The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

Chapter 873 A Family Destroyed by Evil: The Downfall of a Prodigal Son in Jiangzhou (4) Father'

The news that Wang Hu had been arrested and taken to the governor's mansion spread like wildfire, quickly reaching Wang Qian's ears.

Wang Qian, who was handling official business at the yamen, was immediately thrown into a panic upon hearing that his son had been arrested by the newly arrived prefect. Without thinking twice, he put down the files in his hand and rushed to the prefect's residence.

Upon arriving at the governor's mansion, Wang Qian suppressed his anxiety and a barely perceptible hint of anger, presented his visiting card, and requested an audience with Governor Lin.

Lin Ping was reviewing Jiangzhou's household registration files in her study when she heard that Wang Qian was requesting an audience. She put down the file in her hand and said calmly, "Let him in."

Wang Qian entered the study and saw Lin Ping sitting upright. Although young, Lin Ping possessed a calm demeanor and sharp eyes, which even made this seasoned official feel a sense of pressure. He forced himself to remain calm and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant Wang Qian greets Prefect Lin."

"Military Advisor Wang, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat." Lin Ping's tone was flat, without the slightest extra expression.

After Wang Qian sat down, he got straight to the point: "I wonder why my son, Wang Hu, offended the Prefect and was arrested by you? My son is unruly and ignorant. I hope you will take pity on him, considering his young age and that this is his first offense, and show him leniency this time. I will certainly discipline him strictly when I get back!"

Lin Ping picked up her teacup, gently blew away the foam, and slowly said, "Military Advisor Wang is indeed protective of his son. However, your son harassed a respectable woman in broad daylight in front of the Jinxiu Pavilion today. This cannot be simply dismissed as a 'collision.' The impact of this matter is egregious. If he is not severely punished, how can we deter others? How can we appease the people?"

Wang Qian's heart sank, knowing that Lin Ping was determined to make an example of Wang Hu. He rolled his eyes and said with a forced smile, "What you say is true, sir. But my son is young and confused. He usually admires your demeanor the most, and today he may have just wanted to get to know you. His words were inappropriate and his behavior was a bit rash, but he did not mean to be disrespectful. Please see the truth, sir."

He tried to downplay or even romanticize the nature of the matter.

Lin Ping put down her teacup and looked directly at Wang Qian: "Oh? Military Advisor Wang, are you saying that pulling and arguing in the street and using foul language is also considered 'getting acquainted'? This is the first time I've heard of such a unique etiquette for 'getting acquainted' in Jiangzhou."

Wang Qian's smile faltered, and his tone carried a barely perceptible threat: "Lord Lin is new to Jiangzhou and may not be familiar with the local situation. Although my son is unruly, he has never done anything immoral. He is, after all, my only son. If anything were to happen to him, I... I'm afraid I would have no heart to serve Jiangzhou anymore."

These words combined soft and hard tactics, containing both pleading and a threat of using his authority. He assumed that Lin Ping, being new to the area, needed the support of local officials and wouldn't dare to easily offend him, a local strongman.

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Lin Ping's eyes. What she detested most was this kind of bullying and abuse of power for personal gain. Wang Qian's words, far from shaking her resolve, only strengthened her determination to thoroughly investigate the Wang family.

“Military Advisor Wang, you are exaggerating,” Lin Ping said slowly, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable force. “Your son has broken the law and should be punished according to the law. This has nothing to do with whether he is your son or whether you serve Jiangzhou. As the governor, I only judge right and wrong, not family background. Military Advisor Wang, you should go back and think carefully about how to discipline your son, and… how to explain to the people of Jiangzhou how you ‘teach’ your son.”

These words were tantamount to a direct rejection, and implicitly pointed out Wang Qian's responsibility for failing to properly educate his son.

Wang Qian's face was ashen. He hadn't expected this female prefect to be so disrespectful and so forceful. He knew it was impossible to take his son away easily today. He suppressed his anger, stood up, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Since that's the case, this humble official... will await your judgment, sir. However, I hope you will show leniency out of consideration for our past as colleagues." With that, filled with resentment and anger, he turned and left.

Back home, Wang Qian grew increasingly angry and fearful. He knew his son well; Wang Hu had done much more than this one bad thing, but he had always suppressed it. This time, however, they had run into the new governor, and if Lin Ping were to investigate further, it would likely uncover a whole host of other crimes.

No, we have to find a way to get my son out! And we have to be quick!

Wang Qian immediately began to utilize his network of connections. He first approached several colleagues with whom he had good relations, hoping they could intercede with Lin Ping on his behalf. However, Lin Ping remained resolute and unmoved. His colleagues, having been rebuffed, returned to advise Wang Qian that this Prefect Lin's background was likely not simple, and that he should avoid a direct confrontation.

Undeterred, Wang Qian resorted to bribery. He prepared lavish gifts and secretly sent them to the governor's mansion, only to have them returned untouched, along with a warning from Lin Ping: "If Military Advisor Wang has any free time, he should think more about how to recover his ill-gotten gains instead of resorting to such crooked means."

Gifts failed, and pleas for leniency were useless. Wang Qian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Looking at his son's empty room, for the first time, he felt a pang of regret for his years of spoiling him. But what was done was done, and he could only grit his teeth and continue. He decided to take a risk.