Chapter 108 Tyranny
Jiang Li had never seen the Xue family like this.

When Xue Huaiyuan was the county magistrate, his salary was not much. Unlike the previous county magistrates, he did not build a tall and large mansion, just like all ordinary people. This three-story courtyard was sold to Xue Huaiyuan at a low price because the owner of the courtyard was going on a long journey and was in a hurry to deal with it.

Although the yard was shabby, it was kept clean and tidy, and it was also a home. Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei grew up from innocent children to young boys and girls in this yard.

In her memory, the Xue family's courtyard was always filled with smoke rising from the chimneys, full of life. The inexpensive flowers and plants planted at the door also added a lot of color to the courtyard.

However, the Xue family in front of them had a dilapidated gate and the government seal looked particularly glaring. Even the seal was covered with a lot of dust, which showed that no one had been here for a long time.

A good family can be broken up just like that.

Ye Mingyu was shocked to see Jiang Li burst into tears and asked, "Ali, what's wrong with you?"

Jiang Li came back to her senses, smiled, and said, "There's too much dust here, and the sand has squinted my eyes." She took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes while saying, "Just wipe it and it will be fine."

Ye Mingyu had no doubts. In his opinion, this was Jiang Li's first time in Tongxiang, and this strange house would not make Jiang Li cry. He asked, "Whose house is this? Why was it sealed by the government?"

"The Xue family." Jiang Li said.

Ye Mingyu was surprised: "How did you know?"

Jiang Li pointed at the seal and said, "It's written on it. I think it's the home of the county magistrate who is dedicated to the people, Uncle Mingyu, as you just mentioned."

Bai Xue and Tong Er were very puzzled, and Ye Mingyu was so shocked that he couldn't speak. After a long while, he said, "What county magistrate? Why was Xue County Magistrate's house sealed? Is it a mistake? This...what happened?" He has not been to Xiangyang for many years, let alone Tongxiang. Besides, Xue Huaiyuan's affairs were not spread far, and even Qiongzhi had to ask around to find out, so it was even more impossible for Ye Mingyu to know.

Jiang Li smiled, her tone a little cold: "There are unexpected events in life, and people are in danger at any time. I don't know what happened to County Magistrate Xue, even his family was raided."

Ye Mingyu felt that Jiang Li's words were a little strange, but he didn't know what was strange. When the few people were silent, they heard a "creak" not far away, and someone pushed the door and walked out of the small courtyard next to the Xue family.

It was a woman with a flowered scarf on her head, dark skin, a blue cloth skirt, and a bamboo basket hanging from her elbow, who came out of the yard. She probably didn't expect that such a group of people would suddenly stand in front of the sealed Xue family's door, and they looked very unfamiliar. She didn't dare to move forward, but just stood there, looking at them with some doubt.

Ye Mingyu was helpless: "Well, do they think we are bad people?"

When Jiang Li saw this woman, a familiar feeling suddenly arose in her heart.

The woman in the blue skirt was Aunt Chunfang from the next door. Jiang Li had watched her and Xue Zhao grow up since they were young, and hadn't seen them for many years. Jiang Li couldn't help but take a few steps forward and walked towards Aunt Chunfang.

Ye Mingyu called her from behind in a low voice: "Hey, Ah Li, what are you doing?"

Jiang Li walked up to Chunfang.

Chunfang looked at Jiang Li and shook her hand hesitantly. It was obvious that these people were not from Tongxiang, but the young lady in front of her was a girl from a wealthy family. Her appearance was impeccable and her smile was gentle. Where in Tongxiang could such a precious woman come from? No, she had been there before. Fangfei from the Xue family was a recognized beauty in Tongxiang, but unfortunately she married to Yanjing City. Fortunately, she married to Yanjing, otherwise if she stayed in Tongxiang, she would be implicated now...

Chunfang was just daydreaming when she saw the young lady in front of her looking at her and said gently, "Auntie, may I ask if this sealed house is the home of County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan?"

Chunfang was startled, and after looking at Jiang Li, she said, "Exactly. Do you know the Xue family?"

"I don't know him." Jiang Li shook her head. "I'm just curious. Why is the home of County Magistrate Xue sealed?"

Chunfang was stunned for a moment, then shook her head: "No... I don't know..."

"He is a local official, your county magistrate. There must be a reason why the house of an official was sealed. How could Auntie not know?"

Perhaps it was because Jiang Li's gaze was too cool, or because her tone was too compelling, Chunfang took a step back unconsciously. She was a little incoherent, and said, "No, I don't know... Go ask someone else."

