The second lady sat on the kang by the window with a gloomy face, her hands holding a sandalwood rosary clicking away.

  Seeing Du Shao and Ji enter, her face darkened a few shades. She pointed to the embroidered stool beside her and told them to sit down, then asked Du Shao in a low voice: "What's going on?"

  Dong Zhao recounted to Second Mistress Tao what he had previously told Ji Yong.

  Ji's face turned green with rage, and before the second lady could speak, she couldn't help but say: "Earlier, I heard that Sanbo sent someone back to report the news, thinking that Pang Kunbai was a scoundrel, so I thought of this plan. It turns out he wanted to put on an act of 'hero saving beauty', this is clearly...". She couldn't bring herself to say the words "seduction" in front of Duan Zhao, and said: "Clearly taking advantage of Shougu's young age and naivety. If it weren't for Shougu's quick thinking, wouldn't the Pang family have succeeded?" At this point, she suddenly realized that the second lady still hadn't spoken, and hastily said: "Mother, this matter can't be let go like this! This is too much of a cheat!"

  That Pang Junbai had a clever idea of shooting two birds with one arrow.

  He rescued Shougu from the bandits, and then used the excuse of it being too late to let her stay at the Tian Zhuang for the night. Then, he used the pretext of preserving Shougu's reputation to propose a marriage between their families. Even if Shougu didn't like the Pang family or didn't want to marry into them, she would still have to agree due to the debt of gratitude and the excuse of having spent the night together. As time passed, they had children, and Pang Kunbai served her wholeheartedly, so Shougu would naturally live in harmony with him. Later on, even if the Duan and Zhao families wanted to intervene, Shougu would likely hand over the management of the estate to Pang Kunbai for the sake of her husband and children, allowing the Pang family to openly take control of Shougu's estate.

  The second mistress's face was as black as coal. She said: "Why didn't you tell the people at home before going to report to the officials?"

  Of course you're afraid that you'll secretly make a deal with the Wang family!

  Dong Zhaodao said: "Because of the loss of life, Ji Jia's elder brother, Twelfth Brother and Wu Sige decided to report to the authorities."

  "Are you saying this matter is also related to Jianming?" Ji's eyes widened.

  Anyway, Ji Yong's background is deep, the Duan family does not dare to offend him arbitrarily, it's better to help Duan Dechang and Wu Shan as a shield!

  Dong Zhao nodded slightly.

  Ji's face turned red with embarrassment.

  The second lady was somewhat surprised, but as Dòu Zhāo had expected. She didn't ask any further questions.

  Dong Zhao now dressed as a young girl, made a shocked and terrified expression, said: "Madam, if it wasn't for Su Xin and Su Lan by my side, if I hadn't brought them out with me. I'm afraid I wouldn't have come back! I want to ask Madam for one thing, please promise me no matter what!" As she spoke, she took a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

  If it were someone else who had offended the Duan family in this way, Second Mistress would have long since ordered them to be dragged to the yamen and beaten to death. But as it involved Wang Xingyi, she felt that simply disposing of Pang Kunbai in such a straightforward manner was somewhat wasteful - after all, one of the conditions under which the Zhao family had agreed to support Wang Yingxue's promotion was that the Wang family would not interfere with Shougu's marriage. Pang Kunbai was a relative of the Wang family, and even if they wanted to deny it, it was impossible.

  "She couldn't help but say: 'Go on!'"

  "Ask Lady Tao to help me investigate who leaked my itinerary!" Dou Zhao told his suspicions to the second lady.

  The second lady immediately agreed: "It's you who didn't mention it, I would have investigated anyway. This kind of thing that seeks to gain fame by flattering the master, if found out, will be beaten to death, no matter whose person it is!" She was extremely indignant.

  "I'd like to hire a few more bodyguards," said Dou Zhao. "I'm really scared. You don't know how formidable the attendants of Pang Kunbai are, or else I wouldn't have failed to recognize him. Since the Pang family has harbored such intentions, it's hard to guarantee that others won't have similar thoughts. I don't want to encounter something like this again. Even if it's just for intimidation, I'd like to hire a few skilled bodyguards."

  The second mistress thought of the Wu family.

  "Go!" She said without hesitation. "You discuss this matter with your third uncle and third elder brother when the time comes."

  Dong Zhao got up and thanked Second Mistress.

  In this way, she can openly recruit soldiers and buy horses.

  Liu's wife came in and reported: "There is a letter from Third Master's side."

  It seems that Third Uncle often reports what happens at the estate to Second Madam, no wonder she found out about the incident so quickly.

  "Let him come in and talk," said the second lady.

  A twelve or thirteen-year-old, looking very clever, ran in and saluted the second lady, saying: "Lady, the doctor said that young Mr. Pang's injury is serious. It's likely to be sent to Zhenzhou for treatment. The third master asked me to ask you if you want to inform someone from the Pang family?"

  "Tell them." The second lady said decisively, "Beat the drums and let them come to take him away, and let all of Zhending Prefecture know what a monstrous thing they've given birth to!"

  The little servant ran away quickly.

  The second lady thought about telling Dou Shi Chui as soon as possible, and sent Dou Zhao away to rest: “...It's too late. You can just take a break in your sixth aunt's house! Don't worry about what's going on over there, your third uncle will naturally handle it well.”

  Dong Zhao didn't want to go back and scare his grandmother at this time, so he went to Ji's place.

  Before going to sleep, Ji Shi pulled Du Zhao's hand and carefully asked about every word and every sentence that Ji Yong had said, her expression looked a bit tense.

  Dong Zhao did not understand, but still answered impartially one by one.

  Ji heard this, his expression became solemn and he ordered the maid to serve Dou Zhao to wash up, and also lit a furnace of soothing incense in the inner room, letting Dou Zhao rest well, whatever words could be said tomorrow.

