Chapter 131: The Last Chance

Upon seeing that figure, Xue'er's expression changed several times. She quickly introduced herself to Shi Kun, explaining her situation.

Shi Kun glared furiously at Mei Chaofeng, thinking, "This scoundrel's lust for women has ruined my important plans!"

"Who is on the stand?" Xie Yi asked urgently, noticing the changing expressions of those present.

The woman brought in by the Chu family guards knelt on the ground. "To the City Lord, this commoner is Madam Tan Zhang, the wife of Tan Wei."

"Tan Wei?" Xie Yi naturally knew who Tan Wei was, and his gaze instantly became playful.

Sang Hong frowned slightly, realizing their plan was about to fail again.

"What are you doing here? Go back!" Mei Chaofeng finally reacted, lunging towards the woman.

The woman instinctively recoiled, clearly frightened.

Chu Chuyan stepped between them and said calmly, "Are you trying to intimidate my witness?"

Mei Chaofeng quickly retorted, "What witness? She's just one of my concubines."

"No, I am Tan Wei's wife! You took me by despicable means!" Madam Tan Zhang's eyes were full of hatred.

Mei Chaofeng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The woman before him seemed like a stranger. He recalled how, just recently, she had been utterly submissive and compliant to his every wish, a feeling of conquest that had made him quite smug. He had even boasted about it to Xue'er. But now, it seemed she had been faking it all along?

Xie Yi discreetly glanced at Sang Hong. Seeing no reaction, he made up his mind. "Madam Tan Zhang, please quickly state your grievances. All the officials here can ensure justice for you."

Madam Tan Zhang then recounted her story through tears. It turned out she and Tan Wei were childhood sweethearts, but Tan Wei was too poor. The Zhang family had long disapproved of their marriage. So, Tan Wei joined the Plum Blossom Gang, and through his courage and determination, he gradually made a name for himself over the years, accumulating a small reputation and some wealth.

With her persistence, her parents finally reluctantly agreed to their marriage. After they wed, the couple was deeply in love. Until one day, Mei Chaofeng, the leader of the Plum Blossom Gang, visited their home, saw Madam Zhang's beauty, and was instantly smitten.

He later devised a plan to take Madam Zhang by force. Tan Wei, enraged, drew his sword to seek revenge, but the difference in their cultivation levels was too vast. With Madam Zhang's help, Tan Wei barely managed to escape with his life.

For her husband's safety, Madam Zhang resigned herself to serving the enemy, allowing Mei Chaofeng to do as he pleased. Her only sustaining belief was Mei Chaofeng's promise to spare Tan Wei.

Unfortunately, some time ago, she received news that Tan Wei had been killed by Plum Blossom Twelve. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, she initially wanted to end her life and join her husband, but then felt that doing so would be letting Mei Chaofeng off too lightly.

So, she changed her demeanor, actively seeking to please Mei Chaofeng and gaining his favor more and more. This led Mei Chaofeng to mistakenly believe that his charm had completely conquered this beautiful married woman, and thus his guard against her steadily lowered.

Madam Zhang quietly collected various pieces of evidence of his crimes, just waiting for an opportunity. Today, with the Duke's daughter present, she immediately realized her chance had arrived.

"Nonsense! This slut is a hussy, greedy for my power and strength! She actively seduced me! Tan Wei left on his own out of shame and indignation; I didn't take her by force," Mei Chaofeng quickly asserted.

From the side, Zu An's sarcastic voice chimed in, "Do you think you're me? Women are greedy for your good looks and actively seduce you? Why don't you look in a mirror and see your own face?"

A surge of fury shot through Mei Chaofeng. He truly wished he could rush over and slap Zu An twice, but in court, he knew such an action was impossible.

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng +501!

Chu Chuyan, standing nearby, was speechless. She felt somewhat offended by Zu An's recent words.

At this point, County Lieutenant Pang Chun reminded, "Madam Tan Zhang, what you've just said is irrelevant to this case. We will hear your case separately later."