Jiang Li asked, "Aunt doesn't know, or doesn't want to say?"

Chunfang raised her head and looked at Jiang Li, and asked with courage: "Why do you want to know about Master Xue? Who are you?"

Jiang Li asked like this, no one would believe that she was just curious and asked about this matter. But Chunfang avoided talking about it, which made it more obvious. Jiang Li smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that I want to inquire about the Xue family. Is your aunt willing to tell me?"

Jiang Li knew Chunfang and had been neighbors for many years. Chunfang was a warm and kind person. Jiang Li believed that if Chunfang was not too scared, she would never watch her father in prison. The people of Tongxiang were the same, but it was unknown what kind of threat made these people dare not stand up.

At this moment, the door of Chunfang's yard creaked open again, and Chunfang's man's voice floated from a distance: "Afang, why don't you leave? What are you doing?"

"I'm going to sell embroidery." Chunfang pushed Jiang Li away, as if she had found an excuse, and hurriedly ran away. But halfway through, she hesitated, turned back, and said, "Miss, since you are new here, I would like to remind you that you should not mention the Xue family's affairs in front of outsiders, so as to avoid trouble for yourself. You... don't be too conspicuous." After that, she carried the bamboo basket and never looked at Jiang Li again, as if something terrible was chasing her, and soon disappeared.

Ye Mingyu walked up to Jiang Li, who was staring at Chunfang's back in a daze, and complained, "Really? Ah Li was so kind, but why did you act like you saw a ghost and were so scared?" He looked at Jiang Li again, "I just heard you talk about the Xue family. What do you mean? Ah Li, what are you going to do?"

Jiang Li came to Qingshi Lane for no reason and stayed in front of the sealed-off Xue family for such a long time. She also asked the strange woman about matters related to the Xue family. Ye Mingyu could see that this was not accidental or a whim. The purpose of Jiang Li's trip was related to the Xue family.

"Uncle Mingyu," Jiang Li said, looking sideways into Ye Mingyu's eyes, which made Ye Mingyu see the determination in her eyes. She said, "I came to Tongxiang for this, Uncle. I want to vindicate the Xue family."

Ye Mingyu was stunned, Tong'er and Bai Xue were also stunned.

No matter how you look at it, Jiang Li is the daughter of the Prime Minister of Yanjing, and Xue Huaiyuan is just a county magistrate of Tongxiang. These two people have never had any intersection. Jiang Li suddenly said this, and Ye Mingyu didn't know how to answer.

After a long while, Ye Mingyu finally found his voice and asked, "You...what did you say?"

"I can't tell you why I did this," Jiang Li apologized, "This is a long story, and it can't be explained in a few words. But Xue's County Magistrate Xue was indeed wrongly imprisoned. I was entrusted by someone to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear Xue's name."

"But how do you know that County Magistrate Xue is innocent? How can you, a little girl, find out the truth and help him clear his name? Ah Li, you can't do this!"

"Uncle Mingyu," Jiang Li's voice was very calm, as if this matter was a careful decision after her deep consideration, and she would not allow any doubt. She said: "Whether County Magistrate Xue is innocent or not, we will know after checking. Although I am a little girl, I am also the daughter of the Prime Minister, and I am not without rights. I did it knowing that it was impossible, not for emotion, but for fairness." Jiang Li said: "In this world, black and white are not distinguished, right and wrong are unclear, which is really unfair. Besides, the person I want to help is someone who has done me a favor, so you can just think of it as me repaying a favor. People in the rivers and lakes don't insist on revenge and complaints. I know this matter is of great importance, and I don't want to implicate you, uncle. If you feel it is inappropriate, you can withdraw now. I am enough."

These words originally sounded a bit angry, but Jiang Li said them in a balanced manner. Ye Mingyu stared at Jiang Li's eyes. He knew that his niece always had her own ideas, but at this moment, he realized that Jiang Li always took one step at a time and was very determined to do things. She had anticipated the possible troubles and bad consequences, but no matter what, she could not shake her determination to take every step.

Not to mention his uncle. In a sense, having him as an uncle or not would not hinder Jiang Li from doing her own thing.

On second thought, Jiang Li, a little girl, understood the principle of "knowing it is impossible but still doing it". He always claimed to be a hero, but he couldn't even compare to a little girl. He was timid and fearful. He immediately felt a sense of courage and said, "I will accompany you to the end, no matter what happens!" He patted Jiang Li's head and said lovingly, "Sleep, I am your uncle, right?"

