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“So, in your eyes, the clan rules hold more weight than the law?” Zhou Ying pressed.

“I wouldn’t dare suggest that,” the scholar stammered, bowing deeply.

“Enough with the pretense! This is Wang clan territory, and I have the final say,” The clan leader boomed, striding forward.

The scholar’s brow furrowed into a cold sweat. If Zhou Ying meant trouble, they could be accused of rebellion at worst, or disrespect at best.

“You’re not a citizen of Great Ming, are you?” Zhou Ying inquired coolly, waving her hand.

Gu Chengrui, who had been observing the scene, promptly dispatched Lin Yitian and his men.

The clan leader’s face contorted upon seeing the armed men approach. “Who are you? Why interfere?”

“Is saving a life considered meddling?” Zhou Ying countered. “Haven’t you heard of the Retired Emperor’s decree, or the current Emperor’s edict to increase the population at all costs? It’s been in place for years!”

“Hmph!” Zhou Ying scoffed, then produced her jade token. “Perhaps you haven’t heard of me. I am a second-rank imperial envoy. Do you think I have the authority to intervene?”

The scholar stepped forward, stole a glance at the token, and immediately fell to his knees.

The clan leader, upon hearing this, trembled and followed suit. Marquis An Le’s name resonated throughout the land—not just for being the Empress’ cousin and Princess Ping Yang’s son, but for his remarkable accomplishments over the years.

Regret gnawed at the leader; if he’d known their status, he wouldn’t have dared provoke them.

Though most villagers remained confused, witnessing the jade token and the patriarch’s reaction prompted them to kneel as well.

Zhou Ying didn’t allow them to rise immediately. Instead, she instructed someone to fetch the girl from the brink of the pond.

Once brought over, Zhou Ying addressed the girl directly in the local dialect. “Did you truly commit premarital relations?”

Shamefaced, the girl nodded in response.

“Who is the father of the child?”

The girl bit her lip, refusing to answer.

“Foolish child!” Her parents interjected desperately. “Tell her! Tell her so the noblewoman can help us!”

“Yeah, who is that scoundrel?” someone else yelled.

Still, the girl shook her head, remaining silent.

“Is she mute?” Zhou Ying inquired.

“No, no, not at all! My daughter is just a bit shy,” the girl’s mother stammered repeatedly.

“I understand she’s your only daughter,” Zhou Ying said.

“Yes, and I nearly bled to death during childbirth. I couldn’t conceive any more children after that. Please, save our daughter! We have no one else if we lose her.”

“This madam has a kind heart,” an onlooker remarked. “But why didn’t you raise a more obedient daughter? Look at her, protecting her lover at the cost of her own parents’ well-being. If she’s so set on dying with him, why trouble yourselves and ask for help? You might as well follow her!”

“A wasted infatuation, indeed,” Zhou Ying added with a shake of her head. “Perhaps your lover is even celebrating his freedom right now.”

The villagers, though confused by her fluent local language, were surprised by her sudden shift.

Hadn’t she come to save them? Why was she advocating for their demise?

However, a few sharper minds understood—she was trying to provoke the girl into speaking the truth.

“No, no, it’s not like that.” The girl finally opened her mouth to defend this statement.