The Prime Minister turned to look at Lin Daowei, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness and authority.
He said to Lin Daowei expressionlessly, "You should know very well the consequences if you can't find the items and the runaway slaves."
Lin Daowei's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed and replied with trepidation, "Yes, Your Excellency!"
"You may go," the Prime Minister said, waving his hand.
Everyone bowed and withdrew.
Led by Guard Feng, the group marched in a grand procession toward the residence of Prime Minister Xiao's servants.
Their footsteps were unusually loud in the quiet courtyard, and the tense atmosphere could be felt throughout the entire courtyard.
Guard Feng led Lin Daowei and his entourage to the gate of Steward Xiao's courtyard, stopped, and pointed to the courtyard, saying, "This is Xiao San's home."
Lin Daowei nodded slightly to express his gratitude to Guard Feng, then turned to look at Guard Ma. The two exchanged a glance, understood each other perfectly, and simultaneously placed their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists, rushing into the courtyard like arrows.
At this moment, several people were sitting inside the room. The head of the table was Butler Xiao and his wife, while Butler Xiao's three sons and two daughters-in-law were also sitting around them.
Each person held a box of silver jewelry in their hands, and they were talking enthusiastically with smiles on their faces.
Xiao's wife smiled and said to a young woman, "Duan, next time you go to the shop, bring back more jewelry."
Qiaoqing quickly replied, "Yes, Mother-in-law."
Her tone was very sincere and her attitude extremely respectful, just like when she had just served her master, Lin Yajun.
It naturally inspires trust and affection.
With a smile on her face, Qiaoqing picked up a silver hairpin and quickly stepped forward, carefully inserting it into the middle-aged woman's hair.
She stepped back a few paces, examined the mirror carefully, then nodded in satisfaction. She picked up a bronze mirror, held it high in front of the woman, and asked with a smile, "Mother-in-law, what do you think of this?"
The middle-aged woman touched the silver hairpin in her hair, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips, and said, "Hmm, not bad, this silver hairpin is very nice."
Hearing this, Qiaoqing was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you for the compliment, Mother-in-law. By the way, Mother-in-law, the family will be sending me my dowry later; there are dozens of boxes of it!"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman's eyes lit up, and her smile became even brighter. She said, "Oh? That's wonderful!"
Qiaoqing continued, "Mother-in-law, tomorrow is an auspicious day. My husband and I will be getting married. Afterwards, I will accompany my husband to the mansion to pay my respects to the master. I believe I will surely receive a reward from the master."
The middle-aged woman nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, tomorrow is indeed a good day. You are so well-behaved and sensible, your master will surely like you, and you will certainly receive a reward."
Qiaoqing obediently replied, "Yes, Mother-in-law." As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept over Xiao San beside her. Seeing his nonchalant expression, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
Qiaoqing was secretly pleased with herself: Actually, I had already met my master and even received a generous reward from him! However, this was just the beginning; I would receive even more rewards in the future.
Thinking of this, Qiaoqing spoke again: "Mother-in-law, I have something else to tell you. We should offer that gleaming silver shop to its owner. This way, my husband will surely obtain a good official position."
Hearing this, Xiao San was overjoyed and clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Haha, I've married such a virtuous and kind wife! She's truly a woman who brings good fortune to her husband!"
Butler Xiao sat calmly in the hall, his triangular eyes slightly narrowed as he openly sized up Qiaoqing before him. The woman had a beautiful face and a graceful figure; she was indeed quite attractive.
Butler Xiao knew very well that this daughter-in-law had already been used by the master.
He was naturally somewhat dissatisfied with this. After all, in his mind, even a servant's woman should first marry into the family and preserve her virginity for her son if she were to have any dealings with her master.
However, Butler Xiao thought for a moment and decided that it would be better to wait until this woman used her body to help his third son get promoted, then find an opportunity to kill her, and then marry a docile woman.
Thinking of this, Butler Xiao's smile grew even brighter, and he nodded in satisfaction, "Yes, she is indeed a virtuous wife."
Hearing her father-in-law's praise, Qiaoqing was overjoyed. She quickly curtsied and said sweetly, "Thank you for the praise, Father-in-law. Your daughter-in-law will do her best to help my husband get promoted and become a great general."
You must know that Steward Xiao is the head steward of the Prime Minister's residence, and his words carry considerable weight in the mansion.
Qiaoqing was overjoyed to receive such praise from him and was filled with anticipation for the future.
Qiaoqing longed to gain the Xiao family's high recognition and attention, so when she came up with a brilliant plan, she didn't hesitate to tell them on the spot.
"Brother Xiao, as long as we can successfully get rid of Miss Lin and that person, the entire Xiao family will surely receive high-ranking official positions and generous salaries!" Qiaoqing's voice revealed a sense of urgency and excitement.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Da immediately pressed for details, asking, "What exactly happened?"
Qiaoqing smiled slightly, a mysterious look on her face, and then lowered her voice and said, "I heard from the Lin family that the person who most wants that person to die is actually..." As she spoke, she pointed in the direction of the palace.
The Xiao family instantly understood her meaning, and a surge of joy welled up in their hearts.
Having learned of this secret, they believed it was undoubtedly a golden opportunity!
If they can seize this opportunity, the Xiao family will surely rise to prominence.
Xiao Da instructed Xiao San, "Xiao San, you are now a guard. You need to find a way to bribe some experts to kill them."
Without hesitation, Xiao San patted his chest and assured him, "No problem, don't worry, brother, I will definitely handle this matter!"
Qiaoqing added coldly, "Ms. Lin is quite pretty; she could easily be sold into a brothel..."
Just then, Lin Daowei rushed in like a whirlwind. His eyes were sharp as he scanned the people in the room. When his gaze fell on Qiaoqing, he was overjoyed and his eyes lit up as if he had discovered something important.
Lin Daowei immediately shouted, "Take down all these thieves and this runaway slave!"
His voice, like thunder, echoed through the small courtyard. Everyone was startled by this sudden turn of events and was at a loss for what to do.
“You…” Butler Xiao stood up in shock.
A group of fierce-looking constables and guards rushed in like a surging wave, surrounding the entire house.
In the blink of an eye, the men and women in the room were forcibly subdued by these people, and they were powerless to fight back.
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