Chapter 459: Chapter 460, Winning People Over
Who was so ruthless? Who could commit such a poisonous and cold-blooded act?
Prince Rui?
Xiu Bingsheng thought it could very well be Prince Rui, and that realization made him feel even worse.
"No, Prince Rui wouldn’t do such a thing..."
"Indeed, I would not do such a thing!"
Just as Chu Yu’s voice fell, he leaped down from the rooftop and landed in front of Xiu Bingsheng.
"Your Highness, Prince Rui!" Xiu Bingsheng called out and immediately knelt down.
"The silver and jewels from your study were indeed taken by my men, but your family was not touched by me. I might be unreasonable in my actions, but even I would not stoop so low as to bully the weak and sick, let alone show no mercy to a child in swaddling clothes!" Chu Yu said as he tossed the white paper to Xiu Bingsheng, "This was found at the crime scene. This paper comes from Prince Rui’s Residence, but you are not foolish. If it was the doing of someone from Prince Rui’s Residence, why would they leave such an obvious clue behind? And now in Tianchu Country, the only one who dares to frame me, Chu Yu, is none other than the one on the Dragon Throne!"
Xiu Bingsheng looked at the writing on the paper, his mind a complete blank.
All he knew was that he couldn’t die. He had to live to avenge his children.
"Your Highness, please show me a clear path!"
Chu Yu looked at Xiu Bingsheng and, after a long while, said, "Xiu Bingsheng must die!"
"This subordinate understands!"
"I want the silver you’ve accumulated over the years. Once my plans are successful, you will surely be rewarded handsomely."
Xiu Bingsheng immediately understood.
Was Prince Rui planning a rebellion?
But he, indeed, also hated the Emperor. To speak frankly, he was the Emperor’s man, yet when the Emperor targeted his wife and children, he showed no mercy at all.
However, did the Emperor really do this?
Or was it a play directed and performed by Prince Rui himself?
Yet, here he was, a fifty-year-old man still only a Magistrate, with all his capabilities untapped because the Emperor never truly utilized him. To say that he was the Emperor’s man, nowadays the Emperor probably couldn’t even recall who he was.
Perhaps following Prince Rui would be different. Once Prince Rui succeeded...
As for a wife and children, as long as he was alive, he would eventually have them again; he could have as many as he wanted.
"Your Highness, this subordinate is willing to go through fire and water for you, without any hesitation!" Xiu Bingsheng said, not hiding the location of his hidden silver, and immediately told Chu Yu.
Chu Yu had him write a letter of confession, shouldering all the blame upon himself, which also cleared Xin Er from the accusations, and then set fire to the Xiu Residence.
"Good news, good news! Xiu Bingsheng, fearing punishment, has hanged himself. Xin Er has been wrongfully accused; it was indeed Xiu Bingsheng who colluded with bandits!"
Early in the morning, the streets and alleys were all abuzz with the news.
They even dredged up all the sordid things Xiu Bingsheng had done over the years, and rumors were circulating that even Xiu Bingsheng’s family had been killed, with Prince Rui resolutely pursuing the murderer.
Moreover, Prince Rui had even arranged for a Drum of Injustice to be placed outside the Governor’s Office, inviting anyone with grievances to come and speak their truth.
Chu Yu would also send people to investigate thoroughly, to let the truth come to light.
In no time, Chu Yu’s reputation in Yangxi City reached new heights, and people from smaller counties and towns also came forward with their grievances.
Although mostly minor matters, Chu Yu sent people to deal with them.
And so he was kept busy until the end of July.
Chu Yu had lost a lot of weight, but he looked spirited indeed.
Granny Qian had suggested Yun Jinnian return to the Capital City first, but Yun Jinnian did not want to. Han Tianci was even less willing, following Chu Yu around and getting tanned quite a bit. He grew taller and became much more sensible. The childishness on his face faded away, revealing a sharp intelligence.
Yun Jinnian had personally made several pouches and outfits for the two of them.
"These two really do wear out their clothes too quickly. Just the other day, Miss had just made some new ones and they’re already torn. I said I would make one, but guess what the young master said?" Shi Jiayu complained to Yun Jinnian as she clung to her.