Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 1035: Powerless to Seek Justice and Turn the Situation Around (4)

Chapter 1035: Chapter 1035: Powerless to Seek Justice and Turn the Situation Around (4)

Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze swept over several seemingly leading commoners, and seeing that they neither dodged nor blinked, but instead looked at him with full faces of reverence, his initial doubts gradually dissipated, and his expression unconsciously softened.

In places he did not notice, a few who had intended to sneak forward and harm Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei stealthily backed down, blending into the crowd. These few were truly intent on muddying the waters, wishing to thoroughly stir up chaos with ulterior motives.

Under Xiao Ruiyuan’s comforting presence, the angry crowd quickly calmed down, and despite having abandoned the idea of confronting Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei, Xiao Xiong thought otherwise. Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan approach, he believed it was this very son he loathed most who had instigated these lowly citizens to trouble him. He trembled again with rage, pointing at Xiao Ruiyuan and screaming curses, completely lacking the dignity of Lord Hou, appearing more like a shrewish woman.

Compared to Xiao Ruiyuan, who let things slide like "bright wind and clear moon," Xiao Xiong was nothing but an uneducated, morally corrupt wretch. Upon reflecting on his past deeds, onlookers wished they had a dog-beating stick—to step forward and take turns hitting him with it.

Xiao Ruiyuan, long accustomed to Xiao Xiong’s attitude, didn’t show the slightest change in expression, which made the onlookers feel even more sympathy for him. Yet, because of Xiao Ruiyuan’s persuasion, they had to abandon the thought of beating Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei. So, they silently vowed that if they ever encountered these two, they would give them a stunning blow—venting their own anger without causing trouble for their War God.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s influence over the people was undeniable, and within less than a quarter of an hour, he convinced more than a thousand commoners to leave the Hou Mansion. Soon, the mansion returned to its usual deserted appearance; aside from the trampled grass and flowers in the courtyard, it was hard to imagine that a bloodbath almost took place there just moments before.

Ignoring Xiao Xiong’s accusations and curses as well as Lady Wei’s skilled instigations, Xiao Ruiyuan turned a deaf ear and returned to his courtyard to gather some essentials before leaving for the General Mansion without looking back. What needed to be done had been done, and the "gift" for Xiao Xiong, Lady Wei, and Xiao Ruiqing was theirs to "enjoy."

The people who were persuaded out of the Lord Wei Yuan House hadn’t even returned to their homes when they already heard about the "good deeds" the Xiao family of three had done to their War God over the years.

Especially after hearing that last year, on their War God’s triumphant return, the second son of the Hou Mansion, Xiao Ruiqing, laid an ambush with the intention of assassinating his own elder brother to seize the position of Princely Heir, the people could no longer suppress the fury in their hearts and swarmed to the Jingzhao Mansion, demanding Jingzhao Yin to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Though they only had baseless rumors, having seen the actions of Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei, they were convinced that these were all true. They were mere commoners, without the power to deal with someone who had committed such grave crimes, so all they could do was place their hopes in the Government, wishing justice would be served for their War God.

In no more than three days, an increasing number of commoners went to Jingzhao Mansion to pray, and if it weren’t for Xiao Ruiyuan’s men intervening, they would have already knelt down at the palace gates.

Not only did the commoners sympathize with Xiao Ruiyuan, but even Ministers in court felt empathy for their normally cold-faced colleague upon seeing him: who wouldn’t struggle to smile when faced with such ruthless father and brother?

In response, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t show much reaction. To the subtle probes of others, he brushed them off with, "Family matters are not for discussion with outsiders," and continued to diligently handle his official duties as if unaffected.

This bearing, in others’ eyes, was interpreted in an entirely different manner, assuming he didn’t want others to see the Xiao Family’s disgrace, so he feigned indifference.

However, as the situation escalated, and with more and more voices speaking up for Xiao Ruiyuan, the matter had grown beyond what Jingzhao Yin could handle. Consequently, petitions to Emperor Huian appeared every few days, requesting him to investigate the assassination attempt on Xiao Ruiyuan from the previous year.

It must be known that last year’s assassination had implicated numerous Princes, not to mention King Kang, who was stripped of his title and confined, and even King Heng, who was subsequently demoted due to that event. Because of this incident, the Imperial Family had faced significant criticism.

If it were confirmed that Xiao Ruiqing was the instigator of the assassination, the Imperial Family’s reputation could be somewhat salvaged. In the end, those punished Princes and even the Royal family were not only pleading their innocence but were continually urging Emperor Huian to issue an imperial edict for a thorough investigation.

Emperor Huian had not yet made a clear stance on the matter. It wasn’t that he was disinclined to investigate and establish credibility among the people; rather, as soon as the rumor surfaced, he had already secretly commenced an investigation and confirmed Xiao Ruiqing’s involvement in the assassination.

He was well aware that once evidence was presented, he would inevitably have to punish Xiao Ruiqing, and even Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei couldn’t be spared. But then, the biggest beneficiary wouldn’t be himself or the Imperial Family, but Xiao Ruiyuan. Being a sword in someone else’s hand is never a pleasant thing.

Yet, to delay any further would do no good, and the concerning Xiao Ruiyuan would remain unaffected. Perhaps, due to his inaction as sovereign, he would receive even more sympathy from the people.

Despite his reluctance, Emperor Huian eventually issued an edict, commanding Jingzhao Yin to investigate Xiao Ruiyuan, Xiao Xiong, Lady Wei, and others, and to collect evidence regarding the assassination.

Upon receiving the edict, Jingzhao Yin immediately commenced the investigation. Initially thinking that after more than a year, the investigation wouldn’t be easy, to his surprise, within ten days he had gathered evidence of Xiao Ruiqing’s involvement in the assassination and uncovered forbidden activities carried out by Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei over the years.

When this evidence was presented before the Emperor, Emperor Huian was enraged and immediately ordered the arrest of Xiao Ruiqing, the revocation of Xiao Xiong’s title, and instructed Xiao Ruiyuan to inherit the title in advance...