Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 434: Lord

The poison was tampered with, aiming to take the lives of Shaoyao and her child, because only the dead can remain silent forever.

And the reason Beauty Pan is so vicious must be due to orders from above.

The brothel has strict management rules for the girls in the establishment. All the girls who open the door for guests have been given medicine by Beauty Pan to prevent pregnancy.

Shaoyao was naturally no exception.

But she could still get pregnant, and there was only one reason.

She did not drink it herself; she wanted to keep a child.

She might not have anticipated that the person she thought could stay because of the child didn’t want the child to be his leverage, which is why he ordered Beauty Pan to kill her.

Standing in the washroom, Yin Le looked at the corpse covered by a white cloth on the board, which already couldn’t show its once stunning beauty. Listening to the County Magistrate’s speculative analysis, tears fell from her eyes in disbelief.

"How could it be like this?"

"Sister Shaoyao, how could you be so foolish? You cherished the text he left for you that night when the fire was so big, you returned just to take away what he left for you... How could he treat you like this!"

Seeing Yin Le’s emotional agitation, Song Zhang hurriedly had the government officials take her out of the washroom.

Yin Le sat in the corner of the main hall, her hands clenched into fists with anger. She took a deep breath, calmed for a while, then abruptly stood up, charging to the center of the hall, she asked:

"Lord County Magistrate, can you avenge Shaoyao?"

Song Zhang looked at her and sighed regretfully, "I can only bring Beauty Pan to justice."

Yin Le was greatly disappointed. She knew that Zhao Ta, the one who wrote the poem, was the true culprit.

But does this person who killed Shaoyao not have to suffer any penalty?

Song Zhang nervously looked at the emotionally agitated Yin Le again and signaled to the officials to remind them to be cautious.

However, what none of them expected was that Yin Le suddenly calmed down, knelt down, and said seriously, "I understand."

Understand what? Song Zhang was full of suspicion.

However, Yin Le, despite her own reputation as a woman, was willing to testify in court; he was already very grateful.

As for the other pitiable girls who couldn’t be persuaded, after Yin Le’s persuasion, they didn’t know how many would be willing to testify tomorrow.

Song Zhang had someone send Yin Le to rest with his wife; after she left, he called the County Magistrate and asked him if Beauty Pan had been caught.

The County Magistrate nodded lightly, the Red Mandarin Duck Bellyband was sent up, and Beauty Pan was ’smoothly’ caught.

However, that Lord’s face was a bit unpleasant and asked him to bring two messages to County Magistrate Song.

"What did he say?" Song Zhang asked curiously.

The County Magistrate relayed, "He said, young people’s Qi shouldn’t be too strong."

"Oh, and he gave you a gift, saying it’s thanks for helping him recall a beautiful memory."

The County Magistrate said these words while holding back nausea, immediately waved his hand to have the officials present the gift.

A beautifully carved red wooden box, opened by Song Zhang on the spot, inside was so much silver that it almost blinded them.

The observing officials began to breathe rapidly, so much silver, they had never seen in their lifetime!

Song Zhang’s face turned iron-blue, what is this?

A bribe?

Or a buy-off?

The Steward noticed his Lord’s displeasure and tentatively asked, "Shall we return it to him?"

"Return what?" Song Zhang shouted coldly, "Since he has given it, distribute it among the victimized girls, let him accumulate something virtuous!"

The County Magistrate’s breathing stagnated, "Lord, all distributed?"

Song Zhang looked speechlessly around at this group in front of him, what kind of parasites had the previous County Magistrates raised!

In his heart, he cursed the predecessors out loud but still had to praise and encourage them for doing well, lest even the few who were willing to work would leave.

But none of the copper coins, none of it was allowed to be moved by the government office!

Thinking about the guests at the County Magistrate’s home, everyone agreed gloomily, ultimately none dared challenge the County Magistrate’s bottom line.

Otherwise, who knows whether that killing god would also treat them as thieves!

With Qin Yao at home, Song Zhang was now full of confidence.

Fearing that too much time will cause distractions, he acted promptly, and tried Beauty Pan’s case the next day.

With witnesses and evidence present, the crime was confirmed, fifty blows and shaved head branded with words, imprisoned, and executed in the autumn!

The villain received her deserved punishment, greatly satisfying the people, and the entire city cheered, chanting, "Lord!"

Yet beneath this joyous uproar, the rescued girls stood in the backyard of the county government in confusion, not knowing where to go.

Most of them were sold by their families to gambling houses, which then sold them to brothels, with no place to return to.

Some were tricked by acquaintances and bought by Beauty Pan.

But having disappeared for so long, families did not come looking, and would not welcome them if they suddenly returned.

What frightened them even more were the village rumors.

On the day of the court, the women who had promised Yin Le before did not appear.

From beginning to end, only Yin Le was there to testify against Beauty Pan’s wicked acts.

Even if she was veiled at the time, she was still recognized by her family who came to watch the trial.

After testifying, as she turned around and saw her brother’s shocked figure standing outside the court, Yin Le’s heart pounded like a drum. She dug her hand into her palm until it bled to not avoid her brother’s incredulous and heartbroken gaze.

Only when the County Magistrate ordered her to step down did Yin Le’s ordeal end.

She was just like that, let alone the other sisters who were more fragile than her.

If recognized by relatives, friends, or family, they simply could not bear it.

Now that Beauty Pan had been dealt with, her task was complete. What should she do next?

Yin Le fell into confusion.

...

"Madam, the master is back!"

The servants excitedly reported from outside the door.

Seeing Song Zhang, holding the official hat and wearing the County Magistrate’s attire stride in, the entire Song family looked at him with reverence.

The calls for Lord from the city could be heard even within the courtyard. The Song family servants were proud and delighted.

In the flower hall, the County Magistrate’s wife and the children, who were learning from Qin Yao how to handle criminals, heard the servants’ report and quickly stopped their grappling moves, smiling and went up to greet him.

Song Zhang, seeing these familiar faces, finally relaxed his tense body, took large strides to sit on the Taishi Chair, took the tea handed by his elder sister, and drank it all down, feeling the ease in his heart.

Qin Yao teased, "How does it feel being called Lord by the citizens?"

Song Zhang laughed heartily, "Absolutely exhilarating!"

The County Magistrate’s wife laughed along, the children’s eyes shone, gazing at their father in admiration.

Though reluctant to interrupt this warm family moment, Qin Yao still needed to remind, "I have to go back."

Song Zhang jumped up excitedly, nearly shattering the teacup, "Miss Qin, please wait!"

Fearing Qin Yao would leave abruptly, he hurriedly sent for the Steward, "Make sure he brings Miss Qin’s new bow!"

Qin Yao’s eyes lit up, accommodatingly said, "Then I’ll sit for a while longer."

At home with Liu Ji, who was adept at taking care of children and managing chores, there actually wasn’t much she needed to worry about.