Yang Xingjian endured the severe pain of his leg injury and desperately struck the Dengwen Drum standing before the Imperial City gates.

After just one strike, he was tackled by the Imperial Guards on duty.

Seeing this commoner alone, riding a thin donkey with patchy mane, racing like lightning toward the End Gate, they thought he was some mad peasant coming to cause trouble and rebel. They were about to drag him to the roadside for a beating.

Yang Xingjian held up his silver fish pouch and shouted: “I am a steward of a prince’s mansion in the capital! Born of the Hongnong Yang clan, a dignified sixth-rank court official! I want to file a report!”

An Imperial Guard snatched the fish pouch from his hands and mocked: “You’re a court official? Then I’m a Heavenly King Warrior.”

The Tang court had another set of branch administrators in the Eastern Capital Luoyang, with offices in the Imperial City in the northwest of the city. The supreme administrative official was the Governor of Henan. The imperial family had long since moved to Chang’an’s Daming Palace, leaving mostly idle officials in Luoyang who mixed salaries and waited to retire in old age, yet still possessed imperial authority.

The Dengwen Drum placed here was merely decorative—how could they tolerate anyone striking it at will? If that donkey hadn’t run too fast to stop, he never would have gotten close.

Who would have expected that after dragging this madman to the roadside, he actually produced appointment documents and a black gauze hat from his bundle, plus a complete set of green official robes.

The Imperial Guards were stunned. Upon examining the fish tally in the silver fish pouch, it didn’t seem fake. Not daring to continue their rough treatment, they immediately sent someone to notify their superior. Looking him up and down carefully, they saw this middle-aged man had a fair, clean face with three long whiskers and scholarly bearing—he really didn’t look like an ordinary commoner. Only his disheveled hair and two wooden sticks tied to his leg looked quite unseemly.

After a moment, the duty captain came out. After examining the appointment document and fish tally, he asked puzzledly: “Since the registrar is a Chang’an official, why don’t you have a single attendant? And why do you need to beat the drum to voice grievances?”

Yang Xingjian was so anxious he broke out in sweat, crying: “My daughter was abducted by thieves this morning, I was also injured, my attendants went to search the streets. In my haste I could only resort to this desperate measure. Quickly take me to see the Governor of Henan Prefecture!”

After the morning incident, when Wei Xun failed to catch up to Bao Zhu in time, he returned to the courtyard, pulled Yang Xingjian from the bottom of the well, quickly reconnected and fixed his broken bones, then lifted him onto the donkey, telling him to report to officials immediately.

Through their time together, Yang Xingjian knew these martial world people were wary of dealing with officials, especially someone like Wei Xun with superior martial arts and an unruly nature, who particularly despised court authority. For such a person to actually humble himself and tell him to report to the authorities showed things had truly reached an irreversible point.

That donkey usually never let Yang Xingjian approach, but now knowing disaster had struck, it didn’t dare be stubborn anymore. Carrying him across the Luo River, its four hooves flew as it raced toward the Imperial City.

Sixth rank wasn’t high but wasn’t low either. This person was also born of a prestigious family. Seeing him anxious as an ant on a hot pan, the captain didn’t dare delay. He ordered subordinates to support him from both sides into the Imperial City, bypassing the county lieutenant level to go directly to Governor Dou Jing’s main hall office.

However, after a clerk delivered the message, Dou Jing had someone inform Yang Xingjian that he had been affected by evil spirits during the Ghost Festival and was unwell, unable to handle official business recently. He should discuss any matters with the military advisor.

Yang Xingjian, an official experienced in worldly affairs, naturally understood what “claiming illness to avoid meeting” meant.

After Prince Shao Li Yuanying was demoted to Youzhou, the Prince Shao’s mansion staff were in an embarrassing position at court. Dou Jing was advanced in years and didn’t want to participate in dangerous court struggles, so he deliberately played deaf and dumb, avoiding all related matters.

Unable to even see the governor’s deputy, Yang Xingjian felt such anguish that he nearly fainted. After a while, Yu Xun, the Luozhou Legal Military Advisor in charge of legal discussions and criminal judgments, slowly arrived, followed by Luoyang County Lieutenant Geng Changren.

