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Chapter 80 I Believe
"Since you didn't kill her, why did you stick your knife into her chest?!" Cao Tianbao didn't expect that his nephew was still stubborn even after being beaten like this. He temporarily put down the whip in his hand and questioned loudly.

Cao Chenfeng was lying on the ground in a mess, his whole body was covered with wounds, even his face was hit by the whip, the skin on his cheek was torn, revealing the bright red tender flesh, blood flowed out of the wound and dripped down his chin.

But at this moment he didn't dare to cry out in pain, nor did he dare to wipe it off. He knew very well in his heart that if he continued to hide it at this point, his uncle would probably get angry and no one would be able to stop him. He would be beaten to death.

So he could only throw away all his previous luck and concerns, struggled to stand up, and tremblingly said: "Uncle, my nephew is confused. I was passing by the river on a boat before, and Zhuang Lanlan's handkerchief fell into the water. I picked it up. She turned her eyes and her eyes were full of flowing light, and I couldn't resist her temptation... So... I had a secret affair with Zhuang Lanlan. Because I was greedy for women, I often met with her in private.

I originally thought that after I passed the martial arts exam, I would tell my family that I would marry her. If she could be my equal wife, that would be the best. If not, then by then it would be a done deal. Even if she had to be my concubine, she would still have to obey me..."

Zhuang Zhi had just been watching Cao Tianbao whipping Cao Chenfeng coldly. When he heard Cao Chenfeng talk about this, he seemed to feel extremely ashamed and angry. He let out an angry groan, clenched his fists and turned his face away.

But at this moment, no one cared about his reaction, especially Cao Chenfeng. Whether it would anger Zhuang Zhi was not in his consideration. He just wanted his uncle to believe his explanation: "I originally promised Zhuang Lanlan that I would fight for her to have a co-wife status in the future. I never thought that at this juncture, my mother would tell me that my family has arranged a marriage for me...

The other party has a prominent family background. He was attracted by my good looks, and I was highly regarded and cultivated by my uncle. I was about to take the military examination and become an official, so he was willing to marry his daughter to me.

Mother said that if this marriage were to take place, it would be a step above our station, and the school administrators must prepare carefully for the martial arts exams and absolutely must not allow any mishaps to occur at this critical juncture.

Cao Chenfeng looked up quickly and glanced at Cao Tianbao with a guilty conscience. He knew that what he had just said was embarrassing and would make the entire Cao family more embarrassed. However, compared with the suspicion of murder, he could no longer care about these things.

"I knew then that it was hopeless to have Zhuang Lanlan as my concubine, so I secretly went to look for her at night. I wanted to comfort her and prevent any further trouble from happening. I would then talk to her about taking a concubine later.

I never thought... I had just been being affectionate with her when she suddenly told me... that she was pregnant...

I was panicked and hurried to leave. Zhuang Lanlan cried and begged me to stay, but I was afraid she would cling to me, so I left even faster. My heart was in a mess and I was at a loss. It was not until I got home that I realized that my sword had been left in her embroidery building.

I still don't know how to resolve this matter. I was thinking of finding a chance to discuss with her in a few days how to deal with it. However, I was stuck at home for several days and couldn't get away at all. Before I found a chance to see her... I was brought to see you!

Although I thought that the family I was engaged to would never allow a concubine to be brought in before the wife came into the family, and also gave birth to a bastard child, but...but the child in Zhuang Lanlan's belly is still my Cao family's flesh and blood...

I would never do such a cruel thing to my own flesh and blood. I will always find a way to place her in a safe place. I would never want to kill her!"

Cao Chenfeng had lost all his composure at this moment. He only wanted to explain clearly that he had no intention of killing Zhuang Lanlan. He didn't care about anything else and didn't realize how shameless his confession and explanation sounded to others.

Duke Yan snorted harshly, looking at Cao Chenfeng as if he were looking at a puddle of excrement on the ground, and said coldly: "It is really a waste of General Cao's lifelong wisdom and bravery. He has such a nephew. Not only has he disgraced the Cao family's reputation, but in the future, when people talk about the Cao family, they will only remember his ridiculous deeds outside!
At this point, General Cao should calm down. It's come to this, so let the Jingzhao Prefecture handle the rest impartially and give that village boss justice. General Cao may have many sons and nephews, but they are ultimately the sons of other families, and it's not something you can control. Today is your birthday, and it's unlucky to stay in a place like this. It's better to go back soon."

What he said was quite straightforward, almost telling Cao Tianbao openly that if he was smart, he should have seen that it was not easy to get rid of his nephew. Rather than having his reputation dragged down by such a piece of mud who had ruined the family reputation and was doomed to fail, it would be better to cut ties with him as soon as possible, and let Jingzhao Prefecture handle the rest.

When Cao Chenfeng heard this, it was clear that he wanted him to admit the murder. He rushed to Cao Tianbao with tears in his eyes, "Uncle, I really didn't kill her. I can swear to heaven, if I killed Zhuang Lanlan, I would be struck to death by a thunderbolt right now!

Uncle, I can’t admit to something I didn’t do! Please make the decision for me, don’t ignore me, after all, I am the eldest grandson of our Cao family…”

It would have been fine if he hadn't mentioned this "eldest grandson", but he did, and Cao Tianbao's face became even uglier.

When he thought about the fact that he had no children and that his eldest grandson was such a lustful and irresponsible guy, he felt the blood rushing to his head. He immediately raised the whip in his hand and whipped Cao Chenfeng again.

"You keep saying it wasn't you who did the murder! You were the last person to see the banker's daughter! You left in a hurry that night, and the boatman has confirmed it! Your sword was stuck in that woman's body!"

Every time Cao Tianbao spoke, he would whip Cao Chenfeng hard on the back with a whip. Cao Chenfeng's skin was torn and flesh was exposed, but he still held on to the corner of Cao Tianbao's robe tightly, saying that he did not kill Zhuang Lanlan.

"You said you didn't kill Zhuang Lanlan. Ask if anyone believes you?!" Cao Tianbao kicked Cao Chenfeng away and looked around.

The people around him avoided his gaze and didn't dare to look at him.

Cao Tianbao's expression became even colder because of this.

Duke Yan glanced at Cao Chenfeng with disgust and snorted coldly.

Just as Cao Tianbao was about to raise his whip to hit Cao Chenfeng again, he suddenly heard a voice say, "I believe it."

　Thanks to Liuxing Jiajia for the monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)