Chapter 1534: Coercion

Looking at the two women, one was young and beautiful, yet subtly exuded the charm of a married woman, while the other was classically elegant and graceful, radiating mature allure with every glance.

These yamen runners and constables, accustomed to the rough ways of the marketplace, couldn't help but whistle flirtatiously at the sight.

The young man leading them wore a brocade robe, but it failed to conceal his shifty, ferret-like demeanor.

He brazenly gazed at both women, smacking his lips and remarking, "Everyone outside says the Sang family brought home a stunningly beautiful daughter-in-law. But if you ask me, Miss Sang isn't bad either."

"Your observation is spot on, young master. These two women truly have their own unique beauty."

"But isn't Miss Sang supposed to be quite slender? Why does she look a bit heavier today?"

"What do you know? This is called plumpness. It feels amazing during 'practical application.' Too thin, and it's just bony and painful."

The surrounding yamen runners flocked around the young master, fawning over him and brazenly commenting on the women.

That day, Zheng Dan and Sang Qian were chatting in the inner chambers, discussing the disappearance of Sang Hong's diplomatic mission. Although both sisters-in-law were intelligent, they had limited information and resources, leaving them helpless in this situation.

"Don't worry," Zheng Dan said, gently holding Sang Qian's hand to comfort her, "with Ah Zu around, Father-in-law will be fine."

"Yes, I hope so," Sang Qian replied, unconsciously caressing her slightly swollen belly. That was the father of her child.

In truth, they barely knew each other; even their intimate moments had been in the dark. Yet, at this moment, she felt a deep attachment to this most familiar stranger.

Just then, they heard a commotion outside, and both women stepped out to investigate.

As Sang Qian was pregnant, Zheng Dan, concerned for her well-being, shielded her sister-in-law behind her.

"Who are you, daring to cause trouble at the Sang residence!" Zheng Dan glared at the leader.

Sang Qian secretly sent a qi-transmission message: "Sister-in-law, this man is Yi Zhibing, the son of Yi Chun, the Metropolitan Prefect. He's notorious for bullying men and women, a well-known scoundrel in our circles."

Zheng Dan, having lived in Bright Moon City for a long time, was not very familiar with the figures in the capital.

Hearing Sang Qian's explanation, Zheng Dan slightly frowned. Although the man was infamous, he couldn't possibly be foolish; otherwise, he wouldn't have enjoyed such a carefree life among the powerful in the capital for so long. The fact that he dared to break in directly now suggested something significant had happened.

"Oh, the Sang family, we're so scared," Yi Zhibing said, patting his chest with an exaggerated, utterly despicable expression. Then, his face turned stern, and he declared, "Sang Hong is suspected of colluding with the demon race and conspiring to kill the diplomatic mission. I am here by order to investigate. Men, search the premises!"

At the same time, his gaze lingered on Zheng Dan. He thought to himself that the rumors about the Sang family's recently married daughter-in-law possessing a classical beauty, like that of a water town, were truly accurate. Today, seeing her, she lived up to her reputation; even when angry, she remained remarkably ladylike, her soft, melodious voice melting one's bones.

"Yes, sir!" The constables and yamen runners swarmed into the courtyard like wolves, visibly rummaging through everything, turning the place into chaos. The Sang family's house guards initially intended to resist, but upon hearing such a grave accusation and realizing that these individuals represented the Metropolitan Prefect and were acting on orders, no one dared to make a move.

Zheng Dan's eyebrows shot up. "Nonsense! My... Father-in-law is utterly loyal to His Majesty. How could he possibly collude with the demon race!"

Back in Bright Moon City, Sang Hong was publicly recognized by everyone as a staunch supporter of the Emperor. How could he possibly do such a thing?

Sang Qian also angrily retorted, "Exactly! By whose orders are you acting? My father is a distinguished Minister of Revenue for the imperial court. How can he be arbitrarily convicted without trial by the Three Judicial Offices?"

"That's precisely why we're here to investigate," Yi Zhibing chuckled, then gave a subordinate a meaningful look. "Search thoroughly. Don't miss a single corner. This kind of evidence is always hidden in the most secret places."

Sang Qian sneered, "Heh, search all you want. Our Sang family has a clear conscience."

At the same time, however, she worried about her father's safety.

Zheng Dan frowned. Although Sang Qian was resourceful, she had only been exposed to the schemes of royalty and nobility since childhood and did not understand how troublesome low-level yamen clerks could be.

By her own background, she wouldn't have known this either, but in Bright Moon City, she was the 'big sister' of the largest local gang. She naturally understood how easy it was for such people to ruin a family and drive them to destitution.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before a yamen runner reported, "Young master, we've found some suspicious items."

