It was Qian Zhibing, the Minister of War.
Madam Li's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to believe she had been caught so easily.
She had come so discreetly. This business had operated for over twenty years without incident. How had things come to this?
"Madam Li, you admitted it yourself, and with these goods you brought to sell, we've caught you red-handed. You'll have to come with us."
The soldiers moved to seize her.
But as Madam Li struggled, she dropped to her knees before Minister Qian and kowtowed. "This business belonged to the Xie family, but not everyone in the family knew about it! My husband is dead now. Second Master Xie, who ran it all along, is the real culprit! Minister, arrest him!"
"I was a fool! I drove him out yesterday and only took over the business today. He set me up!"
Suddenly, she understood.
The deficits in the accounts, the money siphoned away, and Xie Jinqian, whom she had driven out of the house.
A chill ran down her spine, and despair filled her eyes.
That second son's scheming ran so deep.
He had siphoned off the money and walked away unscathed, leaving her to shoulder the crimes and the shortfall!
There was no need to think about the other shops anymore. Everything left to her and Xie Jin'an was probably an empty shell.
Not a penny left!
Damn him. Damn him to hell!
"Rest assured, not a single criminal involved with these things will escape. You'd better worry about yourself. Men, take her away!"
Minister Qian sneered.
In truth, while raiding a den the previous night, he had heard from a dealer that Madam Li was using her connections to find a buyer.
He had staked out this place for