Ashui had long wanted to act, and with a leap, he landed in front of Shie Hengzhang, subduing him in an instant.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this person only focuses on my betrayal of husband but forgets the nation’s righteousness. You all live in Great Zhou, and Great Zhou’s peace brings your peace. Would you really stand by and watch people around you betray Great Zhou, plunging it into turmoil and making the people suffer?"

To these words, the crowd could only respond, no.

"There is an old saying ’righteousness extinguishes kinship,’ you must understand. Jing Lingyu is a traitor. As citizens of Great Zhou, anyone aware of this should report it to the emperor, not help conceal it. This scholar openly incites people to scorn Great Zhou’s laws, teaching the women of the world not to betray their husbands, even if they are traitors to the nation. If this person is not a spy, one can hardly explain his intentions."

Shie Hengzhang finally snapped out of his stupor, shouting loudly: "No—I am not a spy, you vicious woman, stop sowing discord here."

"What you just said, everyone here can testify."

"Ashui, let’s go, take him to the official."

The crowd gazed at Qiann Yan’s back, feeling drenched with sweat, no longer daring to gossip randomly about her affairs.

Upon reflection, it’s really not something that can be casually spoken about. Jing Lingyu is indeed a spy. If she doesn’t report it to the emperor, will she conceal it? With this thought, the crowd was drenched in cold sweat, realizing that if this matter were seriously pursued, they would all end up in prison.

"I am not a spy!"

Shie Hengzhang shouted on the way, hoping someone would come to rescue him, his face pale as paper, his body beginning to tremble.

He had just passed the scholar exam not long ago, even if proven not to be a spy, this incident could still ruin his future.

Ashui, seeing the crowd’s curious looks, while holding Shie Hengzhang, loudly explained the previous situation to them.

With Ashui’s explanation, the way people looked at Shie Hengzhang changed.

By the time they reached the government office, Shie Hengzhang was entirely spent.

"I’m really not a spy, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have spoken recklessly." Shie Hengzhang was truly frightened, crawling and kneeling before Qiann Yan, continually pleading.

Qiann Yan’s expression was cold: "You’re here now, take a walk inside, anything you need to say, tell the officials inside."

"If you’re not a spy, then you were deliberately causing trouble, attempting to disrupt Great Zhou’s peace."

Shie Hengzhang’s gaze was venomous, and he started cursing Qiann Yan loudly, unleashing all sorts of unpleasant words. He knew that once inside, his future would truly be lost.

This matter was unfortunate for Shie Hengzhang, having been caught by Qiann Yan, making the situation escalate to the government office.

The emperor and ministers were aware of the infiltration of numerous spies into Great Zhou.

Shie Hengzhang was found not to be a spy, yet due to intentionally causing disturbance, as a scholar of Great Zhou lacking a big picture view, making wild guesses and accusations, he was first punished with fifty palm strikes, then stripped of his scholar title, and banned from taking exams for life.

All this because he believed that regardless if a husband is a spy or not, a woman should not betray him, hitting a sensitive spot. This matter was taken as a typical case and spread widely.

Later on, what happened to Shie Hengzhang? Qiann Yan did not know, but the Cheng Family came looking for her.

Apparently worried after not seeing her return for several days.

"County Master, are you really going back?" The Cheng Family hadn’t come looking for her for so long, Ashui didn’t think they cared about her.

Suddenly coming now clearly means something is up.

Qiann Yan replied: "Let’s go and see, there are some things that need to be settled."

The Cheng Family came to find her, probably meaning they’ve already discussed how to handle this matter on their side.