Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 28

Those two men were just ordinary thugs. How could they have seen such a scene before? Naturally, they nodded in agreement.

Zhang Xiaolan lightly tapped the table and looked at the Han brothers.

Han Boguang nodded and began interrogating the two men.

His questioning was skillful—some questions were about their family backgrounds, some about the incident, and even some about their daily activities.

Not only did he ask a wide range of questions, but he also rephrased the same question in different ways.

To be honest, even the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review wouldn’t have done a better job.

Zhang Xiaolan admired the Han brothers’ ability to learn and apply knowledge. Not everyone had such a talent for drawing inferences.

After two quarters of an hour, the Han brothers had figured everything out.

Zhou Quan’s unusual behavior had drawn Shen Ting’s attention, so she had someone follow her.

Of course, her latest order was to capture her, ruin her reputation, preferably right in front of Zhou Quan.

That was indeed Shen Ting’s style—harsh, cruel, and utterly ruthless.

Han Boguang didn’t reveal who had ordered them last time, but Zhang Xiaolan could already guess that it was most likely Shen Ting. Even the fire at the Tao residence was probably connected to her.

However, she had no evidence, which made her feel a bit regretful.

Han Changshu was meticulous. He not only recorded the thugs’ statements but also read them back for confirmation.

It wasn’t until the two thugs pressed their ink-stained hands onto the paper that they finally realized what had happened.

But it was already too late.

Zhang Xiaolan gazed into the distance, where the night was fading and the first light of dawn appeared.

Shen Ting, you have shown such generosity—I would be rude if I didn’t return the favor.

Zhang Xiaolan withdrew her smile and called over the Han brothers, instructing them to deliver the two men to the county office.

After some hesitation, she reminded Han Boguang, “If you run into any trouble, you can go to Xiu Meng Xuan and seek help from Manager Hao.”

She didn’t think there would be any issues—the evidence was solid, and the two thugs had confessed.

But she was still concerned that the county officials might take advantage of the Han brothers’ young age and brush them off.

This likely wouldn’t bring Shen Ting down for now, but what followed would surely trouble her.

With these thoughts, Zhang Xiaolan and the Han brothers parted ways.

One headed to the county office, while the other returned to Fenghua Pavilion.

The morning was uneventful—if someone ordered pastries, Zhang Xiaolan made them; if no one ordered, she taught Master Zhao’s two apprentices.

Recently, the two apprentices had been spending more time with her.

Now that her goal at Fenghua Pavilion was almost achieved, she had other plans.

The two apprentices had learned quite a few skills from her.

Now, their gazes toward her were filled with respect.

Even the tea Zhang Xiaolan drank now was something the apprentices managed to coax out of Master Zhao, much to his recent frustration.

A rhythmic knock sounded—one long, one short. Zhang Xiaolan knew the Han brothers had returned.

After informing Manager Zhang, she stepped out of the courtyard and spotted them in a nearby alley.

“How did it go?” she asked as she approached, her eyes smiling, a bit of flour still on her sleeve.

“The evidence has been handed over to the bailiffs. The county magistrate will announce the verdict on a later date,” Han Boguang replied in a low voice. “Originally, their crime would have only resulted in forty strokes of the cane. But considering their past offenses, the bailiffs said, by law, they will likely be sentenced to three years in prison.”

Zhang Xiaolan nodded. The thugs’ crimes weren’t severe, so the punishment was within her expectations.

But what was interesting was the bailiff’s emphasis on “by law.”

Since the two thugs hadn’t succeeded in their mission, Shen Ting could still try to bail them out. It seemed they were quite important to her.

The question was, were they relatives or childhood sweethearts?

Zhang Xiaolan found the situation more intriguing.

She instructed the Han brothers to take turns checking on the county office and then prepared to return to Fenghua Pavilion.

Han Boguang hesitated for a long while, staring at a blade of grass at his feet, before finally catching up and telling her about someone he had encountered outside the county office.

After listening, Zhang Xiaolan nodded and still instructed them to keep an eye on the situation.

By the time she returned to Fenghua Pavilion, the busy hours had begun, and the kitchen was filled with rolling steam.

Zhang Xiaolan thought about what Han Boguang had said and realized just how well-informed Manager Hao was.

Only a quarter of an hour after they had delivered the thugs to the county office, someone had already gone there to inquire about the case.

She wasn’t worried about being investigated, but she appreciated Han Boguang’s initiative to report the matter to her. It made her quite pleased.

Amidst the rising steam, Zhang Xiaolan’s figure flickered in and out of view.

Once the crystal cakes were sent out, she took a short break before preparing the pastries that guests often took home.

The scorching autumn heat had long passed, leaving only a pleasant warmth.

Zhang Xiaolan sat in a quiet corner of the courtyard, closing her eyes to rest.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, someone came to call for her.

So soon? Zhang Xiaolan was surprised. She opened her eyes and saw that it was one of the front courtyard’s waiters.

Upon hearing that a guest wanted to see her, she took a deep breath, gathered herself, and followed the waiter.

Her face was disguised—ordinary people wouldn’t recognize her.

So, she had nothing to fear. After all, even Prince Qin had seen her.

Her mind wandered as she walked, and before long, they reached the guest’s private room.

Zhang Xiaolan tidied her attire slightly before stepping in.

“I am the pastry chef who makes crystal cakes. May I ask why the honored guest has called for me?”

She only performed a simple courtesy and did not lift her head.

Usually, guests just wanted to meet the chef and perhaps give a tip—something she was used to.

But today’s guest was peculiar. A long silence passed without anyone speaking.

Feeling puzzled, Zhang Xiaolan lifted her head and saw that the visitor had already stepped forward.

It was none other than Zhou Quan!

Zhou Quan’s eyes were fixed on her, his face showing an expression of longing!

Zhang Xiaolan quickly stepped back. “Sir, may I ask why you have called me? If there is nothing else, I must return to the kitchen.”

They had already severed ties, and now this act was nauseating.

Besides, with her current appearance, he shouldn’t even recognize her.

“Xiaolan! Your voice is the same, your skills are the same—only your appearance has changed. Have you suffered outside?” Zhou Quan asked tenderly, reaching out to embrace her.

Zhang Xiaolan tried to dodge but found her back against something cold—she was already pressed against the wall!

Zhou Quan’s hand reached out but caught nothing. Seeing her pinned against the wall, he moved to seize the opportunity.

Women always softened after a little coaxing; a moment of resistance was nothing. If he persisted, she would yield in the end.

On this point, Zhou Quan was confident.

But Zhang Xiaolan knew his true nature. How could she let him succeed?

Seizing the moment, she tried to escape, but Zhou Quan grabbed her wrist.

She struggled, but his grip remained firm. “Sir, men and women should keep their distance. Please let go. I must return to the kitchen.”

“Xiaolan, are you refusing to forgive me?” Zhou Quan controlled his force, wanting to win her back without being too aggressive.

His naturally foxy eyes shimmered. When he smiled, his entire face radiated charm. When he focused on someone, he could be mesmerizing.

As if bewitched by his gaze, Zhang Xiaolan’s expression softened slightly.

“Let go of me first.”

Feeling victorious, Zhou Quan immediately released her.

“Sit down. I’ll blindfold you with this handkerchief. If you can catch me, I’ll forgive you.”