Sixty-six escape the net

  It was rare for Mr. Wang to be so stern and severe, and doing so proved that he had acknowledged the words of the three maidservants. Liu Liuniang's teeth were chattering with rage, and her throat seemed to be blocked by something she couldn't spit out or swallow, almost making her vomit on the spot.

  According to what Gu Yan and others said, those horsemen have all confessed that they were instructed by Liu's mother, and also those mountain bandits...

  They can't even accomplish anything but they're great at messing things up!

  If Liu's mother were to be taken away, if Liu's mother were to be convicted...Liu Liunan felt her hands and feet turn icy cold, and even with gloves on, she could feel the cold sweat oozing from her palms.

  Just then, the League brought Liu's mother in.

  Compared to Liu's anger and discontent, her face was calm and unruffled, as if nothing had happened.

  She even raised her head and smiled comfortingly at Liu Liuniang, then quickly glanced at Gu Yan and Gu Man.

  Those venomous eyes are just like a poisonous snake spitting at you, ready to jump up and bite you at any moment.

  Liu's mother would never betray herself, Liu Liuniang was very sure of this, but when she really met the official, Liu's mother was ruined!

  She suddenly felt a panic in her heart, and before she could speak, she heard Wang's cold tone say to Liu's mother: "The prefect of Yingtian said that someone accused you of instructing the mountain bandits to hurt people, now go there for a trip!"

  Liu's mother nodded and followed Meng Yu out, her footsteps steady, without a single pause.

  The sky gradually floated with fine rain, Ouyang Can stood under the umbrella and looked at the Dingyuan Hou Mansion behind him, then bowed his head to bid farewell to Gu Boqing.

  Gu Boqing quite liked the young man in front of him, who was well-spoken and humble. Compared to other wealthy young masters, he was a cut above the rest. He smiled again and said: "On the fifteenth day, we will be holding a Lantern Festival banquet, you must come!"

  Ouyang Can readily agreed and turned back to say: "I'll bring the article over then to ask Mr. Gu for his guidance!"

  He finished speaking and flipped onto his horse. His movements were smooth and natural, bringing joy to those who watched.

  Gu Boqi watched him leave with a satisfied expression, but when he turned back, he saw the yamen runner bringing out a woman who looked like a servant. He frowned and shouted at them: "What does this mean? I didn't know that since when, apart from the Brocade Guards, you people from the Provincial Administration can also enter our Marquis's residence!"

  Those two bailiffs were somewhat frightened and stuttered as they explained things.

  Gu Boqing heard this and coldly stared at the woman, humming a sound: "If nothing happens, it's for the best. If you really dare to do such an unforgivable thing, even if you die, you'll still tarnish the reputation of our Hou Manor!"

  The runners were all in a sweat. They merely answered with a "yes" and did not dare to put the cangue on Liu's wife, but only surrounded her in the middle, fearing that she would run away halfway.

  They finally arrived at the government office, and everyone felt a sigh of relief. They took Liu Po to the hall.

  The prefect of Ying Tian Fu looked her up and down, thinking that this Liu mother's face was really nothing special. If one had to say what made an impression, it would be the dense wrinkles on her face. He furrowed his brow, slammed his hand on the wooden desk, and shouted: "There are bandits in the mountains. You are accused of instructing them to rob and kill a weak woman on a certain day in a certain month. Is this true?"

  Generally, women who come to the court are so scared that they can't even speak. Who isn't ashamed and wants to die? The Tianfu Prefect looked at the woman in front of him with some incomprehension, but found that she didn't have a hint of panic, kneeling upright, exceptionally calm, and he couldn't help but feel some doubt.

  That wooden board was slapped once. Everyone else shrank their necks in fear, but not Liu's mother. She seemed to be unaffected and said loudly: "Reporting to the master, I have never done anything, nor do I know any mountain bandits."

  The prefect of Ying Tian was seeing such a calm and composed woman in the court for the first time, so he shouted loudly: "You still want to quibble! Now there are thirteen people who have signed and confessed, unanimously acknowledging you as the leader of the thieves. I only need to summon them to identify you, and you will have no place to hide! Don't confess quickly, also to avoid suffering!"

  Liu's mother was not affected by him at all, still kneeling upright and loudly shouting grievances: "The slave has always been honest, and is not a person from this Shengjing, how can I know any mountain bandits? And how can I instruct them to do something? I'm afraid someone is framing me, please, sir, be wise!"

  Although she loudly proclaimed her innocence, there was no hint of fear on her face or in her eyes. The Tianyi Prefectural Governor couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

  He thought for a moment, now it's Ou Yang Xuan who personally reported the case, and also implicated Madame Ou Yang. Afraid that it wouldn't be easy to handle, he shouted at his attendants: "Bring all those mountain bandits here! Let them identify her in person, I'll see if she confesses or not!"

  Those mountain bandits were quickly brought in, and as soon as they saw Liu's mother, the leader of the bandits, without regard for the handcuffs on his hands, pointed at her with both hands and shouted: "It's her! It's really her! Your Honor, it was this old woman who instructed us to do it!"

