After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 186 The People Have Been Released

“So doesn’t this prove that he didn’t betray the country?” Bai Wanqing’s eyes brightened slightly. “Husband, I don’t believe that Lin Sishu betrayed the Lin family or the Shang Kingdom either.”

Lin Yunche suddenly smiled, "How did you find out, Madam?"

Bai Wanqing lowered her eyes and thought about it seriously for a long time.

"I can't say. As far as I know, the Lin family has guarded the borders of the Shang Kingdom for generations. If Lin Sishu were to betray the country, he should know that the Lin family would not survive!"

"But he betrayed us anyway, and yet the Lin family wasn't killed."

"All of this is too bizarre, indescribably bizarre."

Lin Yunche was well aware of the strangeness, but the Lin family never suspected the Prince of Huai. The Prince of Huai had come to the rescue because he was ambushed on the way and seriously injured.

The Lin family couldn't say anything, and neither could the royal family.

Looking back now, the 300,000-strong army's attack on Luobing City seemed as if they knew no one would launch a sneak attack on their rear. Otherwise, such a concentrated force, with no distractions, could be considered a do-or-die battle by the generals of the Northern Dynasty.

"So you've started to suspect Prince Huai?" Bai Wanqing asked softly when Lin Yunche remained silent.

Lin Yunche snapped out of his daze and nodded slightly.

"Yes! I had my doubts! But twenty years is too long!"

"If you were to connect his current privately amassed troops with the battle of twenty years ago, I'm afraid no one would believe it."

Bai Wanqing completely agreed with this point. Suddenly, she thought of something, and her brows furrowed slightly.

“My lord, this time I took action to eliminate the Fang family, but the Prince of Huai did not make a move.”

“I don’t believe the Fang family wouldn’t ask him for help, and I don’t believe the Prince of Huai is completely unaware of this.”

But he just didn't move.

Lin Yunche then asked, "You mean, what is he waiting for?"

"If we assume that the real traitors were not the Lin family, but the Prince of Huai..."

"What will the Prince of Huai do now?"

Lin Yunche's eyes lit up. "I'm afraid they're trying to bait me."

Bai Wanqing nodded solemnly, "This bait is probably not small."

"As long as there's an opportunity, no matter how big the erbium is, I'll take it." Lin Yunche clenched his fist again, this time seemingly holding his breath.

Twenty years! The Lin family has been in the North for over twenty years.

Because of a single word from the emperor, the Lin family was forced to reclaim the four cities without any foundation.

God knows, this is simply impossible.

But the Lin family believed it was possible. They felt that everything was within their control. They plotted and endured hardship in the north, waiting for such an opportunity, which seemed to be getting closer and closer to them.

"I'll stay with you!" Bai Wanqing's voice was soft, but it was like a beautiful flower that stirred ripples in Lin Yunche's heart.

"Okay! How about we do it together?"

Bai Wanqing nodded without hesitation, "Yes, together."

After discussing the Lin family's affairs, Bai Wanqing brought up Pan Hu's predicament.

“Now, Pan Hu is very likely to be targeted by the Prince of Huai’s men, and I want to send him to a safe place.”

Lin Yunche nodded, "Send it to Linjia Village."

“That’s the Lin family’s territory. Even if the Prince of Huai makes a move, he will have to be careful.”

That's exactly what Bai Wanqing meant.

"And there are thirteen assassins in the village outside the city."

Lin Yunche felt a chill run down his spine when he thought of these assassins. They had never fought against them before, but this time Uncle Lin had accidentally encountered them.

When they fought, Lin Yunche discovered that these assassins were all highly skilled in combat.

What if those hundreds or thousands of assassins wanted to kill her?
That's probably impossible to defend against.

"I'll go and check on those thirteen assassins. It would be best if we could recruit them into our ranks."

"If they cannot, they cannot stay."

Bai Wanqing did not refute, "Alright! Then let Fengniang take you to see it sometime."

