Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 239 It's all because of you

Liu Erniang was filled with resentment and didn't even want to see her father's condition.

A dignified prefect, faced with such a situation, actually contemplates suicide. If it were her, she would definitely fight those people again.

Tears streamed down Liu Erniang's face. She resented being a woman, trapped in the inner quarters, with everything decided by her father and brothers, and her life destined to rise and fall with the Liu family.

If she had known this would happen, she would have married into the royal family. At a time like this, who would be able to arrest someone from the residence of a royal relative?

She was able to save the Liu family because of her identity.

Her father, a government official his whole life, turned out to be so despicable. Having such a father was truly the greatest misfortune for her.

Liu Erniang cried for herself, and the more she cried, the more heartbroken she became.

“Mother, younger sister,” Liu Shizhang said, “I will continue to support the Liu family and do my best to protect you. I will take care of my mother and find a good marriage for my younger sister.”

Looking at Liu Shizhang, Liu Erniang suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.

“Don’t just stand there,” Madam Liu said in a hoarse voice, “carry your father to the main house, change him into decent clothes… and make arrangements for his funeral…”

……

Daming County Government Office.

"My lord, my lord."

Magistrate Cao Rui had just taken a nap in his chair when he was woken up by a clerk.

Cao Rui opened his eyes blankly, but thinking of the current predicament of the yamen, he shuddered and his drowsiness vanished instantly. During the days he had been defending the yamen, he always carried a long sword at his waist. He had even considered that if Prefect Liu sent men to breach the county yamen, he would not be humiliated and would simply commit suicide.

If he could leave behind some writings, he would at least have a good reputation in the future.

Thinking of this, Cao Rui couldn't help but shed tears for himself.

However, he was afraid that the sword in his hand was too fast and that he would die a gruesome death. Unfortunately, the government office did not have poisoned wine. He wanted to choose another way to die, so he could only hang himself...

In short, aside from handling cases and writing documents, Cao Rui kept thinking about how he should die a dignified death when Prefect Liu took action.

If you overthink it, you won't be afraid when the time comes, and you won't lose face for the imperial court and the Cao family.

For this reason, Cao Rui wrote a final note and a letter, every word of which expressed his unwavering loyalty.

"Sir, Prefect Liu is dead."

Just as Cao Rui was thinking, his time had come. Then he heard the words of the clerk.

“I know,” Cao Rui said instinctively, taking a deep breath, “I’m going to die.” His life was coming to an end.

"I don't care if I die, you must protect the county magistrate. In the future... perhaps... the affairs of this place will depend on him..."

“My lord.” The clerk interrupted Cao Rui. He didn’t understand what the county magistrate was saying, especially the look of grim determination on his face, which was really too strange. Shouldn’t he be happy at this time?
"Sir, I mean, Prefect Liu is dead."

Cao Rui stared blankly at the clerk for a long time before he came to his senses and said in a trembling voice, "You... what did you say? Who died?"

“Prefect Liu,” the clerk licked his lips and said clearly, “the Liu family has hung white lanterns, and the eldest son of the Liu family is even wearing mourning clothes. A doctor went in to check and said…Prefect Liu has taken poison.”

"Really? Is this true?" Cao Rui's eyes reddened.

The clerk nodded.

Cao Rui reached out and pinched his thigh; it hurt, it really hurt.

Cao Rui's eyes were completely wet. It was too terrible, too terrifying. He was almost... the one who died.

"Go quickly and inform the county magistrate," Cao Rui said, "that he should organize the case files and await the Imperial Guards and the imperial envoys to take over..."

The clerk responded.

Cao Rui stopped the clerk again: "Is it true? Prefect Liu is dead?"

“He’s dead,” the clerk nodded. “He’s really dead. If you’re worried, sir, we’ll send a coroner.”

Yes, Prefect Liu died, and Liu's eldest son did not yet hold an official position. He was sent to be a coroner, and the Liu family could not stop him.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Cao Rui said, "Go quickly."

Before the Imperial Guards and Wang Yan arrived, he had to guard Daming Prefecture. Cao Rui suddenly felt a great responsibility; the county magistrate, who had almost cried just moments before, regained his dignified authority as a local official. The news reached the prison.

The county magistrate almost burst into tears of joy, while Xie Chonghai, who was being questioned, looked horrified.

After someone brought a letter written by Xie Qi to accuse the Xie family, Xie Chonghai was summoned to the county government for questioning.

To prevent anyone from breaking into the government office, the gates were kept tightly shut, and Xie Chonghai was left there as well.

However, Xie Chonghai was determined not to admit to any crime. No matter how the yamen interrogated him, he would not utter a single word and would only try to deal with the yamen.

Xie Chonghai believed that with the Liu family in charge, Daming Prefecture would definitely not be thrown into chaos.

But now...Prefect Liu is dead?

Prefect Liu is dead? Their trusted advisor is gone?

"Impossible." Xie Chonghai blurted out instinctively.

The county magistrate looked at Xie Chonghai, and the anxiety in his heart suddenly disappeared.

"Guards," the county magistrate ordered the jailers, "take Xie Chonghai into prison."

Before, he couldn't afford to break ties, but things are different now. Since the Liu family won't be interfering in the case all the time, he's not in a hurry to question Xie Chonghai again; everything can be done slowly.

"You're bluffing me!" Xie Chonghai suddenly shouted.

The county magistrate did not respond to Xie Chonghai, but instead ordered the jailer: "Keep a close eye on him."

The jailer responded.

Xie Chonghai was thrown into prison. He anxiously asked about Prefect Liu's situation and rushed towards the prison gate...

A whip fell mercilessly upon him.

Xie Chonghai struggled, but the whip fell even faster.

"Second brother, don't move, don't move."

Xie Chongjun's voice came from the cell opposite, and Xie Chonghai stopped.

The jailer finally left.

Xie Chongjun asked anxiously, "Second brother, are you alright?"

Xie Chonghai spat out a mouthful of blood. He suddenly raised his head and glared fiercely at Xie Chongjun. He hadn't dared to speak to his elder brother before, fearing that someone was secretly watching him, but now he didn't care anymore.

“It’s all because of you,” Xie Chonghai said, looking at Xie Chongjun with resentment. “If you hadn’t favored that beast and secretly given him money and men, how could this day have come?”

Xie Chongjun frowned: "What are you talking about? Who did I give money to?"

“Still pretending,” Xie Chonghai said coldly. “You had already planned to hand over the porcelain kilns to him. If you hadn’t gone to jail, perhaps the Xie family’s wealth would have become yours and your son’s without you even realizing it.”

"The Xie family's current status is entirely due to your selfishness."

"You are not worthy to be the patriarch of the Xie clan."

Xie Chongjun was even more bewildered. Xie Chonghai's harsh words also displeased him: "Second brother, what's wrong with you? I've always been devoted to the clan. When have I ever had any selfish thoughts?"

“That little beast said it all,” Xie Chonghai said, “you secretly gave him money, taught him how to do business, and even said that you would let him take charge of the business in the future.”

Xie Chonghai recounted everything Xie Qi had said in one go.

Xie Chongjun finally understood, and after a long while said, "So that's why you attacked him?" No wonder he was surprised when he heard that Xie Qi had been killed. Who arranged all of this?

At such a time, the Xie family has unexpectedly created another problem.

Now I understand.

“You’ve been deceived by him,” Xie Chongjun said angrily. “I’ve never given him anything. Everything he said was a lie. You didn’t even ask me before…making the decision on your own.”

"I don't know where the money in his hand came from, but I didn't give it to him."

No sooner had Xie Chongjun finished speaking than a voice rang out: "No, it was you who gave it to me."