freenovelworld Chapter 809 [Mistress of the House 14]
Chapter 809 [Mistress of the House 14]
Before Cao Wenbin could get any profit from the pile of raw silk in the warehouse, a sudden fire ruthlessly burned all the raw silk to ashes. Looking at the charred and messy scene in front of him, Cao Wenbin was filled with regret and resentment, but at this point, he could only accept this cruel reality helplessly.
Now, having lost this batch of raw silk, Cao Wenbin's only hope lies in the interrogation of Zhang Biao. He is looking forward to digging out some useful clues or intelligence from Zhang Biao, so as to find a new breakthrough to make up for his losses. However, Zhang Biao seems to have been mentally prepared. Facing Cao Wenbin's severe interrogation, he always gritted his teeth and refused to tell the truth.
Just when Cao Wenbin was in a deadlock, Li Zhao suddenly appeared and threatened him with the key evidence about Cao Wenbin's career. Faced with such tremendous pressure, Cao Wenbin's attitude changed 180 degrees in an instant. He, who was originally arrogant, became humble and fawning, just to ask Li Zhao to spare him.
Seeing Cao Wenbin's understanding, Li Zhao nodded with satisfaction, and then began to instruct him on what to do next. Li Zhao hinted to Cao Wenbin that he could put all the blame for the fire on the Ren family, and let Zhang Biao fabricate a false confession to frame the Ren family. Not only that, he also had to force the Ren family to hand over their ancestral double-sided embroidery technique in exchange, otherwise he would never give up.
Since Cao Wenbin knew that his fate was completely in the hands of Li Zhao, he dared not disobey his instructions. In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan, Li Zhao secretly informed Cao Wenbin of Zhang Biao's fatal weakness. After receiving this important information, Cao Wenbin immediately began to use various means to launch a new round of offensive against Zhang Biao.
Finally, under Cao Wenbin's soft and hard tactics, Zhang Biao gradually couldn't hold on any longer and finally gave in. Seeing that everything was proceeding in an orderly manner according to the predetermined plan, Cao Wenbin couldn't help but secretly rejoice.
But no one expected that at this moment, a mysterious figure sneaked into the prison under the cover of night. This person was Youyou, who had already seen through the conspiracy of Cao Wenbin and others. After entering the cell, Youyou mercilessly killed Zhang Biao and quickly lit a fire stick to burn all the things that might be evidence of the crime.
When Cao Wenbin and Li Zhao learned about this at dawn the next day, they were furious. All the evidence was destroyed in the fire, and even the crucial witness Zhang Biao died. At this moment, the two looked at each other, and a sense of powerlessness suddenly surged in their hearts - could it be that God really intended to protect the Ren family and prevent them from perishing?
However, the two men had ill intentions and attempted to fabricate false evidence to achieve their ulterior motives. After all, they could simply sign and seal their names to turn black into white, and everything would be under their control. Li Zhao had long coveted the tempting big cake of the Ren family, and he was determined to take it for himself by any means necessary.
Therefore, Li Zhao secretly instructs Cao Wenbin to carefully produce fake evidence that is real enough, and plans to arrest Ren Youyou of the Ren family immediately. But just as Cao Wenbin leads his men to the door aggressively, something unexpected happens - an imperial edict comes from the capital!
Upon hearing the news, the entire Ren family hurried out of their homes and knelt respectfully to receive the order. Seeing this, Cao Wenbin had no choice but to kneel down with everyone else, even though he was extremely reluctant.
All that was heard was the official reading aloud: "The Emperor of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven decrees that Ren Xuetang has repeatedly solved strange cases and has made outstanding contributions, so he is hereby appointed as the prefect of Jiangnan; Ren Rufeng is outstanding in talent and won the second place in the imperial examination, so he is granted the title of Jinshi; and the eldest daughter of the Ren family, Ren Youyou, is gentle and virtuous, and has both moral integrity and talent, so she is hereby conferred the title of county lady. I decree!"
After the imperial edict was read, the whole audience was in an uproar. Cao Wenbin was even more stunned, with cold sweat dripping down his forehead. He was secretly glad that he had not yet taken Ren Youyou away, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous and he might even lose his life!
At this moment, Cao Wenbin knew that it was impossible to harm the Ren family. So he forced a smile and put on a flattering look, congratulating Ren Youyou repeatedly, saying that he came here to congratulate her on being named the county lady. Then, he left in a hurry with his men, not daring to do anything rash.
Youyou asked the official who came to announce the decree with an anxious look on her face: "I wonder if this lord knows when my eldest brother will be able to return? And what about my second brother? I am really worried about him!" Her pretty face was full of worry, and her eyes revealed deep concern.
The person who announced the decree hurriedly replied respectfully: "In reply to the county lady's words, as far as I know, the prefect and the second young master will probably be back in a day or two. Please be patient and wait for a few more days."
Hearing this answer, Youyou was slightly relieved, but still nodded with some worry and said, "Then I'll trouble you, sir. Thank you for telling me."
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already three days later. On this day, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was blowing. I saw Governor Wu leading a group of people into Suzhou City. In addition to Governor Wu, there were also two brothers, Ren Xuetang and Ren Rufeng, who came in front. They came this time with an important mission - to appease the people for the emperor and to severely punish Cao Wenbin, the Suzhou prefect who had ulterior motives and committed many evil deeds.
At this time, Cao Wenbin was enjoying himself in the mansion, unaware of the impending disaster. When he got the news, he turned pale with fear and began to pack his luggage in a hurry. He urged his wife to pack up all the valuables in the house so that they could escape at any time, while he ran towards the back door of the prefectural government office in a panic.
However, as the saying goes, the net of heaven is vast and nothing can escape it. Just when Cao Wenbin thought he could escape punishment, he ran into Governor Wu who had been waiting there at the back door. Facing Governor Wu's majestic gaze and the many officers and soldiers behind him, Cao Wenbin's legs softened and he collapsed to the ground.
In the end, Cao Wenbin received the due punishment for his inhumane official conduct and his corrupt and law-breaking behavior. He and his wife were both sentenced to exile, far away from their homeland, and suffered hardships. The common people who had been oppressed and persecuted by Cao Wenbin applauded and expressed extreme disgust for his evil deeds.
At the same time, on the other side, Master Liu was carrying a heavy bag and bidding farewell to Li Zhao with a gloomy look.
Li Zhao just looked at him coldly, as if he didn't have much to say about his departure. Just like that, as the fate of these people changed, the entire Suzhou city regained its former peace and tranquility.