Chonghua Palace.

A falcon circled several times in the air before diving down to land on a guard’s shoulder.

The guard removed the bamboo tube from the falcon’s leg and handed it to his companion behind him. The companion didn’t delay a moment and headed straight for the study.

In the study, Zhao Yanjin read the secret message and handed it to his advisor Dong Xiao beside him.

Dong Xiao pondered briefly. “Your Highness, Xu Lai is already a dead piece. The urgent matters are: first, arrange for someone to take over the position; second, find a way to make Xu Lai shut his mouth.”

“This prince isn’t afraid of Xu Lai’s mouth. What this prince is thinking now is—what kind of character is this Third Master Xie exactly?”

Zhao Yanjin’s face was full of gloom. “Is he truly a short-lived ghost? A weakling? Or is he a pig playing the tiger?”

“If Your Highness is uneasy, it’s best to secretly send someone to investigate.”

“Xie Daozhi’s son does need proper investigation, but not now. Wait until the storm from this matter passes.”

Zhao Yanjin rubbed his knees, feeling somewhat restless.

He’d originally hoped that this Xu Lai father and son could stir up some waves, but who knew they’d be so utterly useless.

Dong Xiao, seeing the shadow of worry between Prince Han’s brows, suggested, “Your Highness, the weather is getting hotter. Why not go to the estate to escape the heat?”

“Are you afraid Xu Lai will come begging this prince?”

“It’s also appropriate to avoid things somewhat, lest the Emperor’s anger fall on you. After all, that person is Xie Daozhi’s son.”

“You make a good point. Someone!”

“Your Highness.”

“Tell the princess that the weather is hot. Have her accompany this prince to the estate for a few days.”

“Yes!”

The attendant left. Zhao Yanjin sat down in his grand armchair, lifted the tea lid, then set it down again.

“Boren, have you studied this Xie Daozhi?”

“In response to Your Highness, I actually have studied him.”

“What can you tell me?”

“This man was raised by a widowed mother from childhood. When he entered the court, he had neither connections nor helpers. That he could climb to his current high position—besides Minister Du’s patronage—means he lacks nothing in scheming, methods, or calculation.”

Zhao Yanjin sneered coldly. “Then he should be investigated even more thoroughly.”

Dong Xiao asked, “What should we investigate, Your Highness—corruption or women?”

Zhao Yanjin: “Investigate both.”

Dong Xiao: “Yes!”

…

At the very moment Prince Han said to investigate Xie Daozhi, Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Feng Changxiu stepped into the Imperial Study.

Someone was already standing in the Imperial Study—Shuntian Prefect Zhang Liangang.

Feng Changxiu glanced at him sideways and walked to the dragon throne. “In response to Your Majesty, Xie Zhifei has been found. He was found at the Xu family’s western suburban estate and had been beaten half to death.”

Emperor Yonghe raised his eyes coldly.

Feng Changxiu continued, “Xu Sheng tearfully claimed it was Xie Zhifei who acted, so he resorted to this desperate measure.”

Emperor Yonghe snorted coldly. “Besides that, what other reasons does he have?”

“In response to Your Majesty, the Xu family has only one son. Being castrated means the line is cut off. Xu Sheng has no other reasons.”

Feng Changxiu changed direction. “But Third Master Xie refuses to admit he was the one who acted.”

Emperor Yonghe’s tone was stern. “What does your Embroidered Uniform Guard say?”

“Upon investigation, Third Master Xie indeed did not act.”

Feng Changxiu swallowed.

“Your Majesty, the entire matter must be told from a day in the fourth month, when Xie Daozhi’s second daughter and adopted daughter went to the streets…”

Feng Changxiu recounted everything the Embroidered Uniform Guard had investigated, adding not a word, leaving out not a word.

This sort of neighborhood gossip and trivial matters normally wouldn’t fall under the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s jurisdiction at all. But since the matter had reached the Emperor, Feng Changxiu still put some effort into investigating.

