Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

What you’ve done—don’t you have any idea in your heart? The officer grabbed his hair, pressing his head down as he restrained him, shouting sharply, Move!

Shang Fanzhi’s mind went blank. He frantically twisted his neck, struggling desperately, and cried out urgently, What have I done? Under what charge are you arresting me?

The petty official, quick to adapt to the situation, borrowed the authority of the Loyal Army to bully others. He snorted arrogantly, glancing at him sideways, Save your words. You can speak before Marshal Xu.

Disoriented and confused about the situation, it wasn’t until Shang Fanzhi was thrown down in front of Xu Mao that he faced her interrogation and the sharp, unwavering stares from those around him. He slapped his forehead as sudden understanding dawned on him. Quickly straightening up, he looked up at Xu Mao and said, I’ve been wronged, Marshal! You’ve been used by that Mo Shi. This family estate was personally entrusted to me by Mo Gong on his deathbed. The managers of all the shops are here and can testify to my innocence.

As for the mistress… His eyes darted away briefly before he nodded vigorously, Yes, I did keep one, but it was only because Mo Shi bore no son. I had no choice. Out of consideration for her dignity, I never took a concubine. How could she turn around and bite me instead?

Shang Fanzhi sighed with a pained expression, shaking his head as he said, Marshal, please see clearly. Mo Shi is cunning and deeply resentful toward me. Instead of discussing her grievances with me properly, she went behind my back and used you to deal with me. For the sake of wealth and status, she shows such shallow regard for our marital bonds—it’s truly disheartening.

Xu Mao had heard enough of his so-called helplessness and excuses. Her patience worn thin, she immediately lifted her foot and kicked him square in the chest, sending Shang Fanzhi tumbling backward.

Drawing her blade and pointing it directly between his eyebrows, Xu Mao said coldly, Silver-tongued and slick—you can spin pretty tales and excuses for yourself all you want, but dare you claim the businesses in your hands aren’t the Mo family’s? Dare you deny you used the Mo family’s money to support your mistress?

After flailing in the dust, Shang Fanzhi looked up and saw Xu Mao’s unreasonable and domineering demeanor. His eyes widened in terror, his words stumbling incoherently as he failed to muster a response.

Even if we set aside the matter of Lady Mo, how do you explain your close dealings with the Celestial God Sect? The Celestial God Sect swindles and deceives people everywhere, deluding the common folk and spreading rumors of impending chaos. They stir up panic among the masses and seize the opportunity to extort wealth from them—despicable and hateful! Xu Mao had no intention of debating him slowly. Regardless of his excuses, she changed her tone and snarled, Speak! What conspiracies do you have with the Celestial God Sect?

Shang Fanzhi stared blankly for a moment, as if recalling something. His face turned ashen, and his voice grew more frantic, I’ve been wronged! That person was interested in my family’s paper and came to discuss business. We only shared a drink together, but the price wasn’t agreed upon, so he left. We haven’t been in contact since—how can you speak of conspiracies?

The face of Mo Huifu flashed through his mind, filling him with bitter hatred. He shouted, Marshal, please don’t blindly believe what Mo Shi says! To deal with me, she’ll stop at nothing—even fabricating such lies to deceive you, Marshal. You must not believe her!

Xu Mao laughed in anger, Interested in paper?

Blushing with agitation, Shang Fanzhi waved his hands wildly and cried out loudly, Please believe me, Marshal! I can swear an oath right now—he truly came to select paper for record-keeping. I have no connection whatsoever with the Celestial God Sect!

Xu Mao’s primary purpose in coming here wasn’t to investigate Shang Fanzhi or help uphold justice. She couldn’t care less whether he was innocent—this was merely an excuse to undermine public sentiment.

The Celestial God Sect had expanded rapidly in its early stages, gaining tens of thousands of followers with each recruitment drive and deeply influencing the common people. If the sect’s influence had already spread to Baoping, wouldn’t exposing their malicious intentions and publicly shaming them provoke widespread anger?

