April 25, 2018

For the vast majority of the Golden Jade people, the events that occurred on the 25th were truly unforgettable. The rapid and intense developments regarding Zhao Xinyu’s malicious slander against Former City Lord Zhao Chenlu, along with the strong dramatic effect, were enough to be remembered for a lifetime.

In fact, when the first batch of protestors arrived in front of the City Lord’s Mansion early in the morning, the interim government sent representatives to earnestly soothe the public, repeatedly emphasizing that they would harshly deal with those who spread rumors and cause trouble, and that they would not allow anyone to malign the leaders of Golden Jade City—even if she has been suppressed by the coup-makers beneath the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Chenlu had made outstanding contributions to the construction of Golden Jade City, and to defame Zhao Chenlu was tantamount to defaming Golden Jade City.

However, the City Lord’s Mansion representatives also stated that Zhao Xinyu, while professing his identity, had submitted multiple pieces of evidence to verify his identity and had applied for protection from the Heaven-Reaching City Saint Sect. Therefore, the City Lord’s Mansion currently needs to conduct further investigations and refute his evidence one by one before taking serious action.

Such high-sounding perfunctory rhetoric, of course, did not satisfy the protesting crowd, but on the other hand, the reasons given by the City Lord’s Mansion left them speechless. Since Zhao Xinyu applied for protection from the Saint Sect, aside from reasoning earnestly, there wasn’t much else that could be done; trying to forcefully eliminate Zhao Xinyu would only make the Golden Jade people seem guilty.

Today’s Golden Jade City is no longer the Golden Jade City of Zhao Chenlu’s era; they cannot readily disdain the authority of the Saint Sect.

And after the earnest persuasion by the City Lord’s Mansion representatives, most of the protestors agreed to first wait for the City Lord’s Mansion to announce the results of its investigation before taking any justified actions against Zhao Xinyu.

To the Golden Jade people, the lofty Zhao Chenlu, no matter what faults she might have, could absolutely not have any ex-husband, let alone be addicted to carnal pleasures; Zhao Xinyu was nothing but a clown seeking attention, and the so-called evidence must be easily debunked. As long as the City Lord’s Mansion conducts a thorough investigation, his disgraceful true colors can quickly be revealed.

However, come evening, a statement from the Golden Jade City Lord’s Mansion exploded like a Qingyu True Essence Divine Thunder within the city, leaving millions in the city bewildered.

Such a blatant framing by a vile person actually received official endorsement?!

Do you officials have any standards at all?! Not only failing to harshly punish this shameless rumor-spreader but instead recognizing his evidence as valid? Was this investigation conducted carelessly? Could it be that the current regime is resorting to unscrupulous means to undermine the reputation of the former regime to maintain the legitimacy of the interim government?!

Yet, while people were still shocked and even angry at the first statement, the City Lord’s Mansion issued a second one, announcing that a verification explanation of Zhao Xinyu’s identity would be broadcast live city-wide in ten minutes.

Ten minutes later, the live broadcast projection from the City Lord’s Mansion appeared everywhere in the streets and alleys of Golden Jade City.

Nearly all Golden Jade residents could see the broadcast screen from the City Lord’s Mansion nearby: on the roadside flower beds, square statues, street pavilions, etc. This live broadcast system was established under Zhao Chenlu’s tenure, originally to facilitate the Lord City Lord’s display of her endless charm, now used by Zhao Hongwu and others for a press conference announcing unfavorable news about Zhao Chenlu, which was rather ironic.

In the projection, a man appearing to be in his fifties or sixties solemnly began speaking: "Good evening, I am Zhao Sen."

One sentence quieted millions of Golden Jade people.

The name Zhao Sen carries such weight. As the chief steward of the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Sen has served three successive city lords, having been an old hand since Zhao Hongxue’s time, holding a critical position in the City Lord’s Mansion. When Zhao Chenlu ascended, clearing out many from the previous regime, Zhao Sen remained in his role, continuing to serve the City Lord’s Mansion. Later, when Zhao Hongwu and others colluded with Zhao Lingbo to stage a coup and establish an interim government, Zhao Sen stayed on as the chief steward.

Because this person is a rare absolute neutral, no matter who resides in the City Lord’s Mansion, he serves them without bias, but limits his service to matters concerning the Mansion’s internal affairs and never favors any party.

Like a ghost tethered to the City Lord’s Mansion without personal stance, Zhao Sen’s release of this message showcases the utmost sincerity the Mansion could offer.

Zhao Sen didn’t waste time, pulling a stern face, and went straight to the point: "Concerning the recent matter involving the former city lord, we have conducted a very serious investigation. It mainly includes three aspects. First is a lie detector test; when Zhao Xinyu recounted the story, we used the True Words Treasure Mirror and did not detect any insincerity in his speech from start to finish..."

