They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 428 Escape
Magistrate Lu gritted his teeth: "Damn it, I must set off for the provincial capital immediately."

We must capture Zeng Mingzhu and her gang in one fell swoop.

Xu Zhichun couldn't help but subtly remind her: "Zeng Mingzhu is really arrogant. I don't know if she's a petty person who has gotten her way or if Prefect Yang is backing her up. If I hadn't escaped by chance, I'm afraid I would be dead by now."

Magistrate Lu's heart sank slightly. Yes, it was Prefect Yang.

He had originally planned to discuss this matter with Prefect Yang once he arrived in the provincial capital, and together they would find Zeng Mingzhu and his gang. But now it seemed that, to be on the safe side, he should first try to find out Prefect Yang's attitude.

If Prefect Yang secretly sides with Prince Yuchang, then things will go wrong.

"I seem to have heard that the Zeng family members are still being held in the back room of the side courtyard?"

Master Shao nodded: "Yes, sir."

Officer Yu was a careless person. The Zeng family, as suspects, refused to tell him anything. Officer Yu was busy looking for people and didn't care about the Zeng family anymore, so he just kept them locked up.

Master Shao didn't say much. He simply locked them up. Given the Zeng family's character, he hadn't wronged them after all.

"Now that Madam Xu has returned safely, the Zeng family can no longer be kept in custody. Apart from Madam Zeng, the culprit, let the others be given a few words of reprimand and released. Have Constable Yu arrange for someone to keep an eye on the Zeng family."

"Yes, my lord."

Xu Zhichun stood up: "Sir, may I go and see the Zeng family?"

Magistrate Lu nodded: "Of course."

"Thank you, sir."

"There is another matter I need your help with, sir. One of my coachmen and one of my nannies, Qin Qing, are still with Zeng Mingzhu. I would be grateful if you could help them out."

Zeng Mingzhu clearly came here to do something big and wouldn't easily cause any deaths. If even the slightest detail were leaked, it would only bring endless trouble to herself.

If she's really exposed, Prefect Feng won't let her off the hook.

Or she might not even get to see if Prefect Feng will spare her, she'll already be in trouble in Xijiang Prefecture.

Xu Zhichun judged that Qin Qing and the others should be safe, but he didn't know if they had suffered any hardship.

Xu Zhichun bid farewell to Madam Lu and followed Master Shao to the back room of the side courtyard.

The four members of the Zeng family were detained for several days. They all smelled bad and looked gloomy. They went from being furious when they first came in to being listless and haggard.

He had no time for complaints or curses; all he wanted was to resolve the matter quickly so they could go back.

As long as it's not a matter of principle, they're willing to admit fault even if it's not their fault.

The four were taken to a small flower hall in a side courtyard for interrogation. As soon as they entered, they looked up and saw Xu Zhichun, and they were all stunned.

However, the four people's stunned reactions were different.

The other three simply froze, their expressions shifting between surprise and anger. Only Madam Zeng paused for a moment before exclaiming in shock, "What are you doing here!"

Xu Zhichun smiled at her: "Is it strange that you see me here, Madam Zeng?"

Mrs. Zeng's face turned pale, and her breathing became erratic.

Mingzhu!

Xu Zhichun is here, but where is her Mingzhu? How is her Mingzhu? And what about that wretched girl, Cuiyue? What exactly is she doing?
What exactly happened next?
Xu Zhichun glanced at her again, appearing even more mysterious: "Does Madam Zeng have anything to ask me? If Madam Zeng doesn't ask, then I won't say anything. I hope Madam Zeng won't regret it."

Mrs. Zeng's heart sank. She suddenly thought of the banquet that had inexplicably ended without a trace, and vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

My mother-in-law's expression clearly shows she's done something wrong. Damn it, I hope I don't drag her down with me.
Master Zeng and his eldest son were both filled with resentment. Master Zeng, being shrewd and calculating, managed to keep his temper in check, but the eldest son was far less polite, sneering, "I heard Madam Xu went missing? Isn't Madam Xu perfectly fine here? If that's the case, why are you still holding us captive? Do you think the Zeng family is easy to bully?" "If Madam Xu doesn't give us an explanation for this, humph, this isn't over!"

Xu Zhichun sneered: "That's right, this matter isn't over yet, Madam Zeng, don't you think?"

Young Master Zeng was furious: "Doesn't Madam Xu think she's gone too far?"

Xu Zhichun stepped forward and slapped Madam Zeng across the face: "How dare you bully us like this? Does your Zeng family even deserve to speak like that?"

"Stop! How dare you!"

"you!"

The young master Zeng and his son were both shocked and furious. If they hadn't been tied up and restrained, they would have rushed forward long ago.

"Master Shao, our Zeng family abides by the law, are we just going to let this family treat us like this?"

Master Shao raised an eyebrow, his expression indifferent, and said nothing.

Madam Zeng trembled with anger, "You, you—"

Xu Zhichun sneered: "How about it? Guess how I'll deal with the culprit?"

Madam Zeng screamed, "How dare you! What do you want to do? What have you done to my pearl?!"

"You mean Zeng Mingzhu? She's back?"

"Don't you already know? Why pretend! What about Mingzhu? What have you done to Mingzhu?"

The Zeng family was dumbfounded.
"Mingzhu? Mingzhu is back? When did this happen?"

"Where is my sister? Mother, why didn't you tell me sooner!"

"I see, I see. I knew you were suddenly saying you wanted to hold a banquet."

The Zeng family members each had their own thoughts, and their shock, anxiety, and anger all combined to bombard Madam Zeng with their opinions.

Madam Zeng ignored everything, only staring intently at Xu Zhichun, constantly questioning how her Mingzhu was doing.

If Master Shao hadn't been there, she probably would have started cursing.

Xu Zhichun certainly wouldn't tell her that she should just suffer this worry and torment.

“You and Zeng Mingzhu teamed up to kidnap me. Zeng Mingzhu held a grudge and was looking for an opportunity to take revenge. If it weren’t for her arrogance and my good luck, I’m afraid I would be dead by now.”

"The magistrate said that Zeng Mingzhu may be spared the death penalty, but she will not escape punishment. I don't need to say more about what awaits her, do I?"

"No, no!" Madam Zeng cried out in fear, "It was my idea, it was all my idea. I am the one who harbors resentment, and I am the one who seeks revenge. Mingzhu did nothing. Release her! Release her now!"

Xu Zhichun: "Of course I know it was your idea. It would be best if you admitted it yourself."

Master Shao: "You all heard it. Madam Zeng herself admitted it. She deserves to be punished."

The Zeng father and son looked ashen-faced, while the eldest daughter-in-law wore a mocking expression—what a touching display of motherly affection!
Master Shao took the written confession, and before Master Zeng and his son could stop him, Madam Zeng eagerly signed it.

Madam Zeng looked on with anticipation. Once she signed the document, it would be clear that the matter was her fault, and it wouldn't affect Mingzhu. Even if Mingzhu was at fault, it would be to a limited extent.

She wasn't unaware that Master Shao and Xu Zhichun had ulterior motives, but as long as Mingzhu was well, she was willing to do anything.

Master Shao put away the confession with satisfaction. "Men, take Madam Zeng away and imprison her. As for the rest of the Zeng family, each of them can be released after paying two hundred taels of silver. In the future, be more careful and keep a close eye on your family members. Don't do anything foolish again!"