Chapter 4 Deterrence

◎A cute kitten flew across the garden and disappeared into the thick night.◎

The term "torturer" was originally a palace official position, but now also refers to special slaves raised by wealthy families.

They were also slaves, slaves who specialized in torturing slaves.

Generally speaking, except for merchants and special practitioners who specialize in selling slaves, most torturers in wealthy merchant families are part-time workers. They usually have to guard the door, serve water, and even work in the fields.

But Muala was too rich, so his interrogator only had to be responsible for interrogation. At most, when he had nothing to do, he would patrol with the guards and have some fun.

As the head of the family who is not yet an adult, Melia does not look intimidating at all.

Slightly curled black hair, emerald green cat eyes, and creamy skin reveal a doted-on innocence.

Along with her reputation for being irritable, rude, and unruly, she also had a mindless way of dealing with things. The slaves feared being beaten and killed at will, but they were not afraid of Melia investigating their specific mistakes.

Ha, how could she possibly do that?

Even if he is not stupid, any master who does not get involved in affairs of all sizes and only cares about his superiors will not be able to see clearly the tricks of the people below.

Melia had driven away twenty-six tutors since she was eight years old, and it was a good thing that she could understand the numbers in the account books.

Idido looked at Ali at the other end of the yard: his master asked him and Ali to stand separately, and he didn't know what his intention was.

Aisha and Bella were taken away by their master, and Orr seemed to have committed some crime and was imprisoned in another room. They were not allowed to communicate with each other, and many eyes were watching them.

The slaves were spread out and arranged in a circle around the torture instruments in the center.

Everyone was nervous, even though Melia had allowed them to stand in the shade before she left.

What will the new mistress do? Will she break the legs of a few random people as usual, or will she have the torturer perform a public show?

The fear brought by the unknown spread among the crowd. Some people had despair in their eyes, while others moved their eyeballs, not knowing what they were thinking.

Click, click.

The shuffle of jeweled sandals lifted my spirits.

Idito knelt down hurriedly and crawled to the sandals on his knees: "Master! I am your loyal servant!"

What do you mean by trying to cover up one's own guilt?

Melia raised her eyebrows in amusement and moved her shoes away.

If you don't let this person come in, he's going to kiss you.

"Really? Then my loyal servant." She bit her tongue hard on the word "loyalty": "Explain this to me."

With a click, an account book was thrown in front of Idido.

He hurriedly picked up the account book, and his expression fell as soon as he saw the cover: Oh no, this, this is the book he had tampered with.

Although five out of ten books have been moved...but Master Muala has never cared about small amounts of money.

After so many years, Muala didn't like to look at the accounts as long as he could guarantee annual profits. The financial transactions were managed by several slaves.

He played the game of checks and balances very well, and no one dared to take too much, for fear of being reported by his assistants or others.

Slaves had no property rights, and any punishment for getting their hands on their masters' wealth was appropriate.

Idido cried out and fell to the ground: "My lady, my master——"

"Stop howling!" Melia threw down another account book. "Bella has already confessed. Don't waste time."

Oh, Elsa, Elsa, what are you doing - Bella?

How could Bella confess? Confess what?

Idido's mournful face relaxed: "Master, isn't it Aisha?"

Seeing his expression change, Melia nodded secretly in her heart, and her tone became much calmer: "Humph, I will slowly deal with you about your little tricks under your father's hands later. First, tell me, where did you move the shop?"

shop?

If a slave is sold privately to his master's shop, his entire family will be torn into pieces!

Idido raised her voice and said, "Master, welcome to join us. I, Idido, swear on my mother and my own soul that I have never stolen or sold your shop—"

"Still being stubborn, how many shops do you own?"

"The smaller ones are all rented out to private individuals and don't make much money. The good shops that generate their own revenue are 92, not counting the 67 overseas ones."

Without thinking, Ididuo directly reported the figures: "I am only in charge of the largest number. There are some special stores managed by different people..."

"Okay, then take a look at how many shop contracts are here?"

Melia took out a string of bronze medals representing the deeds from the box. It looked like there were no more than 30 pieces.

Seeing Idido's suddenly relaxed expression, Ali's heart tightened.

Sure enough, the fat man smiled flatteringly: "Oh, my good master, so that's what it is~ Those shops will be transferred to the name of Lord Muro."

Muro?

Good god, do you think she's dead?!

Melia clapped her hands with gritted teeth: "Alright, I'm almost dead, and we're already dividing the inheritance?"

"No, no, no, no... How could that be? That was all agreed upon beforehand."

