Chapter 346: The Crime of Exterminating Nine Clans

Upon hearing they wanted to find Uncle Li, the boss's expression stiffened. He took another look at the mansion guards in plain clothes behind Mu Yuanzhi, then recovered his smile and said: "Uncle Li has been sick lately; I'm afraid he won't be able to drive a carriage for a short time."

"What a coincidence?" Mu Yuanzhi furrowed her brows. "When did he get sick? Is it serious? I was referred by someone who knows Uncle Li well."

"He's been sick for a few days, but it's nothing serious—just a broken leg; it takes a hundred days to heal the tendons and bones, so he needs to rest properly," the boss said.

Mu Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow: "A few days ago? But my friend saw Uncle Li driving a carriage just yesterday."

The boss's face changed drastically; he could no longer keep his smile. "Impossible? Did your friend mistake someone?"

"Maybe. Or else, boss, give me his address and I'll go visit him myself."

"... This… isn't appropriate, ma'am; I can't decide on this matter myself."

"Is that so? Then it'd be better to have the Imperial Court of Justice investigate—then you'll be able to decide, right?" Mu Yuanzhi smiled.

Hearing this, the boss's eyes flickered—first panicked, then instantly turned harsh: "You're here to cause trouble!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the carriage workshop grew tense; everyone stopped work and came over menacingly, these people holding tools, looking fierce and vicious.

Seeing this, the mansion guards behind Mu Yuanzhi also drew the hidden swords from their clothes and shouted: "How dare you! Do you know who stands before you is the Princess Guardian of the State?!"

"The… Princess Guardian of the State?" the boss faltered.

The others were also afraid, after all, no matter how bold they are, they can't really oppose the imperial family, right?

Mu Yuanzhi coldly glared at them and said sternly: "If you wish to atone with merit, tell the full truth of what happened, and you may still have a chance to redeem yourselves; otherwise, prepare to be imprisoned."

Hearing this, everyone panicked, threw down their weapons, and knelt begging for mercy: "Princess, spare our lives! We know nothing! We're just workers! It's all the boss, him and Uncle Li in cahoots!"

Terrified, they all pointed fingers at the boss.

The boss, both angry and afraid, quickly knelt as well: "Princess, what exactly happened? I, a commoner, truly don't know! I just take money to do jobs!"

He fumbled in his clothes, pulling out several ingots of silver, trembling as he offered them: "The silver is all here! Not a single piece missing! I really just take money to do jobs!"

"You don't know—where is Uncle Li?" Mu Yuanzhi glanced at the boss's banknote, then continued asking.

"Uncle Li hasn't come to work yet; he should arrive in about half an hour," the boss stammered.

"You say you know nothing, then why did you collect so much money?" Mu Yuanzhi asked again.

"The person who came said not a word could be leaked, so they gave all that hush money!" the boss said. "I, a commoner, really know nothing—I don't even know what that person looks like, only that he's a tall man with an extraordinary bearing, so I figured he must be a noble not to be offended."

Mu Yuanzhi let out an oh, curled her lips, and said: "Do you know you're aiding the Deposed Emperor? That's the grave crime of rebellion."

Those words struck him like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving the boss stunned as a wooden chicken.

Rebellion…?

This is the great sin that warrants extermination of nine clans!

"Princess, your discernment is clear!" the boss kowtowed desperately. "I, a commoner, truly know nothing—give me a hundred guts and I still wouldn't dare commit such a heinous act! I really just take people's money; ignorance is no crime!"

Mu Yuanzhi frowned: "Stop kowtowing, hurry up and tidy up—don't let Uncle Li notice anything amiss; if he runs, you'll all end up in prison!"

"Yes yes yes!" the boss hurriedly rose, not caring about the blood on his head from kowtowing, and directed the others to quickly return to their posts.

Soon, the Eternal Carriage Workshop was back to normal, with Mu Yuanzhi sitting inside, unseen from outside.

Half an hour later, a tall figure quickly appeared at the doorway.

He must be Uncle Li.

"Da Li, you're here for work—right on time." The boss set down his ledger and smiled at the newcomer.

That man was tall and broad-shouldered, exactly matching the description of the Deng Clan!

That's him!

Uncle Li's smile suddenly faded halfway, and he asked puzzledly: "Why is there a scent of rouge? Has a female official come?"

The boss's smile also faded halfway; Uncle Li sensed something off and immediately headed outside.

"Da Li, where are you going?" the boss shouted anxiously.

However, before Uncle Li reached the door, several people drew their swords and surrounded him—these were the mansion guards Mu Yuanzhi had brought.

"Who are you?!" Uncle Li, unafraid of those wielding swords, rolled up his sleeves to reveal massive arms veined with blue.

"People from the Grand General's Manor!"

Mu Yuanzhi's clear, dignified voice came from behind.

Uncle Li stared, turned to face Mu Yuanzhi; his expression told others he felt no doubt or fear, as if he'd long known he'd be dealing with such people and would be questioned by them.

The boss panicked: "Da Li! Quickly tell the Princess you're just taking people's money and have no idea what's going on! Don't drag us all into ruin!"

Da Li stared at Mu Yuanzhi for a long while, then replied in a rough voice: "I know—I'm driving the carriage for the Worthy Prince."

The boss's face turned livid; he pointed a trembling finger at Da Li: "You know? You know and still took the money? Aren't you afraid of earning a life you can't spend?"

"The Worthy Prince is a lord; what problem could there be in him hiring me to drive a carriage?!" Da Li shouted back even louder.

"Exactly, no problem!" the boss laughed. "We're just helping the Worthy Prince, not the Deposed Emperor!"

"What Deposed Emperor?" Da Li was bewildered.

Mu Yuanzhi's gaze darted between the two, wondering if they were putting on a double act…

"Da Li, you abducted Lady Fan from Prince Zhuang's Manor and transported her elsewhere—is that also not a problem?" Mu Yuanzhi questioned.

Hearing this, the boss's heart leapt again—this Da Li had actually kidnapped the Lady of the Imperial Decree?!

Da Li: "I don't understand your nobles' open and covert struggles; I just take money to do jobs!"

"How foolish yet so self‑righteous. Fine—tell me, where did you take the person?" Mu Yuanzhi narrowed her eyes.

Da Li remained silent, seemingly pondering something.

"Da Li, speak up! Are you an idiot?! That Worthy Prince is very likely aiding the Deposed Emperor in rebellion—this is the crime that warrants extermination of nine clans!"

He was practically dying of anxiety!

"How would a lowly commoner like me know all that?!"

"If you come clean about the whole matter now, I'll treat it as if nothing happened—I guarantee it." Mu Yuanzhi said.