Chapter 70: Chapter 21: Manager Yan May Be a Demon Sect Remnant

Shen Ruoxi recalled that when she mentioned Tai as the Young Master of the Demon Sect, Xing Yuan, Old Mrs. Xu showed obvious astonishment, seemingly unaware of this.

This raises a question: how does Manager Yan, under her employment, know about the Demon Sect’s internal affairs?

She had asked Manager Yan, and he said he wasn’t part of the Demon Sect, merely working for them. Was he previously Old Mrs. Xu’s lover?

Even something Old Mrs. Xu was unaware of, he knew. Could he be lying?

This thought startled Shen Ruoxi. Could there be an even more complex conspiracy hidden within? No, she must investigate this at the Capital Governor Mansion herself.

As Shen Ruoxi got up intending to wash up and dress, her three maids were immediately flustered.

“Miss, you cannot go out; you need to recuperate well now,” the maids advised one after another.

But Shen Ruoxi insisted, “I’m fine now. There’s an important matter I must handle personally.”

“Miss, please let us handle it. If we can’t, then Young Master can go. You really need to rest now,” the maids continued to advise.

Shen Ruoxi smiled gently to reassure them, “Rest assured, I’m just going to ask a few questions. I’ve almost recovered, and this matter can only be handled by me. If anything goes wrong, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Chuntao hesitated, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

They had no choice but to assist Shen Ruoxi in washing up.

Shen Ruoxi stepped out of her Shaohua Courtyard and soon boarded a carriage heading to the Capital Governor Mansion.

Mu Le, the Capital Governor, was slightly surprised upon knowing Shen Ruoxi’s visit, and recalled that the liquor workshop incident was closely related to her, so he ordered someone to invite her in.

After exchanging formalities, Shen Ruoxi spoke frankly, “Lord Mu, where is the suspect in the liquor workshop case currently detained?”

Mu Le replied, “The case has been concluded. Xing Tian has been executed; Xing Yuan is on the run, and we are making every effort to capture him.

Manager Yan, being the main perpetrator, has been imprisoned, pending a verdict in three days. Several accomplices, being forced into the role, have each received thirty lashes and been released.”

Shen Ruoxi’s heart pounded upon hearing this and anxiously said, “I want to see Manager Yan.”

Mu Le looked troubled, “He has lost his voice due to self-harm, but he has confessed to all charges.”

Shen Ruoxi felt a tightness in her heart and hurriedly said, “Please take me there quickly.”

Seeing her serious expression, Mu Le dared not tarry and immediately led her there.

The dungeon of the Capital Governor Mansion was dark and damp, with a decaying smell permeating the air.

The walls were mottled, covered in moss, and the prison doors were heavy and cold, rusted.

Entering it, a sense of severity and horror washed over them.

The cell was dimly lit, with only a few strands of weak sunlight filtering through the narrow windows, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

A gust of cool wind blew through, causing the chains to make a slight sound, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Mu Le furtively observed Shen Ruoxi and saw that her demeanor was calm, secretly admiring her.

An ordinary person entering this eerie and frightening dungeon would have been scared out of their wits, but she could remain so composed, worthy of being the descendant of a military general.

“Greetings, My Lord.” The prison guard of the Capital Governor Mansion immediately saluted respectfully.

Mu Le nodded slightly and ordered, “Take us to see Yan Wenyi.”

The prison guard dared not delay at all and quickly complied, leading them towards the cell where Manager Yan was held.

Because Manager Yan was a major criminal, he was kept in a solitary cell, appearing particularly desolate.

Shen Ruoxi came to the cell door, and through the iron bars, she saw a figure curled up in the corner.

“Open the cell door,” Shen Ruoxi ordered.

The prison guard glanced at Mu Le, and upon receiving his permission, took out the key, and with a soft turn and a creak, the cell door slowly opened.

Shen Ruoxi and Mu Le entered the cell together.

They saw “Manager Yan” lying on the ground, unmoving despite the commotion around him, as if lifeless.

Shen Ruoxi crouched down, gently turning “Manager Yan” over. Underneath the messy hair appeared the familiar face of Manager Yan, but it was now incredibly disheveled.

With care, she checked his pulse, confirming that he was not in mortal danger, before she could feel slightly relieved.

She then pried open his mouth and found his throat severely ulcerated, obviously scalded by boiling water!

At this moment, “Manager Yan” slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was filled with terror and confusion, struggling to rise.

“Don’t move,” Shen Ruoxi sternly ordered. “You only need to nod or shake your head to answer my questions, is that clear?”

His eyes were bloodshot, seemingly filled with endless agony and fury.

Yet, he still struggled to nod.

Shen Ruoxi took a deep breath and gravely asked, “You are not Manager Yan, are you?”

He hurriedly nodded repeatedly, confirming it beyond doubt.

Mu Le, witnessing this, was overwhelmed with astonishment, almost at a loss.

The questions in his mind surged like a tide: this person is not Manager Yan, then where is the real Manager Yan?

“Did Manager Yan scald your throat?” Shen Ruoxi continued to ask.

He unhesitatingly nodded again.

“Did the real Manager Yan disguise himself as you and escape?” Shen Ruoxi probed further.

He continued to nod incessantly.

Mu Le couldn’t help but frown, filled with doubt, and finally couldn’t resist asking, “Marquis Shen, what exactly is going on here?”

“This person is not the real Manager Yan. The one we captured may have just been an impostor, and he might be a remnant of the Demon Sect hiding among the people!”

Mu Le, hearing this, was utterly bewildered and asked with a confused expression, “Marquis Shen, I am genuinely puzzled, where exactly is the real Manager Yan?”

Shen Ruoxi herself was also in chaos at the moment, unable to explain in detail, “Lord Mu, please watch.”

Mu Le widened his eyes.

Shen Ruoxi pulled out a silk handkerchief from her bosom, taking out a porcelain bottle, and poured some liquid from it, instructing the prison guard, “Wipe his face with this.”

The prison guard quickly complied, and as this person’s face slowly transformed to his genuine appearance, completely different from “Manager Yan”, not only was the prison guard dumbfounded, Mu Le was even more astounded, “This… this is?”

Shen Ruoxi calmly said, “Lord Mu, don’t bother with so much.

Now, your primary task is to capture the few accomplices you released from the liquor workshop. They were lashed with thirty strikes, severely injured, surely can’t escape far. Act swiftly!

As long as you catch that Demon Sect remnant, reveal his true identity with the liquid, the whole affair should clear up.”

“Understood, I’ll follow your instructions!” Mu Le replied.

“Additionally, this person is merely an insignificant accomplice, not the mastermind of this incident. Please have a doctor treat him and see if you can extract any further clues from him,” Shen Ruoxi added.

“Everything will be done as you command, Marquis,” Mu Le respectfully responded.

Shen Ruoxi nodded, saying, “Lord Mu, I’m leaving for now. I need to quickly tell this to my senior brother; maybe he can help.”

“If Cloud-listening Pavilion could help, that would be truly wonderful!” Mu Le said sincerely.

With the assistance of Cold Star Young Master, the confidence to apprehend the true mastermind would certainly increase, and only by capturing him could the case truly conclude.

“This Marquis takes leave.”

“I respectfully see you off, Marquis.” Mu Le bowed respectfully.

Shen Ruoxi left the Capital Governor Mansion and boarded a carriage heading to the liquor workshop.

As soon as Shen Ruoxi’s carriage reached East Main Street, she heard a commotion coming from outside…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep