Grand Commander Lei’s words weren’t spoken carelessly.

Before commanding the three great camps of the Imperial Guards, he had managed garrison posts where soldier desertions were commonplace—even mass desertions.

In his view, two hundred pursuing soldiers not returning clearly meant they’d run off. They couldn’t have gotten lost, after all.

Hearing this honest answer, Emperor Yong’an’s tone became subtle. “From experience?”

Grand Commander Lei’s heart trembled, and he hastily said, “It’s merely this subject’s bold speculation…”

Emperor Yong’an rubbed the space between his brows, his temples throbbing with rage.

The city guards running off with those who’d deceived their way out of the city—this was simply an enormous joke!

“All those who deserted—execute their entire families publicly at the vegetable market.”

As these icy words were spoken, though the Minister of War had been mentally prepared, he still felt chilled to the bone, his legs going weak.

Emperor Yong’an’s gaze fell coldly on Minister Du. “Du Ning, if such chaos occurs again, you need not continue as Minister of War.”

Minister Du prostrated himself on the ground and responded in a trembling voice.

Emperor Yong’an looked at Grand Commander Lei. “Lei Ming, quickly mobilize the cavalry and bring that traitor Luo Chi back to me!”

Lei Ming was about to acknowledge the order when Emperor Yong’an said coldly, “Or deal with him on the spot. In any case, that traitor cannot be allowed to roam free, and his daughter cannot be spared either.”

“This subject receives your decree.” As Lei Ming prepared to withdraw, he remembered Su Yao. “Your Majesty, Top Scholar Su—”

Emperor Yong’an’s brows furrowed in annoyance. “Take him away. Since he’s mute, there’s no need for him to go to the Hanlin Academy.”

A court official abducted by a young lady to her mansion as a male favorite—never mind that he’d become mute, even if he were perfectly fine, the Emperor couldn’t be bothered to see him again.

A new top scholar emerged every three years. Did they think he lacked top scholars to use?

A eunuch followed Grand Commander Lei out and conveyed the imperial decree to Su Yao.

Su Yao listened to the eunuch with a pale face, his vision repeatedly darkening.

Though he’d long anticipated such an outcome, actually hearing it from the eunuch’s mouth, the emotions of unwillingness and pain still gnawed at his flesh and blood like vicious beasts.

That feeling of agony that couldn’t be expressed was enough to drive a person mad.

Su Yao walked out of the Imperial City in a daze.

The sky had fully brightened. The entire capital awakened from its slumber and became lively again.

Shi Yan stood in the courtyard and stretched lazily.

Spring mornings always held a certain beauty. The sunlight was brilliant, birds chirped on the branches, and the breeze felt cool and pleasant on his skin.

“Brother Shi San.” A soft, gentle voice called out.

Shi Yan looked down and smiled cheerfully at Fuxue. “Fuxue, you’re up too. Why didn’t you sleep a bit longer?”

Fuxue handed over a letter. “Miss gave this to me yesterday, saying if no one from the Grand Commander’s mansion came this morning, I should give it to you.”

Shi Yan took it, muttering, “Miss came to the wine shop during the day yesterday—why didn’t she give it to me directly?”

Fuxue thought for a moment and guessed quite seriously, “Was she afraid Brother Shi San would peek at it?”

The young guard who had just pulled out the letter and was about to read it paused, the corner of his mouth twitching violently. “Fuxue, is your Brother Shi San that kind of person?”

Fuxue blinked and considerately didn’t nod.

Quickly finishing the letter, Shi Yan stood like a clay sculpture, without reacting for a long time.

Shi Yi emerged and, seeing his elder brother frozen like a wooden chicken, frowned inwardly.

Why was Third Brother acting foolish so early in the morning?

Hearing footsteps, Shi Yan snapped out of it as if from a dream and rushed over to grab Shi Yi’s wrist. “Fourth Brother, something huge has happened!”

Fuxue’s eyes widened, stunned by Shi Yan’s sudden action.

“What is it?” Shi Yi appeared relatively composed.

