The empress disliked my achievements for overshadowing her own, so she turned her attention to the N

Chen Nan sighed. He knew that Hongming wouldn't be able to leave today.

Helplessly, he said, "Fine, since you're willing to come, then come along. We'll go to the prison first, and then question you after we see the registrar."

After saying this, the group was led by the jailer to the place where the registrar was imprisoned.

When they met the registrar again, he was covered in wounds all over his body.

Clearly, the registrar was still being tortured by the jailers after Chen Nan's last interrogation.

When he saw the jailer, he said helplessly, "Gentlemen, I have told you everything I know."

However, when he saw Chen Nan behind the jailer, his eyelids twitched violently, and he unconsciously took a step back, uttering a soft "Your Highness" through his lips.

Chen Nan waved his hand, and Mo Bai brought Steward Wang to the registrar.

Steward Wang was very compliant, standing quietly with his hands crossed in front of him, allowing the registrar to observe him.

Chen Nan spoke up: "Let me ask you, you said that a man surnamed Wang came to you. He was the one who asked you to forcibly seize the land. Do you still remember that?"

The registrar nodded: "Your Highness, haven't I already explained that matter?"

"Alright, take a good look at the person in front of you. Do you recognize this person?"

The registrar's eyes lingered carefully on Steward Wang.

When he saw the black mole on the corner of the butler's mouth, his eyes clearly flickered with a strange light.

Just then, Butler Wang clenched his left hand.

However, his hands were positioned in front of him, so no one except the clerk could see them.

This action caused the registrar's eyes to return to normal.

Even though it was a very brief moment, Chen Nan still managed to capture it.

However, he did not interrupt, but waited patiently.

The registrar looked at the man for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before finally meeting Chen Nan's gaze: "Your Highness, I do not know this man."

"You don't recognize him?" Chen Nan raised his voice.

If the two people truly didn't know each other, the registrar shouldn't have reacted at all after that one glance.

“Your Highness, that person was wearing a mask when they came to me, so I’m not sure if it was someone Your Highness sent.”

Chen Nan instantly became furious: "You said before that the person who came to see you had a black mole on the corner of their mouth, and now you're saying that the person who came to see you was wearing a mask."

"If his face is covered, how would you know he has a mole on the corner of his mouth?"

"Or are you saying that you've been deceiving me from the very beginning?"

The registrar gave a bitter laugh: "Your Highness, I have been tortured into this state."

"Where would you find an order to scam me?"

"I only vaguely remember that the person had a black mole on the corner of his mouth."

"I just said that the person was wearing a mask because I suddenly remembered."

Now that things have come to this, Chen Nan knows perfectly well that he has been deceived by the registrar from beginning to end.

However, he did not intend to continue the investigation.

Qian Pi was arrested, and all the gold was put into the national treasury.

Even if someone tries to forcibly seize the land in the future, they should consider the consequences of doing so.

He had already achieved his goal of establishing his authority, and he didn't care at all who the mastermind behind it all was.

However, he did not expect that failing to continue the investigation would lead to the near destruction of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Chen Nan turned to look at Hong Ming and chuckled, "Since the registrar says his memory is confused, then Steward Wang is naturally innocent. Why don't you take Steward Wang back first?"

At this moment, Hongming became unhappy and muttered, "What, do you expect me to be available whenever you need me, but just toss me aside when you don't?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Chen Nan's confidence waned slightly, and his voice softened: "Then tell me, how about I give Butler Wang some financial compensation?"

To be honest, if it weren't for Hongming's sake, he wouldn't have been able to hire a butler, let alone a housekeeper.

He didn't care at all about those high-ranking officials in the court, let alone offer them any financial compensation.

Hongming rolled his eyes and smiled mysteriously: "The people of our Marquis's Mansion naturally don't need your Zhennan Prince's Mansion to support them."

"I heard there's an auction today in a place called Happy Forest outside the city. You have to come with me."

"An auction?" Chen Nan was taken aback. He didn't recall Hongming having a hobby of collecting antiques.

Seeing Chen Nan's puzzled expression, Hongming explained, "Tomorrow is Grandpa's birthday."

"The Marquis's residence is not receiving guests today, partly because we are afraid that someone might send some valuable gifts in advance."

"Another thing is that Steward Wang needs to do a thorough cleaning of the mansion."

At this point, he suddenly glared at Chen Nan: "Who knew that your people would call Butler Wang away as soon as they arrived, and in the end, they didn't find out anything."

"Moreover, my grandfather is getting old and is not interested in military matters. Instead, he has started to like some old objects."

"I was just trying to please my grandfather, and I originally planned to bring all the servants from the manor with me."

"Since you're here, you can come with me."

With Hongming's explanation, Chen Nan finally understood why he suddenly wanted to go to the auction.

Chen Nan thought for a moment, and there was nothing urgent going on next.

In addition, since Mo Bai was indeed too reckless, he had no choice but to agree: "Alright, then I'll go with you."

After saying that, he glanced at Mo Bai and said, "You stay here at the government office, organize the documents, and see if anyone comes to report to the authorities."

"Furthermore, you are responsible for redistributing the land that was forcibly seized back to the people according to the land deeds."

Helpless, Mo Bai was abandoned once again.

Chen Nan made these arrangements to ensure that nothing unexpected happened during this trip.

After all, Mo Bai had just offended Hong Ming, and if the other party brought up other demands on the way, Chen Nan would not be able to refuse.

Instead of taking Mo Bai along, we decided to solve the problem at its root.

Hongming didn't say anything about not bringing Mo Bai along.

He simply sent Butler Wang back alone, while he and Chen Nan left first.

However, after they left, Butler Wang did not leave. Instead, he sat in a chair, exuding an aura of power.

How did you know I had a mole on the corner of my mouth?

"I remember you didn't show your face when you first came looking for me, right?"

The registrar felt threatened and shrank into the corner: "The lord sneezed when he left."

"The veil on his face was blown off, and that's when I happened to see it."

"However, I have not revealed anything. Your Highness has no idea who is the mastermind behind this."

"I can assure you that I will keep my mouth shut and will not reveal the adults' secrets."

Butler Wang gave a wicked smile: "If you didn't say, how did Chen Nan know I had a mole on the corner of my mouth?"

"Moreover, only the dead can completely keep a secret."

The next second, Butler Wang suddenly swung his right hand.

The registrar's eyes were wide open like copper bells, his mouth was agape, his right hand was gripping his neck, and his left hand was outstretched.

Butler Wang's lips curled into a smile: "Enjoy your last moments of life!"

After saying that, he left behind a sinister silhouette.