Chapter 646
Chapter 646: Chapter 639_1 Chapter 646: Chapter 639_1 Lin Yue sighed deeply and helped the kneeling wet nurse Xu to her feet. “Nurse Xu, don’t take it to heart. I know you mean well for me. Otherwise, with your character, how could you have said those words? It shows that you consider me one of your own. However, the matter is not as simple as it seems. Not to mention that it is impossible for me to neglect Master Xue and the others. Since they belong to my Zhao Family, it is my duty to protect them for as long as I live. Otherwise, not to mention their families, even the servants in our house would lose heart. Furthermore, do you really think it’s a coincidence that those people could kidnap Master Xue so smoothly?”
Nurse Xu, who was from the palace, never entertained simple thoughts and naturally did not believe in coincidences. Her face grew even graver. “Madam, are you suggesting…?”
“Exactly, it’s as you suspect. How can there be so many coincidences in the world? To say that those men in black just happened to encounter Master Xue and the others by chance is impossible. They must have targeted our family from the beginning, managed to bribe an insider, and thus quickly learned of Master Xue’s departure. Then they waited on the road ahead of time. But only a handful of people knew about Master Xue leaving the house, and all of them are those I usually trust. How did these men in black learn of Master Xue’s whereabouts? If we don’t root out the mastermind behind this, none of us will sleep soundly ever again. Who knows if they will scheme again against us in the future.”
“Do you not suspect those who knew of Master Xue’s whereabouts to have leaked the information?” Nurse Xu was among those privy to Master Xue’s movements, so there was a trace of nervousness and probing in her voice when she asked. She was different from the others; Xixi and those in the capital had no entanglement, whereas she herself came from there. According to common logic, she was the most likely person to be in touch with those perpetrators. Even though she felt trusted by the madam, she couldn’t fully set her mind at ease without hearing it directly from the madam herself.
Without a hint of doubt, Lin Yue responded decisively, “Trust the ones you employ, and employ only those you trust! Since I trust them, it means I believe in their character and loyalty, which is why they were informed. I trust my own judgment of people. Moreover, none of these individuals has ever betrayed my trust, even if Xixi tends to be a bit reckless at times, her loyalty is undeniable. How can I let suspicions cast doubts upon them! Besides, the matter does not lack other possibilities. Although we did not disclose Master Xue’s situation, we did not deliberately keep it secret either. Perhaps observant people have spied upon us, tipping off others.”
Warmth spread through Nurse Xu’s heart upon hearing this. Although she had been with the Zhao Family for some time and knew well of the madam’s character, it was in times like these that anxiety heightened. These words, though seemingly ordinary, were incredibly touching, especially for those who had served in aristocratic families. They knew that winning over servants with superficial gestures was easy and a common tactic among the nobility. Yet, it was rare to find someone who truly treated servants like human beings and did not abandon them even in conflict with their interests. That was true kindness. The madam often liked to say she was not a good person, but who could match her benevolence?
“Madam’s words make sense. This old servant has also considered that aside from a leak among these few, this is indeed the only possibility. Moreover, buying off a family’s servants to gather information is a common tactic behind the big clans. This servant will immediately conduct a thorough investigation to see which heartless wretch dares to betray his master!” Despite her age, Nurse Xu was still a person of decisive action. As she spoke, she was ready to make arrangements. Lin Yue was also worried about this matter and naturally preferred to expose the hidden hand as soon as possible. Perhaps they could learn more about the men in black through this traitor.
“Go. You have my full authority to handle this matter. If you suspect anyone, regardless of whether there’s evidence or not, deal with them. Use all necessary means to unearth this traitor without any hesitation,” Lin Yue said, her voice carrying a veiled ruthlessness, almost as if she was prepared to err on the side of excess rather than risk. She would trust and value those she had chosen, and she would not be merciful to those who might betray her. The person behind the scenes was insidious. If left unchecked, not only could it harm the Zhao Family’s interests, but it could also bring catastrophic harm to their family, something she would never allow. There were times for leniency and times for ruthlessness!
After Nurse Xu left to make the arrangements, Lin Yue thought for a moment and had a carriage prepared to go to Capital City. Whoever targeted Master Xue from behind had a sinister motive; even if Zhao Erhu was not home at this time, his family’s standing was such that they could not confront the perpetrator on their own.
Although the Emperor was now their greatest support, the Emperor did not involve himself in everything, especially matters concerning the aristocratic families in the Capital City. Even the Emperor would face concerns and couldn’t act as he pleased. Even if the Emperor was willing and able to intervene, what price would their family have to pay? The time she had appeased Haishi using the Emperor as a backing was just talk. She would not take this step unless absolutely necessary. Her trip to the city was to seek counsel with people from Jimin Hall of the Jiang Family and see if they could glean any information from them.
The Jiang Family was also one of the great aristocratic families in Capital City, and Jiang Ziqi, close childhood friends with the Emperor and held in high esteem, possessed an eminent status and had good personal relations with her. Their families were business partners, making them the most appropriate people to inquire about this matter, both publicly and privately. They were the ones Lin Yue could seek help from most. Jiang Ziqi, upon leaving Xin’an City, had instructed that Jimin Hall would be helpful. Surely the people there would take the Family Head’s instructions to heart.
In fact, the people at Jimin Hall were even more attentive to the affairs of the Zhao Family than Lin Yue had anticipated. When Doctor Zheng returned and informed Manager Liu of the situation, realizing that such a grave event had befallen Zhao Erhu’s family, he immediately dispatched all available people to gather information. Even his secret contacts were mobilized. Not only was Madam Lin someone the Family Head had particularly tasked him to look after, but the Zhao Family’s business also had significant ties with the Jiang Family. The people from Capital City targeting the Zhao Family also undermined the Jiang Family’s interests. Furthermore, there were deeper reasons compelling him to act with urgency and clear up this matter as due diligence to his masters.
“Manager, Madam Lin has arrived,” an employee reported as Lin Yue arrived. By then, the people sent out by Manager Liu had already garnered some information. At that moment, he was busy making plans based on these leads, hoping to trace those men in black who had abducted Master Xue and the rest. When he heard that Lin Yue had come, he promptly went out to welcome her. After all, even if Lin Yue hadn’t visited, he would have made his way to the Zhao family village as soon as he finished with these arrangements.