The constables’ faces changed drastically upon hearing the man’s self-introduction, and they asked fearfully, "You, you are…"
The attendant beside the man sternly declared, "His Majesty is here, why do you not kneel and pay respects!"
Terrified, the constables all knelt down. "This humble one greets Your Majesty, Long live Your Majesty! This humble one deserves death, for not knowing Your Majesty’s presence and thus offending you, I beg Your Majesty for mercy…"
Having revealed his identity, the Emperor had no intention of bickering with mere constables. He said coldly, "Summon Lin Yuanwen to see me! And send someone to the residence of Xu Zhizhou to fetch him. I want to see! How does he perform his duties as a prefect!"
"Yes… Your Majesty, this humble one will go now, will go now…"
The Emperor, accompanied by Lin Qinghe and others, entered the yamen and took a seat on the high platform. Upon hearing of the Emperor's arrival, Magistrate Lin rushed over in a flustered state, his attire not even fully in place.
Magistrate Lin fell to his knees before the Emperor with a thud, asking in extreme fear, "Your humble subject did not know of Your Majesty’s arrival, and thus failed to greet you properly. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness…"
The Emperor’s gaze sharpened. He slammed his palm heavily onto the wooden table before him and said angrily, "Lin Yuanwen! How dare you engage in corruption and collusion with merchants, framing ordinary citizens! Do you know what crime you deserve?!"
Magistrate Lin, seeing Lin Qinghe present, immediately understood. His face turned ashen, and he tearfully kowtowed repeatedly, confessing his guilt.
"Your Majesty, this subject knows his wrong. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life. This subject had no choice; Prefect Xu ordered me. This subject did not wish to wrongly accuse the proprietor of that small restaurant. Prefect Xu said the other party should be sentenced to death. This subject was truly forced to do this, I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly…"
Unbeknownst to him, this confession only intensified the Emperor’s rage.
"Good! I have not yet investigated, and you yourself confess your crimes. You fear Xu Zhizhou at every turn. Do you still remember that you receive your salary from the court and are my subject? You obey Xu Zhizhou in everything. If, one day, he ordered you to rebel, would you also join in the rebellion!"
Magistrate Lin trembled, lying on the ground and weeping, "This subject would not dare! Your Majesty, spare my life. This subject knows his wrong. I beg Your Majesty to spare this subject’s life…"
"You still have the face to beg for mercy? As a local official, you do not uphold justice for the people, but instead collude with other officials and merchants, and bully and frame the citizens. For all of this! Your death is not a pity!" The Emperor was furious.
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Lin’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted from fright.
Just then, the Emperor's attendants brought in Xu Zhizhou, whose face was equally pale.
Xu Zhizhou knelt down, trembling all over, and stammered, "Your Majesty, please hear my explanation, I, I…"
Before he could finish speaking, the Emperor sternly interrupted, "Hear your explanation? What is there to explain! Lin Yuanwen has already confessed everything in detail. I haven't even had people investigate, and you still have the audacity to quibble!"
Xu Zhizhou saw the fainted Lin Yuanwen and his face turned ashen. He knew disaster had befallen him, and his past deeds could no longer be concealed.
Xu Zhizhou wept, tears and snot streaming down his face, repeatedly kowtowing to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this subject knows his wrong. I beg Your Majesty to spare this subject’s life. This subject will surely work diligently henceforth and dare not slack off in the slightest… Your Majesty, spare my life…"
"Hmph!" The Emperor sneered, his face dark and grim, showing no mercy. He said sternly, "Guards! Take Xu Zhizhou and Lin Yuanwen away, imprison them, and thoroughly investigate all their crimes, one by one!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The unconscious Lin Yuanwen and Xu Zhizhou were dragged away. The Emperor then gave an order to someone beside him. After that person left, the Emperor said to Lin Qinghe, "Rest assured, I will clear your name and your husband’s. I have already sent people to understand the situation. Once it is clear, I will immediately order your husband's release."
Lin Qinghe knelt and paid her respects. "This commoner thanks Your Majesty!"
Lin Qinghe waited anxiously at the yamen. By the afternoon, a随从 from the Emperor’s side informed Lin Qinghe that You Rong's matter had been investigated. The proprietor of the Zui Xiang Lou had been arrested, and all his crimes confessed. You Rong would be released shortly, and she should wait by the prison entrance.
Lin Qinghe was overjoyed. She thanked them and hurried to the prison entrance to wait for You Rong.
As soon as Lin Qinghe arrived, she saw constables escorting You Rong out.
Upon seeing Lin Qinghe, You Rong’s face lit up. He quickly walked over, clasped her hand tightly, and his gaze appraised her with affection. Seeing that she had grown thin, he tenderly touched her cheek. "Why have you lost so much weight? Have you been worrying about me these past few days and not resting or eating properly?"
Lin Qinghe intertwined her fingers with You Rong's, shook her head with a smile, "I haven't lost weight at all; you've lost a lot… But now that everything is resolved, when we get home, I'll cook delicious meals for you every day and nurse you back to health. I’ll make sure you regain your strength."
You Rong felt warmth in his heart and responded in a low voice, "...Alright, you'll nurse me back to health."
Although Aunt Li and Aunt Zhang did not wish to interrupt the young couple, it was getting late. If they continued talking, the sky would be dark.
Aunt Li said, "You Rong, we’ve brought you new clothes. Now that the small restaurant is unsealed, you and Qinghe should go back to the restaurant to change into your new clothes, and then go home quickly. Although we told your mother that you were busy with the restaurant and couldn't get away, she doesn't seem to believe it and has been very worried about you."
Lin Qinghe said, "Yes, I almost forgot about that. Alright, we’ll talk more at home. Let’s take you back to the restaurant to change first, and then we’ll go home!"
The group arrived at the small restaurant. You Rong came down after changing into new clothes. Lin Qinghe was still tidying up in the kitchen. As soon as he came out, he overheard Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li talking.
"Qinghe’s courage is truly astounding. She rushed up to stop the Emperor’s carriage without a word. That was the Emperor’s carriage…"
"Yes, at that time, twenty to thirty people drew their swords and surrounded her. Even now, thinking about it makes me quite scared. Not to mention that she was completely fearless in accusing those two corrupt officials, Prefect Xu and Magistrate Lin, to the Emperor. I truly admire Qinghe."
"Yes, I also admire her bravery."
You Rong’s heart trembled upon hearing this. In fact, on the way out of prison, he had heard much from the constables about how he was saved, but he hadn’t realized how perilous it was.
Lin Qinghe had risked her life to stop the Emperor’s carriage. Had she considered what would have happened if the carriage hadn’t stopped… What if the guards had mistaken her for an assassin…
You Rong dared not imagine that scene. If something had happened to her, he would have gone mad!
Just then, Lin Qinghe finished tidying up in the kitchen. Seeing You Rong also come out, she said, "You Rong, you’ve changed your clothes. Shall we go home then…"
As soon as she finished speaking, You Rong turned and walked towards her, suddenly embracing her tightly. He held her so closely, as if he were afraid she would vanish if he let go even slightly.
Lin Qinghe was startled and pushed his chest slightly. "You Rong, what is this…"
You Rong buried his face in Lin Qinghe's neck and said in a hoarse voice, "Promise me, next time you will not act so impulsively. Even for my sake, you must never put yourself in danger!"