HLnovel Chapter 32 Interrogation
Chapter 32 Interrogation
As night fell, the search for the missing person could not be delayed any longer. Xie Bohuai encountered Xu Da after entering the mountains.
"Sir Xie, I found signs that the bushes have been broken and crushed." Xu Da pointed in a direction, "We've already searched the north and east sides, so it's very likely they went this way."
Xie Bohuai had Xu Da lead the way, and soon they arrived at a cliff. Seeing the footprints on the sand, they immediately gave chase.
At this point, the bandits, having been outmaneuvered by Ye Mingyue several times, were so angry that they vowed to kill him.
"This time we'll split into two groups. Let's see what tricks this kid has up his sleeve. It's getting dark. If we don't find him soon, none of us will survive!" The bandit leader gave the order, and the group of eight split into two teams, heading in two different directions.
Because they acted separately, the bandits discovered Ye Mingyue and Jiang Si's whereabouts as darkness fell.
"We've spotted them! Don't let them get away!"
The sound of the bandits caught the attention of Ye Mingyue and Jiang Si. Jiang Si was a young lady from a wealthy family, and although she hadn't rested along the way, she couldn't run fast.
"Second Brother Ye, you should go. I can't be a burden to you any longer." Jiang Si didn't know who she had offended, but the person was coming for her. Seeing that the other party was about to catch up, she was very grateful to Ye Mingyue for taking her along this journey.
Ye Mingyue dropped the wooden stick, grabbed Jiang Si's wrist, and started running. "Excuse me, Miss Jiang, we must save our lives!"
"Damn you little beast, running so fast! We're almost at the Qian family's house, we can't let him get away!" The bandits chased after him relentlessly.
Two miles away from the Qian family's house, Ye Mingyue shouted, "Is anyone there?" but no one heard him.
As the bandits caught up from behind, Ye Mingyue quickly pushed Jiang Si behind him, saying, "If you're after money, I have some here; take it as you please. But if you dare to hurt someone, do you even know who we are?"
"I don't care who you are, none of you are leaving here alive today. Let's get started, tie them up... *splat*!"
Before the bandit could finish speaking, an arrow pierced his throat, killing him instantly!
Before the remaining three could react, they were all struck by arrows and fell to the ground.
Xie Bohuai chased after them with a bow and arrows. Seeing the four people on the ground, he drew his sword and pointed it at one of them's forehead. "Speak, who sent you?"
"We just rob people of their money and women, we don't... Ah! It hurts! It hurts!"
Xie Bohuai stomped on the other man's calf, breaking it like a demon from hell, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "It's fine if you don't talk now, I have plenty of ways to interrogate you."
Jiang Si, who was standing to the side, was terrified. Xie Bohuai glanced back and saw that the two of them were alright. He then asked Xu Da to take them to the Qian family.
Jiang Si's shoes were already worn out, and blood stained most of the embroidered shoes. When Madam Qian saw Jiang Si, she cried uncontrollably.
After examining Jiang Si and Ye Mingyue, the physician said that the two were not seriously injured. "They only suffered superficial injuries and did not damage their bones. However, Miss Jiang was frightened and may not recover for a while."
Madam Qian breathed a slight sigh of relief. After seeing the physician off, she went to see her niece. After hearing what had happened, her heart remained in her throat. "You mean, those people came for you?"
"Yes, Aunt. They robbed me and left without paying any attention to the other things in the carriage." Jiang Si sat on the bed, too exhausted and in pain to fall asleep. When she closed her eyes, she could still picture the bandits' terrifying faces. "Second Brother Ye said that those people looked like trained deserters."
The more Madam Qian listened, the more she felt things weren't so simple. "You go to sleep first. I've already given orders that no one is allowed to say anything about what happened today. Luckily, it's in the suburbs, so we can keep an eye on things and it won't affect your reputation. Lord Xie is already interrogating you. With him there, he'll definitely give you an explanation."
After calming her niece down, Madam Qian went to the courtyard where Xie Bohuai was interrogating her. As soon as she entered, she heard a bloodcurdling scream, and she couldn't help but tremble.
"It's best if you don't go in, Madam, lest you have nightmares," Qingshan said as he came out.
"How did the questioning go?" Unable to sleep without a result, Madam Qian saw Ye Wanning also come over, and the two of them looked at Qingshan together.
Having received his master's instructions, Qingshan relayed, "We've already figured out the direction, but these people are all trained, so it will take some time to get information out of them. Madam and Miss Ye, go back and rest first. We'll definitely get the information by tomorrow morning. Don't worry, there's no secret that the Town Government Office can't uncover."