Even if the commoners didn’t confront her directly, would the Celestial God Sect let her get away with sabotaging them?

Regardless of Shang Fanzhi’s actual relationship with the Celestial God Sect, Xu Mao intended to make an example of him.

Xu Mao declared, Guards, drag this scheming man to the market square and hang him up for now. At mao hour tomorrow, I will conduct a public interrogation.

After speaking, she turned to glance at Shang Fanzhi. You claim to be wronged and call yourself innocent? Well, I’d like to see if anyone will speak up for you then!

Xu Mao stood relaxed, her eyes clear and her lips curved in a faintly mocking smile. Suddenly, Shang Fanzhi understood: no wonder she hadn’t minded Mo Huifu’s manipulations—she had been targeting the Celestial God Sect from the very beginning.

Seeing that begging was useless and realizing escape was impossible today, Shang Fanzhi scrambled up from the ground before the guards could react and screamed at Xu Mao, You Enchantress! You accuse the Celestial God Sect of deception, but you’re the one skilled at spreading lies! Killing innocents so recklessly—you’ll pay for this, Xu Mao! May you die a wretched death!

Xu Mao actually laughed aloud at this, clapping her hands in amusement. What a lovely blessing! I’ll accept it.

Shang Fanzhi stared blankly, looking at Xu Mao as if she were a monster.

The guards glanced at each other in confusion, sensing the situation was escalating, and rushed to seize Shang Fanzhi before he could cause more trouble.

Several guards hastily dragged him away, his curses fading into the distance.

Xu Mao ordered the remaining guards to notify every household to attend the interrogation at the market square the next day—excluding the elderly, children, and certain special groups, no one was to be absent.

Recalling the Celestial God Sect’s recruitment methods, she had someone prepare a large pot, a jug of oil, and two jars of vinegar to expose the sect’s Oil pot hand washing trick.

After a brief rest, at the first light of dawn, they followed Xu Mao’s orders, beating gongs and drums to notify all able-bodied men and women.

The citizens dressed and washed in confusion, gathering at the market square. Before they even arrived, they could see a figure hanging mid-air in the distance. Startled, they patted their chests to calm themselves.

Those who recognized Shang Fanzhi steadied themselves, then grew horrified upon realizing the familiar silhouette was indeed him.

Boom!—

Seeing that most townspeople had arrived, Xu Mao struck a gong to draw attention while having the large pot filled with vinegar and oil carried to the open space before the crowd.

Merchants in the front row who had dealt with Shang Fanzhi turned pale, their legs trembling and strength deserting them. With quivering lips, one asked, What… what crime has Shang Fanzhi committed to deserve being fried in oil publicly?!

The others gasped in unison, their eyes darting to the oil pot as they inwardly shuddered at the horror.

Xu Mao was unaware of their thoughts. She stepped forward, bent down to light the fire, and focused on heating the pot. When she raised her head again, she inexplicably felt that everyone present looked slightly pale and somewhat uncomfortable. She decided to resolve this quickly, striving not to waste anyone’s time.

Thank you for waiting. I’ve invited everyone here today for an important matter. I’ve heard that the Celestial God Sect has been stirring up trouble everywhere, using tricks to deceive people’s emotions.

Xu Mao gave an example: For instance, the feat of Oil pot hand washing has been exaggerated as miraculous. They claim that by joining the sect and practicing their methods, one can temper the body and even aspire to ascend to immortality. They use public demonstrations of Oil pot hand washing as proof, fooling many into believing and joining the sect.

However, this is merely a trick to lure people into joining the Celestial God Sect. Without giving them time to react, Xu Mao continued, I know you may not believe me, so today I’ve specially set up an oil pot here to personally experience Oil pot hand washing and expose the Celestial God Sect’s deception.

Xu Mao emphasized: I, Xu Mao, have never practiced the Celestial God Sect’s techniques, yet I can still put my hand in the oil pot. Moreover, everyone here needs no preparation and can also wash their hands in the oil pot. Please watch my entire process as I reach into the oil pot later.

