However, he had no concrete evidence of such a matter, and it seemed he could only dismiss these people for now and then inquire further.
"Summon someone, search this place!"
With words spoken to this extent, Ning Zhiyuan naturally showed no courtesy.
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Han Mo stepped forward as he spoke, directly blocking the doorway.
"County Lieutenant Ning, we can talk this through! My brother Mo is right. Although this is the property of the Grand Princess of Qi, don't forget, this land was granted by the Emperor. Are you provoking royal authority by doing this?"
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two sides, Xu Sanbao quickly stepped in front of Ning Zhiyuan.
"Steward Xu, we are doing this for your own safety. If we allow an opportunity for wicked individuals, we would be unforgivable!"
Ning Zhiyuan gritted his teeth and said with a grim expression.
Although he was inwardly lamenting his misfortune, thinking of the item that had been lost, he truly dared not let go of any potential lead.
Moreover, Han Mo's current attitude was very suspicious.
If there was truly nothing wrong, why wouldn't he let him search?
"County Lieutenant, this Grand Princess of Qi is not someone to be trifled with. Should we..."
Despite Ning Zhiyuan's insistence, his subordinate constables were somewhat uneasy.
"What? Do you need to report such a minor matter to the Vice Prefect?"
Ning Zhiyuan glared, and the constables immediately flinched, daring not to utter another word.
"I'll give you three breaths of time. If you still refuse to move, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
After speaking, Ning Zhiyuan directly raised his right hand.
The archers beside him immediately raised their bows and arrows.
Everyone aimed at Han Mo, appearing ready to force their way in.
"Stop! Stop!"
Xu Sanbao was utterly terrified. Han Mo had been out of favor before, but the problem was that the mansion had specifically instructed today that Han Mo's meals would be supplied by that mansion from now on.
This indicated that Han Mo had indeed turned his fortunes around, and he dared not let anything happen to Han Mo here.
"Alright! Since you insist on searching, what if you don't find anyone?"
Estimating that the time was about right, Han Mo asked with a frown.
"So what if we don't find anyone? What? Is the young gentleman planning to demand an explanation?"
Ning Zhiyuan said with a somber expression.
"I've already said, there are female attendants in my courtyard, and it's truly inconvenient for you to enter. If you disturb them, I will demand an explanation, even if it reaches the imperial court!"
"Young sir, please rest assured, we have brought two elderly women. If there are any inconveniences, they can conduct the search, how about that?"
Seeing that the situation was escalating, a constable under Ning Zhiyuan quickly said.
"Now that sounds like human talk! Not like some people who have read their entire lives and have learned nothing!"
Han Mo spoke while subtly criticizing someone.
This was not him being arrogant, but rather that he desperately wanted to provoke Ning Zhiyuan and see if the latter would inadvertently reveal something useful in his anger.
After all, the origin of that woman was unknown, and it was impossible for Han Mo to trust her completely.
"You!"
Ning Zhiyuan was indeed infuriated, glaring fiercely at Han Mo.
He knew very well that Han Mo was making veiled accusations, but he had no good way to deal with him.
When facing ordinary commoners, he, a County Lieutenant of the Capital Region with a rank of the eighth grade, naturally held great authority.
However, behind Han Mo stood the Han family of Xiang Province, and the Grand Princess of Qi. Neither of these parties was easy to provoke.
"If nothing is found, I will naturally apologize to your residence! But if something is indeed found, then I'll have to trouble the young gentleman to accompany me!"
Regardless, under everyone's watchful eyes, he naturally had to regain his dignity.
After issuing a few harsh words, he stared at Han Mo with eyes like a saw.
He tried to find any flaws in Han Mo's expression. If it were the old Han Mo, he might indeed have revealed some weakness.
But the current Han Mo was different. In his previous life, he had faced audiences of tens of millions at every Olympic Games.
His psychological resilience had long been honed to perfection. A mere county lieutenant attempting psychological warfare with him was simply not up to par.
"Since that is the case, please proceed!"
After they stared at each other for nearly the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Han Mo finally stepped aside with a composed expression, allowing them to pass.
"This is my younger sister's room, and this is the kitchen and woodshed. My younger sister has already gone to sleep, and it is truly inconvenient for you men to enter!"
Han Mo spoke as he blocked Ning Zhiyuan, who was about to enter.
"You few go in and search thoroughly!"
Ning Zhiyuan gritted his teeth and then spoke to the two elderly women who were waiting for orders.
"Yes!"
Although Han Yan was a girl, the layout of the room was indeed very simple.
A bed, a table, a stool, a worn-out wardrobe, and almost nothing else.
Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the two elderly women emerged.
"Nothing!"
"Nothing here either!"
Several constables searching the woodshed and kitchen also quickly came out.
"In that case, only the main hall remains! Please lead the way, young gentleman!"
Ning Zhiyuan spoke as he prepared to walk towards the main house.
"I am truly sorry, but there are also female attendants in my room, and it is inconvenient for you to enter at this time."
Han Mo blocked him again, a smile on his face.
"I truly didn't expect the young gentleman to be such a man of principle!"
Ning Zhiyuan looked at Han Mo with a mocking expression.
"County Lieutenant Ning's words are rather interesting. The Master said: 'Food and sex are of human nature.' This is inherently a great desire of man, so does County Lieutenant Ning wish to control even this?"
"As expected, sharp-tongued!"
Ning Zhiyuan gritted his teeth, flicked his sleeve, and turned away, refusing to even look at Han Mo.
He was genuinely afraid that he might lose his temper and slap Han Mo a couple of times, as this boy was truly asking for it!
"Sir?"
The constables also looked at Ning Zhiyuan with helplessness.
"What are you looking at me for? Go in and search!"
Ning Zhiyuan's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, but he could only watch as the two elderly women, following behind Han Mo, slowly entered.
"Is there anything in the outer room that needs searching?"
After entering the room, Han Mo gestured towards the empty outer space.
"Young sir, you jest. Where could one hide here? It's just that we are following orders, so please forgive us!"
Ning Zhiyuan dared to confront Han Mo directly, but these people certainly did not dare to offend Han Mo.
"It's fine. These are my two concubine maids. You can go and see for yourselves!"
As Han Mo spoke, he lifted the curtain and walked into the inner room. The two elderly women quickly followed.
As soon as they entered, the two elderly women saw two women lying on the bed. Although their bodies were tucked under the quilt, their heads were exposed.
With just a glance, they immediately lowered their heads.
"I think there's no need to search. We mustn't disturb the young gentleman's enjoyment..."
One of the elderly women, the older one, looked around the room and said with a cough.
"No! Why don't you open those two cabinets and have a look? Perhaps there's a living person hidden inside!"
Han Mo chuckled inwardly. The person they were looking for was lying in the bed. It would be a ghost if someone were hidden in the cabinets!
"Young sir, you jest. How could such small cabinets possibly hide a person?"
The two elderly women felt embarrassed, quickly bowed to Han Mo, and retreated.
"How was it? Did you find anything?"
Seeing them emerge, Ning Zhiyuan hurriedly asked.