Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 70 A Poisonous Scheme to Frame Someone! Ye Huang Shocks Everyone by Revealing Her Immunity C

Chapter 70 A Poisonous Scheme to Frame Someone! Ye Huang Shocks Everyone by Revealing Her Immunity Card.

In the western part of Hangzhou, in front of the largest warehouse in Jinxiufang, soldiers barged open the gate like wolves and tigers.

"By order of the Prefect, this warehouse is hereby sealed!"

Leading the group was a patrol inspector from the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's office, surnamed Sun, with a menacing face, followed by more than thirty armed constables. The commotion was so great that people from half the street gathered around.

When Qian Sihai arrived at the scene, the warehouse door had already been smashed open.

His face was ashen, but he still forced a smile and went to greet him: "Inspector Sun, what's going on? The Jinxiufang warehouse is full of legitimate goods, with official permits issued by the government. We've never smuggled or contraband..."

"Whether it's contraband or not, we'll only know after we check." Inspector Sun pushed Qian Sihai aside and waved his hand, "Search!"

The yamen runners rushed into the warehouse like locusts.

The warehouse was piled high with fabrics—shimmering brocade, jacquard brocade, fine cotton, and newly arrived Shu brocade and Hangzhou gauze, all of which were the most valuable items from Jinxiufang.

Inspector Sun walked around the warehouse, his gaze sweeping over the priceless fabrics, a glint of greed in his eyes.

"Inspector Sun," Qian Sihai said, suppressing his anger, "You can inspect, but please be gentle, brothers. These materials are delicate; if you damage them..."

"Damaged?" Inspector Sun sneered. "Manager Qian, once they find out there's a problem, not only will these materials be confiscated, but your entire warehouse will be seized!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a shout came from the deepest part of the warehouse: "Sir! We've found it!"

Everyone’s heart is raised.

Qian Sihai's expression changed drastically.

Four bailiffs carried out ten bolts of cloth from behind the innermost shelf.

The fabric was clearly unusual—it was an extremely rare smoky purple, and the weave was so fine it resembled clouds. When held up to the light, tiny silver threads could be seen shimmering, as if moonlight had been woven into it.

"Xiling Cloud Brocade!" a knowledgeable onlooker exclaimed.

Xiling Cloud Brocade.

The moment those four words were uttered, the entire street fell silent.

Xiling was a small border state with a delicate relationship with the Central Plains. Xiling brocade, due to its special materials and highly secret weaving techniques, had extremely low production and was always a royal tribute, forbidden to be bought or sold by the common people. Smuggling brocade was considered treason, punishable at the very least by exile three thousand li away.

"Excellent!" Inspector Sun's eyes lit up, and he said sternly, "Jinxiu Workshop is indeed audacious enough to dare to hoard contraband! Men, seal up these brocades and take them back to the yamen as evidence! Seize all goods in the warehouse!"

"Wait!"

A cool, clear voice came from the doorway.

Everyone turned around and saw Ye Huang, dressed in plain white, walk in. Behind her were Mo Shisan and four elite guards.

Qian Sihai cried out as if he'd seen a savior: "Boss!"

Ye Huang nodded to him, her gaze falling on Inspector Sun's face: "Sir, you say this is Xiling Yunjin brocade, but do you have any proof?"

"Certificate?" Inspector Sun pointed at the ten bolts of fabric. "The color, the weave—what else could it be but Xiling Yunjin? There are plenty of knowledgeable people in Hangzhou; should we call a few to verify it?"

"No need to verify," Ye Huang said calmly. "This is indeed Xiling Yunjin."

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Qian Sihai's legs went weak, and he almost lost his balance.

Inspector Sun smiled smugly: "Madam Yehuang is quite straightforward. Since you've admitted it, please come with us to the yamen. Smuggling contraband, according to the law..."

"What about according to the law?" Ye Huang interrupted him, took out a token from her sleeve, and held it up in front of Inspector Sun. "Sir, please take a look at this first."

It was a dark, heavy iron token, with the words "Zhenbei" engraved on the front and a Qilin riding on clouds on the back. The edges of the token were worn smooth, indicating that it was quite old.

The smile on Inspector Sun's face froze.

The token of the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion.

"This, this is..."

