Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

Liu Yuan, the magistrate of Wannian County, sat in the courtroom with a dark expression on his face.

He hadn't even started questioning the person who reported the crime when they fainted...

However, this kid's mouth is like it's been smeared with arsenic; how can he say such venomous things...?

That said, Zhao Wan'er is quite a beauty, after all. To be called a common, ordinary woman in front of so many people is something no woman could bear...

The old woman from the Zhao household pinched Zhao Wan'er's philtrum and shook her head until she finally woke up.

She leaned back in her chair, tears welling up in her eyes.

She was born into a wealthy and noble family, and she has never suffered such injustice in her life!

Seeing this, the old woman from the Zhao household immediately looked at Liu Yuan, pointed at Chen Chang'an, and said, "Sir, look! This scoundrel not only refuses to admit his guilt, but also publicly insults my young lady's reputation in court! Please, sir, do justice for my young lady!"

Liu Yuan knew he couldn't let Chen Chang'an continue causing trouble like this.

More and more people are gathering outside, and things could get complicated if he delays; he has to close the case as soon as possible.

He slammed his gavel down and said in a deep voice, "Chen Chang'an, you have uttered foul language and insulted the victim in court, showing contempt for the court. Guards, give him twenty strokes of the cane!"

Just as the bailiffs on both sides were about to step forward, a figure strode into the courtroom.

"Let's see who dares!"

Qing Shuang stood in the center of the hall, blocking Chen Chang'an's path. Her gaze swept over the constables, finally settling on Liu Yuan, and she coldly asked, "Is this the rule of your Wannian County Government when handling cases—to beat someone twenty times without even asking what happened?"

Liu Yuan looked at Qing Shuang, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He certainly knew the daughter of the Zhenyuan General's mansion. That day in the Golden Hall, he answered three questions in a row, thwarting the Yan Kingdom delegation's conspiracy. Liu Yuan was watching from a corner of the hall.

Normally, he would certainly not want to provoke Xiao Qingshuang.

However, he was a civil official, and compared to the Zhenyuan General's Mansion, he was even less likely to offend the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Liu Yuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Miss Xiao, this is the courtroom of Wannian County, not the backyard of your Zhenyuan General's Mansion. As the magistrate of Wannian County, I am here to hear cases in this county, and no one else is allowed to interfere!"

Qing Shuang completely disregarded his official airs, tilting her chin up as she said, "Even a county magistrate should reason when judging a case. She has neither witnesses nor physical evidence, yet she sits here crying a couple of times and thinks she can convict someone? You've got it far too easy being an official!"

Liu Yuan stood up and asked, "What woman in this world would joke about her own chastity?"

Zhao Wan'er lowered her head, her gaze somewhat evasive.

She certainly cared about her innocence, but her father was only a collateral branch of the Zhao family, and for her aunt's grand plan, she had to sacrifice her innocence.

"No woman would joke about her chastity."

Qing Shuang put her hands on her hips, stared at Liu Yuan, and suddenly laughed, saying, "Then I say, Magistrate, three months ago, you tried to molest me, can't you also report me to the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Censorate?"

Liu Yuan's expression changed, and he immediately said, "You're spouting nonsense!"

He sexually assaulted this notorious little devil in the capital. Could he beat her?

Isn't this just sophistry?

Qing Shuang glanced at Zhao Wan'er and retorted, "How do you know, Magistrate, that she's not making baseless accusations?"

Liu Yuan took a deep breath and spoke again: "Miss Xiao, I will let this go because you are the daughter of General Zhenyuan, but this is not a place for you to run wild. If you continue to obstruct my handling of the case, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Qing Shuang didn't budge an inch. Instead, she took half a step forward, blocking Chen Chang'an behind her, and said, "Magistrate, I have no objection to your handling of the case, but you must produce solid evidence. If you can't, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Liu Yuan was furious and shouted to the constables on both sides, "Seize her!"

The two rows of yamen runners looked at each other, none of them daring to step forward.

Who doesn't know the name "Little Witch"? Even if they all ganged up on her, they wouldn't be a match for her. If they tried to fight her head-on, they would at least get a beating, or at worst break a few bones. Why would they want to suffer for themselves?

Just as the atmosphere in the courtroom became tense, Liu Yuan's advisor suddenly came out from the back room, walked quickly to his side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Liu Yuan didn't hear him clearly and asked, "What did you say?"

The advisor didn't speak again, but instead pulled a black plaque from his sleeve and flashed it quickly in front of him.

When Liu Yuan saw the pattern on the sign, he shuddered.

This is the badge of the Imperial Guard. Anyone who possesses this badge is a confidant of His Majesty, a guard among guards, a close minister of the Emperor, granted special permission by imperial authority to execute first and report later...

He dared not delay and, without even having time to say a word, immediately ran out of the courtroom.

The backyard of the county government office.

Liu Yuan strode into the inner courtyard and immediately saw a young man in a guard uniform sitting in a chair, holding a teacup in his hand, with a calm expression.

The man was tall and straight with deep-set eyes; he was none other than Yun Zhan, the commander of the secret guards.

The clerk bowed and ran forward, respectfully placing the token on the table next to Yun Zhan.

Liu Yuan was terrified. The commander of the secret guards was the emperor's confidant and usually only obeyed the emperor's orders. No one else had the right to command him.

His presence here personally suggests either that he has received His Majesty's authorization, or that something of immense importance has occurred...

Liu Yuan quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and said respectfully, "This humble official was unaware of Commander Yun's arrival and has failed to greet you properly. I hope the Commander will forgive me..."

Yun Zhan gently blew on the tea leaves, took a sip of tea, and then put down the teacup, saying calmly, "Magistrate Liu, cases outside should be tried normally, but if you try them haphazardly, you'll lose your head..."

Liu Yuan shuddered, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

Yun Zhan slowly stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You'd better take care of yourself."

Liu Yuan stood there for a while before he came to his senses and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

This case even alarmed the leader of the secret guards...

He said to conduct the trial however it should be conducted, meaning he shouldn't be allowed to show favoritism towards the Zhao family...

How does Chen Chang'an have a connection with the secret guards?

He swallowed hard, straightened his clothes, and walked back into the courtroom.

After sitting down, he cleared his throat, looked at Zhao Wan'er below the hall, and said coldly, "Zhao Wan'er, you say that Chen Chang'an assaulted you, but there are no witnesses and no physical evidence. I cannot convict someone based solely on your words..."

Zhao Wan'er was stunned. She didn't expect that the magistrate of Wannian County would change his attitude so quickly after returning from his trip.

The old woman from the Zhao family beside her also became anxious and hurriedly said, "Sir, my young lady is an innocent girl, how could she use her innocence to frame someone..."

Liu Yuan interrupted her, coldly saying, "I'm asking for evidence. There must be at least one witness and one piece of evidence. Neither of you has any, so this case cannot be convicted. I hereby declare that there are too many doubts in this case, and Chen Chang'an is acquitted!"