Yun Shu said there was still no evidence. But Yan Shang didn’t need evidence. Only a political enemy could suppress a faction. And the Crown Prince’s political enemy was precisely the Prince of Qin. His Highness the Prince of Qin had been recuperating for a long time due to his confinement earlier in the year and was now contemplating where to find trouble to let the court know that he hadn’t been defeated – that he had returned. Since October, due to the Ministry of Justice’s investigation into Luo Xiu’s death, the Prince of Qin had been dealing with Yan Shang much more frequently than before.

So when Yan Shang invited the Prince of Qin to meet at the Northern District this time, the Prince of Qin gladly accepted. What followed was the suppression of the Crown Prince. The Prince of Qin was surprised but pleased to see it unfold, watching as Yan Shang’s forces split from the Crown Prince. If Yan Shang’s plan could weaken the Crown Prince’s power, why wouldn’t the Prince of Qin help him?

With such an attitude of watching the drama unfold, in broad daylight, the Prince of Qin sat drinking tea in a wine shop in the Northern District. Sitting across from him was the Vice Minister of Justice. And lurking in various dark corners of this wine shop were investigating officials from the Ministry of Justice.

Everyone waited with bated breath for the Prince of Qin’s orders. Just as the Prince of Qin was growing quite impatient, he suddenly heard the sounds of a man and woman arguing below. Lifting the bamboo curtain slightly, the Prince of Qin and the Vice Minister of Justice looked out to see it was indeed the famous courtesan called Chun Niang, arranged by Yan Shang, entangled with Zhang Shiyi Lang from the Ministry of Revenue’s household.

After returning to Chang’an, Zhang Shiyi Lang spent thousands of gold on Chun Niang multiple times, becoming her intimate patron. However, after a year, Chun Niang was no longer the ordinary courtesan that Zhang Shiyi Lang had known the year before. Now Chun Niang could play instruments and sing, and her poetry skills had improved by leaps and bounds. She had been invited multiple times to serve as the “master of ceremonies” at banquets held by Chang’an’s literati. The Great Wei Dynasty’s requirements for courtesans’ poetic abilities had reached quite an exaggerated level.

Relying on her talents, Chun Niang’s status at banquets steadily rose, and her influence in the Northern District naturally became incomparable to before. The most obvious example was that Chun Niang’s intimate patrons were not limited to just Zhang Shiyi Lang. Moreover, Chun Niang maintained an elusive relationship with Zhang Shiyi Lang, never allowing him to truly possess her. Now these two stood on the stairs, arguing over another man.

And that man they were arguing about stood on Chun Niang’s other side, gripping her wrist. Zhang Shiyi Lang had been drinking, and with the alcohol rushing to his face, his temper was hotter than usual as he grabbed Chun Niang’s other wrist: “How many times have you broken appointments with me? You’re nothing but a courtesan – do you think you’re some great talented lady, giving me no face like this? Today, you must come with me to this banquet!”

Chun Niang was in a difficult position. The young man on her other side took the opportunity to say: “Sir, how can you be so abrupt with a beauty? Chun Niang, you’ve accepted my payment, you should come with me.”

Chun Niang furrowed her brows and looked apologetically at Zhang Shiyi Lang: “Sir, I’ve already made arrangements with someone…”

Zhang Shiyi Lang couldn’t take it anymore: “It’s always like this! You must come with me!”

Initially, he had restrained himself, since he had previously been sent away from Chang’an by his father to avoid trouble due to his reckless behavior in the Northern District. Now that he had finally returned and his father’s official position had been restored, he naturally didn’t dare act as wildly as before. But this time, though he didn’t want to act wildly, someone was deliberately provoking him to do so.

Chun Niang covered her face and wept softly, while the young man on the other side became furious and pushed Zhang Shiyi Lang. Zhang Shiyi Lang pushed back, cursing drunkenly.

Chun Niang timidly said: “Please don’t fight, good sirs…”

During the argument, the two men began pushing and shoving each other. Chun Niang pressed her back against the stairs, trembling as she tried to avoid them. She watched the two fighting men, squeezing her handkerchief until it was nearly wringing wet, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of her throat.

The young man she had chosen to confront Zhang Shiyi Lang had an explosive temper and easily got into disputes with others. With Zhang Shiyi Lang drunk, these two could easily…

Suddenly, Zhang Shiyi Lang gave a heavy push, sending the other young man tumbling down the stairs. At first, the man cried out for help as he rolled down, then crashed at the bottom of the stairs, shocking everyone in the building, but he didn’t get up for a long while.

