Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

"Court adjourned!"

As Liu Yuan struck the gavel, Zhao Wan'er froze in place.

This is different from what her aunt told her.

Wasn't it said that as long as she identified Chen Chang'an in court, he would be sentenced to exile and military service?

She stood up abruptly and asked angrily, "Sir, how could you rule like this?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel could at most demote him, but the head of the secret guards could directly take his life. Liu Yuan looked at Zhao Wan'er, his face stern, and said coldly, "As I said, there are too many doubts and insufficient evidence in this case. Chen Chang'an is released without charge. If you are not satisfied, you can appeal to the Jingzhao Prefecture!"

The old woman beside Zhao Wan'er became anxious and quickly stepped forward, saying, "My lord, you can't make this judgment..."

Liu Yuan glared at him and roared, "I'm the one presiding over this case, and you are! If you dare to say another word, I'll charge you with the crime of shouting in court!"

The old woman was so frightened by his shout that she shrank back and dared not speak again.

The yamen runners all breathed a long sigh of relief.

As long as they don't have to face this little witch, the adults can decide whatever they want.

Seeing this, Qing Shuang guessed what was going on, looked at Chen Chang'an, and smiled, "Let's go back."

Chen Chang'an then stood up from his chair and walked out of the county government office with Qing Shuang.

Outside the county government office, the crowd of onlookers automatically parted to make way for them.

Just as Chen Chang'an and Qing Shuang walked out of the county government gate, a figure dressed in a white dress and wearing a veil slowly walked over.

Although the veil covered most of her face, the exposed eyebrows and eyes were enough to captivate anyone's attention.

Gu Qingcheng had appeared at Qunyu Tower several times, and each time the capital was almost deserted as everyone flocked to see just how beautiful Gu Qingcheng, who was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the capital, really was.

The crowd was silent for a moment, then immediately erupted into chaos.

"It's the stunningly beautiful girl!"

"The stunningly beautiful girl has come too!"

"It seems that Miss Qingcheng and this Young Master Chen have a close relationship..."

"Nonsense! If someone wrote a poem like that for me, I'd give myself to them!"

……

Gu Qingcheng walked up to Chen Chang'an, who was also stunned for a moment, wondering what she wanted to do.

Gu Qingcheng smiled slightly, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently wiped away non-existent sweat from Chen Chang'an's forehead.

Chen Chang'an met her gaze and quickly understood her intention.

Qing Shuang looked at them with a shocked expression, but she quickly realized something, her lips moved but she didn't speak.

At this moment, the surrounding crowd erupted in chaos.

"What did I see?"

"This stunning young lady actually wiped his sweat!"

"When has this beautiful lady ever treated a man like this?"

"Who would believe that a man who makes a beautiful young lady wipe his sweat would molest other women?"

"Is that girl even prettier than the stunning beauty?"

……

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Zhao Wan'er, supported by the old woman, walked out of the county government office.

Just then, Gu Qingcheng suddenly made a move that surprised everyone.

She raised her hand and gently removed the veil from her face.

The moment the veil was lifted, the entrance to the county government office fell silent.

It was as if time had suddenly stopped; all the noise, discussions, and commotion vanished in the blink of an eye.

Hundreds of eyes fell on that face at the same time, but no one made a sound.

Gu Qingcheng stood at the bottom of the steps, the afternoon sun falling on her, casting a faint golden outline on her shoulders.

Without the veil, her face was completely exposed, revealing an absolutely stunning beauty. Her natural beauty, even without makeup, was breathtaking and so exquisite that she seemed unreal.

What's most striking is her eyes.

Those clear yet alluring eyes seemed to speak volumes, captivating anyone who looked at them and could never look away.

Clang!

A peddler carrying a load on his shoulder pole was so engrossed in watching that his carrying pole clattered to the ground, scattering his goods everywhere. He was completely oblivious, staring blankly at the figure.

A scholar, who was holding a scroll, also dropped it to the ground.

At this moment, everyone had only one thought in their minds.

The most beautiful woman in the capital city truly lives up to her reputation.

Gu Qingcheng didn't even glance at those people. She put away her handkerchief, looked at Chen Chang'an, and said, "Young Master, you must have been frightened today..."

Her voice was soft and clear, like a spring breeze caressing the strings of a zither.

Chen Chang'an looked at her, momentarily lost in thought.

He had seen many beautiful women in his previous life, but at this moment, he had to admit that the woman in front of him deserved the title of "the most beautiful woman in the capital".

Both Qing Shuang and Gong Yue are great beauties, but compared to the woman in front of them, they seem to be slightly inferior.

He quickly regained his composure, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Thank you, young lady."

He knew that Gu Qingcheng was helping him.

Chen Chang'an looked at her and asked again, "Miss Gu, would you like to come back with us?"

Gu Qingcheng smiled slightly, put her veil back on, and nodded, saying, "Okay."

Chen Chang'an nodded and left the county government office with Qing Shuang and Gu Qingcheng, heading towards Qing Shuang Fang.

It wasn't until they disappeared from sight that the crowd gradually came to their senses.

"Am I dreaming? Miss Qingcheng actually took off her veil?"

"No... I saw her too. She truly deserves to be called the most beautiful woman in the capital. This trip was definitely worthwhile!"

"The most beautiful woman, truly deserving of the title..."

"Faced with such a beauty, how could Young Master Chen be willing to only discuss business?"

"Young Master Chen isn't even tempted by such a beauty, yet he went and molested another woman. I'd like to see what that woman looks like. Is she even prettier than Miss Qingcheng?"

"Yes, yes, I'm curious too!"

……

Just as everyone's curiosity reached its peak, Zhao Wan'er walked out of the county government office.

Hundreds of eyes fell on her.

The curiosity in people's eyes turned into disappointment in an instant.

"this one?"

"To choose someone like that over a stunningly beautiful girl and not molest her, is utterly unbelievable!"

"Why doesn't she take a piss and look at herself in the mirror? Does she even have that kind of looks?"

"I believe Young Master Chen has been wronged!"

"With looks like that, I wouldn't touch her even if she were free!"

……

The discussions were like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next.

People stared at Zhao Wan'er with unbridled eyes, their gazes filled with undisguised mockery and ridicule.

Zhao Wan'er held the old woman's hand, her face ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Gu Qingcheng's appearance made her a joke, a complete joke.

Countless rumors and gossip entered her ears, and she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Finally, Zhao Wan'er's shame and indignation reached their peak. Having already fainted once, her already weak body could no longer withstand the impact of such extreme emotions. Her vision went black again, and she collapsed into the old woman's arms...