Xie Yuan was dragged and thrown onto a donkey cart. Because he kept crying and shouting without stopping, the cart driver mercilessly picked up a stick nearby and beat him a few times, leaving his face bruised and swollen.
Though he was slow-witted, he still knew pain.
After being beaten a few times, he realized that crying and screaming would only lead to more beatings, so he shrank into a corner and didn’t dare to move again.
Chen Haohui spat in disdain and sneered, “Truly as stupid as a pig! How could the Xie family have someone like you? Maybe you’re a b*stard from some other family?”
Everyone laughed heartlessly.
Xie Yuan shrank even further like a frightened rabbit, burying his head in his arms, not daring to utter another word.
To make fun of someone, the key is getting a reaction.
Like earlier—when Xie Yuan cried pitifully, the more miserable he looked, the more pleased and satisfied they felt. That’s what made it fun.
But now Xie Yuan had clearly learned his lesson, which made it not as entertaining.
Chen Haohui squinted at him for a while, spat again, then turned to leave with his men. “Alright, playing with a fool for too long just makes us fools too. Let’s go, there’s still plenty to do.”
Everyone agreed, no longer paying attention to Xie Yuan and followed Chen Haohui.
Chen Haohui had always been one to never enjoy a day without drinking; he couldn’t feel satisfied without some alcohol.
This time was no different. Even though he was out on official duty, he still went to a tavern for a drink before heading back to the county office to report.
Zou Xiaopeng smelled the strong stench of alcohol on him even before he got close. When Chen Haohui opened his mouth, the odor hit Zou Xiaopeng so hard that he waved his hand in disgust.
He snorted, “Your filthy habit of drinking horse piss will never change. Aren’t you afraid you’ll drink yourself to death?”
The two of them had long worked together closely, so Chen Haohui wasn’t really afraid of him. Hearing this, he just laughed and joked, “My lord, I’m just happy! Think about it—someone like me, who could never step foot in the Xie household before, now not only doesn’t have to address that fool respectfully as ‘Young Master Xie’ but can even beat him up.”
Who would have thought the tides would turn like this? How satisfying.
Zou Xiaopeng gave a low laugh, “Disgusting! Let me remind you—sending you on this task wasn’t so you could throw your weight around. You need to know what’s important. Xie Yuan doesn’t matter. Xie Ying is the key.”
Thinking of the promise from Qi Wang, he could already picture his own brilliant future.
Zou Xiaopeng’s tone softened, “You should understand, as long as we solidify the charges against Xie Ying and Xie Changqing, I, your lord, will soar to success!”
He looked at Chen Haohui meaningfully, “When I rise, naturally you’ll rise too. So you understand what’s more important, right?”
Of course.
Chen Haohui was an expert at riding the coattails of power—he always backed the winning side.
This time was no exception.
He laughed loudly, “My lord, don’t worry! I will properly ‘entertain’ that Xie scholar!”
Zou Xiaopeng trusted him in this.
Chen Haohui came from the streets, a top thug, and the only reason he made it into the government office was because he was the best among the ruffians.
Sending him to handle Xie Ying, a weak scholar—what was there to worry about?
So Zou Xiaopeng nodded. “I trust you. Just handle it however you see fit. But one thing—be fast. It must be fast.”
Fast. Chen Haohui fully understood.
Zou Xiaopeng felt completely at ease.
Perfect. As long as this was done, he’d never have to worry about lacking powerful backers or the Ministry of Personnel evaluations again.
After briefing Chen Haohui, Zou Xiaopeng personally visited Qi Wang.
Qi Wang sipped his tea and, upon hearing that the entire Xie family had been captured, even the women, he raised an eyebrow indifferently, “You’ve counted carefully, haven’t you? You’re sure no one slipped through?”
Before Qi Wang, Zou Xiaopeng was completely submissive. He quickly poured tea for the prince and respectfully replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness. If even one slipped away, I’d bring you my own head! I’ve even sent that Xie family fool to the charity house. There’s no one left of the Xie family now.”
Though he didn’t understand why Qi Wang hated the Xie family so much, it didn’t matter—it wouldn’t stop Zou Xiaopeng from doing his job.
Qi Wang glanced at the ever-ambitious man before him and sneered, “Very good, very good. Lord Zou, with all your talents, it’s truly a waste for you to still be a mere county magistrate. I really appreciate you.”
Zou Xiaopeng let out a long breath, bowing repeatedly, “Your Highness flatters me! I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful!”
“No need to be so nervous.” Qi Wang’s voice was calm, but his next words were razor sharp. “But Lord Zou, think carefully. You just said no one from the Xie family escaped, correct? Then what about your wife?”
The smile froze on Zou Xiaopeng’s face.
Even in his blind ambition, he wasn’t entirely heartless.
His wife was a daughter of the Xie family. She had given everything for him, bore his children, raised their family…
He hesitated, “Your Highness, my wife is just an ordinary woman, not involved in outside affairs, rarely even visiting her parents. She…”
He could be ruthless toward the rest of the Xie family, but he really couldn’t bring himself to do this to his wife.
Qi Wang’s smile vanished instantly, “Lord Zou, I didn’t quite hear what you just said. Perhaps you should repeat it?”
…
How could Zou Xiaopeng dare to repeat it?
Qi Wang’s meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
He wanted the entire Xie family destroyed.
Even though his wife was married out and, according to the law, should not be implicated, none of that mattered to Qi Wang.
Only his personal satisfaction mattered.
Zou Xiaopeng thought of his young children, thought of his wife’s gentleness, and his heart twisted painfully.
But that hesitation lasted only a moment.
Children could be born again.
A virtuous wife could be found again.
What man would lack a wife?
He closed his eyes and knelt to kowtow, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I understand what must be done.”
Qi Wang raised an eyebrow with a half-smile, “Don’t disappoint me, Lord Zou. I’m not known for having a good temper.”
His gaze dropped.
Qi Wang exhaled deeply.
He wasn’t afraid of causing a scandal—he was only afraid it wouldn’t be scandalous enough.
The bigger the chaos, the faster Qi Yuan would get the news.
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