CHAPTER 52: 52: A THOUSAND FEET HIGH TREE, LEAVES FALL BACK TO THE ROOT (1)_1

Zhu Xingfang seemed quite brainless on the surface, but she actually had her own little schemes. The main reasons she was compelled to accuse the Department of Surveillance were, firstly, Dong Huiying had assaulted her and caused her several broken ribs, secondly, her failed attempt to prey upon Liang Yixuan, and thirdly, the night Liang Yuening broke into the Zhu family’s home seeking revenge but didn’t succeed.

She knew well that if she accused Dong Huiying, both being women, she wouldn’t be at any advantage, and the Government Office would certainly not be biased in her favor. The matter with Liang Yuening lacked eyewitnesses; she couldn’t produce any evidence. In her anger, she could only vent her frustration on Liang Yixuan.

The marks on Liang Yixuan’s body were the best proof.

She was full of anticipation that the Liang family would surely face disaster and relished the thought of the Liang family’s misery and gloom. Little did she expect that Dong Huiying, with her sharp tongue and wit, would overturn the situation upon facing three rounds of questioning in court.

Zhu Xingfang was furious. She first blamed Liu Xiu, thinking he had taken advantage but hadn’t done his job, which was utterly dishonorable. So, she approached Liu Xiu.

Mr. Liu and Liu Xiu were surnamed Liu—first cousins.

Originally, for Mr. Liu, a male, securing a position at the Department of Surveillance was no easy feat. This position also brought him prestige and envy, greatly enhancing his reputation.

But after that day, the Senior Official at the Department of Surveillance had taken away Mr. Liu’s position, and he was suddenly full of complaints. Consequently, in the following days, Mr. Liu visited Liu Xiu from time to time, trying to get Liu Xiu to help him maneuver a solution. However, Liu Xiu, despite having many henchmen, was just a Government Official after all. No matter how impressive, she could not surpass the Department of Surveillance’s Senior Official. How could she dare to defy an order from The officer, especially at such a time?

Seeing Liu Xiu unwilling to help, Mr. Liu thought that his position was lost because of Liu Xiu. If it had not been for Liu Xiu’s intervention, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a dismal state. Blaming Liu Xiu for it, Liu Xiu, in turn, grew to hate Zhu Xingfang, thinking that all of these troubles were stirred up by her.

Just then, Zhu Xingfang approached Liu Xiu, questioning why she had accepted her favors but not taken care of the matter. Liu Xiu was already annoyed with Zhu Xingfang, and this made her even angrier.

"I lose my cousin’s position because of this, and you dare to confront me? Favors? What favors? Don’t you dare attempt to sully my name with your lies."

When Zhu Xingfang saw Liu Xiu deny everything, her already poor temper flared up immediately, and she got into a fight with Liu Xiu. But her ribs had been recently broken by Dong Huiying and had not yet healed. Liu Xiu, a practitioner, was no match for the shrewish Zhu Xingfang, and so Zhu Xingfang didn’t end up well in this fracas either, but she did make everyone fully aware that Liu Xiu had accepted her favors only to betray her later.

The two were like dogs biting each other, a hair of one’s own pulled out. Meanwhile, in secret, one person was watching the unfolding events, even surreptitiously fanning the flames to intensify the spread of the drama.

This person was Fang Lanshan.

Seeing the timing was about right, Fang Lanshan went to visit the Senior Official of the Department of Surveillance.

"Dear officer, my Department of Surveillance’s reputation for integrity is being questioned in the streets. To my knowledge, there appears to be a rogue among our officials. I hope you will investigate thoroughly."

The officer, upon hearing this, took it very seriously and immediately sent someone to look into it, which led to the discovery of Liu Xiu having taken bribes.

"This is outrageous," the officer exclaimed angrily. "Indeed, a black sheep among us!"

The Department of Surveillance’s credibility within the hearts of the citizens could not be lost because of one individual. Thus, the Senior Official took immediate action against Liu Xiu and her gathered henchmen. They were stripped of their positions and received a severe flogging of fifty lashes.

Now, Liu Xiu, who was once arrogantly flaunting her power, was shocked. She had always held a position over Fang Lanshan, but now, while she had lost her position and reverted to being a commoner, Fang Lanshan, on the other hand, became even more valued by the officer. Liu Xiu’s jealousy turned to rage, and she was even less willing to accept this turn of events...

On the other hand, Zhu Xingfang was already injured, having been beaten by Dong Huiying. After the fight with Liu Xiu, she ended up even more battered and bruised.

She despised both of them, biting her teeth in anger as she mused, "I refuse to believe this."

There are always solutions to be found. Liu Xiu is one thing, but it is Dong Dabao and the Liang family that are the most detestable. She refused to believe that she had no way to deal with them.