The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Chapter 1632: Chapter 1632: We Are Officers from the Prefecture

The leading officer wore a blank expression, “We are officers from the government office. Qian Fangli is suspected of inciting others to steal and spreading false rumors, committing the crime of disrespect. We are here under the order of the magistrate to escort you to the government office, please come with us.”

Qian Fangli’s face changed dramatically, “Offi, officers from the government office?”

“Please!”

Qian Fangli appeared somewhat flustered; this situation had exceeded his expectations. He instinctively stepped back two steps, “I don’t understand what you are talking about—inciting others to steal, spreading false rumors, disrespect—this is all utterly unfounded. I, I want to see Lord Peng, I want to see Lord Peng.”

“Lord Peng is also suspected of negligence, and he too must go to the government office to answer.”

Qian Fangli felt a sudden darkness before his eyes. Could it be that Lord Peng was also in trouble?

The two officers did not wait for him to process, they simply stepped forward and grabbed him to leave.

Old Master Qian wanted to resist, but the two officers ruthlessly twisted his arms, “Qian Fangli, I advise you to be honest. Didn’t you say these matters are groundless? Then just go to the government office and explain clearly. As long as you haven’t done it, you will naturally be proven innocent. But if you openly resist arrest now, the charge will be more severe.”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Qian dared not move anymore and could only be dejectedly led out by the two officers.

The butler was anxiously pacing in circles and could only rush to inform the other masters.

Old Master Qian encountered Lord Peng at the city gate in a carriage. The latter wore a solemn expression, understanding that he had been implicated by Old Master Qian and was angry with him, immediately lowering the curtain and sitting back in the carriage.

Old Master Qian noticed a situation; there was another carriage following behind, with seemingly other people inside.

The carriage reached the government office as the various people inside harbored mixed feelings of anxiety.

Lord Fei had already started the court session. As soon as Old Master Qian got off the carriage, he was pushed into the main hall.

There were quite a few people inside the main hall. Apart from Lord Fei who sat at the head, Lord Xie and Shu Yu were also seated below.

This was Shu Yu’s first meeting with Old Master Qian, even though they already had two previous grievances.

She smiled slightly and nodded at Old Master Qian.

The latter shivered suddenly, feeling that her smile sent chills through him.

With a “bang,” the gavel struck, and Old Master Qian knelt down, feeling somewhat apprehensive as he listened to Lord Fei’s questioning above him.

“…Zhang Qing has confessed, you bribed him to steal sunflower seeds from Shangshi Village and then planted them yourself. You then converted the original tea factory into an oil press factory, and early on, you spread the word that you could produce the same sunflower oil as the Imperial Palace. Qian Fangli, you have quite the audacity, who gave you permission to falsely use the Imperial Palace’s name for publicity?”

Qian Fangli was a bit dazed. Yes, he admitted to bribing Zhang Qing and changing the factory,

but what about the rumor about the Imperial Palace sunflower oil? He knew absolutely nothing about it.

Qian Fangli immediately cried out his innocence, firmly denying it.

Lord Fei immediately ordered to bring the witnesses, and before long, Zhang Qing came, along with the Liang couple, the craftsmen who renovated the Qian family factory, and a sparse number of Donggu County residents.

Only then did Qian Fangli realize that the people in the carriage he saw earlier were the county town’s residents.

He listened as these witnesses answered Lord Fei one by one, feeling his mind buzzing.

He lifted his head dazedly, meeting Shu Yu’s still calm and smiling face.