Accidentally dressed as an empress

Su Da put down the ointment and stood up. "You'd better tell me everything. Otherwise, if you reveal even a hint of guilt, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Cheng Yu looked up at her, a mocking smile on his lips: "You work so hard, are you trying to take credit in front of your master?"

Su Da's face darkened: "You think you are very smart, right?"

Su Da took out a dagger. Cheng Yu's eyes widened. Su Da pointed the dagger at his shoulder and directly picked out the iron thorn in his flesh.

Su Da took out another disk and sucked out the iron thorn.

Cheng Yu broke out in a sweat again.

Su Dadao: "I am not like you. I will not always assume the worst of others. I follow my master because she is worthy. Is your master, the former governor, worthy?"

After a moment, Cheng Yu slowly raised her head, her eyes becoming more complex. "In my heart, he also has his strengths. While I wouldn't call his achievements remarkable, he certainly made some contributions. However, no one is perfect, and while he may have made mistakes that you find objectionable, I've received his kindness and support, and this debt of gratitude is as heavy as Mount Tai."

Su Dadao shook his head slightly, a hint of sarcasm on his lips. "A benefactor? Don't let this false reputation blind you. He's simply using you to achieve his own selfish desires. Look at the people in this city. How hard their lives were during the latter stages of his rule. Did the benefactor you speak of ever truly care about the people?"

Cheng Yu frowned, wanting to retort, but was momentarily speechless. He knew in his heart that what Su Dadao said was not entirely false, but the loyalty and gratitude he had shown over the years made it difficult for him to easily deny the former governor.

Su Dadao sneered, "What happened next? He became obsessed with power, colluding with various factions, plundering the people's wealth, and turning a blind eye to their suffering. Didn't you notice?"

Cheng Yu bit her lower lip, a look of pain on her face. "I... I know he was indeed lazy and made mistakes in his later years, but I always thought that he might have been temporarily deceived by a treacherous person, or corrupted by the darkness of officialdom, and his true intentions were not like that."

Su Dadao pressed on, "Real intentions? You're still trying to excuse him. His actions have long caused widespread resentment among the people of this city. And you, acting as an accomplice to the evil, even resorting to plague to harm the entire city for his own ends. And you still refuse to repent."

Cheng Yu looked ashamed.

Seeing his expression, Su Dadao continued, "My master cares about the people of the world. Every step she takes is based on the people. From eliminating bandits and providing disaster relief to building waterways, everything is done to ensure a better life for the people. She is the one who is truly worth following."

Cheng Yu's eyes began to waver, and he wondered in his heart, had he really been loyal to someone for so many years? But all the memories of the past kept surfacing in his mind, and he fell into a deep struggle, not knowing where to go.

Cheng Yu's body trembled slightly, and his inner belief gradually began to collapse under the impact of Su Dadao's words. He clenched his hands unconsciously, "Please tell the governor that I am willing to identify him."

Su Dadao was slightly stunned, as if he had not expected Cheng Yu to make a decision so quickly.

She looked at Cheng Yu, trying to find any hesitation or disguise on his face, but she only saw sincerity in Cheng Yu's eyes.

"Okay, I'll convey it truthfully," Su Dadao replied. "However, you should be aware that once you take this step, there's no turning back. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Cheng Yu gave a bitter laugh. "Although I value friendship and loyalty, I'm not blind to right and wrong. You're right. If I continue to be stubborn and naive, I'll be no different from that corrupt official. For the sake of the people of this city, and for my own conscience, I'm willing to make a break."

Su Dadao looked at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he remained calm. He said, "In that case, don't worry. The governor is always very discerning and will deal with you fairly and keep you safe. Once you tell me everything you know, I will forgive you for your past mistakes. Even if you have made a contribution, I will not let your contribution go unnoticed."

Cheng Yu shook his head slightly: "I don't seek fame, wealth or honor, I just hope to make up for my mistakes." After saying that, he slowly loosened his clenched fists and exhaled.

He raised his head again, his eyes showing a bit more determination, as if it were atonement.

Su Da hurriedly walked into the hall where Yunxiu was, bowed respectfully, and then reported the details of his conversation with Cheng Yu to Yunxiu.

