Phoenix Reborn: the Prime Minister’s Scheming Daughter - Chapter 327

Shen Ninghua frowned and pondered. “Back then, Baili Jinchuan was part of the reason for Second Princess’ passing. Because of this, the Zhou Family had fallen. Logically speaking, if Zhou Ziqing and Second Princess came from the same family branch, they should hate him to the core.”

Baili Junyi shook his head. “The daughters of prominent families are used for political marriages. As long as they can achieve the goal, it doesn’t matter whether she is alive or dead. If Zhou City’s Zhou Family and Second Princess’ family are related, there might be something big hidden behind them.”

The Zhou Family did things too perfectly, so much so that they didn’t even have any loose end left behind. The reason why he directly arrested Zhou Ziqing was to take drastic measures. First, he controlled him and then investigate the secret behind it. However, the time was too short. Many plans were interrupted by Baili Jinchuan before they could be launched.

If the two were connected, Baili Jinchuan’s timely appearance would be suspicious. The most troublesome thing was what happened next. Baili Jinchuan would definitely obstruct him from making a move against the Zhou Family. If he didn’t get rid of the toxic family from the city, the northwest would probably be in deep danger.

Shen Ninghua held his hand. “This is also good. Didn’t you suspect that the Zhou Family is related to Baili Jinchuan? You can take this opportunity to investigate.”

“Yes, the Zhou Family is really too thorough in their work. We have investigated a lot of things and know that the Zhou Family is sinister, but we can’t bring out the evidence to confirm it. This way, we can’t convict Zhou Ziqing in the government office tomorrow.”

The next day, Baili Jinchuan sent someone early to send a message, saying that he wanted to interrogate Zhou Ziqing and invite Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua to listen in.

The two of them changed their clothes. After a simple meal, they came to the government office together. At this time, the door of the government office was crowded with people. When the people saw Baili Junyi’s and Shen Ninghua’s carriage, the loud boo echoed across the street, and everyone had anger and disgust on their faces. For the first time since their arrival here, they became the most hated people in the city.

Baili Junyi donned a cold and aloof expression. Ignoring the booing, he bent down and got out of the carriage. His cold gaze swept around the surroundings. Then, he looked back and helped Shen Ninghua get out of the carriage.

As Shen Ninghua got out of the carriage and stood side by side with Baili Junyi, their expression changed slightly, and they turned a blind eye to the furious gazes of everyone present.

Everyone looked at the two people walking in side by side. For some reason, they suddenly felt a sense of oppression in their hearts due to their astonishing appearances. They still remembered the first time they saw the two of them, and the shock was still vivid in their memories.

The booing gradually subsided. Everyone could not help but make way for them. Seeing the two people walk into the office, many people speculated with some hesitation. “Prefectural Prince Yi and Prefectural Princess really helped the disaster victims. Maybe there was a misunderstanding when they treated Patriarch Zhou like that, right?”

“Judging from their outstanding charisma, they wouldn’t randomly arrest an innocent person, would they?”

“I head that they have a very good reputation in the capital. Back then, Princess Zhaohua went to Jiangnan and saved a lot of people.”

“Oh, you heard it too? Me too! I heard that when the plague infested Jiangnan, the people there could be rescued thanks to Princess Zhaohua’s prescription. There were also many things that happened after that… Her title of Princess Zhaohua was conferred because of her contribution.”

When they said this, someone immediately expressed their dissatisfaction, “Who knows for sure? Their reputation was good in the past, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t become bad now. Don’t you know why they left the capital and came to Zhou City? I heard that they offended most of the officials in the court. Many people died because of them, so they had to leave. There is a big problem here.”

“Also, the Zhou Family has protected our city for years. All of you here have received their help. Every winter, how many of you would have died had it not for the family’s help to give you food? Don’t be ungrateful. We must clear Patriarch Zhou’s name today.”

When these people finished their remarks, the people who spoke up for Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi suddenly became silent. They didn’t want to be ungrateful.

Inside the government office, seeing the two people come in, Zhou Da quickly stood up to greet them, “Greetings, Prince, Princess.” He didn’t dare to turn his nose up at them. After all, if it weren’t for Second Prince’s sudden arrival, the Zhou Family would have been taken down. In the past, he had always heard Patriarch Zhou say that they were charismatic and were not afraid of offending people. Now, he had witnessed it first-hand.

“Stand, Lord Zhou. We’re here as audiences. You are the deputy chief interrogator. In this hall, your status is higher than ours.”

“You are too humble, Your Highness.” Zhou Da bowed hastily. After leading the two of them to their seats, he went down to make necessary preparations.

Baili Jinchuan, who was dressed in a green-colored robe, walked in. On one side of his waist, there was a sachet with an exquisite golden seal. On the right, the place where the jade pendant should be hung was empty. After he gave the jade pendant to Baby Girl, he didn’t choose another jade pendant to hang it on. Did he forget or did he do it intentionally?

Shen Ninghua slightly lowered her eyes and followed Baili Junyi to stand up and salute.

Baili Jinchuan’s voice was calm, but his eyes seemed to fall on Shen Ninghua. “Stand, Fifth Younger Brother. You are somehow involved in the Zhou Family’s matter, so I specially called you here.”

