TNIBFT -Chapter 258 Convincing the Enemy’s Wife

The voice sounded familiar, yet she couldn’t remember who it was.

Feng Jiaojiao opened her eyes. The morning sun was glaring, and Ye Tian stood behind her, backlit by the sunlight. His tall figure cast a massive shadow over her, as if silently protecting her.

Feng Jiaojiao stared blankly.

In the more than ten years she had come to Sifang City, this was the first time someone had truly helped her. Although she couldn’t clearly see Ye Tian’s expression, at this moment, her heart swelled with mixed emotions—shame, grievance, and gratitude.

“You bastard! Mind your own business!”

The big man roared angrily, frowning as he tried to break free from Ye Tian’s grip.

Ye Tian grappled with him.

Zhao Kang, who was following behind to call for help, widened his eyes in shock. Today, he was dressed in a dark red official’s robe, and wherever he went, people instinctively gave way.

Zhao Kang’s expression exaggerated, and he stepped forward to grab the burly man. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Let go!”

“Release me!”

The burly man, still furious, didn’t even glance at Zhao Kang. He glared viciously at Ye Tian. “So, you’re that adulterer?”

“Let’s see how I deal with you today.”

“How dare you!”

Zhao Kang stomped his feet in anger. He was responsible for managing the city’s residents, and for something like this to happen— a bully openly insulting the city lord—he couldn’t avoid responsibility.

Zhao Kang glanced at Ye Tian in fear and shouted to the palace guards behind him, “Seize him!”

“Take him down!”

“This rebellious scum dares to attack the city lord in public—beat him to a pulp!”

City lord?

The burly man froze. He didn’t believe it at first, his eyes suspiciously darting between Ye Tian and Zhao Kang. Finally, his gaze landed on the approaching palace guards. His legs trembled, and he collapsed to the ground, stammering to Ye Tian, “I—I deserve to die!”

“I deserve to die… I really didn’t know you were the city lord! If I had known… even with eight hundred lives’ worth of courage, I wouldn’t have dared to act so boldly…”

Before he could finish, Ye Tian waved his hand. A squad of palace guards surged forward, raining punches and kicks on the burly man, a brutal display of force.

“Ah… boohoo…”

“I was wrong! Spare my dog’s life, City Lord…”

“I won’t dare again!”

The man’s face was bruised and swollen as he begged Ye Tian for mercy. The surrounding citizens watched in fear, holding their breath and instinctively stepping back, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

Ye Tian adjusted his collar with both hands.

Feng Jiaojiao, sitting on the ground, quickly tidied her clothes, lowered her head, and stood. She thanked Ye Tian, “Thank you, City Lord, for saving my life.”

“Counting yesterday as well, you’ve already saved me twice. I can never repay such a great kindness.”

As she spoke, Feng Jiaojiao’s knees went weak, and she was about to kneel to Ye Tian. With quick reflexes, Ye Tian stepped forward to help her up. “Big sister, there’s no need for that. If there are bullies in this city, it’s my responsibility as the city lord.”

“I truly didn’t expect that such things could still happen in the city.”

Seeing Ye Tian blaming himself with a guilty expression, Feng Jiaojiao felt embarrassed and quickly explained, “No, City Lord, you’ve already done very well.”

Ye Tian looked at her in surprise.

Feng Jiaojiao said, “I’ve been in the city for thirteen years. In the old Sifang City, ordinary women didn’t dare go out during the day, let alone at night.”

“In this city, the city lord did nothing, indulged in personal pleasure, secretly allowed all sorts of dirty dealings, and the people suffered terribly. Now, in just half a month, everything has changed dramatically. It’s all thanks to you, City Lord.”

“Truly the city lord?”

“It’s Manager Ye! Lord Ye of the city!”

Before Feng Jiaojiao could finish speaking, some of the townsfolk recognized Ye Tian. Immediately, people prostrated themselves on the ground: “Long live the City Lord!”

“Long live the City Lord!”

More and more people knelt down, shouting in unison.

Ye Tian looked troubled. “Stand up. Everyone, stand up.”

Looking at the faces around him—aged, naive, blind, wary—Ye Tian couldn’t even tell what he was feeling. These people had never been treated as human, never learned to read or write. Beyond basic clothing and cooking, they were no different from uneducated savages. If not for committing unimaginable crimes, no one would have come to a place like Sifang City; there was no refuge for anyone in the world otherwise.

The strong man on the ground was already barely alive from the beating.

Justice had to be spoken clearly. Ye Tian raised his voice: “Who is the one who committed the crime?”

Hearing Ye Tian speak, the man on the ground croaked hoarsely, “Li E.”

Ye Tian nodded, then turned his serious gaze to the onlookers. “Li E assaulted a woman in public, deliberately framed someone, slandered others, and even struck the City Lord. All these are serious crimes. First, detain him to see if there are other offenses, and then we will execute the law impartially.”

“Yes, sir!”

Zhao Kang acknowledged the order.

Li E, like a dead dog, was dragged away by several city guards.

The townsfolk stared wide-eyed at Ye Tian. He then looked at Feng Jiaojiao and continued: “Manager Feng, you have lived a life of integrity and self-reliance, setting an example for women. You are upright in character and noble in conduct. From now on, anyone in this city who dares forcibly occupy a widow will face the death penalty.”

Feng Jiaojiao immediately burst into tears.

Since her husband’s death, she had searched for him alone across thousands of miles. Thirteen years had passed, and no one knew how she had survived half her life.

If Ye Tian had been City Lord from the beginning, her life would never have been like this.

She buried her face in her hands and wept.

Ye Tian turned to the crowd: “Everyone, disperse.”

“Go do what you need to do!”

The crowd scattered. Zhao Kang followed behind Ye Tian, utterly baffled. Why would Ye Tian personally intervene for a widow in her thirties? Could it be that he liked women like this?

No, no, no!

Zhao Kang shook off the thought and secretly glanced at Ye Tian.

At this moment, Ye Tian stood beside Feng Jiaojiao and spoke gently: “Elder Sister, what are your plans from here?”

“I thought I would deliver the clothes and then leave Sifang City,” Feng Jiaojiao said, furrowing her brows, a melancholic expression on her face. She looked into the distance, eyes vacant. “I thought leaving Sifang City would let me escape Li Da. I was wrong. I am a widow, with no ties or burdens. In this chaotic world, I am like drifting weeds… where could I possibly go?”

“Even if one Li Da leaves, there are countless more.”

“Thank you for your help today. I believe that from now on, the women of Sifang City will live much more peacefully,” Feng Jiaojiao said gratefully, looking at Ye Tian.

Leave?

That must not happen!

If Feng Jiaojiao left, how could he leverage her to deal with Lin Xianzhong?

After pondering for a while, Ye Tian sighed deeply, a look of sorrow on his face. “Elder Sister, if you stay in the city, at least I can look after you a little. If you go elsewhere, can you really guarantee a smooth life?”

“Besides, I see that you are well-educated and skilled in embroidery. My daughter would greatly enjoy learning from you.”

At the mention of his daughter, Feng Jiaojiao’s eyes brightened.

Ye Tian continued: “Elder Sister, if you don’t mind, why not come to my home, live and eat with my daughter, teach her embroidery? I will pay you a wage. What do you think?”

Teach the City Lord’s daughter?

Feng Jiaojiao’s eyes widened in shock, overwhelmed by the honor. “N-no, I am just a crude woman. It’s the City Lord who is being kind to me. I cannot bring harm to the young lady.”