Accompanied by Chun Niang’s scream, Zhang Shiyi Lang began to sober up. He started to panic: “I didn’t use much force – I just gave a small push…”

Chun Niang: “You’ve killed him! Quick, quick, someone come help him…”

Fearing a death in the establishment, everyone gathered around. Zhang Shiyi Lang backed away fearfully, repeatedly saying he hadn’t used much force. As Chun Niang wept, the Prince of Qin upstairs finally felt the situation was ripe. At his command, the Vice Minister of Justice who had been sitting across from him stood up: “Who dares disturb this old man’s tea drinking?”

The Vice Minister feigned surprise: “What’s this? Someone’s been killed?”

Zhang Shiyi Lang looked up to see the Vice Minister of Justice walking down from upstairs with his hands behind his back, and suddenly had an epiphany as he noticed the other Ministry of Justice investigators quietly surrounding him from all directions. He was instantly struck with terror, remembering how he had been chased here by Princess Danyang’s people the year before.

Without looking back, Zhang Shiyi Lang turned and ran. The Vice Minister immediately shouted: “After him!”

Regardless of whether the young man Chun Niang was holding was dead, the Vice Minister’s attitude was resolute: “A life for a life!”

Hearing “a life for a life” as he fled desperately toward the building’s exit, Zhang Shiyi Lang became even more convinced he had killed someone. With the Vice Minister of Justice present, they might execute him on the spot, since he currently held no official position.

Zhang Shiyi Lang ran for his life, with the Ministry officials in pursuit. Out of the building, out of the Northern District, galloping down Chang’an Street in a wild chase.

Yet somehow none of these investigating officials from the Ministry of Justice managed to catch up to Zhang Shiyi Lang, who was riding his horse like a headless fly toward his home, because everyone remembered Prince Qin’s instructions: “Don’t catch him, let him run. He’s not our target.”

Zhang Shiyi Lang fled into his family estate. The street where the Revenue Minister’s mansion was located suddenly became very lively with the arrival of Justice Ministry officials.

Directly across from the Vice Minister of Revenue’s mansion was the home of Revenue Minister Zhang. When the Justice Ministry officials arrived in the alley, the Vice Minister of Revenue stood at his door watching the commotion for a while, stroking his beard and sighing with a smile: “It seems Minister Zhang’s young Shiyi has gotten into trouble again. That son is a handful.”

The Vice Minister’s eldest son stood beside him, respectfully agreeing: “Father speaks truly.”

The Vice Minister used the frequent disturbances from next door to lecture his eldest son: “Take note, never learn from their Shiyi Lang. If you were to act as wildly as Shiyi Lang, I wouldn’t bail you out as Minister Zhang does. My position is precarious now, we must be very careful.”

His eldest son respectfully agreed. The Vice Minister then returned to his mansion to continue drinking tea, planning to finish his cup and head to the Ministry to work after the Justice Ministry officials next door had left. But during this leisurely moment, his eldest son came running in, disheveled and dripping with sweat.

His clothes were in disarray, and one of his shoes had come off as he ran.

Just as the Vice Minister was about to scold his son for his unseemly appearance, his eldest son anxiously reported: “Father, something terrible has happened! The Justice Ministry officials say Zhang Shiyi Lang and his accomplice jumped over the wall into our house. They’re knocking at the door demanding we cooperate with their investigation. Seeing their ill intentions, I immediately closed the door. But they’ve started trying to break it down!

“Father, what’s going on?! You’re a Vice Minister, a high-ranking fourth-grade official! How dare the Justice Ministry officials try to break down our door! Aren’t they afraid of being reported?”

The Vice Minister’s face changed instantly. He mumbled: “This is bad!”

He jumped to his feet, his face turning pale. In that instant, drawing on his years of political instinct, he realized that the Justice Ministry’s brazen attempt to break down his door couldn’t possibly be just about Zhang Shiyi Lang – it had to be aimed at him… Zhang Shiyi Lang!

The Vice Minister hadn’t yet figured out how Zhang Shiyi Lang was connected to him, but his sharp instincts told him that the Justice Ministry must be plotting something.

The Vice Minister quickly instructed: “They must be after me. You go block the front door while I escape through the back door.”

His eldest son was stunned: “They’re only trying to arrest Zhang Shiyi Lang…”

The Vice Minister scolded: “Foolish! Neither a mere minister nor his son would be enough reason for them to break down our door. Is my fourth-grade official rank just for show? They must be trying to drag me into this… I hope I’m overthinking this, but for now, I must get out and hide!”

