CHAPTER 1985: CHAPTER 1987: FUNERAL PROCESSION

"Being executed by waist cutting is too easy for her; someone like that should be punished by a thousand cuts."

Ye Zi’an saw her face red with anger and patted her, "Can those children still be found?"

"There’s still no clue." Constable Lu shook his head, "And it’s not just these three children they’ve trafficked; there might be a dozen or so."

"Then investigate!" Yang Chuxia said, "No matter how many they’ve abducted, investigate them all, peel her skin off for me, let’s see if she’ll talk or not."

Hearing this, Constable Lu couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat; he didn’t dare to peel anyone’s skin.

"Madam Ye, she did talk, but when we went to that place, we didn’t find any children."

"What about her accomplices? The people who abducted the children with her? Finding them might help us recover a few."

Yang Chuxia said, "Such traffickers should be charged with treason and their entire clans executed!"

With every word Yang Chuxia said, a trail of sweat dripped down Constable Lu’s face. Even in the cold weather, he couldn’t stop sweating. He had no authority over such matters.

Ye Zi’an patted Yang Chuxia reassuringly and said, "Alright, we are aware of the situation today, and what my wife said is right; first, let’s catch her accomplices."

"We caught one, but the other got away."

"Hmm, draw up a description and report it; we must catch them." After a pause, Ye Zi’an added, "As for the punishment, officially follow the Great Zhou’s laws, but privately, be as ruthless as possible, use every unofficial punishment at your disposal; those who dare to traffic children deserve no mercy."

"Yes!"

After Constable Lu left, Yang Chuxia sighed softly, "If only people didn’t use so many indentured servants, and the brothels were closed, there might not be so many kidnappers. If parents sell their children, it’s just their bad luck, but being kidnapped is truly tragic."

"Using those who signed death contracts gives peace of mind." Ye Zi’an patted her, "In this situation, there’s nothing much we can do, just try our best to help find the children."

The tenth day of the New Year

Faintly, the sound of mourning reached their ears, making one feel uncomfortable.

It was the day of Old Madam Luo’s funeral. Her descendants were wearing mourning garbs, circling through the Capital City before finally sending her to the Luo Family’s cemetery.

"Son, be careful when you’re out, understand?"

After Old Madam Luo’s departure, this child would switch identities with another child outside the city and then head south with Ye Er.

"I understand!" Lele thought for a moment and added, "But I don’t want to go directly south; I plan to loop north like my brother and then head south."

"With Ye Er with you, your mother is at ease." Yang Chuxia took out a pouch of silver scraps, "This is for your expenses. The banknotes sewn into your belt, use them only when these run out; make sure you keep them safe, got it?"

"Yes, I know."

"Alright, off you go!"

Ye Zi’an came over and took Lele’s hand, and Yang Chuxia walked them to the gate. Lele turned back to wave at her, "Mother, you go back; I’ll be back soon."

"Sigh, mother knows."

Once on the carriage, Ye Zi’an said, "We’ll first follow the Luo family’s procession out of the city."

"Not many people seem to be attending the funeral." Lele stretched his head to take a look.

The spies hidden in the shadows quickly followed.

"The Luo Family has indeed declined. With no one influential in the court and now that it’s obviously Prince Le’s domain, naturally, not many people would come."

Soon, the Luo family’s procession left the city; their cemetery was on a hill thirty li west of the city.