Chapter 269 - 267: An Unexpected Arrangement (First Update)

Chapter 269: Chapter 267: An Unexpected Arrangement (First Update)

Xu Jing followed Mr. Yao back to the Wang family’s front hall, now it was less crowded with only Duke Qiao, the two young lords of the Wang family, Xu Guangyi, and Mrs. Wen, besides the government officials.

Apparently, Jiang Shaobai had sent the others home for interfering with the investigation.

Jiang Shaobai gestured for Xu Jing and Mr. Yao to sit, then turned his attention to a government official standing in the center, "You can now report what you’ve found."

The official immediately saluted, saying, "Yes. Upon further inquiry with the Xu family servants, we learned Yang Quanfu was a loner and rarely interacted closely with other members of the Xu Family. Despite this, he was competent and amicable, receiving high praise from the servants.

Yang lived in the same courtyard with the other managers, had his independent room, and his frequent absences were easily approved by reporting to Chief Manager Cao.

Regarding Yang Quanfu’s outside activities, the other managers rarely interacted with him and knew little.

We thoroughly searched Yang Quanfu’s room afterwards and found it unnaturally clean with barely any belongings, unlike someone who’d lived there for years.

Most notably, there was nothing of value in Yang Quanfu’s room."

Duke Qiao couldn’t help but slap his thigh and exclaimed in anger, "That scoundrel surely planned to flee the Capital City after executing the kidnapping!"

A subordinate retorted, "That doesn’t seem to be the case. We discovered that the valuables weren’t taken by Yang Quanfu himself. In his room, we found a piece of torn paper under a desk leg. Yang must have ripped a piece of paper accidentally.

The fragment had a partial stamp, suggesting it belonged to an escort agency. We interviewed all agencies and confirmed it was from the Tianyu Escort Agency in the Western Capital. Upon revealing our identity, the agency admitted Yang Quanfu had commissioned them three days ago."

Everyone was startled. Mr. Yao couldn’t help but say, "Could it be his possessions? Is he planning to send them ahead to his future hideout? Rather clever..."

"No."

The official paused, oddly looking at Xu Jing, "Yang Quanfu’s consignment consisted of his entire wealth, but the delivery address specified Miss Xu’s residence in the Western Capital, with explicit instructions for anonymity."

This was only discovered once we checked the address.

The shock was no less than what everyone felt now.

Mrs. Wen, previously trapped in fear and resentment, seized this opportunity, sharply proclaiming, "You dare claim no involvement with that Yang crook? Could this all be a setup against the Xu Family..."

"Mrs. Wen."

Xu Jing interrupted coldly, "If I had any connections with Yang Quanfu, he wouldn’t need anonymity for sending me his possessions."

"Who knows if that’s just a ploy by you and that crook to deceive us..."

"Mrs. Wen!"

Duke Qiao suddenly rose, his face fierce and commanding like an angry lion, "Miss Xu identified the kidnapper, and I rely on her to save my Wang family’s child. Mrs. Wen’s indifference to the Xu family’s child is one thing, but if her nonsense hinders the rescue, I will not be so forgiving!"

Having navigated the political waters for years, Duke Qiao recognized Xu Jing’s crucial role in the case.

His anger toward the Xu family’s involvement in his Jun’er’s dangerous plight raged, yet he refrained until Jun’er was safe, unaware of the Xu family’s naivety and malice!

Mrs. Wen’s expression changed, shrinking back, "I... I didn’t..."

"Someone! Take this troublesome woman away!"

Duke Qiao had no patience for further nonsense, dismissing her with a wave as Wang family servants dragged Mrs. Wen out unceremoniously.

In panic, Mrs. Wen sought help from Xu Guangyi, pleading loudly, "Duke Qiao, have mercy, my concern is merely for our child! Please allow me to stay to hear news of my child!"

Xu Guangyi ignored her pleading eyes, kept his head low.

Now wasn’t the time to anger Duke Qiao further.

Mrs. Wen failed to see priorities! Was this the time for petty squabbles?! His two wives—one foolish, the other short-sighted—neither could rise to the occasion!

The others were already fed up with her, saying nothing as she was removed. Once the hall quieted again, Jiang Shaobai looked at Xu Jing, "Why would Yang Quanfu leave all his wealth to you?"

Xu Jing lightly pressed her lips.

Mr. Yao couldn’t help but interject, "Isn’t it obvious? He betrayed the Xu and Xu families for Lady Wen, feeling immense guilt and wanting to compensate Miss Xu with his wealth. Besides, should his kidnapping plan succeed, he’d have thousands in silver, making his previous assets seem trivial."

Xu Jing calmly replied, "He’s quite confident of escaping with the ransom money from the kidnapping, isn’t he?"

Mr. Yao was taken aback.

Indeed, nobody could be certain of success in such a risky venture.

Yang Quanfu leaving all his wealth to Miss Xu suggested a lack of fallback!

Mr. Yao suddenly considered a possibility, drawing a sharp breath, "Could it be Yang Quanfu intends to end his life?"

This appeared like someone preparing for his imminent end, arranging everything in advance!

He recalled Miss Xu’s earlier remark that "those with nothing are the craziest."

This did seem like something Yang Quanfu might do!

This realization meant the two children’s situation was even more perilous!

Duke Qiao’s face paled, gritting his teeth, "Now, no matter the cost, we must rescue Jun’er! Knowing that Yang retrieves the ransom without the children, we should capture him and force the children’s whereabouts!"

A Wang family young lord quickly objected, "Uncle, no! If Yang Quanfu intends to die, he might not speak even under torture. If his accomplices suspect his delay, the children could perish!"

Another young lord agreed, "Yes, I support the fifth lord. I still believe tracking him to their hideout is feasible!"

Duke Qiao knew their logic, but fretfully replied, "We already deployed our best trackers last time; even they lost him! Miss this chance, and we may never find their hideout again!"

Tracking had too many limitations.

The kidnappers were aware of the shadows, and a careful, clever one could easily shake them off!