The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 656: Only One Death (5)_1

Now, Pei Qin’s identity had changed. Even though Magistrate Huang knew she was not to be trifled with, he still insisted on falsely accusing her of plotting against him, digging his own grave!

Meng Dinglun hurried over, seizing Magistrate Huang along with his concubine, servant concubine Shu Hua, Ding Dalang, the physician, and all persons involved in the case, bringing them to the County Government Office. They requested the presence of Pei Qin and Mo Heng.

An intense power struggle between Pei Qin, the newly risen Madam Yuanyang, and the County Magistrate, which also implicated a loss of life, had the entire Yuanyang County on edge. The County Government Office was surrounded by crowds, packed three layers deep both inside and outside.

Magistrate Huang adamantly denied masterminding the false accusation against Pei Qin and the murder of Master Ding. Because Master Ding was an official of the yamen, it was based on evidence that Ding Dalang was prompted to sue Pei Qin. As for how Master Ding died and who killed him, he claimed complete ignorance.

Mo Heng cast a glance at Feng Wei.

Feng Wei nodded, quickly bringing over a pair of double-soled shoes; wooden frames as their base, with the top layer tied to the shoe and the bottom layer exactly matching the size of Pei Qin’s shoes and the wound on Master Ding’s chest.

Magistrate Huang’s face turned pale, and he broke into a cold sweat, considering whether to deny everything to the end, even biting back in retaliation.

In that moment, Feng Wei had someone bring in a person.

Seeing that person, Magistrate Huang recognized the expert he had hired and was struck with utter despair.

The person brought in was the one who had gone to kill Master Ding, now in Feng Wei’s custody, having confessed everything, "I was just following the money; the one you should be looking for is Magistrate Huang! He is the mastermind!"

"Huang Youzhong! Will you not confess your crimes!" Meng Dinglun pounded the clapper-board, as he asked sternly.

Startled, Huang Youzhong trembled and fell to his knees, his face ashen.

This case, involving a human life and connected with Pei Qin, who had just returned from the Capital Jingcheng after being wrongfully slandered, and now was set up again, meant that Huang Youzhong, despite being only a County Magistrate ranked Seventh-rank by The Imperial Court, had to report to the Ministry of Justice before a death sentence could be issued. Immediately, he ordered Huang Youzhong and Ding Dalang, along with the man who killed Master Ding, to be thrown into the jail, awaiting the Ministry of Justice’s decision on his judgment.

By attempting to frame Pei Qin for murder, Magistrate Huang not only lost his official position but also risked his life.

The spectators murmured among themselves, some even applauding. To them, Magistrate Huang was far from a good official. Overthrowing him and having a just and upright replacement meant that they, the common people, would finally have better days ahead.

The villagers of Taiping Town were overjoyed. Pei Qin was now a Lady of the Imperial Enjoin, of Third Rank, having received the Decree. That County Magistrate was just a local official who had sought to frame Pei Qin, but now he had put his own life at stake!

And as Pei Qin’s power grew, so did the protection for Taiping Town; naturally, the villagers were happy.

The whole Old Pei’s House was keeping a low profile, not daring to even come to the market. Those who previously wished to become in-laws with Old Pei’s House had now flatly refused.

Pei Wenlee was only a year younger than Pei Qin; while Wenlee’s children were already running about, she had yet to find a match. Now Pei Qin had brought down the Master County, having been honored as a Lady of the Imperial Enjoin, the fear was whether they were next in her sights! Lady Chen was so worried she could hardly breathe, recalling the pain of her teeth being forcibly pulled out.

Old Pei ordered everyone in his house to keep out of trouble, to go about their business and to avoid stirring up any issues!

A not-so-small incident occurred in town, but it merely became fodder for village gossip, discussed in quiet murmurs.

Pei Qian learned of it upon returning and gloated to Pei Qin, "After Elder Sister and Brother-in-law went to Capital Jingcheng, that Xiujin took up with a businessman and became his concubine. She thought she’d live a life of luxury, far from a place where everyone looked down on her, but who would have thought, that businessman divorced her and sent her back!"