“No problem.”

“I just hope that you don’t feel upset.” After he finished speaking, he walked to the hall to sit down without waiting for Baili Junyi’s reply. “Lord Zhou, is everything ready?”

“Yes, Your Highness, everything is ready.”

“Alright. Bring Zhou Ziqing up.”

“His Highness has an order: Bring Zhou Ziqing up!”

Zhou Ziqing was still wearing the same clothes from before. After a night of torment, his clothes were more wrinkled, and he looked a bit disheveled. However, his expression was particularly calm. The smile on his face was still as composed and elegant as usual.

“Greetings to Royal Prince De, Prefectural Prince Yi, Prefectural Princess, and Lord Zhou.”

Baili Jinchuan looked at Zhou Ziqing coldly. “Zhou Ziqing, do you plead guilty?”

“Your Highness, I do not know what crime I have committed. How can I plead guilty?”

“Yes, Patriarch Zhou is innocent!”

“Patriarch Zhou is innocent. Release him! Release Patriarch Zhou!”

When the people at the door saw that Zhou Ziqing was brought up to the hall, they immediately raised their arms and shouted with righteous indignation. The clamor echoed across the street and the hall.

Baili Jinchuan suddenly slapped the gavel. “Silence!”

The guards turned around and aimed their spears at the people outside the government office. The people were stunned and did not dare to make a sound.

Baili Jinchuan looked at Zhou Ziqing. “You said that you are innocent?”

Zhou Ziqing nodded. “Yes. There is one thing that I don’t understand. After I learned that the disaster victims entered the city, I prepared food and medicine overnight to help Prefectural Prince Yi save the disaster victims. In the past few days, more and more people came to Zhou City after hearing the news. Because of this, my family’s food supply was running out, and several rice shops had to be shut down because they ran out of stocks. After reporting the truth to Prefectural Prince Yi, I was arrested, and he even raided my house. I am very puzzled.”

Baili Jinchuan turned his head. “Now that Patriarch Zhou mentioned about this, I have some questions to ask Fifth Younger Brother. You had already arrested and detained Patriarch Zhou when I came. Now, can you explain why you detained him?”

“I didn’t detain Patriarch Zhou. I just wanted to have a chat with him.”

When he said this, the reaction of the people outside was even more violent. “How dare you deny it! You’ve arrested him! Isn’t that the same?”

“Not only did he detain him, but he also raided the Zhou Residence!”

“Yes!”

Baili Jinchuan patted the gavel once more. “Alright, everyone be quiet. We will definitely clarify the truth. Fifth Younger Brother, it seems that many people do not believe what you said.”

Hearing this, Baili Junyi smiled. “I won’t make things difficult for an ordinary and innocent person. Patriarch Zhou should know why I did it.”

Zhou Ziqing raised his head, his attitude respectful, but his words were not kind. “Your Highness, you must be kidding. I’ve always been benevolent and have never done anything illegal. What should I know? The only mistake…”

He raised his head and looked at the people outside, his eyes filled with deep guilt. “The only mistake I’ve made is to drag the innocent citizens into this. After hearing my news, they surrounded the victims’ camp and Princess Yi’s residence. I didn’t intend for that to happen. If there is any crime, I am willing to bear it all. I hope that Royal Prince De will not blame the people.”

When these words came out, many people outside were moved to tears, and their resentment toward Baili Junyi intensified. How could Prefectural Prince Yi lay his hands on Patriarch Zhou, who was thinking about the people? It was simply absurd.

Baili Jinchuan looked at Baili Junyi. “Fifth Younger Brother, the people were agitated for a moment. I think you won’t pursue this matter, right?”

“Of course not.” He had previously told Zhou Ziqing that he wanted to report the matter of the Zhou Family causing the people to become restless to the Emperor, but to his surprise, Zhou Ziqing shut him out right there and then.

“So, can you care to explain why you detained Patriarch Zhou?”

Baili Junyi glanced at Zhou Ziqing and Baili Jinchuan and said unhurriedly, “Because I want to investigate some things.”

Baili Jinchuan’s gaze was resolute. “What is it that you want to investigate?”

“We need to investigate whether the Zhou Family is bullying the people!”

The people outside laughed.

“Haha, the Zhou Family is bullying the people? This is too funny!”

“Everyone knows that the Zhou Family is the most benevolent. There is no one in Zhou City who doesn’t agree to this statement.”

A bitter smile appeared on Zhou Ziqing’s face. “Prefectural Prince Yi, you must be joking. I never dare to bully others. Even the servants are strictly restrained.”

“Oh, are you sure?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, since that’s the case, I’ll ask two people to come up and confront you.” Baili Junyi flung his sleeves and turned to instruct the guards behind him, “Bring the two brothers, Sun Da and Sun Er.”

Sun Da, Sun Er? Who were they?

Zhou Ziqing could not remember for a moment, but Zhou Da’s expression suddenly changed.

Two men dressed like ordinary people were brought up and respectfully knelt on the ground to salute.

Seeing the two people who looked slightly familiar, Zhou Ziqing suddenly recalled that they were the people who were attacked by soldiers during the welcoming banquet at Qilin Garden the other day. Hadn’t they been dealt with? Why were they here?