The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

Xi Yu sneered. Since he dared to come, he was not afraid of Han Chong's threat.

"Han County Magistrate, don't rush to send me away. What I want to talk about is Sun Qiushui's matter..."

Han Chong's face flushed.

"Don't talk nonsense! I have been handling cases for many years, how can I allow you to slander me here? The evidence of Sun Qiushui's case is solid."

Xi Yu took a step forward.

"Han County Magistrate, you were in a hurry to close the case and didn't conduct a detailed investigation at all."

Han Chong became angry and embarrassed.

"Someone, come and capture this lunatic who is disrupting the court!"

Xi Yu's eyes were full of mockery.

"Han Chong, stop being stubborn. Ma Pingchang has already admitted that he framed Sun Qiushui. Do you still want to quibble?"

Han Chong was startled and subconsciously slapped the table.

"Ma Pingchang can't possibly admit it!"

As soon as he said this, he realized that he had been exposed. His face turned extremely ugly, but he still pretended to be calm.

"Hmph, stop talking nonsense. This county has not made any mistakes. Someone, come here!"

Several yamen runners quickly surrounded Xi Yu and trapped him in the middle.

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Han Chong's eyes.

"Catch this troublemaker. If he resists, kill him without mercy!"

Upon receiving the order, the bailiffs rushed towards Xi Yu.

Xi Yu showed no fear at all. He just stared at Han Chong coldly, as if he was looking at a clown.

Xiyu sneered.

"Han Chong, if you dare to touch me, it will be a capital crime. It's not too late to stop now."

Han Chong's face was full of disdain.

"Don't try to trick me, just keep fighting!"

Seeing this, Xi Yu shouted loudly: "Where are the secret guards!"

In an instant, a group of secret guards in black appeared like ghosts. Before the yamen runners could react, several secret guards kicked the surrounding yamen runners to the ground with swift kicks.

This sudden change shocked everyone present. The hall suddenly fell silent, with only the groans of the yamen runners echoing.

Han Chong widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

Han Chong asked with a trembling voice: "Who... who are you?"

He already had a vague guess in his mind, and that guess made his back feel cold.

Xi Yu looked at Han Chong's frightened expression and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Why? County Magistrate Han, you should have guessed who I am, right?"

Han Chong stared quietly at Xi Yu, who looked extremely young, and his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

Could he be the powerful prime minister? But...but why would the prime minister suddenly come here and intervene in such a seemingly insignificant case?

He really couldn't understand the connection between the identity of the person in front of him and what he did. He only felt an invisible pressure looming over him.

Han Chong's eyes rolled, and a sinister idea emerged in his mind: If the person in front of him is really the powerful prime minister, it would be better to get rid of him secretly. But looking at this situation, the opponent's strength should not be underestimated.

Thinking of this, he suddenly laughed.

"My brave man, you are truly a hero for caring about the injustice of others. However, although you are kind-hearted, your accusations against this county are groundless nonsense."

After hearing what he said, Xi Yu frowned and thought to himself: This Han Chong is really cunning. He still wants to quibble and confuse right and wrong even now.

"Han Chong, don't try to deny it anymore. Ma Pingchang's confession is irrefutable evidence. If you plead guilty now, you may be given a lighter sentence."

Han Chong suddenly became furious.

"Humph! This county magistrate has given you a high hat, but you are still taking advantage of it and talking nonsense here. Come on, put him in jail! So what if his men can fight? There are laws in this world, and he will not be allowed to run wild here!"

A cold light flashed in Xi Yu's eyes, and his figure flashed. He appeared in front of Han Chong in an instant, raised his hand, and slapped Han Chong hard with a "slap".

The slap was so powerful that it made Han Chong's head buzz.

"A corrupt official like you who treats human life as nothing and cannot distinguish right from wrong, do you think you are qualified to talk about legal justice? You are simply blaspheming the word justice!" Xi Yu shouted angrily, his eyes full of contempt for Han Chong.