Not investigating, he didn’t know. Once he investigated, even Feng Changxiu was shocked.

Official sons acting arrogant and domineering was one thing, but they wouldn’t act so recklessly. Everyone knew in their hearts which people could be touched and which couldn’t.

This Xu Sheng was something else—his guts were fat enough to move against the Xie family’s womenfolk. For that crime alone, having his plaything cut off wasn’t unjust at all.

As the last word fell, Emperor Yonghe’s sword-like eyebrows immediately furrowed—clearly his anger had reached its extreme.

“Minister Zhang, please repeat to Minister Feng what you just told me!”

Zhang Liangang quickly said to Feng Changxiu, “Minister Feng, two cases occurred in the capital today.”

The first case involved Squire Wang from the northern suburbs coming to Shuntian Prefecture to beat the drum and cry injustice, claiming his daughter had been raped by the Criminal Justice Ministry Vice Minister’s son.

Since he dared beat the drum and cry injustice, Squire Wang had obviously come prepared. Three entire blood letters detailed how Xu Sheng used his power to commit violence, and how he later threatened and enticed them—written in meticulous detail.

The second case involved the son of a Works Ministry Hubei deputy director being castrated.

This son had no other hobbies in life but women.

He didn’t use force—he just liked to drug people unconscious and drag them to alleys, into woods… then escape.

Reportedly, the perpetrator was a thin-framed, short-statured swordsman whose moves were steady, precise, and ruthless.

After hearing this, Feng Changxiu was struck speechless with fear.

“My two beloved ministers, when things go too far, they reverse. Even if I wanted to turn a blind eye to this, I’m afraid Minister Xie wouldn’t agree!”

Reading between the lines, as the Emperor’s trusted confidant, how could Feng Changxiu not understand? “Your Majesty is wise!”

Just then, Chief Eunuch Yan Rurui hurried in. “Your Majesty, Criminal Justice Ministry Vice Minister Xu is kneeling outside the palace gates, saying he wishes to see Your Majesty.”

The Emperor didn’t even lift an eyelid, stood up, and strode away.

Feng Changxiu and Zhang Liangang exchanged glances, both understanding one thing in their hearts: The Xu family—their power was gone!

…

An hour later, Xu Sheng was escorted into the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When he entered that interrogation room reeking of blood, a thick stench of urine spread from his crotch.

“Father, Father, save me, quickly save me!”

Looking like this and he still dared move against Third Master?

A group of Embroidered Uniform Guards who were close with Third Master exchanged glances.

Alright then, young fellow. Today we’ll properly repay you on Third Master’s behalf and let you taste what true ruthlessness is!

Beating someone until they’re bloody and unrecognizable—that’s a street thug’s method.

True ruthlessness means you can’t see a single external injury from head to toe, but inside you hurt so badly you’re dying, without even the strength to cry for your parents.

Where should they start?

…

Central District Military Commissioner’s Office.

Wave after wave of officers poured in—from the East District, South District, West District, North District—all accounted for.

What kind of person was Third Master? Their good brother!

Their good brother had been beaten until even his mother wouldn’t recognize him. Too bullying!

Who could tolerate this? Who would tolerate this?

Damn it, they really thought the Five-City Military Commissioner’s Office was full of vegetarians.

“Boss Bai, this is trampling on our Military Commissioner’s Office. We must get revenge. If we don’t, the brothers won’t accept it.”

“Boss Bai, if you don’t give the word, the brothers will do it themselves!”

“Right, we’ll do whatever happens. Don’t complain about it later.”

Bai Yanlin remained silent, then silent some more, before slowly speaking. “I’ll say just one thing.”

“Say it!”

“Speak up!”

“Boss Bai, just say it already!”

Bai Yanlin cleared his throat. “Go easy on them, okay? Don’t kill anyone. Leave them breathing so we can report to higher-ups.”