He added: “Send someone to the Eastern Palace for help!”

His eldest son quickly agreed and went to hold off the people at the front door.

Though the Justice Ministry officials breaking down the door moved quickly, they hadn’t expected the Vice Minister to be such an old fox, reacting so swiftly. By the time they broke through the door, they only saw the Vice Minister’s eldest son – the Vice Minister had already fled the mansion.

This time, the Justice Ministry officials’ expressions truly changed as they shouted: “After him!”

The leader, while standing next to officials who had already captured Zhang Shiyi Lang, didn’t even blink as he declared: “The accomplice has fled! This is a matter of life and death that we witnessed personally – how can we not give the people an explanation! We must bring this accomplice to justice!”

The Vice Minister fled anxiously out of the alley and the ward, with officials catching up behind him. Seeing the mass of officials pursuing him, the Vice Minister knew his ill foreboding had come true –

Indeed, he was the Justice Ministry’s real target.

Although he didn’t know what crime he was supposed to have committed, he knew the Prince of Qin and the Crown Prince were political enemies, and if he fell into the Justice Ministry’s hands, he would be lucky to escape with his life. Cold sweat breaking out all over his body, the Vice Minister didn’t even think as he stumbled toward Princess Danyang’s mansion.

Given his current state, even if the palace gates were open, the inner palace gates behind them would be another barrier. And even if he got past those, the gates of the Eastern Palace wouldn’t easily open immediately for just anyone.

Unable to receive timely protection from the Crown Prince, the Vice Minister of Revenue followed his instincts and sought refuge with Princess Danyang!

Princess Danyang was on her way out of the city. Yan Shang, for once not investigating Luo Xiu’s case today, had come to the Princess’s mansion and shared breakfast with Mu Wanshao. Though Mu Wanshao had been in low spirits lately and didn’t show him much warmth, when Yan Shang suggested they go together to enjoy themselves by the Qujiang Pool outside the city, she didn’t object.

Because Yan Shang had said: “Due to recent events, Your Highness has grown quite distant from me. I didn’t even get to enjoy the coming-of-age ceremony Your Highness promised to prepare for me – it’s truly regrettable. Why don’t you accompany me out of the city for a couple of days, as a substitute for my coming-of-age ceremony?”

Mu Wanshao hesitated: “Coming of age should be arranged by your teacher. I’m not your elder – it wouldn’t be appropriate for me, would it?”

Yan Shang replied: “But I only want to celebrate privately with Your Highness, I don’t want to trouble too many people.”

Hearing him say this, Mu Wanshao softened. She felt that because of the Yizhou matter, Yan Shang’s coming-of-age ceremony had only been a hasty affair with Minister Liu conferring the cap, without proper celebration. Moreover, his mention of wanting to spend two days privately with her touched her heart.

Mu Wanshao felt that recent events had driven them apart somewhat. Since he was taking the initiative to express himself, she naturally agreed gladly.

However, Mu Wanshao didn’t know that as Yan Shang looked at her with apologetic eyes, what he was thinking was – to keep her out of this matter.

After two days away from Chang’an, everything in the capital would be settled.

He didn’t want to be enemies with Mu Wanshao and didn’t want her involved in this. The best solution he could think of was to keep her out of it by leaving Chang’an with her.

The Ministry of Revenue didn’t need Yan Shang right now anyway – they were glad to have him leave for an excursion. Mu Wanshao and Yan Shang rode out of the city on horseback, with the Princess’s attendants and maids following behind. For someone as low-key as Yan Shang, he was now increasingly open about his relationship with Mu Wanshao, and when Mu Wanshao glanced at him, her eyes containing a smile, she no longer maintained the same distance as before.

At the city gate, the guard soldiers needed to check the Princess’s mansion’s fish tally and jade token.

When Fang Tong went to handle the formalities, one of the gate guards smiled and greeted Yan Shang: “Young Master Yan, are you heading out of the city?”

Yan Shang’s perpetually polite smile froze for a moment before he courteously replied: “Yes.”

As expected, Mu Wanshao, sitting on her horse nearby, turned her face toward him.

Mu Wanshao: “You know each other?”

Yan Shang explained: “I’ve had more dealings with Prince Qin today, so I’ve naturally crossed paths with this brother several times.”

The young gate guard then praised Yan Shang to Mu Wanshao: “Young Master Yan is such a refined gentleman, never looking down on us martial folk. Of course, we’re happy to be acquainted with Young Master Yan!”

