“By imperial decree!” Ma Cheng responded loudly, immediately dividing his troops to encircle both sides of Huichuan County.

Li Qitian was now burning with anxiety.

When he first received news of the treasure, Li Qitian had suspected whether it might be false information sent by those with ulterior motives, specifically to lure him away from the capital.

But he ultimately couldn’t bear to give up this opportunity.

What if the treasure was real?

If he didn’t go and the treasure truly fell into Lu Heng’s hands?

Lu Heng could conceal this information—who knew what other schemes he harbored! Moreover, Qian Ying had always been a minister he trusted, with extensive connections. It was entirely possible that one or two advisors under his command had learned of Lu Heng’s actions through various channels and informed their master.

If this information proved false, at worst he’d have made a wasted trip. If it was true, his current crisis of empty state treasury and depleted inner coffers could be completely resolved!

Li Qitian became even more convinced of the correctness of this journey, his gaze growing more urgent.

The troops galloped forward for a while longer, and the buildings of Huichuan County became increasingly clear in the blazing noon sun across the open plains.

Li Qitian raised his riding whip, about to spur his horse, when he saw a single rider approaching quickly from the opposite direction.

The person wore dark blue short clothing, hair bound high, with a square face and ordinary features—the kind who would disappear if thrown into a crowd.

This was one of Li Qitian’s secret agents, named Zhu Meng.

“Your Majesty!”

Li Qitian slowed his pace, and the thousand-plus cavalry behind him also reduced speed. The dirt road kicked up clouds of dust in the strong wind, forcing people to squint, but behind the Son of Heaven, each cavalryman maintained a solemn expression, making no sound except for horse hooves.

The swift horse galloped close, Li Qitian reined in his jujube-red steed, pointing his whip at the newcomer: “Report quickly!”

Zhu Meng leaped from his horse, knelt on one knee with fist cupped: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the stone yard’s final batch of materials has departed through the south gate, heading directly toward Wanzhou Town.”

Li Qitian sneered coldly: “Truly, arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time. Men! Follow me in pursuit!”

“Yes!”

The remaining soldiers responded in unison.

Li Qitian turned to instruct Ma Cheng: “You enter the city and temporarily take control of Huichuan County. No unnecessary actions are needed. The important thing is to watch Count Zhongyi closely for me!”

Ma Cheng’s heart jumped, vaguely sensing an impending chaos across the realm. He hastily suppressed his wild thoughts, formally saluted: “This minister receives the decree!”

Li Qitian urgently led a thousand cavalry around Huichuan County, pursuing directly toward Wanzhou Town.

Ma Cheng, meanwhile, ordered his deputy to surround Huichuan County while dispatching troops to prepare for entering the city.

Seeing a contingent of soldiers heading straight for the city gate, civilians entering and leaving the city all scrambled to dodge aside. The gate officials, recognizing the Five Armies Camp cavalry, knew something significant must be happening and hastily opened the city gates wide, quietly stepping aside.

This was the busiest time in Huichuan County, with women carrying vegetable baskets and merchants with their carrying poles walking in twos and threes along both sides of the streets.

Everyone looked worried, brows furrowed as they discussed in low voices about the day’s grain prices.

In front of the city’s rice shops, long queues had formed, winding for two whole streets.

In the blazing autumn sun, the people squinted against the glare.

As soon as Ma Cheng’s cavalry entered the city, they frightened the street’s residents into screaming and stumbling aside to the edges of the road. Watching the cavalry charge forward in clouds of dust, everyone felt panic in their hearts.

Women huddled together in terror, discussing in low voices:

“What’s happening now? What is the court doing again!”

“Why does it look like these soldiers are heading toward the county office?”

“Has Magistrate Lu offended some noble in the court?”

…

Hearing the people’s discussions, Ma Cheng couldn’t help but curl his lip.

Indeed, he had offended a noble—and this time, Count Zhongyi had offended the most noble person in the current dynasty!

The troops quickly surrounded the government office. The soldiers charged into the office like fierce tigers descending the mountain, prompting loud challenges from the clerks.

“Who goes there! How dare you cause trouble at the government office!”

Ma Cheng strode forward with one hand on his sword, calling out loudly: “All of you behave yourselves! This general comes bearing His Majesty’s oral decree. Anyone who dares resist will be charged with treason!”

The clerks were momentarily stunned.

The Five Armies Camp soldiers naturally carried an aura of menace, each like wolves and tigers. The clerks didn’t want to cause trouble that might implicate their families, so they naturally stood quietly aside, anxiously waiting for Ma Cheng to speak.

“General, he’s not found!” Someone who had been ordered to search inside returned without finding Lu Heng.

Ma Cheng was startled, immediately glaring fiercely at the nearby clerks, demanding: “Where is Count Zhongyi!”

Some clerks hesitated, but others, reading the situation, said: “It seems Madam had some matter, so Count Zhongyi hurried home.”

Ma Cheng immediately ordered part of his men to guard the office while taking the rest directly to Count Zhongyi’s mansion.

Lu Heng had indeed returned home, but not because Bian Ruohan had some matter. Rather, with the general situation now set, he hadn’t closed his eyes for many days. In the office, he always felt his nerves were taut and couldn’t sleep even when he tried, so he thought to return home for a good rest.

Learning that Lu Heng had returned, Bian Ruohan was almost overwhelmed with joy, immediately ordering servants: “Quickly prepare the Count’s favorite dishes.”

