Chapter 682 - 675_1
Quan An saw that Ceng Lu had only lingered for a few days with that exotic beauty presented by the wealthy merchant before he began to long for it obsessively once again, together with Ceng Lu’s usual reactions, it didn’t take much for Quan An to guess what was going on. He had already held resentment towards the Zhao Family; the last time Zhao Lin had shown him such disrespect, he had refrained from taking further action only because of Ceng Lu, but now, having discerned Ceng Lu’s desires, ideas began to teem in his mind.
"My lord, if we really do this, Lin Yue is backed by the Emperor, and even the Magistrate does not dare to touch her. What if..."
"There’s nothing to be afraid of. The Magistrate was merely a bit wary before and didn’t make a move, plus he probably didn’t know of Zhao Lin’s beauty. After seeing her that day, he has been unable to stop thinking about her. I reckon the Magistrate might have the same idea, just hasn’t thought of how to proceed. As his subordinates, isn’t it our job to think ahead for our lord?"
Quan An had climbed to his current position and was valued by Ceng Lu, certainly not just through flattery but also through sly and ruthless methods that couldn’t be openly displayed. Ever since returning from Zhao Family village, Quan An felt that the lord didn’t value him as before and often summoned the butler and legal advisor he had brought from the Capital City. Sensing that he might eventually lose favor with Ceng Lu, Quan An naturally wouldn’t let go of any opportunity.
"My lord, you are right. I will arrange it immediately."
In the dim and damp dungeon, a pungent blend of odors made the air nearly unbearable to breathe. Quan An, having grown up in a poor village environment, was seldom exposed to such filth and entered with a hand covering his nose in disgust.
"My lord, please follow me this way," instructed the prison guard, leading Quan An deep into the prison to a cell near the end before halting and unlocking an iron door. Inside were high-risk prisoners, each of whom, if not executed, was condemned to exile; the guards were naturally stringent.
"My lord, these are the prisoners you wanted to see. I’ve locked them up with chains, so you need not worry for your safety. You can interrogate them freely," the prison guard respectfully told Quan An,
"Understood, you may leave. I have matters to discuss with them. Stand guard outside and let no one approach," Quan An said as he waved his hand to dismiss the prison guard.