Jiang Li: "..."

"Then uncle," Jiang Li said, "after we settle down, there is something I want your help with."

"You say!" Ye Mingyu agreed readily.

"Please ask these guards and my uncle's people to find a way to go to the busiest place in Tongxiang, such as a tavern or teahouse, and loudly ask people about the Xue family's ban. The more eye-catching the better, and it would be best if everyone can hear it."

"Young lady?" Tong'er whispered, "Didn't that aunt just now say not to mention the Xue family's affairs in front of outsiders to avoid trouble? How... why did she deliberately let others know?"

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Because I want to alert the enemy."

Ye Mingyu was puzzled.

"If I can't find the snake, I'll let the snake find me." She smiled.

The people of Yongning had Xue Huaiyuan framed and imprisoned, but the people saw it clearly. No one knew who Xue Huaiyuan was in these years better than the people of Tongxiang. In order to prevent the people from talking nonsense and causing instability, they simply used some means to stop the people from talking about this matter.

It is conceivable that when such a group of people suddenly inquire about Xue Huaiyuan in a big way, it will naturally attract the attention of the other party. Before long, the other party will come to the door.

She was too lazy to ask around to find out who the other party had, so she just sat there, waiting for others to fall into her trap.

And she settled the accounts one by one, making sure everyone had a share, without any rush.

……

The peaceful life of the people of Tongxiang was completely disrupted one afternoon.

In the afternoon, a group of outsiders came from nowhere and wandered around teahouses, restaurants and even the streets. What they said and did was to ask passers-by about the matter of the sealed house of County Magistrate Xue.

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu were sitting in the tavern, which was the busiest tavern in Tongxiang. In the past, whenever there was something new in Tongxiang, people always liked to discuss it in this tavern. Xue Zhao liked to bring her here to eavesdrop, and sometimes she could hear a lot of interesting things.

But today was very different. The people were originally looking at them with great interest as if they were strangers from outside the city. When Ye Mingyu's guards asked about the Xue family, the people suddenly showed panic on their faces and fled in all directions, as if they were avoiding something. Or they kept silent and shook their heads desperately.

Jiang Li had been in Tongxiang for so many years and knew that the people of Tongxiang were still very warm and hospitable. But it was obvious that Ye Mingyu's men had frightened the people, and no one dared to approach them. They were like a plague, and in just half an afternoon, the people on the street would take a detour when they saw them, or whisper something.

When they sat down in the tavern, there was no customer in the tavern.

The shopkeeper was the same. When he saw Jiang Li and the others coming, he probably wanted to close the shop, but he was afraid of provoking the knife on Ye Mingyu's waist, so he simply handed the shop over to the waiter and left. The waiter was even funnier. He was trembling with fear when serving tea. Ye Mingyu wanted him to bring some fruits to moisten Jiang Li's throat, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the waiter ran away as if he was afraid that Ye Mingyu would spit out some terrible words.

"Hey, I'm just confused," Ye Mingyu said, both angry and amused. "What have we done? These people are like mice seeing a cat. Can they run faster? Even when I was walking around with a big beard, I never saw people so scared."

Jiang Li smiled slightly: "Because you mentioned the word 'Xue'."

"The word 'Xue' is not a taboo word. Why can't we even mention it?" Ye Mingyu was full of anger when he spoke. "Ali, I think you are right. This Tongxiang is weird, and the people are weird too. If Xue Huaiyuan is really fine, why make it so mysterious? It's just making things worse! I think Xue Huaiyuan is probably framed. Who the hell is plotting against the Xue family behind the scenes?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a "clang" sound from downstairs, as if the waiter didn't hold the abacus firmly and accidentally dropped it on the ground. Jiang Li looked down and saw the waiter sitting by the door of the tavern, as if he was trying his best to stay away from Jiang Li.

"The road is determined by eyes." Jiang Li said.

"What?" Ye Mingyu was puzzled.
Jiang Li said slowly: "In the thirty-fourth year, the king became more strict, and no one dared to speak, and everyone on the road looked at each other."

"In history, there was a king who was tyrannical and was instigated by his favorite ministers to change the government system. Many industries that the common people relied on for their livelihood were transferred to the royal family. For a time, people's lives were difficult and people were resentful. The king not only did not listen to advice, but also sent people to invite many wizards to patrol the streets and alleys of the capital, eavesdropping on people's conversations. Anyone who was identified as a rebel or slanderer by them was imprisoned and executed. As a result, people across the country no longer dared to comment on state affairs. Even when they met each other, they did not talk nonsense, but only looked at each other on the road."

