TFWYH – Chapter 305 Taking Off the Official Robes

“…”
Oh? Playing dumb with me, are you?

Yi Zhanhong shot him a sinister glance, then walked straight up to the high seat, sat down in the official chair, and slammed the gavel hard.

“Wei Gao! How dare you abuse your authority for personal gain! Kneel at once!”

With a thud, Wei Gao dropped to his knees in fright, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
“My lord, I am wronged! Since taking office as magistrate of Xiangxi Town, I have worked diligently and conscientiously—how would I dare abuse my authority for personal gain?”

“Whether that’s true or not will be clear once I investigate,” Yi Zhanhong replied coolly, casting him a glance. Then he raised his voice.
“Men! Bring up all the women involved in selling illicit salt, along with the relevant witnesses!”

At these words, Wei Gao’s face turned deathly pale, completely drained of color.

Meanwhile, Wei Ziyan had already woken up and was crying in Madam Wei’s room, complaining about how outrageous Tang Wan had been.

Madam Wei was furious as well.

Tang Wan, relying on the favor she once did her, had repeatedly shown no respect—this was a slap in her face!

Just as Madam Wei was about to erupt, a servant rushed in in panic.
“Madam, something terrible has happened! Prefect Yi is here and says he’s reopening the case of Tang Wan selling illicit salt! My lord has already been cornered by Prefect Yi in the court hall!”

“What?!” Madam Wei jumped to her feet, staring at the servant in disbelief.
“Why would Yi Zhanhong come? Why would he stand up for Tang Wan?”

The servant replied miserably,
“A-according to the jail warden, Tang Wan is the goddaughter of Her Highness Consort Li. It’s probably because Consort Li was enraged that… that Prefect Yi was sent here!”

Madam Wei felt as if her head exploded. Her mind went blank, and she stood there completely stunned.

Wei Ziyan’s face turned just as pale. She swayed unsteadily, nearly fainting again.

How could this be?

Wasn’t she just an ordinary village woman?

How could she know Consort Li from the palace?

And how could she possibly become Consort Li’s goddaughter?

The servant had no time to explain further and said anxiously,
“My lord wanted to release Tang Wan, but she wouldn’t cooperate—she refuses to leave. My lord asked me to pass on a message to you, telling you to hurry to the jail immediately. No matter what, you must calm Tang Wan down and stop her from saying anything reckless!”

“Yes—yes!” Madam Wei staggered toward the door the moment she heard this, nearly tripping as she went out.

Wei Ziyan hurried to support her.
“Mother, watch your step!”

“Get away from me!” Madam Wei slapped Wei Ziyan hard across the face and glared at her viciously.
“You shameless thing—are you satisfied now? Huh?!”

Wei Ziyan covered her face and cried nonstop!

She hadn’t known Tang Wan was Consort Li’s goddaughter either!

Why did that wretch get such good luck? Why?!

“Wei Ziyan, I wish I could strangle you to death!” Madam Wei snapped furiously before turning and storming off.

But before she could even leave her courtyard, another servant rushed over.
“Madam, Tang Wan has already been brought to the court hall!”

Madam Wei was on the verge of tears. She hurried toward the court hall at once.

—

In the court hall, a large crowd of townspeople had gathered once again.

But with Yi Zhanhong present, Wei Gao’s so-called evidence couldn’t stand up at all.

First, Yi Zhanhong ordered the contracts of sale for the two so-called witnesses to be brought out. As Tang Wan had expected, the contracts in her possession were indeed fake.

Next, he summoned Li Wu’s entire family—as well as Yu Ziqing.

All of them could testify to how Tang Wan had built her business from scratch.

Only then did everyone realize that the beef jerky that had recently swept Xiangxi Town actually came from Tang Wan.

Not only that—she even had a partnership with Zuixian Restaurant!

And that chili bean paste whose recipe countless people had tried to obtain—

That, too, was made by her.

Finally, Ling Yue arrived as well and presented her family’s account books.
“My lord, these are our household ledgers. Everything is recorded clearly inside. Please uphold justice for my sister-in-law!”