Chapter 2011: Shocking the City
Sun Bai and the others were initially shocked, fearing another attack from the Mei Family. However, their apprehension turned to relief and joy upon realizing that Ah-Ye had returned with reinforcements.
At dawn the next morning, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan departed for the city.
There was no time to visit the manor in the mountains; they would have to postpone it for another occasion.
As they journeyed, they passed countless fruit trees dotting the mountainside, each brimming with vitality and bearing ripe fruit. Qiao Xuan had hoped to explore further, but circumstances dictated otherwise.
The guards at the gates of Anze City had been reinforced, with increased patrols throughout the city. Despite Shao Yunduan’s instructions to maintain a low profile, the magnitude of the recent events prompted a heightened response from the authorities. It was inevitable that such a significant occurrence would quickly spread throughout the city.
By the time Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan returned, news of the incident had already swept across Anze City.
Shock rippled through the city!
Some individuals had already harbored suspicions, and now their hunches seemed validated.
Masters, key stewards, and elderly servants of the Mei Family found themselves arrested and confined within the city’s prison. All household staff were meticulously accounted for and detained according to their rank and gender.
Stewards and maids of higher status bound and gagged them to prevent collusion.
The Mei Family’s estate was sealed shut, with strict restrictions on entry and exit.
Their shops shuttered, with shopkeepers, accountants, and servers all escorted back to the family residence and incarcerated separately.
Manor managers associated with the Mei Family faced a similar fate…
Though close relatives and friends of the Mei Family were not detained, they were discreetly surveilled.
Before Shao Yunduan’s return to the city, Jia Heming had efficiently organized everything in an orderly manner.
Upon his arrival, Shao Yunduan wasted no time, ordering his men to investigate the identity and backgrounds of the assassins. He then tasked Jia Heming and Sun Bai with conducting a thorough search of the Mei Family’s premises.
Rest was out of the question; Shao Yunduan immediately proceeded to interrogate Old Master Mei.
Like Third Old Master Mei, First Old Master Mei staunchly denied any involvement.
Second Old Master Mei followed suit during his interrogation.
All three were seasoned individuals who understood the gravity of the situation. They knew that without concrete evidence from the authorities, admitting to such a serious crime was out of the question.
Their regrets only intensified.
If they had foreseen the consequences, they never would have allowed Third Brother to take such a risk.
Since the bandits’ extermination, he had anticipated that Lord Shao would eventually lower his guard, presenting an opportunity for a surprise attack. He estimated an 80% chance of success.
As a pragmatic businessman, he naturally gravitated towards endeavors with high probabilities of success.
Moreover, he felt pelled to act. Without intervention, the specter of danger would forever loom over the Mei Family, keeping them in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty.
With nerves on edge, they reached a unanimous decision: to proceed with the plan.
However, the oute was a devastating loss.
Regret now seemed futile.
Jia Heming and Sun Bai’s thoroughness and expertise yielded valuable findings in the Mei Family’s secret chamber.
In just five days, the identities of two of the assassins who had died had been verified. They were the leaders of Liuhe Fort.
The evidence was conclusive, and the Mei Family was annihilated overnight.
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