Chapter 323 - Fury! Revenge for the Children!

Shen Ninghua looked at the two sleeping children. The anger in her heart was also burning. “Well, since we suspect the Zhou Family, let’s start with them! They were not innocent anyway. Even if we wronged them about the kids, they were not entirely innocent.”

Baili Junyi nodded and went forward to touch the faces of the two children. Then, he got up and walked to the study. “Before we make a move on them, we need to take off their hypocritical disguise first, or the city will be in an uproar even if we get rid of them because they’re still in the sheep’s clothing.”

“You’re right.”

Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi made up their minds. The Zhou Family also realized the crisis.

Zhou Ziqing looked at the aggrieved Zhou Jingshu in front of him, and his expression was difficult to discern. “You said that Princess Yi was called back by the maid because the little Princess and little Bei Zi were not feeling well?”

“Yes. I wanted to remind His Highness, but he didn’t believe me…” Zhou Jingshu pouted sadly. “I wonder if he knows the truth now…”

Zhou Ziqing’s eyelids twitched slightly. “You’ll know when you pay them a visit tomorrow. Alright, it’s getting late. You should go back and rest.”

Zhou Jingshu nodded. Thinking that she could meet Baili Junyi again tomorrow, she went back to her own courtyard full of longing.

Zhou Ziqing gently knocked on the table, and a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.

Zhou Da walked out from behind the screen, and his heart trembled in fright involuntarily when he saw his expression. “Patriarch, what’s wrong?”

“I’m behind the reason why the children got sick. I sent someone to do it, but I didn’t expect it to be exposed so soon. It seems that it won’t end well.”

“We’ll go up against them sooner or later, so it’s within our expectation that things can’t end well. We just have to be more cautious. After all, you have great prestige among the people of Zhou City. I don’t think they will dare to make a move without any evidence.”

Hearing this, Zhou Ziqing relaxed. “You are right. I have worked so hard to manage the Zhou Family for so many years just to have a good reputation among the people. In this way, whoever wants to touch us will fight with the people first. My effort has finally paid off.”

“What if Prefectural Prince Yi and the Princess deal with the Zhou Family by force? After all, we are the citizens, and they are officials. How can we deal with them…”

“Do you think that I can occupy Zhou City for so many years without any support from the powerful officials?”

Zhou Da’s eyes lit up. “Have you thought of a feasible plan?” After Baili Junyi arrived, they had been restrained a lot. After all, there was someone high and mighty above them, and it was not a good feeling.

“We don’t need to think of a plan. We just need to adapt to the situation.” A hint of pride flashed through Zhou Ziqing’s eyes. “This time, we have made our moves on their children, so they won’t let us go easily. I’ve deliberately left clues around, and it’s very easy for them to find out the truth. We just wait.”

Zhou Da was a little nervous. Thinking about what Baili Junyi had done recently, he couldn’t help but be a little worried. “But, don’t you worry at all? After all, they have turned the capital upside down…” Moreover, they managed to stir up the scenes not long after arriving at Zhou City. What if the Zhou Family collapsed this time…

Zhou Ziqing moved his fingers and affirmed in a low voice, “The situation in the capital is complicated. There is no unity in the capital, so he can easily overturn the situation. However, the Zhou Family has been entrenched in Zhou City for so many years, and I have a solid foundation here. I don’t think that Prefectural Prince Yi can do anything at will!”

In the next two days, more and more disaster victims poured into Zhou City. The Zhou Family’s food supply gradually became unable to meet the increasing demand, and the porridge in the porridge sheds became thinner and thinner. A faint panic spread among the disaster victims.

They were afraid of being hungry, and the most worrying thing was that there was no food. The richest city in the vicinity was Zhou City. If Zhou City could not take them in, they would really be homeless.

Shen Ninghua did not go out of the courtyard because she had to look after the children. After two days of resting and treatment, the children had almost recovered. However, after what happened before, they became more and more clingy to Shen Ninghua. Once someone wanted to carry them away, they pouted and cried.

Baili Junyi treasured them like his own eyes, so he couldn’t bear to see them cry. Thus, he asked Shen Ninghua to sort out the prescriptions and the herbs, then he gathered the other doctors to help the disaster victims.

At noon, after Shen Ninghua fed the two children and played with them for a while, she tucked them in for a nap. The two children had just fallen asleep when Hong Ling ran in and reported in panic,

“Miss, His Highness’ men are fighting with the Zhou Family!”

Shen Ninghua suddenly stood up. The book in her hand fell to the ground. “What’s going on? Didn’t he say he was going to wait? Why is he taking action now?”

“Just at noon, hundreds of disaster victims suddenly came from outside the city. Patriarch Zhou told His Highness that there was no food left, then His Highness ordered his men to capture Patriarch Zhou. Somehow, the citizens knew about this, so they gathered at the victims’ campsite indignantly and demanded His Highness to release Patriarch Zhou.”

“Did His Highness come out to explain anything?”

“No, he ordered the guards to guard the camp, and no one is allowed to enter. He is now busy helping the disaster victims.”

“Are there a lot of people who gathered around?”

