Chapter 165 It's better to know than not to know

Wu Lianzhen was startled and hurriedly denied it.

"My mother only knew to go to the pawnshop; I didn't say anything else!"

Xu Jiajie stared at her silently until she felt uneasy.

He suddenly laughed and said, "So, you really didn't know!"

"Of course, I would never dare to deceive you, sir!"

Unable to figure out what he meant, Wu Lianzhen quickly kowtowed.

Yun Zhao clung to the window frame and poked a hole in the window paper, only able to see half of Xu Jiajie's face.

That sinister smile sent chills down Yun Zhao's spine.

A person who wouldn't even spare a one-year-old child is truly a cold-blooded monster!

"Release them."

Even the officers were stunned when they heard Xu Jiajie's words.

"Lord Sihou, are you just going to let her go like this?"

"Otherwise what?"

Xu Jiajie glanced at him, and the officer quickly lowered his head and returned Xu Zhiqian to Wu Lianzhen.

Wu Lianzhen hurriedly hugged Xu Zhiqian tightly, then slumped back, fearing they would snatch the child away again.

“Remember, you just tripped and fell. If you ever let a single word of this slip out, I will kill your son immediately, understand?”

"Yes, yes, yes! Rest assured, my lord, I will not utter a single word!"

Wu Lianzhen kowtowed repeatedly while holding the child.

After releasing Wu Lianzhen, Xu Jiajie turned his back to his men, his expression somewhat grim.

Just as Yun Zhao was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of him with his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

She looked closely and noticed a hint of embarrassment on his face.

He felt ashamed of his behavior.

Why?

This is when Yun Zhao couldn't understand it.

"Where is that girl named Yun Zhao?"

Upon hearing his question, Yun Zhao quickly pulled his head back.

"We've brought her to the side courtyard. Are you going to interrogate her, sir?"

Yun Zhao: ...

You've gone too far. She's just a five-year-old child. What's there to interrogate?

"What's so special about interrogating a five-year-old girl?"

Xu Jiajie finally said something sensible.

Seeing that there was nothing to eavesdrop on, Yun Zhao slipped back.

When the officials came to open the door, Yun Zhao was fast asleep, lying on the table.

"Isn't this kid a bit too carefree? How can he fall asleep like this?"

The official was speechless.

"Kids are all like that."

Another person stepped forward and patted Yun Zhao on the shoulder.

"Little one, wake up, I'll take you back."

"Hmm? Sleepy... Hug me!"

Yun Zhao woke up groggily, her fair face bearing a red mark from where her arm had pressed against it, making her look incredibly cute.

The official's heart melted at the sight. Thinking of his youngest daughter at home, he instinctively reached out and picked Yun Zhao up.

"Uncle, are you taking Zhaozhao to see her maternal grandmother?"

Yun Zhao rubbed his eyes, still sleepy, and mumbled a question.

"Yes, I'll take you to find your grandmother, let's go!"

The official picked up Yun Zhao and left. As he was leaving, he ran into Xu Jiajie.

Looking at his fatherly expression, Xu Jiajie was filled with questions.

What's all this fuss about?

"Ahem, the child is asleep. I'll take her to find that Madam Xu..."

The officer put Yun Zhao down somewhat awkwardly and tried to explain his actions.

Yun Zhao shook his head drowsily, pretending to be very sleepy.

Xu Jiajie was getting impatient.

"Alright, take her away, don't cause any trouble."

"yes."

The officer waved to Yun Zhao, signaling her to hurry up and follow.

When they arrived at the courtyard where Madam Xu was staying, they saw Wu Lianzhen holding a child and crying in the courtyard.

Old Madam Xu and Xu Qingshi stood to the side in horror. They finally realized that this trip was not to repay a debt of gratitude, but because their son had offended someone!

They saw Yun Zhao being brought back unharmed.

Wu Lianzhen's face turned extremely ugly.

Why is she the only one being tried?

"The master said to send the person back."

That's what the official who brought Yun Zhao back said.

Yun Zhao looked up at them in confusion: "Uncle, where's the document?"

The official took out a document from his pocket, opened it, and handed it to her.

"You little rascal, you're still thinking about this?"

Yun Zhao stood on tiptoe to look and clearly saw Xu Yangzhou's stamp.

It seems Yuan Shuchang has found a scapegoat.

I just don't know who's so unlucky.

"Of course~ Before Zhao Zhao came out, Brother Luo Hao told her that she needed a document to go see Father~"

Yun Zhao nodded solemnly, which made people laugh.

When the officials brought them back to the inn, it was already noon, and Yun Zhao was so hungry that his stomach was sticking to his back.

Xu Qingyi stood on the second-floor railing, staring intently at the entrance of the inn.

Finally seeing the carriage, she called out, "You're back!" and went downstairs without looking back.

Hearing the noise, Xu Yifei hurriedly followed.

Yun Zhao was the first to get off the carriage.

"Mother, Mother, let's go find Father quickly!"

Xu Qingyi went up to her and pulled her into her arms.

"I was so worried about you, Mother! Are you hurt?"

"No, Lord Yuan's mansion is incredibly large! Zhao Zhao even took a nap there!"

Yun Zhao deliberately spoke loudly, and Luo Qing heard her say this as he came downstairs.

Were they taken to the Yuan residence?

Immediately afterwards, Wu Lianzhen was seen carrying her son down the stairs in a disheveled state, while the faces of Old Madam Xu and her daughter behind her turned deathly pale with fright.

It's obvious that Wu Lianzhen has been tortured.

Luo Qing strode forward and looked down at Yun Zhao in Xu Qingyi's arms.

What happened?

Yun Zhao grinned and said, "Uncle Luo Qing, the document has been stamped. Let's go find Daddy!"

Hearing that she had already stamped the document, Luo Qing nodded and walked towards the official.

They were brought back by Xu Jiajie's officers; Xu Jiajie himself did not come.

"The documents are here. Our superiors said that if you want to leave, you should leave today and not cause any trouble here."

The official handed the document to Luo Qing and told him in a low voice.

It was as if they were practically begging them to leave.

Luo Qing didn't speak, but simply took the document, opened it, and glanced at it.

Once he confirmed that the official seal had been affixed, Luo Qing immediately changed his tune.

He smiled and put the documents away, saying amicably, "Alright, after we finish lunch..."

He grabbed his things and left immediately. Hey bro, wanna grab some? I stewed some meat today, it smells amazing!

"No, we brothers have to go back and report."

The official refused without even thinking.

"Alright, thank you for bringing it to us, brother. Until we meet again!"

Luo Qing had the officials escorted out, then turned to look at the cowering Wu Lianzhen.

She had obvious burn marks from a branding iron on her body, and her clothes were scalded.

The other party didn't intend to hide anything and wouldn't even let her change her clothes.

It was as if they were being blatantly warned that whether they knew about the matter in An County or not, they should keep their mouths shut.

"Go back and pack your things. After lunch, we'll set off!"

You can rest even outside the city.

Xuyang Prefecture is like a dragon's den and a tiger's lair; if you don't leave quickly after entering, it won't be as simple as just getting a skin peeled off.

Xu Qingyi didn't even glance at Old Madam Xu, and left with Yun Zhao in her arms.

"Zhao Zhao, are you starving? Mom has prepared something delicious for you!"

"Oh! Zhao Zhao is hungry!"

Yun Zhao cheered and jumped for joy, completely ignoring the people behind him.

It was as if the person who had been bothering Madam Xu that morning was not her, but someone else.

"Mother... what should we do?"

Xu Qingshi sobbed softly; her last hope had been shattered.