As Provincial Governor Tao questioned Zhan Feiyu, the others in the hall remained silent, their suspicious gazes all turning towards her.
The items could not have vanished into thin air. This left only one possibility: a secret passage within Sheng Xuan's room, through which the stolen goods were transported.
The other carriages were parked some distance away. However, Zhan Feiyu's was so close. If even a slight disturbance occurred, let alone the removal of over a hundred items, He Nuan and the others would surely have heard it.
"My lord, I was asleep at the time, so I did not hear any noise." Facing Governor Tao's hostility, Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged. She turned to He Nuan behind her. "A Nuan, you guarded my carriage outside all night. Did you hear anything?"
He Nuan was a servant, but everyone present knew she was not just Zhan Feiyu's head maid but also her personal bodyguard, and thus not bound by servitude.
"Replying to your lordship," He Nuan stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Provincial Governor Tao. Her answer was the same as her morning testimony: she had heard no abnormality.
"Although this commoner was close to the door, Young Master Qiu San and the others were also nearby. If there was any commotion inside the room, Young Master Qiu San and the others would surely have heard it," He Nuan unhesitatingly implicated Qiu Huai Xin, though what she said was the truth.
Young Master Qiu's carriage was parked a bit further away, but only slightly, less than half a zhang. Shi Song and the others were trained experts; such a short distance meant that if He Nuan heard something, Shi Song would have heard it too.
Before Governor Tao could speak, He Nuan added, "This commoner guarded the carriage to protect my lady's safety, so I did not pay attention to whether there was any abnormality inside the room. Your lordship can question the guards who were responsible at the time; they were watching the room all night."
Governor Tao was not satisfied with this answer, and He Nuan's lack of deference made his expression turn grim.
Even if she was not a slave, she was still a servant. What did it matter if she came from a scholar's mansion? This was Qianzhong Circuit, thousands of miles from the capital. Scholar Gu's ability to protect Zhan Feiyu was limited.
Governor Tao narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. The three lords seated in the main seats were likely eager to find a "scapegoat" to clear themselves of the charge of dereliction of duty as imperial officials.
His gaze, cold and chilling, swept across the hall. Among the people present, apart from Qiu Huai Xin's distinguished status, the others were either collateral branches of minor families or merchants. They were not even qualified to be made scapegoats.
"Lord Qiu," Governor Tao had decided to target He Nuan. At this moment, without even looking at her, he stood up and addressed Lord Qiu in the main seat. "My lord, regardless of how these one hundred and two items were lost, this subordinate believes that everyone present is a suspect. Since they all deny it, we can only resort to the torture rack. This subordinate believes that under severe punishment, someone will break and confess!"
As soon as Governor Tao spoke, Lord Qiu remained silent, as did Lord Ge. However, Commander She's expression instantly turned extremely unpleasant.
Whether it was the guards watching the room last night or those who surrounded the area to capture the assassins, the Provincial Administration and the Surveillance Commission had also sent people. However, seventy percent of them were from the Qianzhong Garrison and the Commander's Office, all subordinates of Commander She.
Governor Tao opened his mouth, about to drag these people away for torture. This was a direct affront to Commander She. He was a military official; if he couldn't even protect his subordinates, and was beaten by a minor fifth-rank official, how could Commander She lead troops into battle in the future? Who would be loyal to him, the Commander?
Governor Tao looked at the furious Commander She, but his heart remained calm. He was an official from the capital. Let alone severe torture, even if those soldiers were beaten to death or crippled, Governor Tao would not care. They were not his subordinates anyway.
"Well said, 'severe torture'!" Commander She sneered and suddenly drew his saber.
To everyone's shocked gaze, Commander She had already placed the blade against Governor Tao's neck, his killing intent undisguised. He stared at Governor Tao and spoke word by word, "Does Governor Tao still wish to extract a confession through torture?"
Clearing his throat twice, Lord Qiu had no choice but to speak, "Commander She, there is no need for anger. Provincial Governor Tao misspoke only in the interest of investigating the case."
Commander She, who had worked all night without sleep and lost the items, was filled with pent-up anger. At this moment, he let out a cold哼, and his right hand holding the saber exerted more force. Seeing Governor Tao cry out in pain, his neck already cut by the blade, he then nonchalantly sheathed his saber.
"A momentary lapse caused accidental injury to the Provincial Governor. Please forgive me." Commander She grinned menacingly, looking at Governor Tao, who was clutching his neck, daring not to speak but filled with rage. He slowly sat back in his seat. "In the interest of the investigation, this official's mind was also unclear."
