Inside the hall, as Pei Yuqing spoke, everyone's eyes turned towards him, including Lu Ziyuan, who was holding a whip.
The impending storm-like atmosphere created panic among the ruffians accustomed to bullying country folks and assaulting solitary women.
"Have mercy, sir," they pleaded tearfully the moment their gag was loosened, "this item belonged to an old woman, who seemed to be a runaway slave from a wealthy family, fleeing after stealing valuables. We just happened to come across her."
Old woman, runaway slave.
Lu Ziyuan flicked his whip and looped it around one man's neck, dragging him forward, demanding sternly: "Where is that old woman!"
His eyes were bloodshot, his entire demeanor violent, seemingly ready to devour anyone, looking extremely terrifying.
The ruffians were scared into paralysis, stammering: "That old woman… jumped into Dayang Lake."
Jumped into Dayang Lake…
