A beauty is like a poisonous flower, deadly within her smile.

Chen Zhao’s body went limp. He felt that within Jiang Ruan’s gentle words, countless traps had already been dug, and no matter how he answered, it would be wrong. From the very beginning, he had already lost.

Qian Wanli wasn’t faring much better than Chen Zhao. Jiang Ruan’s dismantling made it impossible for the trial to continue. However, Qian Wanli had taken people’s silver and had always done his surface work extremely well. Today’s predicament was beyond his expectations, especially with Lord Wang watching from the side. If he favored Chen Zhao, it would be hard to convince the crowd, and he didn’t know what Lord Wang was thinking. If he favored Jiang Ruan, he was unwilling to spit out the silver he’d taken from Chen Zhao. Moreover, he still planned to extract a sum from Jiang Quan – the meat that had come to hand couldn’t be lost for nothing. But how could he think of a solution that would satisfy both sides?

But reality didn’t allow Qian Wanli time to ponder. In moments, the sound of drums reached everyone’s ears from outside. Li Mi walked in and cupped his hands toward Qian Wanli: “My Lord, someone outside is beating the grievance drum.”

The grievance drum – it had been a long time since anyone on East Street had made such a move. Everyone knew in their hearts what kind of place the yamen was. For those with real grievances, silver worked much better than beating drums. Without silver, even if one beat the drum for a year and a half, no one would pay the slightest attention, and they might even be thrown into prison.

Qian Wanli was also stunned: “Who is crying grievances?” He looked at Lord Wang beside him and asked for instruction: “My Lord, what do you think?”

“Bring them in.” Lord Wang snorted coldly. This snort struck Qian Wanli’s heart, making him tremble with fear.

The person was quickly brought in – a young girl dressed as a maid who knelt down immediately upon entering the public hall.

“Who are you? What grievance do you have?” Before Qian Wanli could speak, Lord Wang had already taken the initiative. Qian Wanli didn’t dare obstruct, only crying bitterly in his heart. It seemed Lord Wang was determined to intervene in this case. Unfortunately, he couldn’t refuse. This Wang Yushi was a favorite before the Emperor and frequently submitted memorials. This person was like a stinking hard stone, utterly detestable. Officials who had been impeached by him never ended up with good outcomes. It could be said that Wang Yushi was the plague god in officials’ hearts. Now that this plague god had spoken, he didn’t dare neglect him. Although silver was good, he still had to protect the black gauze hat on his head first. Qian Wanli made up his mind – Chen Zhao’s silver could be forfeited, and Jiang Quan’s side could be forgotten too. Today, with Wang Yushi present, he would play the image of a benevolent parent official and blue-sky magistrate.

Thinking of this, Qian Wanli spoke kindly: “Whatever grievance you have, speak truthfully. This official and this lord will both seek justice for you.”

The people outside burst into laughter. Qian Wanli’s words were laughable – a corrupt dog official swearing to say such things would only make people think of putting on an act. Chen Zhao looked at Qian Wanli in astonishment, panic suddenly rising in his heart. Things weren’t developing as he had thought. Qian Wanli’s attitude was unclear – what if he switched sides at a crucial moment?

The girl properly kowtowed to those above: “Thank you, My Lord, for seeking justice for this servant. This servant isn’t crying grievances for herself, but for Miss Jiang. This servant is a senior maid from the Jiang family manor. This servant can testify for Miss Jiang – the one who killed Chunying wasn’t Miss Jiang, but him – Chen Zhao!”

She raised her head, revealing a familiar face. It was Qiu Yan.

“Qiu Yan… what… what nonsense are you talking about?” After his initial panic, Chen Zhao was incredulous. No matter what, Qiu Yan should have been on his side and had no reason to favor Jiang Ruan. Now coming out to testify against him – what was this for?

“This servant isn’t lying,” Qiu Yan didn’t even glance at Chen Zhao: “This servant and Chunying were both senior maids on the manor and usually lived in the same place. That day, this servant went out shopping. When I returned, I heard strange sounds from inside the room. For a moment I didn’t dare go in, so I looked through a small hole in the window and saw Chen Zhao pressing Chunying to the ground. Chen Zhao covered her mouth and nose, and Chunying had already stopped struggling. This servant was terrified and afraid of being discovered by him, so I fled. Afterward, I didn’t dare mention this to anyone. Who knew that yesterday I learned the miss had been arrested and thrown in prison. Although this servant is someone who fears death, I couldn’t watch an innocent person take the blame for this demon. After much thought, I finally came to testify.”

“Dead hoof, what nonsense are you spouting? How much benefit did Jiang Ruan give you to make you slander my son like this? The blue-sky magistrate is just and will naturally know who’s lying. Be careful of being thrown in prison! Little slut, when you get out, see if this old woman doesn’t tear your mouth apart!” A familiar voice shouted loudly from the crowd. It was Zhang Lan. Initially seeing everything going smoothly for Chen Zhao, needless to say, she was already somewhat anxious seeing Jiang Ruan speak. Now with Qiu Yan coming out to interfere, Zhang Lan had realized the danger and, disregarding the occasion, began cursing like a shrew.

Such words reaching Qian Wanli’s ears were quite unpleasant. Seeing Wang Yushi beside him already frowning, Qian Wanli struck the gavel: “Silence!” After it quieted down, Qian Wanli asked Qiu Yan: “For what you’ve said, do you have any evidence?”

Jiang Ruan smiled lightly. In the quiet public hall, her smile was particularly clear, as if a gentle breeze was blowing into people’s hearts. Seeing everyone’s gazes turn to her, Jiang Ruan slowly said: “My Lord needn’t think Qiu Yan is speaking for me. Everyone up and down the manor knows that except for Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao, the maids on the manor aren’t very familiar with us.”

Jiang Ruan’s smiling gaze fell on Qiu Yan: “I’m also quite surprised that Qiu Yan is willing to come out and testify for me.”

Qiu Yan somewhat avoided Jiang Ruan’s gaze: “This servant… this servant just didn’t want to wrong her own conscience.”

“You’re lying!” Chen Zhao angrily said: “You’re clearly talking nonsense! You’re in cahoots trying to frame me!”

“How ridiculous.” Jiang Ruan raised her brows at him: “I stayed in prison the entire day without any chance to communicate with Qiu Yan. Could we have conspired beforehand? But how would we know that you, Chen Zhao, would bring officers to arrest people in the courtyard yesterday? Could I be some ghost or demon?”

Chen Zhao looked at that exquisitely beautiful face before him. Those eyes sparkled like spring water, yet unconsciously made people fall into traps. Those lips were full like flower petals, yet always spoke cutting words. Her brows and eyes were alluring like a seductive spirit, yet faintly harbored deadly intent. Not a fairy, but a demoness. Not a beauty, but a viper.

A trace of panic flashed through Chen Zhao’s heart. He felt the other party had transformed from a charming beauty into a terrifying monster, her entire being emanating an ominous aura.

“This servant can also testify for Miss Jiang – the murderer wasn’t Miss Jiang!” Another voice timely interjected.