“What?” Emperor Tai’an’s first reaction wasn’t joy but to grab the white jade paperweight.

Cheng Maoming, who had been wholeheartedly anticipating His Majesty’s reaction to this good news, stared in shock: His Majesty hadn’t even picked up the paperweight earlier!

Fortunately, Emperor Tai’an quickly digested this good news and calmly placed the paperweight back on the table as if nothing had happened: “Where is he?”

From His Majesty’s calm voice, Cheng Maoming detected excitement, and his heart completely settled: “The person has been detained at the Jinlin Guard and is currently being interrogated.”

“How was he captured?”

“That villain was extremely cunning and was hiding in a residential dwelling. The Jinlin Guard searched house by house repeatedly and finally found him…” As Cheng Maoming spoke, he felt somewhat guilty.

“Good, good, well done.” Emperor Tai’an said “good” twice in succession, his expression improving considerably.

Cheng Maoming hastily said: “This is all what this subject should do. It’s just that the villain is extremely stubborn—we haven’t gotten anything out of him yet.”

The greatest value in capturing Chen Mu was finding those accomplices hidden in the capital.

Emperor Tai’an attached no less importance to this than the matter of the missing Yuliu maidservant, and instructed: “The interrogation must not be too hasty, lest the prisoner be unable to withstand it.”

“This subject understands.”

“Mm. The lodge must also be dealt with urgently. Especially those leaving the city—their backgrounds must be thoroughly investigated before they can be allowed through.”

Cheng Maoming felt relieved, knowing this crisis had passed for the time being.

Emperor Tai’an glanced indifferently at Cheng Maoming and reminded: “Since the wanted criminal was found by the Jinlin Guard, the reward shall be claimed by the Jinlin Guard.”

Cheng Maoming hastily said: “That His Majesty doesn’t blame this subject for ineffective work is already a great mercy. How could I claim the reward?”

“If I tell you to claim it, claim it. Those working hard below must not be disheartened.” Emperor Tai’an said impatiently.

Cheng Maoming expressed his profound gratitude and left the palace.

Without the obstruction of the high palace walls, the gentle breeze swept away the summer heat. Cheng Maoming felt completely relaxed and returned to the office humming a tune. The first thing he did upon returning was to order a subordinate to claim the reward silver.

His Majesty was right—those working hard must not be disheartened. This reward silver must be delivered to the Heir of Prince Jing.

In the short time since, news that the Jinlin Guard had captured the wanted criminal had already spread. Facing the Jinlin Guard who came to claim the reward, the official responsible for this matter felt quite contemptuous.

He’d seen eager people before, but never anyone this eager—truly worthy of the Jinlin Guard.

Of course, no matter how much he criticized inwardly, he didn’t dare show negligence on the surface. The official quickly handed the reward silver over to the Jinlin Guard.

Cheng Maoming decided to personally deliver it to the Heir of Prince Jing.

Because he was still concerned about matters at the lodge, the two men didn’t meet until dinner time. After Cheng Maoming raised his cup in a toast, he passed over the box containing the reward silver.

Qi Shuo laughed: “What is the Grand Commander doing?”

Cheng Maoming forcibly pressed the money box into Qi Shuo’s hands: “I’m already ashamed to have claimed the merit. If I also greedily kept this reward silver, what kind of person would Cheng be? The Heir must accept it no matter what.”

“Then I’ll thank you.” Qi Shuo didn’t decline further.

In being able to capture Chen Mu, A’Hao actually deserved most of the credit. He imagined that receiving this silver would make A’Hao very happy.

Seeing Qi Shuo accept it, Cheng Maoming increasingly felt that the young man before him was full of virtues, practically radiating brilliance.

He had the composure of an imperial clan member yet lacked their arrogance, and moreover wouldn’t look down on silver with lofty disdain. Most importantly, he was especially magnanimous, treating merit like dirt.

If only he had a daughter—ah, he had a whole bunch of daughters, but the Heir of Prince Jing was already betrothed.

Thinking of reality, Cheng Maoming suddenly felt a bit dejected.

Qi Shuo noticed that Grand Commander Cheng’s mood had become strange again.

“There’s one more matter I need to mention to the Grand Commander.”

“Please speak, Heir.”

“The person previously sent to your office need not be detained any longer.”

“Ahem, the Heir wants to take the person away?”

Qi Shuo felt this phrasing was a bit odd, but didn’t think much of it: “Just release him directly.”

This was something he and A’Hao had discussed.

Du Qing couldn’t possibly be detained at the Jinlin Guard for life, and A’Hao didn’t want to harm his life. Releasing him now would be the best opportunity.

Chen Mu had just been captured by the Jinlin Guard when Du Qing was released—whether it was people on Du Qing’s side or Chen Mu’s side, all would become suspicious of Du Qing.

That was the man-eating Jinlin Guard that left no bones behind—why would they release Du Qing?

This speculation alone would be enough to keep Du Qing too preoccupied to trouble A’Hao, while A’Hao also hadn’t broken faith with anyone. It could be called killing two birds with one stone.

“Release him directly? Fine, no problem.”

After finishing their drinks, Cheng Maoming said apologetically: “There are still some matters at the office. I haven’t been able to host the Heir properly today. Another day—I’ll definitely invite the Heir for a good drink another day.”

“At this hour, the Grand Commander still has matters to attend to?” Qi Shuo asked casually.

Cheng Maoming had initially not wanted to say more, but looking at the handsome young man, his heart suddenly stirred: The Heir of Prince Jing was a tremendous lucky star! If he invited the Heir to participate in the matter of the missing Yuliu maidservant—what if it got resolved?

Cheng Maoming inwardly scorned himself for being superstitious, yet couldn’t control his mouth: “Alas, to be honest with the Heir, there’s been an incident at the Honglu Guest Lodge…”

After listening, Qi Shuo was indeed interested in participating.

He wasn’t someone with excessive curiosity, but he was unwilling to see war break out and destroy the new life he and A’Hao had worked so hard to obtain.

“If it’s convenient for the Grand Commander, I’ll accompany you to take a look tomorrow.”

Cheng Maoming was delighted inside but couldn’t show it too obviously: “Having the Heir’s help would be wonderful. I’m just afraid of implicating the Heir and causing others to speculate.”

Qi Shuo smiled: “His Imperial Uncle knows that I drew the portrait of Princess Lingque’s murderer. The Grand Commander can use requesting me to draw as the reason for my participation, and others won’t think much of it.”

“The Heir is truly wise.”

Cheng Maoming spared no praise and returned to the office with light steps. The first thing he did upon returning was to order his subordinates to release the person.

Night had long since fallen, and the dwelling where Du Qing was detained was even more dimly lit, with only one oil lamp flickering with a bean-sized flame, illuminating his obscure, inscrutable face.

Toward this day-after-day life in the cell, Du Qing had gone from initial anger and frustration to now being left with only numbness.

The most recent visit from the Heir of Prince Jing had completely awakened him, and he no longer harbored unrealistic fantasies.

Everything that had happened recently indicated he was connected to Chen Mu, and being connected to Chen Mu meant being connected to Emperor Pingle. How could they possibly release him—they weren’t fools.

Thinking this, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Du Qing’s heart jumped, and he looked alertly toward the door.

The door was quickly pulled open, and a Jinlin Guard walked in.

Du Qing couldn’t help but frown.

He’d been detained here for so long, and this was the first time someone had come at this hour.

The Jinlin Guard walked over: “Congratulations, you can leave.”

“What did you say?” Du Qing thought he’d heard wrong.

The young Jinlin Guard raised the key in his hand: “Have you been detained until you’re stupid? You can leave.”