No one dared say a word, only watching Li Buyan with pounding hearts, thinking: What gave this person such audacity? Has she gone mad?

Li Buyan had something even more audacious.

“Imperial Grand Grandson.”

She smiled charmingly at Zhao Yishi. “I want to file an imperial complaint.”

In his twenty-three years of life, Zhao Yishi had never seen anyone smile before filing an imperial complaint.

“Speak.”

“Confiscating the Ji family is confiscating the Ji family. Thunder and rain are both imperial grace—we common people can’t interfere. But can the Brocade Guards keep their hands clean?”

“How do you mean, miss?” Zhao Yishi’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Inner chamber women value their chastity as life itself. A man’s filthy hand touching them is forcing them to death!”

Li Buyan’s head jerked around, glaring viciously at Xu Lai.

“Unlike someone like me—coarse appearance, stubborn character. Anyone dares touch me, the fish may not die, but the net will definitely break!”

“You, you, you…”

Xu Lai was shocked and furious, now only regretting his parents hadn’t given him a clever tongue.

Zhao Yishi’s voice took on a hint of coldness.

“Who was it?”

No one dared speak. The air itself seemed infused with that coldness, making people shiver.

“Him!”

From among the womenfolk, Madam Ning, her head heavy with pearl ornaments, stood unsteadily, pointing at Zhang Fei.

“It was him who bullied our Ninth Miss. I saw it clearly—that beast’s hand reached right to…”

“Third Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law! Stop talking, please stop!”

The Ji family’s Fourth Madam held her daughter, wailing. “Leave the child a way to live!”

Madam Ning really wanted to plant one hand on her hip and point at Fourth Madam’s nose to curse for three days and nights.

Who was the Imperial Grand Grandson?

The Crown Prince’s son!

Someone had already filed an imperial complaint, yet you still wanted to endure silently?

“It’s because you’re this kind of mother that your daughter gets bullied! If it were my daughter, I’d risk my life to perish together with that beast!”

With those words, the entire courtyard fell deathly silent.

Zhao Yishi’s features seemed frozen in ice and snow as he turned, his gaze falling very lightly on the three men behind him.

Of these three, the eldest was the old Censor Lu Shi who had donned red robes today and pulled down Ji Lingchuan;

The other two were Brocade Guard Commander Feng Changxiu and Southern Pacification Commissioner Yang Yijie.

When Feng Changxiu first heard “imperial complaint,” he hadn’t taken it seriously.

Throughout history, confiscating households was always a lucrative assignment. Which great household’s madams didn’t have some hidden savings?

Since it was private, whoever’s pocket it ended up in—you know, I know, heaven knows, earth knows. As long as it wasn’t too excessive, even the one on the dragon throne turned a blind eye.

He’d assumed it was about money, but who could have imagined…

What utter fools!

Whose dog was the Ji family?

What was the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grand Grandson?

The Imperial Grand Grandson had come in person, yet someone still didn’t know better than to molest a Ji family young lady?

Wasn’t this slapping the Imperial Grand Grandson’s face?

Feng Changxiu quickly stepped forward to declare his position. “Your Highness, this subordinate failed in supervision. I beg Your Highness’s punishment.”

Zhao Yishi smiled lightly. “How does Commander Feng plan to punish him?”

Feng Changxiu coughed lightly. His trusted guard’s blade rose and fell.

Zhang Fei let out an “Ah!” of agony as his right hand—the one clutching the banknote—was severed at the wrist. Blood gushed out, spattering those nearby.

Immediately two more Brocade Guards came forward, supporting the unconscious Zhang Fei on both sides as they carried him out. He quickly disappeared from sight.

It happened in an instant. Everyone was terrified. Among the womenfolk, some had already fainted from fright.

Yet Feng Changxiu acted as if nothing had happened, saying respectfully, “Your servant has disturbed Your Highness’s presence. This servant deserves death.”

Zhao Yishi’s incomparably handsome face showed pallor. “Commander Feng has worked hard. Please continue.”

“Yes!”

Feng Changxiu turned, his eyes sweeping coldly over everyone. The Brocade Guards all lowered their eyes and returned to their confiscation duties.

Zhao Yishi’s gaze shifted. “Censor Lu.”

Old Censor Lu Shi stepped forward. “Your Highness?”

Zhao Yishi: “I trouble Censor Lu to report today’s events truthfully to His Majesty.”

“Your Highness may rest assured.” Lu Shi said solemnly, “This official will investigate thoroughly before memorializing the Emperor.”

“Very good!”

Zhao Yishi turned again, smiling as he looked at Assistant Minister of Justice Xu Lai.

Xu Lai’s legs had been trembling for some time. Seeing the Imperial Grand Grandson smile at him, he quickly knelt, bowing low.

“Your Highness sees clearly—the matter isn’t as…”

“Magistrate Xu, the Censorate will investigate the truth.”

The Imperial Grand Grandson interrupted, personally helping Xu Lai to his feet. “Magistrate Xu came for the Ji family matter. The Ji family matter is important—we mustn’t lose focus.”

Not a word of reproach, his voice warmer than a spring breeze brushing one’s face.

Yet Xu Lai inexplicably felt an icy chill rising from beneath his feet. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Magistrate Xie, Magistrate Pei!”

“Your Highness.”

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao stepped forward.

Zhao Yishi looked at them both, his expression displeased. “The offices haven’t yet closed for the day. Why are you two here?”

Xie Zhifei inwardly groaned, forcing a smile. “We just came to look around.”

Pei Xiao lifted his chin. “I forced him to come.”

Zhao Yishi said coolly, “Have you seen enough?”

Xie Zhifei quickly smiled. “Enough, enough! This subject takes his leave.”

Pei Xiao muttered quietly, “This subject also departs immediately.”

“Wait!”

Zhao Yishi sighed softly. “Censor Lu, these two have disregarded office discipline. Don’t forget to note this in the year-end evaluation.”

Lu Shi replied with iron impartiality, “Your Highness may rest assured—I won’t forget.”

You old bastard won’t forget?

The faces of Magistrates Xie and Pei both changed dramatically.

Their official positions were already bought with money. If this got noted in the year-end evaluation, could they still hope for promotion?

Xie Zhifei cast a pleading look at Pei Xiao, only to find Pei Xiao looking expectantly back at him.

Their eyes met.

Fine!

Accept the bad luck!

Xie Zhifei glared viciously at Li Buyan. “Let’s go, Great Aunt.”

Li Buyan grinned, linking arms with her young lady. “Miss, let’s go!”

Yan Sanhe’s deep gaze swept over Madam Ning. The master and servant strode boldly and proudly past Zhao Yishi.

Xie Zhifei now wore an expression of “Is there a hole I can crawl into?” as he bowed to Zhao Yishi while backing out with Pei Xiao.

In the corner, Madam Ning—balancing her head full of pearl ornaments—also balanced a head full of confusion.

Just who was that Miss Yan?

One moment a female official, the next Third Master’s sworn sister?

And moreover…

What did that look she just gave me mean?

…

Leaving the chaotic Ji residence, the Xie family carriage waited at the gate.

Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan had just boarded when suddenly the curtain lifted and Pei Xiao and Xie Zhifei jumped in one after the other.

The originally spacious carriage suddenly became cramped.

Yan Sanhe felt very uncomfortable, her brow furrowing. “Get out!”

“You shut up!”

Pei Xiao clasped his fists toward Li Buyan.

“Miss Li, whatever offenses I’ve committed in the past, please overlook them in your magnanimity. About what just happened…”

“Don’t thank me…”

“Buyan!”

The master and servant’s voices rang out almost simultaneously.