Chapter 1568: Subtle Change

Editor: Henyee Translations

“You, all of you!” Liu Fu’s heart was filled with grief and despair. The words uttered against them were absurd and baseless, a clear attempt at slander and framing. Ironically, he found himself at a loss for words to counter these accusations.

Moreover, he believed that under Lord Qin’s “astute” interrogation, the words of this man named Wen would undoubtedly be accepted as the truth. They felt powerless to resist.

Tears gradually welled up in his eyes. “Your officials–”

“Xiaofu!” Qiao Xuan interrupted him before he could utter more words. “Don’t worry, Lord Qin is an honorable officer, and he will conduct a fair interrogation, won’t you, Lord Qin?”

Young Master Wen sneered, his laughter sharp and mocking, as if attempting to shatter Qiao Xuan’s calm demeanor.

This woman remained remarkably composed, even in such a moment. Young Master Wen was eager to witness how long she could maintain her stoic expression when the verdict was pronounced. He vowed to teach her a lesson, making her kneel, kowtow, and beg for mercy in fear.

Lord Qin, too, felt a sense of surprise and unease.

Qiao Xuan’s composure was notable. Achieving what she did required confidence, a quality seldom seen in a woman, or even a man. Yet, what was her source of confidence? Why did she remain silent? Even a subtle hint could suffice.

Having survived as the governor of Heavenly Mansion for five years without being ousted, Lord Qin had a pragmatic understanding of the laws governing survival.

In this moment, he weighed the situation, opting to treat Qiao Xuan with more courtesy until he unraveled her identity. Hadn’t she instructed the maidservant to invite her husband? Once her husband arrived, her background would be revealed.

Providing himself with more opportunities to navigate the situation was a crucial survival principle in his career.

After Lord Qin resolved to be more tactful, his countenance softened. When he resumed speaking, his tone adopted a gentler cadence.

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“I will thoroughly conduct the interrogation. I won’t overlook any clues or any wrongdoer. Bring forth the witness!”

“Ms. Qiao, if you have any witnesses, feel free to bring them forward. I will treat all parties impartially!”

Young Master Wen sneered and shot a smirk at Qiao Xuan.

He perceived nothing amiss in Lord Qin’s words. Instead, he believed Lord Qin must be confident that Qiao Xuan lacked witnesses, hence expressing fairness.

When Qiao Xuan and the others departed, Young Master Wen, the sole attentive observer, directed the servants to bring a few individuals along. Naturally, these witnesses had been coerced and bribed by him along the way. He harbored no apprehension.

Few could match his cunning in the world!

Qiao Xuan detected the shift in Lord Qin’s tone and gazed at him in astonishment.

Their eyes met, and Lord Qin’s gaze appeared gentle, a stark contrast to the feigned coldness. Qiao Xuan gleaned a sense of the situation, surprised yet realizing that the individual overseeing Heavenly Mansion in the capital was no ordinary person.

Though uncertain about the reason for the sudden change in attitude, she welcomed it. It offered her a moment of respite!