.

  At this time, he lay on his own bed, seeing no one around him, and a wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Alas, actually, I also want to learn from Bai Guangren, be a spoiled son. Bring a group of family slaves, tease some virtuous women, at least can make a few dirty jokes, instead of being like now, even saying a foul word has to consider whether it conforms to one's identity. Still have to bear so many responsibilities. Being a hero is really too tiring!"

  But he knew that all this could only be an illusion, and if he really did so, it would be strange if he wasn't killed by Yue Fei. From the moment he became Yue Yun, he was destined to take a path different from ordinary people, and it was impossible for him to be an ordinary person again.

  The next morning, the yamen was already crowded with onlookers. Although this case was just a small one, it involved the most prominent family in Cai Zhou, the Bai family, and the most famous courtesan in Cai Zhou, Huang Xiuli. As a result, many people were paying attention to it, packing the large courtyard of the yamen to the brim.

  Huang Xiuli and Bai Guangren once again came to the grand hall, last night received guidance from Yue Yun, and Meng Bangjie, who was taught by two masters for half a day, had already made up his mind, plus he had been on full-time guard duty for two months, and could confidently pronounce judgment.

  Yue Yun was sitting on the side of the main hall this time, listening to Meng Bangjie's verdict.

  After Meng Bangjie finished narrating the entire case, he slammed his hand on the desk and said loudly: "This case has been investigated clearly. The verdict is as follows: The dragon jade pendant found in defendant Huang Xiuli's house will be returned to plaintiff Bai Guangren. Huang Xiuli, due to stealing a large amount of property, will be punished as an official slave and can only regain her freedom after ten years."

  Bai Guangren was overjoyed when he heard this and immediately spoke out: "General Meng, can I now bid to buy Huang Xiuli as a slave?"

  "Of course it can!" Meng Bangjie said with an unchanged expression.

  Huang Xiuli heard a few words from the two of them and her fate was sealed, she couldn't help but feel sorrowful, her eyes revealing a tragic expression. She thought to herself, "This foolish general is so reckless in his judgment, it seems I will fall into the hands of this scoundrel." What can be done? Should she compromise and sacrifice her own integrity, marrying this shameless man? That was something she absolutely did not want to do. Was she really going to have to prove her innocence with death? But she was only sixteen years old, in the prime of her youth, could it really end like this?

  Just as Huang Xiuli was lost in thought, Yue Yun was secretly glancing at the beautiful woman that Bai Guangren had been coveting.

  She is the kind of woman who exudes a subtle, yet irresistible charm that seems to emanate from deep within her bones. This charm is not the flashy, seductive type, but rather an understated, alluring elegance. And what's more, she has the face of a pure and refined lady, which creates a striking contrast that proves to be almost impossible for men to resist.