You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 75 Three Major Strokes
"What do you mean?"

"It means that there were survivors among the robbers. I deliberately left one alive to testify against the mastermind behind it all."

Fang Chengxu was taken aback.

After the incident, he did think about this question and asked the local villagers.

However, no one really knew the specifics of the situation inside the temple. After all, these bandits were known for their murders and robberies, and it was common for them to lose or gain a single member.

They were immediately speechless.

The Prefect of the Capital pressed further, "Where is this person now?"

"I'm not in the capital for the time being. I've arranged for me to stay in a safe place. If the case requires it, you can summon me at any time to prove whether what I said is true or false."

"Then have you found out who ordered this?"

"We don't know yet. The robbers said that the man always wore a straw hat when they met, so they couldn't see his face."

What was the deceased's identity?

"She was a hostage kidnapped by the Black Wind Temple bandits. Because the hostage's family refused to give up money to get her released, the bandits became enraged and killed her."

The Prefect of the Capital glanced at Fang Chengxu.

Fang Chengxu snorted: "These are all her side of the story. Why should others go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill the mother and daughter to silence them?"

"These robbers did indeed attempt to assassinate my mother!"

Liang Jiang said in a deep voice, enunciating each word clearly: "Just now, someone insulted my mother and me, saying that we left the capital when the Duke's mansion was in danger, which was unrighteous and immoral."
Now that things have calmed down, he wants to return to the Duke's mansion to enjoy wealth and power.

I can tell you very clearly that we left the capital because we were constantly being hunted down and were forced into a corner!
As for who this person who wanted to kill us mother and daughter is, I came back this time to investigate thoroughly and will absolutely not let him get away with it.

Her impassioned speech left some of the people outside the hall speechless.

Liang Jiang then turned to the Prefect of the Capital: "These bandits have committed numerous atrocities and killed countless people. Everyone has the right to kill them. My massacre of the Black Wind Temple was merely an act of chivalry."

I will have this robber sent to the government office as soon as possible to prove the truth of my words. I also urge Your Honor to investigate thoroughly and investigate who is behind this.”

The Prefect of the Capital said righteously, "This is my duty, and I will certainly investigate it thoroughly and will not tolerate it."

"I have explained this matter. If I am required to cooperate with the investigation, or if the Emperor wants to punish me, I will do my best to cooperate."

"So, shouldn't the Fang family give me an explanation for this false accusation case?"

The Prefect of the Capital slammed his gavel: "Fang Lishi, Fang Chengxu, do you have anything else to say?"

Grandma Fang was unwilling to accept it: "My granddaughter died young. As her grandmother, I was overwhelmed with grief and lost my mind. I didn't mean to misunderstand Madam Liang. I am willing to plead guilty."

Liang Jiang sneered: "Misunderstanding? You know perfectly well that the child died from choking, yet you're pushing all the blame onto us. Is that a misunderstanding? It's a false accusation! We have the testimony from the last trial as evidence. Please don't confuse the issue."

“My mother did not sign or affix her fingerprint to the confession, so it cannot be used as evidence,” Fang Chengxu argued.

The Prefect of the Capital slammed his gavel: "Since Madam Fang's misunderstanding was merely a misunderstanding, and she neither fabricated facts nor forged evidence, and the circumstances are minor and have not caused serious consequences, according to the laws of Chang'an, she may be fined or caned as a warning to others."

How ironic.

Liang Jiang never expected that the Prefect of Jingzhao would so blatantly favor Fang Chengxu. Is this what they call official protection among officials?
Fang Chengxu readily agreed, "My mother is old and frail. This matter was caused by my unworthy wife. I am willing to bear all the punishment for her."

Old Mrs. Fang chimed in, "This is all because Mother misjudged people and forced you to marry the daughter of a traitor, making the Fang family a disgrace."

Later, after she was divorced, she harbored resentment and not only squandered the Fang family's fortune but also pursued you to the capital relentlessly. This is all Mother's fault.

Despite the two men's distortion of the facts and slander of Liang Jiang, the people outside the hall believed them without question and continued to hurl insults at Liang Jiang.

As the saying goes, "Many mouths make a fuss," and "Three men can make a tiger." Liang Jiang was completely on the defensive for a time, unable to defend herself.

Suddenly, someone outside the hall spoke loudly: "Fang Chengxu has been unfaithful and had an affair with Tong Zhao'er from the General's Mansion, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate child. Then, he resorted to any means to force my son to resign, and even distorted the facts to slander her like this. Does he really think there are no respectable people in my family?"

Liang Jiang was overjoyed and blurted out, "Mother!"

The crowd outside parted, and Madam Liang entered the hall, followed by the patriarch of the Liang family of Fucheng.

"Mother, Uncle, what brings you here?"

"Silly girl, since you've decided to stay, how can your mother let you fight this battle alone and bear all of this?"

Lady Liang gently squeezed Liang Jiang's hand as a gesture of comfort, then turned to the crowd outside the hall and said in a deep voice:

"The Fang family resorted to any means necessary to force my daughter out of marriage and embezzle her dowry. They even hired servants to smear my daughter's reputation. My family patriarch and other gentry from Fucheng were present at the time and can testify to this!"

Grandma Fang declared righteously, "Daughters of traitors, no matter how noble your status, we have no desire to be in-laws with you. My Fang family is, after all, descended from famous generals, a family of loyal and virtuous officials!"

Her shameless words actually drew some agreement from the common people: "Yes, good riddance!"

The Liang family patriarch's face flushed with anger: "Bah! Your Fang family has been climbing the social ladder, favoring concubines over wives, and bullying orphans and widows time and time again. Now everyone in Fucheng knows about this, and your reputation is ruined."

Now that they've come to the capital, they've actually turned right and wrong upside down, even falsely accusing others and repaying kindness with ingratitude. They're utterly shameless..."

Fang Chengxu was scolded until his face turned red, and he remained silent.

The Prefect of the Capital slammed his gavel, interrupting the clan chief: "This matter is irrelevant to the case. You should all cease your courtroom disturbances. Since Lord Fang is willing to take the blame for his mother, I will grant your request. He shall be punished for both false accusation and assault with thirty strokes of the cane. Do the plaintiff and defendant have any objections?"

In this case, the Prefect of Jingzhao is clearly biased towards the Fang family, attempting to quell the matter by manipulating public opinion. No, even this public opinion was instigated and fueled by them.

Do you think thirty strokes of the can will settle things? Dream on.

Liang Jiang smiled coldly: "Fang Chengxu may wish to take the punishment in place of his mother, but I will carry out the execution in his place."

The Prefect of the Capital was taken aback: "To carry out the execution on behalf of someone else?"

“Very well, no need for you officers to trouble yourselves. I, the princess, will personally administer the thirty strokes of the rod. I will only give three strokes to vent my anger and then drop the matter. What do you think, sir?”

The Prefect of the Capital looked to Fang Chengxu, who was naturally overjoyed. How much strength could a woman possibly have? It was nothing more than relieving an itch.

The Prefect of the Capital nodded: "I grant permission."

Liang Jiang slowly rolled up her sleeves: "Then let's begin."

If I don't beat you, Fang Chengxu, until you cry for your father and mother and can't get out of bed for half a month, I'll be letting down all that you've done to me.

(End of this chapter)