Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fear

The two men began to brawl directly with their fists.

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger.

Miss Zhi Lan had no intention of letting these two disrupt her business.

She promptly ordered the shop boy to throw them both out.

Let the public witness such disgraceful behavior in broad daylight—let the common people see what a spectacle these two prominent families were making. With such a scandal, what business could either hope to conduct in the future?

Someone even reported the incident to the Court of Justice.

Magistrate Wen hurried over in great haste.

He was utterly shocked by the scene before him.

He immediately ordered his men to separate the two and had them both escorted to the magistrate’s office.

Thus, the purpose of this stage play had already been achieved.

Its impact far surpassed that of previous performances.

"Brother Han, was your aim merely to arouse their sympathy? These young lords from noble families will forget all about this in a few days. What meaning is there in that?"

At first glance, it did seem pointless.

"No," Han replied calmly. "It’s only to ensure that in critical moments, these people won’t speak recklessly. If one day this matter is to be pinned on the Bai family, then someone must respond in the name of fairness."

He spoke with composure.

He had never expected to gain anything from all this, for everything was already lost.

After her performance, Miss Zhi Lan seemed profoundly dispirited.

She had only forced herself to carry on, hoping to make certain people realize just how terrifying the truth could be, once the facade was stripped away.

The play, with its novel format and script that resonated with the audience, created a stir throughout the entire Northern County.

Han Qing even sought out several storytellers, instructing them to weave the play’s plot together with the real events of the past.

Over time, some people inevitably began to suspect that the Bai family could not be separated from this affair.

The clamor of speculation soon reached Magistrate Bai’s ears.

“What exactly is going on here?”

“My lord, it’s just some rumors, nothing to be believed. It’s merely their way of making money.”

Seeing the master’s anger, the others quickly tried to explain.

But it was useless.

Every step in that play mirrored the events of that old case almost exactly.

Could it be that someone wanted to dredge up that matter from years ago?

“Find out who spread this story, and especially, why Drunken Flower Pavilion chose to stage this play.”

He spoke coldly, shaking his head, resisting the urge to discipline the troublemaker in his own household.

He would have to pay a visit to Master Zhang’s home to apologize in person.

Otherwise, many of their enterprises would be impossible to operate in the future.

“Grandfather, I won’t go. He was the one who provoked me first. I did nothing wrong.”

Oh? So a few provocations, and he lost his composure?

“If you don’t go, you’re no longer a member of the Bai family.”

That single sentence was enough to make the young man yield.

“Master Zhang, I only just learned of the incident the other day. I am deeply ashamed.”

His tone was sincere enough.

But the words that followed were less welcome.

“Children’s squabbles shouldn’t come between our families’ cooperation. After all, in this city, you know whose influence is greater, don’t you?”

A threat?

Though he was advanced in years, the implication within his words was chilling.

Master Zhang, though furious, dared not show it openly.

He had no choice but to compromise.

The Bai family was not to be antagonized.

Yet in his heart, he harbored deep resentment toward them.

He even began to withhold a portion of the transportation fees related to the Bai family’s businesses.

Who would ever know about such covert actions?

“My lord, the play did originate from Drunken Flower Pavilion, but they claim it’s just a story with no other intent.”

The Bai patriarch nodded.

He waved his hand, dismissing the attendants.

This was a test—a naked threat.

Three years ago, he had his mother feign being a bandit to destroy the Chen family.

Later, he seized their lands.

But so much time had passed, and no survivors remained.

How could this matter have been revived?

The only explanation was that someone wanted to use this old case to bring about their downfall.

“Have you made any new enemies?”

“Grandfather, aside from my dislike for the Han family, I haven’t done anything else.”

He replied meekly.

The Han family?

The old master pondered. He knew that man was clever, but surely not clever enough to know what happened three years ago.

At that time, the area was barely developed. Who came and who left—no one could testify.

Besides, Han Qing didn’t have the means to unearth such a deeply buried crime.

Perhaps it was someone else?

Watching the recent uproar unfold again and again—

“It’s time to close the net.”

He muttered, then sent a letter directly to the gambling house.

He also delivered certain incriminating evidence straight to the Bai family.

With such blatant facts, how could they possibly deny it?

“This is a disaster! How did these things fall into someone else’s hands? All the gambling house’s accounts from recent years, including the funds embezzled from the banks…”

The chief steward, upon receiving the letter, rushed back to the Bai household.

Now in charge of the family’s gambling house, he had heard no rumors of any trouble.

“Investigate!”

“Young Master, you know the accounts at the gambling house have always been a mess. The truth is, the bank’s funds were embezzled, but no one knew. If an investigation is launched now, the consequences could be unthinkable!”

The steward spoke the truth.

There was a risk that traces would be found, and suspicions would arise.

Moreover, the Bai family’s gambling house was a vast enterprise—if one thread was pulled, the whole would unravel.

Everyone understood this.

“Are you saying there’s no way at all?”

Fury flared in him.

These living, breathing men—were they just idle eaters?

When it came to a crisis, none could offer a plan.

“There is one way—immediately file a report claiming that some valuables have gone missing from the Bai family gambling house, necessitating an internal investigation.”

One of the retainers suggested.

It was a sound idea.

The incident would be minor, attracting little attention.

The so-called valuables were conveniently vague—who could understand what was missing?

“Do as you’ve suggested. From today, the gambling house will accept no more customers.”

The second young master of the Bai family gave his cold instructions.

He also began to consider who might be secretly working against him.

Who could have so easily accessed the accounts?

Could it have been one of the account clerks?

They had served the Bai family for a lifetime—surely they wouldn’t risk such a foolish act.

Then who was it?

He waited for two days.

But still, there wasn’t a single clue.

If they failed to find the culprit, suspicions among their peers would surely arise.

“Is there anyone suspicious?”

“Young Master, there is one man, but he would never have the nerve.”