Chapter 1189: Chapter 1162: Cannon Fodder in a Demon Hunting Story 26

Mrs. Luo accused Li Pengcheng of collaborating with Chunniang to deceive her into marriage, using a poisonous insect technique to confuse Luo Anqing. After marrying Luo Anqing, he wanted Chunniang to replace her. This time, returning home to Ning, Li Pengcheng allowed Chunniang to impersonate Luo Anqing. Fortunately, Mrs. Luo saw through the deception and saved Luo Anqing’s life.

Rong Yan carefully put away the complaint: "Lady Luo, rest assured, I will definitely present this complaint to Your Majesty and seek justice for you and Miss Luo."

Rong Yan still remembered Luo Anqing.

From a poor family, he had passed the scholar examination but lacked the means to continue his studies. He planned to establish a private school in the countryside, teaching a few students for a living, when he met Prime Minister Luo. The Prime Minister appreciated his character and talent, took him as a disciple, taught him literature, and alleviated his family’s financial difficulties with silver.

During that time, weakened by hunger, he was frail enough to be knocked down by the wind. Prime Minister Luo personally took him home to the Luo Family, where Mrs. Luo helped nurse him back to health.

He lived in the Luo Family for half a year before recovering and leaving.

At that time, Luo Anqing was still a child, around eight or nine years old, an adorable girl with a lively and active nature. She often ran to the front courtyard study to hear Prime Minister Luo’s lessons, sometimes even competing for food with him. The little girl was so lovable; whenever he saw her, he couldn’t help smiling, and a few words exchanged with her could chase away many worries.

Though many years have passed, Rong Yan still wished for Luo Anqing’s lifelong happiness and peace.

He never imagined that Luo Anqing would encounter such troubling issues.

Li Pengcheng was indeed detestable; how could he be so cruel to deceive such a good girl?

A man lacking personal virtue like this could never be expected to be loyal to the emperor and devoted to the people. It seems that the accusations against him are likely true.

Having accepted the complaint, Rong Yan couldn’t visit the Luo Family anymore.

He didn’t stay long in Yang City but immediately set off for Ding City.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Luo handed Chunniang over to Constable Geng, who imprisoned her while awaiting the outcome of Li Pengcheng’s case.

As for Li Pengcheng, Mrs. Luo didn’t concern herself too much with him.

She had been working with Old Master Yao for some time, and now that Rong Yan was investigating the case, it seemed Li Pengcheng couldn’t escape punishment.

Li Pengcheng was now anxious and frightened.

He didn’t understand why so many people were accusing him all at once.

Upon hearing that Rong Yan, as the imperial envoy, was handling the case, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew Rong Yan was Prime Minister Luo’s disciple, and he was Prime Minister Luo’s son-in-law, naturally bound by kinship. He thought Rong Yan would show leniency.

However, Li Pengcheng didn’t expect the matter with Chunniang to have been exposed; he also didn’t foresee Mrs. Luo had already filed a direct petition to the emperor.

When Rong Yan arrived in Ding City, Li Pengcheng led his men to welcome him.

As soon as he met Rong Yan, Rong Yan ordered his guards to seize him.

Li Pengcheng, restrained and kneeling on the ground, shouted and screamed without a shred of dignity: "Lord Rong, I am wronged; those are false accusations. I beg you, investigate clearly before making any decision."

Rong Yan sneered: "If I hadn’t investigated thoroughly, why would I see you? I never expected this—you exploit the common folk, seize their wealth, and even drive them to death, committing all manners of evil..."

Rong Yan listed many crimes committed by Li Pengcheng before finally stating: "You even allowed others to impersonate your legitimate wife, replacing her with a lowly slave, disregarding the court’s law; even dying ten times wouldn’t suffice, what kind of wrongs could you claim?"

This final statement caused Li Pengcheng to collapse in despair on the ground.

He knew that the matter with Chunniang was his downfall, and he feared he would never be able to turn his situation around.

Rong Yan quickly clarified Li Pengcheng’s case, sending a sealed letter to the Capital.

Upon reading the letter, the Holy Emperor was furious, and swiftly the verdict was delivered.

The emperor ordered Li Pengcheng stripped of his titles, dismissed, and investigated; he was imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, to await execution after evidence was confirmed. Chunniang, a lowly slave who harmed her master, was deemed vicious and was immediately sentenced to public execution by beheading.

On the day of Chunniang’s execution, Luo Anqing personally went to witness.

She watched as Chunniang’s head was chopped off, unmistakably dead, before returning home with her servants.

From then on, Luo Anqing slept peacefully without nightmares.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Luo invited Constable Geng and Cong Zhongbai to the house for a drink, and Xiao Yuan, as Anning’s fiancé, hosted them.

Xiao Yuan, Cong Zhongbai and Constable Geng sat in the garden pavilion drinking wine.

Xiao Yuan raised a cup to Cong Zhongbai: "This cup is for Brother Cong. If it weren’t for your diligent protection, my eldest sister might not have returned home. Brother Cong’s kindness will never be forgotten."

Constable Geng also raised his cup: "Junior disciple, bottom’s up."

Cong Zhongbai smiled: "I was merely doing my best; that Li’s actions were excessive, anyone seeing Miss Luo’s situation would lend a hand."

"No matter what, this matter owes much to Brother Cong."

Xiao Yuan smiled and drank the wine in his cup.

Cong Zhongbai also raised his cup and drank it down.

He smiled and said: "I haven’t yet congratulated Brother Xiao; Brother Xiao is truly in luck with such a beauty..."

Xiao Yuan beamed with satisfaction: "To be engaged to the Second Miss is truly my fortune."

The three of them were drinking when suddenly a fierce wind arose.

Xiao Yuan’s expression changed slightly, raising his wine cup and spilling it towards the center of the wind: "Despicable creature, dare to stir trouble again? Show yourself quickly."

The fierce wind suddenly appeared to freeze, quickly calming to serenity, and a large river clam fell from the whirlwind.

Anning entered the garden at this moment.

She immediately spotted the river clam.

Anning ran over and picked up the river clam: "It’s still alive."

Xiao Yuan got up to take a look, with Cong Zhongbai and Constable Geng also coming closer.

Cong Zhongbai was curious and asked Anning: "Second Miss, could you let me see it?"

Anning handed it to Cong Zhongbai: "Be careful not to let it bite you."

Constable Geng drew his knife, carefully guarding Cong Zhongbai, fearing the river clam might suddenly attack.

Cong Zhongbai took the river clam and examined it: "It doesn’t seem odd; it’s just larger than an ordinary river clam."

Anning pulled some red ropes from her sleeve: "Come, I’ll tie it up; later I’ll put it in a water tank to keep it, when I get married, I’ll stew its meat to pair with your drinks."

"That’s indeed a good idea."

Cong Zhongbai’s eyes lit up upon hearing: "I’ve never tasted demon meat."

Anning and Cong Zhongbai bantered back and forth about how to bind the large river clam with the red ropes.

The river clam panicked, struggling fiercely, suddenly speaking human words: "How dare you, release me immediately, I am not a demon, I am an Immortal from heaven, I am the River Wind Fairy, if you mortals dare to injure me..."