After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 99 Obediently Return to His Side

Pei Yanzhi presided over many cases at the Dali Temple.

Over the past two years, no matter how stubborn the suspects were, he was able to extract information from them through interrogation.

Therefore, people often say that there is no mouth that Pei Yanzhi cannot pry open or a case that he cannot judge.

He sat opposite the forest steward, dressed in a simple yet appropriate official robe.

Although it did not deliberately display its majesty, it naturally exuded an aura that commanded respect.

He calmly reached out and picked up the cup of tea that was on the table.

The delicate aroma of tea rose gently, slowly spreading throughout the somewhat cramped inn.

Pei Yanzhi took a small sip of tea, uttered those words, and then remained silent.

He simply sat there quietly, his gaze calmly fixed on Manager Lin, silently exerting pressure.

Time slipped away quietly, bit by bit, in this suffocating silence.

Manager Lin pursed his lips tightly, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead. He remained silent.

Mingxiang's patience was almost worn down by the standoff between the two.

Just as he could no longer bear it and was about to place his gleaming sword against Steward Lin's shoulder, attempting to force him to speak through force,

Manager Lin's throat bobbed slightly before he spoke.

"My lord, Miss Zhao was merely hitchhiking with a merchant caravan temporarily. As for where she went, I truly have no idea."

"I suppose my young master is on his way. It's not quite right for you to keep us here like this."

Upon hearing this, a subtle, meaningful thought flickered in Pei Yanzhi's dark, deep eyes, which resembled a night sea.

It's fleeting and hard to notice.

He paused slightly, then his long, slender fingers gripped the teacup again, brought it to his lips, and took a small sip.

After a moment, he said slowly, "I have tried many cases at the Dali Temple."

“Everyone is trying to scare me by using the people behind them.”

Pei Yanzhi slightly raised his head, a hint of mockery in his eyes. In his eyes, those who tried to use their power to suppress him were nothing but clowns, only fit to be laughed at.

After saying this, he put down his teacup, stood up, and then raised his hand to smooth out the fine wrinkles on his sleeve.

"Unfortunately, I hate being threatened the most."

A chilling glint flashed in Pei Yanzhi's eyes, like a drawn blade, icy and piercing.

As he spoke, he walked over to Manager Lin.

The man's lips curled up slightly, forming a faint smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it made one feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

“I know her personality; she’s too soft-hearted and can’t bring herself to be ruthless.”

He murmured softly, his calm and steady words seeming to come from that dark and terrifying hell, carrying an unwavering determination that sent chills down one's spine.

As Steward Lin listened to Pei Yanzhi's words, his brows furrowed slightly, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

Before he could react, Pei Yanzhi coldly uttered two words: "Take him down."

He wouldn't do anything drastic to Manager Lin.

As he just said, Xiang Ning is an extremely soft-hearted person.

If she knew that she had harmed Steward Lin, she would surely be consumed by endless self-blame and unable to eat or sleep day and night.

Should she leave the water town at all costs, far away from all this strife and trouble, or obediently return to his side and end this exhausting chase?

Pei Yanzhi thought she would make a decision.

Manager Lin was forced to leave the inn with Mingxiang holding a sword to his throat.

Pei Yanzhi stood tall and straight at the entrance of the inn, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the slightly abrupt figure around the corner. The person clearly noticed Pei Yanzhi's gaze and quickly turned and hurried away.

Upon learning of Pei Yanzhi's arrival in Shuizhen, Magistrate Wu Min did not dare to delay for a moment and rushed over to greet him.

Magistrate Wu was rather fat, his round body resembling a small, moving hill.

The sedan chair sped all the way there, and when it landed, it made a solid, muffled sound.

Wu Min nearly stumbled and was thrown out of the sedan chair, looking quite disheveled.

He didn't care about straightening his slightly disheveled clothes at the moment, and walked to the entrance of the inn in three steps, bowing to Pei Yanzhi.

Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes.

"Your humble servant Wu Min greets Your Excellency the Court of Justice."

Wu Min's voice trembled slightly, clearly showing her great respect for Pei Yanzhi.

At this moment, the clerk behind him saw this and hurriedly ran over, holding the official hat in his hands. He carefully put it on him and whispered, "Sir, you forgot to wear your hat."

The advisor's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and concern, as if he had long been accustomed to his master's forgetful habit.

“Lord Wu, a wanted criminal has entered the town. You did a good job by delivering the message in time and preventing anyone from escaping.”

Pei Yanzhi's gaze fell on Wu Min, and he said in a flat tone.

Upon hearing this, Wu Min quickly raised her hand to wipe the sweat that kept pouring from her forehead, her face filled with fear and humility, not daring to show the slightest bit of pride or arrogance.

Everyone knows that working for Pei Yanzhi is like walking on thin ice, and it's rare to receive a word of praise from him.

Wu Min was even more uneasy at this moment. He was afraid that Pei Yanzhi was giving him a sweet treat first, and then he would slap him without mercy.

"It is all my duty. Since Your Excellency is new to Shuizhen, I have arranged accommodations for you. Please come this way."

Wu Minqiang tried to remain calm, bowed slightly, and extended her hand in a gesture of invitation, her eyes full of flattery.

Cheng Hua, who was following behind Pei Yanzhi, had a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. He tried to turn his head away, but his shoulders trembled slightly as he tried to suppress his laughter.

No wonder I was so eager to send someone back after receiving Miss Zhao's letter.

It turns out that it was his master's formidable reputation in officialdom that made Wu Min in the water town so afraid, even from such a distance.

His trembling, fearful demeanor was truly hilarious.

"No need, I'll stay here."

Before he could finish speaking, Pei Yanzhi turned around and strode towards the stairs without giving Wu Min a chance to reply.

Wu Min watched Pei Yanzhi's rapidly receding figure, her mouth slightly open and then closed again.

Pei Yanzhi's figure had already reached the second floor and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Wu Min swallowed hard, turned her head, and said to the clerk who had been silently following her, "This Minister of Justice is not easy to serve. But the wanted criminal he's looking for is actually a girl?"

His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes revealed a hint of doubt and surprise.

"My lord, don't underestimate this girl. She's a gentle knife, but every strike can be deadly."

The advisor narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and solemnly reminded Wu Min.

"But don't worry, we've done everything we could, the Minister of Justice won't do anything to us."

Seeing that Wu Min still looked worried, the advisor quickly stepped forward and gently comforted him.

With the advisor's reassurance, Wu Min slowly nodded.

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, then immediately straightened his back and shouted, "Get the brothers on their toes! If we see any suspicious girls, grab them!"

We need to finish the case quickly and get rid of this plague, Pei Yanzhi. He's too much trouble to deal with.

Wu Min is still waiting to step down next year and retire to her hometown.

If I get 20 monthly tickets by Sunday, I'll add an extra chapter next Monday. I already have 5!
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(End of this chapter)