The Old Madame did not fear Huo Yuan, but given the situation, fear was pointless. If Huo Yuan truly sought to avenge the Mu Family and target them, he wouldn’t spare them just because the Duke An’s Mansion showed goodwill or weakness. Since this was the case, there was no point in being afraid. With the Great General’s Mansion present, she refused to believe that Huo Yuan would dare to oppose them.
"What about the two shops and the manor?"
Du Yongchun managed to ask his question of greatest concern: the matter of the Mu Family’s two shops and one manor.
Unlike his two elder brothers who held fifth-rank and sixth-rank officials, earning substantial salaries and fringe benefits annually, he was only an eighth-rank official from the Hanlin Academy. When he got married, his family was already in decline. Therefore, his wife, Lady Dai, was not as well-born as his sisters-in-law, and the dowry she brought was relatively limited. Having been accustomed to a lavish lifestyle since a young age, he maintained four or five concubines in their home, with countless chambermaids. His illegitimate sons and daughters occupied the entire courtyard. Naturally, his household expenses were more than others, which often left him in a tough financial situation, hence, he was particularly concerned about money matters. Moreover, he had long set his sights on the Mu Family’s shops!
The Old Madame snorted, "The Mu Family’s shops and manor were all purchased with the money they stole from our mansion. Naturally, they cannot be returned to them. Once the government office has made its judgment, the two shops and the manor will be divided among my three sons.
Brothers Du Yongzhi, Du Yongbang, and Du Yongchun looked at each other, their eyes hiding their smiles. Even the young masters and misses standing behind their elders showed contented expressions, some even started to contemplate whether they want a shop or a manor. If they decide on a shop, which one would be more suitable..."
Doctor Yao Yuanpan’s medical skill was superb. He quickly used acupuncture to wake Wen’er up after his arrival at Bishui Villa.
Once Wen’er was awake, Huo Yuan could finally put his heart at ease. Immediately, he ordered Sui Xi to prepare the coach, for he wanted to go to Shuntian Prefecture to check on Mu Zhongqing’s case!
According to the little boy he sent to Shuntian Prefecture for information, when Duke An’s Mansion reported the case, they accused Mu Zhongqing of theft. Duke An’s Mansion claimed that while several members of the Mu Family were staying with them, Mu Zhongqing’s family stole a few tens of thousands of taels of silver. This money was allegedly used by the Mu Family to open shops and buy a manor. They asked the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to make a decision, to give the Mu Family’s shops and manor to Duke An’s Mansion as compensation, and to severely punish Mu Zhongqing as a warning to others!
Although these allegations were rather absurd, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Zhao Hongwang, was a classmate of the Old Master of Duke An’s Mansion, Du Yongzhi. He was also a cousin of Third Madam of Duke An’s Mansion, Lady Dai. Therefore, in handling this case, he would definitely favor Duke An’s Mansion. Moreover, Mu Zhongqing was just an insignificant scholar with no power or influence in the capital. Once in the public hall, whether one was innocent or guilty depended solely on others’ words.
Luckily, right after Huo Yuan learned of this, he forwarded a message to the Prefect, believing that the Prefect would save him some face and not make things difficult for Mu Zhongqing!
On their way to the Shuntian Prefecture, many Brocade Uniform Guards in Flying Fish Suits suddenly appeared on the streets along with many City Patrol Guards from the Inspectorate. These people were looking very serious, carefully searching among the passing crowd. They thoroughly interrogated any suspicious individuals. It was unclear what had happened.