It turns out they arrived at Ma Daha’s house. Because they moved swiftly without alerting anyone, they surrounded the Ma family without disturbing anyone inside.

When they rushed in, the Ma family servants, taking advantage of their master’s absence, were indulging in drinking, eating, and gambling. Even the guards at the front and back gates were half drunk and didn’t realize they were being surrounded.

The Song family brothers barged into the Ma family house, and the servants finally came to their senses. Leaderless and obedient, they didn’t dare to move, cowering in place.

They quickly searched the Ma household thoroughly and found a woman with her skin peeled off, lying in a remote, unoccupied courtyard. Her flesh was bloody and blurred. She seemed to have been drugged, and her attire suggested she wasn’t a mere servant.

The woman, barely clinging to life, was rescued by the Song family brothers and taken to the front. They called the Ma family’s servants to identify her.

Someone finally recognized the woman’s clothing, along with a mole on her arm, as belonging to their master’s newly wedded madam.

Upon hearing this, the Song family brothers immediately understood the situation.

After a careful round of questioning and further searches, they captured several unfamiliar faces, who the Ma family’s servants claimed had only arrived there a few days ago, supposedly relatives of the new madam.

They further learned that the new madam’s relatives originally numbered four, but now only three remained, with one unaccounted for.

Further searching in the Ma household’s courtyard unearthed several letters between Ma Daha and contacts on the grasslands, as well as various treasures of gold and silver.

In addition, from the courtyard where the unfamiliar faces stayed, they found bloodstained knives and some unidentified powders, along with several small ornaments, all characteristic of the grasslands people.

They also discovered several signal flares in their residence.

Moreover, upon removing their clothing, it was revealed that all three men had a green wolf tattooed on their chests.

This was a distinctive feature of certain tribes from the grasslands, some tattooing green wolves, others eagles, and so on.

Even if these three people tried to deny it, the undeniable evidence was before them.

Not only did the faces of the Song family brothers change, but the Ma family’s servants also began to view these men with suspicion.

It’s known that most of Ma’s servants were locally bought, holding long-standing grudges against the grasslands people. Even though tensions had eased somewhat over the years, they remained highly antagonistic and wary.

Especially just days before, remnants of grasslands spies were thought to have been eradicated from the city, only to discover some had evaded capture.

Everyone suddenly feared for their safety, worried they might be implicated, hence they concocted every detail of these men’s daily actions to curry favor and atone for any association.

In their hurried reporting, they even disclosed some of Ma Daha’s illicit activities.

Having caught these three grasslands people and found the evidence, the Song family brothers had not come in vain.

Feeling pity for the real Madam Yang, despite being a grasslands person, she had been brought to such a dire state by her own people.

They straightforwardly called for a doctor to send her to a clinic for proper treatment in hopes of saving her life, hoping she might reveal some information.

To prevent revenge from the Ma family, they specifically assigned two guards to watch over.

The entire Ma family was naturally detained, placed under watch, and not allowed to leave.

Only then, with evidence and the captured grasslands people in tow, did they return to report their findings.

Knowing they were exposed, the grasslands captives were panic-stricken, refusing to speak despite questioning, much like gourd heads nailed shut.

Reaching the County Yamen, they saw Song Chongjin, and before any inquiry, they demanded, "Where is our Young Prince? Is he unharmed? If anything were to happen to our Young Prince, it would be on your heads!"

From the tone of these subordinates, Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu immediately understood how Prince Bayar had been spoiled! Truly, when the master lacks wisdom, his underlings are equally foolish.

To dare speak this way, without recognizing whose territory they stood on? Was this not the grasslands?

One might wonder how they survived in the grasslands without being ambushed in the dark, bundled in sacks.

Song Chongjin, unwilling to bother with these minor pawns, assigned his subordinates to interrogate them, knowing they wouldn’t withstand questioning for long.

At that moment, it was already the latter half of the night, nearly dawn on the first day of the New Year. With so much yet to handle, a brief rest was needed to tackle the following day’s responsibilities.

Thus, after two brief orders, Song Chongjin led Wang Yongzhu by the hand, and the two retreated to the rear courtyard.

After a tiring day, they washed up and retired to bed.

That night, most of Chicheng County’s residents hardly got any sleep.

The local officials, scholars, and merchants fussed through the night until they slowly dispersed.

Those who were awake and returned home were immediately informed by their household women of the major events that had transpired earlier in their backyard, taking them by surprise. A woman from among the merchants’ wives had attempted to assassinate the Magistrate’s Lady! They couldn’t fathom how she had mingled among them.

Families familiar with the Ma family were plagued by fears such as never tying their eyes shut, afraid of being implicated.

Those slightly more composed gathered every gift and letter exchanged with the Ma family over the years and set them ablaze.

The more timid ones prayed in their homes, seeking divine intervention for safety from involvement, while in the backyards, effigies of Little Ren were stabbed, wishing ill upon the Ma family.

The night was a frenzy for both the divine and the wicked.

Those aware of the developments stayed alert, anxiously awaiting any sound from the County Yamen come morning.

By dawn, ordinary citizens, oblivious to the night’s events, stepped out joyfully, exchanging New Year’s blessings and visiting households. Children donned new clothes, merrily running from the eastern gate to western families, chanting auspicious sayings in exchange for sweets and fruits.

Wealthier households even allowed children to set off small firecrackers in the streets, surrounded by applauding kids.

Adults marveled at the fireworks display from the previous night, claiming they’d never seen such a spectacle in their lifetime.

Curiously, questions arose as to why these wealthy families remained so quiet today, staying shut despite the bright morning.

It was speculated these people, having attended the grand banquet, likely stayed up until late, hence still asleep.

Meanwhile, festive drums and gongs echoed outside, announcing the County Magistrate’s upcoming Spring Festival ceremony.

According to Chicheng County custom, the County Magistrate led County Yamen officials east of the city to worship the local land god, praying for favorable weather in the coming year.

In previous years, County Yamen officials, scholars, and prominent locals gathered at dawn outside the County Yamen, waiting to pay respects to the County Magistrate. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

It signified greater reverence the earlier they arrived.

However, Song Chongjin abolished this custom, stating participation in the New Year’s Spring Festival sufficed to show sincerity.

Upon hearing today’s plan mirrored past traditions, people felt slightly eased and quietly got ready, sneaking out to join the procession in a collective approach to the ceremony.

Details of the ceremony needn’t be repeated. Once completed, Song Chongjin offered blessings and good wishes before allowing everyone to disperse, encouraging them to return home to celebrate with family.

The crowd hesitated, not daring to depart.

They trailed behind Song Chongjin as he returned to the County Yamen, changed clothes, visited Qin Bohan’s temporary housing for New Year’s greetings, and did not resurface.

People lingered for half a day, seeing no further developments, they gradually dispersed.