Chapter 262 - 260: One Finger (Second Update)

Chapter 262: Chapter 260: One Finger (Second Update)

Chief Manager Cao quickly lowered his head and cautiously said, "This... little one is not quite sure either..."

At this moment, the servant who had just brought over Steward Dou said, "Mrs. Tao was sternly reprimanded by the Third Lady previously, which led to Mrs. Tao being so intimidated that every time she saw the Third Lady after, she didn’t dare to even breathe loudly. Did Chief Manager Cao forget?"

Chief Manager Cao was slightly stunned, patted his head, and with a sudden realization said, "Right! There was indeed such an incident. See how forgetful I am, with so many things to manage daily, I actually forgot.

That happened more than two years ago, the Third Lady had just gotten pregnant at the time and could not stand the smell of meat. On a return visit to the Xu Family, Mrs. Tao prepared a meal for her containing eggs, and the Third Lady immediately threw up. She scolded Mrs. Tao harshly afterwards, and even the Lady was very angry, withholding Mrs. Tao’s salary for three months..."

The younger servant nearby, seemingly unable to keep secrets, muttered upon hearing, "Mrs. Tao did seem quite wronged at that time, always saying something like ’how would I know if you don’t tell me’, leading to gossip among the servants. Actually, it was Tanyun beside the Third Lady who forgot to inform Mrs. Tao that the Third Lady couldn’t even eat eggs, which is why Mrs. Tao included them..."

Chief Manager Cao’s face subtly changed, as if he wanted to say something, but Xu Jing gave him a cold glance and said, "Chief Manager Cao, what’s more important: your young master or these petty household matters?"

Chief Manager Cao was immediately embarrassed, blushing with no retort to Xu Jing.

Xu Jing simply ignored him, turned to the servant, and asked, "Besides Mrs. Tao’s matter, do you know if there are any other disputes between some people and the Third Lady?"

The servant seemed a bit nervous, thought hard, and said, "Little one... little one is not familiar with Guard Zhang and isn’t clear about his affairs. I only remember once when the Third Lady’s pet rabbit escaped, she asked Guard Zhang to lead people to search for it, but it wasn’t found, and the Third Lady seemed quite upset.

As for Manager Yang... he is a good person, the Lady and the Third Lady value him highly and often call on him for tasks, so Manager Yang should not have had any conflict with the Third Lady."

Xu Jing couldn’t help feeling fortunate that the Xu Family was not present; if they heard these words, who knows how angry they would be.

Xu Jing’s eyes flickered slightly and said, "Your Lady and the Third Lady... greatly value Manager Yang?"

"Yes."

This young servant must have come to the Xu Family after the main character’s marriage and thus didn’t recognize Xu Jing, nodding as he said, "It’s said that Manager Yang didn’t join the Xu Family until more than five years ago, and in just a few short years, he’s already risen to become the kitchen manager. However, Manager Yang is good and very capable, so even though he rose quickly, many people respect him.

But there are some who envy Manager Yang and speak ill of him, claiming he gained all of this by... betraying his former master, but Manager Yang doesn’t take it to heart.

Yet no matter what others say, it doesn’t change the Lady and the Third Lady’s regard for Manager Yang, who visits the Lady at least once a month."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly.

This young man obviously admired Yang Quanfu a lot.

Xu Jing looked at Chief Manager Cao, "Why does the Lady call Manager Yang over each month?"

Who, if not Mrs. Wen, would she ask to do tasks?

Moreover, such regular summoning seems rather suspicious.

Chief Manager Cao wore a stern face and shook his head, "This matter, little one doesn’t know. Every time the Lady calls Manager Yang over, she dismisses everyone around, leaving only herself and her personal maid."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow, thoughtfully eyeing him.

Chief Manager Cao’s explanation was intriguing.

He might not truly be unaware, but his detailed words indicated that he wouldn’t disclose more. If they wanted answers, they’d have to directly ask Mrs. Wen and her personal maid.

It seems there are indeed some secrets in Mrs. Wen’s monthly meetings with Yang Quanfu.

She recalled that after returning from the government office, Mrs. Wen claimed to feel unwell and returned to her room to rest.

