He Xiang didn't expect Xu Jing to say such blasphemous words, her face slightly changing as she said: "You..."
But Xu Jing nonchalantly interrupted her, "Even if the Holy Emperor himself comes today, he cannot convict an innocent person!"
He Xiang's face turned pale as she looked at her, suddenly giving a cold laugh, "You can keep being stubborn, but with Manager Mu around, you won't escape, absolutely not."
Her lips curled slightly, her sharp eyes flaring with a sinister light as she gazed at Xu Jing, as though she could already see Xu Jing driven to despair, descending into hell.
Xu Jing's eyes flickered slightly, her lips suddenly curving into a slight smile, "Manager Mu is that man from earlier, right? You and your mistress seem to have great faith in him."
With disdain, He Xiang glanced at Xu Jing, "Someone of unclear background like you shouldn't casually speak of Manager Mu. Although he's fallen on hard times, he still holds a noble identity, unlike you.
Ha, you look just like a tempting vixen. Who knows if you crawled out from some filthy place."
Chunyang and Chunxiang could not bear to hear their lady insulted like this, and immediately shouted in anger, "You!"
However, Xu Jing raised her hand to stop them, looking at He Xiang with amusement, she slowly adjusted her sleeve, "I remember in ancient times, those with foul mouths would have their tongues cut out. You should be careful."
He Xiang sneered and was about to retort, only to suddenly notice the woman's eyes before her were cold and deep, like a knife drawn from its sheath, able to pierce straight to one's heart.
Her heart fluttered involuntarily, suddenly feeling her eyes momentarily blinded by some shimmer. Instinctively lowering her gaze, she noticed that the woman's right hand had, at some unknown time, slipped into her left sleeve. There seemed to be something clutched between her forefinger and middle finger, and it was from there the reflecting light had come!
Could it be she had hidden a weapon?
Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall, who knows what this woman might do when pushed!
Now they were sitting in the same carriage, if she went mad, He Xiang would be the first to suffer!
He Xiang immediately paled, quickly turning her gaze away, shrinking back into the corner of the carriage, not daring to speak another word.
In this tense silence, the carriage quietly arrived at the entrance of the county government.
Chunyang and Chunxiang got off first, waiting beside the carriage to assist Xu Jing down.
As Xu Jing bent towards the carriage door, she suddenly seemed to remember something, turning to look at the pale-faced He Xiang, and abruptly pulled a small bronze comb from her left sleeve, tossing it in front of He Xiang as she said loftily, "I noticed you've been eyeing my sleeve the whole trip, likely fond of this comb. I'll gift it to you."
Her tone carried a mocking disdain that even a fool could detect.
So that's what caused the reflection!
She had been on edge the whole journey over such a trivial object!
He Xiang glared, dumbfounded, at the comb by her feet, her heart rapidly filled with anger and humiliation. When she looked up to glare at that woman, she realized she had already alighted from the carriage.
She couldn't help but clench her teeth fiercely.
This damnable woman! Let her be smug for now!
She wouldn't be smug for long anyway!
On the other side, as Xu Jing got off the carriage, she saw the county government's broad doors wide open, with two officials standing on either side. The imposing aura of authority from the government swept over her.
Not far off, Mrs. Cao and several members of the Peng Family cast a glance her way. Mrs. Cao said coldly, "Bring her in!"
The flamboyant woman who had mocked Xu Jing in the courtyard earlier looked at her gloatingly. Xu Jing remembered others calling her Aunt Xue.
Xu Jing smiled faintly, and without waiting for the Peng Family to approach, she lifted her head, stuck out her chest, and gracefully walked into the county government.
In the center of the courtroom sat the County Magistrate, a thin, short man with a goatee, sitting upright and serious. His complexion was dark, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes, exuding a palpable aura of fatigue and impatience, as if forcibly dragged from his sleep.
Upon seeing Xu Jing and the members of the Peng Family enter, he furrowed his brows, suddenly striking the gavel with a sharp voice, "What grievances have you to appeal to the court so early in the morning!"
