They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 431 Capture
Magistrate Lu was relieved that Prefect Yang hadn't made a mistake.

Magistrate Lu relayed everything Xu Zhichun had said to Prefect Yang, who was also taken aback.

Despite all precautions, a blunder still occurred!
The concubine of Prefect Feng of Xiangzhou Prefecture secretly led a group of people into the city.

That's not bad.

Following the clues provided by Magistrate Lu, Prefect Yang sent men in disguise to secretly keep watch. After three or four days of surveillance, they finally figured out the whereabouts of Zeng Mingzhu and his group.

That night, they suddenly attacked, capturing everyone staying in three inns and two rented houses. Not a single one escaped.

Granny Qin Qing and Zhang Quan were also rescued.

The two had been imprisoned in the woodshed and suffered a lot when they were rescued, looking haggard. Fortunately, they only had superficial injuries and were otherwise healthy, and would recover with rest.

As for Prefect Feng's men, they will naturally be interrogated separately. No matter what is revealed, they will not be released. They will be detained for the time being, and further action will be taken after the defeat of Prince Yuchang.

As Prefect Feng's beloved concubine, Zeng Mingzhu was no exception.

Ironically, Zeng Mingzhu became arrogant after his scheme was exposed. Instead of answering the questions from Prefect Yang and Magistrate Lu, he arrogantly threatened them, demanding that they release him immediately and then obediently go to Xiangzhou Prefecture to surrender to Prefect Feng.

Otherwise, once King Yuchang conquers the world, they'll be in for a world of trouble.
Prefect Yang and Magistrate Lu looked at Zeng Mingzhu as if she were a fool. Prefect Yang ordered his men to take her away and throw her into jail.

Don't rush to question someone who's mentally unstable; lock her up for a few days first. Once she's had enough time in jail, she'll naturally behave and learn how to speak properly.

Although he had captured these people, Prefect Yang became even more vigilant, intensifying defenses and patrols. He also ordered all prefectures and counties under his jurisdiction to maintain 120% vigilance and be on high alert, and to maintain timely communication between the prefectures and counties and the provincial capital to ensure peace and tranquility in the region.

Magistrate Lu, fearing that Xu Zhichun would be retaliated against by Prefect Feng, never mentioned her. After discussing the important matters with Prefect Yang, he took his leave, handing over Granny Qin Qing and Zhang Quan to Constable Yu, instructing Constable Yu to properly send the two back to Xu Zhichun.

Zeng Mingzhu succumbed to the pressure even faster than Prefect Yang had anticipated.

He only spent one night in prison before complaining bitterly. When he saw Prefect Yang again, his previous arrogance had completely disappeared.

Prefect Yang inwardly scorned him, thinking that Prefect Feng was a fool for daring to give such a person as Zeng Mingzhu such an important position.

Perhaps he had no other choice. After all, since the outbreak of the war, the entire Xijiang Prefecture had been on high alert and in a state of fear due to its proximity to the rebels' stronghold. They were guarding against it like an iron barrel. If Prefect Feng sent someone from another province, it would be easy for him to be exposed.

Although Zeng Mingzhu was willing to cooperate, she didn't know much, and neither did the spies sent to this place.

But not important.

Just keep the status quo in order to cope with all changes.

As long as the area under Xijiang Province is kept as impenetrable as an iron barrel, preventing anyone from finding any loopholes, that will be fine.

Zeng Mingzhu was still imprisoned, and she broke down and screamed, but unfortunately, no one paid any attention to her.

She will most likely face certain death as well.

After all, she had personally participated in the rebellion, contributing to the rebel king's path to revolt.

In Qingshan County, the Zeng family father and son returned home and kept saying how unlucky they were. At this moment, they didn't take the matter too seriously.

Only Mrs. Zeng, the eldest son's wife, looked furious and couldn't help but complain to her father-in-law and husband, subtly blaming her mother-in-law for keeping things from her and even taking advantage of her, letting Mingzhu act recklessly and causing such a big mess. She wondered how they were going to clean up the mess.
Master Zeng said wearily, "It's too late to complain now. I entrusted this family to you, and you didn't take good care of her. What else can I say? If you had been more attentive and careful, this might not have happened. You also bear some responsibility in this matter."

“Although we’ve all suffered a bit, thankfully it’s all over now. Tomorrow, I’ll spend some money to bring your mother-in-law back, and I’ll have a good talk with her. From now on, you need to be more attentive. This household is in your hands, so you must manage it well and prevent anything like this from happening again.” Young Master Zeng also snorted in dissatisfaction, “Father is right. What time is it? You’re still blaming Mother? Don’t you have any filial piety at all? It really chills my heart!”

Young Master Zeng's wife was furious; why was she being blamed for this?

How can she manage it?
At first, it was alright that my mother-in-law was under house arrest. Later, after the house arrest was lifted, even though I was still in charge of the household, my mother-in-law was an elder. Could I disobey her orders?

Not to mention the numerous times she deliberately made things difficult for us, both openly and secretly.

She was exhausted from managing the household.

But now is not the time to discuss this. The eldest son's wife, swallowing her anger, reminded him, "Father, Madam Xu suffered such a great loss this time. Although she has returned safely, I'm afraid she may not let it go easily. Shouldn't we prepare a generous gift—"

"shut up!"

Young Master Zeng flew into a rage and shouted, "Wen, what do you mean? I haven't even asked Xu for an explanation for our family being inexplicably locked up in the yamen yet, and you still want to give her gifts? Even if Mother made a mistake in a moment of confusion, what wrong have we done? Besides, even if Mother was wrong, it was understandable. It's only natural for her to protect Mingzhu. That Xu is so arrogant!"

"Our Zeng family and she are sworn enemies!"

He couldn't swallow this insult. If he didn't avenge this, how could the Zeng family maintain their standing in Qingshan County? They would be laughed at to death.

Mrs. Zeng was dumbfounded and couldn't help but look at her father-in-law.

Master Zeng coughed. "Let's talk about this later. There are still many things to do at home right now, and we can't worry about anything else for the time being. Don't worry too much, just take care of things at home."

Mrs. Zeng was extremely disappointed.

She thought her father-in-law was a sensible man, but she never expected him to become increasingly clueless.

She wouldn't have spoken up if they weren't on the same wavelength.

That's it.

Since that's the case, she doesn't need to say anything more.

She has never been in charge of this family, so no matter how much she says, it's all in vain.

Let's just take it one day at a time.

The next day, young master Zeng couldn't wait to gather cash and go to the yamen to pick up his mother.

He didn't expect that he would return empty-handed.

The yamen not only refused to accept money as a way to atone for his sins, but also refused to allow him to see Madam Zeng even once.

Young Master Zeng pleaded in vain, and had no choice but to return home dejectedly.

He took his anger out on Xu Zhichun.

"She must have said something to Lord Lu, otherwise how could this be!"

"Hasn't she already returned safely? Why go to such lengths to kill her! This woman is too vicious."

Madam Zeng sneered inwardly: Compared to what your mother did, it's nothing.