Second Master Chen’s mind had already become a jumbled mess. Only when he heard his mother’s reminder did he react—yes, yes, he should go find Master Fang. Master Fang was so clever, he would surely know what to do.

But now it was already late. Second Master Chen looked at his mother with some hesitation: “Should we go invite him in the middle of the night? I’m afraid when the matter blows up, it will be used by those with ulterior motives as a weapon to attack Master Fang…”

Recently, everyone in Elder Chen’s faction had been pursued and attacked by Censor Tao and his group. Anything could become an excuse for impeachment. Second Master Chen was somewhat apprehensive.

Old Madam Chen scolded in both urgency and anger: “Fool!” She gasped for breath with difficulty before raising her voice again: “Are you stupid?! If we don’t go now, do we wait until tomorrow when Shuntian Prefecture opens court and tries the case, when that wretch is brought to Shuntian Prefecture and the matter has blown up? By that time, your father will truly be ruined!”

Moreover, looking at the situation, not only would he be ruined—if these items fell into Censor Tao’s hands, the consequences would truly be unthinkable.

Second Master Chen realized the urgency of the matter and felt his head suddenly didn’t hurt so much anymore. He turned and ran outside, gasping for breath as he reached the second gate, quickly instructing his long-serving attendant who had been keeping night watch: “Quick! Take my card and go invite Master Fang! Tell him there’s an urgent matter and he absolutely must come tonight!”

Fang Xiaoru had often entered and exited the Chen residence late at night before. The servants were long accustomed to it. Hearing Second Master Chen’s instructions, they skillfully went to the Fang residence.

Second Master Chen then busied himself having people invite the household’s advisors and staff. When they had mostly arrived, he sat anxiously in place waiting for Fang Xiaoru.

Fang Xiaoru was much calmer than him. He sent someone to report to Chongyin Workshop, dressed himself properly, then turned to gently instruct Madam Fang: “No need to wait for me tonight. Who knows how late I’ll be delayed. Don’t worry, after tomorrow, the tasks we need to do will be done.”

Once the tasks were done, the Song family would have to follow their initial agreement—give them a way out, let them off, and give them some benefits. He didn’t want much—simply be posted outside, becoming a prefect would be fine. He could gain experience, and perhaps after some years there might be opportunities to rise further, to start over step by step.

With matters at hand, Madam Fang was also exceptionally calm and composed. She nodded, stepped forward to straighten Fang Xiaoru’s clothes, and responded softly: “Master, rest assured. I’ll take good care of the household. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.”

If everything went smoothly and Elder Chen followed the plan, no matter what, he couldn’t possibly keep his position as elder. Even if he didn’t lose his life, he would still be demoted. Then the Song family would make arrangements, and the Fang family would be posted far away. After a few years when things had cooled down, they could start over again. It would be better than living in constant fear every day as they did now.

Second Master Chen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing circles restlessly in place. When he finally heard that Fang Xiaoru had arrived, he immediately opened the door, welcomed Fang Xiaoru into the study, and couldn’t wait to tell him everything.

Fang Xiaoru seemed momentarily unable to react. After a long pause, he made a sound of surprise and looked at Second Master Chen incredulously, asking: “You just said Third Master took whose money?”

Second Master Chen was full of hatred: “Who else but Zhou Chengfang’s and Lu Bingyuan’s! There are even receipts. Right now the presiding judge hasn’t been appointed yet, but once appointed, Zhou Chengfang and Lu Bingyuan over there probably won’t be able to endure and will confess. Third, this person—usually he seems so quiet and unassuming, but who knew he was a barking dog that doesn’t bite? Without a sound, he’s brought such huge disaster upon the family!”

Previously, Second Master Chen had thought Censor Tao and the others were deliberately finding fault, saying they had evidence when they were just using the examinees’ anger to try to push down his father. Now he suddenly realized that they had truly received information, knew that Third Master Chen had accepted money from Zhou Chengfang and Lu Bingyuan, and had come prepared.

His head hurt terribly, both aching and resentful: “Now those things have fallen into the hands of Shuntian Prefecture. Master Fang, what do you say—should we first go find Litian and get those deadly items back?”

Fang Xiaoru certainly knew—all of this was designed by him. Everything was proceeding according to his plan, without the slightest deviation. He put on an anxious appearance and asked the advisors whose faces also showed anxious expressions: “What insights do you gentlemen have? This matter is quite thorny.”

Needless to say, it truly was thorny. The gentlemen all nodded. Never mind whether Zhou Chengfang and Lu Bingyuan would confess later—these receipts and examination papers taken by Shuntian Prefecture were already the biggest weakness. Speaking of it, the gentlemen also found it rather curious—Third Master was so unfavored, so where did he get the examination papers from?

But this didn’t matter anymore. In any case, Third Master had truly done these things. Now the important thing was to first find a way to remedy the situation. After a moment of silence in the room, everyone began expressing their opinions one after another.

Some said they should immediately go find Litian to get the items back. Others said Litian would never be willing to give them back—he would definitely extort a sum of money. At that point, being extorted for money would be a small matter. The fear was that Litian would eat from both ends—take money from this side, then send the evidence to Censor Tao on the other side.

Second Master Chen listened until his head spun, growing even more at a loss, until someone said coolly: “What if Litian died and that evidence was burned… At that time there would only be Zhou Chengfang and Lu Bingyuan. Those two are pampered and can’t endure hardship. Even if they died in prison, no one would think it strange… Then the matter wouldn’t be important anymore.”

Kill to silence them? Second Master Chen’s eyes suddenly brightened. He turned to look at Fang Xiaoru: “What does Master Fang think of this method?”

Fang Xiaoru decisively nodded: “Looking at things now, this indeed seems to be the only feasible method. It’s just that Litian is after all from Shuntian Prefecture. For us to kill him, how could it be that simple? We still need to plan carefully.”

Thinking of Third Master Chen, Second Master Chen for the first time produced some wisdom. This person, if kept around, was also a disaster for the family. Even if he hadn’t taken money, making a fuss about dividing the household was extremely disadvantageous to the Chen family. Since he couldn’t stand to see the Chen family do well, he might as well pay the price for those foolish things he’d done. In any case, these matters were all done by him—his death wouldn’t be unjust at all!

Third couldn’t even take money properly, and would stupidly hide away the examination papers he’d written for others and the receipts. This showed he was a muddled person. When muddled people died, it was a death in vain. He was the one who had caused the family to be in turmoil. Now it was time for him to pay the price.