Chapter 2000: Captured

Xiaoxiao and Yang Ming exchanged glances, both full of speculation. Could it be that they had already found out?

Xiao’er was still shouting in the corridor, even knocking on doors one by one, urging everyone to hurry downstairs, creating a moment of panic among the people.

“Let’s go, we should go outside too,” Yang Ming said, opening the door and leading a few people downstairs.

By this time, the downstairs area was already packed with people.

A person wearing government officer attire looked at the crowd and started speaking, “Is everyone here?”

The small shopkeeper behind the counter immediately stepped out, scanned the crowd, and then nodded and bowed to the officer, “Yes, everyone is here.”

The officer nodded with satisfaction and then asked, “Who is Yang Ming among you?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to Yang Ming, guessing internally if they were here to arrest him.

Xiaoxiao was also very nervous, gripping Yang Ming’s hand tightly. Yang Ming glanced at Xiaoxiao, giving her a reassuring look, then stepped forward and said, “I am Yang Ming.”

The officer looked at Yang Ming, noting his lack of fear, and felt quite a bit of admiration for him.

“Which ones are your family members?”

Yang Ming didn’t expect this question to involve his family. However, facing the officer, he couldn’t avoid answering, especially since everyone here knew.

So Xiaoxiao and the others stepped forward.

The officer looked at the four of them, confirming the number matched his prior inquiries.

Then he spoke, “We are acting on the orders of the Prince, to thoroughly investigate the matter of candidates colluding with the proctor. Therefore, Master Yang, I’m sorry, you need to come with us.”

After speaking, he glanced at Xiaoxiao and the others, “As for your family, to prevent them from making connections outside, they will be taken together.”

With that, he waved his big hand, “Men.”

Several officers stepped forward.

Yang Ming was taken away, which he had expected, but having his family also taken along was unexpected. Given the current situation, he had no choice but to go with them; resisting was not an option.

He looked at his wife, and then at Yang Qiu and Wang Kui, relieved that they still seemed calm.

Yang Ming and the four were thus escorted by the government office’s people.

The officer was quite satisfied with the scene and then spoke to the crowd, “The matter is not yet clarified, and all of you candidates must not leave the Capital City, awaiting summons at any time. Please rest assured, the Prince will certainly provide an explanation for such malicious collusion with the proctor, and will not let years of hard study go in vain.”

With that, he waved his big hand.

The government office’s team departed majestically.

As soon as they left, the inn exploded in a commotion.

“Does this mean Yang Ming indeed colluded with the proctor?”

“It seems so, otherwise why would they arrest him?”

“I’ve heard the Prince is always fair and upright, never tolerating injustice, so it seems this matter will soon be resolved.”

“Yes indeed, whether there’s collusion or not, we’ll know soon enough, we just have to wait.”

“…”

“…”

Standing there, Young Master Liu had an ashen complexion; he never expected the matter to escalate to such a degree, especially hearing the Prince was involved in the investigation. If it turns out Yang Ming was wronged, would he himself be found out? Even if the accusation isn’t brought to light, the rumor came from him; could he simply escape it?

He went upstairs in a daze, sat in the room pondering his options.

A moment later, a sinister smile emerged on his lips; regardless, Yang Ming was indeed taken, which meant suffering.

As for himself, maybe nothing would happen after all.

Up until now, Young Master Liu was still holding onto a delusional hope.