"Prefect Uncle, he's lying!"
Little Xi Tian glared at Magistrate Jin with teary eyes, feeling extremely wronged.
This person was too shameless, actually lying in front of so many people.
Prefect Chen naturally knew that Little Sweet Treasure wouldn't lie.
The entire alley was now surrounded by onlookers.
If he didn't handle this matter justly, wouldn't he become a corrupt official oppressing the people?
"Magistrate Jin, you are truly audacious, daring to bully a young girl in broad daylight! Guards, give him twenty heavy planks first..."
"Yes!"
Prefect Chen's command was immediately followed by two constables who, without a word, pinned Magistrate Jin to the ground.
"Prefect... Prefect Chen, what are you doing?" Magistrate Jin was filled with shock.
Had Prefect Chen eaten something wrong?
What was the use of protecting those lowly commoners?
His own son had been bullied, couldn't Prefect Chen see it?
A string of questions surged in his mind, filling Magistrate Jin with indignation.
"What are you standing there for? Beat him, beat him hard!" Prefect Chen gritted his teeth.
He absolutely couldn't let Prefect Qin know about this, otherwise, his transfer to Shuoan City would be jeopardized...
Magistrate Jin was indeed accustomed to being overbearing.
His reputation in other counties had not been good.
Commoners often came to his office to file complaints.
Prefect Chen governed a vast region of prefectures and counties.
However, he found Heyang County to be a place with beautiful scenery, abundant mountain delicacies, and wild game.
So, he chose to set up his office here...
The two constables swung their planks and struck.
"Bang! Bang!"
"Ah! Ouch, stop hitting, stop hitting, this subordinate knows his mistake..."
Magistrate Jin cried out as he was beaten, pounding the ground with his fists.
Prefect Chen narrowed his eyes, showing no mercy, "Continue hitting, twenty planks must be administered!"
If he didn't teach this scoundrel a lesson, once he was transferred, this dog would surely bully the Yun family.
Although the little prince was protecting the Yun family in Dashui Village.
There was no guarantee that this turtle would not secretly harm Little Sweet Treasure...
The two constables were strong and robust. After a few planks, Magistrate Jin writhed in pain.
Seeing this, Jin Xiaolei rushed to Prefect Chen's side and kicked him twice, "Wuwuwu, you big bad guy, you're not allowed to hit my daddy, you big bad guy."
Prefect Chen frowned, "Presumptuous!"
He sized up Jin Xiaolei from head to toe.
This child, at such a young age, wore a thick gold chain, his clothes were disheveled, and his hair was messy.
How could he be so ill-bred?
"Guards, hold this child down and let him watch carefully the consequences of evil deeds!"
Prefect Chen commanded.
"Yes!"
Jin Xiaolei's hands were held by a constable, forcing him to watch his father being beaten...
"Wuwuwu, you are all bad people, may you die a terrible death, wuwu!"
Jin Xiaolei cried until his face was streaked with tears, muttering curses, seemingly unconvinced.
Yun Jinshan rolled up his sleeves and walked over, "You brat, you beat my little aunt until her head was bleeding, and you still have the nerve to cry?"
"Jinshan, come back!" Old Man Yun said with a somber face.
It was enough for Prefect Chen to discipline them.
With so many people watching, they shouldn't resort to physical violence, lest they invite gossip...
Gao Fengjuan trembled with anger.
Their entire banquet had been ruined by these people.
Why had she invited the Yun family elders and youngsters here?
Wasn't it to please Little Xi Tian and further their families' relationship?
Now that Little Xi Tian's head was bleeding, it was no wonder she would resent the Gao family...
Thinking of this, Gao Fengjuan spat at Magistrate Jin and cursed, "None of you officials are good people."
"You constantly made things difficult for us when we were doing business, and now you've come to our doorstep to bully us. Do you really think the Gao family has no one?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Prefect Chen's expression darkened.
What did she mean by "none of you officials are good people"?
Gao Fengjuan put her hands on her hips and continued to scold, "You are corrupt and bribe-takers, doing all sorts of evil. You pretend to care for the people, but in reality, you are worse than beasts."
"Do you know who this is?"
Gao Fengjuan snatched Little Xi Tian from Gu Shi's arms and said haughtily, "This is my little sister-in-law. Their entire Yun family is a 'Yao Men Zhi Jia' (House of Glorious Gate) personally decreed by the Emperor!~"
"You hit her today, it's like slapping the Emperor in the face. Can you bear the consequences?"
Yun family: "......"
Prefect Chen: "......"
These words greatly shamed Prefect Chen.
It was as if he had been unappreciative and allowed Magistrate Jin to hit Little Xi Tian.
The Yun family members also looked at Gao Fengjuan with complex expressions.
Why bring this up out of the blue? Wasn't it creating enmity for the Yun family?
Now that Magistrate Jin was beaten black and blue by Prefect Chen, was it because they were flaunting their power with the words "Yao Men Zhi Jia"?
How would the common people view the Yun family in the future?
Little Xi Tian squirmed in Gao Fengjuan's arms...
"Let me down!" she frowned.
This third sister-in-law was just as brainless as her second sister-in-law.
She acted and spoke without thinking.
The twenty planks were quickly administered. Magistrate Jin collapsed on the ground, crying, unable to get up for a long time.
"Daddy, how are you?" Jin Xiaolei ran over to help him.
"Get lost and go home!" Magistrate Jin roared.
If he hadn't caused trouble outside, why would he have to suffer this torment?
Jin Xiaolei pouted, "Daddy, it's those unruly commoners, they must have bribed Prefect Chen!"
"You still dare to speak!" Magistrate Jin glared.
Prefect Chen, with his hands behind his back, stared intently at Magistrate Jin, "Magistrate Jin, I fine you half a year's salary, and then you will sincerely apologize to Little Sweet Treasure at the Yun family's residence. Can you accept this punishment?"
Only by punishing him appropriately could he explain himself to Prefect Qin if he found out about this...
If he let Magistrate Jin off lightly, he would be in great trouble.
"Prefect Chen, this... this is too unfair!" Magistrate Jin protested.
To be fined half a year's salary for a few unruly commoners, was there any law left?
He was the magistrate of Heyang County, how could he be suppressed by a few lowly commoners?
"What, Magistrate Jin is unwilling?" Prefect Chen asked coldly.
Magistrate Jin said heartbrokenly, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but they were in the wrong first. Prefect Chen, although you have countless merits, you cannot oppress people with your authority!"
"You are talking nonsense!"
Prefect Chen was furious, "I am incorruptible and serve the people diligently. Go ask around in these ten miles and eight villages, have I ever engaged in the act of oppressing people with my authority?"
His words directly silenced Magistrate Jin...
He pondered for a moment before murmuring, "A fine of half a year's salary is acceptable."
After all, being a magistrate, he didn't save much money in a year.
Most of his silver was skimmed from other sources.
"However, regarding the matter of going to their home to apologize, I regret to say that I cannot accept it!"
"Is that so?" a clear childish voice came from not far away, "Then you can stop being the magistrate!"