Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2341: Chapter 2340: Blood Petition

Not long after, a notice was posted at the entrance of the Medical Alliance stating their support for Tang Feng, declaring that the leader of the Medical Alliance, Bai Ruozhu, was the sworn sister of Tang Feng, and had commanded the alliance to support the champion.

Because the Medical Alliance offers free consultations on the first of every month, the citizens of the Capital City grew accustomed to lining up for consultations, even when they were not sick, just like modern periodic health checks. If one day they weren’t allowed to see a doctor, they’d feel uncertain.

”Did you hear? The Medical Alliance has issued a statement, declaring that the champion and the leader are siblings. If anyone says bad things about Champion Tang, they’ll not be allowed to have free consultations at the Medical Alliance in the future!”

”Not just that, several doctors have posted notices today, saying they will refuse to treat patients who speak ill of Champion Tang. We should be cautious; who doesn’t suffer from minor ailments occasionally? It wouldn’t be wise to offend the doctors.”

”Exactly, poor Champion Tang. These rumors are truly disreputable. What if someone is spreading lies, damaging Tang Feng’s dignity?”

”Exactly, anyway. But Bai, the Chief Doctor, is indeed loyal. I heard that when Champion Tang was captured by Chengshui Country, it was Bai and her husband, along with the second son of the Bai Family, who ventured far to Chengshui Country to rescue him.”

”...”

Indeed, the Medical Alliance still wields considerable influence. Bai Ruozhu’s actions were not against the doctors’ conscience, so many doctors expressed support, and word quickly spread through the Capital City.

At this time, Bai Zepa and the scholars who passed this year’s Imperial Examination also stepped forward to rally literati across the nation, speaking of their camaraderie with Tang Feng.

Over there, Jiang Yichun also led the Golden Guards to express their stance.

For a while, righteous and the positive aura in the Capital City gradually suppressed those rumors.

Just then, news emerged about Ma Feicui’s remarks to Ma Tongfang, insinuating that Bai Ruozhu and Tang Feng had an unclear relationship, and it was all Bai Ruozhu’s attempt to prevent Tang Feng from marrying.

Unfortunately, by this time, the righteous acts of the Medical Alliance had already subdued many people, and merely stirred up the situation in the Capital City, making those rumors seem unconvincing.

”You really guessed it,” Jiang Yichun said with a somber expression. He wasn’t upset with Bai Ruozhu but was increasingly hateful towards the Ma Family.

Bai Ruozhu sneered, ”Thanks to Du Zhongshu for schooling me; Ma Feicui’s tactic is one that Du Zhongshu has exhausted.”

Tang Feng gave Bai Ruozhu a thumbs-up, ”Thankfully, you foresaw this, or there would have been trouble.”

Bai Ruozhu smirked, ”I have more tricks up my sleeve. Ma Feicui looks nowhere close to being a virgin, why should she be allowed to harm you?”

Tang Feng laughed aloud and bowed toward Bai Ruozhu, ”Then thank you, sister, for stepping up bravely.”

Hey, he really called her that—enjoying the fun of being a big brother, is he?

Bai Ruozhu entrusted the subsequent affairs to Fo Lanying and the others, instructing them to spread the activities of Ma Feicui in Xunyang City, and to release information through Ma Family’s servants that she was clearly no virgin, with secret pregnancy, trying to make Champion Tang wear a cuckold’s hat, with no grievances to express.

Ma Feicui also spread the rumor that Champion Tang was impotent, later expressing her deep feelings, implying that even if Champion Tang suffered losses he couldn’t complain, lest people say he was ungrateful for divorcing her.

Fo Lanying and Yuan Licheng were talented in such matters, swiftly handling them properly.

Moreover, in such matters there are no impenetrable walls, and merchants from Xunyang City also came to the Capital for trade. While they dared not speak carelessly in Xunyang City, the rumors had already spread in the Capital, and they feared nothing, thus everything was described graphically.

Additionally, during one morning assembly, a fearless imperial censor stood up, suggesting to impeach Ma Tongrui for allowing his daughter to commit misdeeds and insulting innocent men.

The imperial censor was well-prepared, presenting testimonies endorsed by victims, and statements from numerous witnesses, as well as the Ma Family’s property used for bribery.

”Your Majesty, the witnesses have been waiting in the Capital City for trial, please make decisions for the people of Xunyang City!” The old censor said while suddenly kneeling, banging his head loudly, and when he looked up again, his forehead was bleeding!

At this point, a censor with a bloody plea is extremely serious, and even the Emperor must pay attention.

”Censor Wang, stand up, speak slowly, don’t hurt yourself,” the Emperor said, unwillingly.

However, the old censor refused to rise, remaining kneeling with his back straight.

”If I cannot bring justice to the people of Xunyang City, I have no face to leave the Main Hall alive, might as well die!”

Censors often resort to drastic pleas; if disagreements arise, they might hit their heads against pillars—Tang Feng disdained this before, deeming it foolish, considering if someone dies, everything else is futile.

But at this moment, he truly admired it; this is the integrity of literati.

Ma Tongfang glanced at his cousin, Lao Wenshu, who immediately understood and said, ”Censor Wang, as a censor, staying in the Capital every day, how could you investigate Xunyang City? Could it be someone inciting you to do so?”

”What do you mean? Is it because of the distant Emperor that the people can be wronged with no accountability? Moreover, this is in the North Mountain area, only a few days’ journey from the Capital City,” Wang Censor retorted, glaring.

Tang Feng chuckled from the side; debating against a censor is truly not anyone’s forte.

He didn’t bribe the censor; Bai Ruozhu sent word to Censor Wang, who immediately was excited, patting his chest, stating his intent for drastic pleadings, saying he’d rather die in the Main Hall than allow Ma Tongrui’s daughter to continue harming others.

Seeing Lao Wenshu struggle against Censor Wang, Ma Tongfang was highly frustrated but ultimately, he had to avoid suspicion.

The Emperor cast a glance at him, intentionally showing difficulty, and said, ”The Ma Family is a pillar of our dynasty; the Southern General is someone I trust; how could such matters arise?”

Wang Censor kneed again, banging his head, ”Your Majesty, General Ma is General Ma; he’s either in the Capital reporting or guarding the southern border, how would he know about the North Mountain’s situation?”

The Emperor nodded, ”Indeed, General Ma is General Ma, Ma Tongrui is Ma Tongrui. Since Censor Wang has presented so much evidence, let the Department of Justice conduct a thorough investigation.”

Ma Tongfang couldn’t say much; the Emperor’s attitude was clear—regardless of the result, the blame wouldn’t fall on Ma Tongfang. Opposing further would show ingratitude.

After the assembly, Bai Ruozhu soon received the news, she couldn’t help but sigh, telling Jianqi, ”Quietly deliver some ointment to Censor Wang.”

”Yes.” Jianqi promptly delivered the ointment to Censor Wang’s home but returned with a solemn expression, saying, ”Censor Wang is too stubborn; he said he would accept the ointment but wouldn’t use it. His injury was for the people’s sake, cannot heal too quickly, or how would he impeach Ma Tongrui?”