Not far away, a group of Peng Family women seemed like vines that had lost their support, their shoulders slightly drooping, faces full of confusion and pain.
Aunt Xue, who had always been at odds with Xu Jing, even collapsed onto the ground, looking as if she couldn’t accept the harsh reality.
Chunxiang wrinkled her nose unconsciously and said, “Miss, you’re too kind-hearted.
Not long ago, those people were still unreasonable, falsely accusing us of being murderers…”
Xu Jing withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyes, and said indifferently, “They are just pitiable people.”
Without the ability or courage to live independently, they can only cling to others like vines.
They even constantly brainwash themselves, accepting this inconceivable way of living with a heart of joy and even gratitude.
Xu Jing truly felt sorry for them, but she knew there was nothing more she could do for them.
After all, in this world, she was too busy to take care of herself.
Suddenly, she turned her eyes to Xiao Yi in the distance, her lips curving slightly as she said, “Thanks to Vice Minister Xiao, I was able to clear my name.
I have some words I wish to speak with Vice Minister Xiao.
I wonder if Vice Minister Xiao would care to accompany me?”
Xiao Yi seemed slightly taken aback, gazing at Xu Jing intently, the depth and scrutiny on his face apparent.
Xu Jing forcibly suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, maintaining a fake smile, “Don’t worry, this is the last time, and I do indeed have important things to say to Vice Minister Xiao.”
Chunyang and Chunxiang followed behind Xu Jing, looking at Xiao Yi, then at their own miss, not daring to say a word.
They always felt that the relationship between Vice Minister Xiao and their miss was very delicate now, and they weren’t sure how to handle this former son-in-law.
After some time, Xiao Yi finally nodded, as if condescendingly saying, “Okay.”
After speaking, he turned around and walked forward without a word.
Xu Jing was slightly stunned, and it took her a moment to realize that the man meant for her to follow, causing her lips to twitch slightly.
She couldn’t help but murmur “Serves you right for encountering a rotten peach blossom,” and then she moved to follow.
The path from the courtroom to the county government’s gate wasn’t long, and Xu Jing followed Xiao Yi unhurriedly, saying in a calm voice, “First of all, I naturally want to thank Vice Minister Xiao, but it is the duty of Vice Minister Xiao to redress the grievances of the people.
I believe a conscientious man like Vice Minister Xiao would not want my thanks.”
Xiao Yi: “…”
If she doesn’t want to thank him, she could just say so directly.
Why beat around the bush like this?
Moreover, he seemed to hear a faint sarcasm in her words, but was it his imagination?
Seeing the man not responding, Xu Jing didn’t mind and continued, “Secondly, it’s about the Peng family.
Peng Shi has been engaged in the heinous act of abducting women over the years.
When I was in the cell, I saw a father driven mad because his daughter was taken by Peng Shi.
However, Peng Shi currently has only nineteen official concubines.
A living person wouldn’t disappear without reason, nor would their body.
Xiao Yi’s steps paused slightly, and he turned to look at Xu Jing. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Xu Jing also stopped and looked up at him, saying, “According to Mrs.
Cao and Aunt Xue’s earlier accounts, the crimes committed by Mrs.
Cao likely go far beyond killing Peng Shi.
Peng Shi has been abducting women into the house all along, and Mrs.
Cao played a role similar to a Madam in a brothel, comforting and persuading the women who stayed willingly to become Peng Shi’s legitimate concubines.
As for those unwilling to stay or whom Peng Shi didn’t particularly like and merely wanted to play with, it’s very possible…”
Xu Jing pressed her lips together, her voice deepening, “They were all killed.
Mrs.
Cao, as Peng Shi’s pillow companion, couldn’t possibly be unaware of these matters and likely even acted as an accomplice to Peng Shi.
Vice Minister Xiao might as well interrogate Mrs.
Cao thoroughly, and if we can bring justice to the innocent women who died unjustly, it would at least comfort their families and their spirits in the heavens.”
Xiao Yi looked steadily at Xu Jing, and this time, he didn’t remain silent but rather nodded solemnly, saying, “Okay.”