  Either the fragrance of the stove had taken effect or she was too tense before, but Suo Zhao soon fell asleep and didn't even turn over once. When she woke up in the morning, half of her arm was numb.

  Ji Yong, Dou Dechang and Wu Shan have returned and are having breakfast.

  Dòu Déchāng and Wū Shàntǐng both had two black eye circles, it was clear that they hadn't slept last night, while Jì Yòng looked refreshed and radiant, as if he had just gotten out of bed.

  How does he have such good spirit?

  Dong Zhao muttered to himself in his heart.

  "...The Pang family refuses to admit that Pang Kunbai robbed you, but instead says that you took advantage of your power to bully him and beat him into a serious injury. Now, Pang Yilou is escorting Pang Kunbai to seek medical treatment in Zhengdingzhou, and Pang Jilou has gone to the capital. Pang Xilou has hired Hu as a lawyer to sue our family." She said with a cold smile, comforting Duan Zhao, "Criminal old eight still has a subordinate who is willing to testify against the Pang family. I'd like to see what the Pang family will say then!"

  Dong Zhao nodded slightly.

  To file a lawsuit, we must wait for Du Shiwei and Wang Xingyi to express their attitudes first.

  "Can it be found out who leaked my itinerary?"

  "There's no news yet," said Ji Shi, "Liu Mama made an excuse that something was lost at home and took people to the West House overnight." She was somewhat worried, "We must find this person, otherwise your situation will be precarious!"

  Ji Yong, who had been sitting beside them listening to their conversation, suddenly said, "Do you want me to help you investigate?"

  Before Dòu Zhāo could speak, Jì Shì hastily said: "Jiàn Míng, you are a guest!"

  Ji Yong disagreed and said: "Since I've encountered it, how can I ignore it?"

  Ji Shi stopped him: "This matter will be handled by our elders."

  Seeing the aunt and niece about to quarrel, Du Zhao hurriedly mediated: "Thank you, Cousin Ji. Since Liu Niang has already passed away, let's let Liu Niang investigate first! If Liu Niang can't find anything today, it won't be too late for Cousin Ji to take action!"

  Ji Yong nodded and took a sip of tea with his head down.

  Ji's family was surprised and looked at Ji Yong for a moment, then looked at Dou Zhao with some curiosity, wanting to speak but stopping.

  Dòu Zhāo didn't notice.

  She thought of Chen Qu Shui.

  One day and one night, I don't know if he can find out anything.

  She doesn't want Ji Yong to interfere with this matter.

  His attitude is too ambiguous.

  After lunch, Duan Zhao returned to the Western Palace.

  The grandmother did not know about this matter, but she was somewhat displeased with Liu Mama coming over to investigate the servants in the house: "After all, it's Xi Duan's affair, even if you want to investigate, you should wait until you come back before investigating."

  "This is also afraid that time will drag on and lose its mark." Du Zhao comforted her grandmother for a while, and as soon as she went out the door, she saw Chen Qu Shui standing at the entrance.

  He smiled confidently at Du Zhao.

  Dòu Zhāo knew he had gained something. His heart suddenly felt at ease.

  Two people walked and talked.

  "...The informant was Liu Wan, but he's already dead at the scene of the robbery...I found out that Du An stayed overnight in a hostel called Ping'an in Lingshou County yesterday, and I've already asked Chen Xiaofeng to invite him over...Liu Jie wants to investigate one by one, it's going very slowly, probably won't have any results today."

  Go to Kyoto without passing through Reiso County.

  "Then let's help Madam Liu point out the way!" Duan Zhao smiled and said, "It's still better for Second Madam to take charge of this matter."

  "Agreed!" Chen Quanshui also nodded in agreement, saying: "I think Miss should still hire a few more highly skilled people as bodyguards. Just in case someone else has designs on you."

  "Master and I have come to an agreement." Dou Zhao smiled, telling Chen Quanshui that from now on she could receive 10,000 taels of silver as a annual allowance. "Why don't we invite Chen Xiaofeng and the others?" She mentioned several people she had noticed at the time, including Duan Gongyi.

  Mr. Chen smiled and said, "Fourth Miss has a good eye for things. I'll go take care of this right away!"

  Soon, Liu's mother found fifty taels of silver from Liu Wan's house.

  The second lady was very dissatisfied: "Continue investigating, we must find out who bribed Liu Wan!"

  In the evening, Chen Xiaofeng brought Du An back home.

  Du An looked disheveled when he saw Dou Zhao, and his mouth was shouting: "What does the fourth lady mean? Even if it's a thorough investigation, you should give me a reason."

  Dong Zhao burst out laughing and said, "Do you still want a reason for killing you all?" Then he ordered Chen Quansui, "Hand the man over to Second Mistress."

  Du An was stunned and said: "You, you don't interrogate me?"

  "I interrogate you, will you speak?" Dou Zhao said disdainfully. "What difference does it make whether you speak or not? As long as the second lady of the house believes that you and Wang Yinxue are related to this matter, that's all that matters! What's the big deal about speaking or not?"

  Du An was stunned on the spot.

  Dong Zhaohui returned home.

  Fourth Miss, a letter from the Fifth Elder of Kyoto has arrived at the East Manor.

  If it's about Pong Kun Bak's robbery case, shouldn't it be slower than this?

  "Do you know what was said?"

  Su Xin smiled and looked at Du Zhao with a hint of mischief in her eyes: "Old Master Wu said that if the Du and Wu families can marry again, it would be perfect. He also said that the Wu family is of good reputation and are genuine scholars, you won't suffer if you marry into their family."

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  Sisters and brothers, I'll correct the typos tomorrow.

  o(n_n)o~

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