The yamen runners opened their eyes wide with shock, as if they had seen the most incredible thing in the world. They had worked in the county government for many years and had never seen the county magistrate being beaten.

Han Chong covered his burning cheeks with his hands, his heart filled with shame and anger. He pointed at Xi Yu's nose, his eyes widened, his eyeballs almost popping out, his lips trembling, but he didn't know what to say for a moment due to excessive anger. He only made a "you...you..." sound from his throat, looking somewhat funny and pitiful.

At this time Xi Yu turned his gaze towards the yamen runners, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"Do you also want to confuse right and wrong? If you knew the crime this county magistrate committed, you should have arrested him and thrown him into jail immediately."

However, at this moment, the yamen runners looked at each other, their eyes full of hesitation and fear.

Who is this person? His aura is so strong.

No matter who he is, asking us to arrest the county magistrate is like asking for our lives. We cannot do this.

They stood there, neither knowing whether to advance nor retreat, just looking at Xi Yu and Han Chong in panic.

In Sun Qiu Shui's slightly simple but warm home, dust floated slowly in the air.

Sun Qiu Shui was busy in front of the stove, preparing a sumptuous meal. She was looking forward to having a good meal with Madam Mingyue and enjoying this rare time together.

At this time, Madam Mingyue came over with graceful steps. She had a graceful figure and a beautiful face, but with a hint of solemnity.

"Sister, I need to go out for a while. There are some things I need to take care of."

Sun Qiu Shui stopped what he was doing, slightly surprised, his eyes full of worry.

"In such a hurry? Why don't you have a meal at home first? You've been traveling all the way, you should take a good rest." She knew that Madam Mingyue was busy with work on weekdays, but she still hoped that she could stay a little longer.

Madam Mingyue shook her head slightly.

"No, sister, it's urgent. This matter is of great importance and I can't delay."

There was a hint of apology in her eyes when she looked at Sun Qiu Shui.

Sun Qiu Shui looked at her with even more concern in her eyes.

"Then you must be careful. The situation outside is changing so fast, and I am always worried about you. You should go early and come back early, as you rarely come back."

Madam Mingyue smiled slightly, and her smile was as warm as the spring sun.

"I know, don't worry, sister." She turned and walked out.

After Sun Qiu Shui finished his meal alone, he moved a chair and sat in the yard to bask in the sun.

The warm sunlight shining on her made her feel a little drowsy.

After a while, her peaceful world was broken and she noticed a strange shadow appearing on the ground.

She was startled and slowly raised her head.

When she saw who it was, she was stunned as if struck by lightning.

After a while, she came back to her senses, stood up suddenly, and asked in a trembling voice: "You... why are you here?"

She never expected that this person would appear in front of her at this moment, and memories of the past flooded into her mind like a tide.

Sun Qiu Shui looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar man in front of her, and the sweetness and pain of the past mixed together and surged into her heart.

Once upon a time, they loved each other so passionately, but after he was imprisoned, he was so resolute. Those cold words still hurt him like a knife.

At this moment, he actually knelt down, his eyes full of regret.

"Qiu Shui, I'm sorry." His voice was filled with tears. "I'm a bastard. I believed those slanders. I have been living in pain these days. Now I know that you are innocent. You would never do such a thing as stealing. I don't ask you to forgive me immediately. I just hope that we can go back to the past. I hope you can give me another chance."

Sun Qiushui's eyes were red, and she felt mixed emotions. The past hurts lingered like a nightmare, but the man's confession in front of her caused ripples in her heart. She was silent for a long time, not knowing how to make a decision.

Sun Qiu Shui had tossed and turned countless times at night because of hatred. She hated Qi Maosheng's ruthlessness and his distrust.

But when this moment really came and their eyes met, she found that her heart was still beating uncontrollably for him.

Looking at Qi Maosheng's pitiful appearance, Sun Qiu Shui's eyes softened. She stretched out her hand involuntarily and quickly supported his arm.

"Wake up soon. What happened in the past...is in the past. Just believe me now."

A flash of surprise appeared in Qi Maosheng's eyes, and he held Sun Qiu Shui's hand tightly, as if he had grasped a lost treasure.

