In the evening, Zhao Jiaqi and her husband clearly sensed the discomfort of their two children. Not only did they speak very little, but even Fan Yumeng, who was usually very cheerful, became silent, blushing occasionally and without reason.
Fan Zehao and his wife saw this and pretended not to notice.
As dusk approached, Zhang Heng led his troops to surround the Chu mansion. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, this greatly startled the people of the Chu mansion.
However, soon, someone from the Chu mansion came to greet Zhang Heng and informed him which were the masters and which were the servants of the Chu mansion. In a short time, the people of the Chu mansion were lined up.
Chu Lian was among them. Looking at Zhang Heng before her, dressed in armor, his imposing aura did not seem like that of an ordinary soldier; instead, he possessed the domineering presence of a general.
Chu Lian, delicate and graceful, approached Zhang Heng. With a pitiable look, she said, "Esteemed sir, our Chu family are all good people. Why are you suddenly attacking our Chu mansion today?"
"Also, where are you soldiers from? My sister is Noble Consort Chu, deeply favored by the Emperor!"
Zhang Heng looked at her pretentious demeanor, her chest inadvertently brushing against him, and felt a surge of nausea. He fiercely retreated two large steps. The scent on her was not as pleasant as his wife's.
His already dark face turned even darker. His eyes widened, and he rebuked her, "So what if she is a Noble Consort? This is the inner city, not under the jurisdiction of the Yun Kingdom's Emperor. Furthermore, the prince's crime is the same as that of a commoner!"
She still wanted to use a Noble Consort to suppress him. This was simply a huge joke. In his eyes, he only recognized the Prince and Princess Consort; what did other titles like Noble Consort or Emperor have to do with him!
Speaking of the inner city, Chu Lian immediately realized that this young general must be from the inner city, otherwise his tone would not be so forceful.
"May I ask who you are..."
Zhang Heng glanced at her. He wanted her to die with absolute clarity. He immediately revealed his name: "I am Zhang Heng, Deputy General of the Inner City, under the command of the Prince, sent to confiscate your property."
Confiscate property?
At that moment, Chu Lian and Chu Xiong's expressions became extremely unsightly. Chu Xiong blurted out subconsciously, "What law have we broken to have our property confiscated?"
"What law have you broken?" Zhang Heng retorted with a cold laugh. "You bully the market and bribe officials. Does that count as breaking the law!"
"You falsely accused the Prince and Princess Consort of stealing your silver notes and design drafts. Does that count as breaking the law!"
These two consecutive questions left Chu Xiong and Chu Lian somewhat bewildered. They were confident that the local officials, having received their benefits, would certainly not reveal anything.
Then how did the Prince and Princess Consort know?
Chu Lian pondered for a long time in her mind but could not figure it out. It was only after Zhang Heng reminded her of the two key words, the silver notes worth over three thousand taels and the design drafts, that she finally understood. This was a matter related to the cloth figures from before the New Year.
But what did this have to do with the Prince and Princess Consort?
Moreover, weren't these two people just hunters from the countryside, with no background whatsoever, how could they...?
Before she could finish her thoughts, she was escorted out of the mansion by the soldiers. When she saw the servant by the mansion gate checking the headcount, Chu Lian instantly understood. It was clear she had been betrayed.
The Chu mansion, over a hundred people, were escorted out in a line, becoming a striking spectacle in Qingzhou Prefecture on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
As chests of gold and silver treasures were carried out from their mansion, they dazzled the eyes of those present. When numerous jade stones, calligraphy, and paintings were carried out afterward, the people of Qingzhou Prefecture could hardly believe that the Chu mansion's business was so vast.
The items carried out from the Chu mansion were still being brought out after the first batch had already left the gate. This showed how much property the Chu mansion had plundered and seized from others.
As time went by, by the time they reached the inner city, five days had already passed. At this speed, it was with Zhang Heng whipping them with his leather whip and scolding them. Otherwise, this journey would have taken at least a month!
Inner City Prison.
Fan Zehao looked at Chu Lian, who was kneeling on the ground, and said coldly, "In my life, I loathe people falsely accusing me the most. I just never expected that the one falsely accusing me would be a woman!"
This had truly made him lose face, as he had almost been beaten for this Chu mansion.
Chu Lian, kneeling on the ground, appeared frail and weak. She tremblingly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, as if a blooming peach blossom had been ravaged by wind and rain!
"Your Highness, this is truly a grave misunderstanding. This matter has nothing to do with me. It was my father's greed that led him to do such things. Your Highness... I implore Your Highness to investigate thoroughly and restore my innocence!"
She reached out her hand to tug at Fan Zehao's brocade robe, attempting to use her full figure to seduce him. To her surprise, he did not even look at her. He extended his foot and crushed her slender white hand under his foot. Not only that, but he also applied considerable force!
Chu Lian gasped in pain and her tears truly flowed this time.
"Take away your disgusting visage. If there were no conclusive evidence, would I have arrested your entire family and confiscated your mansion?"
Chu Lian stopped speaking, her head bowed, contemplating a plan.
Fan Zehao had learned from the butler that she was very intelligent. However, he did not engage in battles with intelligent people. If one was caught and broke the law, they must pay the price.
"I know your sister is a consort of Huangfu Xi, and seemingly quite favored. I will not kill you, but I will send you and your father to Huangfu Xi. I will demand an explanation from him!"
The outcome, whether life or death, was self-evident!
When Chu Lian heard these words, her expression clearly eased. If she were to arrive at the Cloud Kingdom's imperial palace, perhaps she would not die. Relying on her intelligence and beauty, she had the means to capture a man's heart, as long as that man was not a prince who feared his wife!
Fan Zehao watched her relax with a cold gaze and sneered, "If Huangfu Xi does not give me a satisfactory answer, I will kill your entire family, including your sister!"
After speaking, Fan Zehao waved to Zhang Heng, "Send men to escort them to the Cloud Kingdom immediately, and take this secret letter from this Prince!"
Zhang Heng bowed, "This subordinate will arrange for men right away!"
Chu Lian was taken away by people in a state of shock.
This matter was considered mostly handled. The remaining task was to clean up the scum in Qingjiang Prefecture.
Not only did Chu Lian send gifts, but she even recorded them. She meticulously noted what was sent, the tax collected, and the price, making it almost unnecessary for him to investigate closely.
Once verified, he would make drastic reforms.
Dumplings on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year were a must-eat. However, before mealtime, Yumeng ran over, "Mother, there are still some matters to be handled at the military camp. I need to go to the military camp. I might not be back for a while!"
What matters at the military camp required her attention during the New Year? She was clearly avoiding certain people.
As someone who had been through it, she could naturally see through it!
"Then go. Take care of yourself!"
Zhao Jiaqi agreed. The child ran off with a smile. Looking at her departing back, Zhao Jiaqi truly felt a sense of reluctance, yet she did not inquire about her and Helian Jinli.
During dinner that evening, Fan Zehao realized that his daughter was not present, and even Jinli, who always ate on time, was also absent.
This made him somewhat puzzled.