"Of course it's relevant!" Madam Tan Zhang stated, raising her head. "Yesterday, I personally overheard Mei Chaofeng arranging for his subordinates to give false testimony. Furthermore, Plum Blossom Thirteen was killed by his own hand. In the entire Plum Blossom Gang, he seems to be the only one capable of imitating the academy's sword techniques."

These words caused an uproar. Even Plum Blossom Thirteen's relatives stared at Mei Chaofeng in disbelief.

"Slut, you're spouting nonsense!" Mei Chaofeng was filled with regret. He should have eliminated her once he grew tired of her, thus avoiding this catastrophe. However, he also knew that even if given another chance, he would repeat his mistake, for he simply couldn't get enough of this woman for a while.

Madam Tan Zhang ignored him and continued, "Not only that, I also heard that the matter concerning Vice Minister Yang was connected to him, apparently arranged by some important figure."

Everyone exploded into an uproar. Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Yang's wife frantically lunged at Mei Chaofeng, scratching and clawing, but she was quickly pulled away by the bailiffs.

The onlookers buzzed with discussion. Although there was no concrete evidence yet, most people were already 80% convinced, especially by Mei Chaofeng's actions of killing a husband and seizing his wife, which further fueled public indignation.

"Mei Chaofeng, that good-for-nothing!" Shi Kun was beside himself with rage. He had plotted for so long, watching as Zu An was about to be utterly ruined, only to have it all undone by a woman.

"Young Master, don't worry. You didn't personally appear in this matter, so Madam Tan Zhang doesn't know your identity," Shi Lezhi transmitted privately. "Furthermore, Mei Chaofeng knows what to do. If the situation becomes untenable, he will take all the blame and won't expose you."

"Hmph, I doubt he'd dare!" Shi Kun snorted, but deep down, he wasn't happy at all.

Xie Yi cleared his throat. "Guards, take Mei Chaofeng into custody. Also, the 'witnesses' who just accused Zu An of murder are to be detained separately for questioning. This official will certainly avenge the wrongly deceased and deliver justice to the people."

Mei Chaofeng was a powerful figure who had dominated the underworld for many years and usually paid no mind to these bailiffs. His first instinct was to flee through the door. However, with the Prefect, City Lord, and Duke present, and even County Lieutenant Pang Chun's cultivation not inferior to his own, where could he possibly run? Fleeing would only confirm his guilt.

It was better to stay. Perhaps there was still a sliver of hope. After all, he still had many connections in the city, and behind him, Young Master Shi's influence was even more astonishing. Perhaps he could still escape conviction.

With this thought, he gave up resisting and allowed the bailiffs to shackle him.

As Mei Chaofeng was led away, Zu An approached him with a smile. "Well, well, who would have thought? Just an hour ago, you wanted to put me in chains, but now you're the one who's a prisoner. This world truly is marvelous."

"You dead mongrel, don't get too smug! You were just lucky today. You can't always be so fortunate. If you lose just once, you'll wish you were dead," Mei Chaofeng snarled through clenched teeth.

With Young Master Shi on his side, he could devise all sorts of ways to deal with Zu An. Even if one failed, he would just try another. Zu An could win 99 times, but if he lost just once, he would lose his life.

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng +998!

"It's a pity you probably won't live to see that day," Zu An said with a smile. Assassinating an imperial official, coupled with several other murder cases and all the shady dealings of the Silver Hook Casino over the years, was enough for Mei Chaofeng to die many times over.

"You bastard Zu, even if I die, I'll drag you down with me!" Even as Mei Chaofeng was led away, his roar echoed from a distance.

"He loves to make grand boasts about things he clearly can't do," Zu An said, shaking his head with a look of disdain.

Just as Zu An was about to taunt Shi Kun a few more times to gather some rage points, he realized they had already vanished. Clearly, their plan had failed, and they didn't want to remain there.

