Even Wang Yongzhu was captivated, let alone anyone else.

For a moment, everyone was stunned by the breathtaking fireworks display in the night sky, losing the ability to speak, just staring up with eyes wide open, not daring to blink or breathe.

The fireworks went on for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before gradually coming to a stop, only occasionally with a few slow-handed attempts still being launched into the sky.

Firework debris fluttered down from the sky, filling the air with a sulfurous smell, somewhat irritating.

Wang Yongzhu saw that they had watched enough, quickly helped Old Granny Zhang inside, and asked for warm tea to be served.

Old Granny Zhang took a sip of water and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Oh dear, this old woman has really seen it all today. This is truly spectacular! Even the most skillful girls can’t embroider such beautiful pictures! We should set these off for New Year’s, they’re both beautiful and lively!"

Wang Yongzhu silently glanced at Old Granny Zhang, thinking that if she knew how much silver was spent, she might not think so.

Sure enough, once Old Granny Zhang finished speaking, she immediately asked, "Doesn’t setting off fireworks cost a lot of silver?"

Wang Yongzhu nodded and leaned close to Old Granny Zhang’s ear, whispering, "Just this evening, for a short while, we burned at least a thousand silver—"

Old Granny Zhang was shocked, "Oh dear mother! What are we setting off? Fireworks or silver! Even if we had mountains of gold and silver, we couldn’t afford such squander! It’s just like what my mother said! Next time, we should watch others set them off, it’s the same, after all, they’re all launched into the sky. Not watching would be a waste!"

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang went inside first, while others were reluctant, standing outside watching the remaining few until they were finished, then gradually coming inside.

As they walked, they talked to each other about which fireworks were the most beautiful and which ones seemed the most expensive.

Some wives of merchants claimed their own fireworks were the prettiest, sharing how much silver was spent and where they specifically bought them from.

It was quite lively.

Once the fireworks ended, the banquet was nearing its end.

The back kitchen had already prepared a late-night snack, including various dumplings, porridge, small pastries, and carefully crafted side dishes, all served like flowing water.

The women had been startled earlier, but after watching the fireworks, their spirits were lifted, and their appetites were good.

Everyone tried one or two items, then it was about time.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were the first to get up and leave, and the others hurried to escort them to the gate, watching as the mother and daughter got on the carriage and left.

People lingered for a little while longer before getting up and leaving for home.

Earlier in the courtyard, Qin Bohan told Song Chongjin he wanted to leave early, it was too noisy, and he had always preferred peace and quiet. Staying until now was quite remarkable for him.

Song Chongjin knew that Qin Bohan’s presence was a great favor, so he offered to see him off.

Qin Bohan waved his hand, "Don’t disturb anyone, I’ll sneak away, lest I ruin everyone’s good mood, you stay and also head back sooner—"

After a few brief words, he used the excuse of needing to change clothes to retreat to the back, quickly escorted out of the courtyard and onto the carriage, and was sent back.

At this time, everyone’s attention was on the fireworks, naturally, no one noticed.

Once back inside, they saw the main seat was empty, knowing Qin Bohan had left, feeling a sense of regret but no one dared to say much.

Seeing the time was nearly up, and with the late-night snack being served, Song Chongjin casually ate a bit and ordered someone to go to the back courtyard to ask Wang Yongzhu’s group to accompany him home, also instructed to prepare the carriage.

He secretly asked someone to inquire of Jinhoo, whether he was returning together or waiting for the gathering to disperse before leaving.

Jinhoo, throughout the evening, met quite a few major merchants and engaged in hearty conversations. These people were shrewd, and although Jinhoo didn’t mention his identity, as soon as he appeared, many came to talk to him, trying to become acquainted.

How could he not understand? So he simply said he would return on his own later, just leave the door open for him.

Once the messenger left, looking around at the merchants’ eagerly glancing eyes.

With greetings of brother and calls to Wang as the talks circled, they surrounded him.

