Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1468 - 1457: The Lady Who Doesn’t Want to Rise in Status

After realizing that they almost helped the wrongdoers commit a crime, the onlookers first felt deep shame, followed by anger. These traffickers had used them as tools. If Mr. Lv Zhu hadn’t arrived in time, wouldn’t they have broken the law too?

The thought of nearly ending up in jail filled the citizens with a desire to devour the group, and their disdain for Ye Qiu turned into hatred for the woman.

"Dead trafficker, how could you make us help you commit evil deeds?"

"Beat her, and let’s return justice to Mr. Lv Zhu and Mr. Yang Liu."

"How terrifying! We almost believed it. How many innocent women have they kidnapped using such methods?"

The realization that they may have unknowingly aided wrongdoers in the past amplified the people’s shock and anger. They wondered how heartbroken they would be if one day their wives or daughters faced such a fate and no one believed them, watching helplessly as unknown individuals took them away and abused them.

Thus, the crowd hit harder and harder, forcing the woman and those three men to beg for mercy.

"This matter isn’t that simple; it has been so long without a single patrol team appearing," Ye Qiu said with a heavy heart.

Jian Yunchi watched her, feeling increasingly distressed. "Rest assured, I will assign trustworthy people to investigate thoroughly and provide you an explanation."

Ye Qiu earnestly looked at him. "I really thank Mr. Lv Zhu. Were it not for your timely arrival, I wouldn’t know what to do."

"It’s my duty; you needn’t feel too obliged."

By this time, noticing Ye Qiu’s delay, Zhang Yanjing had already sent someone to find her. Discovering what had transpired, she was equally furious, and in her capacity as the Princess Consort, she sternly demanded an explanation from the Capital Governor.

The Capital Governor was now overwhelmed, for the victim was the renowned Mr. Yang Liu, the rescuer Mr. Lv Zhu, and the Third Princess Consort was Yang Liu’s cousin. Coupled with public outrage over the incident occurring under his jurisdiction, failing to investigate promptly could cost him his office.

Even more alarming was why, despite a thousand extra troops being deployed by the patrol team today, the governor had to be summoned by the Third Prince Consort in person before he appeared late. Who could be behind this? What obstacles might he face during the investigation?

People called him an official close to the Emperor, yet little did they know that as the Capital Governor, he operated under constant anxiety, with each step fraught with danger. Today’s incident was unlikely to end well.

Because Ye Qiu had gained considerable recognition among the people over the past two months through "Heroic World" and "Immortal Path," and many civilians were involved in her near abduction incident, the following day, a large crowd gathered before the Capital Governor’s office to protest.

This matter reached the Imperial Censor, who filed a report, thereby alerting the Holy Emperor during the year’s first grand assembly. The Emperor had personally met Ye Qiu and was very appreciative of her talent. Seeing the talent he favored almost suffer such indignity and considering the traffickers used such shocking and sickening methods under the Emperor’s nose, how could the situation not be dire elsewhere?

Thus, the Emperor ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, demanding the identification of the mastermind. The Patrol Team Captain was dismissed for dereliction of duty, and General Duan, his superior, was reprimanded. This General Duan was the brother of Duan Yinyin.

"Did you really do this?" Duan Shijie harshly interrogated his sister.

Duan Yinyin’s eyes flickered, murmuring, "I just wanted to teach that orphan a lesson."

"So you went ahead and instructed my subordinates? Do you have any idea what a mess you’ve caused?" Duan Shijie was furious.

"Brother, haven’t you already handled it? It won’t impact our family."

"What do you know?" Duan Shijie shouted, "Even though I’ve managed it, as long as there’s suspicion, as long as Your Majesty harbors doubts, as Capital City Garrison Commander, I have risked the capital’s safety. His Majesty will never trust me again."

Years of effort ruined by his younger sister’s foolishness, Duan Shijie intensely resented Duan Yinyin. If not for their father defending the border for the Holy Emperor, he would likely punish her severely for these means.

"Brother, I merely wanted to teach Ye Qiu a lesson. How was I to know Mr. Lv Zhu would arrive so timely? It’s her own shamelessness, continually clinging to Cousin," Duan Yinyin replied defiantly, "How did I jeopardize your prospects? Father was once frustrated, but isn’t he now wielding significant power?"

"You..." Duan Shijie felt furious enough over his foolish sister, "Keep on like this, and see if Cousin will marry you after this affair."

"Aunt will ensure Cousin agrees."

"Heh, in the Zhang Family, is Uncle or Aunt in charge?" Duan Shijie sneered and returned to his room to write to his father; remaining in the capital offered him no future. However, this stupid sister failed to consider that the Holy Emperor would not allow both father and son at the border. If he went, the father would likely have to step down.

Everything was progressing well initially, with him establishing a foundation in the capital, father commanding authority at the border, working in tandem. The Duan Family could enjoy continuous favor. But now, knowing he abused his power, would the Emperor not become suspicious? Might he think the Duan Family was becoming presumptuous?

Aunt had married out, which was fine as she was no longer part of the Duan Family. Nevertheless, his sister’s misbehavior required prompt discipline. She could no longer act recklessly. If the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion agreed to the marriage, let her marry into the family early. Otherwise, she should marry someone from outside the capital.

Learning that the patrol team under Duan Shijie was guilty of neglect, the Zhang Family naturally suspected a conspiracy, especially since Second Madam Duan and Lady Duan Yinyin had continually targeted Ye Qiu lately. Last time, there was no evidence in the estate case; now, despite the abduction attempt lacking proof, it doesn’t prevent people from speculating and doubting.

The Old Lady was instantly furious, ignoring Duan’s explanation, and punished her with an order to kneel in the ancestral hall, forbidding anyone to visit without permission.

Second Old Master Zhang Yiyun was also angered. Regardless, Ye Qiu was his niece; how could Duan be so brazen? And as for Duan Yinyin, such a wicked woman would never be allowed into the mansion to endanger the family. Hence, during Duan’s punishment period in the ancestral hall, he hastily arranged engagements for his two sons.

Though not as prestigious as the Duan Family, he was the second son and unable to inherit the Duke title. One son engaged a colleague’s daughter, and though the family background of the other was less notable, he deemed them sensible, with sons as Advanced Scholars and daughters well raised. Plus, since both sons had no objections, the engagements were settled.

When Duan emerged from her punishment, she found out about her husband’s arranged marriages for their sons, families inferior to the Marquis Mansion, and was nearly apoplectic.