But Yan Shang didn’t want to continue the conversation: “Mm.”

He turned to Mu Wanshao and said quietly: “Let’s hurry along.”

But Mu Wanshao didn’t respond.

She remembered how Yan Shang had complained that she never took an interest in his friends or tried to understand his social circle. Now she had time to learn a bit about it. So, though still mounted on her horse, Mu Wanshao looked down at the young guard, a slight smile on her lips: “It must be quite tiring to guard the gate for half a day, isn’t it?”

The young guard was startled, overwhelmed by the Princess’s attention, and hurriedly replied: “No, no! Actually, I just came on duty, I haven’t been here half a day.”

Yan Shang’s eyes contracted slightly, and he again hinted to Mu Wanshao that they could leave.

But Mu Wanshao persisted in her chat with the guard: “How can that be? This isn’t the usual time for changing guards – there should still be half an hour before your shift change, shouldn’t there?”

The guard answered naively: “Because Prince Qin temporarily reassigned some troops, taking away the ones he was familiar with. So I was sent here…”

Yan Shang once again: “Your Highness, shall we head out?”

Mu Wanshao was displeased and glared at Yan Shang. He was the one who said she didn’t care about people in his circle, but now when she showed interest, he kept rushing her. Mu Wanshao felt something was off, but before she could figure out what, Yan Shang kept urging her to leave.

Not wanting to make Yan Shang lose face in public, Mu Wanshao ended her conversation with the guard and left the city with Yan Shang.

Yan Shang let out a slight sigh of relief –

Prince Qin had mobilized people from both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War to capture the fleeing murder accomplice.

The whole city of Chang’an was in chaos. The Vice Minister of Revenue was furious at inexplicably becoming some sort of murder accomplice, but he didn’t dare stop, fearing it was a trap to force him into prison.

Though the Vice Minister couldn’t seek refuge in the Eastern Palace, news traveled quickly there. When the Crown Prince received the desperate plea for help from the Vice Minister’s eldest son, his expression immediately changed. Compared to the panicked Vice Minister, the Crown Prince was more composed.

The Crown Prince knew Yan Shang had been associating with Prince Qin lately. If this matter involved Yan Shang, the Crown Prince instantly guessed his purpose –

Yan Shang had no evidence of the Ministry of Revenue’s bribery.

The accounts had been properly filled, and a minor official of Yan Shang’s rank couldn’t possibly find evidence.

But the Ministry of Justice could arrest the Vice Minister on other charges, and under severe torture, force a confession that would reveal the Ministry of Revenue’s dealings. As the second-in-command of the Ministry of Revenue, anything the Vice Minister confessed would surely become a major case by year’s end!

The Crown Prince immediately instructed: “Where’s Shaoshao? Have her rescue the Vice Minister from the Ministry of Justice! Let her use her status as Princess to buy time – the Vice Minister absolutely cannot be taken by the Ministry of Justice!”

The Crown Prince was anxious.

He issued a second order: “Have the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review lead people to confront them! Let the Court fight the Ministry of Justice for custody! Whatever the charges, the Vice Minister must stay on our side!”

Despite issuing two consecutive orders, the Crown Prince remained uneasy.

He only hoped he was overthinking things, hoped Yan Shang wouldn’t do this. After all, Mu Wanshao had assured him that Yan Shang had reconciled with them. Yan Shang wouldn’t cooperate with Prince Qin… but if Yan Shang was cooperating with Prince Qin!

The Crown Prince’s face contorted, feeling a surge of hatred rise in his heart!

If something happened to the Ministry of Revenue, he would make Yan Shang pay with his life!

Even at the Minister of Revenue’s mansion, news arrived about the Vice Minister being chased through the streets.

Though the Minister of Revenue was like a silent Buddha in the ministry, keeping his eyes closed and saying nothing all day, he was still the true head of the ministry. Some matters, out of courtesy alone, had to be reported to him.

The Minister of Revenue was playing chess with his son, discussing his father’s retirement in two years.

When news about the Vice Minister arrived, the Minister sat in the courtyard, holding a chess piece, hesitating to place it.

After a while, the Minister sighed: “It must be Yan Shang working with Prince Qin.”

His son said: “We can just watch these dogs fight each other. Yan Er is still young – his betrayal means that even if the Crown Prince falls, he’ll still be torn apart. Father is about to retire, don’t get involved in their internal strife.”

