Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 683 The Imperial Edict of Slapping Faces Arrives (4)_1

Chapter 683: Chapter 683 The Imperial Edict of Slapping Faces Arrives (4)_1

Mo Yan seemed not to have seen them, as she stroked the heads of the beasts and said softly, "Stand still for Officer and Uncle Yang to touch you, but don’t you run away again."

Her words sounded like she was cajoling little children, yet the four beasts squinted their eyes, greatly enjoying the touch. Although they disdained being touched by anyone other than Mo Yan, to prove their innocence and to allow Mo Yan to rightfully avenge those six scoundrels, they were willing to make this temporary sacrifice.

Encouraged by Mo Yan, several people tentatively placed their hands on the beasts, only to unexpectedly find that their fur appeared rough but felt incredibly smooth to the touch, as if they were caressing the softest silk brocade. Instantly, they understood why Mo Yan had asked them to do so.

Seeing the reaction of Yang Bao and the others, the six men sensed trouble and, without waiting for any questions, preemptively shouted at Mo Qingze, "The evidence has been presented, better pay up the silver quickly if you know what’s good for you, or don’t blame us when we turn to our noble backers. Your family really won’t have any good days ahead then."

Mo Qingze, now certain in his heart, couldn’t help but laugh at this threat, "Hmph, I would actually like to see how your so-called ’noble person’ will ensure our family won’t have any good days."

Despite the situation, these people were not thinking of how to escape but were still trying to extort money, which made him wonder if they were simply too foolish or if they had too much confidence in their ’noble person.’

At this moment, the leading government officer stepped in, his face stern as he scolded the six, "You accused the beasts first, followed by extortion against the Mo Family, and now you even dare to utter threats. Who gave you such audacity?"

The six were caught off guard by the sudden outburst of the officer and, after a moment of panic, shamelessly played the fool, "Who says we accused the animals and threatened the Mo Family? The injuries on our brothers are still there, surely we didn’t injure ourselves, right? Officer, don’t tell lies with your eyes wide open after accepting benefits from the Mo Family!"

"Exactly, what advantage did the Mo Family give you to defend them like this? Don’t forget how your superior instructed you before coming here!"

The six of them bullied the leading officer with one comment after another, their words filled with bribery and threats, angering the officer so much he wished his men could tie them all up and give them a good beating.

Before the officer came, his superiors had indeed hinted that if the accusation of the beasts injuring people was true, regardless of the relationship between the Mo Family and Second Master Han, he must dutifully capture the beasts and settle the compensation. But now that the accusation proved to be a mere extortion, how could he act?

Speaking for the Mo Family, he did hope to owe the Mo Family a favor through this affair, thereby earning good will from Second Master Han and potentially some benefits. However, while he had his personal desires, he would never do something against his conscience.

Now, being threatened by these rogues, how could he possibly be happy?

Taking advantage of the leading officer’s argument with the six scoundrels, Mo Yan handed the tufts of fur directly to the villagers who had the loudest doubts outside. Having them distinguish for themselves not only shut them up but also dispelled the villagers’ suspicions about the five beasts.

The villagers eagerly took the hair and immediately compared it with the beasts’ fur, following the example of Yang Bao and the village elders. The outcome was clear without Mo Yan’s further explanation; they knew the hair they held was fake, and their faces instantly turned ugly. Even if they wanted to crush the Mo Family with this issue, they dared not utter another skeptical word.

Yet, the six scoundrels refused to give up, waving their arms covered in wounds and insisting it was the work of the beasts.

Mo Yan, having already dissolved the villagers’ doubts, was impatient to argue any further. She called the beasts over, asking them to show their claws and teeth for a public comparison.

Indeed, both the bite and scratch marks did not match the beasts’ teeth and claws in any respect!

Facts are stronger than eloquence; the scoundrels’ arrogance vanished immediately. Upon hearing Mo Yan’s intention to accuse them of extortion at the Government Office, they even began to entertain a do-or-die attitude, stubbornly holding onto the accusation that the Mo Family was secretly raising the beasts, "We brothers have powerful backers. Let us go if you know what’s good for you, or we’ll take the matter of you illegally raising these beasts to The Emperor, and your entire family will be doomed!"

In the past, the late Emperor had decreed that any ferocious beasts that trespassed or brought harm to the people should be dealt with by the Government. This "dealing" included not only ownerless beasts but also those raised by humans.

Of course, if a noble house kept a few beasts for amusement, it was permissible as long as no lives were lost. However, commoners were forbidden to do so and, if discovered, not only would the raised beast be taken by the Government for handling, but the household responsible would also be punished, with penalties ranging from a fine to servitude, depending on whether the beast had hurt or harmed people.

If these scoundrels indeed had the backing of a noble person who could see The Emperor, there was no doubt they had the power to pressure Jingzhao Yin and increase the severity of the punishment for the Mo Family. Anenforced servitude sentence would be unavoidable. Only Mo Qingze, the head of the family, would undergo such a sentence. And, if some strings were pulled, he could be punished with labor in the harshest, most exhausting, and most dangerous mines, possibly costing him his life.

Upon hearing such a malicious threat, Mo Yan wished she could truly let the beasts leap forward and bite off their necks. She was not afraid of their so-called noble backing, but her family was her Achilles’ heel. Even if this threat couldn’t really harm her family, she was still extremely angry.

Thankfully, no matter how furious, she did not lose her sanity. Since these men admitted to having a noble person behind them, that noble person could be the mastermind or at least have a significant connection with the mastermind.

Just as Mo Yan was figuring out how to pry out who their noble backer was, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside the gate: "Imperial Edict has arrived—"