Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhao Cai went forward and grabbed the hand of the candied hawthorn seller. He slowly cut off a piece of his thumb. The candied hawthorn seller screamed and fainted.
Zhao Cai glanced at him. âWerenât you quite tough just now? Itâs only a finger. Itâs still early!â
As Zhao Cai spoke, he walked up to the peddler with the Imife. The peddler was so frightened that he shouted, âIâll talk, Lord Zhou, donât cut my finger. Iâll talkâ¦
Zhou Jia glanced at Zhao Cai and said to the peddler, âTell me! Iâll give you a chance. Donât think you can get away with it.â
âMadam asked me to capture your young master. I donât know why. The bank is under the house. The entrance is in the wall behind the stable, and the exit is in the blacksmith shop next door.â
After the peddler finished speaking, he looked at them and tears flowed down his face. âLord Zhou, Madam, please spare my life. My son is just a month old and I still have to earn money to support myself.â
Li Yu glanced at him. âIâll spare you for now. When I investigate and find that itâs fakeâ¦â
The peddler hurriedly said, âMadam, donât worry. Iâm telling the truth.â
The few of them came out of the cellar. Li Yu said to Zhou Jia, âSince the security there is tight, letâs not appear. I think we should send the news to Chu Qing and let them cause trouble.â
Zhou Jia nodded. âAlright, Iâll go to the bank now.â
Zhou Jia brought the peddlerâs confession to the Four Seas Bank. Chu Qing took the confession and said happily, âThank you, Lord Zhou. We checked a few places but couldnât find the location of the bank. It was designed so secretly.
Weâll send someone to keep an eye on it immediately.â
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and smiled. âShopkeeper Chu, youâre too polite. Youâve also helped my family a lot.â
Chu Qing smiled. âThe last time you asked me to help check on the Zhang family in Tongzhou, Iâve already replied. Before the new year, a person with the surname Yang helped them get a pass and they came to the capital.â
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, âThank you! I didnât expect to hear from you so quickly.â
Chu Qing smiled and returned the greeting. âLord Zhou, youâre so lucky! Youâve added two more young masters. Weâre still waiting to attend your celaboratory banquet! Head Shopkeeper was still wondering about when you plan to treat us to a meal and have fun!â
Zhou Jia smiled. âOf course. Iâll send you a post when the date is set.â
Chu Qing smiled and nodded. âAlright, weâll wait for your post.â
Chu Qing got someone to go back with Zhou Jia to bring the candied hawthorn seller and peddler back to the bank. He went to inform the government office to gather people and keep an eye on the house in the back alley of General Street, waiting to capture them all.
The matter between Li siblings and the Zhang family also spread to Country Lord Ning.
When Country Lord Ning heard this news, she was so angry that she beat up the little girl serving her and asked Granny Song to investigate who had leaked the news.
The old woman from the second door ran into the inner courtyard in a panic and reported from outside, âMadam, someone from the government office has given Butler Wei a complaintâ¦â
Country Lord Ning shouted sternly, âLet Butler Wei in.â
Butler Wei reported to Country Lord Ning, âMadam, the government office said that the Yang family sued you for extorting a marriage. They said you brought people to snatch a man and forced Old Master Yang to death. The government office said that they have already investigated and confirmed this matter. The government office accepted the Yang familyâs complaint and would be holding a hearing on this case on the 29th of January.â
âItâs the next day. How can it be so fast?â
Country Lord Ning was so angry that her eyes were burning with anger.
Butler Wei bowed and said, âMadam, Iâve asked the bailiffs. I heard that the person who helped the Yang family write the complaint is Lord Zhouâs private advisor. This person went against the noble consortâs family in the early years.
I wonder when he became Lord Zhouâs private advisor.â
âZhou Jia!â Country Lord Ning gritted her teeth in anger and looked at Butler Wei angrily. âItâs Zhou Jia again. What are the people guarding outside the Zhou familyâs house for? Canât they even abduct a child?â
âThe guard reported that the Zhou family is quite careful. That child has always been picked up by his familyâs stewards. They havenât found a chance to attack.â
Butler Wei glanced at Country Lord Ning. âMadam, I feel that the most important thing now is to settle the lawsuit first. If this matter reaches His Majestyâs ears, His Majesty will treat you differently from the previous emperor. If you are punished by His Majesty because of this, our bank willâ¦â
It was all the fault of Zhou Jia and his wife. Ever since she met them, nothing had gone smoothly.
âDog, I donât believe I canât do anything to you.â Country Lord Ning paced around the reception hall in frustration. âThe Zhang familyâs matter has become a waste of a few months of effort. Go and ask around for a litigator. Iâll ask Princess Yichun for information.â
âYes, Madam.â Butler Wei bowed and took a few steps out. Then, he turned around and looked at the irritable Country Lord Ning. âMadam, the Zhang family is crippled. Isnât there still High Scholar Li? His family is in-laws with the Zhou family. Wouldnât it be easier for him to do it?â
Country Lord Ningâs eyes lit up. âThatâs right! How could I have forgotten about that piece of trash! Go find a litigator and get Granny Wei here.â
âYes, Madam.â Butler Wei went out.
A moment later, an old woman with a medium build and a loyal appearance walked in. She bent her knees and bowed. âMadam, what instructions do you have for me?â
Ning Xiangjun looked at her. âGo find High Scholar Li and ask him to find an opportunity to kidnap the Zhou familyâs child. â
Granny Wei looked up at Country Lord Ning. âMadam, the Zhou family has three children now. Should he kidnap them together, or do you want to specify which one to kidnap?â
Country Lord Ning said gloomily, âI want to kidnap all three of them at once and sell them to the courtesans to manage. Tell him that as long as he can kidnap one, Iâll recommend him to the Directorate and enroll him in high school. â
âYes, Madam, â Granny Wei replied.
After arranging for the people to deal with Zhou Jia, Country Lord Ning went to the Viscountessâs residence. The old woman welcomed her in politely. Country Lord Ning went forward and bowed. âFuning greets the Viscountess.â
âI was still thinking of looking for you after resting for a while!â Princess Yichun looked at her with a mocking expression. âWhy do you have the time to look for me today? Arenât you busy forcing someone to get married?â
Country Lord Ning had a bitter expression. âSister, they wronged me!â
Princess Yichun mocked, âTheyâve wronged you. You know very well what youâve done. Donât think that everyone is as heartless as the Xu family. Youâve met someone unyielding now! The government office just accepted the complaint today, but itâs already spread outside. I think itâs most likely that you provoked someone again?â
âI really didnât provoke anyone.â Country Lord Ning blushed and sat on the chair beside Princess Yichun. âSister Princess, I didnât expect it to be like this. I really wanted to marry him this time and live a stable life. I didnât expect his
family to be so unyielding..â
Comments(0)
Join the discussion — sign in to leave a comment
Sign In to CommentNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!