Princess Ansheng and Lady Xie of the Yan Family were childhood friends.
It was said that the princess once harbored feelings for General Yan, but upon learning of Lady Xie's affection for Yan Xu, she gracefully stepped aside, paving the way for their golden union.
Given such a bond, how could her husband, Imperial Son-in-law Cao, possibly seek to harm the Yan Family?
"Could there be some misunderstanding here?"
Young Master Lang raised an eyebrow. "You don’t suspect my information is flawed?"
Chu Ruoyan replied calmly, "If even the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion can err, then where in this world can one find the truth?"
"Quite clever. Then, out of generosity, this pavilion master will gift you another piece of news," Young Master Lang said with a faint smile. "After Princess Ansheng suffered a miscarriage, she never conceived again. Imperial Son-in-law Cao, bound by his marriage to a princess, could not take concubines, leaving the Cao Family without a single heir to this day."
Chu Ruoyan’s face paled.
So that was it!
Years ago, Princess Ansheng lost her child while rescuing the infant Yan Zheng from danger. It was no wonder Imperial Son-in-law Cao bore a grudge against the Yan Family!
"This is bad!"
She sprang to her feet and rushed for the door, but Young Master Lang swiftly blocked her path.
"Taking the information and leaving so abruptly—how mercenary of you."
Chu Ruoyan urged, "Cao Yang, the elder brother of Imperial Son-in-law Cao, is the current Minister of Revenue! Earlier, when the matter of the deceased soldiers’ families arose, the Six Ailments Bureau and the Convalescent Home shifted blame, and the marquis intended to have him resolve it..."
Realization dawned on Young Master Lang as well. He stepped aside, his usual nonchalance tinged with gravity. "Then you’d best hurry. The capital is in chaos now—the perfect time for shady dealings."
Once outside, Chu Ruoyan immediately asked Uncle Liu, "There used to be a live fish shop in the western city’s Shengping Alley. Are there any places nearby where the destitute gather?"
Uncle Liu thought for a moment. "Yes! There’s a ruined temple nearby—after a fire, it became a refuge for such people!"
The two hurried there without delay.
But they were too late.
The temple was empty, bearing only signs of violence.
Her heart sank. Had Little Man and his grandmother met with tragedy?
Just then, footsteps echoed outside, followed by an impatient voice. "Tch, how did we miss some? Weren’t they all rounded up?"
Chu Ruoyan turned to see a gang of ruffians armed with clubs surrounding them.
Their leader, chewing on a stalk of grass, brightened at the sight of her. "Well, well—what a beauty!"
One of his lackeys cautioned, "Brother Long, she doesn’t look like she’s from that rabble..."
Brother Long shoved him aside. "Shut it. What do you know? Since when do noblewomen come here unless they’re meeting a lover?"
His crude remark made Uncle Liu frown. "Miss, there are too many of them. You should leave first."
Chu Ruoyan shook her head and stepped forward, her voice steady. "Where are Little Man and his grandmother?"
Brother Long blinked. "What Little Man or big man? Why not keep your Brother Long company instead—"
He lunged at her, only to be kicked flying by Uncle Liu.
Thud!
Brother Long crashed into the temple wall.
Scrambling up, he spat furiously. "Damn it! Get them!"
The gang surged forward, but Uncle Liu calmly shielded Chu Ruoyan. "Close your eyes, miss."
She obeyed. When she opened them again, the ruffians lay scattered on the ground.
"P-please, spare us! We were just following orders from the authorities!" Brother Long begged on his knees. Chu Ruoyan narrowed her eyes. "The authorities?"
No sooner had she spoken than another group stormed into the temple—wearing constable uniforms and black boots. They were unmistakably officers from the capital’s county office!
Brother Long saw them as if spotting saviors: "Constable Zhao, save us! This old bastard—ow!"
He was kicked to the ground by Uncle Liu and fell silent. Constable Zhao bellowed, "Outrageous! How dare you take the law into your own hands in front of the authorities!"