Ye Mingyu said: "You mean, Tongxiang is under surveillance, people's conversations are eavesdropped on, and once someone is found talking about the Xue family, they will order execution. That's why the people are 'terrified' when talking about the Xue family and regard us as a scourge?"

Jiang Li said: "That's right."

"This is too..." Ye Mingyu said, "This is too arrogant! Who in Tongxiang dares to call themselves king like this? Are they trying to be a local tyrant? Even Tong Zhiyang from Xiangyang still has to worry about what the people say. Who dares to be so bold? Who gives them such great power?"

Jiang Li sneered in her heart. People who do these things are naturally very courageous, because the one who supports them is Yongning, the younger sister of the current King Cheng. The political situation is turbulent, and it is still unknown whether Emperor Hong Xiao can hold on to this position in the future. Following Yongning, there may be wealth and glory in the future. Even if we don't talk about the future, there is no shortage of people who please Yongning now.

Naturally, they are fearless and dare to let Tongxiang "show its strength on the road".

"Ah, I understand!" Ye Mingyu suddenly slammed the table, "No wonder you want us to talk about the Xue family so loudly. If those people were to eavesdrop on the people's conversations in the crowd, they would definitely know and come looking for us!"

"Yes." Jiang Li said, "This will save a lot of time."

Seeing that Jiang Li was doing it properly, and clearly without any fear or uneasiness, Ye Mingyu couldn't help but ask: "But, Ah Li, aren't you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid," Jiang Li said calmly, "In terms of conscience, a person with a clear conscience is not afraid of his own shadow. In terms of power, my father is the leader of the literati. I'm not afraid of anything. The only thing I'm afraid of is that he won't come. But fortunately," Jiang Li's mouth curled up, and for a moment Ye Mingyu felt that her smile was also somewhat sarcastic, "They are coming."

Ye Mingyu looked downstairs.

Suddenly, a group of soldiers on horseback rushed outside the tavern. The waiter was so frightened that he almost fell off his chair, shaking all over. The leading soldier shouted, "Where is the person who was talking about the Xue family just now?"

"I'm here!" Ye Mingyu arrogantly slammed the cup on the table and stood up. He was tall and imposing, and strode downstairs.

Jiang Li put down the teacup in her hand and followed Ye Mingyu down. Tong'er and Bai Xue were a little worried and followed Jiang Li step by step, fearing that Jiang Li would suffer.

The troops sent by Ye Mingyu also returned to the tavern at this moment, and were surrounded by the officers and soldiers. At this tense moment, Ye Mingyu calmly stepped down the wooden stairs of the tavern, and the sound of his steps made the stairs creak, but his steps seemed heavier and more powerful.

He was tall, with a sword on his waist and scars on his face, looking like a bandit, which was quite intimidating for a moment. Behind him, a young girl walked down the stairs gracefully, with a gentle, clear and beautiful smile.

The picture of the hero and the beauty is unusually harmonious, but the leading officers and soldiers feel that although the beauty has a smile on her face, she is more murderous and has a colder expression than the hero.

It's probably my own illusion.

After calming down, the leader of the officers and soldiers asked, "What is your intention in asking around for the guilty minister Xue Huaiyuan?"

A hat was put on their heads at once, and it sounded as if Jiang Li and the others were accomplices in the crime, and they could be arrested together as long as they were convicted.

Ye Mingyu said without thinking, "I'm bored. If you want to ask, just ask. What's the matter? You in Tongxiang still care about the idle chats of ordinary people? You care a lot. Do you care about people's eating, drinking, defecating and urinating?"

The soldier was furious, probably because he had not expected Ye Mingyu to be such a troublemaker. He was about to draw out the sword from his waist and point it at Ye Mingyu, but he saw Ye Mingyu glaring at him and pulling out the long knife from his waist, revealing his vicious look.

No one who makes his way in the world can rely on being soft-hearted, gentle and kind, and everyone is a ruthless character.

These officers and soldiers drew their swords together, and Ye Mingyu's men also drew their swords. The two sides confronted each other, and the waiter was so scared that he hid under the table.

Amid the tense situation, the beauty chuckled. Jiang Li walked in front of him. She stretched out a finger and gently pushed the tip of the sword that the leader of the soldiers was pointing at Ye Mingyu to the side.