The Minister of Revenue, his eyebrows and beard all white, his face deeply wrinkled, with dull grey eyes, appeared old and spiritless.

The Minister said: “The Crown Prince is an ambitious man with deep schemes. I fear the Vice Minister hasn’t yet understood why the Ministry of Justice is after him, but the Crown Prince has already figured it out and is ready to act.”

His son nodded: “I hear Yan Suchen just came of age. Such a young talent, what a pity.”

He invited his father to continue their game, but the Minister dropped his chess piece back into the bowl.

The Minister spoke slowly in his aged voice: “I previously paid my respects to Minister Liu, and also met Yan Suchen. Now we are all old, and the future of Great Wei depends not on us, nor people like the Vice Minister, but on young people like Yan Suchen.

“The future of Great Wei belongs to people like Yan Suchen. His teacher said he was exceptionally talented, not one to be confined. When he came to the Ministry of Revenue, his teacher privately asked me to look after him. But Yan Suchen’s abilities were so strong, that he never needed my care.

“Though the Ministry of Revenue now… is in such a state. But thinking that young people like Yan Suchen will rise to power in the future, this old man feels it doesn’t matter much.

“Ah, Yan Suchen. He’s good in every way. However, he underestimates others! He’s not the only clever person in the world!

“The Crown Prince must have sent the Court of Judicial Review to seize custody by now. As long as they move faster than the Ministry of Justice, the Vice Minister will still suffer no loss.”

Having said this, the Minister of Revenue stood up. He turned his back and walked away.

His son stood up to follow him, suddenly panicked, calling after him: “Father! What are you going to do? Help Yan Suchen? Father, you mustn’t! This means opposing the Crown Prince, opposing the Ministry of Revenue! It won’t end well!”

His son, tears in his eyes, blocked the Minister’s path and knelt before him, pleading desperately: “Father is about to retire, why get involved in such matters? Why not make a peaceful exit, why bring trouble upon yourself, why throw yourself into a sea of flames?”

The Minister looked down at him, placing a hand on his shoulder, speaking softly: “Zicheng, in this world, there are things we can choose not to do, and things we must do.

“For an old man like me who will soon return to the earth, what purpose do I serve if not to support you all?

“We will support you from below… Today, by saving Yan Suchen, I am also saving all of you. The greatest sin is not death. I’ve been an official for decades, often called a clay Buddha, not interfering in this or that. Today, it’s time I did interfere…

“Let the world know that the Ministry of Revenue is not someone’s domain!”

He walked past his son, hands clasped behind his back, heading out of the courtyard. He was naturally going to the Court of Judicial Review, to stop the Chief Minister, to buy time for the Ministry of Justice and Yan Shang.

His son remained kneeling, head bowed.

Suddenly, his son knelt facing the direction his father had left, raised his sleeve in salute, and called out loudly: “Father! I’ll wait for you to return and finish this game of chess! I will wait forever for you to return and complete our father-son game!”

The Minister looked back at him once, his eyes showing both satisfaction and sorrow. Looking at his son kneeling in the midday sun, he seemed to see his firstborn as a babbling toddler.

A thousand feelings, bitter in his heart.

In the end, no words came.

Managing only a bitter smile, the Minister waved for his son to go back, and walked away with faltering steps-

Mu Wanshao and Yan Shang had already left the city, with Mu Wanshao keeping her head down, still pondering what exactly felt wrong.

She suddenly looked up at Yan Shang, who was a zhang away.

He held the reins, unusually quiet.

Something felt even more wrong.

Though Yan Shang was typically shy and quiet, he had always been eager to get close to her. If she took the initiative, he would retreat; if she didn’t, Yan Shang would urge her to take the initiative… but today he had been quiet from start to finish, barely speaking.

Was it because of their recent arguments?

Mu Wanshao frowned, feeling something still wasn’t right. She recalled all her memories from the day, pulling the hazy fragments from her mind.

This morning Yan Shang had lingered at her place, and when he invited her out of the city, though his tone was gentle and voice steady, he had clearly been nervous, and after she agreed, he was so tense he hadn’t even smiled.

Just now at the city gate, Yan Shang had kept urging her to leave.

Wait… that gate guard!

That gate guard was very familiar with Yan Shang, but Yan Shang had acted coldly, clearly different from his usual attitude toward friends. It showed he knew the guard but didn’t want Mu Wanshao to know.

The guard said he had just been transferred there because Prince Qin had moved some people away. Why would Prince Qin suddenly transfer people in broad daylight for no reason?

