By all rights, Chen Xiaobei's implication was quite clear. Yet, He Yi, his mind clouded by adrenaline, looked at Liu Rumei, then at Chen Xiaobei, cupped his fists and declared loudly, "I know you two have some connection to Feng Xiaoyue, but have you considered this? In this mortal world, nothing is more important than justice. If I am in the right, what have I to fear?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei almost burst out laughing. *What justice are you even talking about?*
With this thought, his expression darkened. "Old Master He, I speak to you politely out of respect for your age, but I did not expect you to be so utterly obstinate."
Provoked by Chen Xiaobei's words, He Yi grew impatient. He slammed the table again and roared, "Chen Xiaobei, for speaking so disrespectfully and bullying an old man like me, what good does that make you?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. Since he had said this much, he was prepared for anything.
"Since you refuse to acknowledge it, Elder, I have no further recourse."
He then turned to Hu Fan beside him. "County Magistrate Hu, how do you wish to handle this matter?"
Hearing this, Hu Fan sighed deeply. "Alas, what else can I do? Naturally, I must uphold the law impartially. But brother Xiaobei, rest assured, their crimes are not death-worthy. They will at most be imprisoned for half a year."
Chen Xiaobei, however, shook his head repeatedly. "No, no. What do you mean 'not death-worthy'?"
"If they were truly heinous villains, then they ought to be executed!"
Chen Xiaobei turned his gaze towards He Yi. That one look sent a shiver down He Yi's spine.
Seeing his expression, Chen Xiaobei felt even more confident. "County Magistrate Hu, given the circumstances, I have no good solution. May I trouble you to allow me to invite one more person?"
At his words, He Yi murmured to himself, *Liu Rumei has already been summoned, who else could he be inviting?*
Besides, Liu Rumei had come and hadn't done anything to him.
This bolstered He Yi's misplaced confidence. He calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei quickly walked to the courtyard gate, cupped his fists towards Princess Zhaoning, and made a gesture of invitation.
Princess Zhaoning nodded and stepped into the courtyard.
Hu Fan, in truth, did not recognize Princess Zhaoning.
But seeing Chen Xiaobei's respectful demeanor, he knew that a person of great importance was arriving.
To Hu Fan's surprise, Liu Rumei also showed extreme respect upon seeing the newcomer, stepping aside to make way.
Witnessing this, a bad premonition flashed through Hu Fan's mind. He suddenly recalled something He Yi had told him.
*Feng Xiaoyue found someone to impersonate Princess Zhaoning. Could this be...*
Before Hu Fan's thought was complete, he saw Chen Xiaobei cupping his fists towards him. "County Magistrate Hu, this is the current Princess Zhaoning. Whether she is genuine or not, you can see for yourself."
Hu Fan rose and bowed to Princess Zhaoning. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Princess Zhaoning's face darken. She pointed at Hu Fan and said sternly, "You foolish official, you don't even recognize the true Princess?"
Hu Fan looked at Liu Rumei in surprise. Though he didn't know the princess, he was perfectly aware of Liu Rumei's identity.
Liu Rumei's expression was solemn. She bowed to Princess Zhaoning and then turned to Hu Fan, saying, "County Magistrate Hu, I can guarantee that this is indeed Her Highness the Princess."
As Hu Fan was about to lift his robe to kneel, He Yi scoffed from the side, "If you claim to be the Princess, what proof do you have? I am not so easily fooled."
Princess Zhaoning snorted. "I see you truly will not believe until you see the coffin."
With that, Princess Zhaoning beckoned. Chun Hua, standing at the door, immediately stepped forward, took something from her embrace, and respectfully handed it to Princess Zhaoning.
It was a cloth pouch. Princess Zhaoning opened it to reveal a wooden box, and inside the box was an exquisite golden waist token. Sudian Novel Network.
The decorations on the golden waist token were phoenix patterns.
Upon seeing the token, Hu Fan's expression changed. If others didn't recognize it, it would be understandable. But he was the county magistrate; he knew what this object signified.
Hu Fan quickly lifted his robe and knelt. "Hu Fan, County Magistrate of Qingniu County, pays his respects to Her Highness the Princess."
Seeing Hu Fan kneel, He Yi beside him finally realized that something was amiss. He also trembled and knelt down.
Unfortunately, his kneeling was of no avail. Princess Zhaoning pointed at He Yi and said to Hu Fan, "He Shun and He Zhen, father and son, kidnapped Feng Xiaoyue. You killed him. Do you have any objections?"
Hu Fan cupped his fists and replied loudly, "Your Highness the Princess, you have done well to kill him."
That one sentence almost made Chen Xiaobei burst out laughing.
Indeed, Hu Fan's ability to shift his allegiance was quite remarkable. Of course, for Hu Fan, there was no other choice at this moment.
Princess Zhaoning smoothly walked to the chair Hu Fan had occupied and sat down. Hu Fan, startled, quickly turned on the ground and resumed his kneeling posture before Princess Zhaoning.
"Alright, Hu Fan. You may rise. How do you intend to handle this matter?"
Hu Fan stood up with a tremor. "Everything will be as the Princess commands."
Princess Zhaoning shook her head. "I have no arrangements. I have merely come to present a witness."
As she spoke, she beckoned. Guo Chuan quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Guo Chuan, tell County Magistrate Hu exactly what happened."
Guo Chuan cupped his fists and said to Hu Fan, "County Magistrate Hu, it is indeed true that the He family's guards delivered He Zhen and Feng Xiaoyue to the mountain in the middle of the night. They falsely claimed to me that it was He Zhen and his wife, stating that their family had incurred the wrath of enemies and were fleeing to the mountains for safety."
Hearing this, He Yi stiffened his neck. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Guo Chuan waved his hand, and several soldiers behind him brought two people forward.
"He Yi, these two are your He family guards. You should recognize them, shouldn't you?"
He Yi's face instantly changed.
"County Magistrate Hu, you ask them yourself."
Hu Fan looked at the two men sternly. "What exactly did you two do? Tell me the truth."
The two men, gulping, knelt before Hu Fan.
"County Magistrate, spare our lives, spare us! Our master ordered us to do it, we had no choice."
"Yes, yes! Our master told us to take the young master and Miss Xiaoyue to Wugong Ridge."
Hearing this, He Yi let out a sigh and could no longer speak.
Hu Fan finally understood. Everything was a charade orchestrated by He Yi, and he himself had almost fallen for the old man's trick.
With this realization, his expression turned serious. He said sternly, "He Yi, you connived with your descendants to commit evil, and you dare to come before me and distort the truth. I was almost misled by you. What crime do you deserve?"
Hearing this, He Yi naturally understood that Hu Fan was now distancing himself from the affair, as he was clearly in the wrong.
At this moment, he cast a pleading gaze towards He Dali behind Hu Fan. But He Dali, at this point, dared not utter a word and could only look away, pretending not to see.