Probably receiving hints from his superior, though Yu Xun was respectful and polite on the surface, he wasn’t very concerned. He questioned Yang Xingjian about the incident process in a leisurely manner, not even bringing a clerk to record the case.

Hearing him say he never saw the thieves’ faces throughout and that his daughter’s clothing was left behind when she disappeared, Yu Xun’s heart stirred. He asked: “Did Registrar Yang participate in the city patrol on Mid-Autumn night?”

Yang Xingjian said loudly: “My daughter Fangxie was the Guanyin maid who played the bodhisattva in the city patrol!”

Both Yu Xun and Geng Changren were surprised. Recalling the girl they’d seen on the treasure cart that night of the city patrol, she was indeed noble and elegant with extraordinary bearing.

Geng Changren asked: “Since Lord Yang is from a prestigious family, how could you bear to let your daughter be a Guanyin maid?”

Yang Xingjian replied: “We were passing through Luoyang and resting here temporarily. She went to Changqiu Temple to worship Buddha and accidentally threw sacred divination blocks, so we went with the flow. Is performing as a bodhisattva something shameful?”

Yu Xun and Geng Changren exchanged glances, already having an answer to this case in their hearts. Yu Xun smiled bitterly: “Doesn’t Lord Yang know that Guanyin maids ascend to immortality after the city patrol?”

Yang Xingjian was baffled: “I’ve heard of that, but isn’t that just empty market talk? With the Hongnong Yang clan’s family status, do we need some ‘immortal family’ to elevate us?”

County Lieutenant Geng Changren, seeing he knew nothing, could only explain: “Lord Yang doesn’t know—this is genuine ascension to immortality. All previous Guanyin maids disappear into thin air within seven days after the city patrol, leaving only their clothes and accessories. Even with family members watching, even in sealed chambers and upper floors, there are no exceptions. Some girls’ silk scarves even flutter down from heaven after they ascend—many Luoyang people have witnessed this miracle.”

Yu Xun said: “This is an honor of immeasurable merit, but… prestigious families carefully cultivate refined ladies and prefer to marry into other noble clans, so only devout Buddhist commoner families are willing to send their daughters to participate. For a lady of Miss Fangxie’s family status to be willing to participate shows she was truly blessed with Buddhist affinity.”

Watching these two officials’ tongues wagging as they seriously recounted these incredible supernatural stories, Yang Xingjian’s face changed dramatically: “Nonsense! I was at the scene—clearly thieves used schemes to abduct her. How could a living person ascend on the spot! You are court officials, not superstitious peasants—how can you speak such gibberish!”

Yu Xun, knowing he wouldn’t accept this immediately, flattered him falsely: “After Guanyin maids achieve enlightenment and ascend to serve the bodhisattva, they escape the sea of human suffering forever—this is fortune that even monastic cultivation cannot achieve. With Lord Yang protected by a daughter in heaven, you’ll surely enjoy longevity and perhaps future success and advancement.”

Yang Xingjian was furious, slamming the table and cursing: “Bullshit! My Fangxie is the concubine Prince Shao has formally arranged. We’re passing through Luoyang specifically to send her to Youzhou for the wedding. Do we need your blessings for this old man’s success?”

Yu Xun was stunned, his heart sinking. He thought his superior Dou Jing had specifically instructed him to try not to get involved with that prince demoted to the frontier. Since this was just a staff member, he could get by with empty pleasantries. Now the prince’s own concubine had disappeared in Luoyang—how could he dodge this convenient father-in-law? Could he ask the bodhisattva to return the person?

His mind raced as his expression changed. He bowed with hands clasped respectfully: “My apologies, my apologies. Since she’s Prince Shao’s consort, this is no small matter. We’ll definitely investigate thoroughly.” He then gave County Lieutenant Geng Changren a meaningful look.

Geng Changren quickly stood up, patting his chest to guarantee he’d immediately send bailiffs to search the wards. The two men bowed with clasped hands as they retreated, leaving Yang Xingjian alone in the courthouse.

Yang Xingjian sat stunned for a moment, realizing they hadn’t even asked about the missing person’s physical characteristics or appearance—without portraits, how could they begin searching? This was just perfunctory responsibility-shirking, going through the motions.

