Chapter 371: Extremely Arrogant
Having been together for many years, Ning Yunxi knew his character very well, so he lowered his eyes and sneered, deliberately provoking him.
"Why answer irrelevant questions? Uncle Qiu did something himself, so why don't you dare to admit it?"
Out of a desire to show off, Qiu Shirong responded without hesitation.
"Why wouldn't I dare admit it? I tricked her into signing the slave contract without asking for her consent."
After saying this, he felt a little regretful, his expression changed, and he tested it cautiously.
"My humble confession and Princess Yuancheng's pretense of majesty, can that be used as evidence?"
Ning Yunxi concealed her sharp look and responded with kindness and warmth.
"This is the Qiu family, not the court. Uncle Qiu, you can speak frankly without worry."
She agreed naturally and sounded convinced.
"With your intelligence, you must have heard that Qiu Bi and I only want to seek an explanation and have no intention of tearing each other apart or making things worse."
Being praised by the world-famous strategist, Qiu Shirong became so proud that his mind became completely confused.
"Thank you, Princess, for your generosity."
"It's very simple to ask for an explanation. I can tell you in detail. Mr. Zhuang has helped my wife and I for many years. He is really a great benefactor. Now, he wants to take a concubine. If he needs any service, I and my wife will step forward. This is the great meaning of repaying a favor."
"Everyone in the world knows that Lord Zhuang has done favors for the current emperor, and Lord Zhuang is a big shot around the emperor. Princess, please consider whether Bi'er is marrying up if she lives in the Zhuang Mansion; is the fine clothes and delicious food that Lord Zhuang has given Bi'er enough for her to enjoy endlessly?"
"It seems that my husband and I are deceitful, but we actually have good intentions."
Ning Yunxi pointed out the key points and guided the discussion by means of rebuttal.
"I don't care how deeply the Zhuang family is favored by the emperor. I just want to ask Uncle Qiu, isn't it too much for your lady to be a concubine?"
Qiu Shirong did not understand the intention of guiding and refused to admit defeat. He refuted and argued back, still arguing confidently and thinking he was right.
"Why is the princess so short-sighted? She must first agree to this and live in the manor before she has the chance to become a concubine. With her status as a noble lady, as long as she is well-behaved and obedient, it is not impossible for her to become the principal wife."
"Ambition is not something that can be obtained by just thinking about it. No matter what benefit you get, you have to rely on your own efforts to fight for it. Please forgive me for being old and foolish, and let me give you an unpleasant example. For example, Princess, from Miss Ning San, she became Princess Yuexi. What did she work hard for? Master and servant are united, and I believe that Bi'er will be able to see the moon after the clouds have cleared."
Ning Yunxi was suddenly mocked by him, so she smiled indifferently and asked calmly, borrowing his words.
"Uncle Qiu wants the house, the daughter, and a large thank-you gift from Master Zhuang. What is the purpose of all this effort?"
Qiu Shirong naturally would not admit to reaping the benefits without doing anything else. After a simple thought, he came up with an excuse.
"This is a gift from God. My husband and I are very lucky."
Ning Yunxi seized the opportunity, brought the matter back to the point and continued the confrontation.
"Do you know what crime one should be punished for secretly selling a noble lady?"
The argument gained the upper hand, Qiu Shirong smiled with satisfaction, and blurted out what he had said without noticing it.
"The common people never read the laws, and what they write and decide are all useless and unreasonable."
Ning Yunxi knew that he had read the law as soon as he heard it. She smiled lightly and did not point it out. Instead, she asked.
"Aunt Qiu doesn't know either?"
Qiu Jin thought happily.
Relying on Lord Zhuang, even Princess Yuexi dared not disrespect the couple. The power of the Zhuang family was well-deserved.
Thinking of this, she became even more oblivious and answered casually.
"I don't know. According to the law, no one can have enough to eat."
Listening to their rude words, Ning Yunxi smiled secretly and asked slowly.
"Then let me explain. Would you two like to listen?"
Autumn shows glory and gently strokes her wide sleeves.
"Princess, please speak."
