As the Crown Prince returned to the palace, two eunuchs sent by Emperor Tianshou were strolling out unhurriedly.
These two were long-time attendants of the emperor. Nearly every ten days, they would notice a young, beautiful woman at the emperor’s side—sometimes entering the harem, sometimes enjoying a few days of favor, only to disappear afterward.
As for Lady Su who had entered the palace yesterday… to them, she was not particularly special. Although the emperor had been attentive to her, even bringing her maid into the palace, it was merely because the emperor was in high spirits. When in such moods, he could stroll along the Qinhuai River overnight or stay out of the palace for two days. Yet when his interest waned, he could turn cold and ruthless in an instant.
No one knew how long this Lady Su would keep the emperor’s favor this time.
The two eunuchs wandered casually, chatting lightly, treating the task as trivial. Escorting an old maid seemed hardly a serious duty.
So, when they arrived at Su Ruocun’s residence, they were stunned to find the entire house populated only by a few maids and elder women, all weeping.
They found a young maid and hurriedly asked what had happened. Wiping her tears, the maid said: “My lady is missing… Lady Guan was already anxious, preparing last night to search for her. But, unexpectedly, some bandits appeared—armed and forceful—they broke in and even beat people! Lady Guan was frightened and suffered a heart attack. Now… now…”
When she spoke of it, she suddenly covered her face and burst into tears.
As soon as she cried, others followed, and the entire residence was filled with wailing and sobbing.
The two eunuchs: “…………”
No way… is she dead?
How did they get so unlucky?!
＊
Meng Xizhao’s throat was nearly on fire from speaking. He had only reached the twenty-second person—a sixth-rank adjudicator.
He was about to lose his patience, and those below were barely holding on themselves.
Everyone glared at the new prefect with silent resentment.
How can you talk so much?!
You’re great, sitting there pontificating and giving orders, but we don’t even have a place to sit!
…
It was midsummer. The officials were still wearing their long robes, and because Meng Xizhao had arrived early, the hall had been relatively cool. The clerks had not brought in ice basins for relief.
By the time it got hotter, Meng Xizhao had already forbidden anyone from entering or leaving.
The people below kept dabbing sweat from their sleeves. Meng Xizhao himself wasn’t faring much better.
At least the officials didn’t have to speak, but Meng Xizhao kept chattering without pause.
He gulped down another cup of tea, his expression turning more forlorn.
Why aren’t they here yet? Emperor Tianshou, the Commissioner of the Three Departments… at least one of you could show up.
Meanwhile, Judicial Intendant Cheng was mentally exhausted, feeling as though he might collapse alongside Meng Xizhao.
Once again, Cheng, with a grimace, suggested returning immediately to release Commissioner Qiu’s steward.
Meng Xizhao: “……”
He cast Cheng a sidelong glance, fanning himself, and asked: “Do you know Commissioner Qiu?”
Cheng: “……”
Is now really the time to be asking this?
Twisting uncomfortably, he replied: “I’ve had a few dealings with him.”
Meng Xizhao hummed thoughtfully, then asked: “And how is he, as a person?”
Cheng: “…Commissioner Qiu is straightforward.”
What else could he say? He couldn’t exactly say Qiu Suming was used to bullying everyone, treating the minor officials in the prefecture as if they were nothing.
Meng Xizhao studied him, gave a brief, inexplicable smile, then leaned forward with curiosity: “Cheng, you look quite afraid. Are you worried that if we don’t release this steward, Commissioner Qiu will punish you?”
Of course!
Cheng was truly irritable. Why did this prefect always ask such obvious questions…
He had no choice but to grit his teeth and answer: “Yes. Offending Commissioner Qiu affects not only me but the entire prefecture office.”
So hurry and let me release him!
Meng Xizhao looked genuinely surprised, as if only now realizing how dangerous it was to offend Qiu Suming. He nodded repeatedly: “Exactly, exactly. In that case, we must release him. Though my father and Commissioner Qiu hold the same rank, I’ve just arrived—bad form to offend such a high-ranking official immediately. The Commissioner of the Three Departments manages all of Daqi’s grain and funds. If he’s displeased, he could withhold our provisions. If that happens, I can handle it, but for the rest of you, penniless as you are, you’d practically be begging in the streets.”
At the thought, Meng Xizhao frowned in concern. “If everyone in the office has to beg, that would be… rather embarrassing.”
Cheng: “…………”
Other officials: “…………”
We’re not that poor!
