Chapter 1551: Unable to Defend

Editor: Henyee Translations

The Deputy Prefect’s conviction that the assassin was sent by the Fourth Prince solidified as he marveled at the assassin’s formidable martial arts skills. His heart grew cold with dread.

Despite the assassin’s prowess, he succumbed to the onslaught from Sun Bai, Ah-Ye, and the others. Gradually losing ground, Sun Bai seized an opportunity to disable the assassin, breaking his jaw with a swift move. Subdued, the assassin was taken down.

“Now for the interrogation! We can’t afford any delays!” Sun Bai declared with urgency.

His sharp gaze shifted to the Deputy Prefect, still slumped on the ground. Sneering, Sun Bai remarked, “Deputy Prefect, your turn!”

Forcing himself up with the assistance of a subordinate, the Deputy Prefect retorted bitterly, “I don’t care whether you believe me or not. This person has nothing to do with me! I-I know nothing about this…”

His protestations fell on deaf ears. The response he received was nothing more than a cold smile.

Even the magistrate regarded him with a stern and icy gaze.

The Deputy Prefect’s world darkened.

The night brought the results of the interrogation. Shockingly, the Deputy Prefect emerged as the mastermind.

The assassin had confessed to the crime, found on the Deputy Prefect’s premises. The couple’s motive to target Lord Shao became evident, and the case was resolved.

Ecstatic, the magistrate seized the opportunity to bring to light numerous instances of bribery, corruption, and illicit activities the Deputy Prefect had suppressed. Collusion between officials and businessmen to exploit the market, along with the misdeeds of his family clan in the countryside, were all unearthed. The Deputy Prefect and his wife found themselves incarcerated, and the magistrate promptly submitted a memorial. His path to an official post seemed assured.

As for the assassin, following his confession, a public act of ingesting poison led to his suicide.

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The body was unceremoniously tossed into an unmarked grave and concealed from view.

Little did anyone know that this supposedly deceased assassin had cunningly assumed the guise of the Eastern Palace’s secret guard. With Sun Bai and the others mistakenly believing they had dealt with him, it was a simple feat for him to feign his own demise.

While the Deputy Prefect faced imprisonment and the resurrection of numerous old cases threatened his position, attention shifted away from the assassin. Lord Shao, despite being injured, insisted on adhering to established protocols, diverting scrutiny from the faux demise.

The Deputy Prefect and his wife found themselves incarcerated, along with numerous members of the Qin family implicated in various cases. Fear pervaded, and ashen faces mirrored the collective terror.

Gone was the arrogance of the Deputy Prefect’s wife; in a matter of days, she appeared aged by a decade, her once haughty demeanor replaced by haggard despair. Confined in a grimy, disorderly intermediate prison, she had shed countless tears.

Her suffering was unparalleled.

In stark contrast, the prefectural magistrate’s wife reveled in delight. Frequently subjected to the Deputy Prefect’s wife’s mistreatment, she relished the karmic turn of events. It was a manifestation of divine justice!

Shao Yunduan foresaw that the magistrate, seizing the opportunity to vanquish a weakened foe, would exploit the exposure of the Deputy Prefect’s transgressions. With the family’s wrongdoing laid bare, even the Fourth Prince would abandon his support.

Shao Yunduan harbored no intention of leniency for those who had harmed his wife.

Qiao Xuan, too, found solace in the unfolding consequences. Whether it was the Fourth Prince’s cohorts responsible for her abduction and the attacks on her and Shao Yunduan, or their involvement in illicit activities, they would bear the weight of their actions.

At this juncture, Qiao Xuan’s interest waned. The fate of the once-arrogant Deputy Prefect’s wife held no allure; her concern was solely reserved for her and Shao Yunduan’s well-being.