Phoenix Reborn: the Prime Minister’s Scheming Daughter - Chapter 328

A look of panic flashed across Zhou Da’s face. He recognized these two men as well. After the commotion, he even wanted to teach them a lesson to prevent them from denouncing the Zhou Family, but Patriarch Zhou asked him to stay out of it. Was there a mistake in this matter? Had Patriarch Zhou forgotten to deal with them?

After Sun Da and Sun Er bowed, they looked at Zhou Ziqing who was at the side. There was a complicated mixture of hesitation and indignation in their expressions.

Baili Junyi looked at Zhou Ziqing. “Patriarch Zhou, don’t tell me you don’t know them. We’ve met them together before.”

Zhou Ziqing lowered his eyes slightly. “Prefectural Prince Yi, I do have an inkling of them. I think they were the two farmers who were mistakenly thought to be assassins and injured by soldiers at the Qilin Garden banquet.”

Baili Junyi chuckled. “You have a good memory. Not bad. They were indeed injured by soldiers in Qilin Garden. However, it was not because they were mistaken as assassins, nor were they farmers who delivered vegetables. They were ordinary people who were persecuted by you and your family!”

Zhou Ziqing slightly arched his eyelids, his eyebrows slightly wrinkled, and he looked puzzled. “Your Highness, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I have always been a kind person, and my servants never bully the citizens. These two men look like ordinary people at a glance. Why do I want to beat them up?”

Baili Junyi looked indifferent, and his tone became colder. “The reason why I dared to lay our hands on you is naturally that I have the evidence of your crimes. If you don’t admit it now, don’t…

Baili Jinchuan, who was sitting on the main seat of the hall, spoke with a slightly impatient tone, “Fifth Younger Brother, what exactly did the Zhou Family do wrong? Just say it. If there really is a problem, we will interrogate him today. If there is no problem, don’t waste our time.”

Taken aback for a moment, Baili Junyi turned around as if nothing had happened. “Second Royal Brother, since you are in such a hurry, let Sun Da and Sun Er talk about it. After all, they are the ones who are suffering.”

The one who spoke was Sun Da, “Your Highness, my family has been farmers for generations. Originally, we inherited five acres of farmland from our father. Although it is not fertile due to its location that is close to the hill, my brother and I can survive with our crops. One day, Zhou Qing, the Zhou Family’s housekeeper, brought a Taoist priest to observe the lands, claiming that it was for a tomb or something. Then, they took a fancy to our land. I figured that the Zhou Family had always been kind and generous. I don’t mind they took a fancy to our land as long as they gave us some money for us to rent or buy some farmland to make a living. However, not only did they not give us a penny, but they also tried to rob our land and kill us for it!”

Hearing this, Zhou Ziqing laughed and mocked, “I have several hundred acres of fertile land. Why would I want a small piece of land like yours?”

Baili Junyi sat at the side, composed and dignified. “Relax, Patriarch Zhou. You can defend yourself after Sun Da finishes his story.”

Sun Da continued to speak in an indignant tone, “My brother and I have been poor, and because we have not married yet, we temporarily live together. One night, I woke up in the middle of the night and found that the house was on fire. My brother was weak, and I could not wake him up no matter what. Fortunately, I still had some strength, so I carried him out of the house. There are still burn scars on my arm.”

“A fire? So what? What can it prove?” Zhou Ziqing rebutted.

“Indeed, a fire cannot prove anything, but there were many accidents after that! When we wanted to discuss with the Zhou Family regarding the land, Zhou Qing tricked us into the mountain. Then, a boulder rolled down from the top of the mountain and many traps were set along the way. Luckily, we survived all that ordeals. My brother’s leg was broken, and he was still limping.”

Zhou Ziqing looked rather innocent. “I’ve heard of the incident where a boulder rolled down the mountain, but the boulder was as tall as two adults, and there was more than one. Who knows how much manpower would be needed to move the boulders. Don’t you think it’s too troublesome for me to put in so much effort just to kill you, some commoners?”

Sun Da looked at Zhou Ziqing angrily. “You did do something that didn’t need any effort, such as causing the clash between the citizens and the disaster victims the other day. Many people’s wells were poisoned, right? So did ours, and it was a very lethal poison!”

A sharp light flashed in Zhou Ziqing’s eyes.

Baili Junyi had been observing his expression the entire time. When he saw the change in his expression, he curled his lips slightly and asserted, “Patriarch Zhou, how do you explain this matter?”

Zhou Ziqing’s expression quickly returned to normal. When he heard this, his expression did not change at all.

“I heard about the poison in the well. Lord Zhou has been investigating in secret, as well as us. We hope to catch the culprit and return peace to Zhou City. Unfortunately, there has been no progress up until now. But this Sun Da came out of nowhere and accused me of poisoning him and his brother… We can’t find anything after a lot of effort, but a commoner knew the truth. It sounds a little fishy, frankly speaking. It is as if someone has told him what to say.”

