FID – Chapter 1057

Chapter 1057 – It’s Not That the Three Are Useless, It’s That the Enemy Is Too Strong

Letting the woman vent her denials, even as she shouted to the crowd outside the hall, crying injustice and cursing him as a ‘corrupt official,’ Liu Zhixia did not intervene.

Only when her shrieks faded, and she was panting and exhausted, did the magistrate finally speak: “These charges were personally handed to me by Lord Yuan, the veteran of three dynasties.”

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone’s eyes popped out in disbelief, especially Madam Ding, who nearly collapsed.

“I-Impossible…” The charges were personally handed over by her great-uncle? That meant her great-uncle had personally investigated all the things she had done over the years!

Outside the hall, murmurs swelled among the people, who were visibly excited.

“Lord Yuan personally investigated these crimes? Then there’s no way they’re false!”

“Of course not! Would Lord Yuan falsely accuse his own grandniece?”

“Madam Ding certainly didn’t expect this outcome! Just now she was still calling Lord Liu a corrupt official, claiming he sought revenge. She really looks like a clown!”

With the charges personally delivered by Lord Yuan, there was no need for further authentication; they were enough to convict Madam Ding outright.

Madam Ding had collapsed completely to the floor, still muttering that it was impossible, her eyes trembling violently, as if they might burst.

“Bang!” The judge’s gavel struck, and Lord Liu pronounced the verdict: “The wicked woman, Madam Ding, has committed countless sins, with irrefutable evidence. She is hereby to be detained in prison and sent to the capital on a scheduled date, to be personally tried and sentenced by the Imperial Censor!”

Once the case was transferred to the Imperial Censor, there would be no room for reversal.

With Lord Yuan’s strictness, any of his once-favored descendants who had become arrogant and committed atrocities would never be let off lightly.

When the time came, Lord Yuan would undoubtedly demand a thorough trial and severe sentencing. Once Madam Ding was sent away, there would be no return.

This punishment would be far more agonizing than simply executing her on the spot.

She had bullied others using her influence, and now the very person she had relied on would personally ensure she faced justice.

Who said Lord Liu wasn’t acting out of personal revenge?

After the trial, Liu Zhixia left the yamen and returned to the rear courtyard, where he unfolded the letter Lord Yuan had sent him.

The handwriting was strong and flowing, full of character, reflecting the writer’s integrity and style.

He had waited two months, thinking that Lord Yuan’s silence was a psychological tactic, only to discover that during this time, the elder had personally conducted the investigation.

Upon confirming Madam Yuan’s crimes, Lord Yuan provided no leniency, enclosing the evidence and a letter instructing him to conduct a fair and impartial trial, leaving no room for mercy.

A veteran of three dynasties, someone truly worthy of respect.

Liu Zhixia folded the letter and smiled. Madam Ding’s matter was settled, and Grandma had gotten her satisfaction.

“What are you smiling at?” At the door, the woman entered, holding the child, her eyes soft and bright.

“I’m just imagining the scene when Grandpa and Grandma see ‘Feng Qingbai’ and ‘Nannan.’ It must be quite amusing.”

Indeed, it was very amusing.

Wei Zi, with a faint dark aura around him, was already struggling to hold it together.

After coming back to deliver a message for his master and the princess, he had been forced to sit in the main hall, side by side with Liu Ya, under the family’s inspection.

That alone was tolerable, but the real problem was that Grandma Liu had taken matters into her own hands.

She twisted his face into all sorts of strange shapes, marveling as she did so: “How is it so alike? It’s practically identical! If it weren’t so familiar, you’d never recognize it. What is this face made of? Why won’t it come off?”

Wei Zi remained expressionless.

The entire Liu family laughed so hard they were nearly falling over.

Even little Liu Ya, the little rabbit, shook with laughter, her eyes glistening with tears.

“Grandma, stop pulling! If you tear that face, who’s going to fix it later? Xue Honglian isn’t here!” Liu Zhiqiu straightened with difficulty, laughing as he warned.

Only then did the old lady relent. She stopped pulling and instead turned Wei Zi’s head left and right like a melon, trying to find the seam.

Finally, Grandpa Liu couldn’t bear it any longer and stepped in to take her away: “Wei Zi has a neck under that head. Won’t it hurt him if you twist it like that? If you’re that curious, wait for Xue Honglian to come back and have him make one for you to play with.”

“They’re in Xiliang right now. Who knows when they’ll be back? Otherwise, would Wei Zi and Liu Ya have needed to go to the capital pretending to be them?” Thinking about the two children who had infiltrated Xiliang, Grandma Liu grew worried. “They were supposed to look for Miaojiang. How did they end up in Xiliang instead? And they even have to disguise themselves. It must be very dangerous, right?”

At last, the topic returned to something normal.

Dalin smacked his lips. “Axiu and Nannan are royals. If they went to Dongyue and Beicang, those places would surely treat them well, but Xiliang is different. I’m most worried that Xiliang will think they’re spies and arrest them.”

“It’s not impossible. I heard the emperor of Xiliang is a monster—the man-eating kind. How could someone like that have any humanity?” Erlin agreed, brow tightly furrowed.

As soon as he finished, his head was smacked. He looked up to see his father’s eyes glaring like bronze bells, then glanced at his mother, whose face was full of worry. Shrinking his neck, Erlin muttered jealously, “Why do you always hit me, the younger one? Big Brother’s words weren’t any better than mine. How come he doesn’t get smacked?”

“We have family rules—brothers must be friendly and respectful, the household must be harmonious. No turning against each other, and absolutely no bickering.” Dalin took off a shoe and waved it meaningfully in Erlin’s direction. “If you don’t care about the family rules anymore, are you asking me to beat you as well?”

Erlin cleared his throat and leaned closer, lowering his voice, “The young ones are here. Don’t keep scolding me. Leave me a little dignity, will you?”

“You’re muttering, and you still blame me for not giving you face?”

“Next time I’ll change, isn’t that enough? And you, as the big brother, never let me speak either.”

“Fine.” Dalin put his shoe back on.

Everyone else’s faces were red from holding back laughter.

After being interrupted so many times, the topic had finally been reclaimed.

To prevent it from veering off again, Elder Jiu stepped up as spokesperson and summarized decisively, “All your worries are unnecessary. Do you know what kind of person the prince is? He’s a prodigy who can stand tall even against the three great powers. And Nannan—do you think she’s foolish? So many tried to scheme against her, yet she’s never at a loss. As for Xue Honglian, he navigates the royal families of several countries with ease; in both martial and mental prowess, he’s unmatched. With the three of them together, Xiliang alone isn’t enough to trap them. Relax, and wait—what comes back will surely be good news. Dismissed!”

By not giving anyone else a chance to speak, the topic wouldn’t stray again.

The Liu family: “…”

Elder Jiu’s words were concise and powerful, summarizing all three of their strengths. Upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

If these three together still couldn’t handle the old emperor of Xiliang, then that would only prove the Xiliang emperor was truly a monster.

It’s not that the three are useless—it’s that the enemy is too strong.

Besides, they’re miles and miles away; worrying here won’t help at all.

They might as well eat, drink, and wait for their safe return.

Grandma Liu slapped her thigh and said, “Alright, let’s have extra dishes today—eat well, drink well!”

“…” Is this the last supper perhaps?