The two talked for quite a while, and it was already broad daylight outside.

After eating breakfast, Lin Yunche changed into his official robes and went to the yamen.

Bai Wanqing told Ruixin to pack up, and then notified the families of Doctor Zheng and Doctor Liu. They went together to the government prison.

"lady!"

"We'll come to pick you up, why did you have to come in person?"

The one who said this was Doctor Zheng's wife. It was clear that she hadn't been sleeping well these past two days, as she had very dark circles under her eyes, but at this moment she was excited and cheerful.

Dr. Liu's family members also said the same thing when they heard it.

"Yes, madam, this is not the place for you."

"Why don't you go back to the clinic and wait?"

"If those two old guys find out the clinic is alright, they'll definitely run there first."

Bai Wanqing declined their offer, saying, "After all, it was Dr. Zheng and Dr. Liu who suffered because of the century-old medical clinic, so it is only right that they come to help."

Madam Zheng shook her head and said, "Madam, you're exaggerating."

"Now everyone knows that the Fang family fell because of you, Madam. You are the benefactor of Huaizhou City. Even if they have to stay inside for another six months, it will be worth it."

Ruixin covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing Zheng Niangzi's words.

“Madam Zheng, if Doctor Zheng heard you say such a thing, he would be heartbroken.”

Everyone was amused by Ruixin's words.

At that moment, Doctor Zheng and Doctor Liu were also brought out by the officials.

"Go on! Your families have come to pick you up."

Doctor Zheng and Doctor Liu bowed to the officials and then turned around to see Bai Wanqing standing not far away with a group of people.

"Master!" Doctor Zheng ran to Bai Wanqing with tears in his eyes.

"Boss, I thought I'd never see you again in this lifetime!"

Madam Zheng couldn't bear to look at her husband's useless appearance.

Doctor Zheng, however, raised his head and asked for credit, "Boss, is it because Doctor Liu and I held our ground that our clinic is alright?"

Madam Zheng couldn't stand it any longer and pinched Doctor Zheng.

"What does this have to do with you? It was the madam who rescued you." Doctor Zheng burst into tears again after hearing this. "I knew it! I knew the master wouldn't abandon us!"

"Our boss will definitely save us."

Dr. Zheng's genuine emotions left Dr. Liu somewhat at a loss for words.

Should he also cry along with Doctor Zheng? But just as he was about to shed a tear, Bai Wanqing had Ruixin give them both the prepared items, and then turned and left.

Dr. Liu, holding the gift box in his hands, stood there in a daze.

Madam Liu came over and sighed, "No wonder Doctor Zheng is valued by his employer. You, you can't even keep up with the latest news when it comes to mourning."

Dr. Zheng and Dr. Liu both went home with their families.

They were all very happy to learn from Bai Wanqing that the century-old medical clinic had been unsealed and could reopen, especially when they learned that the Fang family had fallen from grace.

"Are you serious? The Fang family really fell from grace?" Doctor Zheng asked in a shrill voice, unable to believe it.

Seeing her husband's excited expression, Madam Zheng nodded, "It's fallen! It's fallen!"

"The authorities will announce the punishment results tomorrow, and we'll see when we get there."

Dr. Zheng had never felt so relieved.

He recalled the first time he met Bai Wanqing at the brokerage firm.

I just thought it was a rich family's daughter buying a shop and playing around.

Unexpectedly, this shop saved the entire city of Huaizhou. Unexpectedly, because of his persistence, he actually ushered in the dawn.

"Happy! Really happy!"

As Dr. Zheng spoke, he actually started crying, but it was a different kind of crying than the excitement he had just experienced; it was a feeling of relief.

Madam Zheng's eyes also reddened, and she put her arms around her husband.

"It's all done! It's all done!"

Unlike the joyful atmosphere of family reunion on Doctor Zheng's side, Lord Hai and Lin Yunche were at loggerheads in the yamen.