Next, Xie Yi arranged for Madam Tan Zhang to be protected by the authorities and then adjourned the court. The crowd gradually dispersed, but judging by their excited discussions, the events that transpired today would undoubtedly spread throughout Brightmoon City within a few days.

As Sang Hong departed, he looked at Chu Zhongtian and said, "Duke Brightmoon, I find myself quite impressed with you."

Chu Zhongtian was taken aback. "Impressed by what?"

Sang Hong glanced at Zu An. "I'm impressed by your discerning eye for talent. Everyone else looked down on him, yet you managed to overcome all opposition and take him as your son-in-law. I truly feel inferior."

Seeing Sang Hong at a loss for words was rare, and Chu Zhongtian felt a surge of satisfaction. "Prefect, you flatter me, hahaha!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two men went their separate ways.

On the way back to the Chu family mansion, Chu Chuyan couldn't help but ask, "How did you know Madam Tan Zhang would help you?"

Zu An smiled slightly. "Actually, when I first left the city, I met Tan Wei. From him, I learned that he had a sum of money hidden in the wall of his old house. I was quite poor back then, and since he was already dead, I quietly went to look for the silver. Who knew I'd happen upon Madam Tan Zhang stealthily visiting the old house to pay respects to her deceased husband?"

"At that moment, I realized the public rumor that Madam Tan Zhang willingly became Mei Chaofeng's mistress might be wrong. A woman still coming to pay respects to her deceased husband clearly indicates deep affection. Combined with her secretive behavior, which I assumed was to avoid the Plum Blossom Gang's surveillance, all these factors led me to roughly deduce her intentions. That's why I asked you to find her earlier."

"And only your extraordinary status as the Duke's daughter could have made her decide to take such a risk."

Chu Chuyan couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "She truly is an extraordinary woman. To avenge her husband, she endured humiliation and lived stealthily, and ultimately, her wish was granted."

"She certainly is an extraordinary woman!" Zu An also felt admiration. "By the way, if something were to happen to me, would you also do everything to avenge me?"

Chu Chuyan rolled her eyes. "Good men die young, while scoundrels live for a thousand years. I don't think you'll get into trouble so easily."

"Haha, I didn't realize you thought I was so formidable," Zu An chuckled.

Chu Chuyan thought, *Is that a compliment?* "By the way, you just mentioned you went to look for Tan Wei's silver. That couple was already pitiful enough; you didn't take that money too, did you?"

"Of course not," Zu An replied. "I gave her that money at the time. Otherwise, how could I have been so certain she'd help this time?"

"At least you're not completely rotten," Chu Chuyan said, a slight smile touching her lips, clearly pleased with his actions.

At this moment, Zu An realized a new problem. If Mei Chaofeng was finished, the Plum Blossom Gang would likely be purged too, right? Would his IOU for 7.5 million silver taels then become worthless?

Fortunately, he had donated it to Brightmoon Academy early on. The rest could be a headache for the beautiful Headmaster.

Late at night, in the county yamen prison, Mei Chaofeng was meditating and cultivating when he suddenly felt a stir and opened his eyes.

There were a few dull thuds, clearly the sounds of patrolling guards being knocked unconscious.

Soon, a figure appeared before his cell, took out the recently confiscated keys, and unlocked the specially designed prison lock.

"Mr. Shi!" Even though the person was masked, Mei Chaofeng still recognized him.

Shi Lezhi said gravely, "The Young Master sent me to get you out."

Mei Chaofeng frowned. "Escaping like this? Wouldn't that confirm my guilt?"

Shi Lezhi snorted. "Do you still have some fantasy that you can clear your name? It's your own fault for not being able to control what's between your legs."

"That slut! I'm going to kill her!" Mei Chaofeng's face instantly twisted into a grimace as he spoke of her.

"Madam Tan Zhang is being protected by the City Lord's manor, so forget about her," Shi Lezhi said calmly. "The Young Master sent me to save you this time to give you one last chance. As long as you can kill Zu An, the Young Master can arrange for you to live freely in another city. Otherwise, hmph, you know what happens to people who lose their value."