Eunuch Li knew he could no longer hide the truth, so he said, "The Emperor, the County Magistrate has gone mad. He cannot enter the Imperial Palace; he will harm you."

"Mad?" The Emperor was still very skeptical.

"Truly."

So, Eunuch Li recounted everything that had transpired at the County Yamen to the Emperor.

After hearing this, the Emperor fell silent, contemplating, while occasionally glancing at Eunuch Li.

Eunuch Li knew the Emperor was always suspicious and certainly wouldn’t believe his words, yet he had a clear conscience and wasn’t afraid of the Emperor investigating.

Indeed, that very night, the Emperor sent people to investigate the matter and discovered that Eunuch Li’s words were all true, which finally dispelled his doubts about the County Magistrate.

The Emperor, to fulfill his royal promise, did not care whether the County Magistrate was truly mad or feigning madness. The next morning, he sent people to throw the County Magistrate into the death cell, awaiting execution.

The charge was that Lord County Magistrate failed to solve the murder demon case on time, causing public panic, and the Emperor was furious, so he put him into the death cell.

At the same time, rumors spread on the streets, saying that Lord County Magistrate had contracted symptoms of a demonic affliction. Inside and outside the Capital, many people were already affected likewise, yet after contracting the disease, they were locked indoors by their families, preventing them from disturbing others. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Moreover, the condition had already spread to the suburbs. When walking around small villages in the suburbs, occasionally one could see madmen chasing passersby.

Initially, people were not concerned, but later, villagers discovered this illness was contagious, with the mad increasing in numbers, causing the situation to become dire. Village heads had already reported the matter to the government office.

However, now the case remained unresolved, and Lord County Magistrate had also contracted the same symptoms, being imprisoned by the Emperor. Wasn’t this too unjust?

Upon knowing the situation, the people gathered outside the War Prince’s Mansion, hoping the War Prince would intervene and plea to the Emperor to free Lord County Magistrate.

When Long Rui and Xuexue emerged, the entrance of the War Prince’s Mansion was packed, even the adjacent streets were blocked.

"Prince, it’s good you came out, quickly save Lord County Magistrate," the people called out in unison.

Long Rui frowned, looking at the crowded entrance, and asked, "What’s going on? Why is it so lively? Do you all have nothing to do, blocking the entrance of the War Prince’s Mansion?"

The people began to chatter, "Lord County Magistrate has been locked up by the Emperor, his life might be at risk. Prince, please save him, Lord County Magistrate got infected with a strange illness for our sake."

Long Rui paused for a moment, asking, "Strange illness? What strange illness?"

People: "It’s a kind of strange illness causing delirium, not recognizing people, attacking and biting at sight. Such a disease feels like a demonic possession, terrifying. Those bitten soon contract the strange illness."

Long Rui glanced at Long Yi beside him.

Long Yi silently nodded. He had investigated the matter but had no leads. The Prince was busy, and without finding anything, he dared not bother the Prince, so Long Rui knew nothing of this.

Long Rui addressed everyone, "Everyone, return home first. This matter, I will report to the Emperor."

People: "Prince, will Lord County Magistrate be okay?"

Long Rui: "This, I do not know. It’s up to the Emperor’s decision."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately started discussing...

"Lord County Magistrate is truly unjustly treated. He investigated the case for us, not only contracting the strange illness but also being thrown into the death cell by the Emperor. Who dares to become County Magistrate in the future?"

"Isn’t it true? If the County Magistrate really loses his life over this matter, who would dare to undertake such thankless tasks in the future?"