Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

```

Thud, thud, thud!

The knocking on the door was urgent, and the sound of rushing hooves came from outside.

The young couple, who were at home sharing their feelings, couldn't help but feel curious—no,

it's more accurate to say that only Yan Yurou felt curious, as she picked up her skirt with a

hint of curiosity and opened the front door. But the familiar face in front of her gave the girl a

start.

"Uncle Sun?"

"Yan niece, so you are here too. Good, there are some matters I wish to inquire about with you."

He smiled amiably.

The smart and clever girl immediately sensed that the atmosphere was off, especially since not

only Uncle Sun was present, but Mr. Xue had a grim expression behind him and kept peeking

inside the house, which was honestly quite unnerving.

Most of the people from the government office had come out, and some were even carrying

official swords, making the carriage driver responsible for escorting Yan Yurou a bit nervous.

He subtly drew closer, fearing an unexpected incident.

After all, it was he who had notified the young mistress last night before reporting to the

authorities.

However, Yan Yurou was obviously not thinking that much and simply nodded obediently and

politely.

"What would Uncle Sun like to ask?"

"Hmm... is your fiancé at home?"

"Jiang Lang is naturally at home."

The moment she nodded, one could clearly see a vicious look flash across the face of Mr. Xue.

Looking a bit scared, she did not possess the mental fortitude of Jiang Feng, especially after

just learning about the gruesome death of Xue Wuwei and his servants, which further

agitated her. However, no one was concerned about her panic, because Yan Yurou often

looked timid like that,

which could easily provoke protective instincts in others.

"That is very good."

Just then, Jiang Feng walked over at an opportune time.

"Yu Rou, who is outside? Tell them to leave; we are closed for the day."

He deliberately called out.

When Xue Ming heard that infuriating voice, his fists clenched almost instantaneously, but Lord

County Magistrate gestured with his hand to calm down.

As the door was fully opened, Jiang Feng pretended to be shocked and said, "Lord County

Magistrate? What brings you here?"

Then he looked at the scowling Xue Ming behind Lord County Magistrate and feigned

surprise, "Mr. Xue is here too?"

Not giving the other party a chance to speak, Mr. Jiang's words made everyone's heart stop for a

second.

"Mr. Xue, when you have time, better keep a close eye on your unlucky son. Stop coveting my

wife, or else you might face divine retribution and end without descendants."

"You mongrel!"

Xue Ming was nearly set off instantly!

Seeing Mr. Xue about to lose it, several government officials quickly stepped forward to hold him

back, while Lord County Magistrate also furrowed his brows, looking displeased.

It wasn't so much Jiang Feng's attitude towards the Xue family that irked him. He knew that

Jiang Feng had narrowly escaped death at their hands, so holding a grudge was natural. If this

young man had shown indifference, that would have truly been odd.

What bothered him was that Jiang Feng had deliberately provoked Xue Ming, who had just lost

his son. Provoking him like this would only result in Xue Ming venting all his grief and rage on

the young man, which truly wasn't very wise.

However, Lord County Magistrate could never have imagined that Jiang Feng was deliberately

provoking Xue Ming to find a sufficiently justifiable reason; they couldn't really go as a certain

courtesan who did not wish to reveal her name had suggested and rob in broad daylight.

For instance... self-defense would be a very good reason.

"Mind your words for good karma. You must be aware of this morning's incident."

He could see at a glance that Jiang Feng knew long before about the dreadful death of Xue

Wuwei. This young man had barely suppressed a smile when he came out just now.

"I have no idea, what happened? Could Lord County Magistrate explain in detail to me? I've

just woken up."

He shook his head, feigning ignorance.

The thing is, when Jiang Feng shook his head, he still had a smile on his face, making

everyone else present feel a little rigid. This young man was not only mouthy but also terrible at

acting.

```

Even the County Magistrate Sun cursed in his heart, "despicable", knowing the brat was clearly putting on an act, wanting to use his mouth to recount the event of that night.

He did not continue to watch the infuriated Xue Ming behind him but spoke calmly: "Last night, someone committed murder, killing Mr. Xue and his coachman, Wang Qi."

"My goodness!"

Overly exaggerated acting.

Yan Yurou, unbeknownst to when, had already turned around, her body even trembling slightly.

Others might think this girl was scared by the spectacle since she hadn't seen such a scene before, but she was actually trying to suppress her laughter; Jiang Feng's acting was so comically bad, it was hard not to chuckle.

But County Magistrate Sun just continued in a composed manner: "The bodies were only discovered this morning. Before his death, Mr. Xue left behind a clue."

"What is it?"

"Your damned mutt's name! Give me back my son's life!"

Finally unable to contain himself, Xue Ming spat out these words through clenched teeth, and this caught Jiang Feng off guard.

"I wasn't thorough enough last night? How did he leave behind a name? With blood? Impossible, with such a heavy downpour, not to mention blood, even paint wouldn't stick to write anything."

His mind was racing; he had even double-checked that morning. He immediately realized they were bluffing.

If there really was my name at the crime scene, with me being such a powerless commoner, would you law-enforcing thugs have come knocking on my door?

I bet I'd already be sitting in the government office drinking tea by now.

He gestured to those behind him to make sure they prevent Xue Ming from charging forward and fixated on the youth's innocent-looking eyes, "He spelled out the word 'Jiang' with his fingers, forcefully."

"There are many Jiang families around here; you can't just pin the blame on me by seeing one character. I'm a law-abiding citizen; I didn't hear any noise last night at home, so I couldn't possibly offer any clues."

He hastened to deny it, but this very statement exposed a flaw.

"You said you didn't hear any noise at home last night?"

"Yeah, with such a storm last night, what noise could I have heard?"

But it was the furiously enraged Xue Ming who, at that moment, let out a chillingly terrifying laugh and said word by word, "Last night, you weren't at home!"

Looking guilt-stricken, a momentary panic flashed across his face as he immediately retorted, "Impossible, I was at home all last night..."

"Ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha! You've seen it, County Magistrate Sun! Why don't you take this beast down now!"

Lord County Magistrate was at a loss for words. The kid was so bright in his studies, with a quick mind; how could he be so foolish with worldly matters?

Exposed by just a few sentences, there wasn't even a way to protect him now.

So, the magistrate had to see the interrogation through to the end.

"Jiang Feng, someone from the Yan Family reported to the authorities last night that you went missing and no one knew where you went."

The statement caused Yan Yurou to turn around with a face full of panic, her about-to-cry expression was truly heart-wrenching, even Jiang Feng put on an incredulous look.

Looking at his fiancée, he stretched out a trembling finger as if he was a husband betrayed by his wife.

"No, it was a mistake last night; Jiang Lang, Jiang Lang was just hiding in the inn, I just couldn't find him..."

"Miss Yan! It's times like these, there's no need to keep protecting this brat!"

Even if County Magistrate Sun wanted to help, he was powerless to do so in front of dozens of government officials, and especially in front of the victim's father; he could only continue sternly, "If you don't offer a reasonable explanation, Jiang Feng, I can only request you follow me to the government office."

He took two steps back.

That look of being scared stiff made Xue Ming relish inside; he was even beginning to fantasize about how to bribe the officials to deliver Jiang Feng into his hands.

He wanted to dismember the young fellow with his own hands.

Head drenched in sweat, lips buzzing, it seemed like he was struggling to find an excuse to defend himself.

Finally, under everyone's gaze, it seemed like the youth resigned himself to fate.

"Last night..."

"I stayed at the brothel all night."