Uncle Liu retorted, "They were the ones who—"
"Nonsense! When an officer speaks, who gave you the right to interrupt? Release them at once!"
Uncle Liu glanced at Chu Ruoyan, who remained silent.
Such blatant favoritism made it clear—the two sides had already colluded.
Their targets were the families of deceased veterans like Little Man, and with both constables and thugs mobilized, the mastermind behind this was unmistakable…
The Ministry of Revenue!
"What do you intend to do with them?"
"Do with them? We’re acting on orders to quell troublemakers exploiting the earthquake chaos!"
Constable Zhao declared righteously, but Chu Ruoyan’s eyes darkened.
Cao Yang truly had cunning methods!
Unwilling to discipline his subordinates in the Six Ailments Bureau and the Sickhouse, he’d rather silence the victims outright.
And under the pretense of suppressing earthquake riots, even the Emperor wouldn’t question it!
Chu Ruoyan lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows beneath her eyes. "Have you laid hands on them yet?"
Constable Zhao sensed something amiss. "Who exactly are you? If you’re uninvolved, leave now!"
Chu Ruoyan enunciated each word, "I asked—have you laid hands on them?"
Constable Zhao’s voice turned grave. "In that case, whoever you are, you won’t leave here alive today—attack!"
Constables were unlike street thugs.
Their assault was methodical, and even Uncle Liu’s formidable skills struggled to hold them off.
"Young Mistress, run! Don’t worry about me!"
Chu Ruoyan stood unmoved. "Constable Zhao, don’t you want to know your fate?"
The words piqued his interest. "Hold."
He strode toward her with amusement. "Little lady, enlighten me—what fate awaits me?"
Chu Ruoyan replied, "You serve the county magistrate yet do the Ministry of Revenue’s dirty work. When trouble comes, the magistrate won’t protect you."
Constable Zhao shrugged indifferently. "So what?"
"The Ministry uses county constables and street thugs for unspeakable deeds. Constable Zhao, if you silence others today, who’s to say you won’t be silenced tomorrow?"
His expression faltered—struck by the truth in her words.
But then malice twisted his features. "What a sharp tongue you have. But as you said, I’m in too deep now. The only way out is to—"
Thud!
A sudden blow to his gut doubled him over.
In that instant, Uncle Liu lunged forward and seized his throat!
"Everyone, stand down! We’re from the Anning Marquis Estate!"
"The Anning Marquis Estate?"
"That’s the Yan Family…"
The constables exchanged uneasy glances, their grips loosening.
Who didn’t know of the Yan Family’s loyalty?
And after the earthquake, it was General Yan’s efforts that saved the city. How could they raise a hand against his family now?
Constable Zhao, choked silent, could only glare venomously at Chu Ruoyan.
Damn it—he’d been tricked by this woman’s silver tongue!
Chu Ruoyan spoke softly, "Gentlemen, the Yan Family bears no ill will. But those you’ve captured today are the families of our fallen veterans. Abandoned by the authorities, they survived only through the General’s personal charity."
"We understand the difficulties you all face and do not wish for you to return and be reprimanded by your superiors. In that case, we ask only that you point us in the right direction—we will handle the rescue ourselves."
The woman’s voice was soft, yet it flushed the faces of those present with shame.
Even in the midst of clashing swords, the Yan Family was still considering their plight…
After a moment of silence, someone suddenly shouted,
"To hell with this job! Constable Zhao said three hundred corpses would be hard to dispose of, so he had those thugs take the prisoners to Mang Mountain!"
"Exactly! Our soldiers are shedding blood on the front lines, and here we are slaughtering their families—is this something humans do?"
"I’m done holding back! Madam, I’ll lead the way for you!"
"No need—my nephew’s in charge over there. I’ll have him send the prisoners back right now…"
In the blink of an eye, every officer present had turned against their orders.
Constable Zhao seethed with anger, but beneath it, fear crept in.
This seemingly delicate and demure woman had, with just a few words, first disarmed him—both literally and mentally—and then turned the entire room against him.
Such mastery of persuasion was far more terrifying than any blade.
