Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 32 The Devastating Truth

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 The Devastating Truth

All eyes were filled with an expression known as disbelief.

Even Xue Ming, whose mind was somewhat muddled at this moment, had thought this was just a poor excuse made up by that brat Jiang Feng in face of imminent disaster.

But who could have expected that Jiang Feng actually had visited?

However, soon enough, the disbelief in the crowd quickly turned into anger. Many people stared intensely at the young man standing in the corner as if their gazes could kill him, even Mr. Sun was shocked.

If it had been any other time, he would have exploded in anger if someone had interrupted him, but paradoxically, the interrupting voice this time was so delightful, yet it stirred a flash of annoyance in his heart.

You have such a beautiful, perfect, virtuous fiancée, and you, boy, went to visit a brothel?

And had a great time with the new top courtesan of Ethereal Violet Pavilion?

Are you even human?

Can you even find anyone remotely human in your family tree?

"You, you..."

Pointing at Jiang Feng, he wished he could go up and give the boy a couple of punches, but he still managed to restrain his temper. Visiting a brothel wasn’t a good habit, but after all, it let the boy muddle through.

Feeling the intense penetration from all directions, if glares could kill, he probably would have died hundreds of times by now. This was the first time he felt the pressure of "public opinion".

You don’t think he’s faking all this sweat, do you?

"Looks like those who were driven to depression by public opinion in their past lives weren’t just acting..."

His Adam’s apple moved up and down.

He knew how beloved Yan Yurou was throughout Qingshui County, how many saw her as the fairy of their hearts, and soon, words like "scum", "degenerate", "trash" started flying through the crowd.

The key is.

He couldn’t even begin to defend himself.

"You silly girl."

Su Yi, standing behind him, immediately pulled back Lu Luo who was peeking out, stepped forward, and made a slight bow toward the County Magistrate.

"Greetings to the Lord County Magistrate and all the dignitaries. Lu Luo is new to Qingshui County and still unfamiliar with the rules, please excuse her ignorance."

As the Pavilion Master of Ethereal Violet Pavilion, Su Yi naturally belonged to those summoned, and it was because she spoke up that Mr. Sun came back to his senses.

Glaring at Jiang Feng, he then asked: "Did this young man spend his night at your Ethereal Violet Pavilion yesterday?"

"Yes."

Her expression was natural, showing no flaws.

But Xue Ming beside her could no longer bear to watch, the feeling of being made a fool of almost made him roar out four words.

"This is impossible!"

The onlooking crowd was startled by Mr. Xue’s crazed outburst, even several of the ladies from Firework Alley were frightened, their faces ashen, especially given his fierce expression which was terrifying to behold.

"It’s impossible! You are lying! This bastard couldn’t have been at your brothel last night!"

"You two harlots teaming up to set me up, huh!"

"Evidence, where is the evidence? You say this bastard spent his night at your Ethereal Violet Pavilion, where is the evidence? Show it!"

Su Yi’s expression remained unchanged even as she was slandered, still maintaining a calm demeanor as she responded: "Mr. Xue, I can understand your feelings, but our Ethereal Violet Pavilion has no dealings with Young Master Jiang, and when the Lord County Magistrate summoned us here, your family members were all present."

"They can all testify that there was no communication between me and Young Master Jiang, we didn’t even know this matter would be discussed before coming."

"If you still don’t believe so, you can check our pavilion’s account books, which record the times and Silver Tael payments, or you can ask other ladies from Ethereal Violet Pavilion, many of whom saw Young Master Jiang last night."

Her eyes carried a hint of melancholy throughout the process, as if showing pity and sympathy for Xue Ming.

Once, Xue Ming was calm and composed, uninterested in women, and hadn’t remarried after his wife’s death, ambitious and capable, indeed embodying the charm of a successful man.

Xue Ming now resembles a mad dog, as if he could pounce and bite anyone even just passing by, the divergence from his usual image is deeply lamentable.

Gritting his teeth, he could never admit Su Yi’s claim, was about to continue questioning under pressure, but Mr. Sun could no longer restrain himself.

"Brother Xue! Deciding the case is my duty, you are overstepping!"

His mind became slightly clearer.

That statement was stern; Xue Ming’s somewhat bloodshot eyes began to slowly lose their color, his breathing rapid, his consciousness gradually clearing. Although he was frenzied now, it didn’t mean he lacked intelligence, otherwise he wouldn’t have achieved such success.

He repeatedly apologized and even bowed to the two brothel women to express his regret, which surprised Jiang Feng somewhat, as this old fellow was quite adept at social niceties when lucid, just like the rumors.

Sadly, he wasn’t very good at teaching others.

"Close call, but how could that beast have been in the brothel last night?"

His expression slowly regained composure, but his heart still felt reluctant, or rather incredulous.

As the saying goes, business should not contend with officials. Although he had some influence locally, provoking an official was still unlikely. After all, the official had the backing of the imperial court. Mr. Sun had already shown great consideration, and if he himself failed to understand the cues...

It all came down to what price Lord County Magistrate would have to pay to eliminate him and his family.

When Mr. Sun just stared into Xue Ming’s eyes for a while, seeing that he had finally calmed down, he snorted coldly, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and began questioning many people present, displaying absolute fairness and impartiality in the eyes of the public.

"Su Yi, this official asks you, when did Jiang Feng come to your Ethereal Violet Pavilion yesterday?"

"Around the hour of Hai."

"Are there any eyewitnesses?"

"Yes."

"Who, give the names, but if they are from your Ethereal Violet Pavilion, they don’t count."

This line of questioning was very rigorous; even Xue Ming could not fault it, the talks reached this point.

But at this moment, Su Yi’s expression carried a slight smile as she softly replied, "Your honor, this person behind you... should be able to testify."

"Hm?"

He turned instinctively.

It was a Government Official, sweating profusely and looking embarrassed.

"Mr. Sun, last night, Jiang Feng indeed spent the night in Ethereal Violet Pavilion, the time, I... I can’t remember clearly, but it should have been around the hour of Hai..."

"You damned fool!"

He cursed.

No wonder the brothel woman was smiling so happily; it turns out his own subordinate was also soaking in the brothel last night!

With a stern face, since it was now confirmed that Jiang Feng really did spend the night at Ethereal Violet Pavilion, he couldn’t be under suspicion, so he began to ask perfunctorily: "You all, I now ask you, has Jiang Feng been frequently coming to Firework Alley recently?"

"Yes, Young Master Jiang has always loved visiting our pavilion to enjoy music."

"What time?"

"Approximately... the same time Su Yi mentioned, yesterday he came to our Spring Yearning Pavilion to listen to music and planned to go home afterwards, but due to the heavy rain, he couldn’t return home and stayed overnight at Ethereal Violet Pavilion."

"Hmm~ We saw Young Master Jiang passing by when we were welcoming guests at the door..."

It must be said that Jiang Feng really had a good relationship with the ladies, but this was also intentionally orchestrated by him, strutting around the entrance of another’s brothel; naturally, those responsible for attracting guests would have a vivid impression of him.

He had said before, just letting everyone know he had been there was enough.

Seeing these brothel women uncertain about the specific hours, Mr. Sun was somewhat understanding, after all, who would intentionally remember the time in a place of fleeting pleasures, having a rough idea was already commendable.

But unnoticed by everyone, Su Yi, who was slightly bowing her head, had a faint trace of smugness in her eyes.

Lies, sometimes, don’t need to be spoken outright.

Just blurring a small part of the truth... can turn it into a colossal lie.