Indeed, the mere mention of the Zhenfusi (镇府司) in the capital terrifies people.
Ye Wanning looked at the green hills and went back with Madam Qian.
On the way, Madam Qian apologized to Jiang Si, saying, "I should have sent two more people to escort her." How could she explain to her sister that someone had gotten into trouble right under her nose?
“Madam, please don’t blame yourself too much. We didn’t make proper arrangements either. We thought the journey wasn’t far, and with my brother and the servant there, there wouldn’t be any problems.” Ye Wanning also felt guilty. She had visited her brother, and the soles of his feet were blistered, not to mention Jiang Si. “There are no concrete results yet. Let’s listen to Lord Xie and discuss the follow-up tomorrow.”
No one slept well that night.
Just as dawn was breaking, Xie Bohuai had Qingshan gather everyone in Madam Qian's courtyard.
As soon as Xie Bohuai entered the room, he apologized to Madam Qian, "This matter has been investigated and found to have been caused by me, which has implicated Miss Jiang."
"What does Lord Xie mean?" Madam Qian didn't understand.
"Princess Zhaoyun, out of jealousy and hatred, mistakenly believed that I was in love with Miss Jiang, which is why she sent people to ruin Miss Jiang's reputation. The bandits were all soldiers in disguise. I have already made them sign confessions. As for how to handle the matter afterward, it depends on your decision." Xie Bohuai said this with his brows furrowed.
Madam Qian felt a lump in her throat. "How dare she be so arrogant! Just because her father is a prince, she dares to be so bold!"
After finishing her tirade, Madam Qian calmed down and quickly added, "I've already sent someone to invite my sister. This matter must not be spread, nor should we cause any trouble."
Ye Mingyue asked why.
Ye Wanning whispered an explanation from the side, "Princess Zhaoyun is the Emperor's own granddaughter. Even if we bring witnesses and evidence to sue, the Emperor will at most strip her of her title and confine her to her quarters to reflect on her mistakes. But Sister Jiang's reputation will be ruined. We know that Sister Jiang was not defiled by the thief, but outsiders do not know. If this gets out, Sister Jiang will have no way to face anyone."
That was Madam Qian's meaning, but Ye Mingyue was unwilling to give up. "Are we really helpless?"
"Not necessarily." Ye Wanning looked at Xie Bohuai. Everyone said that Xie Bohuai was the most vengeful, and he would not sit idly by in this matter.
After noon, Madam Jiang arrived at the Qian family's house and saw that her daughter's feet were thickly bandaged and her face was pale. Madam Jiang was heartbroken and cried.
"Just because she, Princess Zhaoyun, is a member of the royal family, does that mean she can treat people like dirt?" Madam Jiang cried, holding her daughter. "This matter is not over. I will definitely seek justice for you."
Jiang Si dared to cry out loud only when she leaned against her mother's chest.
Madam Qian burst into tears again. After a while, she called her sister out and asked her what she thought.
"Sister, don't be impulsive. Princess Zhaoyun is hateful, but Si'er's reputation is the most important. We can't ruin Si'er's reputation just to drag Princess Zhaoyun down with us," Madam Qian reminded her.
“Sister is right, this matter cannot be brought up in the open.” Madam Jiang took a deep breath, but she still hated Princess Zhaoyun to the core.
"Lord Xie said that if we didn't intend to sue Princess Zhaoyun, he would arrange for those thieves to be deserters from Prince Hui's residence and launch an attack on Prince Hui's residence. As for our two families, my brother-in-law has been in the Censorate for so many years. Once the deserter incident becomes a big deal, we can send all the memorials we've submitted impeaching Princess Zhaoyun over the years to the Emperor. Prince Hui's residence's arrogance over the years has all come from the Emperor's favor. If the Emperor becomes disappointed in Prince Hui's residence, then when the wall falls, everyone will push it down. We won't even need to lift a finger; Prince Hui and Princess Zhaoyun will both come to a bad end." Speaking of Xie Bohuai's scheme, Madam Qian sighed again. This man was truly shrewd; indeed, he was the person in the capital who was most not to be offended.
Madam Jiang knew this was the best solution, so she thanked Xie Bohuai and the Ye family in person before making the arrangements.
Jiang Si stayed at the Qian family to recover from her injuries, while Ye Wanning took her brother back to the Ye family. Xie Bohuai suggested that, just in case, he should ride a horse to escort the Ye siblings back.
The carriage swayed gently, and through the gap in the wooden window, Ye Wanning could see Xie Bohuai's tall figure.
For some reason, Xie Bohuai's presence makes me feel much more at ease.