Who was Zhou Shan?

He was the eunuch His Majesty valued most, one of the top figures in the Directorate of Ceremonial.

For such a person to arrive at the Grand Marshal’s residence carrying packages large and small—what that represented was self-evident.

The Grand Marshal Luo had turned his fortunes around and was once again that deeply favored Grand Marshal.

Those who’d had little connection with the Grand Marshal immediately began deep reflection on whether they’d kicked him while he was down during the Luo residence’s time of trouble.

Fortunately, fortunately—they’d only refrained from dining at the tavern, that was all.

No more reflection needed. They’d go eat there tonight.

As one of the Three Judicial Offices, the Court of Judicial Review was among the first government offices to receive news of the Grand Marshal Luo’s release.

Minister Tao was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

At that moment, he was reviewing case files when Minister Chen, the Chief Minister of the Court, entered with a complex expression.

“My lord.” Seeing Minister Chen enter, Vice Minister Tao quickly set down his files and stood.

“The Grand Marshal Luo has been released from prison.” Minister Chen spoke only this single sentence, waved his hand, and left without waiting for Vice Minister Tao to speak.

Vice Minister Tao felt as if he’d been struck in the head with a club. His mind went into chaos—how could he possibly find words to speak?

After who knows how long, his expression finally changed.

From wooden to terrified, then from terrified to despairing.

“Impossible, impossible…” Vice Minister Tao muttered, staggering toward the door.

In his daze, he crashed into a table corner and collapsed to the ground, covering his face as he wept. “It’s over, the Tao family is finished…”

After a long while like this, Vice Minister Tao released his hands and stared blankly at the doorway.

The door stood open. Occasionally a colleague would pass by, but they would hurriedly quicken their pace.

Vice Minister Tao suddenly scrambled to his feet.

Just then, a subordinate happened to pass by. Upon seeing him, the man bolted away as if fleeing a plague.

Vice Minister Tao stumbled out of the Court of Judicial Review and rushed straight to the Tao residence.

The Tao residence gatekeepers were startled to see Vice Minister Tao and quickly helped him inside.

Madam Tao rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing Vice Minister Tao’s face pale as a ghost, she started in shock. “Master, what’s happened to you?”

Vice Minister Tao gripped Madam Tao’s hand but couldn’t speak for quite some time, his lips trembling as sweat covered his forehead from agitation.

“Master, don’t be anxious. Whatever it is, tell me slowly.” Madam Tao grew increasingly panicked, patting Vice Minister Tao’s back to help him calm down.

What on earth had happened to make the master lose his composure like this?

“Go… send someone to investigate…” Vice Minister Tao finally squeezed out a sentence.

“Master, speak slowly. Investigate what?” Madam Tao’s heart clenched tightly.

Vice Minister Tao’s trembling finger pointed toward the door as if using every ounce of his strength. “Find out if the Grand Marshal Luo has returned to his residence…”

“Returned to his residence?” Madam Tao was stunned by what she heard, terror crashing over her like a mountain wave. “Master, explain clearly—what do you mean returned? Who returned?”

“The Grand Marshal Luo!” Vice Minister Tao shouted hoarsely.

Madam Tao’s face went deathly pale. Clinging to a thread of hope, she said, “M-Master, wasn’t the Grand Marshal Luo imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice—”

Vice Minister Tao shoved Madam Tao aside and roared, “I told you to send someone to investigate, so just go!”

“All right, I’ll go, I’ll go…” Madam Tao hastily dispatched her trusted old servant woman, then clutched Vice Minister Tao’s sleeve and continued pressing. “Master, what exactly has happened? The Grand Marshal Luo—”

“Has been released!”

The hand clutching Vice Minister Tao’s sleeve went slack as Madam Tao collapsed back into her chair.

Husband and wife sat in anxious turmoil, finally waiting for the old woman to return with news.

“Master, Madam, the person sent to investigate says the Grand Marshal is indeed at his residence. A contingent of eunuchs even went there on His Majesty’s orders to deliver medicinal supplements to the Grand Marshal…”

Hearing the old woman’s report, Vice Minister Tao and Madam Tao were struck as if by lightning.