He felt cold all over and desperate, slowly sliding down from his chair. But with the princess abducted by thieves, her life hanging in the balance, he couldn’t give up no matter what. Yang Xingjian steeled his heart and simply stayed in the courthouse. No matter who came to persuade him, he refused to leave, hoping to use this desperate measure to force Dou Jing himself to appear.

He stubbornly lay on the courthouse floor tiles all night, but the Governor of Henan remained unmoved, even sending pillows and bedding.

Yang Xingjian had broken his leg and wasn’t young—after forcing himself through the night, by the next day his temples had gone white and he lay paralyzed on the ground, unable to get up.

Geng Changren brought four bailiffs and used a shoulder litter to carry him back to Cihui Ward. His donkey seemed to know the way, following behind the litter without being led, wandering back on its own.

Seeing this old father’s complete despair and heartbroken appearance, Geng Changren also felt sympathetic. Though Luoyang County Lieutenant was only an eighth-rank low-level official, the duties were quite important—capturing thieves and maintaining order in the city were his jurisdiction. Thinking of this missing girl’s relationship with Prince Shao, the little ambition buried deep in Geng Changren’s heart surfaced.

After delivering him to the location, Geng Changren handed Yang Xingjian a walking stick and whispered: “I’m also a Buddhist. I always felt something wasn’t right about people ascending to immortality every year. It’s just that Governor Dou has always governed through tranquil non-action, and with no civilian complaints, we don’t dare create unnecessary trouble. But since this involves imperial family matters…”

Hearing these words, Yang Xingjian’s ashen eyes suddenly sparked with fire. He gripped Geng Changren’s hand tightly, too excited to speak.

Geng Changren said quietly: “This subordinate has low rank and little influence, unable to make decisions. However, I’ll instruct the gate clerks to watch the eight city gates’ comings and goings. As long as your daughter remains in the human world, she cannot leave Luoyang.”

Yang Xingjian understood his purpose completely and said firmly: “Good deeds within the government gates bring merit. Good causes produce good results—County Lieutenant Geng will surely have future blessings!”

The two men understood each other perfectly. Without saying more, they clasped hands in mutual salute and parted.

The donkey walked back to the courtyard on its own, once again jumping and neighing in place—whether demanding food or throwing a tantrum was unclear. Yang Xingjian couldn’t take care of himself, let alone manage this stubborn beast. Supporting himself with the walking stick, he limped into the house.

Wei Xun was nowhere to be seen, and the two stone drums from in front of the door were somehow now placed in the main hall. A dark, stocky, fierce-looking man who resembled a bandit stood in the room. Seeing Yang Xingjian enter, he looked him up and down. Yang Xingjian immediately went pale with fear, trembling. He felt this person looked somewhat familiar but couldn’t remember where he’d seen him.

Fortunately, Shisan Lang walked in from a side room and called the fierce man “Fourth Senior Brother.”

Qiu Ren said to Shisan Lang: “Tell Wei Da that the donkey rental shop leads to the Southern Market. I’ve questioned all the nearby merchants and street beggars—no one remembers a man carrying felt coming out of the shop. With such obvious characteristics, it’s strange that no one noticed.”

Shisan Lang nodded and took note. Unable to move due to his injuries, he now stayed in the courtyard, relaying messages between his senior brothers and sisters. After Qiu Ren finished speaking, he turned to look at Yang Xingjian with hopeful eyes.

Yang Xingjian sighed dejectedly: “I’ve reported to the authorities. They’re handling it perfunctorily with uncertain results—they can only guarantee the thieves can’t take her out of Luoyang.”

Qiu Ren turned to leave, but before going, he glanced again at Yang Xingjian’s broken leg.

Shisan Lang noticed his expression and quickly advised: “Registrar, if you have gold, give it to Fourth Senior Brother quickly.”

Yang Xingjian couldn’t believe it, his eyes widening. He thought these acquaintances were helping while also robbing him? After spending a night on the cold ground, exhausted physically and mentally, he didn’t dare say much. Trembling, he pulled out a small piece of gold and handed it to Qiu Ren, treating it as official bribery.

Qiu Ren took it, weighing it in his hand, and smiled: “Very sensible.”

He then pushed Yang Xingjian down onto the stone drum, reached out to tear his trouser leg, and amid his screams, reset the broken bone properly.