She casually pulled two or three people from the crowd to stand near the pot. You can step closer and watch me to confirm that my hand truly sinks into the oil. You can also try it later.

These fortunate individuals were flustered by the attention, their eyes wide, hands waving so fast they blurred. They hurriedly said, No, no, I’ll pass. I believe the Marshal!

Xu Mao didn’t insist and instead picked a few others standing nearby to serve as witnesses.

As she spoke, the pot began to boil. Xu Mao started her performance: she rolled up her sleeves, tied them behind her back, raised both hands, and walked in front of the crowd to show everyone. She extended one hand for the women to inspect, declaring loudly, Take a clear look—this is a real hand, with no protection. Ladies, come and feel it.

The young women, shy, glanced quickly and briefly squeezed the flesh of Xu Mao’s palm before withdrawing, murmuring, It’s real, there’s nothing else.

The married women had no such reservations. They grabbed Xu Mao’s hand, feeling and kneading it up and down, startling Xu Mao so much she almost thought she’d encountered perverts. Fortunately, they showed no lewd intent, sincerely examining whether the hand was genuine and if there were any hidden mechanisms.

Real skin and flesh… the women turned to discuss among themselves, their words sounding somewhat alarming at first, as if inspecting merchandise for quality and preparing to haggle. Their expressions were serious and earnest. After several rounds of deliberation, they solemnly told Xu Mao, Marshal, we’ve checked. It’s a real hand, normal.

As long as there’s nothing unusual. Xu Mao, her hand still in theirs, laughed awkwardly, retrieved it, and immediately moved to the next spot, selecting young women for inspection.

After everyone confirmed it was genuine, Xu Mao returned to her original position. Looking down, the timing was perfect—the oil in the pot was bubbling vigorously.

Everyone, watch closely.

Xu Mao called out, then boldly stretched her palm into the boiling oil pot. The temperature inside wasn’t high, allowing her to swirl her hand around freely before lifting it out completely unharmed.

The crowd gasped in astonishment, craning their necks over each other’s shoulders for a better view. Look! She didn’t even furrow her brows—it clearly doesn’t hurt at all, and her hand shows no burns! She must be a living immortal!

Originally unfamiliar with the Celestial God Sect and having never heard of Oil pot hand washing, they were utterly stunned to see Xu Mao calmly plunge her hand into the boiling oil pot. Unable to comprehend how it was possible, their immediate assumption was that they had encountered a true deity.

Hearing the murmurs and noticing how some gazes shifted to reverence, Xu Mao felt her heart sink. Her smile faded as she reiterated, This isn’t any kind of magic—it’s just a little trick to amuse people. Anyone can do it.

The secret lies in the oil used in the pot, Xu Mao explained hastily, hoping to prevent wild rumors from spreading. Look closely: there’s very little real oil, and it floats on the surface. The key to unraveling the mystery is the vinegar beneath.

Vinegar has a low boiling point. When boiled together with oil, the vinegar boils first. Those unaware might assume the pot contains only oil and mistake the bubbling for scalding hot oil. In truth, anyone can dip their hand in—it’s warm and harmless.

Worried the crowd still didn’t understand, Xu Mao patiently repeated the explanation several times, discreetly observing their expressions. Only when most shifted from shock and confusion to dawning comprehension did she relax and proceed to the next step.

Who would like to give it a try? Xu Mao asked.

Explanations could only go so far—personal experience would speak louder.

The people hesitated, their faces clouded with doubt. While the logic made sense, they couldn’t overcome their inner fears.

Marshal, may this subordinate try it first?

Xu Mao turned to see a guard stationed nearby, responsible for maintaining order. Having watched intently for some time, she seemed both curious to attempt it herself and eager to help resolve the public’s skepticism.

Touched by the gesture, Xu Mao warmly invited her, Of course, come and give it a try.

Overjoyed, the guard stepped forward, barely containing her excitement.

Xu Mao helped roll up her sleeve, guiding her gently while reassuring, Relax, it’s alright. I’m here—you won’t get hurt.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the guard slowly reached her hand toward the pot.