The scene before them stunned everyone, including You Rong.
Jiang Jingren, after his initial shock, turned red with anger, roaring, "Qinghe! You, you..."
He sputtered for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence.
Even though Lin Qinghe and You Rong were married, such intimate behavior in full view of everyone was simply scandalous!
Lin Qinghe ignored the stunned onlookers. After the kiss, she and You Rong rested their foreheads against each other, gazing into his eyes. She said, word by word, with solemnity, "Don't worry, no matter what happens, I will not divorce you. Believe me, I will save you!"
At this moment, inexplicably, You Rong's unease vanished completely.
He believed her.
Jiang Jingren, his face grim, suppressed his rage and said, "Enough! Visiting hours are over, Qinghe, you must leave!"
The guards in the prison urged Lin Qinghe forward. Only then did she reluctantly part from You Rong, casting him lingering glances as she left the prison.
Outside.
Jiang Jingren said furiously, "Qinghe! He's just a farmer. Even with a small restaurant to make a living, how can he compare to me? Do you know who I am?!"
Lin Qinghe's small face was impassive. "His background may not compare to yours, but in my heart, you can't even compare to a single strand of his hair."
"You..." Jiang Jingren was furious but helpless against Lin Qinghe. He said dejectedly, "I can overlook all this. Think carefully. If you want to save him, divorce him and return to the capital with me. I can guarantee his safety."
"Thank you, Young Master Jiang, for bringing me to see You Rong, but your proposal... I refuse!"
With that, Lin Qinghe turned and walked away without looking back.
Jiang Jingren stood rooted to the spot, his brow furrowed, watching Lin Qinghe's retreating figure with a complex expression.
Why was she so confident that she could save You Rong?
He had investigated her relatives and acquaintances; none of them were powerful figures who could help her.
After seeing You Rong, Lin Qinghe went straight to the city gate and stood there, staring fixedly at it, lost in thought.
Li San, who had followed Lin Qinghe, was bewildered as to why she was standing at the city gate. He worried she had lost her mind from anger.
Li San asked worriedly, "Boss's wife, the weather is so cold, why are you standing at the city gate? Why don't you come back to the pier with me? We'll think of other ways to save Manager You."
Lin Qinghe shook her head and smiled faintly, "It's alright, don't worry, I will save him."
"Then why are you..."
Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes, offering no explanation. No matter how much Li San persuaded her, she wouldn't budge, insisting on standing at the city gate.
Unable to persuade Lin Qinghe and extremely worried about her, Li San could only accompany her.
Lin Qinghe stood there for two days. She would stand at the city gate at dawn and return to the inn at night. The next day, she did the same.
On the third day, Li San and Zhang Damao saw that Lin Qinghe's face was red from the wind and urged her to go back, but Lin Qinghe still refused to leave.
Everyone else thought Lin Qinghe was possessed, but only she knew she was waiting for the Emperor's arrival.
According to the system's information, in the original plot, You Rong got together with Xu Yiyi, became an official, and saved the Emperor, which gave him the opportunity to go to the capital. Based on the timeline, it should be around now.
Prefect Xu, the county magistrate, and the owner of Zui Xiang Lou were colluding. No one cared if You Rong was framed; they just wanted to convict him. As a weak woman, she couldn't fight them head-on. This was her only option.
Lin Qinghe's guess was correct. Today, she saw a seemingly low-key but incredibly luxurious carriage enter the city.
The carriage was made of nanmu wood, highly sought after, and its curtains were woven from expensive silk. The driver, dressed in black, looked like a skilled martial artist. After the carriage entered the city, many people followed it from the shadows. Su Dan Novel Network.
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Qinghe's eyes. If she wasn't mistaken, the person in this carriage was the current Emperor!
Without hesitation, Lin Qinghe rushed out and blocked the carriage. The driver, shocked, reined in the horses with a "Whoa—" sound, stopping the carriage.
As soon as the carriage stopped, over twenty men disguised as commoners drew their swords and surrounded Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe, who had only been suspicious moments before, was now completely certain!
Lin Qinghe knelt with a thud, straightened her back, and shouted loudly, "I implore Your Excellency to uphold justice for your humble subject! My husband has been framed by the Prefect of Lanzhou, Prefect Xu, and the owner of Zui Xiang Lou. Please, Your Excellency, uphold justice for us!"
As her words fell, the surrounding people began to murmur, astonished by the woman's audacity in stopping the carriage in public and daring to accuse officials!
They also became curious about who was in the carriage.
After a moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a stern-faced man in his early forties stepped out and walked before Lin Qinghe, gazing at her.
The man exuded an aura of authority, yet Lin Qinghe met his gaze without fear and repeated, "I implore Your Excellency to uphold justice for us!"
The man's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked in a deep voice, "What was it you just said?"
Lin Qinghe truthfully recounted, "My husband You Rong and I are from Xinghua Village. We opened a small restaurant here at the pier. Because of our inherited recipe, our business was quite prosperous. The owner of Zui Xiang Lou repeatedly came to buy our family's recipe. My husband and I refused to sell, so the owner of Zui Xiang Lou sent people to poison our shop at midnight and frame us. The owner of Zui Xiang Lou is Prefect Xu's own uncle. They colluded, arrested my husband and took him to the yamen, and sentenced him to death without trial. I beg Your Excellency to uphold justice for us!"
The man's expression darkened, and his voice was tinged with anger, "Woman, is what you say true?"
"Replying to Your Excellency, everything your humble subject says is true! I have witnesses. That person saw the errand boy of Zui Xiang Lou's owner instructing those two ruffians to commit the poisoning. As for my husband being sentenced to death without trial, if Your Excellency orders an investigation at the yamen, you will know!"
The man was greatly enraged. "Good! Very good! Under heaven, there are such corrupt officials! Excellent!"
As the man's anger flared, his followers knelt down, trembling, and pleaded, "Your Lordship, please calm your anger!"
The man pursed his lips and personally helped Lin Qinghe up. "Rest assured, once I have investigated this matter, I will give you and your husband an explanation!"
Lin Qinghe quickly replied, "Your humble subject thanks Your Excellency!"
Lin Qinghe knew her gamble had paid off.
The man had Lin Qinghe board the carriage, inquired about the details, and then ordered his followers to drive directly to the yamen.
Upon arriving at the yamen, the man instructed Lin Qinghe to beat the drum to appeal her case. Lin Qinghe did as she was told, but the guards, recognizing her, immediately scowled and drove her away.
"You shrew! How dare you cause trouble at the yamen! Believe it or not, we'll arrest you and throw you in jail. I'll tell you plainly today, your husband offended Prefect Xu. Even if the Emperor himself came, he couldn't save him! You might as well go back and prepare for his funeral!"
Lin Qinghe was pushed, staggering and nearly falling, but fortunately, a follower behind the man caught her.
The man's face turned grim and terrifying. He said coldly, "Oh? Is that so? As long as one offends Xu Zhizhou, even the Emperor can't save them? Then go and tell Xu Zhizhou that His Majesty is here today. I wonder if I can save him?!"