The eldest uncle of the Li family was carried away by the yamen runners, his face filled with terror. While he was somewhat relieved that his sons' wrongdoings had finally been discovered, the thought of entering the yamen and having his past actions exposed before everyone made him uneasy. Even though his current state was worse than death, he didn't want his reputation to be tarnished after he was gone.
But he couldn't speak or move, so he could only be at their mercy. When he was brought to the main hall and saw Li Zixin, Wu Caiwei, and Zhang Changhe standing there, he widened his eyes and glared at them with hatred.
Wu Caiwei had already gathered the evidence, and summoning them was merely a formality. With witnesses and evidence presented, the Li family still refused to confess. The county magistrate, with a somber face, directly ordered them to be given several dozen strikes. This was his first case since taking office, and it was so shocking. With so many onlookers outside, he not only had to provide an explanation to them but also issue a warning, letting them know that he, the county magistrate, was not to be trifled with.
How could the Li family, accustomed to a life of privilege, withstand such a scene? In the past, they were the ones who ordered servants to be beaten. This time, when it was their turn, they understood the heart-wrenching pain of the blows falling upon their bodies, not even having the strength to cry out for justice.
When they were dragged before the county magistrate again, they were barely alive. "Do you confess or not?" the county magistrate's life-threatening voice echoed again.
The few individuals trembled uncontrollably. Seeing that they were unrepentant, the county magistrate prepared to order further torture. The Li family, seeing the shift in their demeanor, knew that the county magistrate had already decided they were the culprits. If they didn't confess now, even if they were beaten to death, no one would pity them. So, they quickly nodded.
The scribe handed them the pre-prepared confession. Looking at the charges, they couldn't help but weep bitterly, knowing that if they confessed today, they would never leave this place alive. In this era, filial piety was paramount, and those who committed patricide were generally executed in the autumn. Seeing the county magistrate's stern expression, they extended their trembling hands and laboriously pressed their thumbprints onto the indictment.
Looking at the eldest uncle of the Li family, who was now a useless person, Li Zixin couldn't help but show a sympathetic gaze. He knelt down and pleaded with the county magistrate to let him take his uncle back. Although his uncle had harmed his own parents, he was still his father's only brother. Now that he was in this state, even if he wasn't executed, his days were numbered.
The county magistrate hesitated for a moment and then reluctantly nodded. Considering the great achievement he had brought to him on his first day in office, it wouldn't hurt to grant him a favor.
As the dust settled, the incident shook the entire Blue City. It was only then that people realized the hidden circumstances behind the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Li. This led all the wealthy merchants' brothers to become wary of each other, as every prominent family had their share of property disputes and conflicts. They feared that someone might plot against them from behind.
Seeing that Li Zixin had successfully established a good relationship with the county magistrate, and knowing that his path ahead would be smoother, the couple decided to move out of the Li family home. However, Li Zixin absolutely refused. He had entrusted the Li family to them as repayment and would not go back on his word.
Being a steward for them in this life was also good, at least with them around, his personal safety was guaranteed. But the couple insisted, partly because they didn't care about the Li family's assets, and partly because they were accustomed to a leisurely life and didn't want to owe anyone a favor. In the end, after much persuasion, they agreed to accept five shops from the Li family.
The couple found their life in Blue City to be very leisurely. They only needed to manage a few shops, free from the worries of official duties or complicated social interactions. Li Zixin handled all the affairs, rushing ahead to manage everything for them. Everywhere on the streets, one could see the couple holding hands, openly displaying their affection for each other regardless of the onlookers.
While they lived comfortably, Madam Zhu found it exceptionally jarring. Were these two trying to disgust her? She had publicly expelled Wu Caiwei in front of so many people and had belittled her to the point of worthlessness at the gathering of wealthy merchants' wives. Now, everyone knew about the couple's deep affection, and people looked at her with strange eyes every time she went out. Occasionally, rivals would approach her and deliberately mention Wu Caiwei. Madam Zhu forced a smile and retorted, but her heart was bleeding.
Why was it that the things she had strived for her entire life were so easily obtained by another? And not only that, but after her husband's death, she had found another partner, who was also devoted to her. Don't think she didn't know that someone, seeing Li Zixin protecting them, had tried to use their connection to get close to the county magistrate and had sent them a beautiful maid.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Changhe immediately turned hostile. In front of everyone, he threw the maid out and told everyone that he would only ever be devoted to his wife, warning them not to harbor any other thoughts. From then on, everyone knew that Zhang Changhe's irrefutable boundary was his wife.
The gentlemen were extremely perplexed by his behavior, thinking, "Isn't his wife just a famous courtesan? Her background is not suitable. Only he treats her like a treasure." The ladies also felt it was shameful. Only they knew in their hearts that their disdain for Wu Caiwei every time she was mentioned stemmed from jealousy. A woman of her background could receive such wholehearted love, while they, with their respectable backgrounds, who managed their households diligently, were instead abandoned by their husbands, who lived merrily with their concubines.
Wu Caiwei knew that her identity in this life was destined to be criticized, but after experiencing so many lives, she had developed a heart of stone and didn't care about the opinions of others. As long as her conscience was clear, that was enough. Zhang Changhe was the same. Although people occasionally tested his limits in front of him, he always rebuffed them without mercy, resolutely refusing to do business with them again.
Some looked at the person who stepped forward with sympathy. Regardless of anything else, Zhang Changhe's abilities were truly admirable. He was somewhat lazy, spending his days flirting with his wife and not caring about his career. If he truly wanted to achieve something, he could manipulate all the wealthy merchants in the city with ease. It was also rumored that the couple was somewhat peculiar; not only were they highly skilled in martial arts, but they were also accomplished in medicine, and even the county magistrate dared not provoke them easily.
Luo Shi, the former county magistrate's wife, walked down the street and once again heard people discussing the couple's affection. She barely managed to return to her room, closed the door, took out scissors, and cut a handkerchief into tiny pieces, as if the handkerchief were the couple themselves.
After her husband left, she was no longer the high and mighty county magistrate's wife. She understood Madam Zhu's feelings at the time. Her husband, lying alone underground, formed a stark contrast with their affection. Why should her husband be harmed by them, while they could live openly? Every time she thought of this, her heart was like being sliced by a knife. She was helpless against them. She had once written to her father for help, but each time her father told her to endure and to avoid provoking those two.