The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

Hearing Principal Clerk Zhou speak, the two bailiffs shot back with sarcasm, "Ha, Principal Clerk Zhou, whether or not we are bold, the entire Mianyang knows just how audacious you are."

"Nonsense! Release me at once, or wait and see how I deal with you once I get out," Principal Clerk Zhou, now somewhat frightened, kept threatening and scolding in an attempt to mask his inner turmoil.

"Tsk," one of the bailiffs retorted with scorn, "Thinking of dealing with us? See first if you can even get out of the county jail."

Ye Yi, watching the exchange between Principal Clerk Zhou and the two bailiffs, said impatiently, "Why waste words on him? Just throw him some clothes to wear and take him away, so the public’s eyes aren’t sullied by the sight."

"Yes," agreed one of the bailiffs, throwing some clothes at Principal Clerk Zhou. He was supposed to put them on, but instead, Principal Clerk Zhou seized them and dashed outward, only to be met by two more bailiffs after running just a few steps.

"Catch him, he’s actually trying to escape. Report it to the County Magistrate, another crime added to his list," Ye Yi ordered the two incoming bailiffs upon seeing the escape attempt.

The two bailiffs, heeding the order, quickly moved to capture Principal Clerk Zhou.

Two against one, it was an easily accomplished task.

"The two of you, seize these two women."

"No, please don’t! My lord, don’t arrest us, Brother Ye Yi, release me, I’m the young master’s cousin, you can’t arrest me," Cao Lingling cried out, having been dazed initially and slow to realize that the Zhou Family was in trouble. She began crying and shouting and, not only that, she dragged Ye Zi’an into it too.

Little did she know that the last thing the people of the Ye Residence wanted to hear was her constantly claiming to be a cousin of the Ye family.

"Gag her, and if she speaks another word, be ready to face punishment," Ye Zi’an commanded coldly.

The bailiff, upon hearing the order, hurriedly found something to stuff into Cao Lingling’s mouth, who immediately sensed a foul smell.

When Ye Yi and his group took the Zhou Family out of the Zhou Residence, Principal Clerk Zhou saw Ye Zi’an standing outside.

He immediately bellowed, "Ye Zi’an, by what right are you arresting me?"

"Show him by what right," Ye Zi’an ordered Ye Er, in a tone of indifference.

Principal Clerk Zhou then saw an arrest order stamped with the red seal of the Lord Prefect.

"Now, do you see the authority I hold?" Ye Zi’an sneered, "You have been corrupting Mianyang for ten years, embezzling tens of thousands of taels in taxes, harming countless common folk, and you still ask why! Take him away! The Zhou Family’s property is to be confiscated and turned over to the state."

"Yes," following Ye Yi as he escorted Principal Clerk Zhou’s family to the county office, Ye Er began to seize the Principal Clerk’s assets.

Meanwhile, Ye San and Ye Si, along with a few others, set out to arrest Madam Zhou’s elder brother from her family side. They had the audacity to collude and deceive an entire village with just a few businesses among them, and that wasn’t all—they had even driven a girl to her death. Such people did not deserve to live.

As Principal Clerk Zhou was escorted to the county office, many townspeople were already awake, and upon seeing the Zhou family being arrested, they immediately started clapping and cheering.

"Finally, the corrupt official is apprehended. This is wonderful."

"Indeed, flaunting his power every day, he has wronged so many people."

"The land of my second uncle’s neighbor’s third cousin was taken by him. Such a person deserves to die."

"..."

Whispers spread among the crowd, all agreeing that arresting Principal Clerk Zhou was a good thing.

Yet, amidst the chatter, a few dissenting voices reached the ears of Ye Zi’an.