Chapter 329: You Took Me for an Ordinary Person
Chapter 329: Chapter 329: You Took Me for an Ordinary Person
「An hour later.」
Two squads of Ministry of Justice officers stormed directly into the Second Courtyard of the Xie Mansion and seized Second Madam Xie.
"What are you doing?! I am the Second Madam of the Xie Mansion! Open your eyes and see who you’re arresting!" Second Madam Xie struggled violently.
But the officers wasted no words on her. "This arrest warrant was issued by the Junior Minister," one said sternly. "You are suspected of involvement with the Divine Woman and her witchcraft. We must take you in for a full investigation. Come with us."
Second Madam Xie froze.
’The Divine Woman’s case? Didn’t Second Master plan to let me off the hook?!’
’Even his older brother, Xie Suzhi, agreed to it.’
"Impossible! Have Ming’an come see me! I don’t believe he would order my arrest!" Second Madam Xie shrieked hysterically.
The next second, however, a cold, imposing figure strode quickly around the corner.
Recognizing those sharp brows and dark, thin eyes, Second Madam Xie quickly cried out, "Ming’an, hurry and explain to your Second Aunt what’s going on! Did they... did they arrest the wrong person?"
Xie Ming’an was dressed in his official robe, looking as if he had rushed back. Its dark color was as deep as his cold eyes.
"They didn’t arrest the wrong person. The Divine Woman is already in prison, and she has confessed to her crimes. It is only right that you be arrested and interrogated as well. We are simply following procedure."
Second Madam Xie’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Then, she saw Shen Ningning trotting after him on her little feet.
Just then, Second Master Xie, having heard the commotion, had an attendant wheel him over.
Xie Ming’an took the initiative and stepped forward. "Second Uncle, may we speak privately?"
Second Master Xie glanced at Second Madam Xie with a suspicious look.
"Alright."
They went into a side room nearby, and Shen Ningning followed them in.
A moment later, Xie Ming’an emerged, his tone icy. "Take the suspect away."
Second Madam Xie’s heart pounded like a drum. In that moment, she felt hopeless and helpless.
’To be arrested in my own home by my nephew’s men!’
"What on earth did I do wrong? If it’s about the Divine Woman, my husband has already forgiven me," she said, crying, her voice shrill.
Shen Ningning, sitting on Second Master Xie’s lap, was wheeled out by a young servant.
Second Master Xie’s previous attitude was gone. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his expression stern. "We must follow procedure. You do indeed need to make a trip to the Ministry of Justice."
"Stop shouting and go with them."
Second Madam Xie stared at him blankly, her gaze falling on Shen Ningning’s face as the girl sat in his lap.
The little girl had a bright and playful face. Her fair, rosy cheeks were beautiful in a spirited way.
Right then, Shen Ningning was looking up at her, and that gaze sent a chill down Second Madam Xie’s spine.
A suspicion had already formed in her mind.
’It’s Shen Ningning! She refuses to let me go! She wants me dead!’
Still unwilling to accept her fate, Second Madam Xie continued to cry and shout at Second Master Xie.
"Husband, if I’m thrown into prison, what will people think of me? What will they think of Yuanjiu?"
"When she returns to the capital, everyone will say her mother has been in jail! How will she ever be able to hold her head high?!"
Second Master Xie closed his eyes, showing no mercy this time.
He said coolly, "You brought that upon her. You have only yourself to blame."
Second Madam Xie couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Usually, no matter how much Second Master Xie disliked her, he would always show mercy for the sake of their daughter, Xie Yuanjiu.
But now, Second Master Xie was dead set on having her taken away!
’This is all Shen Ningning’s fault.’
Gritting her teeth, Second Madam Xie was led away.
After she was gone, the servants in the courtyard were trembling with fear.
Xie Ming’an stepped forward and calmly instructed, "For the next few days, the Xie Mansion will close its gates and receive no visitors."
"If anyone asks you about my Second Aunt’s affairs, you are all to say you know nothing. If anyone dares to spread gossip outside, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Everyone feared Xie Ming’an, knowing that this Second Young Master always did what he said he would.
They all bowed their heads in acknowledgment and dispersed.
