After Yong'an County was completely sealed off, the townsfolk began to panic visibly, hurriedly packing their belongings in preparation to leave.
The only exit from Yong'an County was blocked so tightly that not even water could seep through.
“We are just ordinary people. Officials, please show mercy and let us leave,” the crowd pleaded anxiously like ants on a hot pan. The biting cold wind left their hands and feet numb and red.
“There are orders from above. No one may enter or leave Yong'an County without authorization.”
No matter how desperately the people begged, the Jinyiwei guards stationed at the city gates showed no sign of letting anyone pass.
Just as the townsfolk were on the verge of breaking down,
a figure draped in a snow-white cloak appeared slowly. Song Yu wore a black, gold-embroidered long robe, and the cloak only added to his noble and dignified presence.
Beside him was a little figure, barely reaching his waist, with her hair tied in a floral bun with a red ribbon. She wore a red cloak, exuding a lively and mischievous charm.
“It’s Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an,” someone in the crowd whispered.
“Prince and Princess have come to save us,” others murmured, hope flickering in their eyes.
Shen Xiao, standing atop the city wall, narrowed his eyes slightly at the sight. Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an were deeply beloved by the people of Yong'an County. This news would surely quell at least half of the emperor’s fury.
“Your Highness, Yong'an County is sealed off... soldiers are still going door to door searching every household... we’re terribly anxious,” a voice rose from the crowd.
They were all gathered here out of helplessness. They feared Yong'an County would become a ghost town, fearing that Ma Liang’s actions had angered the emperor and that everyone in Yong'an would be implicated.
After all, Ma Liang had been a reputable and well-loved official for many years.
“I and Ah Huan are still here in Yong'an County. What harm could possibly come to this place?” Song Yu glanced around and said, “Go home quickly, have something warm to eat, and keep yourselves warm. As long as you haven’t secretly colluded with that scoundrel official, I guarantee your safety.”
“I guarantee your safety.”
Those words from Song Yu seemed to carry a magical power, instantly calming the panic in the hearts of the people.
They all trusted the father and daughter standing before them.
“It’s so cold today. Please go home quickly,”
Song Shihuan gently stroked the infant cradled in a woman’s arms. “Don’t let the child catch a cold.”
At these words, the woman broke down sobbing uncontrollably.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Princess.”
Shen Xiao, who had expected it would take some effort to calm the people, descended from the city wall and bowed to Song Yu. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Leader Shen, continue your investigation. The sooner we identify everyone in Yong'an County, the sooner their hearts will be at ease.”
Song Yu, thinking of Shen Xiao’s interrogation skills, couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “Tomorrow, I’ll have to learn some interrogation techniques from you.”
He had to master this impressive skill!
Watching the backs of Song Yu and Song Shihuan, a crack appeared on Shen Xiao’s usually impassive face.
Honestly, the prince wasn’t cut out for Shen Xiao’s style of interrogation.
The prince was more suited to just storming in and roughing people up to vent his anger.
...
In the capital,
while Shen Xiao was thoroughly investigating Yong'an County, outside the county, Shen Mingwen and his son Shen Qingping began cross-referencing the names against the official roster.
“Father, those without guarantors... must all be arrested and held for investigation,” Shen Qingping said, his lips curling into a mysterious smile as he spotted a name on the list. “As for this Xiao Bingsheng, leave him to me.”
Shen Mingwen glanced at the spot Shen Qingping was pointing to and involuntarily twitched the corner of his mouth.
“Alright, then I’ll go deal with the others.”
Shen Mingwen couldn’t help but grumble inwardly—why was this boy so grudging?
The next day, Shen Qingping donned his official robes and had horses prepared, heading straight toward the Xiao residence.
“Go and tell your master that I, Shen Qingping, am waiting outside the mansion,” Shen Qingping said, then casually added, “Oh, and since it’s been a while since I last saw your second young master, call him along too.”
A nearby servant bowed his head, trying to hide the smile in his eyes. Back then, Xiao Zhang, the second young master, had often mocked Prince Qin and the Third Prince behind their backs, calling them reckless and frivolous.
Just thinking about it made the servant feel a pang of sadness.
Over the years, the prince and the third prince each had only one true friend—each other. The other noble sons in the capital had long scoffed at them as uneducated and useless, but none were as blatant about it as Xiao Zhang.
Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Bingsheng hurried out of the mansion, flanked by a flustered Xiao Zhang.
“Unaware that Lord Shen had come to visit, to greet you from afar is truly my fault,” Xiao Bingsheng said with a forced politeness.
Shen Qingping looked directly at Xiao Zhang, smiling brightly. “Hmm, Second Young Master Xiao, didn’t you used to walk around with your chin held high? You wouldn’t even lower your head before the prince. So why can’t you lift your head today?”
“Could it be that you’ve come down with soft bones?” he added teasingly.
Xiao Zhang’s face flushed bright red.
He couldn’t believe the heavens had played such a huge joke on him. The very Shen Qingping he had once scorned as a reckless youth had now transformed into someone almost equal in rank to his father.
And he had become the hottest commodity in the court.
“My son has been blind to greatness in the past. Lord Shen, please forgive him,” Xiao Bingsheng said humbly.
Shen Qingping nodded in understanding, wearing an expression of reasonableness.
But in the next moment, Shen Qingping waved his hand, and a squad of men appeared behind him, detaining Xiao Bingsheng. “Lord Xiao, by imperial decree, all those without guarantors shall be imprisoned pending investigation.”
“Shen Qingping, my father is just cold and distant by nature and unfamiliar with the other officials in the capital, which is why no one has vouched for him,” Xiao Zhang stepped forward, blocking the way. “You know this, yet you still take him away. This is personal revenge!”
“Personal revenge?” Shen Qingping savored the words, then repeated them in Xiao Zhang’s old mocking tone, “You comparing me to such people is an insult to an upright and incorruptible official like myself.”
Xiao Zhang was furious, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
“Seems the Xiao family has objections to the emperor’s edict. In that case, I shall take my leave and report back to the palace,” Shen Qingping declared, turning to leave.
But Xiao Bingsheng called out, “We are colleagues after all. I understand your difficulties, Lord Shen. I will go with you. I believe the emperor will investigate thoroughly and clear my name.”
“Father!”
Xiao Zhang watched helplessly as Xiao Bingsheng was taken away, sweat beading on his forehead in distress.
“Shen Qingping, I may have spoken disrespectfully to you in the past, but for you to be so ruthless as to have my father thrown into prison—”
“Do you think I forced anyone to refuse bail for your father?”
Shen Qingping looked at Xiao Zhang, his eyes gleaming with a coldness Xiao Zhang had never seen before. For a moment, Xiao Zhang was stunned.
Then Shen Qingping chuckled softly, stepped forward, and even reached out to brush the snowflakes off Xiao Zhang’s shoulder. “I just came specially to kick someone when they’re down.”
Seeing Shen Qingping like this, a wave of overwhelming dread washed over Xiao Zhang.
“If you choose to be disrespectful to me, Shen Qingping, so be it. But if you dare disrespect Prince Qin, how could I possibly tolerate that?”
With that, Shen Qingping turned and walked away with an air of nonchalance.
Inside the carriage, the corners of Shen Qingping’s eyes glistened red. He smoothed his clothes with a steady hand.
“Give the order. Use this opportunity to launch a thorough investigation into the Xiao family. Not a single hair can be spared.”
Shen Qingping was no ordinary man.
