Chapter Sixty-One: Shifting the Blame
Indeed, no one could bear such responsibility.
“Stop opposing everyone all the time. For these few days, just endure it for now,” Old Master Bai said coldly.
The person behind this would be investigated later; if they acted too hastily now, they might fall into the enemy’s trap once again.
Lord Wang had come directly to Beijun City, intending to preside over the case himself.
Initially, he planned to negotiate with the Bai family, but upon hearing that they were implicated in the murder, he summoned them directly.
“Did you have anything to do with the tragic death of the Chen family three years ago?” he asked.
Old Master Bai shook his head. “My lord, at that time we had no dealings with Chen, nor any reason to harm him,” he replied calmly.
“The witness is here. What do you have to say?” Lord Wang pressed.
Zhi Lan stepped forward and revealed her entire background.
Old Master Bai did not know her, nor did he have any knowledge of the matters she spoke of.
“Poor Chen’s family perished too soon. If we had known his daughter survived, we would have cared for her,” he said.
“Zhi Lan, do you have any direct evidence?” Lord Wang asked.
“You coveted our land. When negotiations failed, you eliminated my family. The murderers from that year now work at the gambling house,” Zhi Lan said, her anger barely contained.
Having endured for so many years, she could finally confront the hatred buried in her heart.
“We truly know nothing. That night, I did not leave my own courtyard,” Old Master Bai said slowly.
“As for the gambling house staff you mentioned, you wrong us. Though the Bai family has shares, we don’t manage it directly.”
He began to shift the blame.
Indeed, neither side had sufficient reason for their claims; it was impossible to judge who was right.
Several stewards who were present at the time were bound and brought forward.
This matter truly had little to do with Old Master Bai. He was unaware such despicable means had been used, yet the situation now was perilous.
“Let us suspend this case for now,” Lord Wang declared, settling on a temporary resolution.
The current matter was indeed difficult.
Was it to be left unresolved?
---
Yet with Zhi Lan’s appearance, the matter inevitably became intertwined with Han Qing.
Second Young Master Bai finally realized he had been utterly played. Previously, he had thought the other was just a poor boy.
“Find Liu Iron Bull from the gambling house—was he involved?” he ordered.
But the head steward shook his head. “Ever since Lord Wang arrived, that fellow has already fled.”
They dared not use other excuses to detain him, so could only accept their misfortune.
Young Master Zhu was curious.
He had never heard of Han Qing’s connection to the gambling house, but at the crucial moment, evidence and ledgers were found.
Several other banks, upon learning the news, quickly expressed their gratitude.
“Brother Han, you’re a bit unscrupulous. Since you’ve uncovered their inner workings, why make me run about?” Zhu complained.
“I didn’t investigate personally—I just arranged an informant,” Han Qing replied in his unhurried manner.
It seemed natural to him, though others found it astonishing.
“Don’t tell me it was your former brother-in-law?” Zhu asked.
“It was,” Han Qing confirmed.
Zhu was baffled. The relationship between the two seemed tense before—why help with this matter now? It felt strange.
“If he didn’t cooperate, he’d lose the right to live in his family home. Whether the Liu parents could survive would be uncertain,” Han Qing explained.
It was unexpected. Liu Iron Bull had been ruthless, but when his parents fell ill, he had no choice but to seek Han Qing’s help, thus falling under his threat.
“Everyone has a weakness. If he wants to turn over a new leaf, he must show some sincerity,” Han Qing said quietly.
Zhu felt a sudden respect, sensing the depth in Han Qing’s actions.
His ability to lay plans was not something ordinary people could perceive.
“Now the Bai family might target you; they must know you played a part in exposing them,” Zhu warned.
Han Qing nodded, unconcerned.
The Bai family had brought themselves to this state.
What could they do now? It was nothing but a fight to the death.
---
“Son, what are you trying to do? Why provoke the Bai family of all people?” Han Qing’s mother asked anxiously.
She had only learned, from the gossip in the neighborhood, that Bai’s gambling house was exposed largely due to her son’s efforts.
“If they commit such heinous acts, they deserve retribution,” Han Qing replied.
“That’s true, but here, they have immense power. What can our family possibly do?” his mother sighed.
“I’ll leave myself a way out,” Han Qing assured her.
The family did not wish to say more. Some things, once done, must bear consequences.
As expected, Second Young Master Bai immediately summoned all household servants.
He was furious; he had no intention to flatter the official sent from the capital—but Han Qing had to be eliminated.
“Find out his movements these days, especially where he spends the most time,” he ordered, his eyes burning with hatred.
Han Qing, meanwhile, was carefree—fishing by the pond, reading at home, rarely venturing out, not even visiting taverns.
How could they act against him?
“Young master, he’s mostly been at Tinglan Court these days. We can’t get in,” the servant reported.
Then they’d have to lure Han Qing out.
“Wait—he can’t stay hidden forever,” Second Young Master Bai said, ready to explode, but was stopped by his advisor.
“Don’t forget, young master, Beijun City isn’t yours alone. There’s Lord Wang,” the advisor reminded him.
Indeed.
That official’s identity was special; they could not act rashly yet.
“How can we endure? Our whole enterprise is about to be ruined. Bai family will never regain its former glory,” he lamented.
There was no chance to recover from such a disaster.
“It won’t happen. The gambling house’s responsibility isn’t yours. As for the Chen family case, you never had the authority to control the family then,” the advisor reassured him.
Thus, Second Young Master Bai would not bear any blame.