The dead cannot be brought back to life.
All Song Chaoyu could do now was stand far away, watching the grief of the Shui Jing family, unable to utter a single word.
Until Mu Changxi pushed the wheelchair forward and took Song Chaoyu’s hand, “Ayu…”
He knew that when they were at the manor, Song Chaoyu had always been a kind-hearted person.
When an aunt from the other side of the manor, whom they weren't very familiar with, passed away, Song Chaoyu would sit under a large tree and feel sad for a long, long time.
It wasn't until Han Xi found her that she told Han Xi.
She said that the aunt had helped her once, and she had kept it in her heart, wanting to thank her, but felt a bit embarrassed.
By the time she wanted to express her gratitude, the aunt had already passed away, leaving her with deep regret.
However, what surprised Mu Changxi was that this time, the sorrow in Song Chaoyu’s eyes was only a fleeting glimpse.
Soon, she turned her gaze firmly to the rear and said to Tiaohong, "Go, bring those women over, let them see clearly! Is this what they wanted?! To die after finally gaining freedom, to die before dawn, before the eyes of their loved ones. To bring sorrow to their kin and joy to their enemies, without even seeing the fate of those who harmed them, is this what they wanted?!"
It was strange, in Mu Changxi’s heart, Song Chaoyu shouldn't have been like this.
Yet, as these words left her mouth, they seemed to carry an infectious power.
Those women, who were initially fearful, uneasy, and filled with dread, seemed to find their resolve in Song Chaoyu’s words.
Song Chaoyu asked them, "Do you still want to become the next Shui Yue?"
Some shook their heads, while others hid behind, too afraid to speak.
Song Chaoyu looked at the Shui Jing family, who were in deep despair, then nodded to Mu Changxi. Mu Changxi immediately understood Song Chaoyu’s intention.
Soon, the lion boss was brought forward.
At this moment, the lion boss no longer possessed his former arrogant demeanor.
He was brought forward bound tightly, his eyes filled only with fear.
Seeing Mu Changxi, he began to struggle and beg, "This humble subject did not know that Prince Chang was here. This humble subject knows his mistake, knows his mistake! I beg Your Highness to spare my life, and I will repay you with my utmost devotion!"
Were these words still useful at this point?
But Song Chaoyu noticed that many of the surrounding disaster victims were casting suspicious glances at Mu Changxi and herself.
It was understandable.
After all they had been through, it was only natural that they no longer trusted officials.
However, Song Chaoyu was confident that they could change the attitude of these disaster victims.
Mu Changxi ignored the lion boss, merely instructing Pingjiang to bring the lion boss out. Then, he addressed the crowd, "His name is Zhang Shi. He was originally from Ping’an County, under Haizhou. Later, he became a pirate at sea. He was content to live a clandestine life at sea, but who would have thought that a flood would bring him ashore, allowing him to profit?"
As he spoke, Ping An Jing also reached out and punched Zhang Shi hard in the stomach.
"Ugh—"
Zhang Shi, struck by Ping Jiang, his eyes bulging, could no longer speak the words he wanted to.
Ping Jiang then pushed Zhang Shi forward, "Now that the Prince is here, he naturally gives you this opportunity. If anyone wishes to seek revenge or retribution, this is likely your only chance. Zhang Shi is here, you can all come forward and do as you wish."
"No… they will kill me!"
Zhang Shi was naturally afraid of those people. He shook his head incessantly, "Your Highness, Your Highness! I know my mistake, I will never dare again! I beg Your Highness to forgive me! I will never dare again!"
But Mu Changxi paid no heed to Zhang Shi’s pleas. He merely waved to Ping Jiang, "I leave this matter to you. I have many other things to attend to. Prepare this schoolhouse; I have business to conduct."
Indeed, it wasn't just Ping’an County, but the entire Haizhou that awaited Mu Changxi’s disposition!
Song Chaoyu heard that upon entering, Mu Changxi had also instructed, "If any officials from Haizhou wish to see me, have them come to Ping’an County."
It seemed he intended to stay in Ping’an County for the foreseeable future.
In fact, Song Chaoyu knew that Mu Changxi was signaling to the officials of Haizhou, who merely collected salaries without doing their jobs, his determination to deal with Haizhou this time!
Naturally, Song Chaoyu did not remain idle.
Outside, Zhang Shi was hung upside down by Ping Jiang at the entrance of the schoolhouse. However, the people around only dared to look at Zhang Shi from a distance, not daring to take any significant action.
Since that was the case, Song Chaoyu decided to be the first to act.
She signaled Tiaohong to bring Zhou Ya out from inside. Compared to Zhang Shi, Zhou Ya appeared slightly better, but not by much.
As she was brought out, head bowed, she was trembling, filled with fear.
Song Chaoyu addressed the women still standing outside, bewildered, "Everyone knows her, right? Zhou Ya. What she did to all of you, I probably don't need to say more, do I?"
In the eyes of most of the women, there was resentment.
But their instinctive fear of Zhou Ya and Zhang Shi still made them hesitate.
"Slap—"
So, Song Chaoyu became the first to step forward.
She brought her palm down heavily on Zhou Ya's face!
This slap carried a great deal of Song Chaoyu's strength. With a single blow, Zhou Ya's cheek turned red and even began to swell.
Zhou Ya could only endure the slap, not daring to utter a single word.
Song Chaoyu smiled slightly and turned to the crowd, "Remember when I first arrived here, Zhou Ya also wanted to offer me to Zhang Shi. How many lives were connected to this woman? I don't believe you don't hate her!"
"Hate, how can we not hate?!"
From within the crowd, a woman finally stepped forward.
Her eyes were red as she stared intently at Zhou Ya, "I was already able to escape, but it was because this woman captured me and made me suffer for so many days! How can I not hate her?!"
Saying this, she also raised her hand.
"Bang—"
The woman's fist landed heavily on Zhou Ya's stomach.
Zhou Ya could no longer stand, letting out a muffled groan, and then pleaded with Song Chaoyu, "I know my mistake, I truly know my mistake! I beg the Princess to forgive me, I truly know my mistake, I will never dare again! I had no choice!"
But all Song Chaoyu could do was continue to look at the women, "This is probably your last chance to do as you please. Before long, these people will be brought to justice. By then, if you lose this opportunity, it will not come again."