Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

The next morning, Gao Zhao looked at Feng Sanniang's worried face and gently comforted her, "Sister, don't worry. After you went there, just insist that you were forced into it. According to the law, people in your situation are exempt from punishment!"

"But...I'm afraid..." Feng San Niang was still somewhat fearful.

"Sister, this is your only way out right now!" Gao Zhao sighed. "Of course, if you really don't want to go, then that's fine, but you need to think carefully about the consequences!"

Having said that, Gao Zhao said no more and simply waited quietly to the side.

When Feng Sanniang saw that he really stopped caring, she became anxious and felt immense pressure.

Last night, Fan Tong explained things to her very clearly. If she didn't turn herself in beforehand, and the neighbors became suspicious and reported it to the authorities, then she would be an accomplice, a very serious crime, and would inevitably be put in shackles and paraded in public. In that case, she wouldn't have a chance to live...

Moreover, even if she manages to escape this calamity by sheer luck, she might still be silenced. Besides, Lin Chong, whom she falsely accused, is not alone. Do you think his friends and acquaintances would let her off the hook?

Most importantly, if he couldn't clear his name after telling Fan Tong about this, given how much he cares about the family's reputation, he probably wouldn't want him... and then he would be left with no future.

Thinking of this, she looked up at Fan Tong and saw that he had his brows furrowed and looked very worried. She couldn't help but ask, "You're not going to abandon me, are you?"

"Sister, what are you saying!" Gao Zhao stepped forward and took her hand, saying gently, "I just fulfilled my wish yesterday, how could I bear to abandon her now!"

Feng Sanniang blushed, raised her hand and slapped him lightly, then said worriedly, "I'm afraid if I go, I won't be able to come out."

"That's impossible!" Gao Zhao affirmed. "As long as you turn yourself in, the case won't be serious. The law is there for all to see! Besides, those officials are all Confucian scholars who have studied the classics and value benevolence and righteousness. They will only give a lenient sentence, not a harsh one! Of course, if they do act recklessly, I know people in the Censorate!"

Seeing his certainty, Feng Sanniang felt somewhat relieved and gritted her teeth, saying, "Alright! I'll listen to you and go to Kaifeng Prefecture right now!"

With that, Feng San Niang turned and walked towards the door.

Gao Zhao quickly followed, saying, "Sister, I'll go with you, so you won't be scared!"

Feng San Niang felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with gratitude. She felt that she had met a kind person who could help her when she needed it. It felt so good!

Gao Zhao cursed inwardly, thinking, "This woman is fickle and indecisive. If I don't go with her, she might run away halfway, and I'll lose both my body and my money! I'd better keep an eye on her!"

[Gratitude points from Feng San Niang +1]

Oh, there's an unexpected bonus!

This woman is really something. The day I rescued her, she wasn't grateful, but today, after I said a few nice words that cost nothing, she's actually moved!

This woman is so ungrateful!

After the two left the inn, Gao Zhao bought her some more food, which made Feng San Niang feel even more heartened.

The inn where they stayed was not far from the Feng residence, and they arrived in no time!

Upon hearing that she had come to turn herself in, the yamen runners at the gate quickly brought her inside, invited a clerk to record her statement, and then sent Feng Sanniang to the clerk's office.

The clerk, having accepted Gao Zhao's bribe, naturally wouldn't make things difficult for her. Seeing her fear, he carefully comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid. We're only conducting an interrogation here, not sentencing. Just tell the truth. There's no need to worry. After the case is concluded, you'll be sent to the West Prison Women's Detention Center. A decision will be made after the case is investigated!"

"You'll have to go to jail again!" Feng Sanniang exclaimed in shock.

The clerk laughed and said, "Don't worry, your case isn't serious. You'll be released after a few days!"

Feng Sanniang was at her wit's end and had no choice but to go and see the registrar.

Such cases are not heard in the main hall, but only in a side hall. The content of the questioning by the clerk and military advisor is very simple, nothing more than when, where, and how you were forced to frame someone, whether there are any witnesses, injuries, and the like.

Feng San Niang answered truthfully one by one.

After the registrar finished recording, he glanced at her and asked, "Did you voluntarily surrender?"

Following Gao Zhao's advice, Feng Sanniang replied, "Having committed such an evil deed, I've heard it could cost someone their life. My conscience is troubled, and I can't sleep at night. That's why I've come to turn myself in!"

The registrar remained expressionless. After recording the information, he had her sign and affix her fingerprint, then calmly instructed, "This department has finished its questioning. Transfer the case to the judge in another office for further questioning!"

As soon as the yamen runners took her away, the registrar snorted coldly, closed the file, and his eyes were full of disdain.

The woman had no injuries, clearly indicating she was an accomplice in the case. Her sudden surrender, coupled with the still-swollen handprint on her face, revealed that she must have had a conflict with her husband and was now turning herself in to put him to death.

She looks gentle and weak, but in reality she has a heart of a venomous snake; she is truly a poisonous woman!

Feng Sanniang was then led to another side hall. After a short while, an unfamiliar official came in. The official was not cold-faced, but rather very gentle.

They only asked her if her statement was signed voluntarily, whether she was coerced or threatened, and whether there were any other injustices.

Feng Sanniang suddenly realized that this was to prevent her from being tortured into confessing or being coerced. After giving a normal verbal answer, she would sign and put her fingerprint on the document before being taken to the women's prison.

……

Sun Yuan sat at home with a blank stare and dark circles under his eyes. Last night, in a moment of impulse, he slapped Feng Sanniang. The woman was also very hot-tempered and actually ran out of the house.

He searched all night but couldn't find her. He was very worried. The capital was so big, where could a woman like her go?

I wonder how he is now. He must have suffered terribly being stranded outside all night!

Sun Yuan was both regretful and angry! He regretted that he shouldn't have slapped her, and he was angry that this woman was so unreasonable and willful!

She's run away now. What if we need to reopen Lin Chong's case in a few days?

She definitely needs to testify!

Sigh... We still need to find her!

Just as he was wondering where to look for her, he heard someone outside asking about him.

Sun Yuan was startled. He peeked through the crack in the door and saw that it was Zhang San. He hurriedly opened the door and called out, "Third Brother!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang San looked over and hurried over.

"Third Brother, what brings you here..."

Sun Yuan was about to say hello when Zhang San shoved him into the room, saying, "Come in and talk!"

"What's wrong with Third Brother?" Sun Yuan asked, puzzled, but seeing Zhang San's solemn expression, he dared not be careless.

"Are you involved in any case?"

"Huh? No..."

"Don't tell me, I don't want to know! I'm here today to tell you that a woman named Feng Sanniang went to Kaifeng Prefecture to report you!"

"Ah!" Sun Yuan's eyes widened, filled with horror. "Third Brother, you must be joking..."

"A friend of mine works as a yamen runner in Kaifeng Prefecture, and he told me this! Telling you this is my way of fulfilling my duty as a friend!"

After saying that, Zhang San turned and left, leaving Sun Yuan standing there dumbfounded!

A moment later, Sun Yuan hurriedly went out and left quickly.

Shi Qian followed.