"This is a special permit from the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion." Ye Huang's voice was calm. "Last year, the northern border suffered a severe drought. The Prince of Zhenbei petitioned the court to grant the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion permission to trade with Xiling, exchanging grain for brocade, medicinal herbs, and other items to replenish military supplies. This matter is on record with both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue."

Looking at Inspector Sun's pale face, she said, word by word, "These ten bolts of brocade were entrusted to the Embroidery Workshop by the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion for safekeeping, and were to be transported to the northern border to reward the soldiers. If you, sir, want to seize them, are you trying to cut off the soldiers' rewards, or are you trying to embarrass the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion?"

Inspector Sun broke out in a cold sweat.

Zhenbei Palace.

The old prince with his illustrious military achievements, and the young prince Xiao who had just won a victory in the northern border.

Let alone a mere patrol inspector like him, even the Hangzhou prefect Zhao Wenkang wouldn't dare to offend him.

"This...this..." Inspector Sun stammered, "This humble official...this humble official did not know that these were goods from the Prince's residence..."

"Now you know?" Ye Huang retracted the token. "So, should this warehouse still be sealed?"

"No more sealing it off! No more sealing it off!" Inspector Sun waved his hand hastily. "Brothers, let's retreat!"

The constables, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, dropped what they were carrying and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Ye Huang called out to them again.

Inspector Sun turned around stiffly: "Madam, is there anything else you require?"

"The goods have been ransacked." Ye Huang glanced at the warehouse. "The fabrics from Jinxiufang are all precious items and cannot withstand this kind of disturbance. Since it was your men who ransacked the place, please have your men tidy it up. If there is any damage, you will be required to pay for it."

Inspector Sun's face turned green.

But seeing the token in Ye Huang's hand, he didn't dare to say a word.

"Did you all hear me? Help Manager Qian organize the goods! Be careful, or we'll deduct it from your salaries!"

The constables, with long faces, began to tidy up.

The onlookers pointed and whispered among themselves.

"Goods from the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion? Jinxiufang must have such a prestigious background?"

"I saw that Inspector Sun's face had turned pale..."

"The Liu family has really messed up this time."

---

Half an hour later, the warehouse was finally restored to its original state.

Inspector Sun and his men slunk away.

When Qian Sihai arrived at the door, his legs went weak, and he sat down on the cargo container.

"Master... this... this brocade is really from the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion?"

"What do you think?" Ye Huang walked up to the ten bolts of cloud brocade and reached out to touch them.

It has a delicate and smooth feel, and is indeed a top-quality product.

But she knew in her heart that this was not left by Xiao Jue.

Before Xiao Jue left, he did say that he could use the name of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion to act, but he never entrusted her with the safekeeping of any Yun Jin.

These ten bolts of fabric were secretly placed in by Liu Chengming's men.

frame.

Clumsy, but effective.

If it weren't for her having Xiao Jue's token, this warehouse would have been sealed off today.

"Mo Shisan." She turned around.

"Your subordinate is here."

"Investigate." Ye Huang's voice turned cold. "Find out which of the warehouse guards has been in contact with outsiders recently. Also, find out exactly how these ten bolts of brocade entered Hangzhou."

"yes!"

Mo Shisan left in a hurry.

Qian Sihai finally caught his breath: "Master, Liu Chengming is going all out. If it weren't for that token today..."

"Yes." Ye Huang looked at the sky outside the warehouse, which was gradually darkening. "So, we can't wait any longer."

She walked to the door and looked in the direction of Wanghu Tower in the distance.

As dusk fell, the lakeside pavilion was brightly lit, like the eye of a beast lurking in the shadows.

"Liu Chengming has three sources of income in Jiangnan," Ye Huang said slowly. "First, the textile business, which we've seized the majority of. Second, the canal transport; he controls 30% of the canal's freight transport. The third..."

She paused, her voice growing even colder: "Smuggled salt."

Qian Sihai's heart skipped a beat: "The master wants to touch his salt?"

"It's not that I want to make the move." Ye Huang turned around and looked in the direction Mo Shisan had left. "It's the imperial court that wants to make the move."

She walked back to the warehouse, took out a thin booklet from her bosom, and handed it to Qian Sihai.

