Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Ying Yufu looked at Miao Jiaoniang in surprise.

This woman had previously beaten Liu Hongxing in a fit of arrogance, displaying the very characteristics of a jealous woman.

However, at this moment, the woman's demeanor was calm and composed, her eyes gentle and serene, completely different from before.

Miao Jiaoniang stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Jiaoniang greets Princess Anguo."

"You...you collected these account books? You and Zhao Yongquan..." Ying Yufu was genuinely curious.

Miao Jiaoniang put down the candlestick and slowly said, "Princess Anguo, Jiaoniang did indeed fall in love with Zhao Yongquan at first sight."

Her eyes dimmed slightly. "When Zhao Yongquan first arrived in Mingxi County, Jiao Niang fell in love with him at first sight. After getting closer, she discovered that Zhao Yongquan felt the same way about Jiao Niang."

My uncle then arranged our marriage.

However, less than six months after the marriage, Zhao Yongquan revealed his true colors.

Miao Jiaoniang's expression turned slightly cold: "He is greedy and shameless, treating the people like livestock. He is also arrogant and obsequious, flattering his uncle and making a complete fool of himself."

Disappointed, I thought, since the marriage was already arranged and I was pregnant, I might as well go with the flow and start living with him.

Over the years, my uncle has been secretly collecting evidence in Mingxi County of officials concealing tax revenue and exploiting the people. Because the second prince is involved, my uncle's actions have become increasingly difficult, as if he were walking on thin ice.

My uncle and I were born into poverty, and we cannot bear to see the people suffer. I will stand with my uncle through thick and thin.

Later I discovered that Zhao Yongquan was no ordinary person; he was a secret agent sent to Mingxi County by his superiors.

Even within the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Personnel, there are people who are in cahoots with him, making it extremely difficult to take him down.

I pretended to be a jealous woman to distract him, secretly helping my uncle gather evidence. Liu Hongxing was already pregnant and had miscarried before I acted; it was definitely not my doing!

So that's how it is.

Ying Yufu sighed, "Jiao Niang is truly a heroine! She can make decisive choices, setting aside personal feelings while also prioritizing righteousness. Her resilient character and dedication to protecting the people are admirable!"

Appreciation was evident in Ying Yufu's eyes.

Miao Jiaoniang blushed slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed: "Princess Anguo, you flatter me. Jiaoniang only did what she thought was right."

Ying Yufu said, "What you've done will not be in vain!"

Miao Shuo said, "Princess Anguo, although these account books and tax silver are safe here for the time being, we can't guarantee that they won't be discovered at any time."

"Your Highness, could you send troops to the capital to surround Mingxi County and capture the corrupt officials?"

Ying Yufu pondered for a moment and said, "Normally, that's how it is, but that's on the premise that we still have time to do it."

Miao Shuo's expression changed. "Does Princess Anguo mean we don't have time?"

Ying Yufu's expression hardened slightly. Just then, she heard footsteps overhead.

Someone must be coming.

To be precise, someone went towards the magistrate's bedroom.

Miao Shuo's expression changed, and Miao Jiaoniang anxiously asked, "Uncle, what should we do?"

Ying Yufu remained calm and said, "Magistrate Miao, Jiao Niang, please go out first, so as not to arouse suspicion from others."

"Princess, aren't you coming up with us?" Miao Shuo asked.

Ying Yufu said, "If I go up, I'll definitely run into the people coming and arouse suspicion. I'll stay down here and go up when it's safe."

"Very well, Princess, please wait here for a moment. I will persuade the people to leave and then escort you upstairs." Miao Shuo bowed.

Ying Yufu nodded and watched as Miao Shuo and Miao Jiaoniang hurriedly went upstairs.

After the two of them left, Ying Yufu glanced at the account books and became furious.

After a moment's hesitation, she put all the account books and silver into her spatial storage.

"Host, if you put this away, how will you explain it when Miao Shuo comes down?" Xiao Dian said.

