I bring bad luck to my husband, you bring bad luck to your wife.

The government officials stormed into the backyard like bandits, taking everything they could see from the side rooms, storerooms, and all the other rooms, even the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desks.

Not to mention the silk fabrics and various treasures in the warehouse.

They were all registered one by one.

Madam Du was also forced out of the house, her hair disheveled, and the scars on her temples were exposed without any time to be concealed.

The two daughters followed beside her, crying their hearts out.

Several loyal servants tried to protect their young master, but were kicked away by the officials.

Those who tried to escape through the side gate were spotted by sharp-eyed officers, caught on the spot, slapped twice, and yelled, "You dog slaves! Still trying to run? Take them all away!"

Soon, the most valuable land deeds, house deeds, and money in the backyard were also unearthed.

Yang Tongchuan watched with a pounding heart. These people were clearly experienced in this kind of work; they even knew exactly where things were usually kept.

The most frightening part is the seizure of contraband.

The officials found several letters between County Magistrate Du and his relatives in the study. The letters contained nothing more than ordinary greetings between family members, but they were sealed away as evidence of collusion.

The Du family members were powerless to resist the ruthless methods of the officials.

An hour later, the Du family mansion was in complete disarray.

The once dignified and elegant courtyard is now a scene of devastation, with tables and chairs askew, curtains scattered, and everything in ruins.

The officials carried the thick ledger of confiscated records and checked the numbers one by one.

The constables brought by Yang Tongchuan were only there to run errands and do manual labor. The items that the soldiers had registered were packed into boxes and sealed, and then carried out by Yang Tongchuan and his men and loaded onto vehicles.

The head constables and constables only wielded some power in the eyes of ordinary people; to those in real power, they were merely laborers.

Finally, with a command from the judicial officer, the Du family members, with shackles around their necks, were driven away from their residence by the soldiers.

Through the tear-blurred eyes of the women of the Du family, the officials affixed a seal to the gate of the Du County Magistrate's house—a seal specially made by the government, like a bloodstained butcher's knife, sealing the lives of these people.

Outside the courtyard, people gathered at the street corner, whispering and pointing.

Upon seeing the soldiers with knives emerge, they were terrified and fled in all directions.

Du Boming's neck never bowed from beginning to end. From the day the family head chose the wrong side, he knew this day would come sooner or later.

In the county government office, several cells were specially cleared out to imprison Du Boming and his family.

The clerk was in a real bind. These recruits would have to stay in Changxing County for a few more days, and he could also investigate whether Du Boming had committed any other illegal or disorderly acts during his tenure.

Du Boming's personal belongings were also registered and sealed by the government.

Rumors spread like wildfire, and people were thrown into chaos.

At such a critical moment, whether something happens or not, it's all up to someone else's word.

"Keep your mouths shut. This is not something we should discuss," Yang Tongchuan reprimanded the gossipy constables and yamen runners, telling them not to panic.

When Yang Tongchuan went outside to check on the loading of the goods, he saw Xiangxi.

There wasn't time to say much; he could only send Xiangxi home first, as he had many things to do.

As night fell, the officers and soldiers, who had been busy all afternoon, went to rest.

Yang Tongchuan prepared some food and drink before going to prison.

The guards on night duty were all government officials. Yang Tongchuan first made sure they were well-fed and watered, and then, with their consent, sent some more food into the cell.

In the prison, men and women were separated. Yang Tongchuan went to County Magistrate Du's cell first.

"County Commandant Du, it's me. I brought some food with me."

The cell door couldn't be opened; things could only be passed in through a small opening.

The Du family members were either crying or lost in thought, and none of them paid any attention to Yang Tongchuan.

Finally, an old butler came over, took the food, and thanked Yang Tongchuan.

"Be prudent and don't come here again." Just as Yang Tongchuan turned to leave, Du Boming, who hadn't spoken until now, uttered these words softly.

Yang Tongchuan's body trembled.

The purpose was not to have him deliver a letter pleading for help, nor to have him help spread messages, but to have him protect himself.

Yang Tongchuan understood. Du Boming was fully aware of the current situation; there was probably no room for maneuver.

"I am but a lowly person with little influence, and this is all I can do to help Lord Du." Yang Tongchuan bowed to County Lieutenant Du before leaving the prison.

By this time, Yang Tongchuan was exhausted, but he couldn't rest at the police station. He had to go home; there must be someone waiting for him there.

----------

After returning from the yamen, Xiangxi was restless.

He would open the door every now and then to see if Yang Tongchuan had returned.

Finally, when I opened the door this time, I saw a familiar figure appear in the distance.

Xiangxi couldn't wait any longer, so she rushed out the door, stood in front of Yang Tongchuan, panting heavily, but couldn't utter a single word.

"It's alright, don't be afraid." Yang Tongchuan knew that Xiangxi was terrified.

He pulled the person into his arms and whispered words of comfort and soothing.

Not to mention Xiangxi, he himself was also frightened by what happened this afternoon.

In the morning, he was still figuring out how to get by under his boss, but by the afternoon, his boss was gone.

It all happened so suddenly, without any warning. In just a few hours, a proper county magistrate became a prisoner.

"Won't this involve you?"

"No, this is a problem with the Du family, and County Lieutenant Du was implicated. It has nothing to do with a small constable like me." If it were a crime committed by a public official, Yang Tongchuan might be implicated, since he worked under County Lieutenant Du, but he was not involved in the collective punishment.

"Xuebao is still at home, let's go back first." Yang Tongchuan and Xiangxi returned home and closed the door tightly.

There was still food left for Yang Tongchuan in the kitchen. Yang Tongchuan ate a few bites, then washed up and lay down.

Xiangxi nestled in his arms, as if only here could she feel at ease.

"Tomorrow, many people may come to ask you about this. Just pretend you don't know anything. Go back to your parents' place and tell them not to talk nonsense or be afraid. These soldiers will leave in a couple of days. I might be back a little late these few days. Don't worry if I don't come back tonight." Yang Tongchuan told Xiangxi everything he could think of.

"Hmm, should I still go to Shuanghua Pavilion?"

"Go, go to Shuanghua Pavilion if you should."

"Was the woman who ordered the hundred-strand rope with us last time really the wife of County Magistrate Du?"

"It should be. I saw her today. She looks quite plump, and there is indeed a raised scar on her temple."

"She must have ordered those hundred-strand ropes for County Magistrate Du and the children, right?"

I also ordered two men's sizes, probably for my son who lives in Kyoto. No wonder I was in such a hurry; I wanted to send them back to him.

"Husband, will they die?"

"I don't know either. If we're lucky, we'll be exiled. If we're unlucky, it's uncertain." Thinking about what Du Boming said to Yang Tongchuan that night, it's probably uncertain.

There are no eggs under the covering nest.