Cao Rong, who had already given up and decided to use his final move, hesitated, then sat back down.
The cost of killing an Investigating Censor was too great, especially with the Imperial Guards at his side.
Besides, how Xue Shao had slipped past so many watchful eyes throughout the Cao residence and stolen an entire storeroom of treasures remained a mystery.
Cao Rong could not guarantee that killing Xue Shao would keep the news from leaking, so as long as there was the slightest possibility, he was willing to fight for it.
Seeing him sit back down, Xue Shao smiled faintly and turned to Xi Jin. "Go arrange dinner. Invite Prefect Song to join us."
Prefect Song had wanted to avoid this calamity, but Xi Jin came personally to invite him. After hesitating, Prefect Song gritted his teeth and went anyway.
At the wine table, Xue Shao and Song Hao kept Cao Rong occupied, while the yamen runners surrounded the Prefectural Yamen. Anyone from the Cao residence was barred at the gates. If they made a scene, their mouths were covered and they were driven away.
Prefect Song even paid to have musicians from Hundred Arts Tower come perform. Their warbling songs filled the air; even if a commotion broke out outside, it would be hard for it to reach the rear courtyard.
Cao Rong glanced at Xue Shao, who lightly tapped his fingers, and a trace of mockery flashed through his eyes.
So it was not that Xue Shao did not love worldly treasures. It was that those people in South of the Yangtze had failed to find what truly pleased him?
Cao Rong's gaze swept over the musicians. He made up his mind and, instead of growing anxious, relaxed.
Meanwhile, An Chen led the Imperial Guards and