Yuan Bao curled his lips and instructed the government official behind Lu Yougang, "Bring the prepared black cloth over!"
Several government officials looked to Lu Yougang simultaneously. Lu Yougang smiled and said, "Just follow Yuan Bao's arrangements and do a good job. I'll go see if the high monk from 'Huaguang Temple' is ready."
Lu Yougang left a few government officials for Yuan Bao to command and slipped away by himself.
All but the last blacksmith's wife of the ten or so deceased men's wives were brought to an empty courtyard at the government office's rear hall.
Most of these women appeared to be much calmer than Yuan Bao had imagined. Only a few showed slight unease, quietly glancing around.
Yuan Bao had investigated them—their families were mostly of average means, getting by, but not quite wealthy. Judging by the women's attire, the information matched the reality without much discrepancy.