Mrs. Cao stepped forward swiftly, saluted, and knelt before the court, "Respected County Magistrate Sun, I am the wife of Peng Shi from Hutou Village. This morning, I found my husband missing and immediately sent people to search for him. Who would have thought... that we would find my husband murdered, and the murderer is this woman!"
As she spoke, she abruptly turned, pointing directly at Xu Jing.
The others followed her gesture and looked toward the woman nearby.
There, under a waterfall of inky locks held by a plain copper hairpin hastily arranged by Chunyang in the carriage, was a face of unmatched beauty yet pallid, her ruby lips slightly lifted, showing not a trace of panic or nervousness.
Facing Mrs. Cao's accusation, she merely cast her a faint glance, then calmly advanced forward, saluted County Magistrate Sun, and knelt aloud, "County Magistrate Sun, I am Xu. I came to Hutou Village due to family changes over three months ago. I have always abided by the law and never committed murder. Please investigate thoroughly, County Magistrate Sun!"
Her voice, much like herself, was soft and melodious with a natural hoarseness, pulling at one's heart like a kitten's paw.
Yet the firmness and fearlessness in her voice snapped those confused by her beauty back to reality.
The government officials exchanged looks of disbelief, completely unable to imagine how such a fairy-like woman could be capable of murder!
Mrs. Cao's face instantly turned green, "You still deny it! My husband was found dead in your yard! Not only we, the Peng Family, can testify to this, but also the villagers from Hutou Village who helped us search! We even found a packed bundle in your room containing your clothes and all your Silver Coin!
I know you're proud and unwilling to become my husband's concubine, but you can't just kill him!"
Hearing this, the government officials suddenly looked as if they understood everything.
Anping County isn't large, and the Peng Family, being powerful, dominates not only Hutou Village but is also well-known throughout Anping County. They know all too well about Peng Shi's questionable deeds.
In fact, some citizens had previously complained in court about Peng Shi abducting women, forcing innocent ones to death. Just half a month ago, someone reported such a case.
However, were it not for Peng Shi settling the matter with money or County Magistrate Sun being too lazy to confront Peng Shi over such minor issues, helping to smooth things over, these cases remained unresolved.
After all, Peng Shi always knew how to show respect; he would give a considerable amount of Silver to County Magistrate Sun every year. Who would refuse Silver?
No one expected Peng Shi to finally meet his match and lose his life!
Learning that Peng Shi was killed, County Magistrate Sun seemed quite shocked, his face darkening further.
Unhurriedly, Xu Jing looked at County Magistrate Sun, "Honorable County Magistrate Sun..."
Before her words could land, a government official rushed in from outside, whispered something into County Magistrate Sun's ear.
County Magistrate Sun's expression changed instantly, he abruptly straightened, suddenly striking the gavel, shouting sternly, "Criminal Xu, with both witness and evidence present, how dare you argue? Guards, take Xu to prison, we will decide her punishment later!"
This sudden turn of events made Chunyang and Chunxiang widen their eyes in disbelief, hurriedly kneeling and crawling forward, repeatedly crying, "We didn't kill anyone! Truly, we didn't kill anyone! Please judge fairly, County Magistrate Sun!"
Xu Jing's face also paled slightly, her clear gaze fixed on the man sitting high in the courtroom.
However, County Magistrate Sun seemed to have made up his mind, again striking the gavel, shouting loudly, "Why are you still hesitating? Quickly arrest the criminal!"
In the chaos, Xu Jing keenly noticed a flicker of panic and helplessness on County Magistrate Sun's face.
Immediately, she subtly turned her head, looked at Mrs. Cao and Manager Mu beside her, just in time to meet Manager Mu's gaze.
Manager Mu still maintained his serene and quiet demeanor, his cold gaze pausing only a moment on Xu Jing before moving away.
Xu Jing even suspected that that momentary pause wasn't enough for that man to truly see her.
She couldn't help but let her lips curl into a cold, knowing smile.
Before being escorted out by the officials, Xu Jing saw County Magistrate Sun hurriedly descending, adjusting his attire while briskly moving forward, his expression filled with a nervous anxiety as if eager to greet someone.