Surprise! I emptied the emperor's private treasury before exile

"What?" The people halfway up the hill looked confused and stood there in a daze, obviously not realizing the seriousness of the matter.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep confusion and puzzlement, as if they were unable to understand every word Jiang Li said.

Jiang Li snorted coldly, raised his voice and said loudly: "Let you go? But some of you said that the head of the village had killed people. Aren't you afraid that your cruel head of the village will kill you?"

Her eyes were sharp, sweeping across the people kneeling on the ground like a sharp sword, and she continued, "Think carefully, would a ruthless person like him allow those of you who have revealed the truth to leave safely?"

"Only under the protection of the princess can you save your lives and have a chance of survival."

When the man halfway up the hill heard this, his body trembled violently, as if he had been struck by lightning, and the confusion on his face was instantly replaced by extreme fear.

Some people began to sob quietly, while others widened their eyes in fear, their lips trembling as they said, "What should we do? We didn't think that much."

Others kept knocking their heads against the ground, their foreheads bleeding, and begged bitterly, "Princess, please save us, we won't dare to do it again."

Chu Ci looked at their pitiful and helpless appearance. Although he felt sorry for them, his face remained serious. He said in a deep voice: "This princess will weigh the pros and cons. If you truly repent and confess the truth, I will protect you."

Seeing that they were still skeptical, Chu Ci frowned slightly and continued, "Don't worry, there are many well-trained guards guarding here, and the surroundings are also tightly guarded. It is absolutely safe."

"As long as you behave yourself, once the matter is thoroughly investigated, you will be cleared of all charges and given your freedom."

After hearing this, the people in Banshanpo Village exchanged hesitant glances with each other, and no one could make up their mind.

After a long while, Niu Daner gritted his teeth and stood up, saying in a trembling voice: "Since the princess has said so, we believe the princess this time."

Upon seeing this, the others nodded in agreement, but there was still uneasiness in their eyes and their bodies were trembling slightly.

Seeing this, Chu Ci said no more and turned to look at Qiao Chi.

Qiao Chi understood immediately, and asked someone to carry the freshly steamed buns and walked forward and said, "Everyone come in, the dinner is ready, line up and get your meal!"

When the people halfway up the hill saw the steamed buns, their eyes suddenly lit up, and their originally frightened expressions were instantly replaced by extreme desire.

Some even immediately started to wonder: "If we are locked up here forever, will we have white rice and big steamed buns for every meal?"

A few people thought their voices were very low, but there were no ordinary people in Chu Ci's guard team, and everyone had sharp ears and eyes.

Upon hearing this, a guard stepped forward and mercilessly kicked several people. He shouted, "Miss Qiao, these people are not honest. Don't give them any more steamed buns."

Qiao Chi nodded and said seriously, "Pull them aside to prevent them from taking advantage of the situation and disrupting order later."

Killing the chicken to scare the monkey is a simple but extremely effective method.

Those who had originally hoped to take advantage of the situation, looked at the people who were pulled aside, their eyes full of fear and dread, their hearts in their throats, fearing that they would be the next to be punished.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became solemn and quiet. Everyone stood properly, not daring to make any small movements, not even daring to breathe.

After seeing this, Chu Ci left with peace of mind.

In the backyard of the county government office, Fan Jingrui looked at the news brought back by Fan Wu with a serious expression, his brows were furrowed as if in a knot, and the deep wrinkles on his forehead seemed able to pinch a fly to death.

He was full of anxiety and paced back and forth in his study.

At this moment, Chu Ci suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. "Husband, take a look at this?"

As Chu Ci spoke, he handed over the information he had obtained from the interrogation at the sheep oil soap workshop.

Fan Jingrui took the information, but at the moment he had no intention of reading it. Instead, he looked heavy and said slowly, "Madam, the fake Li Qin is still alive."

Chu Ci couldn't help but frown when he heard this, and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "So, he opened the sheep oil soap workshop? So stupid?"

Chu Ci paused, her beautiful eyes wandering, and continued: "Since we know he did it, why don't we just arrest him? What are you so anxious about, my husband?"

Fan Jingrui frowned and expressed his concerns worriedly: "The fake Li Qin seems to have the shadow of a powerful person in the capital. If we act rashly to arrest him, I am afraid that it will cause unpredictable consequences. This is what I am worried about."

Chu Ci didn't care, he crossed his arms and said firmly: "Are the powerful more powerful than the prince and the emperor?"

After hearing what Chu Ci said, Fan Jingrui's eyes lit up, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkness, and he said anxiously: "My wife, let your baby run a trip later!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ci immediately understood Fan Jingrui's plan. She smiled and made an OK gesture.

At the same time, the crown prince and the emperor in the capital city received the letter that Fan Jingrui asked Hai Dongqing to deliver.

"Announce the purple-robed envoy's message." The emperor read the letter hastily with a serious look on his face, and immediately gave instructions to the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch responded respectfully, then turned around and left in a hurry.

The emperor continued, "Let's go to the Prince's Mansion..."

However, before the emperor could finish his words, a young eunuch came running in in a panic, "The prince is outside asking for an audience!"

The emperor's eyes fixed upon hearing this, and he immediately said decisively: "Announce."

Soon, with a voice saying "Announce the Crown Prince into the palace", the Crown Prince walked in with steady steps.

After entering, he went straight to the point and asked anxiously, "Father, has Master Xiao Fan written to you?"

Having said that, he quickly handed over the letter in his hand respectfully.

The emperor took the letter, glanced over it quickly, then raised his head slightly, looked at the prince and said, "I plan to ask Yan Xin to run a trip, what do you think, prince?"

When the prince heard the emperor say this, he realized that Fan Jingrui had also informed his father of the situation, and he immediately bowed and said sincerely, "Father, your majesty is wise."

The prince paused for a moment, then hesitated for a moment and said in a tactful tone, "Father, if this is the case, we may not have enough manpower in the capital."

"Father, I have an idea. I wonder if you can let your fifth brother be responsible for the investigation in the capital?" After saying this, the prince lowered his head slightly, with a hint of caution in his eyes. He secretly glanced at the emperor at the top, observing the emperor's expression.

The emperor looked at the cautious and secretive prince below and immediately lost his temper. His face darkened and he shouted angrily, "Get out!"