Chapter 1386: Maybe Punishment

Editor: Henyee Translations

“You concocted those words entirely on your own. Listen to yourself, don’t make a mockery of your own words. You’re well aware of what you and your mother put me through in the past. Don’t think you can spew baseless accusations with impunity!”

“You claim to have done me a favor? What a laughable notion!”

Concubine Du, her voice trembling with tears, said, “Second Miss is no longer the person she used to be. If you refuse to acknowledge it, I have nothing more to say.”

“Is that so?” Shao Yunduan responded icily. “Why should my wife admit to fabrications? My wife is compassionate, and she used to overlook the past, but you’ve pushed her too far. You’re twisting the truth and attempting to shift blame. Since you’re intent on pushing this to the brink, I’ll grant your wish. Attack!”

At Shao Yunduan’s command, the undercover guards hidden among the crowd acted as one, swiftly apprehending the suspicious individuals causing a commotion.

Naturally, those individuals vehemently denied any involvement, struggling and shouting in protest.

“Let go of me!”

“What’s going on? What’s going on!”

“Help! We’re being unjustly treated!”

“Silence!” The lead guard, without waiting for Shao Yunduan’s instruction, slapped the nearest hooligan across the face and sneered, “Keep hollering, and we’ll send you straight to the Heavenly Mansion office!”

The hooligans fell silent instinctively, no longer daring to resist or shout out.

If they were truly handed over to the authorities, their backgrounds would be exposed, and they might face severe consequences.

“Oh!” A neighbor within the crowd exclaimed in astonishment, pointing at someone and whispering, “I know that person. He’s from West Thirteenth Street, they all call him Dog Three. What’s he doing here…”

Another person murmured, “And that one, see the scar on the left side of his face? Looks like a lowlife from Mixed Horse City…”

“These individuals are no reputable citizens!”

“What a stroke of luck. Why would these people be here to witness the commotion?”

“Heh, there’s no such thing as luck. Someone must have summoned them here!”

“….”

Shao Yunduan cast a stern gaze at the apprehended individuals. “Are you going to confess, or should I send you to the Heavenly Mansion?”

In response, the individuals exchanged uneasy glances, and one of them immediately cried out, “Lord Shao, I beg for clemency! I’m just a humble person; I would never dare to create trouble for Lord Shao. Someone offered me twenty taels of silver and asked me to assist this woman in causing a ruckus. I deeply regret my greed. I still have the money; I’d rather return it. Please spare my life, Lord Shao!”

Once one person started, the rest quickly followed suit, all pleading for mercy.

Their stories were similar, but the sums of silver were not consistent. Some had been offered twenty taels, others thirty, and some a mere ten.

It was their own greed that had lured them into this predicament. What led them to defy the officials of the imperial court and the Crown Prince was the promise of quick riches. They typically engaged in all sorts of illicit activities but were well aware of their place within the capital. They knew better than to provoke those they shouldn’t cross.

Originally, they had believed they could make a substantial profit while remaining hidden in the crowd, inciting trouble without ever showing their faces. It seemed like a cost-effective scheme.

However, they hadn’t anticipated getting apprehended and exposed. It was a humiliating predicament.

Out of the seven individuals captured, three had managed to evade capture, having hidden themselves well.

However, these seven people were enough to explain the problem.