Ying Yufu said, "No explanation needed. This princess possesses extraordinary abilities."

Xiao Dian: [...]

[Host, you are becoming a more mature host.]

Ying Yufu smiled, pursing her lips. "Little Dian, the space is indeed incredibly useful, especially in this situation. It's so convenient and saves a lot of trouble."

"That's right! Anything produced by the system is guaranteed to be top-notch!" Little Madman said smugly.

Ying Yufu had exceptionally sharp hearing. She sat down in the secret room and listened quietly as the sounds coming from above were clearly audible.

Almost as soon as Miao Shuo and Miao Jiaoniang went upstairs, the door to Miao Shuo's bedroom was pushed open.

The door was pushed open forcefully and without any politeness.

Ying Yufu frowned upon hearing this; it seemed that someone was already getting restless.

"Magistrate Miao, we called you from outside just now, why didn't you come out? Could it be that you were really doing something shady inside?"

It was the county magistrate's voice.

Miao Shuo said, "County Magistrate Du, what brings you here to see me in the middle of the night?"

County Magistrate Du didn't answer, but looked at Miao Jiaoniang, "Oh, Jiaoniang's here too!"

Miao Jiaoniang looked at Magistrate Du and his entourage. Besides Magistrate Du, Clerk Ma had also arrived, and behind him was a group of menacing yamen runners.

Miao Jiaoniang said, "I couldn't sleep at night, so I came to my uncle to complain. That bastard Zhao Yongquan is a real scoundrel. He actually got another woman pregnant. I'm so angry!"

What's going on with Magistrate Du and Clerk Ma?

County Magistrate Du laughed and said, "So that's how it is. Zhao Yongquan really went too far. He has a wife like Jiao Niang at home, yet he still goes out and messes around. He really deserves to be punished."

However, we are here to see the magistrate because it is indeed a serious matter. This matter has already alarmed His Highness the Crown Prince, and we have no choice but to search the magistrate's residence!

Miao Jiaoniang's eyes widened. "What exactly is it?"

Miao Shuo angrily retorted, "County Magistrate Du, it's one thing for you to overstep your authority, but now you're actually interrogating me, the county magistrate! Who's the magistrate here, you or me?"

Magistrate Du smiled and said, "Of course you are the magistrate. Magistrate, please calm down. I am here on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince."

"You're talking nonsense! This magistrate doesn't believe you!"

Miao Shuo said angrily.

"Magistrate Miao, whether you believe it or not, just ask His Highness the Crown Prince." Another voice came, it was Zhao Yongquan.

Then Zhao Yongquan, Chief Clerk Chang, and the Crown Prince Xuanwu Marquis arrived together.

Wushuang was also holding a stack of account books in her arms.

Upon seeing that the Crown Prince had actually arrived, Miao Shuo hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, what crime have I committed? Why are you searching my residence?"

The Crown Prince glanced at him, gesturing for Wushuang to hand over the account books.

Miao Shuo glanced at the ledgers and exclaimed in shock and anger, "Your Highness, these ledgers are all fake! I have never made them!"

Magistrate Du sneered, "Magistrate Miao, the evidence is right here, yet you still try to deny it. If you are truly innocent, then let us search your bedroom."

As he spoke, Magistrate Du waved his hand, signaling Clerk Ma to search.

Ma Dianshi immediately led his men to search Miao Shuo's house thoroughly.

When Ma Dianshi was about to lift the bed board, Miao Shuo's expression truly changed. He lunged forward and angrily said, "Ma Dianshi, that's enough! There's nothing under my bed."

Magistrate Ma gave him a mocking sneer and said, "Magistrate Miao, wouldn't it be easy to find out if there's anything hidden under the bed?"

After saying that, Ma Dian lifted the bed board, revealing the mechanism underneath.

"Heh!" Ma Dianshi suddenly chuckled, "Lord Miao has been hiding his true intentions very well!"