No sooner had he finished speaking than Cheng Zhuo came in to report: "Sir, I have led men to search the entire Song residence, but we have not found any stolen goods!"

After saying that, he glanced at Liu Yingying with some concern in his eyes.

Although he wanted to believe Liu Yingying, the government always relied on evidence when handling cases.

If there is no conclusive evidence that these people are a theft gang, then even if Liu Yingying is the Lady of Lihe Township, she will probably get into trouble!

Now, even Lord Shen looked at Liu Yingying with a somewhat troubled expression.

"Lord Rikawa, is there anything else you would like to say?"

"My lord, I think this woman is clearly trying to get your attention again and again!" Before Liu Yingying could reply, Master Jin spoke first.

He now wants to confirm that Liu Yingying deliberately fabricated this farcical charge to attract Lord Shen's attention!

After all, Lord Shen came from the capital. Not to mention that he was just thirty years old, in the prime of his life, and the dream lover of countless young ladies.

Since Lord Shen took office, several widows who lived near the yamen and were somewhat attractive have come up to him more than once to curry favor with him.

He happened to remember that this Liu was also a widow.

Isn't it said that people are like wolves at thirty and tigers at forty?

Liu Yingying is definitely doing this on purpose to attract Lord Shen's attention!

Master Jin's words caused a shift in the way everyone in the courtroom looked at Liu Yingying...

Even Shen Shangxu himself began to doubt the truth of these words, and couldn't help but recall the scene of his first meeting with Liu Yingying.

His gaze involuntarily fell on her again.

Could it be... really like that?

"grown ups!"

After a while, Liu Yingying finally put down her teacup and looked up at Shen Shangxu with a faint gaze.

Chen Shangxu; cough cough cough!

Damn it, why is he acting guilty? What is he guilty about?

Liu Yingying: "Sir, have you estimated how much property has been stolen in Furong County recently?"

Although Shen Shangxu didn't understand why she suddenly asked that, he still subconsciously replied, "This official remembers a total of no less than fifty thousand taels of gold, two hundred thousand taels of silver, and countless brocades and paintings..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yingying chuckled lightly; "With so much stuff, they definitely can't move it out in the short term. The stolen goods must still be hidden in the Song residence!"

Then he looked at Cheng Zhuo and asked, "Officer Cheng, did you go to the basement during your search?"

"No...no, there really isn't!"

Cheng Zhuo was a little confused. Although most wealthy families had cellars, they had searched the entire Song residence but couldn't find the entrance to the cellar.

Liu Yingying continued, "I know that some prestigious families build the entrances to basements very discreetly, and some even have mechanisms hidden inside, often in the master's bedroom or study..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Shangxu immediately understood her meaning and then instructed Cheng Zhuo.

"Take some men and go there again, and search carefully once more, just as Lord Lihe had instructed!"

After he finished speaking, Zhang Qi, Wang Wu and the others really panicked this time, and kept giving Jin Shiye meaningful glances.

Master Jin was also cursing inwardly, "These idiots! They're staring at me so openly, are they afraid others won't suspect me?"

And that Liu woman, it's all her fault for meddling!

Soon, Cheng Zhuo returned, and this time, as expected, he discovered the problem.

"Reporting to you, sir, I did indeed discover a hidden door in the study of the Song family's master, where a large amount of gold and silver valuables were hidden... I even saw the warm jade ruyi that Master Li had recently stolen!"

"Injustice!!!" Zhang Qi and the others shouted again before Cheng Zhuo could finish speaking.

This time they were truly scared!

Lord Shen immediately flew into a rage; "Now that the evidence is irrefutable, do you still want to argue?"

However, he would not give them any more chances to argue, and immediately ordered people to find all the aggrieved parties who had come to the yamen to report to the authorities.

And then there's Mr. Wu, who had his shoplifted at Qin's Noodle Shop this morning...

Soon, all the people who lived in the city arrived at the yamen in twos and threes.

There are also some wealthy households in the lower-level towns. Because they live far away, it takes time just to run to notify them, and by the time they arrive, it will probably be dark.

However, with witnesses and physical evidence available, it doesn't matter if a few victims are absent!

Lord Shen ordered that all the gold and silver treasures be brought to the courtroom for the owners to identify themselves...

Thus, this comical scene unfolded in the courtroom.

Some people, clutching their lost treasures, wept more bitterly than if they had found the remains of their ancestors for fifty-eight generations...

After finally recovering their stolen property, the group knelt down in court to express their gratitude.

At the same time, they requested that Lord Shen severely punish these thieves!

Lord Shen cleared his throat and said, "The Great Xia Dynasty is governed by law and has strict discipline. These thieves are so audacious as to commit such a serious crime within my jurisdiction. They deserve to be beheaded!"

Zhang Qi and the others were completely blank in their minds, only hearing the words "beheading".

Does that mean they're doomed this time?

"No! No, no, no! I don't want to die!"

Not long ago, Zhang Qi used the stolen money to buy two top courtesans from a brothel to take home as concubines.

He hadn't even had a chance to properly enjoy the bliss of having two wives, how could he die so hastily?

"Actually, if you don't want to die, I can point out a way for you..." Liu Yingying, who had been acting like an observer, finally spoke again.

"Really?" Zhang Qi and the others felt a glimmer of hope...

Shen Shangxu looked at her with some confusion, not understanding what she was going to do, but he did not stop her.

Liu Yingying: "So many of you were able to stay at the Song residence and commit so many crimes without being caught... You probably couldn't have done it all on your own, could you?"

"This..." Zhang Qi looked away, lowering his head and not daring to look Liu Yingying in the eye.

At this point, Master Jin could no longer sit still.

No! We absolutely cannot give Zhang Qi the chance to accuse us!

He immediately said, "Sir, since the evidence is conclusive, it would be best to imprison these people as soon as possible to avoid further trouble!"

It would have been better if he hadn't said those words; now that he has, they have aroused Lord Shen's suspicion.

"Master, do you know what you're saying?"

"Now that all these thieves have been captured, the more I interrogate them, the more I will uncover their accomplices and those who are protecting them. What trouble are you afraid of that might arise?"

Master Jin was speechless...

Lord Shen, who was originally a gentle man, became completely solemn at this moment.

"Zhang Qi, Wang Wu... if you can reveal who's behind this, I might be able to treat you leniently!"

"really?"

The group reacted as if they had suddenly grasped at a lifeline.