"Where did this livestock come from? So annoying!"

Outside Chenghuang Temple, a young girl dressed in exceptionally bright clothing pointed angrily at the street thug pressed to the ground.

These young heiresses always cared about their reputations. Now, were they being bullied by a street thug?

Isn’t this embarrassing?

How could she marry into a good family in the future?

She kept putting herself in the limelight among the elites of Jiangzhou City just to catch the eye of wealthy heirs, hoping to marry into a prestigious family.

But to marry into such a family, one had to be chaste, right? If tainted by a street thug, would she still be valuable?

The young girl was truly furious, wishing she could skin the thug and strip his tendons!

"Miss Gao, I love you, I love you! I truly love you. Can I be with you?"

The man, pinned to the ground, struggled while shouting loudly, causing everyone around to turn their heads and stare.

Initially wanting to kill the man to end the trouble quietly, the situation now had escalated. If he were killed with such loud cries, wouldn’t it show that they felt guilty as thieves?

It’s really maddening!

"Shut his mouth!"

When everyone else was uncertain about what to do, the young girl, who previously gave a bracelet to another girl, stepped forward and coldly said.

Her voice was crisp, carrying a special allure that made others want to follow her command upon hearing it.

Immediately, two young servants stepped forward, using a piece of rag to gag the man’s mouth.

"Where did this thug come from, causing trouble here? Go, take him to the government and let them interrogate him well!"

The young girl said coldly, ordering the servants to quickly send the thug away.

"Mmm mmm, mmm mmm mmm..."

The thug shook his head desperately, struggling hard. He didn’t want to go to the government office, where he’d face various punishments and torture. How could life go on after that?

Panicked, he waved his hands frantically and shouted, "Mmm mmm, mmm mmm mmm, mmm mmm mmm mmm..."

He struggled increasingly, almost breaking free from those holding him down.

"Quick, call for help to send him away together!"

The young girl said in a cold voice, her little head slightly lifted, commanding those around her to cooperate promptly.

"Mmm mmm..."

As someone approached to grab him, the man yelled desperately. Suddenly, the rag fell out of his mouth, and he shouted, "Don’t grab me, don’t grab me, I’m being instructed by someone else!"

His words immediately drew the anger and questioning of several girls: "Speak, who instructed you?"

Several young girls asked while looking around, appearing very cautious.

"Someone paid me to embrace several heiresses and ruin your reputations. Driven by greed, I erred! But please, ladies, spare me!"

The man pleaded, kneeling and kowtowing desperately.

"Have mercy, have mercy! I don’t want to go to the government office; it’s deadly there!"

"Oh, you don’t want to go to the government office? Then tell us who instructed you, perhaps we can spare you!"

The young girl continued.

The surrounding girls quickly echoed, "Yes, that’s right! Quickly tell us who made you do this. If we’re satisfied, we will spare you; otherwise, you face death at the government office!"

"The Xie Family has connections within the government office. If you dare play games, we’ll show you what Purgatory is like later!"

These people began threatening the man one by one.

The man looked dejected and miserable, saying painfully, "I truly don’t know who it is. The person was a masked old woman, explaining what to do and leaving after giving a silver ingot, promising another after success."

A silver ingot equals ten taels. For such a small task, simply embracing a few heiresses, one was rewarded richly; why not?

These street thugs usually live off indulgence and sloth, avoiding earning money, pursuing some shady deals. Never expecting that constant proximity to the river leads to wet feet; now they fell into the pit.

The thug felt being caught here is better than sent to the government office, thus repeatedly claiming innocence, pointing to the mysterious instigator.

Find the instigator, and his crime would lessen, possibly just facing a beating.

The girls heard this and looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Continue interrogating or release him?

But releasing him, what of their reputation? Wouldn’t that be ruined?

This couldn’t be done!

"If we can’t find the instigator, we’ll have to make an example of you unless you disclose who it is!"

The young girl frowned and said.

"Miss, have mercy! Truly, I don’t know; the person was masked, yes, they were masked!"

"Was it male or female?"

"It was... female?"

The young girl slightly bent down looking at him, her big eyes so vivid, unforgettable at a glance: "Female?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I’m sure!"

"What age was she? In her twenties, thirties, or over seventy?"

Age can be gauged by voice. The street thug, already scared witless, just said directly, "She sounded like an old matron!"

"Old matron?"

"Yes... correct! Definitely elderly!"

The thug spoke earnestly.

The young girl nodded slightly, understanding.

An old matron, with no doubt from some household. It’s either her own or another family’s trying to tarnish them?

To obstruct their marriages, using such a sinister tactic?

Isn’t she afraid of losing years of her life?

The young girl pursed her lips, lightly chuckling, and patted the man’s head: "Alright, we know now, so you can rest easy in jail."

Upon hearing this, the man utterly collapsed, almost shrieking, "Why? I’ve confessed everything, why still jail? You, you, you... snake-like woman! You deceived me..."

"You use such despicable means to defile us, yet you don’t allow us to trick you? Even if not your intent, you still participated? You sold your conscience for money, and that’s enough!"

The young girl finished, turning away: "Send him to government office forthwith, not a moment’s delay!"

Instantly, several servants stepped forward to escort the loudly protesting man off to jail.

Only then did the young girl stand up, removing the coldness and sternness from her face.

"Miss Third, you were terrific just now!"

A maid stepped forward, praising her.

"Indeed, little sister is truly formidable, getting some information from the man; just not knowing whose doing it is..."

"That doesn’t matter anymore. Fortunately, he merely attempted a casual embrace and was caught. Much worse could have happened."

In these times, reputation is particularly crucial for women, once touched by a man, it’s absolutely unacceptable.

Lucky that it’s winter with lots of layers on, allowing forbearance.

"Miss Third, what should we do next?"

Asked one maid.

"What else? Hurry home! Let’s go!" Miss Third said, turning to leave with a few close friends.

As they left, Qi Jingyu emerged from a nearby alley, gazing at the gradually receding young girl with his eyes brightened.