"Qiu Shui, can you really forgive me? I'm so happy. I thought you would never talk to me again."

Sun Qiu Shui looked at him and sighed slightly. There were tears in her eyes, but also a hint of relief.

Then the two of them walked into the house.

Sun Qiushui took a deep breath, suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, and asked, "How have you been these years?"

Qi Maosheng looked a little unnatural, and after a pause he replied, "I'm doing fine. I... I got married and have a daughter."

Sun Qiu Shui's face turned gloomy in an instant, and a hint of anger and sadness flashed in his eyes.

"In that case, why did you come to see me again?"

Qi Maosheng smiled awkwardly and explained hurriedly: "Qiu Shui, don't misunderstand. My wife and I don't get along well, and I have always had you in my heart all these years. As long as you still have me in your heart, I will go back and divorce my wife, and we will start over."

"How could you do this? How could this be allowed? If your family is torn apart because of me, then wouldn't I be a sinner? Who do you think I, Sun Qiushui, am?"

After saying that, she turned her back to Qi Maosheng, tears welling up in her eyes and her heart full of disappointment.

Upon seeing this, Qi Maosheng rushed forward, hugged Sun Qiu Shui tightly, and held her in his arms, as if he was afraid that she would disappear if he let go.

His arms were like iron hoops, making it difficult for Sun Qiu Shui to breathe.

"Qiu Shui, listen to me. I already let you down back then. I have been suffering all these years. I can't make mistakes again and I can't let you down again."

Qi Maosheng spoke anxiously in Sun Qiu Shui's ear, and the hot air from his mouth ruffled her hair.

"Don't feel any psychological burden. She and I have no feelings for each other. We have been together for these years just to make do with each other. I have had enough of that woman a long time ago. You are the only one in my heart from beginning to end."

Sun Qiu Shui struggled a few times in his arms but failed to break free. Her mind was in a mess. She was angry and a little helpless about the behavior of the man in front of her.

In the county government office, the atmosphere became increasingly tense, as if the air had frozen.

Xi Yu's eyes were as fast as lightning as he stared at Han Chong, his voice cold and majestic.

"Han Chong, I'll give you one last chance. If you still don't repent and refuse to admit your crime, then the consequences will be beyond your ability to bear."

After that, he turned his gaze to the yamen runners and said loudly: "Listen carefully, if anyone can capture Han Chong and put him in jail, I guarantee that he will receive an unexpectedly generous reward."

Han Chong's face turned extremely ugly when he heard this.

He shouted at the yamen runners: "Don't be deceived by this beast! He is disrupting the court and trying to overthrow the county government! If you listen to him, you will be an enemy of the court!"

He tried to use such words to calm the yamen runners and prevent them from acting rashly.

Just when the situation was tense, a figure stepped out from the ranks of yamen runners. It was the yamen runner Yuan Ping'an.

He looked calm and showed no fear at all.

"This county magistrate has indeed done some things that are not right." His voice was not loud, but it was particularly clear in the silent lobby of the county government office.

It turns out that Yuan Ping'an is a very straightforward person who can't tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes.

He had worked in the county government for many years, but because of his upright nature, he had a bad relationship with most of the government officials.

He always kept to himself, looked down on the private affairs of his colleagues and was unwilling to get involved with them.

In his opinion, being fair and honest is the way to be an official, and he had long been disgusted with the actions of County Magistrate Han Chong, but he had always endured it and finally stood up at this moment.

At this time, Han Chong was so angry that his face turned red, and he started cursing at Yuan Pingan.

"Yuan Ping'an, you are such a fool, what do you want to do? How dare you betray me?"

Yuan Ping'an remained calm and said loudly, "I have wanted to say these words for a long time. As a county magistrate, you always handle cases perfunctorily and carelessly, without trying to find the truth. You have spent all your time having fun with your concubines. Have you ever really thought about serving the court? Look at the cases you have handled over the years. How many injustices have you ignored? How many people have suffered because of you? You don't deserve to sit in this position at all!"

