Chapter 259 - 257: The Kidnapper’s Professionalism (Part 1)

Chapter 259: Chapter 257: The Kidnapper’s Professionalism (Part 1)

Upon hearing Xu Ya’s words, Jiang Shaobai frowned and said, "Let the Xu Family and the Wang Family people in immediately."

Soon, the people from the Xu and Wang Families hurriedly entered. Duke Qiao, with a dark face, strode forward, gritting his teeth, and said, "What on earth is going on! The letter?!"

The servant from the Wang Family trembled as he handed over the letter with both hands. Duke Qiao quickly opened it and glanced at it, seeming to freeze in place.

Xu Guangyi also swiftly stepped forward and took the letter from the Xu Family’s servant. After reading it, his expression changed dramatically, "This... this handwriting is completely different from the last ransom note! The demanded ransom is also different!"

Xu Jing stood by and saw the letter in Xu Guangyi’s hand, which simply stated two sentences—

Prepare a ransom of ten thousand taels in unnumbered gold bars.

The exchange location and time will be notified separately.

Although the handwriting on the letter was relatively tidy, it appeared unnatural, with many strokes showing a deliberately distorted intent.

This... was a letter written with effort, hiding one’s true handwriting!

At this moment, Duke Qiao hurried over, snatched the letter from Xu Guangyi’s hand angrily, took a glance, then walked over to where Xu Ya was still paralyzed on the ground, and roared furiously, "Are you playing me on purpose!"

He looked like an enraged lion, ready to tear Xu Ya to pieces at any moment.

Xu Ya was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes. She frantically moved back, trembling, "Not me! This letter... really isn’t my doing! I... I locked those two children in a small hut near Qiu Lin Mountain outside the city and even arranged for guards to watch them. There’s no way something can happen to them! Yes... someone must know about this and is playing a prank! It must be!

I... I even sent Tanyun to check on those two children in the afternoon..."

Qiu Lin Mountain is a mountain south of the Western Capital, and from the Western Capital’s government office to and from Qiu Lin Mountain, a leisurely journey would only take two hours.

Xu Jing suddenly turned to Xu Ya and asked, "When did you send Tanyun to check on those two children?"

"About... about 2 p.m..."

As she spoke, Xu Ya’s eyes widened. She had been uneasy all afternoon, surprisingly overlooking such an obvious clue!

Now, it’s almost 7 p.m., even if Tanyun was slow, she should have been back by now!

The only possibility of her not returning is—something happened to her!

Hearing this, Duke Qiao could no longer stay put and immediately turned to leave, shouting sharply, "Send someone to Qiu Lin Mountain immediately!"

Xu Guangyi looked at Xu Ya anxiously and then at Duke Qiao who had already walked away, gritted his teeth, and quickly followed.

Jiang Shaobai also stood up, speaking solemnly, "Mr. Yao, arrange personnel immediately; we will go together too!"

After speaking, he turned to Xu Jing, "Miss Xu, now that you have cleared your name, this official hopes you can serve as an external consultant for the Western Capital’s government office and help us solve the case."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned.

This was the first time Jiang Shaobai had officially asked her to get involved in the case. She paused for a moment and nodded, "I am grateful for Magistrate Jiang’s regard, and I will do my best to assist the Western Capital’s government office."

While waiting outside for the carriage to arrive, Xu Jing said, "Earlier, I noticed that the contents and handwriting on the two letters from the Wang Family and Xu Family were identical, both from the same hand. Also... if this was indeed sent by the kidnappers, these kidnappers are clearly more experienced than Xu San Niang."

Xu Sihai, confused, asked, "How did Jing see this?"

"It’s quite simple. From their ransom demands, you can tell. The ransom note Xu San Niang made up asked the Wang Family and Xu Family to prepare twenty thousand taels in silver notes each. However, while silver notes are easy to carry, they are extremely easy to track. Each silver note has the issuing bank and serial number printed on it. As soon as the kidnappers circulate these silver notes, the authorities can trace their whereabouts using these notes.

Therefore, kidnappers with experience would not ask families to use silver notes as ransom.

Moreover, even the Wang Family would find it difficult to come up with twenty thousand taels at once. Xu San Niang’s figure was clearly just a random scribble. But if it’s just ten thousand taels, they can still manage.

This is the same nowadays. Most rookie kidnappers demand cash without additional conditions. But experienced kidnappers, even if they ask for cash, would put forward a series of demands ahead of time, such as the cash not being in sequence, not using new banknotes, and there being no markings on the cash, etc.

Experienced investigators can deduce a lot just from the ransom note.

Xu Sihai was stunned, eyes widening slightly, "That’s true! Rather than taking the risk of being discovered, it’s better to ask the families to prepare hard-to-trace items, like gold or silver!"

Though gold and silver are cumbersome and difficult to transport, if successfully moved, they become permanently theirs!

"Exactly," Xu Jing nodded affirmatively, "This time, the kidnappers’ demand is for the ransom to be unnumbered gold bars."

Everyone couldn’t help but look at each other, realizing the severity of the situation.

Jiang Shaobai regarded Xu Jing deeply, chuckled lightly, and said, "No wonder, Miss Xu; no wonder Mr. Yao would disregard my orders for Miss Xu’s sake."

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback and hurriedly wanted to say something, but Jiang Shaobai interrupted her calmly, "Miss Xu, don’t worry. Mr. Yao has worked under me for many years. I know exactly what kind of person he is. If he thinks telling Miss Xu about the case would affect the investigation, he wouldn’t say a word, no matter who Miss Xu is."

As they spoke, the carriage arrived.

Jiang Shaobai didn’t board the carriage but got on his horse.

Xu Jing glanced at Xiao Yi, who had been by her side, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Today, I owe a lot to your help. My cousin and cousin-in-law’s suspicions have been cleared. Xiao... if Yanci has matters to attend to, you don’t have to continue accompanying me."

Xu Sihai’s eyes shifted slightly, stepping forward to give Xiao Yi a deep bow, sighing, "I really must thank you, Xiao Qilang. I’m eager to confirm my children’s safety, and when I’m free, I’ll definitely bring them to thank you personally."

Xiao Yi looked at Xu Sihai, replying gently, "We are family; no need for such courtesy, Lord Xu. I’m also worried about you and Miss Xu, so I’ll accompany you."

As he spoke, Cheng Xiao had already brought over Xiao Yi’s horse.

Xu Jing’s heart stirred slightly, unconsciously watching as Xiao Yi nimbly mounted his horse. It wasn’t until Xu Sihai called her name that she turned to board the carriage.

Throughout the journey, Xu Sihai kept expressing how reliable and responsible Xiao Yi was, deeming him a trustworthy partner for life.

Beside him, Xu Huan’an remained silent, not uttering a word.

Halfway through, Xu Jing slightly lifted the curtain and saw the man, tall and upright, riding a horse diagonally ahead of their carriage, like a standing and silent mountain, providing an indescribable sense of security.

She couldn’t help thinking, given how pleased her uncle is with him now, if she divorces Xiao Yi in the future, who knows if he’d grab a knife and come after the man.

Imagining Xu Sihai chasing Xiao Yi with a knife made her chuckle, her lips curling up slightly.

The carriage soon arrived at the small hut Xu Ya mentioned. As soon as they got off, Duke Qiao, with a grim face, walked over quickly, his voice trembling slightly, "They’re gone...those two children are truly gone!"