“Yes. Almost all the people in the city have gone there.”

Shen Ninghua frowned and thought quickly. Suddenly, her eyebrows twitched, and her expression relaxed. “Got it. Don’t worry about this matter for now. Let those people make a scene. The more chaotic, the better.”

Hong Ling was a little dumbfounded. “Miss, almost everyone knows about it now. Some female members of the Zhou Family went to beg the guards, but they were beaten up. The citizens are very worked up now and almost want to break into the camp to rescue Patriarch Zhou.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “Don’t worry. If they want to break in, don’t stop them. I would like to see who is crying in the end!”

Seeing Shen Ninghua’s mysterious smile, Hong Ling was a little confused.

“Alright. Just stop thinking about it if you can’t figure it out. Now, go and watch the movements on His Highness’ side. If there is anything unusual, report to me immediately.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The people surrounded the camp, but they did not dare to do anything drastic. After all, the guards were all armored with spears, and they would die if they were pierced by the spears.

In the camp, Baili Junyi looked at Zhou Ziqing, who was still tied up but had a calm expression. “Patriarch Zhou, I’m sorry for doing this to you.”

Zhou Ziqing smiled gently. “I wonder what I did to make Your Highness treat me like this?”

“Patriarch Zhou, I can understand that you are forgetful because you are so busy. You did not offend me, but Zhou City’s innocent people.”

“You must be mistaken. Everyone in Zhou City is grateful to me and my family. Just ask anyone and you’ll know how much I have contributed to the city. When have I offended the people?”

Baili Junyi sneered, “You sound so justified. Don’t you feel guilty for a second?”

“Why should I? I’ve done all the right things.”

Baili Junyi walked to the table and picked up a stack of letters. “I’m afraid that you still don’t know that when I ordered my men to capture you, I had already sent my men to your residence to confiscate your property.”

Zhou Ziqing suddenly widened his eyes. “What did you say?” He had never thought that Baili Junyi would execute such an abrupt plan. How could he dare to act so casually?

The corners of Baili Junyi’s lips curled up into a smirk. “You must be wondering why I dare to do so. Why don’t I? Zhou Ziqing, you are just an ordinary patriarch of an ordinary family. You don’t have any official positions. I may hesitate to raid the home of a first-rank official, but what do I need to worry about when I raid the home of a commoner?”

“The Zhou Family is a benevolent family in the hearts of Zhou City’s people. How can they allow you to raid my house?” Zhou Ziqing was full of disbelief.

“Well, they won’t allow it if they know, but they are busy with something else, aren’t they?” Baili Junyi picked up the teacup and took a sip, forming a smile on his lips.

Zhou Ziqing was stunned on the spot. In order to prevent Baili Junyi from dealing with the Zhou Family, he had secretly made arrangements so that once Baili Junyi made a move against him, he would wantonly encourage the people to come and help.

Now, all the people had probably come to the disaster camp. Who else would know that the Zhou Family was being raided?

What a good move. He had fallen right into his trap!

“Your Highness, you are really good at scheming.”

“You are better in this, Patriarch Zhou.” Baili Junyi took a deep look at Zhou Ziqing and continued, “You use your own strength to win the hearts of the people in the city. If you were to become an official in the imperial court, you would definitely become one of the important officials in the court.”

Zhou Ziqing smiled carelessly. “My family swore that no one would ever become an official.” So what if his property was confiscated? He had to find out something, right? The Zhou Family was squeaky clean, so even if they turned the place upside down, they wouldn’t find anything. He was just waiting to see how Baili Junyi would end up!

Baili Junyi narrowed his eyes. “That’s a pity.”

In Hundred Flowers Garden, Hong Ling quickly walked into the room. “Miss, the Zhou Family has been raided. Patriarch Zhou’s sister, Zhou Jingshu, is outside, asking for permission to see you.”

Shen Ninghua’s expression was calm without a trace of surprise. “Since she’s here, let her in.”

Zhou Jingshu’s hair was a little messy. Apparently, she had run all the way here. As soon as she entered the door, she demanded loudly.

“Princess, my family has been benevolent for generations. We help and support the citizens in Zhou City, and we have never harmed them in any way. Why do you want to raid my house?”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes and looked at the indignant Zhou Jingshu. “There must be a misunderstanding. All I know is to take care of my children, my husband, and my family. I have no right to raid anyone’s homes.”

Zhou Jingshu looked angry. “Princess, if you have any opinions about me, you can come at me. Don’t attack my family!”

“What opinions do I have about you, Miss Zhou?”

Zhou Jingshu sneered, “Do you dare to say that you have nothing to do with the raid? Princess, I have always admired you and thought that you were different from other women. I didn’t expect that you would use such a despicable method to deal with me!”

Bai Ruo stepped forward and scolded, “How dare you! You didn’t kneel down when you met the Princess and even said such arrogant words. Come, take her down!”

Zhou Jingshu trembled all over and involuntarily took two steps back. She looked at Shen Ninghua warily.

Shen Ninghua raised her hand to stop the guards and laughed. “If I wanted to deal with you, I would have just ordered my guards to beat you up. Why do I have to be so complicated?”