"Oh, take me to them quickly!" Yi Zhibing seemed to have anticipated this, and without even waiting for his subordinates to lead the way, he strode quickly in a certain direction.

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan hurriedly followed, and soon the group arrived in Sang Qian's private chambers.

Inside, the group had turned everything upside down, clothes were scattered everywhere, and the bedding on the bed had been tossed aside.

"What are you doing!" Sang Qian's face flushed with anger. Although this world didn't have strict gender segregation, unmarried women rarely allowed men into their inner chambers.

Yet, these people showed no regard, making such a mess.

Zheng Dan gently patted her shoulder, signaling her not to upset her pregnancy, then with a wave of her hand, a surge of inner energy sent the rummaging yamen runners stumbling.

She was already a standout among her peers, and dealing with these ordinary yamen runners was effortless for her.

"Are you trying to rebel!" Yi Zhibing immediately bellowed.

Beside him, a constable captain who had been silent instantly sharpened his gaze, staring intently at Zheng Dan, his hand hovering over his saber hilt.

Zheng Dan's heart jolted. She instantly felt her qi locked onto. The capital truly was different; even a constable captain possessed such cultivation.

On second thought, it made sense. Without some real skill, how could one track down criminals in a place like the capital?

Sang Qian spoke coldly, "Young Master Yi, there's no need to exaggerate. You have neither an imperial decree nor an arrest warrant issued by the Grand Judge. You are treating us like criminals, but you are the ones breaking the rules first. We're not afraid if this goes to the top."

"I've long heard Miss Sang is sharp-tongued, and seeing you today confirms it," Yi Zhibing said, not angered. "However, you will soon regret it."

With a meaningful look, a constable beside him immediately called out, "Young master, we found something here!"

Beneath the bed, a hidden compartment had been opened, revealing several letters inside.

Yi Zhibing snatched them up. "Heh heh, now we have the evidence of Sang Hong's collusion with the demon race. What more do you have to say?"

"This is clearly a frame-up by you!" Sang Qian exclaimed, feeling annoyed. People often said pregnancy made one foolish for three years, and she had indeed forgotten to guard against such a trick. She should have followed them.

However, they were short-staffed and couldn't possibly keep an eye on every part of the courtyard. It was impossible to guard against the other party simply slipping these "pieces of evidence" into a corner.

"Be careful, I might accuse you of defamation," Yi Zhibing chuckled. "These were clearly found in your room, and everyone here can testify to that. How can you blame me?"

"Exactly, exactly, we saw it with our own eyes!" his surrounding yamen runners echoed.

"How do you know these are evidence of collusion with the demon race when you haven't even read the letters?" Zheng Dan said coldly. "Unless you personally fabricated their contents." She had witnessed such tactics, designed to ruin families, many times in local gangs, but she never expected such crude and simple tricks from the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital.

Yi Zhibing's breath hitched, and it took him a while to recover. "Hmph, whether the contents are related to the demon race, you can explain that in prison. Men, take them all away!"

"Yes, sir!" The burly constables surrounded the two women.

Sang Qian's face paled. She was currently concealing her pregnancy with loose clothing, but wouldn't her condition be exposed once she was in prison?

The Sang family's reputation was a minor concern; what worried her most was the possibility of accidentally upsetting her pregnancy and causing harm to the baby.

Zheng Dan evidently also considered this. She immediately stepped in front of Sang Qian, hesitating whether to try and break out with her.

Although the constable captain opposite them was formidable, if she and Sang Qian joined forces, they might have a chance to escape. However, doing so would make them wanted criminals, and with masters abundant in the capital, they would have nowhere to hide.

But surrendering would also be more dangerous, she knew, leaving her in a dilemma.

At this point, Yi Zhibing waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to wait outside the door. "Let me have a few words with these two ladies first."

After the men closed the door, Zheng Dan said coldly, "What do you want to talk about?"

She was considering whether she could use this opportunity to seize him as a hostage.

Yi Zhibing then deliberately appraised her graceful figure, sighing with a tsk. "Such a figure, such a beautiful woman, yet such a bitter fate. Her husband died soon after she married into the family, forcing her to waste her prime years in widowhood."

Hearing his flippant tone, Zheng Dan's expression turned cold. "Silence!"

"I'm saying all this because I want to make a deal with you," Yi Zhibing said, finding the young woman before him delightful even when angry, and feeling an unbearable itch in his heart. He waved the envelopes in his hand. "Madam, you wouldn't want anything to happen to this family, would you?"