Interpreting the implication in Zhou Ziqing’s remarks, Baili Junyi asked, “Are you suggesting that I secretly incited Sun Da and Sun Er to frame you?”

“I don’t dare to. I’m just stating facts. I’m not suggesting anything.”

Zhou Ziqing kept reminding everyone that he was just an ordinary person who had contributed a lot to Zhou City and was being suspected now. Coupled with the sad look on his face, many people resonated with him and defended his innocence!

However, among the crowd, several people who knew the brothers looked quite peculiar. The brothers were very honest and timid. They wouldn’t dare to speak unless they were seriously wronged. Today, they were furious and their arguments sounded solid. Could there really be some misunderstanding?

Although they felt that things were not normal, they still did not doubt the Zhou Family. After all, the family had always been doing good things to them and helping them all the time. Even if there were rumors that were detrimental to the family, their first impression was that someone was framing them.

Zhou Ziqing’s performance was so perfect that Baili Junyi was slightly bewildered. The Zhou Family’s operation was too successful. He had molded himself into a kind spokesperson. Whoever dared to go up against him would stand on the opposite side of kindness.

Shen Ninghua suddenly opened her mouth and said, “The people involved in this matter should all come to be interrogated. Shouldn’t we invite Zhou Qing, the Zhou Family’s housekeeper, here to be interrogated?”

Zhou Qing was the one who had been dealing with the land matter with Sun Da and Sun Er. Maybe, they could find a breakthrough from him.

After all, it was a bit too far-fetched to convict Zhou Ziqing with the brothers’ statement.

As soon as Shen Ninghua spoke, Baili Jinchuan looked at her, and the haze in his eyes gloomed a bit when she spoke up for Baili Junyi.

Back then, he had accompanied Shen Ninghua to the disaster relief in Jiangnan. It was he who had treated her well first. However, after cooperating with him, she turned to someone else. The feeling of being abandoned and betrayed formed a scar in his heart. He couldn’t bear to see Shen Ninghua speak up for others, especially for Baili Junyi.

Baili Junyi wanted to make a move on the Zhou Family? Impossible!

Baili Jinchuan asserted, “Since Princess Zhaohua has spoken, we have to bring Zhou Qing over for questioning. Guards…”

Before he could finish speaking, a shout came from the crowd who gathered at the entrance of the hall, “I’m here. I don’t dare to trouble Your Highness to send for me. I have come myself.”

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua looked at the door. The person who came was Zhou Qing, who was dressed like a servant.

“Greetings to Your Highnesses, Prefectural Princess, Lord Zhou, and Patriarch.”

Zhou Ziqing looked up at Zhou Qing. After studying his expression, Zhou Ziqing suddenly fixed his glare on him and quipped, “Zhou Qing, you have worked for me for decades since before I have become patriarch. I believe in your character. You will never do such evil things…”

Before Zhou Ziqing could finish his words, Zhou Qing suddenly knelt down in front of Zhou Ziqing and cried loudly, “I’m sorry! I’m guilty! I deserve the punishment.”

“W-What are you doing? You are guilty? Did you really do those evil things?!”

“I was obsessed and was bewitched by the demon priest. That’s why I did such a foolish thing behind your back.”

Sun Da and Sun Er stared at Zhou Qing angrily. When they heard him admit it, they were worked up and exclaimed, “Are you admitting that you harmed us many times?”

Zhou Qing turned to look at the two of them. “Yes, I admit it!”

Baili Junyi’s eyes flickered. Zhou Qing was going to take the blame!

He then exchanged glances with Shen Ninghua and sighed. It seemed that Zhou Ziqing would be acquitted today.

Zhou Ziqing was stunned. “What did you say? You did it?”

Zhou Qing respectfully bowed. “Yes, Patriarch. It was all my doings. I was being muddle-headed, and I even caused you to suffer. You’ve been so kind to me, so I can’t just sit still and watch you being implicated because of me.”

“Are you saying that what Sun Da and Sun Er said was true?”

Zhou Qing nodded with difficulty. “Yes, it was me who sent people to do it!”

Zhou Ziqing suddenly raised his hand and slapped him on the face. “H-How could you do such a thing! You…”

He was so angry that his face turned pale, and his fingers trembled, unable to speak.

Many people were filled with sympathy.

“Patriarch Zhou, please calm down.”

“It’s all that evil slave’s fault. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Yes, Patriarch Zhou, please calm down. Take care.”

Hearing the comfort of the people outside, Zhou Ziqing gasped; his face became paler and paler. He turned around and bowed respectfully to the people. “I am so negligent that my servant harmed the citizens. I’m too shameful to face you. I’m willing to give half of my family’s property to Sun Da and Sun Er to make up for the mistakes of the Zhou Family’s servants.”

“Patriarch Zhou, you are too kind…”

“Yes, this matter has nothing to do with you. Just punish Zhou Qing alone. How can we let you suffer for others’ wrongdoings?”