Ping Li knelt prostrate at the Grand Marshal’s feet, his expression panicked and aggrieved. “Adoptive Father, you truly misunderstand this son. This son absolutely has no divided loyalty toward you. If you don’t trust me and instead trust Fifth Brother, how can you be certain the information from Fifth Brother is correct?”

Chaotic footsteps sounded as a squad of Jinlin Guards rushed in and pinned Ping Li down.

“Adoptive Father, Adoptive Father, don’t let certain people deceive you. This son is wronged, truly wronged—” Even as Ping Li was dragged away, his hoarse shouts could still be heard.

The Grand Marshal stood in place, unmoving for a long time.

“Adoptive Father—”

The Grand Marshal waved his hand at Yun Dong. “You go down too. Keep close watch on Ping Li. We’ll wait a bit longer for news.”

Magistrate Liu Qing had instructed the traveling merchant to report the guard from Prince Zhennan’s household, thereby directing the blade at him—this was riddled with suspicions.

Whose man was Magistrate Liu Qing?

The person behind this could not only bribe Magistrate Liu Qing but also locate a guard from Prince Zhennan’s household who had been living under an assumed name for twelve years.

He’d been blind to raise an ungrateful wolf at his side, but he didn’t believe Ping Li had such great capabilities.

He was more inclined to believe another faction had made their move—either Ping Li was fishing in troubled waters opportunistically, or he’d colluded with the other party.

Or perhaps he’d been bought by them from the very beginning and become part of the faction plotting against him.

Beyond this, what was the deal with that assassin organization that used peachwood axes as tokens? When Sheng encountered pursuit on her way to the capital, how deeply was Ping Li involved?

There were too many mysteries. That ungrateful wolf’s wretched life would need to be preserved for some time yet.

The Grand Marshal naturally didn’t want complications to arise from delay, but he didn’t want to behead the man in a fit of anger and sever the leads along with him.

Just thinking that some faction wanted to destroy his family made him unable to eat or sleep in peace.

That faction wasn’t His Majesty.

At least not now.

The Grand Marshal didn’t dare claim complete understanding of Emperor Yong’an, but after years of serving as minister and sovereign, he had some understanding.

His Majesty was an extremely suspicious person. He would have suspicions about him, but they wouldn’t run too deep—otherwise he couldn’t have walked out of the Ministry of Justice prison.

When His Majesty wanted to eliminate someone, would he truly only look at evidence? Just like twelve years ago when Prince Zhennan’s household was exterminated for treason—those laughable pieces of evidence were merely fig leaves.

His Majesty wanted to destroy Prince Zhennan’s household, so those pieces of evidence counted as evidence.

The Grand Marshal brushed off his robes and strode out.

Due to Ping Li’s sudden arrest, the Jinlin Guard was in a state of panic for a time, dark clouds hanging over every corner of the office.

However, the Grand Marshal had returned. No matter how panicked people were, it didn’t affect Yun Dong leading his subordinates to arrest Ping Li’s associates.

Watching the temporary chaos in the office, the Grand Marshal’s mood was beyond words.

“Yun Dong.”

Yun Dong trotted over. “What are adoptive father’s instructions?”

“Nothing much. When you’re done with your work, return to the Luo residence. We’ll eat dinner together.”

Yun Dong hesitated. “I don’t know when I’ll be finished—”

If possible, it was better to maintain distance from Third Miss.

“Sheng said the tavern won’t open tonight. She’s having Xiu Gu return to take charge of the kitchen.”

Yun Dong immediately said, “This son will finish early.”

The Grand Marshal nodded and stepped outside.

At the Tao residence, gloom and misery pervaded.

“Master, what exactly did the Grand Marshal say? Please say something!”

Since Vice Minister Tao returned from the Grand Marshal’s residence, he’d become a wooden person who neither spoke nor moved, frightening Madam Tao considerably.

“Master, don’t frighten me like this. You’re the pillar of our family. If you collapse, then our family—”

The rest of her words directly transformed into a scream.

