jdhmnovel Chapter 125 Seizure
Chapter 125 Seizure
Those two shops were icing on the cake for Madam Wen, but for Manager Yuan, they were the foundation of his livelihood.
Therefore, when she learned that the shop had been seized by the Imperial Guards, her reaction was far stronger than that of Madam Wen.
"Hurry up and follow them to see!"
When Madam Wen saw her actions, her expression changed.
Now she's paranoid, because she's done too many bad things in secret, and she immediately suspects herself at the slightest sign of trouble.
Lin Mama had already stepped out with one foot, and Madam Wen gritted her teeth. After thinking for a moment, she hurriedly followed.
"We need to find out more why the Imperial Guards sealed off the shops! And whose orders were given!" Madam Wen said through gritted teeth.
The only person who can command the Imperial Guards, besides His Majesty, is her son-in-law Xie Jinghan!
She couldn't think of anyone else besides Xie Jinghan.
Lin Mama was more thoughtful than her. After hearing Madam Wen's words, she felt uneasy and whispered, "Madam, could it be... because of those rumors?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen paused, then sneered, "How could that be? If he knew about those rumors, he shouldn't be targeting me; he should be kicking Wen Shuyao out!"
Granny Lin hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.
Madam Wen caught a glimpse of her anxious expression, her face turning as black as the bottom of a pot: "What? Could it be that Wen Shuyao is a fox spirit reincarnated, and has already bewitched him so much that he doesn't even care about being cuckolded?"
“That’s not what I meant at all,” Granny Lin quickly explained. “I just feel that Prince Jing wouldn’t target our shop without a reason. Perhaps… we’ve offended him in some way…”
"How else could she have offended me? What other reason could there be besides that vixen Wen Shuyao whispering in my ear?" Madam Wen sneered repeatedly. "I must go and see for myself what strange things she's up to!"
Lady Wen arrived at Zhuque Street in a fierce manner, but upon seeing the Imperial Guards lining the street, her courage waned.
"What exactly is going on?" Madam Wen's heart was pounding.
While Xie Jinghan was indeed bewitched by that vixen Wen Shuyao, he was by no means a person who abused his power for personal gain. So many imperial guards gathered here couldn't possibly be there just to vent their anger for Wen Shuyao.
Lin Mama also looked uneasy: "Madam, please sit in the carriage for a moment, I will go and find out the news."
At this point, the sooner you receive intelligence, the sooner you can make preparations.
Madam Wen nodded repeatedly, watching Lin Mama leave. She touched her chest, where her heart was pounding fiercely.
Manager Yuan stared at the crumbling plaque of Baohua Pavilion, her heart filled with anguish. Yet, when dealing with the Imperial Guards, she still had to put on a fawning and flattering smile.
"General, I don't know what taboo our shop has committed..."
"You are the manager of Baohua Pavilion?"
The person who led the Imperial Guards was the second son of the Li family, and he also held a minor official position in the Imperial Guards—Deputy Commander.
Although the position of deputy commander of the Imperial Guards is not a high-ranking official, it is more prestigious than that of some fourth or fifth-rank officials.
Manager Yuan recognized him immediately and nodded, "I am the manager of Baohua Pavilion. The head family of Baohua Pavilion is... the Zhang family."
The Zhang family of the capital was known to everyone. With the Emperor's favor bestowed upon Consort Zhang, the Zhang family rose in status and, thanks to Consort Zhang's influence, climbed from the bottom of the aristocratic family register to the top twenty.
Manager Yuan thought that his words would make Vice Commander Li give Consort Zhang some face, but Vice Commander Li smiled and said, "Don't even mention the Zhang family, even if the royal family gets involved in this matter, they can't be let off easily."
Upon hearing this, Manager Yuan's heart skipped a beat: "What is it?"
Vice Commander Li smiled and gestured around.
After a long period of panic, Manager Yuan finally noticed that it wasn't just her shop on Zhuque Street; looking around, the shops of the Fang, Zhao, Yin, and other prominent families were all being sealed off by the Imperial Guards.
In that instant, Manager Yuan's face turned pale.
It was only then that she realized why Vice Commander Li had come.
“Loan sharking harms the people and their finances.” Deputy Commander Li shrugged. “In recent days, more than ten people have died in Mojiazhuang, Liujiazhuang and other farms because of debt collection.”
“There are eyes watching right under the emperor’s nose!” Deputy Commander Li said, emphasizing his words. “His Majesty is furious and has ordered the Court of Judicial Review to thoroughly investigate this matter! That’s why I am here today, carrying out His Majesty’s decree to bring all those involved back to the Court of Judicial Review.”
"Manager Yuan," Deputy Commander Li smiled, "Let's go."
Manager Yuan's hands fell to her sides, her mind blank.
Lending money at exorbitant interest rates had long been an unwritten rule among powerful families. Which family didn't lend money at exorbitant interest rates? The imperial court had previously taken drastic measures, but when it came to these powerful families, they were always treated leniently.
Moreover... Madam Wen had told her long ago that the hidden dangers of usury had been completely resolved, so why... did the Imperial Guards still manage to find Baohua Pavilion?
Her face was ashen, and she opened her mouth to speak, but then she saw Granny Lin outside the crowd.
Looking at her, Lin Mama's eyes held worry and pity, but more than anything, they were wary.
Manager Yuan felt a chill in her heart, and the next moment she saw Granny Lin place her hand on her neck and gesture at her.
A chill ran through her body. Manager Yuan had no idea when she had left with the Imperial Guards. The fierce look in Granny Lin's eyes remained etched in her mind.
This time, things are probably going to get really bad.
she thought to herself.
Upon hearing Lin Mama's account, Madam Wen felt a chill run through her body, her fingers clenching into a fist: "Oh no! Oh no!"
At this moment, Madam Wen was completely lost, only muttering to herself, "He promised me before that he would wipe away all these traces, but why... why did the Imperial Guards still come knocking on our door? Did he even take my words to heart!"
Upon hearing this, Granny Lin was speechless for a moment.
Looking at Madam Wen's face, which, despite its exquisite makeup, couldn't hide the fine lines around her eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
In youth, there may be some genuine feelings involved.
But after so many years of hardship and the ravages of time, how much of this true affection can remain?
It's truly rare for someone to cherish old friendships, so how can we expect them to remember every casual remark they made as they did when they were young?
"Granny!" Madam Wen gripped Granny Lin's hand tightly. "What should we do? What if that Yuan fellow implicates me? Then what about me, Tong'er, the Zhang family... wouldn't we all be implicated?"
Her mind was racing at that moment.
Before Lin Mama could speak, her eyes turned icy: "Why don't we do it now and kill her?"