“Look!” Shi Yan handed over the letter. Though usually carefree and jovial, his hands now trembled slightly.

Shi Yi took the letter and read it. His calm expression turned grave, and he immediately turned to head outside.

Shi Yan grabbed him. “Fourth Brother, where are you going?”

“To the Grand Commander’s mansion!”

Shi Yan released his hand. “Then go quickly and find out what’s happening. We’ll wait for you here.”

Shi Yi stuffed the letter back to his brother and left in quick strides.

Shi Yan clutched the letter, his heart raising tumultuous waves.

In the letter, Miss Luo said that if all went smoothly, they should have already left the capital by now, and asked him and Fourth Brother to look after the people remaining at the wine shop.

Miss Luo’s family had just rebelled like that?

And fled the capital in the middle of the night?

And left him and Fourth Brother behind?

The young guard suddenly felt extremely aggrieved.

Seeing Shi Yan’s expression constantly changing, Fuxue asked cautiously, “Brother Shi San, what happened?”

Shi Yan came back to his senses and glanced at the youth.

Oh right, this poor child had also been left behind.

“Fuxue, didn’t you return to the Grand Commander’s mansion with Dabai the day before yesterday? Was there anything unusual?”

“Unusual?” Fuxue thought for a moment and asked somewhat sadly, “Does it count as unusual that Miss sent Brother Mingzhu and the others all back to the Princess’s mansion?”

Shi Yan slapped his thigh. “Of course that counts!”

Fuxue reminded him softly, “But didn’t Brother Shi San already know? You were quite happy when you heard about it.”

Shi Yan: “…”

How could he not be happy? At the time he’d thought Miss Luo was reforming herself for the master’s sake. When the master returned and discovered Miss Luo’s surroundings had been cleaned up, how delighted he’d be!

Now it was good—Miss Luo had encountered such a major crisis and hadn’t revealed a single word to them brothers beforehand. Clearly she regarded them as outsiders.

Regarding them as outsiders meant regarding the master as an outsider.

It seemed the master’s position in Miss Luo’s heart wasn’t even as high as Xiu Gu’s.

Thinking of the excellent dishes Xiu Gu could cook, Shi Yan fell silent.

Rationally speaking, he actually somewhat understood Miss Luo’s choice…

“Brother Shi San, what exactly happened?” Though simple-minded, Fuxue wasn’t stupid. Shi Yan’s reaction filled him with anxious dread.

Shi Yan sighed and briefly explained the letter’s contents.

Fuxue’s face went pale, on the verge of tears. “Miss doesn’t want me anymore?”

Just then, urgent footsteps sounded—Shi Yi had returned.

“Well?” Shi Yan asked anxiously.

Shi Yi’s face was grave. “Before even reaching the Grand Commander’s mansion, I heard people outside discussing it. Grand Commander Luo took his family and left the city in the middle of the night, and Grand Commander Lei led troops in pursuit…”

The more Shi Yan listened, the uglier his expression became. “This won’t do—I must send word to the master!”

Suddenly, the female shopkeeper’s voice rang out from the main hall. “What are you doing?”

The two brothers exchanged glances and rushed to the main hall in quick strides.

The wine shop’s main door had been kicked open, and a squad of soldiers surged in. The leading official barked, “Arrest everyone in the wine shop!”

The female shopkeeper had gotten up and been organizing the account books, still unaware of what had happened outside. Seeing the officials’ menacing attitude, she reminded them good-naturedly, “Officers, this wine shop belongs to Miss Luo.”

The leading official sneered coldly. “A wine shop opened by a traitor’s daughter—of course I know that! Men, arrest this shopkeeper first.”

A cold voice rang out. “Arrest whom?”

The leading official looked toward the voice and saw two identical-looking young men approaching.

“Well, well, brothers—we’ve met before.” Shi Yan stared at the leading official and raised his eyebrows.

The leading official recognized the Shi brothers’ identities and immediately changed his attitude. “We’ve received orders to arrest people at the wine shop. We hope Brother Shi will facilitate this.”