Perhaps it was Yang Chuxiaâs gaze that was too frightening, in the end, Ms. Qian of Wang Family didnât dare speak.
"Aunt, save me, save me!"
Qian Xiaoqing continued to shout loudly.
Ms. Qian of Wang Family wanted to move, but her legs wouldnât lift.
Wang Yongshan also wanted to say something, but his throat felt like it was glued shut.
In the end, Qian Xiaoqing was taken away.
It took another hour for the government officials to arrive; it wasnât that they didnât want to come earlier, but everyone was celebrating the New Year. If it werenât for the report coming from Prince Anâs Mansion, which they couldnât afford to offend, they wouldnât have come at all.
"Where is the kidnapper? Let us take her for a proper interrogation. What a nerve, daring to come to Prince Anâs Mansion to kidnap a child." The one speaking was the chief constable from the Capital Cityâs yamen, a person with some resolve, who most hated those involved in child and woman trafficking.
Because he had a little sister who was kidnapped back in the day, and she still hadnât been found.
"Theyâll be here shortly, please have a cup of hot tea first." Ye Ziâan invited them, feeling rather embarrassed to have visitors at the door during the New Year.
Soon, Ye Yi came in, dragging someone who looked like a rag.
The smell on her as she entered was truly nauseating.
Everyone understood, and instantly knew what had happened. At the sight of her feeble state, the constable realized sheâd been punished, and couldnât help but feel a pang of fear, thinking the Ye Family was truly ruthless.
"This womanâs name is Qian Xiaoqing, and sheâs from Quanya County in Funan. It turns out weâre fellow townsfolk; she insisted I take her in, but I refused. But on New Yearâs Day, Madam of Prime Minister forcibly brought her to my doorstep; otherwise, she couldnât have found Prince Anâs Mansion and committed this crime. Last night, she originally intended to abduct and sell my two sons, but by a twist of fate, she ended up taking the younger sister of Prince Leâs Secondary Princess Consort. Fortunately, someone stopped her at the back door."
Yang Chuxia smiled and said, "We must trouble Constable Lu to thoroughly investigate whether she committed any other crimes on her journey from Funan to the Capital City. If she came up with such a scheme, itâs likely sheâs been involved in similar offenses before. We must thoroughly investigate and return those abducted children to their homes. As for Madam of Prime Minister, we also need a thorough investigation to see if she knew about this; otherwise, why would she meddle and send someone to our mansion?"
"Madam of Prime Minister and the Ye Residence have a grudge; if she was using this woman to seek revenge, itâs certainly possible." Yang Chuxia paused and added, "Constable Lu, donât feel troubled thinking this involves high officials. Rest assured, our Prince Anâs Mansion will not stand by idly regardless of the situation, especially since this involves Prince Leâs Secondary Princess Consort. Please proceed without concern."
Constable Lu, who had been anxiousâit was Madam of Prime Minister after allânow felt relieved with these assurances from Madam Ye.
"Please rest assured, Madam Ye, I will ensure this woman never leaves the prison!"
Subsequently, Constable Lu took Qian Xiaoqing away. Despite her reluctance, the pain in her body prevented her from struggling.
And as Constable Lu left the mansion, he went to his chief, who, after a brief consideration, sent someone to summon Madam of Prime Minister.
On the third day of the New Year, Madam of Prime Minister being summoned to the yamen was quite a disgrace. A few days later, the rumor of Prince Anâs Mansion neglecting guests was overshadowed by the news of Madam of Prime Minister being summoned to the yamen.
After the incident with Qian Xiaoqing, Wang Yongshan felt too ashamed to stay any longer, and fearing Ms. Qian of Wang Family would cause any more trouble, bid farewell to Yang Chuxia that very night.