Before he could finish, a female voice interjected: "Perhaps he is self-suggesting, forcing himself to believe his own lies. As far as I know, the True Words Treasure Mirror can only detect lies and cannot truly ensure the authenticity of matters."

This segment was specially arranged by the City Lord’s Mansion as a Q&A session to address some possible audience doubts via voiceover questioning, enhancing the authenticity of the explanation.

Zhao Sen responded: "Indeed, the True Words Treasure Mirror cannot be solely relied upon for judging authenticity. As of now, several cases have shown it can be deceived through self-suggestion, memory alteration, etc. While conducting the lie detector test, we also monitored Zhao Xinyu for signs of distorted cognition, but beyond that, we employed other methods to cross-verify his statements, such as checking physical evidence. Zhao Xinyu, to prove his identity, presented some items used by the young miss... no, former city lord Zhao Chenlu. Upon my authenticated examination, they were indeed genuine."

"Wait, items used by Zhao Chenlu can’t necessarily indicate they were gifted by Zhao Chenlu herself. As far as I know, whether in Golden Jade City or elsewhere, many collectors favor items used by Zhao Chenlu; her letters or discarded furniture have been auctioned at sky-high prices. Maybe Zhao Xinyu procured these items through various channels."

Zhao Sen answered: "He produced intimate garments."

"Oh."

"The main types include undergarments, bellybands, and..."

"That’s enough, you don’t need to continue."

"Alright." Zhao Sen said: "The third, and most crucial part, was my direct inquiry with the young miss herself."

At this point, even the voice-over questioning drew a sharp intake of breath.

This was evidently an unplanned segment.

When Zhao Hongwu approached Zhao Sen, he outlined three verification methods: lie detection, physical evidence, and third-party personal testimony—during verification, the City Lord’s Mansion would not interfere with Zhao Sen’s investigation—however, the deceitfulness within these methods was pronounced.

No one expected Zhao Sen would privately seek out Zhao Chenlu!

Being subdued within the Seventeen Linked Rings lock, Zhao Chenlu undoubtedly represents Golden Jade City’s greatest taboo at present, particularly as the Seventeen Linked Rings lock grows increasingly unstable, making any extra contact potentially perilous. So normally, even the Zhao Hongwu Zhao Hongwen brothers are prohibited from visiting Zhao Chenlu alone, yet Zhao Sen managed a secret meeting with her!

As chief steward of the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Sen is more familiar with the Mansion than even Zhao Lingbo, the personal maid, and many assume Zhao Sen has been fused into a Guardian Spirit. If he wishes to meet Zhao Chenlu secretly, truly no one can stop him.

Fortunately, this neutral figure didn’t overstep but merely exchanged a few words with Zhao Chenlu.

"Upon learning about Zhao Xinyu’s matter, the young miss exhibited a very odd reaction... first, she repeatedly inquired about Zhao Xinyu himself from me, confirmed several times, and then had me repeat Zhao Xinyu’s statements concerning an ex-husband and sexual life multiple times. Finally... she seemed extraordinarily happy; I’ve served her for years but have never seen her that happy before. Ultimately, she instructed me to wholeheartedly trust anything Zhao Xinyu said. Therefore, considering all these points, the evidence Zhao Xinyu provided... is valid."

At the conclusion, Zhao Sen displayed obvious reluctance on his usually zombie-like face, indicating this fact was equally hard for him, a neutral party, to accept.

"I’ve said and done what I can, and what comes next depends on your choices. So, I bid you farewell."

After that, Zhao Sen’s image disappeared.

He then left a scene of uproar, as both the millions of Golden Jade citizens and the interim government officials within the City Lord’s Mansion were shocked by this resolution.

According to Zhao Sen’s statements, if even Zhao Chenlu herself acknowledges the existence of an ex-husband, then there’s indeed no turning back.

That night, Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband Zhao Xinyu became the talking point for more than 80% of Golden Jade people’s dinner table discussions. People debated from various angles about this sudden emergence of Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband. Many were passionately denouncing Zhao Xinyu for shamelessly deceiving the Golden Jade Fairy, and of course, there were those cursing Zhao Chenlu for deceitfully presenting herself as single to the world. A minority took on a gossiping angle, discussing the details of Zhao Chenlu’s sexual life.

However, the fact that Zhao Chenlu had an ex-husband had seemingly become indisputable, while the reputation of this once most beautiful woman in the world began undergoing dramatic shifts.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Golden Jade City, a grand performance aimed at swaying the hearts of millions was entering its final preparation stage.

"Alright, the script of Three Lives Stone is complete, the draft has been sent over. I’m not well-versed in human love stories, so I need you seasoned readers to judge its quality."

Upon receiving the script, the actors about to perform were left in shock.