Pausing for a moment, he casually remarked, “Miss Xu, if you continue to act and speak so recklessly, be careful of bringing trouble upon yourself.”
He had wanted to say this earlier in the courtroom; this woman’s current behavior was careless and unconventional.
Not to mention her skill in examining corpses.
A woman casually mentioning undressing a man, just left it at that, and now talking about Madams and merely wanting to play.
What was most bewildering for Xiao Yi was the inexplicable sense that this woman was already trying her best to restrain herself.
Xu Jing was slightly stunned, never expecting that this man would actually be concerned about her way of speaking and acting.
She admitted that she had indeed been haughty today, but wasn’t that due to circumstances pressing her?
Besides, wasn’t he partly responsible for putting her in this position?
What’s with the act now!
Recalling his cold and indifferent demeanor in the courtroom earlier, the anger that Xu Jing had already suppressed couldn’t help but flare up again.
She raised her eyebrows and said with a fake smile, “Who said the government couldn’t prove my innocence?
I had said from the beginning that if the government couldn’t prove my innocence, I could only prove it myself.
As a weak woman forced into such a circumstance, what else could I do?”
Xiao Yi: “…”
He was certain this time that the woman was being sarcastic.
Was there something in his previous words that offended her?
“However, Vice Minister Xiao’s suggestion is also made with good intentions, and I will keep it in mind.”
Xu Jing spoke lightly, bypassing Xiao Yi and continuing to walk forward. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Xiao Yi paused slightly, not knowing what to say for a moment, and followed her.
As the gate of the county government was almost in sight, Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment and finally said in a flat voice, “Miss Xu, regarding your skill in examining corpses, I wonder…”
Before he finished his sentence, the woman in front suddenly stopped.
Xiao Yi didn’t notice for a moment; his steps didn’t halt in time and he bumped straight into the woman in front of him.
Instantly, a faint but fresh floral scent filled the air, and Xiao Yi only felt that the person he collided with was indescribably delicate and slender, as if with a little force, he could mold her as he pleased.
He was stunned for a moment, his mind blank, but before he could react, he saw that slender figure suddenly leaping away like a rabbit.
When she was at a certain distance from him, she turned around, her captivating eyes filled with vigilance as she looked at him, eyebrows furrowed in seriousness, “Vice Minister Xiao, please behave.
We have no relationship now.”
Xiao Yi: “…”
After a moment of silence, he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.
If he didn’t see that this woman did it on purpose, he might as well not claim to be the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
This woman indeed held grudges; was this retribution for him avoiding her in the tea room earlier?
He couldn’t help but laugh in anger, “Miss Xu is indeed vengeful.”
“Vice Minister Xiao flatters me.”
Xu Jing straightened her clothes, which had some wrinkles from the bump, and said lightly, “I only feel that our non-existent relationship is important and needs to be reiterated.”
Lest a certain man keeps thinking she wants to cling to him.
“As for my skill in examining corpses, it’s just some superficial knowledge I picked up from books earlier.
To clear my name just now, I’ve already used all the methods I could remember.
There are no more methods I can offer.”
Xu Jing curved her lips with a lack of emotion, saying, “If Vice Minister Xiao still wishes to know anything from me, I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”
The woman’s eyes were frank and open, her expression extremely sincere, yet Xiao Yi merely looked at her with deep, somber eyes.
Although this woman had changed significantly, Xiao Yi had somewhat discerned her current nature.
Though unsure of what she was hiding, she clearly wasn’t telling the truth.
But recalling her increasingly brazen attitude in the courtroom earlier, where she seemingly didn’t even regard him, he inexplicably felt that perhaps it was a good thing for her to understand the need for restraint now.
Otherwise, who knows how she might lose her life suddenly.
He pursed his lips, about to say something, when the woman before him suddenly squinted her eyes, smiling like a stretching cat, “That’s all I wanted to say to Vice Minister Xiao; it’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave first.
I know Vice Minister Xiao still harbors doubts about me now, so I’ll make a promise here.
I won’t actively seek out Vice Minister Xiao henceforth; you can rest assured.
Here, I wish Vice Minister Xiao a bright future, smooth career, and everything goes well!”