Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 473 - 471

Chapter 473: 471

"Does it matter to Master Xu whether this prince understands or not? Are you trying to threaten me?" Shangguan Xuanyi swept a cold glance at him.

"I dare not, I just want to express my unwavering loyalty to the Sixth Prince." Xu Zhongtian felt a chill under his gaze, forgetting that people at the apex of the pyramid like them could not tolerate being threatened. Usually, it was they who threatened others.

Shangguan Xuanyi did not reply, only showing a disdainful smile.

It was hard to fathom what he was thinking.

He did not need the loyalty of a corrupt official. That would not help him but harm him instead.

Xu Zhongtian’s heart pounded with anxiety.

Just then, the magistrate and the provincial governor of Yunzhou entered the room.

They both respectfully bowed to Shangguan Xuanyi.

Xu Zhongtian also bowed to them, realizing they were here for the Sixth Prince. Seeing how smoothly they performed their courtesies, it was clear they were not surprised to find the Sixth Prince here.

Shangguan Xuanyi turned to Xu Zhontian: "Master Xu, why is it taking your men so long? Could it be that they are not releasing the man because they haven’t found the imperial green gemstone?"

"You jest, Sixth Prince. Servants, where have you all gone? Why haven’t the people been brought in yet?"

On hearing this, Wu Bufan hastily pushed in Zhao Yong, who was tied up securely, then promptly ran away!

The master is in a foul mood today, even hitting his beloved concubine. Better to keep his distance!

Seeing Zhao Yong tied up, Xu Zhongtian was furious!

That Wu Bufan surely came to rub salt into his wounds.

He quickly rushed over to untie Zhao Yong.

"Master Xu, is this your so-called misunderstanding? Are you treating me as a fool to play with?" Shangguan Xuanyi glared at him with the cold eyes of death!

Xu Zhongtian knelt down again: "Sixth Prince..."

Shangguan Xuanyi raised his hand to stop him: "Master Xu, do you know what I have learned from you?"

Xu Zhongtian shook his head!

"From you, I have learned what it means to read the sage’s books in vain!"

Reading the sage’s books in vain? Xu Zhongtian turned pale, sinking to his knees, wondering when he had started to change?

He recalled his resounding oath at the Qionglin Banquet, his heart being set on doing good for the people, on being pragmatic.

Where has that side of him gone? Why can he not find it anymore?

How did he go from seeking the people’s well-being to exploiting the people for his own well-being?

It seemed to have started when a fragile, pitiable woman appeared in his life. He began to change.

He went from being an honest official with clean sleeves to a county magistrate with a bulging purse!

Though his official rank was low, he was assigned to the wealthiest county due to Di Zhiyuan’s connections!

He was not content with such a small official rank, one that was most capable of implementing practical matters for the people!

He felt that this insignificant official position made him bow his head in front of other officials! He took pride in his talents and naturally refused to dwell in someone else’s shadow!

So when he heard that the magistrate of Yunzhou would be reassigned to the Imperial Capital, he hoped that the position would be left empty. He sought favor with his patron to secure the position for himself...

Surely people are boundlessly greedy!

So, it is true that a man’s heart is never content, greed consuming him as a snake swallows an elephant!

Xu Zhongtian knelt down, bowing to the Sixth Prince: "I am guilty, I am willing to confess my crime!"

Shangguan Xuanyi did not spare him another glance. He spoke to the magistrate: "Thoroughly investigate! Whoever this case implicates, show them no mercy! Add public humiliation to his sentencing to appease the public outrage!"

"As you command!"

He then addressed the provincial governor of Yunzhou: "Officer Li, assist the magistrate."

"As you command!"

The rest could be left to them to handle.

The case of Xu Zhongtian’s embezzlement was widely implicated, even involving the Empress’s family.

The Emperor was furious! The case was handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple for investigation.

The following events were tumultuous, with officials even demanding the deposition of the Empress.

But that is a story for another time.

Shangguan Xuanyi left with Xiao’er, followed by a disheveled Zhao Yong.

Just as Xiao’er was about to get on the carriage, Shen Bao’er sprang out.

"Xiao’er, I have something to tell you." Shen Bao’er grabbed Xiao’er’s sleeve, her eyes pleading.

Xiao’er glanced at Shen Bao’er. She appeared frail yet seductive, looking quite pitiful.

She withdrew her gaze, responded indifferently, "Madam, let go, we’re not familiar!"

"We are blood sisters, how can you be so heartless! Once you’ve gained wealth and status, you don’t even recognize your own relatives?" Shen Bao’er said, full of grievance.

With a lack of manners, Xiao’er rolled her eyes: "Let go! My real sisters are in the Imperial Capital! Who are you? Don’t fabricate a relationship! "

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Yang Liu.

Yang Liu then stepped forward to pull Shen Bao’er away.

"Shen Xiao’er, since you don’t acknowledge me, I hope you genuinely don’t know me! Don’t break your word and meddle in the affairs of a stranger! Don’t tell anyone you’ve seen me, jeopardizing my hard-won life! Don’t tell anyone, including my parents, I have lost face to see them since I’m another man’s concubine. It would only hurt them." Shen Bao’er, being pulled away, hurriedly uttered what she wanted to say. As people cast strange glances at her, she quickly tried to explain.

She knew Shen Xiao’er, a selfish, cold-blooded wench, wouldn’t acknowledge her. She was just uneasy, worried that she would go back to the Imperial Capital and tell others from the Minister of the Right’s mansion that she had seen her here! If that were to happen, she would be ruined again! The previous life was too miserable, she dared not live like that again!

That’s why she was waiting here, telling Shen Xiao’er these words, aiming to get her to acknowledge that she had no relation and didn’t know her in front of the Sixth Prince.

This way, it would expose Shen Xiao’er’s merciless side to the Sixth Prince. Secondly, if Shen Xiao’er admits not knowing her in front of the Sixth Prince, then discloses her whereabouts later, it would create a cruel, inconsistent image in the Prince’s mind — one who even targets her own cousin!

Shen Xiao’er wasn’t stupid, she probably wouldn’t expose her, leaving a bad impression on the Sixth Prince!

In a world where women had to depend on men to survive, a man’s impression of her was indeed vital.

Xiao’er chuckled coldly! She was worried that she would tell the Minister of the Right that she had seen her. She was afraid that the Minister’s house would come looking for her, and her parents would know how well she was doing, expecting them to share the wealth and prosperity!

As expected, she was just as selfish and cold as Shen Chengguang and Mrs. Lan!

She didn’t respond to her, lowered her head, and got into the carriage.

Shangguan Xuanyi extended his hand to help her get on.

"Shen Xiao’er, we agreed, you are not to speak of my affairs!"

When had they agreed? Xiao’er ignored her and got into the carriage.

She didn’t want to mention her affairs, not even a single word! Moreover, with Xu Zhongtian about to fall from grace, how could she hope to cling on?

People like Shen Bao’er, they wouldn’t need others to take action—she was capable of bringing disaster upon herself!

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