I insist

Chapter 65: The Nobleman is Assassinated

With this relaxation, one naturally has the energy to observe other positions.

Song Miqiu turned his head away without asking any questions, but he heard several people who had come down earlier than them chatting quietly.

"Tell me, what's going on here? Why do they insist on sending someone down at this hour?"

"I'm afraid it's still related to that place."

That place?

Can't I say it now? Is it some kind of important place?

The only thing Song Miqiu could think of right now was the City Lord's Mansion. Then she thought of Yu Huailin, who hadn't appeared yet, and couldn't help but move closer.

"Do you two know what happened? Could you please explain?"

"Keep your voice down, or you'll be in trouble if someone hears you."

When the two men saw that Song Miqiu was an old woman with a wrinkled face, they tried to shoo her away, but she secretly handed them a piece of dried meat that was less than the size of their palm.

Noticing that the two were wavering, he immediately cut the item in two and handed it to them.

"We're new to the city and know nothing. We just want to know the rules. Please tell us what's going on."

"In that case, let's chat for a bit, but we're definitely not going to discuss the imperial court."

The two looked around to make sure the guards hadn't noticed anything and continued to bring down the guests from upstairs before turning their attention away.

Song Miqiu also withdrew her gaze, a smile spreading across her face, turning her already prominent wrinkles into deep furrows.

Seemingly startled by her aged appearance, the two men stopped looking at her and continued their conversation.

"I'm a light sleeper, and I woke up when I heard a noise on the street. Guess what I heard?"

"Stop keeping me in suspense, or they might hear you and arrest you."

The man didn't seem to care at all, but he lowered his voice and whispered the news that the city lord's mansion was under martial law.

Although Song Miqiu had already guessed it, the thought that Yu Huailin might not be able to get out or might be captured made her face even more gloomy.

"Could it be that someone is trying to assassinate an official?"

"Hey! You can't say things like that carelessly, or you might get yourself killed."

The man, who had been so nonchalant just moments before, suddenly looked up and around to make sure no one was watching. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and look at the ill-mannered Song Miqiu with disgust.

She realized she had misspoke and raised her hand to cover her mouth to indicate that she would not say anything inappropriate again.

However, because of Song Miqiu's actions, the group no longer trusted her and quietly moved to create distance between themselves.

Knowing it was impossible to get anything out of them, and having already lost a piece of jerky.

Song Miqiu frowned and returned to Tian Yumei's side, trying to reassure them, when she heard a voice from the other side.

"We were peacefully resting in our rooms when you guards drove us out, and then you did nothing. What are you trying to do?"

"Sir, we are just ordinary people. We have been staying in the shop the whole time. How about you let us go back inside?"

The guard who had killed the man heard the protests from the group and kicked over the nearby table and chairs.

"What's all the commotion about? You say you didn't go out, so you didn't? What if I said I saw you wandering around outside? What about that?"

Ignoring their bewildered expressions, the guards herded the last few into the crowd before turning to look at the man behind them who hadn't moved.

"My lord, everyone is here. What should we do now?"

The man didn't speak, but merely glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

The guard was startled and took a step back. He turned around and waved to the crowd that surrounded them.

"Now we need to ask some questions, if there's anything you're hiding..."

Before he could finish speaking, he raised his hand and flicked the whip in his hand, easily smashing a sturdy chair to pieces.

Seeing this, no one had any will to resist anymore, and they all huddled together in fear.

Seeing the group's demeanor, the guard nodded in satisfaction before nodding to the others.

Upon receiving the signal, the other guards standing nearby grabbed one of them at random, dragged him to the backyard, and began questioning him.

At first, there was no sound, but as one person after another was called out, Song Miqiu noticed the guards' impatience.

"Be careful, answer whatever they ask."

"Mother is right, especially you mustn't cry later. You must answer the adults' questions honestly." Qiu Tianlei saw Tian Yumei's tear-filled face and raised his hand to teach her a lesson.

But just as his hand was about to strike, the guard noticed him first and walked straight over.

"doing what?"

No, there's nothing there.

With such obvious actions, how could they believe Qiu Tianlei's words? They reached out and dragged the man to the backyard.

Seemingly because of Song Miqiu's previous instructions, Qiu Tianlei was quickly thrown back.

Although he showed some dissatisfaction on his face, he smiled familiarly when he saw Song Miqiu, and rubbed his slightly sore legs as he came back.

"Just like you said, as long as you cooperate honestly, you will be sent back soon."

It's probably not that they were cooperating, but rather that his simple-minded appearance had deeply impressed people, so they simply didn't suspect anything.

Song Miqiu didn't say that, but gently picked up the yawning child.

"Mother, how long is this going to go on? We're fine, but the child can't stand this cold, he might..."

Tian Yumei said that tears were about to fall again, but she was clearly afraid of Qiu Tianlei's fist, so she used her hand to block it.

In this situation, Song Miqiu couldn't speak up, after all, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and it was really not good for him to start a commotion himself.

Just as she was pondering how to gather the disgruntled crowd together, those who had been taken away earlier were all sent back.

"No, this is too slow. The person might just run away. Why don't we just ask them like this?"

"Okay, go ahead."

The guard glanced at the group of people who dared not act rashly and nodded, but still drew his sword from his waist and pointed it at the person closest to him.

Startled, the man took two steps back in a panic, bumping right into Tian Yumei.

She was so fearful that she didn't notice the situation and accidentally flung the girl out of her arms.

"Xiao Shuang!"

"Sir, my child is too young to withstand this kind of treatment. Please ask me any questions you may have, and do not lay a hand on him."

Qiu Xiaoshuang was only three years old. She didn't dare to cry at all when faced with such a situation. She pursed her lips and scrambled back to her mother's side.

The guard hadn't expected this, and hesitated for a moment, but quickly came to his senses when he heard the soft sound from behind him.

"Stop making a fuss, all of you stay put and answer my questions."

Have you seen anyone acting suspiciously today?

The group looked at each other, then shook their heads and looked at the guards standing in front.

Song Miqiu neither squatted down nor answered; instead, she stared intently at the guard.