Then Madam Han finally understood. Her eyes held a hint of bitter resignation: "So from the time you came to Yuezhou City last time, you had already planned to deal with us? Heh—everyone outside says Prince Chang is a cripple with two broken legs. But I don't think that's entirely true, is it?"
In truth, saying these words now was utterly meaningless.
However, Song Chaoyu also felt that Madam Han and the others should at least "die" with understanding.
She nodded, "We knew it wouldn't be an easy task before we came. Would my Prince come without any preparation? Madam Han, why don't you hurry back and think about what to do about this matter! If you cannot produce the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds, I fear the Emperor will be furious."
Having said all this, Song Chaoyu felt she had said enough.
Madam Han's eyes went vacant, and she stumbled back two steps, her eyes filled with despair.
Seeing that she had nothing more to say, Song Chaoyu said to Tiaohong, "Tiaohong, escort our guest out! It seems Madam Han still needs to go back and have a good discussion with Master Han!"
—wΑp.kanshu伍.net
It was a pity that Madam Han did not get to discuss it with Master Han.
Because Mu Changxi, who was ahead, had already "investigated" many clues.
In just one night, the "wind direction" in Yuezhou City had changed.
The next morning, before dawn, the Yuezhou City Prefecture Office issued a proclamation.
The proclamation stated that a month ago, His Highness Prince Chang was ordered to escort the disaster relief funds to Yuezhou City and deposited the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds for safekeeping at the Yuezhou City bank.
However, unexpectedly, the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds were lost, and the Qingyuan Bank of Yuezhou City bore unavoidable responsibility.
At noon today, His Highness Prince Chang would interrogate the people from Qingyuan Bank to find the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds and bring justice to the disaster victims.
This proclamation was met with great enthusiasm.
The common people applauded and cheered, and even before the interrogation began, some were already calling for the execution of the villain who had embezzled the disaster relief funds.
Now, in Yuezhou City, countless people were feeling uneasy.
And now, Master Han was still the prefect of Yuezhou City.
Therefore, Mu Changxi directly handed over the "case hearing" to Master Han! He, on the other hand, would supervise and provide some "clues."
Song Chaoyu did not know how Master Han would face this matter today.
However, she knew that by the time she arrived in front of the prefecture office, many commoners had already gathered outside.
In fact, the common people of Yuezhou City generally trusted Master Han.
Even at this moment, many commoners were saying that Master Han would bring them justice and clarify the matter.
Song Chaoyu clearly saw that Master Han, dressed in official robes and sitting in the hall, seemed somewhat restless.
Sometimes, Song Chaoyu felt that officials like them were also quite tired.
Now, who among Mu Changxi and Master Han did not know what the other was thinking in their heart?
But they both had to pretend not to know and continue to perform this play.
She now also wanted to know how Master Han would conclude this play.
—
Since the time had not yet arrived, Master Han sat in the hall and looked towards Mu Changxi, appearing very worried: "Your Highness, look, aren't there too many people here today? If something untoward happens among the commoners, it will all be our fault. Why don't we dismiss these commoners first and leave only a few people here? What do you think?"
He had occasionally done this before, and the commoners had not said much.
However, Mu Changxi leisurely sipped his tea and smiled at Master Han: "No need. Since entering Yuezhou City, I have found that these commoners trust Master Han very much. Since that is the case, they will surely not do anything to harm Master Han or themselves. Master Han and the commoners have a deep connection, isn't that what we all wish to see? They simply want to know who took the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds."
Mu Changxi said this very casually: "Since these are disaster relief funds meant for the common people, then naturally the common people should know the whereabouts of the funds. Let them be here, there's no need to drive them away."
With Mu Changxi having said this much, it would naturally be inappropriate for Master Han to insist further.
He could only nod and cast an awkward glance at Song Chaoyu, who was sitting beside him.
Mu Changxi also said, "The Princess Consort and I are of one heart. Master Han would not wish for the Princess Consort to remain here, would he?"
Master Han naturally did not want her to.
But at this moment, he absolutely could not say that.
Master Han could only nod, "Naturally, the Princess Consort should be here. Without the Princess Consort's care, how could Your Highness be so spirited?"
Song Chaoyu felt that Master Han had done his best to reach this point.
She just didn't know if he always spoke such flattering words when he was with Mu Hansu.
Song Chaoyu lowered her gaze slightly, waiting for the time to come.
Despite Master Han's reluctance, noon arrived punctually—
"Rise—Court—"
The yamen runners in the hall began to lightly tap their authority-wielding sticks.
"Bang!"
Master Han also had to bang his gavel: "Someone, bring the prisoner, the manager of Qingyun Bank, He Qingshou, and the hall attendant He Laosan, to the court!"
The two of them had actually been detained and guarded by Mu Changxi earlier, but they had not been allowed to interact with Master Han.
Only now were they brought up by Pingjiang, and Master Han could get a good look at them.
Master Han had expected that Mu Changxi might have used some means on the two of them, but he did not expect them to be in intact clothing and without any injuries.
He Laosan even looked a bit fatter than before!
Seeing that they had been treated well, Master Han's heart became even more uneasy.
The two of them knelt obediently in the hall, and Master Han had to interrogate them according to custom: "Who are you kneeling to? For what reason do you kneel here?"
He Laosan flinched, not daring to look at Master Han.
It was the manager, He Qingshou, who stepped forward and said to Master Han, "I am He Qingshou, the manager of Yuezhou City's Qingyun Bank, and behind me is He Laosan, an attendant of Qingyun Bank, and also my distant cousin."
Without Master Han asking, He Qingshou said on his own, "We lost the hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds from the imperial court that were deposited in the bank. Who knew we had committed such a grave mistake."
Master Han's brows furrowed tightly.
He glanced at Mu Changxi before continuing to ask, "How did the imperial court's hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds come to be deposited in your Qingyun Bank? When were they deposited? Did you know at the time that they were disaster relief funds? And who deposited them? Tell me one by one!"