His words were so passionate that everyone present looked at him in awe.

After hearing what Yuan Ping'an said, the yamen runners still showed disgust towards him on their faces, but deep down in their hearts, they had to agree with every word he said.

They knew all too well what the county magistrate Han Chong had done. Everyone saw his unfair judgments and his perfunctory treatment of the people.

However, they also sneered in their hearts. This Yuan Ping'an really didn't know how to live or die. He dared to say anything.

Look at how furious County Magistrate Han is. Once this incident is over and Yuan Ping'an has no one to rely on, the county magistrate will definitely not let him go. He will definitely skin him alive and make him pay a heavy price for his words and deeds today.

In this county government, if you dare to openly oppose the county magistrate, you can imagine what will happen to you.

Seeing this, Xi Yu was overjoyed, his eyes full of admiration for Yuan Pingan.

He secretly rejoiced that in this turbid county government, there was such a bailiff with such a strong sense of justice. It was truly a blessing.

"Do you dare to put Han Chong in jail?" Xi Yu asked loudly.

Yuan Ping'an didn't hesitate at all, and there was fearlessness in his eyes.

"Why don't you dare?"

After saying that, he strode towards Han Chong with steady and powerful steps.

Coming to Han Chong, he suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed Han Chong's arm with such force that it seemed as if he wanted to vent out all the injustice and anger through this grab.

Han Chong was horrified and struggled and roared.

"Yuan Ping'an, you are so brave that you dare to commit treason!" But Yuan Ping'an's hands were like iron clamps, tightly clamping him and making him unable to break free.

Xi Yu immediately applauded.

"Okay! Yuan Ping'an, just let go. You are great for doing this today! Your courage and sense of justice are precious."

Xi Yu looked at Yuan Ping'an with bright eyes full of encouragement. He smiled and waved at Yuan Ping'an, motioning him to come to him.

Yuan Ping'an let go of Han Chong's arm and slowly walked towards Xi Yu.

He felt somewhat nervous, not knowing what this mysterious and majestic man wanted to say to him.

Xi Yu looked at Yuan Ping'an with a sincere and honest look.

"Yuan Ping'an, are you willing to be a righteous county magistrate and truly serve the people?"

Yuan Pingan was stunned. He never expected to hear such a question and was at a loss for a moment. He just stood up out of justice in his heart and never thought about such a thing.

When Han Chong heard this, his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

His suspicions grew stronger and stronger. Could it be that the man in front of him with such a strong aura and decisive actions was really Prime Minister Xi Yu?

If this is true, then I am completely finished today.

His face turned pale and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

The yamen runners were whispering to each other, "Who is this guy? He is so arrogant. Does he think he can just appoint the county magistrate as he pleases?"

Yuan Ping'an was also shocked, and quickly waved his hands and said, "Sir, please stop joking. I have never thought about becoming a county magistrate. I just couldn't stand what County Magistrate Han did, so I stood up and said a few fair words."

Xi Yu, however, had a serious expression on his face. He looked at Yuan Ping'an and said slowly, "Just now you mentioned that the county magistrate's incompetence would harm the people. If there is an opportunity in front of you to seek benefits for the people and change their fate, isn't this a good thing? You have a sense of justice and courage, which is better than many people."

His eyes revealed his expectations for Yuan Ping'an, as if he had already seen the people living and working in peace and contentment under Yuan Ping'an's governance.

Yuan Ping'an smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Even if it's as you said, how can I have that ability? I'm just a child from a poor family, I don't have much knowledge, and I don't have any achievements. I am absolutely not worthy of the position of county magistrate."

Xi Yu, however, looked calm.

"During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Wei Qing was born in a humble family, but he was able to become a famous general. Lord Father Yan was also born in poverty, but was promoted because of his talent. There were precedents in ancient times, so why can't we do it now? As long as you care about the people, have the ability and responsibility, what does your family background matter?"

When Yuan Pingan heard this, he was struck by lightning and was shocked again. (End of this chapter)