Listening to Jinhoo’s words, Song Chongjin knew he was mature enough, so naturally, he didn’t need to interfere, waiting outside for Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang to come out, then directed to return to the County Yamen.

Upon returning to the County Yamen, Song Chongjin couldn’t relax, knowing that the cross-dressing Yang’s wife, Lady Qin’s husband, and Ma Daha still awaited questioning.

He instructed Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang to finish cleaning up and rest early while he kept watch at the front.

Old Granny Zhang knew it was an important matter, especially since Yang’s wife, truly a man in disguise, aimed at her daughter, and so it was crucial to get to the bottom of it.

Celebrating the New Year wasn’t of importance.

Watching Song Chongjin head to the front, the mother and daughter cleaned up, couldn’t sleep, and having spent the day out enjoying the New Year’s meal, were now at leisure, called upon the household servants to reward them with red packets, also for good luck.

With age catching up, Old Granny Zhang distributed the red packets but grew weary and didn’t wait, returning to her room to rest.

Once Old Granny Zhang was asleep, Wang Yongzhu changed into new clothes, wrapped in a cloak, and headed to the County Yamen.

The gatekeeper seeing Wang Yongzhu paused, immediately greeted and received two red packets from her, delightedly opened the gate and welcomed her inside.

At this time, the County Yamen’s front courtyard was brightly lit, bustling with people coming and going, appearing much like any other day.

On seeing Wang Yongzhu, they bowed before him and hurried off.

The cross-dressed Yang’s wife and the other two were separately detained and questioned by designated individuals.

Lady Qin received a special female jailer for questioning.

Yang’s wife, initially knocked out and awakened by cold water, had the powdered makeup running down, red, white, and black tones smeared on his face, turning an otherwise lovely figure into something akin to ghostly scribbles.

Upon waking, before Song Xiaoyin and others could question him, Yang’s wife opened her mouth with a request, insisting on seeing Song Chongjin first.

Song Xiaoyin and his brothers didn’t allow room for demands, taking turns questioning, but Yang’s wife, despite the pretty face, was stubborn, stating he would speak only to Song Chongjin.

Meanwhile, Lady Qin was already terrified, rattling off everything, eager to divulge ancestral details when questioned.

She revealed Ma Daha, a fur trader, reputedly skillful and had connections on the steppe, capable of discreetly smuggling furs at affordable prices and decent quality, thus maintaining good business.

Lady Qin’s husband got to know Ma Daha through buying cheap furs.

It was heard Ma Daha hailed from the Capital City, had a wife and child at home, yet, away from home, accompanied by two beautiful concubines.

Somehow, a month ago, he posted invitations and married a partner with a grand fanfare.

Lady Qin’s husband and several others close to Ma Daha attended the celebration and saw Yang’s wife, young and beautiful, clearly not an ordinary girl, how could she agree to being a secondary wife?

They were aware the term secondary wife, while sounding glamorous, was intended to deceive, a reputable family wouldn’t allow their girl to be one.

Ma Daha, after being heavily intoxicated, let slip hints saying thanks to the negotiation team, claiming Yang’s wife is the daughter of a small fur supplier, pampered since childhood.

Having heard that trading routes were set to open, the father wanted to hitch a ride with the opportunity by offering his daughter as a secondary wife, hoping to profit from the connection.

Curious, Lady Qin’s husband relayed the story to Lady Qin, lamenting his lack of fortune, leading to a bit of resentment between them.

Thus, when Ma Daha entrusted Yang’s wife to her care, Lady Qin wasn’t entirely pleased, not expecting events to unfold as they did.

After hearing Lady Qin’s testimony, the female jailer relayed it to Song Xiaoyin and his brothers, asking a few more questions for her to return.

Once Lady Qin couldn’t provide further information, Li Xia summoned an old maid to accompany Lady Qin in the room.

On the other side, Lady Qin’s husband’s testimony was essentially similar, while Ma Daha initially feigned ignorance, he was completely dismayed to learn his secondary wife was actually a man!