Gao Yang danced with excitement, the chains on his body clattering wildly. "That's right! You hired me to kill someone, and this time we've found the evidence. You're one of the Dragon King's men, aren't you?"
Duan Zihua shook his head coldly. "No."
Meng Mingshu had yet to sense the ominous implications of that simple answer. He loudly spoke up for the old family servant: "He's one of our people. The Dragon King threatened him into working from within to steal the Meng Family's property. He's been working for the Dragon King ever since. Duan Zihua, tell everyone the truth."
Duan Zihua turned around, knelt on the ground, and respectfully kowtowed to his young master.
Meng Mingshu was confused. "Duan Zihua, get up and speak. Didn't you have a change of heart and return to your former master? Weren't you afraid the Dragon King would kill you to silence you? With the Western Regions Protectorate Official here, no one would dare touch you."
Pang Jing looked around, wearing an astonished smile, as though Meng Mingshu had just told a hilarious joke. Everyone in the room was skilled at reading faces and gauging moods; at that moment, they all sensed who was about to have rotten luck.
Meng Mingshu failed to notice the official's expression, so he continued urging the old servant on with absolute confidence. "Duan Zihua, the Meng Family's revival depends on you."
Duan Zihua rose again and retreated two steps. His expression was natural, his voice loud and clear. He left every bit of responsibility he bore toward the Meng Family in his two previous kowtows. "Family Head, I have elders above me and children below me. I truly can't help you deceive people anymore. The Dragon King didn't take the Meng Family's property. No one took the