The Chief Clerk led her into the prison, where she saw Xie Ming'an.
He was dressed in black robes, practical for interrogations.
They were chosen so that bloodstains wouldn't show.
Before Shen Ningning arrived, Lifen and her family had already been tortured.
The little girl stood before Xie Ming'an, lifting her watery eyes and waiting for his report.
Xie Ming'an paused, then pulled several sheets of written confessions from an attendant's hands.
"They've all confessed."
"Mrs. Ma Sr. plotted to splash you with a pot of hot oil, fearing you would retaliate."
"She then colluded with her family to secretly transport the goods out of Xiangyun Village, thinking they could get away."
Shen Ningning turned her gaze to the cell, looking at the bruised and immobile figures of Lifen and her family.
Her voice was soft and sweet as she stared at Lifen.
"What a shame. And I thought you were going to marry my grand-uncle."
"It seems you weren't fated for it."