After a long while, Madam Tao suddenly grabbed Vice Minister Tao’s hand. “Master, what should we do?”

“How should I know what to do!” Vice Minister Tao shook off Madam Tao’s hand and paced in circles like a headless fly.

Madam Tao’s tears flowed unceasingly as she kept murmuring, “Master, you must think of something—”

She suddenly thought of something and threw herself before Vice Minister Tao. “Master, you must go beg the Grand Marshal! Beg him not to move against our family…”

Vice Minister Tao gradually calmed down and said in a heavy voice, “You’re right. I must go see the Grand Marshal.”

Though he knew the hope was slim, he had to try. Otherwise, this family was finished.

Vice Minister Tao headed straight out.

Madam Tao quickly reminded him, “Master, at least wipe your face and change your clothes.”

Vice Minister Tao disappeared through the doorway without looking back.

Change what clothes? Letting the Grand Marshal see him as disheveled and humble as possible might offer a sliver of hope for a turning point.

Vice Minister Tao hurried to the Grand Marshal’s residence.

“You want to see our Grand Marshal?” Upon seeing it was Vice Minister Tao, the gatekeeper said coldly, “Wait then.”

The main gate slammed shut with a bang, leaving Vice Minister Tao standing outside while onlookers pointed and whispered.

The gatekeeper returned to the gatehouse and leisurely prepared himself a pot of tea.

Another gatekeeper asked, “Aren’t you going to announce him?”

“Announce what? The Grand Marshal will surely deal with the Tao family. You think he’ll let them off just because they came to beg?”

“That’s exactly why you should announce him. The Grand Marshal will definitely be happy to see Vice Minister Tao and vent his anger first.”

The gatekeeper set down his tea cup and stood up. “You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that?”

The message was sent in, and the Grand Marshal sneered coldly. “Bring him in!”

The gatekeeper who received word secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was fortunate he’d announced the visitor.

The vermilion lacquered gate slowly opened.

Vice Minister Tao, whose feet had gone numb from standing outside, immediately rushed forward and asked urgently, “The Grand Marshal agreed to see me?”

The gatekeeper stepped aside and said coldly, “Come in.”

Vice Minister Tao gripped the doorframe and struggled across the threshold, led by a servant to stand before the Grand Marshal Luo.

The Grand Marshal glanced at Vice Minister Tao and gave a cold laugh. “What wind blew Vice Minister Tao here?”

The hall still displayed the gift boxes of various sizes sent from the palace, stabbing at Vice Minister Tao’s eyes.

Vice Minister Tao fell to his knees with a thump before the Grand Marshal.

The Grand Marshal looked surprised. “What is Vice Minister Tao doing? This will shorten my lifespan.”

Vice Minister Tao clutched the Grand Marshal’s legs, tears and mucus flowing. “Grand Marshal, I was possessed by demons. Please forgive me just this once…”

The Grand Marshal shook his head. “Wrong.”

Vice Minister Tao looked up at the Grand Marshal in confusion.

The Grand Marshal said with a smile, “Vice Minister Tao wasn’t possessed by demons. I was the one possessed by demons.”

How could he have believed that a family desperately clawing their way up for advancement would treat his daughter well?

No—he hadn’t been that naive. He’d only thought that as long as he didn’t lose power, a daughter who’d married down wouldn’t suffer mistreatment in her husband’s family.

But people walk on knife’s edge. Who could guarantee they’d always be safe?

Those who could offer help in times of need were the ones who could be relied upon.

The Grand Marshal suddenly thought of someone, then shook his head slightly.

Now wasn’t the time to think about that.

He looked down from his superior position at Vice Minister Tao kneeling before him without regard for dignity, his lips curved in a cold smile.

Now was certainly the time to vent his anger.

“Vice Minister Tao.”

Vice Minister Tao looked up at him nervously.

“I’ve always been a magnanimous person. You send your son to a male brothel, and I’ll forgive you.”