She herself hurried to check her appearance in the mirror, selected her favorite twin-flower hairpin to wear, touched up her rouge and lip color, then rushed toward the outer courtyard study with her skirts swirling.

However, when she reached the courtyard where the study was located, she was blocked by Lu Wenru and his men.

“Madam, the Count has been exhausted for many days and has just fallen asleep.”

Bian Ruohan’s face immediately turned cold: “When the Count returns to the mansion, even if he wants to rest, he should return to the inner quarters. How could he rest here? You dog slave, are you perhaps mocking me!”

Lu Wenru was Lu Heng’s personal attendant and held considerable status, yet Bian Ruohan called him “dog slave” with every word, which was truly displeasing.

However, Lu Wenru was naturally gentle and rational, knowing that this Count’s wife before him came from a fallen family and would make scenes even in front of the Count himself. Moreover, given his status, he couldn’t argue with the mistress of the house.

Lu Wenru could only cup his hands: “Madam, please return. The Count is truly very tired. He has finally managed to fall asleep—Madam should take pity on the Count and not disturb his good rest.”

Bian Ruohan felt humiliated and immediately turned purple with rage, pointing at Lu Wenru and speaking through gritted teeth: “You wretched slave! How dare you…”

Before she could finish speaking, a loud “BOOM” suddenly came from behind. Bian Ruohan screamed in fright and frantically hid behind her maid.

Lu Wenru was greatly alarmed and hurried with his men away from the side courtyard toward the main gate. Before they could get close, they saw the black lacquered gate being struck again, another dull “BOOM” echoing as the two door panels were forcibly knocked down, frightening the gatekeepers and workers into stunned silence.

Soldiers in Five Armies Camp uniforms swarmed in. At this moment, Lu Wenru had no time to react. Amid the screams of numerous servants, he was pressed to the ground in the blink of an eye.

Struggling to lift his head, Lu Wenru saw a broad-shouldered, bear-like middle-aged general approaching with hand on sword. As the man drew near, he recognized him.

This was the Eastern Route Commander of the Five Armies Camp—someone the Emperor relied heavily upon!

Black war boots stopped before him as Ma Cheng spoke in a deep voice: “By His Majesty’s decree, surround the Lu mansion. Where is Count Zhongyi!”

Lu Wenru’s heart skipped a beat.

This was bad—serious trouble! For His Majesty to rush here so urgently, like conducting a house raid, even unable to wait for proper door etiquette and directly breaking down the gate—could it be that what the Count had done in secret had been exposed? Were things perhaps developing in the direction they least hoped for?

Lu Heng had already been awakened by Bian Ruohan’s shrill shouting when she approached, but he was too lazy to deal with her. Seeing her would mean exchanging words, so he had simply pulled the cool quilt over his head, too lazy to pay attention.

When extremely fatigued, not even being able to find a peaceful place to sleep—Lu Heng harbored nameless anger in his heart, even violently wanting to kill someone.

But just then, someone was actually breaking down the door outside!

In fury, Lu Heng threw on his outer robe and slippers and rushed out: “You’ve rebelled! Who dares…”

The latter half of his rebuke stuck in his throat. Seeing the swarming Five Armies Camp cavalry, Lu Heng’s anger and drowsiness were simultaneously doused with cold water.

Ma Cheng strode forward, cupping his fist with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “Count Zhongyi, you are well. This general comes by imperial decree to protect Count Zhongyi’s safety. Please rest well in your quarters. Without His Majesty’s orders, you’d best not come out.”

As his words fell, before Lu Heng could react, Ma Cheng jerked his chin at those behind him.

Immediately, a dozen men rushed forward, directly pushing and shoving Lu Heng toward the bedroom.

Bian Ruohan had been crouching behind a corridor pillar. Seeing Lu Heng being seized, she immediately screamed and jumped out, unable to care about fear, righteously indignant: “What are you people doing! Who knows if you’re truly acting on imperial decree or falsely transmitting it! This is Count Zhongyi, a favorite of His Majesty! And look who I am—I’m Noble Consort Zhuang’s sister! A legitimate imperial relative!”

Ma Cheng grinned without mirth, baring his teeth: “No matter who you are, aren’t you still a subject of Great Zhou? How can you question His Majesty’s commands like this? Madam Count would do better to calm down—it would save everyone trouble and spare you some suffering.”

“You!” Bian Ruohan was furious but momentarily couldn’t find words to argue, her heart filling with heavy fear.

Seeing that Lu Heng had no intention of defending Bian Ruohan and even looked annoyed, Ma Cheng thought of the mutual honor and disgrace shared between Pang Xiao and Qin Yining, and couldn’t help but look at Lu Heng with contempt.

This was also supposed to be a man?

Regardless of like or dislike, when one’s own woman was arguing with another man, shouldn’t a real man speak up in her defense?

Looking again at Lu Heng in his sleeping clothes with an outer robe casually thrown over, and seeing this was the Lu family’s outer courtyard, he knew Lu Heng had been sleeping in the outer courtyard.

“Since Madam Count is also here, let’s invite her into the room as well.” Ma Cheng, seeing clearly that Lu Heng disliked Bian Ruohan, deliberately insisted on confining Bian Ruohan in the same room with him.

Lu Heng had no time to consider other matters now. Under extreme sleep deprivation, his brain’s reactions had slowed somewhat, but he finally understood.

His Majesty had sent people to place him under guard—his great affair must have been exposed!