Chapter 14: Was the Prime Minister's Residence Raided as Well?

“Shen Xiangwan?!”

Led by the Old Madam, most of the members of the second and third branches stared in disbelief. They clearly had not expected that, at a time like this, she would bring up the management of the household affairs and attempt to pin the crime of concealing wealth upon them!

“Is that so?”

Ignoring them, Tian Yi’s questioning followed immediately.

“Everyone in the Prince's Mansion knows about this. If the General does not believe me, he is free to ask anyone.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Shen Xiangwan gestured toward the others with her chin.

Convinced that she could not be lying, and having glanced at the still-unconscious Wei Chengyi, Tian Yi strode toward the Old Madam. “Confess truthfully! Where have you transferred the wealth?”

“No, I... I don't know, I didn't...”

The Old Madam waved her hands frantically in terror, her speech becoming incoherent. The members of the second and third branches with her also couldn't help but hold their breath and shake their heads; they truly did not know.

“How dare you, old woman! Confess at once!”

“Ah...”

At Tian Yi’s fierce shout, the Old Madam shuddered reflexively, her body retreating backward uncontrollably. Had the members of the second and third branches not been gathered behind her, she likely would have fallen straight onto the ground.

“General Tian, we truly do not know why the mansion's wealth has vanished. It was clearly all still here yesterday. We ask the General to investigate thoroughly,” the Second Master, Wei Jingluan, said as calmly as possible while supporting his collapsing mother.

“Why should I believe you?”

With Tian Yi's capabilities, how could he not see that something was amiss? What he wanted now was not the wealth, but someone he could hold accountable to fulfill his duty.

“General Tian...”

“General.”

Wei Jingluan seemed to realize something and was about to continue protesting his innocence when a soldier suddenly jogged in from outside. “General, the wealth of the Prime Minister's residence has also vanished. General Zeng, who was in charge of the seizure, has already reported it. The Emperor has ordered you to speed up the process. There is no need to imprison the Wei family; exile them as soon as possible.”

“Hmm?”

The same situation had occurred at the Prime Minister's residence? This matter was becoming increasingly bizarre. The fact that the Emperor had sent someone specifically to urge them suggested he did not wish for any further complications.

Tian Yi frowned almost imperceptibly. After glancing at Wei Jingluan and the others, he turned to leave, bringing this matter to a temporary conclusion.

However, upon hearing that the Prime Minister's residence had also been seized, many venomous glares fell upon Shen Xiangwan. Today, she had not only struck Wang Lan but had also deliberately used the household management as leverage. Previously, considering she was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's house, they had not expressed their displeasure too overtly, thinking they might need her help in the future.

But now, the Prime Minister's residence was gone. They wanted to see just how arrogant she would dare to be!

Shen Xiangwan was no fool, nor was she sensory-impaired; how could she not feel that malice?

Yet, she merely curled her lip, offering no reaction at all. No matter who it was, if they dared to reach out their claws at her, she would not hesitate to chop them off without mercy.

Tian Yi did not delay further and quickly ordered the seizure of all the courtyards. His gaze then shifted to the servants standing on the right. “Imprison them all. Once the authorities have verified whether they hold slave status, send them to the Office of Government Slaves.”

They, too, were considered assets of the Prince's Mansion and fell within the scope of the seizure.

“Yes, sir!”

A dozen soldiers stepped forward in unison to drive them out. The servants did not dare to resist, leaving the mansion submissively. Only a tiny minority took the opportunity when others weren't looking to steal a final glance back at their former masters. As for the Wei family, they did not dare make a sound from beginning to end, fearing that Tian Yi would turn his attention back toward them.

[End of Chapter]