Vice Minister Tao grabbed Madam Tao by the collar, his expression twisted as he roared, “If it weren’t for you, you cheap woman, how would our family have collapsed!”

If it were just breaking off the engagement, even if the Grand Marshal was vindictive, at most he’d be driven from his position as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. If he kept his tail between his legs from then on, there might still be a way to survive.

But now everything was finished!

He truly wished he could flay this foolish woman alive.

“Father—” Young Master Tao rushed in and restrained Vice Minister Tao.

Vice Minister Tao’s expression returned to wooden blankness as he looked at Young Master Tao.

“Father.” Young Master Tao called out hesitantly.

Vice Minister Tao struck Young Master Tao heavily across the face and shouted sternly, “Get out!”

Young Master Tao staggered from the blow and nearly fell.

Madam Tao shrieked, “Dalang, are you all right?”

Young Master Tao had blood at the corner of his mouth, looking wretched. “Your son is fine…”

Madam Tao wailed, “Master, if you have something to take out, take it out on me! Why hit Dalang?”

Vice Minister Tao trembled with rage. “A doting mother spoils her son. If you hadn’t talked nonsense in front of Dalang, how would Dalang have run before Miss Luo and acted like a fool?”

Young Master Tao positioned himself in front of Madam Tao and lowered his head. “It has nothing to do with Mother. It was your son who was possessed and couldn’t let go of Miss Luo…”

If he’d known Miss Luo would be so heartless, why would he have kept her in his heart, making such a laughingstock of himself?

The more Young Master Tao thought about it, the angrier he became. That bit of reluctance he’d felt toward Luo Ying had long since dissipated.

But after hearing Young Master Tao’s words, Vice Minister Tao suddenly froze and fell into contemplation.

Seeing this, Madam Tao and Young Master Tao both dared not make a sound. The servants had long since fled. For a moment, the room was so quiet a pin drop could be heard.

“Dalang, what were Miss Luo’s feelings toward you?” Vice Minister Tao stared at Young Master Tao with burning eyes.

Everyone knew the Grand Marshal doted on his daughters. If he could pamper his legitimate daughter to the point of lawlessness, even if he treated his concubine-born daughter somewhat worse, it presumably wouldn’t be much worse.

If Miss Luo was devoted to Dalang, perhaps things could take a turn…

In Vice Minister Tao’s view, if the Grand Marshal could even accept his daughter keeping male companions, what was wrong with a daughter wanting to rekindle romance with her former fiancé?

Young Master Tao opened his mouth but couldn’t answer.

Madam Tao sneered coldly. “Master, you saw for yourself how Miss Luo treated Dalang that day. That Miss Luo is just like her sister—both heartless—”

“Silence! I’m asking Dalang!”

Only those directly involved could truly understand what transpired between men and women.

Under Vice Minister Tao’s gaze, Young Master Tao spoke with difficulty. “She… she used to have feelings for your son.”

“And now?”

Young Master Tao thought of something and his expression changed. “Father, even if Miss Luo’s infatuation with your son remained unchanged, your son would not go beg her.”

He couldn’t afford to lose that much face.

“Scoundrel! At a time like this you’re still being stubborn? I should just beat you to death!”

“Father, go ahead and beat your son to death.”

“Fine! I’ll beat you to death right now, you wretched son!”

Madam Tao gripped Vice Minister Tao’s arm tightly. “Master, don’t force Dalang anymore. We already tore our faces that day. Going back would only invite humiliation. If the Grand Marshal found out, he might just have Dalang beheaded…”

Vice Minister Tao stood stunned, then collapsed to the ground in defeat.

This path wouldn’t work. He could only resign from office immediately to seek a way to survive.

For the Tao residence, the sky had suddenly darkened. There was no more light.

But for Wei Han, this was the best time of day.

On Qingxing Street in the depths of winter, evening was much more deserted than in other seasons, yet the shops along the street still displayed their red lanterns.

However, the tavern wasn’t open for business.