  The other mountain bandits also responded one after another.

  The prefect of Yingtian coldly snorted and asked Liu's mother: "What else do you have to say?"

  Liu's mother remained calm until this moment, with little panic on her face, and insisted that it was just a bandit's reckless accusation.

  "What nonsense!" The patience of the Prefect of Ying Tian finally ran out, and with a loud slap on the wooden desk, he shouted: "You also said you were in the Hou Mansion's main courtyard. If they hadn't seen you before, how could they have identified you by name? Moreover, they still have the handbag you used back then! You..."

  He was just about to order the torture when he heard the teacher clear his throat, then lean over and whisper: "Master, Mr. Qiu is waiting for you in the back hall."

  Big brother? He was taken aback, then glanced at the person kneeling on the ground and said: "Withdraw! Take this woman away for now."

  He rushed to the back hall and indeed saw Qiu Shi'an constantly turning around under the tree.

  He saw him coming and Qiushian hurriedly went up to greet him, saying: "Shi Ji! Are you now handling the case of the Marquis's residence?"

  "How did you know?" Qiu Shijie felt a bit strange and said: "This morning, the commander and the governor came to report that there was a group of thieves attacking Madame Ouyang. Who knew that when I asked again, it turned out that someone from the Hou Mansion was involved. Look, the woman from the Hou Mansion is being brought over right now."

  Qiu Shi'an had a good relationship with his younger brother, so he asked him straightforwardly: "How's the investigation going now?"

  Qiu Shijie gave him a somewhat strange look, then replied: "Still under investigation. However, those mountain bandits have all testified that it was indeed the old woman who instructed them, and there's also a purse on her person as evidence. The purse is an inner creation, with the four characters 'Dingyuan Hou Fu' embroidered on it. Given that those mountain bandits can name names and point out their leader, I reckon this matter has something to do with that old woman."

  In the depths of a large compound, which family is not staging one big show after another every day?

  It's rare to see someone who has suffered such a great loss and yet still resorts to colluding with mountain bandits.

  Qiu Shiji thought about the chaotic situation in his own backyard and felt a little frightened, the saying "the heart of a woman is the most poisonous" was indeed not wrong.

  Qiu Shi'an bowed his head and thought for a moment before saying, "When Ouyang Zhihui came, did he say anything else?"

  Qiu Shijie shook his head: "That's not the case, I just need to review the results and notify you. After all, Mrs. Ouyang was only frightened - with twenty brocade guards by Tongzhi's side, those fools couldn't get any advantage from him."

  What a relief! Since no one was hurt and nothing happened, that means there's still room for maneuver in this matter.

  He recalled what he had just heard, and with a sudden surge of cunning, he rushed to Qiu Shijie and said: "Since the Commander wants you to come up with a result, naturally, any reasonable result will do." He looked at Qiu Shijie's confused face and explained: "This woman is the confidante of Gu Er Lao Ye's most favored concubine. Just now, I was drinking with him when he heard about this matter, and he immediately got up and left for his mansion. If you find her guilty, wouldn't that be a foolish move to offend people?"

  Qiu Shijie asked in surprise: "So, brother's meaning is......" He paused for a moment and said: "Is it to let me throw the crime directly at this group of mountain bandits?"

  Qiu Shi'an was taken aback for a moment, this commander must be someone who has been through the imperial guard, how could he be so easily fooled?

  But Gu Boqi is also very important on this side, and he must let him owe himself a favor this time.

  "After thinking for a long time, he said: 'The Hou Mansion is so big, and there are servants everywhere! Those people must have been confused and mistaken. I think that servant girl is also clever, she naturally knows what to do.'"

  Qiu Shijie's eyes lit up, this idea is indeed feasible. Anyway, the person who gave the order has been found, and when the time comes, just report to the commander-in-chief and it will be fine. He himself was only following the mountain bandits' testimony to establish the case. Even if he finds out, at most, he would have been deceived. Besides, he probably doesn't have the leisure to bother with a woman's troubles!

  He nodded and said, "That's also a way to do it. Now I'll let those mountain bandits confess again." He then summoned his trusted aide and instructed him to go and tell the woman so and so.

  Liu's mother has been gone for more than two hours, and there is still no news at all.

  Liu Liu's mother was anxious and flustered, and she wished to send someone to investigate immediately. Gu Boqi supported her and advised: "We will eventually get to the bottom of this, why must you be so anxious?"

  Gu Yan and Gu Man sneered behind his back. Until now, Gu Boqi still wholeheartedly believed that Liu Mama was wronged.

  With so much trust, it's even harder to cut off Liu Liuniang's left and right arms first.

  They were each lost in their own thoughts when they heard Meng Yu and Gu Bo's servant, Fa Zi, come in and say: "Liu Mama is back!"

  What?!

  Gu Yan and Gu Man were both shocked to stand up from their chairs, almost unbelievable.

  How is it possible that with such complete evidence and with someone pointing out the mistake, Liu's mother can still get off scot-free from the Yingtian Prefecture?!

  PS：

  Bad people will get bad news, believe me...