Her slender fingers were white and soft, resting on the cold and hard tip of the sword, which shone with silver light. She did not look fragile, but rather had a kind of elegant chill. Her smile was completely different from the warmth of the sword tip. She did not seem to be afraid of the officers and soldiers at all. She smiled lightly and said, "Uncle, please stop joking. This messenger, we are not looking for the criminal Xue Huaiyuan." She emphasized the word "criminal" and paused before saying, "We are looking for your master."

"Our Lord?" The officer leader frowned, "What do you mean?"

"It's very simple," Jiang Li said, "I don't know where your master is, and I don't know how to invite him? I don't know how to let him know that we are here. I heard that as long as you talk about the Xue family here, your master will appear, so I said, it's really magical that you are here now."

She smiled cutely, but the irony in her words made the officers and soldiers feel upset. Their faces turned red and white, but they couldn't refute Jiang Li's words. If they refuted, it would be like trying to cover up their guilt. It was really aggrieved.

"Stop talking nonsense!" The leading officer was a little angry and said, "Why are you looking for us? What are you planning?"

"In fact, if I didn't come to see you, when you knew I was in Tongxiang, you would definitely come to invite me." Jiang Li said casually: "But we are very tight on time, so we are so anxious to see him."

Ye Mingyu said impatiently: "Ali, why are you telling them so much? Hurry up and lead the way for us, so that we can meet this useless master!"

It was probably the first time that the officer and soldier leader encountered someone who didn't take them seriously. He sneered and said, "If you want to see our master, then see our master. Who do you think you are? You are so arrogant, but you don't even know what your relationship is with the criminal Xue Huaiyuan." He waved his hand and said, "Take them all away!"

Jiang Li smiled and asked back: "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The chief of the officers and soldiers looked at her with disdain and was about to say something, but suddenly he saw a jade earring on Jiang Li's earlobe and stopped talking abruptly.

The jade earrings were emerald green and tender, and they were obviously worth a lot of money. He remembered that the concubine that the master loved the most had a bracelet that was not as good as this one, and that bracelet was bought by the master at a high price.

This girl was only about fifteen or sixteen years old, but her clothes were very exquisite, especially her soft and smart eyes, which had a kind of elegance brought up by a wealthy family. Even walking on the street in Tongxiang, she was very eye-catching. And the tall man beside her whom she called "uncle" was obviously a rough man, but on the handle of the long knife in his hand was a ruby ​​as big as a pigeon egg.

The identities of this group of people were unusual, at least they were not ordinary people. The officers and soldiers were startled, and when they looked at Jiang Li again, they were a little unsure.

But in front of so many people, especially his subordinates, it would be too embarrassing to just give in. After weighing it in his mind, the officer and soldier leader decided to say something harsh. But before he could say anything, he saw the girl in front of him looking at his fingertips and said casually, "If I were you, you would lead the way while I'm talking nicely, otherwise..." She raised her head and smiled at the other party, "It's definitely not us who will be unlucky."

She looked gentle and harmless, but the leading soldier saw the malice in the girl's smile at that moment. He had a hunch that if he really didn't do what Jiang Li said, in the end, it would be very likely that the result she said would happen.

He didn't want to be unlucky.

He looked Jiang Li and her group up and down, with a stern face, and said stiffly: "Take them to see the adults!" Perhaps feeling ashamed, he quickly walked to the front of the team, unwilling to look at Jiang Li again.

Perhaps he felt that even if he continued to watch, he would not have the upper hand. In any case, in terms of momentum, he could hardly shake this weak girl.

Ye Mingyu winked at Jiang Li and whispered, "Of course, Ah Li, you look like your uncle in the past, not changing your expression despite the collapse of Mount Tai. Not bad!"

Tong'er patted her chest and said, "Miss, you scared me to death. Those officers and soldiers were so fierce... It's a pity that you dared to confront them."

Jiang Li smiled slightly: "It's just a paper tiger." She had followed Xue Huaiyuan since she was a child, and had seen many officers and soldiers. Those uncles or brothers took off their official uniforms and were just ordinary people. They would buy her candy and touch her head to fight with the bullies who bullied her.

Jiang Li was most familiar with people wearing official uniforms.

But the officers and soldiers who came today were not the uncles and brothers she was familiar with. Every face was very unfamiliar. There was no doubt that all of Xue Huaiyuan's men had been purged and replaced, and the remaining ones now obeyed the current "master".

She wanted to see who this "master" was who dared to be the king of Tongxiang, to be a tyrant who "rules the road with his eyes", and to be a watchdog for Yongning.

(End of this chapter)