Taibao continued, "Fourth, when the fire dragon paraded, many people followed. When Chen Liuliu was almost burned, you said that there were many servants there. If there were servants there and you knew there were people in the side room, why didn't you go in and notify them to evacuate immediately?"
Prime Minister Xia spoke up, "Grandpa, many of the servants didn't know there was someone in the side room at the time, and the sudden fire caused everyone to panic, and they were busy evacuating the people who followed them, so it's possible that they forgot for a moment."
The guard said sternly, "Okay, let's just pretend that the servants who followed us didn't know. But the people sent by Xiaoyue were watching us the whole time. Why didn't this person go and notify them?"
The old lady frowned and said, "The scene is chaotic, it may not be as simple as Taibao thinks. Why should Taibao be so excited?"
The guardian looked at the old lady, "Yes, it may not be as simple as I thought. It may be more complicated, isn't it, old lady?"
The old lady didn't say anything, because she really had nothing to say. She knew in her heart that Liang and Xia Zian's cups were not removed at all. It was a trap he deliberately set to make Ximen Xiaoyue admit that her people had removed the cups. Why did they remove the cups but not the other tableware? This alone could be used to make a big fuss.
She also couldn't deny that she hadn't taken the cup away, because she didn't want to have anything to do with this matter, and she would try her best to distance herself from it. The guard came today not to make decisions for the Liang family, but to really investigate the matter. Ximen Xiaoyue's misfortune was her business, as long as she was not implicated.
Moreover, regardless of whether the cup was removed or not, since Ximen Xiaoyue admitted it, then the removal of the cup is a "fact", and without other evidence to the contrary, we will follow this line.
The guardian asked Ximen Xiaoyue, "Do you want me to ask more? Perhaps I can ask why the second young lady of the Xia family and the prince were involved in the assault case."
Ximen Xiaoyue almost collapsed to the ground. Xia Wan'er was a little surprised to hear this, but when she thought of the whole thing, her face turned pale.
The guard looked at Ximen Xiaoyue and said sternly, "Your confession is inconsistent. Looking at everything that happened that day, plus the fact that you moved the jewelry box and valuable dowry in advance, it is almost certain that you knew there would be a fire in the side room. Xiaoyue, your biggest mistake is being used by others. You shouldn't have let your people go to Wu Huolong. Now the people who contacted Wu Huolong are your people, and the banknotes they issued also belong to the Duke's Mansion."
Ximen Xiaoyue's face suddenly turned pale, remembering that day when she talked about inviting the fire dragon, she had originally intended to let the people in the prime minister's residence do it, because all the servants in the mansion had been transferred to the front yard to serve the guests.
Naturally, she was the one who paid the money first. There was a banknote in the dowry given by the Duke's Mansion, so she used the banknote to pay.
As mentioned before, if something happened, the fire dragon was an accident that occurred in the prime minister's residence. Even if the government intervened in the investigation, if there was not much surface evidence, it would eventually be determined to be an accident. But later, the new house caught fire and there were traces of arson. The two were connected together, so the government took it seriously.
If they tortured Huolong further, there would be fear of mistakes. Moreover, they had indeed already started with Huolong, because Taibao already knew that the banknotes they received were from the Duke's Mansion.
Zi'an saw that although the old lady and Prime Minister Xia had heard the hidden meaning of the Grand Tutor, they pretended not to know. Their thick skin was truly astonishing.
The guard stood up, looked around at everyone, and finally looked at Ximen Xiaoyue's face, and said sternly: "I have remembered everything you said today, and I will report it to the Ministry of Justice truthfully as a confession. Don't question it. I have the power to handle the case. The Ministry of Justice has entrusted me to assist in the investigation of this case. I will not touch you today, but tomorrow, the government officials will come to your door."
Li screamed, "What do you mean? Are you helping outsiders to bully our Ximen clan?"
The guardian didn't look at her, but at the Duke of Jin, and said coldly: "Say something."
These incoherent words made the Duke of Jin feel a little confused and at a loss.
But he quickly understood what the Grand Tutor meant. If the Duke's Mansion stayed out of it now, it was still not too late.
He said without hesitation: "If the fire in the Prime Minister's Mansion was not an accident but someone deliberately did it, no matter who this person is, even if he is from our Duke's Mansion, he will be severely investigated and punished according to the law."
The Duke's Mansion has not been involved yet, and in fact, it should not be involved in this mess.
"Grandfather!" Ximen Xiaoyue cried sadly. She didn't expect that her grandfather could turn against her so suddenly.
The guardian stared at the Duke of Jin and said sternly, "I feel relieved when you say this. From now on, warn the people under you to keep their tails between their legs. If you cause any trouble, I will not protect you."
Duke Jin said with a gloomy face: "Thank you for the reminder, Taibao. I will remember it."
The Duke of Jin knew that today's matter could have been clarified here, but the guardian did not pursue it further, giving face to the Duke's Mansion and preserving some dignity. As for how the Ministry of Justice and the government would investigate and arrest the criminals later, as long as it did not happen in the Duke's Mansion, he could stay out of it.
"Since we are hosting a banquet for our son-in-law today and the food is ready, let's have a happy meal first. As for tomorrow's affairs, we can discuss them tomorrow. It will be worthwhile for the elders of the clan to come here in person."
Taibao's words made some people feel mixed emotions. This banquet for the son-in-law was not only to maintain the face of the Duke's Mansion, but also equivalent to informing the people in the clan that this in-law relationship was a foregone conclusion. No matter what happened to Ximen Xiaoyue in the future, she was just a member of the Prime Minister's Mansion and had nothing to do with the Ximen clan.
Prime Minister Xia wanted to speak, but was held back by the old lady. The old lady's meaning was very clear. Although you are Ximen Xiaoyue and have married into the family, you should try not to get involved in that matter if it does not involve the Prime Minister's Mansion. You should only express your opinion if you really cannot avoid it.
Taibao has sharp eyes and sharp swords. Talking only causes trouble. If he keeps silent, he won’t be caught.
Zi'an was actually a little disappointed, as he thought Taibao would continue to pursue the matter.
However, it is better to hand the matter over to the government. At least, the two families can still pretend that everything is fine.
Many people had no appetite for this meal, except Boss Dao.
He was arranged to sit at the same table with servants brought by elders from other tribes. The food today was very good, with eight dishes and one soup. Except for one green vegetable, the rest were meat dishes.
If you have never seen what it means to sweep away everything in a whirlwind, then you can invite Boss Dao to dinner and see for yourself.
In short, Xiaosun has never seen it.
She was so angry that she went out early this morning and prepared four steamed buns, which she gave him to eat in the carriage. She thought she could have a meal when she arrived at the Duke's Mansion on an empty stomach, but she just drank a small bowl of soup slowly, and all the eight dishes were eaten up.
He used the steamed buns to wipe away the last bit of the braised pork juice.
In addition to being angry, she also felt extremely ashamed because the servants were looking at her and Boss Dao, and she and Boss Dao came together.
After dinner, Taibao and others said goodbye.
The old lady and Prime Minister Xia also wanted to leave, but Liang stopped Ximen Xiaoyue at this moment.
The corners of his mouth smiled sinisterly, "Want to leave? We haven't settled our accounts yet."
(End of this chapter)