Lu Wan hurried over and took the fur coat the master had taken off. He still carried the chill from outside, and as he walked past, it felt like a gust of cold wind swept by. He passed several figures collapsed on the ground, not even sparing them a glance.
Nan Shiying made a move to get up, but Ji Jinmo took her hand and sat beside her. Bai Zhi brought the freshly brewed tea and placed it by Ji Jinmo's hand.
Ji Jinmo picked up the teacup, pinched the lid, and gently stirred the tea. He blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface before taking a shallow sip. The warmth spread down his throat, easing the chill in his body. Only then did Ji Jinmo's gaze fall upon the shopkeepers.
He opened his mouth and said, "Ying'er, are these the insignificant wretches who disrespected you?"
Before Nan Shiying could answer, he shouted outwards, "Flay these blind fools alive!"
Jia Huan received the order, strode into the room, dragged one of the shopkeepers, and headed out.
"Wuu~ spare... spare me, Mas..."
When one is terrified to the extreme, they truly lose the ability to speak. Even words of pleading come out broken and stuttered, leaving only desperate whimpers.
"Wait a moment!"
Nan Shiying pressed Ji Jinmo's hand and called out to Jia Huan.
Jia Huan stopped, turned, and awaited instructions.
"Master, there is another hidden motive behind this matter. I implore you to listen as I explain in detail." Nan Shiying soothed Ji Jinmo's enraged emotions with her gentle voice. Lu Wan, after putting away the outer coat, stood to the side subserviently. Bai Zhi, hearing the tone of the Empress's voice, quickly looked up at her, then tugged at Lu Wan's sleeve. Lu Wan turned her head and shot Bai Zhi a slight glare.
Don't you see the Empress and Master are putting on a good show? It's a mercy that these four shopkeepers were scared out of their wits. If they had seen this play and ruined the Empress's and Master's mood, your skin would be in trouble.
Ji Jinmo listened intently, and when he heard the end, his brows furrowed, and layers of frost seeped onto his stern face. "Good, exceedingly good. Lord Nan's scheme is excellent, his methods are superb. I must admit defeat!"
"Guards, tie these four up and throw them at the gates of the Nan manor. Jia Huan, you will stand outside the Nan manor and loudly proclaim the despicable deeds of Nan Chaoyin. I want the common folk to see how this former Prime Minister, now Censor, schemed against me and disrespected the Princess in the past."
"Yes!"
"Master~"
Nan Shiying's expression darkened, and she was about to object. However, Ji Jinmo gave her no chance to intervene. He immediately ordered the manor servants to tie the four up securely and escort them to the Nan manor.
Nan Shiying's anxiety and worry, hidden beneath her skin, were barely concealed. As soon as the figures completely disappeared from sight, her face was replaced by a smile. Her brows relaxed, the corners of her eyes naturally drooped, and her long eyelashes fell upon the ends of her lower eyelids, presenting a picture of leisurely contentment.
When Nan Shiying heard that the four shopkeepers were unaware that the deeds of their businesses were in her possession, she felt a sense of impending doom. If she were Nan Chaoyin's dark guard, Qingyuan, she would definitely know about this. Knowing this, she would never have voluntarily opened this can of worms.
But since people had been captured and the shops sealed, Nan Chaoyin must have gotten wind of it. At this point, trying to cover it up would be like protesting too much.
Given this, it would be better to let Jinmo make a big scene. Then, she could shift all blame onto Jinmo and the maids like Lu Wan. Whether Nan Chaoyin believed it or not was a secondary concern. As for whether the maze formation would be implemented, it was another matter. Before she could ascertain what or how much Yaozun had told Nan Chaoyin, it was best to preserve Qingyuan's identity if possible.
The pieces had been cast. Now, it was a matter of seeing how Nan Chaoyin would respond.