Only then did Second Master Xie let out a heavy sigh. He said to Shen Ningning and Xie Ming’an, "Thank you both. Otherwise, I would have caused more trouble for my older brother."
Xie Ming’an pressed his thin lips together and looked at Shen Ningning. "The credit should go to Shen Ningning. Without her warning, we would have truly been at a disadvantage."
Just a while ago at the Ministry of Justice, Shen Ningning had already explained the pros and cons to Xie Ming’an.
Second Madam Xie colluding with the Divine Woman and using witchcraft to harm someone sounded like a family matter.
But if Consort Rong and her faction got their hands on evidence proving that Second Madam Xie had harmed a loyal official of the court...
...then the trouble would be immense. It would become a matter of state.
If the Emperor were to inquire and learn that the Xie Mansion had only dealt with the Divine Woman but had not punished Second Madam Xie...
...he would certainly be enraged.
How could he then trust Xie Suzhi and Xie Ming’an to enforce the law impartially?
Therefore, Shen Ningning wanted Xie Ming’an to proactively arrest Second Madam Xie before Consort Rong could make a move.
This way, no matter what the Emperor asked, they would have a plausible explanation.
Second Master Xie now had a massive headache.
"It’s time she spent a good while in jail to learn her lesson."
Shen Ningning noticed Second Master Xie’s discomfort and obediently hopped down from his lap.
Blinking her big, round, dark eyes, she said, "Second Uncle, you should go back and rest."
"You can rest assured. She’s only being jailed this time. Lord Xie promised me the interrogation won’t be too harsh."
Hearing this, Xie Ming’an narrowed his eyes.
’She’s calling me Lord Xie again.’
’I’ve been so cooperative with her plan, and she still can’t call me something else?’
Second Master Xie nodded weakly, his face a little pale.
"Do what must be done. We were wrong to protect her in the first place. It’s just... my poor daughter... sigh..."
With that, the young servant wheeled Second Master Xie away.
Shen Ningning watched his retreating back, a complex expression filling her large eyes.
Sometimes, the little girl truly felt that Xie Yuanjiu didn’t know how good she had it.
’She has such a wonderful father, so why does she still have to be a bad person?’
Shen Ningning thought of herself. ’If I had loving parents to care for me since I was little, I wouldn’t worry about anything. I’d just be a happy little fool who eats and plays all day.’
Just then, Xie Ming’an, who was standing to the side, spoke up. "What’s our next step?"
Shen Ningning snapped back to reality and looked up at him with her small, jade-like face.
"Don’t you have any ideas? The grand Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, asking a little doll for advice." The little girl crossed her arms, pouted, and huffed.
Xie Ming’an raised an eyebrow. "I do have a few ideas, but I’m afraid they might conflict with what you want to do. So, I’ll hear your thoughts first."
Shen Ningning didn’t stand on ceremony with him.
She held up two small fingers. "First, send someone into the palace to secretly inform my godfather of the specifics of this situation."
"Second, we can’t just let Consort Rong bully us. If you can dig up some dirt on her, you can turn the tables during morning court tomorrow."
At this, the little girl mumbled, "But, the timeframe is too short. I doubt you’ll be able to find anything."
Hearing this, Xie Ming’an let out a short, sharp laugh.
"Do you take me for some common person?"
"I just don’t think you’re as capable as Brother. If Brother were here, with his meticulous mind, he would definitely have a way to deal with Consort Rong." Shen Ningning sighed softly.
Seeing her little face, head bowed as she missed his older brother...
...a strong competitive desire ignited within Xie Ming’an.
His eyes darkened, like a gathering storm.
"Me? Not as good as my older brother?" He let out a cold laugh. "Just you watch. Forget Consort Rong—if I want to, there isn’t a crime committed by anyone in her family for the past three generations that I can’t uncover!"
With that, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Shen Ningning watched him go, blinking her big eyes.
After a moment of thought, the little girl made a face and stuck out her tongue. "Show-off."
Xie Ming’an, who hadn’t gotten far, heard her. His body stiffened.
Instantly, his boots seemed to catch fire, and his pace quickened, his strides becoming forceful and swift.
He was determined to show her, to make this child regret her words!