Emperor Mingkang cast a sidelong glance at Imperial Censor Xing.

The old emperor now harbored particularly complex feelings toward Imperial Censor Xing.

After a long silence, Emperor Mingkang lifted his eyelids slightly and grunted: “Speak.”

Imperial Censor Xing’s peripheral vision quickly swept over Shao Mingyuan before he spoke solemnly: “Your Majesty, Marquis Guanjun rescued this humble minister from Xing Wuyang’s hands. Xing Wuyang intended to rebel and was captured by Marquis Guanjun. He has accompanied this humble minister to the capital this time.”

As soon as Imperial Censor Xing finished speaking, the eyes of all the court officials suddenly brightened, and they all looked toward Shao Mingyuan in unison.

Emperor Mingkang’s mouth corners lifted slightly as he fixed his gaze on the young man standing straight at the bottom of the steps.

The Marquis Guanjun he had appointed was truly young and could serve for many more years. Looking at the situation now, his decision back then was simply too wise. Not to mention anything else, a young and handsome minister was much more pleasing to the eye than these old fellows.

Emperor Mingkang cleared his throat lightly: “Marquis Guanjun, you brought Xing Wuyang back?”

Shao Mingyuan stepped forward from among the crowd and replied: “Yes, Your Majesty. Xing Wuyang is currently being guarded by this humble minister’s guards.”

“What audacity you have!” Emperor Mingkang suddenly darkened his expression.

Shao Mingyuan lifted the hem of his black robe and knelt on one knee without changing his expression.

Emperor Mingkang angrily said, “Who gave you the courage to take it upon yourself to bring Xing Wuyang back to the capital? What if Fudong falls into great chaos?”

Seeing this, Imperial Censor Xing also knelt down and fearlessly said: “Replying to Your Majesty, capturing Xing Wuyang and escorting him to the capital was this humble minister’s idea!”

Emperor Mingkang slowly shifted his gaze to Imperial Censor Xing: “Oh, so it was Imperial Censor Xing’s idea?”

“Your Majesty, Xing Wuyang has committed countless evils in Fudong, acting with impunity. He single-handedly controlled officials at all levels in Fudong, and even the Jinlin Guards stationed in Fudong were used by him, thus deceiving Your Majesty for many years. This humble minister had evidence of his crimes, so he placed this humble minister under house arrest. If not for Marquis Guanjun’s superior martial skills in capturing him, even though his crimes are too numerous to record, we would have been helpless due to our reluctance to act rashly…” Imperial Censor Xing looked completely prepared to stake everything, saying whatever needed to be said.

Commander Jiang Tang of the Jinlin Guards’ face turned subtly dark.

This Imperial Censor Xing—couldn’t he just stick to the matter at hand? Why drag the Jinlin Guards into this?

That’s why these imperial censors all had problems with their heads, biting whoever they caught like mad dogs.

“Now, the officials and people of Fudong all believe Xing Wuyang is recuperating behind closed doors, so the situation remains relatively stable. It can be said that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secretly escort Xing Wuyang to the capital. Your Majesty is wise—please do not indulge rebellious ministers or blame loyal generals, lest you chill the hearts of Great Liang’s subjects!” Imperial Censor Xing’s voice grew louder as he spoke, his expression becoming increasingly agitated.

Emperor Mingkang quietly twitched the corner of his mouth.

This Imperial Censor Xing—why was he getting so worked up? If he didn’t agree, would he immediately crash into a pillar to show him?

Emperor Mingkang’s gaze swept toward Shao Mingyuan.

The young minister knelt quietly on the red carpet, his posture straight, his black robes making him appear like a sharp, cold blade that could not be ignored.

This was a good blade, Emperor Mingkang thought silently.

Whether it was Imperial Censor Xing’s decision or Marquis Guanjun acting on his own initiative, the current situation was the best possible outcome, saving him from many headaches.

Emperor Mingkang pondered this while maintaining his stern expression without revealing any emotion, slowly saying: “Marquis Guanjun, Imperial Censor Xing, rise.”

Shao Mingyuan heard this and stood up.

Emperor Mingkang looked at him deeply and said unhurriedly: “I am somewhat surprised that Marquis Guanjun would go to Fudong.”

