"Master Shaoyou, what are you talking about regarding the Cai family's affairs?"
Han Mo, of course, had to pretend to know nothing. After all, this matter was too significant.
"It is said that a manor belonging to the Cai family in Xiangfu County was raided by thieves! Someone stole a crucial item from there!"
Zhang Shaoyou said, carefully observing Han Mo's expression.
Although a tempest was raging in Han Mo's heart, his face showed no hint of it.
"Ah? They dare to steal from Prime Minister Cai?"
The surprise on Han Mo's face was completely natural, showing no flaws.
"What's so strange about that? Wasn't Prime Minister Cai's birthday tribute also robbed? This time, they merely stole a small item from the manor, what does it amount to?"
Zhang Shaoyou said with a careless smile.
"Brother Shaoyou, why would you say that? If the Cai family lost something, wouldn't they need the Kaifeng Prefecture to help them find it?"
Han Mo asked, his eyes wide.
The intense curiosity in his eyes immediately made Zhang Shaoyou feel a bit suspicious.
"Theft has always been a matter of 'civil complaint, official investigation.' Half of the capital knows they lost something, yet they haven't reported it to Kaifeng Prefecture. Isn't that strange?"
Zhang Shaoyou let out a meaningful chuckle.
"When did this happen?"
Han Mo's eyes darted around, as if he had just remembered something.
"It was just a few days ago. What? Did they disturb you at the manor?"
Zhang Shaoyou asked with a look of concern, which almost made Han Mo believe him.
Indeed, life is like a play, all about acting.
"If you say it was a few days ago, then it seems like there was indeed such a thing!"
Han Mo put on an expression of recalling past events.
"Did they really dare to cause trouble at the manor? Who was leading them?"
Zhang Shaoyou asked, frowning.
"The leader was the county lieutenant of Xiangfu County. What was his name? My memory..."
Han Mo said, holding his forehead with one hand.
"Ning Zhiyuan?"
Zhang Shaoyou whispered.
Although he had concealed it well, a hint of excitement was evident in his eyes.
"That's right, that's right, that seems to be the name!"
Han Mo clapped his head, saying earnestly.
"It was him indeed! Did he find any clues at the manor?"
Seeing Zhang Shaoyou's anxious demeanor, Han Mo immediately understood. It seemed this was the reason for their politeness towards him.
After all this talk, the root of the matter was here.
"What clues could there be? They said they tracked a bloodstain to the manor from outside. Isn't that nonsense? If there were really assassins or thieves, why would they hide in the Grand Princess's courtyard?"
Han Mo spoke as he poured himself a cup of wine and downed it carelessly.
"A bloodstain? Brother Han, you absolutely cannot be careless. If a villain were to sneak into the manor, something serious could happen!"
Zhang Shaoyou looked genuinely concerned.
"You are right, sir. If you hadn't reminded me, I might not have remembered this. That day, I was just angry at them for bullying people with their authority, so I chased them away. Now that you mention it, I really should have the household staff search thoroughly."
Han Mo appeared to have a sudden realization, his eyes also showing a hint of worry.
"If Brother Han needs help, perhaps I could send a team to assist you? After all, if something were to happen, the servants in the manor might not be able to handle the culprits!"
Zhang Shaoyou spoke, carefully observing Han Mo's expression.
"That would certainly be best, but wouldn't this be using public resources for private gain? Would it cause trouble for Brother Shaoyou?"
Han Mo knew very well that this fellow had gone to such lengths for this very purpose.
It seemed they had suspected someone was hiding in the manor for a long time, but fearing they might offend the Grand Princess and Han Jiayan, they had taken this circuitous route to find him!
"Since we call each other brothers, what is this small matter? Although I cannot compare to Brother Han's promising future, I can handle this little thing!"
"In that case, after we go back, please send a team with me, Brother Shaoyou!"
These people had schemed to inspect the manor. If they were not allowed in, it would only arouse their unnecessary suspicions.
Besides, that woman was already out in the open. If they could really find anything, it would be a miracle.
"Brother Han, rest assured, it's just a matter of a word. Let's have some food and wine here first. I'll write a note and have the waiter deliver it to the yamen. After we finish eating and drinking, we can directly bring the people along!"
Having finally obtained Han Mo's permission, Zhang Shaoyou naturally did not want to miss this opportunity.
"Then I'll trouble Brother Shaoyou!"
After speaking, Han Mo raised his wine cup and toasted Zhang Shaoyou.
"Brother Han, you are too polite. Please rest here for a moment, I will be right back!"
Zhang Shaoyou said and then turned and walked out.
Only after Zhang Shaoyou had gone far away did Han Mo put down his chopsticks and drop the feigned smile from his face.
Zhang Shaoyou was just a minor judge. Everything he did today was likely the idea of the Kaifeng Prefecture Vice Minister behind him.
But who was behind this Vice Minister?
Cai Jing, who lost such an item, dared not report it to Kaifeng Prefecture and instead let a Xiangfu County lieutenant handle it. This matter was highly unusual...
Nie Yuan, the Vice Minister of Kaifeng Prefecture, seemed to play a very important role in this matter.
However, who was this fellow allied with?
Logically, Kaifeng Prefect Prince Zhao Huan was Nie Yuan's immediate superior, but he heard that this Lord Nie did not seem to pay much heed to the Prince...
Furthermore, they seemed to know nothing about that woman. Otherwise, that woman could have simply been transferred to the Kaifeng Prefecture prison and disappeared from the face of the earth!
Why would they need to go through so much trouble now?
Looking at it this way, regardless of who was behind him, at least they were not allied with Cai Jing, nor with the person behind that woman!
Now that the item was in his hands, three factions were interested in it within just a few days.
Should he throw this item away?
Han Mo's heart wavered once more...