After the guard said this, Yan Shang urged her to leave again…

Mu Wanshao pulled on her reins, stopping. Yan Shang turned to look at her, and Mu Wanshao stared at him for a moment before slowly testing him: “I just remembered I forgot to bring something, I need to go back to get it.”

The veins on Yan Shang’s hands gripping the reins stood out, not escaping Mu Wanshao’s notice.

He suggested in a calm voice: “What can’t you find at Qujiang Pool? Why go back specifically to get it? We’re already so far from the city, why turn back now?”

Mu Wanshao’s lips curled as she said: “But I insist on turning back.”

With that, she turned her horse around, her skirts lifting slightly as she prepared to return to the city. Yan Shang immediately rode to her side, blocking her path: “Why don’t you tell me what you forgot, Your Highness, and I’ll go get it for you…”

Mu Wanshao’s eyes turned cold: “Move aside.”

Yan Shang still spoke gently: “Your Highness is a princess, how can you trouble yourself with such matters? Let me…”

Mu Wanshao sneered: “You don’t even dare let Fang Tong go instead, insisting on going yourself?”

Yan Shang’s pupils contracted.

Mu Wanshao stared him down: “What have you arranged in the city that makes you so afraid of me going back?”

He slightly avoided her gaze.

She stopped wasting words with him and immediately tried to ride around him back to the city. But Yan Shang still followed, trying to block her. Mu Wanshao’s expression grew increasingly impatient, and she immediately called out: “Fang Tong!”

The guards following behind, including Fang Tong, sighed internally but still rode up on either side, flanking Yan Shang to separate him from the Princess. But Yan Shang refused to leave, still trying to follow Mu Wanshao, desperately pleading: “Your Highness!”

Mu Wanshao: “Stop wasting your breath! You can’t stop me from doing what I want!”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together and said: “And you can’t stop what I want to do.”

Mu Wanshao’s eyes immediately blazed with anger, but he still tried to persuade her: “If Your Highness just leaves Chang’an for a few days, none of this will concern you… Even if you return now, it’s too late.”

Mu Wanshao: “Too late?!”

She pressed closer to him: “What have you done? What have you arranged? Why do you say I’m too late? My horsemanship is excellent, I can return twice as fast as you – even then it’s too late?”

Yan Shang looked into her eyes and said softly: “It’s too late. Because… this is an open gambit.

“Whether you return or not, what’s meant to happen will happen.

“I just want you to stay out of it.”

Mu Wanshao cut him off: “Whether I stay out of it is my decision, not yours! You think you’re so clever, that you can predict everyone and everything? If you’re so confident, why are you trying to stop me now?

“Yan Shang, you’re just afraid I’ll ruin your plans!

“Fang Tong! We’re returning to the city!”

Yan Shang couldn’t stop Mu Wanshao and could only follow desperately on horseback. As she had said, her horsemanship was indeed exceptional. Certain that Yan Shang must have done something to betray her, she rode with burning anxiety, so fast that not only Yan Shang but even Fang Tong and the others fell behind.

The Princess’s party raised clouds of dust as they rushed through Chang’an’s streets!

When they reached the ward where the Princess’s mansion was located, Mu Wanshao dismounted, with Yan Shang struggling to keep up. He still tried to persuade her, but Mu Wanshao strode forward, completely ignoring him. Ahead of them appeared a disheveled, stumbling figure.

The Vice Minister of Revenue, in his panic, saw the Princess returning from outside the city!

He threw himself forward and grabbed the Princess’s legs, crying out miserably: “Your Highness, save me! Your Highness, save me!”

Mu Wanshao looked up to see Ministry of Justice officials surrounding the area. Yan Shang’s face stiffened slightly, but Mu Wanshao’s expression didn’t change. She placed her hand on the shoulder of the kneeling Vice Minister and stared at the Ministry officials: “With me here, let’s see who dares to take him!”

No one dared move against the Princess, and the scene froze.

The Vice Minister breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As the Princess helped him up, knowing he was safe, he showed a somewhat smug, mocking smile, but when he turned around, he met Yan Shang’s gaze. In an instant, Yan Shang stepped toward him. While the Princess was confronting the Ministry officials, Yan Shang pressed a blade against the Vice Minister’s shoulder.

The Vice Minister exploded in rage: “Yan Suchen! You dare!”

Mu Wanshao turned back, seeing what Yan Shang was doing, her face white with anger: “Yan Shang! You dare!”

The tense atmosphere crystallized again, taking a sharp turn!