USWHC -Chapter 405 If You Don’t Seek Death, You Won’t Die (Part 5)

The members of the Ji family trembled as they knelt below, eyes fixed on Magistrate Xu sitting calmly at the head of the hall. Yet Magistrate Xu himself seemed utterly at ease, sipping his tea leisurely. Each time he swallowed, Old Madam Ji’s heart thumped violently—why wasn’t he speaking yet?

Even with the poor-quality tea leaves the Ji household had, Magistrate Xu seemed to drink it without complaint. He idly rubbed the lid of his teacup, his face dark as he looked down at the kneeling family.

“You are Ji Mei?” the magistrate finally spoke.

Ji Mei’s heart froze. She immediately pleaded, “Please spare me, Your Honor! I really am Ji Mei!”

With a sharp slap, Magistrate Xu set his cup down on the table and asked coldly, “Why did you refuse to go to the capital?”

Hearing the icy tone, Ji Mei’s teeth began to chatter. “It’s a misunderstanding! I would have gone to the capital if I could! It was my cousin, Hua Feixue—she drugged me and secretly put on my clothes to ride in the carriage herself!”

“Then why didn’t you speak up once you realized the switch?” Magistrate Xu asked in a grave voice.

Ji Mei broke down, sobbing, “We—we didn’t dare say anything!”

Seeing her timid and fearful demeanor, Magistrate Xu was slightly surprised. Could she really not be a troublemaker? He continued, “If I escort you to the capital myself, will you go?”

Ji Mei immediately stopped crying. She could go to the capital! Excitedly, she looked at Old Madam Ji, only to see her mother equally stunned—so the seemingly fearsome magistrate had actually brought good news!

“Yes, yes! We would be delighted!” Old Madam Ji hurriedly said, as if afraid Magistrate Xu would change his mind.

The magistrate gave a cold laugh. “But if any of you try to play tricks, I will be the first to punish Ji Yi!”

Hey, he has your precious child in his hands! You better behave, or else! Magistrate Xu’s expression was unusually smug.

Old Madam Ji froze. Ji Yi? What did he have to do with her? Let him do whatever he wants!

Still, she wasn’t stupid. She quickly put on a show of pleading, “Your Honor, please spare our second son!”

Huh? She was speaking up for Ji Yi? Not really—she was just pretending to make Magistrate Xu believe he held some treasure in his hands.

Magistrate Xu suddenly smiled. “If you behave well and win the favor of Consort Li, I can immediately restore Ji Yi’s scholar status. I haven’t even submitted the documents to the residence yet!”

So it all depended on their behavior! He had taken Ji Yi to manipulate Ji Mei!

Unfortunately, he clearly misunderstood the family relationships. Ji Mei paused slightly, about to respond, but Old Madam Ji squeezed her arm hard, prompting Ji Mei to hurriedly say, “Yes! We will do our best to win Consort Li’s favor and speak well of Your Honor before her!”

Hearing this, Magistrate Xu nodded in satisfaction. “A good girl indeed!” This was going smoothly—he was pleased.

The happiest, of course, were Old Madam Ji and Ji Mei. Ha! The flying duck had returned!

Magistrate Xu now seemed much friendlier than when he first arrived. Softly, he said, “Tomorrow I will send someone to escort you to the capital.”

Ji Mei’s eyes widened with excitement. Tomorrow she could go to the capital! She exchanged a delighted glance with Old Madam Ji, both of them grinning mischievously like little thieves caught with stolen treats.

Yet Magistrate Xu, seeing her reaction, warned, “Today, stay here with me at the yamen. Don’t cause any more trouble!”

Ji Mei felt nervous. Going alone—what if something happened? She quickly looked to Old Madam Ji for guidance.

Old Madam Ji responded resolutely, “Very well! With Your Honor’s protection, we will feel safer. But, Your Honor, may I come along too? I truly won’t interfere anymore.”

Seeing her show some sense this time, perhaps she really had changed, Magistrate Xu finally agreed, “Alright, then all of you shall go.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Ji and Ji Mei both burst into smiles. Wonderful—they were going to the capital, the land of gold! The Ji family was finally about to rise to greatness!