"You left your post without saying a word!"

"If this is reported to the imperial court, don't expect me to speak up for you."

Hai Daren was pointing at Lin Yunche and cursing angrily.

Lin Yunche smiled slightly as he looked at the angry Lord Hai.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Hai, but is now the right time to discuss this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Hai Daren's face turned even greener.

Fortunately, when Magistrate Han sent people to search the Fang family yesterday, they did not find the Fang family's account books.

Otherwise, not only the Fang family, but Hai Chengming himself would probably be affected.

"Fang family, what kind of judgment do you plan to make?"

Hai Chengming was afraid that if he sentenced the Fang family too harshly, they would become desperate and implicate him. So he came early this morning specifically to hear the verdict on the Fang family.

Judging from the behavior of the patriarch of the Fang family, he only wants to protect the descendants of the Fang family.

As long as the descendants of the Fang family can be protected, those above them will not be betrayed by the Fang family.

He's here to hear the results.

Lin Yunche was initially surprised, "What happened to the Fang family?"

The upside-down state of Hai Chengming was all your doing, Lin Yunche, and you still ask what happened?
Even the monkeys on the mountain can't act as well as you!
Magistrate Han presented Lin Yunche with evidence of the Fang family's crimes one by one. The more Lin Yunche read, the more his brows furrowed.

"Lord Hai! All these cases involving the Fang family occurred during the time when you were in charge!"

"You didn't know anything at all?"

Lin Yunche is the newly arrived prefect, and Magistrate Han is also a newly transferred magistrate.

If we're talking about someone who has consistently controlled the three northern regions, the only one is Hai Chengming.

Now that something has happened, they certainly won't bother with the retired Master Liu anymore.

But anyone with eyes could tell that Lin Yunche was trying to exonerate Master Liu and directly pin the blame on Lord Hai.

"How would I know if I don't oversee a state?"

Hai Chengming glared and roared angrily.

"My lord, you govern three provinces, how could you not know this!"

Lin Yunche still had a smile on his face, but his words were extremely aggressive.

Hai Chengming suddenly stood up. "What? What? I haven't impeached you yet, and now you're going to impeach me?"

Lin Yunche shook his head, "This humble official wouldn't dare!"

"But the Fang family has indeed committed many evils, Lord Hai. You wouldn't be trying to be biased, would you?"

What could Hai Chengming say at this moment? "What bias? Why am I biased!"

"Do it! Do whatever you need to do!"

Lin Yunche smiled and handed the evidence back to Magistrate Han.

"Magistrate Han, what do you think?"

Magistrate Han stood up and said, "Your Honor, the Fang family has committed numerous evils and is truly despicable. I suggest that you sentence them to beheading. Any property they have seized that can be returned to its rightful owner should be returned to the owner, and any property that cannot be found should be confiscated. As for the other members of the Fang family..."

"All those who knew about and participated in the evil deeds shall be executed, while those who were unaware shall be exiled to other places as a warning to others. What does Your Excellency think?"

Lin Yunche turned to Hai Chengming and asked, "What does Lord Hai think?"

The sentence was severe, but fair.

If he dares to say a word against it, Lin Yunche will dare to submit a memorial to impeach him.

Very well! The Lin family's son has now completely made an enemy of the Hai family.

"Alright! Let's rule it that way!" Lord Hai said.

Lin Yunche then waved his hand, "Lord Hai said, that's how it's done!"

"Yes!"

The punishment for the Fang family was posted on the government office's bulletin board as scheduled.

"It's the death penalty! It's the death penalty!" As if something extraordinary had happened, the entire city of Huaizhou was instantly as lively as if it were New Year's Day.

"Madam, shall we go to the clinic now?" Ruixin, having finished watching the commotion, squeezed back into the carriage.

Bai Wanqing stared blankly at the surging crowd, and after a long while said, "Let's go to Baiweilou."

(End of this chapter)