Da Tang Si Zi: My Six Super Rich Little Nuggets!

Chapter 268 Why did Huang Xiaolang steal hearts without permission?

Ma Yuan wasn't even thinking about running away yet: "Now that this heart has been stolen, if it can't be found, I... I'll be guilty even if I die a thousand deaths, sir!"

Niwan Zi stared intently at Ma Yuan like an eagle eyeing its prey. Seeing Ma Yuan's evasive words and shifty eyes, she became suspicious: "Coroner Ma, judging from your expression, it seems you have something to hide. The situation is urgent now, like an arrow on a bowstring, it must be released. If you want to find the heart in the medicine box, you must not hide anything!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Yuan's face flushed red and then paled, like the ever-changing sunset, and he hesitated for a long time. "Sigh, just go for it!"

"However we pursue them, it's all done according to plan. Even the slightest mistake in a detail can determine success or failure!"

Under Niwan Zi's all-knowing gaze, the coroner sighed and finally revealed the truth: "My lord, to tell you the truth, I was set up. As soon as I got into the carriage, I chatted with the traveler opposite me about the beauty of the women of Chang'an, and my words were full of admiration for them..."

"Oh?"

"Alas, that alluring woman with a bound bodice was originally sitting in the carriage ahead. When we stopped for a rest along the way, she approached me with the lightness of a little fox and struck up a conversation. The warmth in her words was like the gentle spring sunshine, and I... I was momentarily bewitched and couldn't control myself. We hit it off immediately when we stopped, and as soon as the carriage arrived in Chang'an, we agreed to go to an inn and booked a room..."

"She called herself Huang Xiaolang, and all that 'little wolf' and 'little fox,' so I was naturally looking forward to spending the night with her. It should have been a wonderful dream, but I never expected that she would drug my drink. I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night and found that my medicine box and silver notes had disappeared... I... I then realized that I had been tricked! Helpless, I could only rush to the yamen to report to the authorities and beg you, sirs and officials, to help me find that vital heart as soon as possible..." After Ma Yuan finished speaking, he lowered his head, his face full of shame, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

After listening to the coroner Ma's account of the entire incident, Niwan Zi fell into deep thought. After a moment, she said, "In my opinion, that woman is very likely to come back to you and try to get you to redeem this heart..."

Cong Xiaoye said, "If the medicine box was switched on the carriage, it must have been a planned crime. But if it was in the inn and you were drugged, you could have easily prepared an identical one. Besides, you prepared this medicine box yourself!"

Niwanzi's expression hardened, and he shouted sternly, "Coroner Ma, you must fully cooperate with our investigation now, and do not cause any further complications. Only in this way can we hope to find that crucial heart as soon as possible..."

Upon hearing this, Ma Yuan's previously fair and handsome face instantly paled. He shook his head violently, waving his hands frantically in the air as if trying to dispel the troublesome matter. "My lord, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

He screamed in a shrill voice, full of fear and resistance, "If this gets out, my reputation as Ma Yuan will be completely ruined! You don't know, I was able to study medicine entirely thanks to my father-in-law's family in Luoyang. My wife is as fierce as a tigress, she keeps a tight rein on me, and I don't even dare to take a concubine... If this happens, how can I hold my head high in the future? Becoming a laughingstock is a small matter, but I can't lose my livelihood! I have a bunch of other important jobs to do!"

Ma Yuan's eyes darted around: "Sir, look, finding the heart is your job. If the heart is lost, can you bear the blame from the Wuji family and the royal family? I'm just a lowly coroner, just helping to carry something... The poor security isn't my fault..." As he spoke, Ma Yuan secretly raised his eyes, his gaze shifting, full of calculation as if he wanted to absolve himself of all responsibility.

"My lord, I beg you to show mercy. I must go back to treat the sick and save lives. As for finding the thief, you will have to figure it out yourselves."

Seeing his determination, Niwan Zi could not force him and could only say helplessly, "Alright, let's discuss this matter again later."

……

In a secluded courtyard, far from the world, stood a jade table emitting a faint glow. Huang Xiaolang, dressed in a traditional Chinese wrap dress, sat before the table, her slender fingers holding a note from the Wolf King. Four ancient oracle bone characters on it exuded a mysterious aura. She frowned and murmured, "The Wolf King is up to something again. Who can understand these ancient incantations?"

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, the sound faint, like the low hooting of an owl. Huang Xiaolang didn't even look up, and said softly, "They've arrived?"

Immediately, a dark figure scaled the wall and entered—it was Stinky Weasel. Dressed in black, with a stern face, he expertly locked the gate after entering.

The stinky weasel looked at the little wolf and asked in a low voice, "You also received the Wolf King's orders?" The little wolf nodded slightly, put away the letter, and calmly replied, "Yes, I will act as agreed today."

The two waited as agreed. When the carriage arrived, it made a "gurgling" sound as it moved through the streets. This slow-moving behemoth then arrived at the time-honored Maogongzhai in Chang'an. Inside the private room of Maogongzhai, the Wolf King had been waiting for a long time. He sat there, looking like a solemn and dignified shaman.

"Everyone's here." The Wolf King looked at the two of them and spoke, his voice booming and echoing in the private room. "You little weasel, I'll tell you the time and pattern of our next target's carriage ride. You'd better listen carefully."

The wolf king explained in detail to the little weasel, who listened attentively, nodding and occasionally asking questions, looking just like a diligent student. When the wolf king finished, the little weasel said, "Don't worry, Wolf King, I won't mess things up. If I fail, I'll answer to you with my head!" With that, it rose to take its leave, its figure creating a whirlwind of black dust.

As soon as the little weasel left, the wolf king's face instantly turned ashen, his gaze like a poisoned blade, viciously piercing the little yellow wolf. His tone was filled with boundless rage and endless rebuke: "How dare you! You dare to act on your own? Are you tired of living and trying to drive everyone to their deaths?!"

Huang Xiaolang was still unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

The Wolf King continued to roar in a low voice, "This theft of the heart, such a momentous matter, should have been like a meticulously planned game of chess, with every move carefully considered and executed! But what did you do? You completely disregarded the rules, acted recklessly and arbitrarily, and utterly ruined our carefully planned scheme! Think about it, now that this deadly heart is in your hands, how are you going to make a move? The Wuji family's spies are everywhere, and if we're not careful, we'll be completely wiped out and doomed!"