Chapter 280 This is a trap!

The men who rushed in were all clad in armor and carried torches, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.

It was the Imperial Guard responsible for night patrols!

Leading the group was the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards. His cold gaze swept across the courtyard, and he shouted, "We've heard that thieves have broken into this house. The Imperial Guards are here to apprehend them!"

Uncle Chen quickly stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Excellency has come at the right time. We are the Chen clan of Quanzhou. Today is New Year’s Eve, and we were leading our clan in worship at the ancestral hall when a thief suddenly broke in.”

The man was agile; he picked up the ancestral tablets of the Chen family from the offering table and ran away.

"This humble citizen led his clansmen here, only to see the thief running away. We beg your help, sir, to capture the thief and retrieve the ancestral tablets."

Bai San Niang's expression changed slightly.

By this point, what else didn't she understand?

Where can you find a thief who enters a house and doesn't steal gold or silver, but only a broken memorial tablet?

He lowered his voice and said to Marquis Anping, "This is a trap, a trap set against us!"

Marquis Anping suddenly looked up and glared at Li Mu, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You unfilial son, you orchestrated all of this, didn't you?"

Li Mu spread his hands, looking bewildered.

"Father, you overestimate me. How could I possibly have the ability to mobilize the Imperial Guards? If you don't believe me, Father, ask this commander and see if he even recognizes me."

Marquis Anping angrily rebuked, "Don't try to deny it with me! You must have deliberately set a trap to harm me and Yao'er!"

"Father, what you're saying is ridiculous. Why would I set a trap to harm you?"

"Naturally, it's because..."

Marquis Anping abruptly stopped halfway through his sentence.

Li Mu looked at him coldly, "Why isn't Father saying anything now?"

Marquis Anping clenched his fists, the muscles on his cheeks twitching three times, before taking a deep breath and showing a smile to the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards.

“My lord, I am Marquis Li Yongfeng of Anping. There was a slight misunderstanding today, but I can assure you that there are absolutely no thieves here.”

As he spoke, he discreetly slipped a purse into the deputy commander's hand.

"It's New Year's Eve today. The Imperial Guards have worked hard on their patrols all night. Sir, please take them out for a drink to warm them up."

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards tossed the purse in his hand, then snorted coldly and tossed it back to Marquis Anping.

His expression was stern.

"What do you think our Imperial Guards are? You think we can be dismissed with a little silver and that we are scoundrels who disregard the safety of the people?"

Besides, it's the Lunar New Year, and since the thief broke into this house, he might be hiding somewhere right now.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards looked Anping Hou up and down.

"What is the relationship between the Marquis and the owner of this house? Why can you so confidently guarantee that there are no thieves in the house?"

A dark glint flashed in Marquis Anping's eyes, but he forced a smile.

“This Madam Bai is an old friend of mine, and I can guarantee that there are no thieves here.”

"An old acquaintance?"

Li Nanke said loudly with a grin, "Uncle Imperial Guard, I can testify that my grandfather and this Madam Bai are indeed friends."

When I arrived, I saw my grandfather, Madam Bai, and my second uncle embracing each other.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face, deliberately drawing out his words.

"Oh, so it's an old acquaintance. Tsk tsk, I didn't expect the Marquis and the Second Young Master to be so adept at their ways."

Marquis Anping and Li Yao were so angry they nearly fell over.

"No, don't listen to that brat's nonsense!"

Marquis Anping growled.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards' face darkened.

“We, the Imperial Guards, always value evidence when we do things. Whether you are old friends or not, it has nothing to do with the Imperial Guards.”

The Imperial Guards only want to catch thieves! Men, search them immediately!

With a wave of his hand, the deputy commander ordered the Imperial Guards to split into two groups, one on the left and one on the right, and charge in.

Bai San Niang's expression changed slightly, and she lifted her leg to chase after him.

But Marquis Anping grabbed him.

"Are you crazy? These are the Imperial Guards. If you dare to obstruct them, it's tantamount to treason."

"Besides, they only want to catch thieves. You only recently bought this house, and it's not fully furnished yet, so you can't hide anyone inside."

They'll be out soon after they go around in a circle.

Bai San Niang's expression calmed down a bit.

Marquis Anping was right after all; the Imperial Guards went in and came out in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Two imperial guards were pushing a thief who was bound hand and foot.

The deputy commander held up a memorial tablet and gave it to Uncle Chen.

Uncle Chen nodded excitedly.

“That’s right, this is the memorial tablet of our Chen family ancestors.”

"Bai, tell me honestly, did you arrange for the thieves to steal the memorial tablets?"

Bai San Niang was furious.

"Nonsense! I am the matriarch of the Chen family. What benefit would I gain from stealing the ancestral tablets of the Chen family?"

"Pah! A mistress who seduces men, who knows what you're really thinking?"

"Alright, stop arguing!"

The deputy commander impatiently interrupted them, then glanced at Bai San Niang.

"Did you buy this house?"

Bai San Niang frowned and nodded.

"yes!"

Marquis Anping stepped forward to shield her behind him, saying impatiently, "Commander, you came to catch a thief. Now that the thief has been caught, can you leave?"

The deputy commander sneered.

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"you!"

The deputy commander glanced at him, waved his hand, and immediately a squad of imperial guards came out from behind.

He was carrying several boxes, which he carefully placed on the ground.

The deputy commander said coldly, "We also found several boxes of fireworks laced with black oil in this house, and we suspect that you may be illegally mining oil."

Black oil?

Bai San Niang's expression changed, and she subconsciously looked at Marquis Anping.

They did have a batch of fireworks that had been doused with black kerosene, but those had already been placed in the fireworks that would be set off at Rainbow Bridge tonight.

It was intended to be used to kill Li Mu and his family of three!

How did he end up in her house again?

Marquis Anping's expression was gloomy. He stepped forward and grabbed Li Mu by the collar, shaking him violently.

His eyes were practically bulging out.

"It was you, it was you who did this, wasn't it?"

Li Mu looked completely bewildered.

"I don't understand what Father is talking about?"

Marquis Anping gripped Li Mu's collar so tightly that the veins on his hands bulged.

"You unfilial son, you bastard, I'll beat you to death!"

He raised his foot to kick Li Mu.

Li Mu naturally wouldn't let him kick her, forcefully breaking free and throwing him aside.

Marquis Anping fell to the ground in a sorry state.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards gave the order impatiently.

"Guards, take Marquis Anping and this Madam Bai back to the yamen!"

"yes!"

Immediately, an imperial guard stepped forward, grabbed Bai San Niang, and roughly tied her hands behind her back.

Bai San Niang cried out in pain.

Li Yao panicked and rushed over, shoving the Imperial Guards aside.

"Let go of my mother!"

After he finished speaking, the scene fell silent.

Then Uncle Chen roared, "Bai, you adulterous woman! You actually had such a big son with your lover!"

Bai San Niang's face turned pale, and she closed her eyes without saying a word.

Marquis Anping glared at Li Yao secretly.

Li Yao looked annoyed, wishing he could swallow his words.

The deputy commander of the Imperial Guards looked him up and down.

"Your mother? I didn't expect there to be this connection. Well then, take them all with you!"