After I died, the scumbag prince cried down the city wall

Chapter 220 It's the same with everyone

In the past, although she often smiled, it was always a bit flattering and a bit deliberately gentle. Compared with this moment, those smiles seemed to be overshadowed. At this moment, she was as bright as the morning sun, making people want to get closer to her involuntarily.

---

The next morning, when the sky was just beginning to turn pale, Lin Han was still immersed in a dream when he was suddenly awakened by a hurried knock on the door.

"My lord! Something happened!"

The master looked anxious and almost rushed into the room.

Lin Han suddenly sat up from the bed, no longer sleepy: "What happened?"

"The big salt merchant who visited us that day was arrested by the government!"

Before the master finished speaking, a look of surprise flashed across Lin Han's face, followed by a subtle change of disbelief: "How could it be..." "It is said that because of suspected collusion with salt and iron smuggling, the capital specially sent an imperial envoy to investigate. The momentum was so great that even the usually calm County Magistrate Zhao was alarmed and went to the scene to supervise the matter in person!"

Lin Han's heart trembled when he heard this, and he jumped off the bed in a hurry. Without even putting on his shoes and socks, he hurriedly said, "Then get rid of all his gifts quickly..."

"That's too late."

The lawyer's voice was filled with helplessness and regret. Before he finished speaking, the door was pushed open with a bang, and Magistrate Zhao, accompanied by several officials, rushed into the room aggressively.

"Master Zhao, this is..."

Lin Han looked nervous. Before he could finish his words, he saw that County Magistrate Zhao's face was as gloomy as water and his eyes were fierce.

"Shiya County intercepted a salt merchant who was trying to escape last night. According to his confession, he had had contact with you before."

County Magistrate Zhao's words were like a cold wind, making people feel a chill involuntarily.

Lin Han shook his head repeatedly, waving his hands rapidly, and said anxiously, "No, that's absolutely not the case. I have never met him and I don't know him at all!"

"However, in his account book, it is clearly recorded that he gave you a large gift, which was intended as a bribe."

Magistrate Zhao's tone left no room for doubt.

When Lin Han heard this, he froze and quickly argued, "Your Excellency has misunderstood! He did visit me, but he only sent me a wedding gift because he heard that I was getting married soon. It was not a bribe!"

"You're still quibbling! The account book clearly records the 20,000 taels of silver. Do you think you can just erase it so easily?"

County Magistrate Zhao's voice was resounding.

Lin Han's face turned pale in an instant: "How is this possible! He only gave me a pair of jade ruyi!"

"Search!"

Magistrate Zhao gave a decisive order and the officers immediately took action, turning the house upside down.

Soon, an exquisite brocade box containing a jade ruyi was found by officials from a hidden place.

Lin Han was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. He hurriedly explained: "Please look, sir, it's just a pair of jade ruyi. I didn't lie! Where is the 20,000 taels of silver? How dare I accept such a huge sum of money? Sir, you must believe me!"

County Magistrate Zhao picked up the brocade box, opened it gently, took out the jade ruyi, and then uncovered the silk cloth covering the bottom layer, revealing a thick stack of silver bills.

He asked coldly: "Is this what you call innocence?"

Lin Han felt like he was struck by lightning. His legs went limp and he fell to his knees on the ground. His whole body was cold and he was filled with despair.

Magistrate Zhao held up the stack of banknotes, his eyes full of sternness: "Lin Han, you are so bold and reckless. You have just arrived here and are not familiar with the local conditions, but you have already learned how to accept bribes and embezzle."

"I, I really didn't... I had no idea about this. How could I know that there was such a huge amount hidden in it? If I had known earlier, I would never have dared to accept it. Sir, please, save me!"

Lin Han was incoherent and almost collapsed.

Magistrate Zhao snorted coldly: "I will investigate this matter in detail. If the truth is like this, and you are indeed guilty of corruption, don't blame me for not being able to keep your official hat."

After saying this, County Magistrate Zhao turned around and tried to leave. Seeing this, Lin Han grabbed his collar in fear and knelt down to beg: "Sir, save me, I am innocent, I really don't know anything."

In a panic, Lin Han fumbled out a small box from the cabinet next to him and handed it to County Magistrate Zhao in despair: "Sir, please help me. I am willing to do anything as long as you can get me out of this!"

When County Magistrate Zhao opened the box, he saw it was full of gold bars and his brows raised.

"Sir, please! Give me a way out. I have studied hard for twenty years to get to where I am today. My mother has devoted her entire life to my studies. I cannot let my life be ruined in this moment. Please have mercy on me!"

Lin Han was crying like a helpless child.

Magistrate Zhao waved his hand slightly, signaling the others to leave for the time being. He waited until the door closed before leisurely sitting back in the armchair. He patted Lin Han on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Lin Han, this matter can be serious or minor. To put it in a minor way, you are an unwitting victim who was framed by someone; to put it in a major way, this is outright corruption and bribery!"

"My lord, this is absolutely not the case!"

Lin Han explained eagerly.

Magistrate Zhao nodded calmly: "I know your situation, and now that you have asked me for help, I will show you a way out."

Lin Han looked at him eagerly with expectation in his eyes: "Please ask for your advice, sir."

Magistrate Zhao gently stroked his mustache and lowered his voice: "I heard that your fiancée is as beautiful as a flower, a rare beauty in the world."

When Lin Han heard this, he stood there in a daze, his face turning paler.

"If you are willing to let her get to know that important figure from the capital and try to please him, maybe you can avoid danger and keep your name clean and your official hat."

There was a barely perceptible hint of indifference in County Magistrate Zhao's words.

"But she is my future wife. How can I sacrifice her happiness for my own personal gain..."

Magistrate Zhao sighed and said earnestly, "You need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Think about the position you have earned after twenty years of hard study. Are you willing to give it up so easily? After all, a wife is someone you marry to live with."

Lin Han's body was stiff, his throat seemed to be choked, and he could hardly utter a word.

"Go back and think about it carefully. That important person will stay in Qingzhou for three days. You must make a decision within three days. If you miss this opportunity, no matter how much you beg for mercy in the future, he may not pay attention to you."

After County Magistrate Zhao finished speaking, he stood up and left the room without hesitation.

Lin Han was still kneeling on the ground, as if frozen in time, with tear marks on his face left unwiped, making him look even more desolate.

---

Cui Rongrong worked until late last night and fell into a deep sleep. She didn't wake up until the sunlight shone through the window and onto the end of the bed. She was startled and asked anxiously, "What time is it now? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

The maid Su Yue walked in lightly with a copper basin in her hand, and said with a smile: "The young master asked you to rest for a while. There is no need to be busy in the store today, so he will take care of it for you. If it is not an emergency, he will not disturb you."

Cui Rong finally felt relieved, stretched herself, and slowly sat up from the edge of the bed.