Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

After receiving the reward, Ji Nuan gave fifty taels of it to her aunt as promised. Accompanied by the sincere thanks from the housekeeper and her aunt, she boarded the carriage.

The carriage slowly passed through the streets of the county town to the rhythm of the horse's hooves, and continued to move leisurely towards the capital.

Meanwhile, at the magistrate's residence, news of the young master Yan Ke's awakening quickly reached the magistrate and the eldest son. Overjoyed, they immediately dropped their tasks and hurried to the young master's residence.

The magistrate had only two sons, so he cherished each of them. He inquired about the young master's health with concern, then directly asked the question that most puzzled everyone: "Ke'er, stay home and study hard. Who could have broken into this house and stabbed you? Tell me, and I will find the perpetrator and will not let him off lightly."

Everyone held their breath, awaiting Yan Ke's response. Amidst this tense atmosphere, the Third Aunt, standing behind the First Lady, seemed uneasy. Ever since learning of Yan Ke's reawakening, she had been in a trance. Now, when the Master questioned her about this, her eyes flickered, her body trembled slightly, and the handkerchief in her hand had already been twisted and deformed unconsciously.

Yan Ke glanced behind his mother, his expression complex and profound. Recalling how he had first discovered the affair between Third Aunt and Huang, the palace's purchasing manager, he felt a mixture of anger and shock, yet also sympathy for her. She was about his own age, yet her fate had been tragic, forcing her to become his father's concubine. He had intended to conceal the affair and persuade his father to let them be together, but before he could act, Huang, the manager, stabbed him in the chest. He was overcome with mixed emotions, and with his father's reputation at stake, he hesitated, unsure how to speak.

After walking on the road to the underworld, he finally understood that he was his father's son. As long as he discovered the secret, even if he promised not to tell anyone, Manager Huang would still regard him as a hidden danger and would take action against him sooner or later.

"Father," Yan Ke said with a hint of determination, "It was Steward Huang who tried to kill me and silence me."

"What did you say?" County Magistrate Yan was shocked upon hearing this. He recalled that Huang Guanshi had saved his life in the past, and because of this, he trusted him and entrusted him with the important task of purchasing for the government.

In any case, Yan Ke almost lost his life, and he would not treat such a thing as a joke or wrongly accuse someone for no reason.

Magistrate Yan acted decisively and ordered, "Housekeeper, quickly gather your men and tie up Steward Huang and bring him to me!"

The housekeeper took the order and left, and the atmosphere in the room became increasingly tense.

Magistrate Yan thought of his son's mention of "silencing the witness" and became even more suspicious. He quickly asked, "Ke'er, what secret did you discover that made Steward Huang want to kill you?"

Yan Ke signaled County Magistrate Yan to dismiss the servants in the house. When only a few people were left, he slowly spoke, "Third Aunt, since I survived a great disaster, do you think I can still hide this?"

The Third Aunt was feeling guilty, and her voice was a little erratic. "Young Master, what are you talking about? What...what does this have to do with me?"

Madam Yan shouted, "It's okay, why are you so nervous?" She really didn't expect that the Third Aunt, who was usually so obedient in front of her, was actually related to her son's injury.

The Third Aunt forced herself to remain calm and explained, "I'm not nervous. I'm just happy that the young master is alright."

Magistrate Yan saw the evasive look in Third Aunt's eyes and understood what was going on. Seeing that she was stubborn and refused to admit it, he turned to Yan Ke and said, "Ke'er, tell me!"

"No! Young master, please don't tell me!" The third concubine suddenly fell to her knees, tears in her eyes due to panic.

"If I don't tell you, do you have to kill me again?" Yan Ke coughed, angered by her shamelessness, and his wounds ached slightly. But he endured the pain and told the whole story: "The day before yesterday, I borrowed past exam papers from a classmate. I stayed up all night and barely finished a small part. At dawn, I went out to get some fresh air and refresh myself, and I happened to see Third Aunt escorting Steward Huang out in dishevel."

Yan Ke's recollection was tinged with fear. He continued, "I was so frightened that I accidentally made a noise, which resulted in Steward Huang and the Third Aunt discovering me. I saw something I shouldn't have seen, and I didn't know what to do. I was terrified, so I fled in a hurry. But I didn't expect Steward Huang to have been secretly watching me the whole time. He took advantage of the moment when no one was around and stabbed me fiercely."

When County Magistrate Yan heard this, his face turned ashen. He glared at Third Aunt and asked in a trembling voice, "Is what he said true?"

The Third Aunt was completely panicked at this moment. She knelt on the ground, her hands tightly grasping the corners of her clothes, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to deny it, but facing the fierce gaze and stern and firm statement of County Magistrate Yan, she knew she could no longer hide it.

"Master, I...I..." The third concubine choked and could no longer utter a complete sentence.

Upon seeing this, Magistrate Yan was completely certain of what had happened. He angrily slammed the table, flicked the teacup towards Third Auntie, and shouted, "You bitch! How dare you do such a shameful thing! And you colluded with your adulterer to murder my son!"

The teacup arced through the air and slammed hard onto the ground beside Third Aunt, sending shattered fragments flying everywhere. Third Aunt was trembling with fear. Relying on the favor Magistrate Yan had shown her in the past, she mustered up the courage to cry and defend herself, "Master, I didn't do that. Steward Huang and I are from the same hometown. He only asked me to tell him about my family's news. I really didn't betray you, Master!"

As soon as the Third Aunt finished speaking, Madam Yan spoke coldly. She recalled her youngest son's unconscious state and gnashed her teeth in hatred. "Why not deliver the message at any other time? Why choose that time? Do you need to be disheveled to deliver the message?"

The eldest son Yan Ming continued, "Also, if you are truly innocent and have a clear conscience, why did you kill Ke'er?"

The Third Aunt, who had been trying to make a final effort, was suddenly speechless and pale. She knew that any further explanation would be futile. Magistrate Yan and Madam Yan had already determined her guilt. Now she could only hope that Magistrate Yan would still remember the kindness of Steward Huang and let them go.

"Come here, take this bitch away and wait for her punishment!" County Magistrate Yan ordered in a deep voice.

Several maids outside the door quickly came forward and lifted up the Third Aunt. She struggled and cried, but to no avail.

- ??(?????)Thanks to Xuanying Baoer for the gift!