Ning Yunxi chose to narrate and only talked about their situation.
"If a civilian sells a noblewoman but has not yet completed the act, he shall be fined twenty taels of silver, imprisoned in the imperial court for five days, and given a total of one hundred strokes of the cane."
Qiu Shirong sneered and didn't take it seriously.
"Yes, the punishment is not too severe."
Ning Yunxi pretended to be chatting casually.
"So, you want to give it a try?"
Qiu Shirong took a sip of tea and complained.
"Yes. Bi'er signed it herself. Even if she submitted a petition and stated that it was not voluntary, it is just a statement without evidence. Unfortunately, the princess suddenly came to my house and can serve as a witness. Alas, God is not on my side. I will definitely not get this thank-you gift."
Ning Yunxi asked for his opinion and expressed his opposition in a tactful way.
"Aunt Qiu is also thinking this way, and doesn't she feel guilty at all?"
Qiu Jin is stubborn and keeps putting the blame on others.
"My princess, you are wrong. We have made a happy marriage and she has enjoyed a lifetime of honor. Even if she feels guilty, it should be her. If you want to get rid of her by buying a house, isn't that disrespecting our parents?"
Ning Yunxi smiled as he was told, treating it as a joke.
"Aunt Qiu, do you think the punishment is severe?"
Qiu Jin originally did not know what the specific punishment should be according to the law, so he was panicked before, but now after hearing it, all his worries disappeared.
"Reply to the princess, it's not serious."
Ning Yunxi still said politely, but there was a hint of contempt in her tone.
"Then please go to the Tinghetai and have a seat."
With Lord Zhuang as his backer, Qiu Jin has nothing to worry about.
"We are family, Princess, please don't joke around."
Having achieved her goal, Ning Yunxi took off her disguise and showed some contempt.
"Madam Qiu is joking. Who says you are family?"
Seeing that the situation was not good, Qiu Shirong straightened his posture and attacked proudly.
"The princess forced innocent people to go to Tinghetai, which seems to be oppressing the people. Since they are not our family, I should report them to Yin Sitai!"
Ning Yunxi's eyes were cold.
"What is innocent?"
Qiu Shirong showed that he was familiar with laws and regulations and was good at speaking and arguing.
"My princess, do you think that catching someone red-handed is enough to punish him? The contract has not been signed, and you have no evidence to prove that we are plotting against Qiu Bi. How can you instruct Ting Hetai to go there? My princess knowingly committed a crime and obstructed public affairs. Her crime is not small!"
Seeing that there was no movement outside the door, Ning Yunxi called out loudly to remind them.
"Please come in, my Lords."
Qin Hongzhong, accompanied by two of his ministers and several guards, walked into the front hall of Wutong Pavilion.
Qiu Shirong and his wife were so frightened that they turned pale.
Qiu Jin stood up and walked over, nervously holding her husband's hands and asking in a low voice.
"What should I do?"
Qiu Shirong then stood up, protected his wife, and comforted her in a low voice.
"Don't worry, madam. The princess is telling the truth. We didn't succeed, so the punishment is very light. They are just bluffing, so don't be scared by the scene."
Ning Yunxi stood up and spoke out of politeness.
"In the confrontation just now, the three of you, the three adults, must have known clearly what crime the Qiu couple committed."
Qin Hongzhong responded solemnly.
"Well, thank you, Princess, for collecting the evidence for me."
Ning Yunxi smiled slightly.
"Master Qin is too polite."
After saying this, she turned to the Qiu couple and gave them one last chance for Qiu Bi's sake.
"If you can admit your mistakes and correct them, Qiu Bi may be willing to forgive you, and the three adults will also consider the situation and give you a lighter sentence."
Qiu Shirong laughed wildly as if he heard something funny.
"Hahaha, how can parents admit their mistakes to their daughter?"
He was somewhat arrogant and rude, and extremely proud.
"As a princess, you are trying to deceive the people with evil intentions. I'd better tell you the truth. I can see clearly what you are trying to deceive us with. We are hoping for a lucky break. What can you do? It's just a small punishment of five days in prison. We can bear it and are not afraid at all!"