He Shun saw this, let out a cry of surprise, and turned to flee. But he hadn't run more than a few steps before Princess Zhaoning caught up and plunged her sword straight through him.
Seeing this, He family guards like Yong Hao drew their weapons and prepared to charge.
Guo Chuan waved his hand, and then the sound of horseshoes filled the air. Hundreds of black-clad men swarmed in, surrounding everyone completely.
The assembled crowd was stunned, utterly bewildered by what was happening. Some even began to wonder about Princess Zhaoning's identity.
Yong Hao, ever the opportunist, quickly sheathed his sword and clasped his hands to Guo Chuan. "General, though my master deserves death, please let him die understanding why."
In his words, Yong Hao shifted all the blame onto He Shun.
Guo Chuan pointed his long sword at the assembled crowd and announced loudly, "This is Princess Zhaoning of the current dynasty. You shall all kneel."
Upon hearing this, Yong Hao quickly lowered his robes and knelt, not daring to make a sound. They had never imagined that Feng Xiaoyue, the proprietress of a wine shop, could enlist the aid of Princess Zhaoning.
Princess Zhaoning, sword in hand, walked up to Yong Hao and turned to the assembled crowd. "My dear villagers, the He family has relied on their wealth and power to bully and oppress. Today, I shall rid the people of this menace."
With that, she thrust her sword forward, beheading Yong Hao on the spot.
Witnessing Princess Zhaoning's actions, the onlookers cheered.
Hearing the cheers, a flicker of despair crossed He Zhen's eyes. He probably never imagined that the deaths of his father and his guard would be met with such a reaction.
After beheading Yong Hao, Princess Zhaoning waved her hand, and Guo Chuan immediately dragged He Zhen from his horse, pulling him like a dead dog before Princess Zhaoning.
Princess Zhaoning turned and approached Fang Jun, smiling. "Brother Fang Jun, you have been wronged."
Fang Jun's face was filled with shame. He clasped his hands to Princess Zhaoning. "It was all my momentary foolishness, being misled by wicked people, that led to this embarrassment today."
At this point, Liu Rumei stepped forward. "Brother Fang Jun, you were not embarrassed. You kept your promise. It was He Shun who deliberately designed to frame you."
As she spoke, Liu Rumei turned to the assembled crowd. "Good people, let us clarify things today!"
"Last night, He Zhen sent people disguised as customers to Sihai Wine Shop to abduct Miss Xiaoyue."
"When we went to find her, He Shun deliberately stalled for time, making an agreement with this young master Fang Jun. He said that if He Zhen was not found, Fang Jun would have to crawl through the streets, and Sihai Wine Shop would be forfeited to He Shun."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding commoners began to murmur amongst themselves. "This He Shun is truly heartless."
"Indeed, his death is well deserved."
"He certainly never expected Fang Jun to have such connections."
"Yes, yes, if he were just an ordinary commoner, he would have been bullied into submission."
Liu Rumei did not speak in haste, waiting for the public's murmuring to subside before continuing. "While He Shun deliberately delayed us, he sent his son He Zhen and Feng Xiaoyue to Wugong Ridge."
"Alas, man proposes, but heaven disposes. He Shun could never have imagined that General Guo Chuan of Wugong Ridge was a righteous man. Upon learning the truth, he unhesitatingly bound He Zhen and sent him back to Xiaojia Town."
"Furthermore, as we arrived, we happened to encounter the Princess, which led to today's events."
Liu Rumei did not mention Princess Zhaoning's presence at Wugong Ridge because she wanted to protect the Princess's secret.
After all, if outsiders knew that such an important figure was at Wugong Ridge, it would likely disturb the Princess's peace in the future.
The commoners began to discuss again. "Yes, yes, it's fortunate that the Princess arrived in time."
"And General Guo is indeed righteous, otherwise..."
Hearing the commoners' discussions, Guo Chuan felt a blush creep up his neck. Righteous? He himself had almost been harmed by that scoundrel.
With this thought, he quickly clasped his hands to Princess Zhaoning and said loudly, "Your Highness, your humble servant believes that He Zhen should be publicly executed to appease the public's anger."
Princess Zhaoning nodded and handed the sword in her hand to Fang Jun.
"Fang Jun, you shall kill He Zhen."
Fang Jun hesitated.
The young girl beside him quickly shouted, "Brother, slay this scoundrel and vent your anger!"
Fang Jun looked at the sword, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward swiftly towards He Zhen, plunging the sword into him.
Unfortunately, Fang Jun was a delicate scholar by nature and had no martial arts training. After a morning of exertion, his hands were weak, and this thrust did not strike He Zhen's vital points.
Thus, the sword merely pierced He Zhen's chest, causing him to leap up in pain, howling.
The onlookers burst into laughter at the sight.
Seeing this, the young girl quickly stepped forward, took the sword from Fang Jun's hand, thrust it forward, and with a splash, pierced He Zhen through the heart.
He Zhen opened his mouth, gurgled twice, and his eyes grew dim.
Then his body slumped limply to the ground.
When He Zhen collapsed, the surrounding crowd let out a roar of acclamation.
These cheers were enough to prove that the He father and son had indeed behaved poorly in Xiaojia Town.
The young girl stepped forward and kicked He Zhen twice, then spat at him.
The onlookers again made a clamor.
Princess Zhaoning looked at the assembled crowd and then gestured to the remaining He family guards who were still alive.
"Today, I only kill He Shun and He Zhen. The rest of you are pardoned. You may all disperse. If you commit evil deeds again, do not blame me for my ruthlessness."
The guards, in a flurry, kowtowed in thanks and then left.
As they departed, someone nearby suddenly sighed. "Alas, Du Yi Wei still owes me a few taels of silver. Now that the He father and son are dead, who will I collect from?"
This person's remark caught Princess Zhaoning's attention.
Princess Zhaoning frowned and turned to the man. "You say He owed you silver?"
The man nodded. "Yes, I delivered several jars of wine to him yesterday, and he hasn't paid yet."
Princess Zhaoning pondered for a moment and then looked at Feng Xiaoyue. "Miss Xiaoyue, are you willing to take over the He family's wine shop?"
Hearing this, Feng Xiaoyue paused.
Liu Rumei, with her sharp wit, quickly tugged Feng Xiaoyue. "Miss Xiaoyue, the Princess has already bestowed Du Yi Wei upon you. Are you not going to express your gratitude?"
Feng Xiaoyue understood and quickly knelt and kowtowed.
Seeing this, Liu Rumei spoke loudly to the assembled crowd. "Everyone listen! From now on, the proprietress of Du Yi Wei will be Feng Xiaoyue. Anyone who dares to object will be defying the Princess's orders."
The crowd quickly waved their hands at Liu Rumei. "We dare not, we dare not. We have all remembered. From now on, the proprietress of Du Yi Wei Wine Shop is Miss Xiaoyue."