After listening to Su Da's words, Yun Xiu nodded slightly and said softly, "In that case, take Cheng Yu to the prison. The people captured in the cave are all imprisoned there. Perhaps Cheng Yu can find something there that will help with the trial."

Su Da obeyed the order, turned around, and walked quickly out of the hall. A moment later, he led the slightly nervous Cheng Yu along the winding corridor towards the cell.

The cell was located in a secluded corner deep inside the mansion. Along the way, the atmosphere was oppressive and silent, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone road.

Su Da took Cheng Yu and slowly walked into the dark and damp cell.

The cell was filled with a stench of decay and despair. Moss covered the surrounding walls. The dim light flickered in the corridor, casting mottled shadows. Cheng Yu's steps were slightly heavy, and each step seemed to be filled with inner struggle and anxiety.

They walked along the narrow corridor, examining each cell one by one. Inside were inmates of all kinds: elderly men with gaunt faces and hollow eyes, young men with stubbled faces and unkempt hair, all suffering in this dark place. Finally, in front of a cell, Su Da stopped, and Cheng Yu's eyes followed suit.

There was a skinny middle-aged man curled up in the cell, his hair was messily scattered on his shoulders, his clothes were full of wrinkles and stains, and his eyes were full of fatigue. He was the former prefect that Cheng Yu had followed in the past.

Cheng Yu stood in front of the cell, her body slightly stiff and her lips tightly pursed.

"He is the former prefect!" Cheng Yu pointed at the middle-aged man. Although his voice was trembling, it echoed clearly and firmly in the cell.

As he finished speaking, the former governor first widened his eyes in astonishment, with overwhelming anger and resentment in his eyes. He stared at Cheng Yu intently, as if he wanted to cut him into pieces.

"You traitor! I trusted you so much in the past!" The former prefect roared angrily, his hands tightly grasping the cell bars, his knuckles turning white.

Cheng Yu didn't dare to look directly into that knife-like gaze. He lowered his head slightly, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he didn't flinch at all. "Sir, you have committed many crimes and endangered the people. You still confessed. I beg the new governor to show mercy and give you a lighter sentence."

Upon hearing this, the former governor burst into laughter. "A lenient sentence? I think you're wishful thinking! Do you think you'll have a good ending just by joining a new master? The waters of this officialdom are much deeper than you imagine."

Cheng Yu's heart tightened, but he still said, "Sir, things have come to this point. Please don't be stubborn. I'm not greedy for anything, I just don't want to see the people continue to suffer because of your mistakes."

The former governor's eyes widened in anger. "Hmph! You sound so righteous, but I'm just a loser in this officialdom game. How many of those so-called crimes were committed by me alone? The forces behind this are so deeply intertwined. Do you think the new governor can eradicate them all?"

Cheng Yu frowned slightly. He knew that what the former governor said might not be entirely false, but he still said firmly, "Sir, no matter what, your actions have violated the code of conduct for an official and harmed innocent people. I only hope that you can repent now and not make such mistakes again."

The former prefect snorted coldly, the sound seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, cold and full of disdain.

He kept his lips tightly closed and said no more words, but his eyes, like a deep pool burning with cold flames, continued to stare at Cheng Yu. The unwillingness and resentment in his eyes seemed to materialize, as if to devour Cheng Yu.

In his eyes, there was resentment for his own loss of power, as well as gnashing hatred for Cheng Yu's betrayal.

Seeing this, Su Da frowned, stepped forward, and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! Take him down and tell the governor."

The jailers acted upon the order and quickly opened the prison door. Several pairs of strong hands grabbed the arms of the former prefect and pulled him out of the cell.

Although the former governor struggled hard, he could only stumble out of the cell under the escort of the jailers. Along the way, his eyes were still staring fiercely at everything around him, as if he wanted to use his eyes to carve all the people and things that opposed him into his heart.

As his figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Cheng Yu looked in the direction he left and breathed a sigh of relief. He felt mixed emotions, as if a huge stone had been lifted from his heart.

Su Da stood quietly by, observing all this, but felt a little pity for Cheng Yu in his heart. Perhaps, he was also forced to do so in order to protect himself.