"This is what Tingfenglou has found in the past three months: all of Liu Chengming's accounts, warehouse locations, and contacts in his private salt business in Jiangnan. The salt permits are fake, the routes are smuggled, and even half of the escort boats are his men."

Qian Sihai opened the booklet and became increasingly alarmed as he read.

The monthly shipment of smuggled salt was no less than 50,000 catties, with profits exceeding 100,000 taels.

This is only in the Jiangnan region.

"Master... if this gets out, Liu Chengming will be sentenced to death!"

"So we can't be the ones to do this," Ye Huang said. "We need to get this into someone else's hands."

"Who?"

"The Salt Inspector, Lin Ruhai." A cold glint flashed in Ye Huang's eyes. "He is an old friend of the Shen family, an upright man who hates corruption in the salt administration. More importantly—he is not afraid of the Liu family."

Qian Sihai understood.

To use someone else to do one's dirty work.

Use the imperial court's sword to cut off the Liu family's source of wealth.

"I'll arrange it right away!" Qian Sihai put away the booklet.

"No rush," Ye Huang called out to him, "Let's spread some word first."

"The wind?"

"Just say that Jinxiufang was investigated by the government. Although they didn't find anything wrong, the owner was frightened and decided to reduce business. The branches in Suzhou and Yangzhou may have to close down." Ye Huang's lips curled up slightly. "Let Liu Chengming be happy for a few days."

Qian Sihai was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Understood!"

---

Wanghu Tower.

Inspector Sun knelt on the ground, not daring to lift his head.

"The token of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion?" Liu Chengming stood by the window, his back stiff. "Did you see it clearly?"

"Absolutely true!" Inspector Sun's voice trembled. "That token was made of black iron, with 'Zhenbei' on the front, a qilin on the back, and Prince Xiao's private seal... Young Master, that Ye Huang is probably really from the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion!"

Liu Chengming remained silent.

He looked out the window at the night view of West Lake, his eyes so gloomy they seemed to drip water.

Zhenbei Palace.

Xiao Jue.

No wonder.

No wonder she, a "widow," dared to be so arrogant in Jiangnan. No wonder her loom blueprints came about so suspiciously. No wonder someone in the court suddenly spoke up for her.

It turned out that the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion was standing behind them.

"Young master," the guard asked cautiously, "Should we continue the investigation?"

"Investigate." Liu Chengming turned around, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "But investigate another way."

"What does the young master mean?"

"Investigate Xiao Jue," Liu Chengming said, enunciating each word clearly. "Find out when he came to Hangzhou last year, who he met there, and what he did there. Also—"

He paused, then said, "Investigate when Ye Huang appeared in Hangzhou. How did her husband die? Where is her hometown? We can't miss a single detail."

"yes!"

After the guards withdrew, Liu Chengming walked to his desk and picked up his pen to write a letter.

The letter was written to his father, Liu Chengzong.

Only two lines of text:

"Things in Jiangnan have changed. Ye Huang may have some past connections with the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. Xiao Jue left a token to protect her, indicating a close relationship. I request that Father exert pressure in the Northern Border to prevent Xiao Jue from interfering in Jiangnan again."

He sealed the letter and summoned his trusted aide: "Send it to the capital with urgent delivery."

"yes!"

After his trusted confidant left, Liu Chengming walked back to the window.

As night deepened, the painted boats on West Lake lit up, and the faint sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments drifted through the air.

But all he felt was frustration.

Zhenbei Palace.

This variable is too great.

The situation was so serious that he had to re-evaluate whether the woman named Ye Huang was worth all the effort he had to put into dealing with her.

Or... should we try a different approach?

Liu Chengming's eyes flickered.

Outside the window, a gust of wind blew by, rippling the surface of the lake.

It's just like the situation in Jiangnan, with undercurrents surging.

---

Qihuang Garden.

Ye Huang stood by the study window, stroking the black iron token in her hand.

The token was cold, with the two characters "Zhenbei" engraved deeply on it.

"Miss," Jinshu said, bringing in a calming tea, "it's late, you should rest."

"Hmm," Ye Huang responded, but didn't move.

She looked out the window and suddenly asked, "Jinshu, where do you think Xiao Jue is right now?"

Jinshu was taken aback: "Young Master Xiao...shouldn't you have arrived at the Northern Border by now?"