“This humble minister was fortunate to obtain the account books of Xing Wuyang’s collusion with Japanese pirates and wanted to do what I could for my father-in-law’s family. This led to the journey to Fudong, and by chance, I encountered Imperial Censor Xing—” Shao Mingyuan paused in his speech at this point.

Emperor Mingkang was indeed intrigued by the “by chance” he had emphasized and asked: “Marquis Guanjun, tell me how you encountered Imperial Censor Xing by chance?”

Imperial Censor Xing’s expression changed slightly as he looked nervously toward Shao Mingyuan.

But Shao Mingyuan seemed oblivious to Imperial Censor Xing’s nervous gaze and said clearly: “Replying to Your Majesty, this humble minister and others went to a sea island, but unexpectedly that island was occupied by Japanese pirates. After annihilating the pirates, we rescued two women who turned out to be Imperial Censor Xing’s daughters.”

“My lord—” Imperial Censor Xing’s expression changed dramatically, his eyes burning with fury.

Emperor Mingkang became even more interested and glanced at Imperial Censor Xing lightly: “Imperial Censor Xing, please remain calm and let Marquis Guanjun finish speaking.”

Shao Mingyuan continued with a calm expression: “Through understanding the situation, we learned that the two Miss Xings’ father was indeed Imperial Censor Xing. The two Miss Xings endured humiliation and dealt with the pirates precisely to convey the message that Imperial Censor Xing was under house arrest by Xing Wuyang. This humble minister learned of Imperial Censor Xing’s whereabouts from the two Miss Xings and took the risk of infiltrating Fudong to rescue Imperial Censor Xing and capture Xing Wuyang.”

Shao Mingyuan lifted his head slightly, his tone sincere: “Your Majesty, now that Imperial Censor Xing has safely reached the capital and Xing Wuyang can face justice, the vindication of this humble minister’s father-in-law’s family is within sight. It can be said that the two Miss Xings contributed greatly—they can truly be called admirable, extraordinary women.”

Imperial Censor Xing hadn’t expected Shao Mingyuan to speak this way and listened in stunned silence without saying a word.

Emperor Mingkang wasn’t interested in two young girls, but hearing Shao Mingyuan speak this way, he naturally couldn’t help but react. After a brief contemplation, he said: “In that case, Imperial Censor Xing’s two daughters indeed deserve reward. Wei Wuxie, convey my decree: reward the two Miss Xings with ten bolts of tribute silk, three measures of gold cups and precious stones, and one jade ruyi…”

Imperial Censor Xing fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling slightly: “Your Majesty, this is too much honor for my daughters…”

Emperor Mingkang tugged at the corner of his mouth dismissively: “How could the grace I’m willing to bestow be too much honor for your daughters? Those with merit should be rewarded, those with faults should be punished. I grant them jade ruyi, hoping their future days will be satisfactory and as they wish. Does Imperial Censor Xing understand?”

“This humble minister… understands. Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness.” Imperial Censor Xing prostrated himself on the ground, his feelings a complex mixture.

If he had a choice, how could he bear to force his two daughters to death? They were his only two remaining close relatives in this world.

They had been defiled by the pirates and lost their chastity—originally they shouldn’t be allowed to live, as living would only bring shame to the family. Even if his heart was soft, the clan members wouldn’t be merciful. But with the jade ruyi bestowed by the emperor, things would be different.

Imperial Censor Xing harbored complex feelings as he secretly glanced at the straight-postured Shao Mingyuan.

He seemed to still remember the ruthless moment when this young man had shot that arrow at Xing Wuyang without changing his expression amid the chaos.

At that moment, he had thought Marquis Guanjun was trying to escape in the confusion—who could have anticipated this young man’s subsequent series of arrangements?

Becoming a marquis and minister was the glory that countless officials throughout history had yearned for. This young man, before him, had achieved this before the age of twenty—it was truly well-deserved.

Shao Mingyuan didn’t know of Imperial Censor Xing’s current admiration and only secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

With His Majesty’s jade ruyi, the lives of the two Miss Xings should be preserved, and then Zhaozhao wouldn’t be sad.