"You'd better answer truthfully, or your cold will kill you."
He Nian understood the implication and shouted sternly, "Xiao Fu, my He family has treated you well. It was you who harmed my Dong'er!"
Xiao Fu was so frightened that he immediately shook his head.
"No, I did not harm the young master."
"Then you might as well tell the truth: what did you pick up?"
The deterrent effect was extremely strong in what year.
Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Xiao Fu had no choice but to confess.
"It is... a gold lock. I found it in the alley when I went to buy books for you, young master. I waited for a while but no one came to claim it, and I was afraid of delaying my journey, so I brought it back and told you, young master. You saw that the gold lock was exquisite and must have been made by a wealthy family. You told me to take it to the biggest gold shop to ask. If we really can't find the owner, we'll take it to the yamen."
"I went to several gold shops but couldn't find out anything, so I went to the yamen. But I saw those corrupt officials oppressing the people. I didn't want to let those beasts benefit, so I stayed behind without telling you, young master."
He said this and kowtowed again.
"Master, Madam, I didn't intend to steal the gold lock. I planned to exchange it for some silver after arriving in the capital, buy some food to send to the dilapidated temple for the beggars. Please don't kick me out of the manor."
His family originally owned fertile land and houses, but they were seized by corrupt officials, causing him to become a beggar and live in a dilapidated temple.
He was too young; if it weren't for other beggars giving him food, he wouldn't be alive today.
There was no way he would have the chance to become the young master's page.
His background is unknown, and for a time, no one knew how to punish him.
Jiang Qingwan asked, "Is the golden lock still there?"
Xiao Fu coughed twice before replying, "Yes, I caught a cold and dared not go out. I haven't pawned it yet, so I'm hiding it under the covers."
"Bring it here."
After Xiao Fu left, He Nian hurriedly asked, "Is it about that golden lock?"
"Unsure, we'll know after we see it."
Liu asked in bewilderment, "Then why was it my son whose life force was drained, while Xiao Fu was unharmed?"
Just then, Xiao Fu rushed back, holding an orange-yellow gold lock in his hand.
Before Jiang Qingwan could speak, Madam Liu exclaimed in surprise.
"This isn't a gold lock; it's clearly a black lock."
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