"You?" Governor Tao had not expected Commander She to actually dare to lay a hand on him. The stinging pain on his neck made Governor Tao's eyes red with anger. However, upon meeting Commander She's murderous gaze, Governor Tao's anger was instantly suppressed. If he angered a Commander, he might not even survive to return to the capital!
Commander She was a tough opponent. Governor Tao instantly redirected his anger towards He Nuan. He did have some reservations about Zhan Feiyu, at least he dared not openly trouble her. But a mere servant...
"This subordinate misspoke just now." Governor Tao was also capable of bending and stretching. His sinister and twisted gaze once again fell upon the people in the hall. "This subordinate believes that they were outside the room at the time and could not have heard nothing. My lord, perhaps we should interrogate these people thoroughly first. Perhaps we can find some clues!"
He Nuan and Shi Song remained expressionless, but the faces of others turned pale. Everyone understood the veiled implication in Governor Tao's words. This was not just about extracting a confession through torture; it was about making them scapegoats!
Commander She cast a meaningful glance at Zhan Feiyu, appearing quite satisfied with Governor Tao's current compliance. "This official believes this method is feasible. This official does not believe that these one hundred and two items simply vanished into thin air. You people have malicious intentions. You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. You are all covering for the mastermind behind the scenes. This official will beat you until you confess!"
"My lords, show mercy!"
"Reporting to your lordship, this commoner truly heard no sound."
"Begging your lordship to investigate clearly."
With a whoosh, a crowd knelt on the ground. Whether they were merchants or from minor families, in the face of absolute power, they could only kneel and beg for mercy. If they were dragged away, they might lose their lives.
Ignoring these spineless individuals, Governor Tao looked at Zhan Feiyu and spoke, "Miss Zhan, are you assisting the officials in the investigation or obstructing it to the end? You were the one who suggested sending these items to Sheng Xuan for bidding. This subordinate cannot help but suspect that this entire affair is your scheme. You had already made arrangements at Sheng Xuan. Now the items are lost, and the room has collapsed. The only person present with such capability is you, Miss Zhan!"
Although Zhan Feiyu was a young girl, she was backed by Scholar Gu and the Imperial Guard. Governor Tao's words were like Xiang Zhuang's dance, with a hidden purpose.
"Guards, drag that servant girl He Nuan down and beat her fifty times!" Governor Tao overstepped his authority and issued the order. If this servant girl dared to resist, he believed Commander She would not miss this opportunity. After all, Cai Zhiyuan was still imprisoned. If he didn't get revenge now, when would he?
Governor Tao had already placed the blame. If Zhan Feiyu dared to obstruct, it would be hindering the official investigation, and the crime of theft could then be pinned on Zhan Feiyu. The officials in Qianzhong Circuit would at most be accused of negligence, while Zhan Feiyu would be the true culprit behind the scenes.
As for the people kneeling on the ground, whether they were being framed or Zhan Feiyu was being framed, after Governor Tao's warning, their confessions would likely point towards Zhan Feiyu, and a baseless accusation would instantly become fact.
"Governor Tao, forgive my bluntness, but in my opinion, your suspicion is greater." Zhan Feiyu's delicate face had turned cold. She signaled He Nuan to retreat behind her before continuing, "The items were personally sealed by you and sent to Sheng Xuan by your men. The arrangements at Sheng Xuan were also made by you. Theft by those in charge is indeed more convincing than vanishing into thin air!"
"I have no time to listen to your nonsense. You indeed lack the ability, but your maid is very capable. Guards, seize He Nuan! Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!" Governor Tao did not engage in a war of words with Zhan Feiyu. She was just a young girl who had the good fortune to become Scholar Gu's disciple and truly thought of herself as someone important.
Governor Tao's disdain and contempt were undisguised. He did not take Zhan Feiyu seriously, believing she could not stir up any trouble.
Commander She gave a subtle signal, and Qin Feng suddenly lunged towards He Nuan.
Lord Qiu frowned, wanting to intervene. However, Qiu Huai Xin was present at the time of the incident. If Lord Qiu spoke, he would inevitably "draw fire upon himself."
If it were only this, it would be one thing. Lord Qiu was concerned that Commander She would use the excuse of avoiding suspicion to remove him from the case. If that happened, with Governor Tao's meddling, the situation in Qianzhong Circuit would truly descend into chaos.