Idito hesitated and gestured, "Someone needs to help you take the Senate seat, and your brother is the best candidate. It's not enough to enter without sufficient wealth, it's just a place of honor."

Melia was silent. After reading the entire story, she could understand this sentence.

There are a total of 106 senators in the House of Lords, among which the six richest and most powerful families occupy the six highest senators' positions.

The power of these six elders is greater than that of the other one hundred combined.

After Muala's death, his only immediate family members were his biological daughter Melia and adopted son Muro.

The elders of this era were not mascots. They had great influence on politics, military affairs, and economy. The relationship between the elders and the king was extremely close. They often discussed state affairs together and attended various occasions.

Let the original owner be the elder? Wouldn't that be courting death?

But——letting Muro do it is not an option either.

If she hadn't read the plot, she would definitely think this was a good idea. After all, she wasn't someone's biological daughter, so it wasn't bad to let her adopted son become a veteran and work hard.

At least they are from the same family and can help each other - no wonder, the original owner was badly tricked by Muro.

"Have those contracts been transferred?"

"Not yet, I need your consent. Please send someone to deliver the letter, and Lord Muro will arrive tomorrow..."

Melia remained silent, as if she was convinced, but also as if she was not convinced.

She walked lightly around Idido and came to Ali: "Ali, where are the other things?"

"What do you mean?"

Ali's expression remained calm, and under the threatening gaze, he humbly replied, "Master Muala passed away suddenly, and some of the investment contracts are still in the custody of a familiar partner."

"You'd better make sure they return it." Melia knocked on the utensils in the yard. Well, she didn't really want to know what the gourd-shaped thing was used for.

"Yes, they will definitely attend the master's funeral and bring it with them then." Ali prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed lightly.

Funeral? Bring the IOU.

Speaking of funerals... Melia laughed mischievously: "Hahahaha, yes, we have to hold a grand funeral for father."

Ali looked up in confusion. Is there a problem?

Given Mualla Sahib's distinguished status, his funeral will begin in two days and last for a full eight days.

The corpse is preserved in a coffin with spices, flowers and ice, and enjoys a celebratory feast with the living.

Melia: "I've decided. The funeral will begin tomorrow. As for the duration, nine days for a king, three for an ordinary merchant. Since my father is such a humble man, let's compromise and go with five days!"

Want to do something secretly? You've wasted time!

"Miss." Ali's voice changed: "No, Miss, we haven't informed the master's friends yet-"

"Oh, that's right~" Melia smiled and snapped her fingers silently. "You'll have to work overtime tonight to sort out father's belongings. Don't be afraid, the guards will be with you. Move father's coffin outside in the morning and get a good night's sleep. After that, you can set up the scene."

"T-that notice..."

"No rush." ​​Melia pretended to be tired and walked towards the pavilion. "Yawn~ Anyway, the play and the gladiatorial show won't be ready for two days. It's so convenient to come on the last day. It won't delay their performance."

No one objects?!

Ali looked around and saw it—a look of relief.

This group of people finally received the [order] from their new master. They were needed and were ready to work all night for their new master.

Since you are needed, you will not be tortured or abandoned. This is a complete slave mentality, and Ali understands this.

His shoulders slowly relaxed.

…

At night, Melia lay down on the bed.

After bathing, Ani and several concubines applied a herbal cream to her: after Muala's death, all the concubines belonged to her.

They were visibly uneasy and did their best to please her.

Melia was extremely tired and forced a smile. She repeatedly assured them that she would not sell them out for new ones and asked them to leave and rest early.

"Huh~Taffy?"

"Yes, Master."

“…” It’s really here.

Oh, it's too much psychological pressure to stay in the same room with the person who killed you all the time.

But if Taffy were allowed to go out, not to mention the safety issue, the child would definitely have all sorts of thoughts and might even stab her.

Life is so hard... And today's strange resurrection, why on earth did it happen...

Fatigue enveloped her, and Taffy blew out the candle at the right moment, shrouding the room in deathly darkness.

Melia felt every part of her body taking a deep breath, and she fell into a soft dream in one breath.

It's like someone is leaning on me...

Rustle, rustle.

It’s so cold...why is it so cold?

Hiss—was he killed by an assassin and thrown into the wild?

!

The horrifying thought made her jump up, and her hairy head hit something hard.

"Meow, meow—"

What’s going on!

"Ah...ah...it's okay, meow, I can talk." Melia adjusted her throat and adapted to the suddenly lowered gaze.

My four feet stepped on the dew-stained soil, which was very sticky and had a wet and disgusting feeling... It was as if I had stepped on an earthworm!

"Meow—help—"

A cute kitten flew across the garden and disappeared into the thick night.