Xu Jing didn’t doubt her honesty, as the successive events involving her youngest son and eldest daughter would be too much for anyone to bear.

Xu Jing then turned to Mr. Yao; Mr. Yao nodded and said, "We’d like to speak with your Lady; please lead the way, Chief Manager Cao."

Under Chief Manager Cao’s guidance, they quickly arrived at Mrs. Wen’s courtyard.

When Mrs. Wen came out assisted by her maid, her face was as pale as a ghost, looking extremely unsightly, yet her eyes were filled with the same venomous hatred upon seeing Xu Jing.

Xu Jing didn’t care, directly stating, "It’s said that Mrs. Wen calls Manager Yang to your place monthly. What business does she have with him?"

Mrs. Wen’s pupils trembled, her hand clutching the handkerchief tightened, and her voice tensed, "What does this have to do with finding Guang’er? Instead of promptly locating my Guang’er’s whereabouts, you’re asking about this..."

"We’re asking to investigate the case!"

Xu Jing impatiently interrupted Mrs. Wen, coldly saying, "The kidnapper is likely someone with longstanding grudges against the Third Lady and was thus secretly monitoring her, learning of her plan to kidnap Young Master Wang and Young Master Xu. Now any servant not in the household is a kidnapping suspect! Manager Yang is also a suspect!"

Mrs. Wen’s eyes widened in disbelief, muttering, "How could it be... how could it be..."

Mr. Yao added, "For Young Master Xu’s safety, please cooperate with our investigation, Mrs. Wen. Why do you call Manager Yang each month?"

Mrs. Wen appeared lost, her eyes chaotic, struggling internally.

Eventually, as she opened and closed her mouth several times, she seemed to finally resolve something, closing her eyes tightly as she prepared to speak.

Just then, a hurried male voice rang from outside—

"Something’s wrong! Just now, another nearby little beggar delivered a letter, and this time there’s also a wooden box!"

Everyone froze.

Xu Jing and Mr. Yao exchanged glances, almost simultaneously hurrying out.

Given the curfew, the kidnapper should not have been able to deliver items personally.

It’s likely the items were handed to a nearby beggar before curfew, instructing them to deliver them at this time.

Upon reaching the front hall, they saw Xu Guangyi sitting pale and slumped on the long couch. On the small table beside him lay an opened letter and a wooden box that had been opened.

Xu Jing quickly approached, and upon seeing the contents of the box, her face fell.

Inside was... a bloody severed finger! It appeared to be a human pinky finger!

Several of Mrs. Wen’s maids sent to check the situation screamed in terror, with some collapsing to the ground and tremblingly saying, "This... could this be the Young Master’s finger..."

"No."

Xu Jing took out a handkerchief, and under the shocked gazes, picked up the pinky, examined it closely, and said, "Judging by the finger’s size, it’s an adult’s finger, and it’s calloused, suggesting it’s from a martial artist or manual laborer.

I guess it’s from one of the captured guards.

Moreover, judging by the cut, it was severed while the person was still alive..."

Xu Guangyi stared dumbfoundedly at Xu Jing, nearly questioning his own sanity.

Mr. Yao’s face darkened, "Earlier, our people asked the little beggar, and like the previous time, he said a man in a mask and cloak had him deliver it. Apart from mentioning the man was tall and that his voice was odd, he couldn’t say much. That odd voice was probably deliberately altered.

But why would the kidnapper send such a finger!"

Xiao Yi picked up the letter and said, "The letter only states to quickly prepare the ransom, to be delivered the day after tomorrow; the delivery location will be notified later."

Mr. Yao couldn’t help but say, "Could it be that the kidnapper is worried that the Wang Family and the Xu Family are delaying action, hence sending such a finger as a prod?"

"If it were merely to prod, sending a letter would suffice. There’s no need to send a finger; with those children in their hands, the Wang Family and Xu Family wouldn’t dare be negligent?"

Xu Jing furrowed her brows slightly, saying, "If I’m not mistaken, the Wang Family probably received the same thing. Rather than a prod, it’s more like... intimidation."