In short, Meng Xizhao rambled on, digressing in every direction. Though he kept insisting the steward must be released, he hadn’t actually taken any action.
Cheng, being in the middle of it, couldn’t see through the scheme. Some of the officials, not so perceptive, assumed Meng Xizhao was just unreliable. Out of nearly a hundred people, only five or six realized he seemed to be doing it deliberately.
He had kept them all trapped in the hall to ensure no one outside could act on their own. The steward and others couldn’t escape.
But… why?
If he didn’t want to release him, fine, just don’t. As prefect, his orders were law. So why make it so complicated, pretending to want to release him?
While they were puzzling over this, a clerk rushed in: “My lord, the Commissioner of the Three Departments has arrived!”
The officials immediately turned to look at Meng Xizhao. He blinked, straightened his posture, snapped his folding fan shut with a flourish, and stood up, chuckling: “He must be here to collect his steward. Come, we’ll go meet him together.”
The officials exchanged glances but followed him anyway.
The Commissioner had arrived, and they certainly couldn’t be left standing outside. Kaifeng Prefecture had a dedicated reception hall for such high-ranking guests.
Meng Xizhao strode toward it, only to be stopped by a clerk who reported that the Commissioner wasn’t headed there but had gone straight to the main court, now seated on a chair below the platform.
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
Perfect. Going exactly where he wants. Yesterday, when he came to cause trouble, he had just sat down in the court.
Meng Xizhao said nothing, pivoted, and went to the court as well.
……
Commissioner Qiu Suming was a tyrant, oppressing the people, bribing officials, and even influencing the emperor. A textbook corrupt official.
Yet even corrupt officials weren’t stupid. To reach this position, one had to have some skill.
Now, he sat at the head of the observation seats beneath the court, unlike Meng Xizhao, who had strutted in boldly yesterday and taken the court platform. Technically, Qiu could have sat on the platform if he wished.
He held a second-rank position. In Daqi, the system was nothing like common folk imagined. First-rank officials were extremely rare, and most were honorary titles given as recognition of seniority—a reward rather than a real authority.
A second-rank official was already at the pinnacle of power. Sitting in the court hall would have been no problem at all.
But Qiu Suming didn’t. He understood that whether he could sit and whether he should sit were two entirely different matters. His lifelong goal was simple: make money, run riot, and act with impunity—but it all depended on the place. In the presence of the emperor, he knew he had to restrain himself.
Though he had sent his second steward to inform Grand Tutor Gan, in Qiu Suming’s mind, Gan would be mostly unnecessary. Considering Meng Xizhao was young but held considerable office, and that his father had protected him for ten years without fail, Qiu didn’t intend to quibble. A simple gesture, an apology from Meng Xizhao, and a little money sent over for his steward would be enough to close the matter.
In Qiu Suming’s mind, his demands were entirely reasonable.
Others would need at least five-figure sums just to get him to handle their affairs. For Meng Xizhao, he would be generous—just a few hundred taels for the steward’s health tonics, and that would suffice.
He thought himself magnanimous.
Too bad he didn’t voice that thought. If he had, Meng Xizhao would have spat in his face: You’re a high-ranking official and you expect me to pay you? In your dreams!
……
Entering the court hall, Meng Xizhao immediately saw Qiu Suming’s elongated face. He paused briefly but said nothing, simply walking toward him.
He kept quiet, wanting to leave the first word to Qiu Suming.
Qiu Suming, as expected, took the bait. Seeing him approach, he sneered with a sarcastic edge: “Prefect Meng, I have yet to congratulate you on your promotion.”
Meng Xizhao hesitated slightly, then turned to Judicial Intendant Cheng beside him: “What does that mean? I swear, it sounds like he’s mocking me.”
Cheng: “…………”
They were not far apart. Hearing this, Qiu Suming flared up and stood abruptly: “Meng Xizhao! What did you just say? How dare you slander me!”
Meng Xizhao looked shocked: “When did I…”
Qiu Suming cut him off: “Still trying to wriggle out? You said it loud enough for everyone to hear. You, Meng Xizhao, without distinguishing right from wrong, detained my steward and servants, and now dare show me attitude? Is this how your Meng family raises their children?”
Meng Xizhao blinked slowly: “Say that again?”
Qiu Suming: “……”
What? You’re just a raw, unripe boy, and you dare talk back to me?
He thought it impossible. People couldn’t be this foolish.
But he hadn’t noticed the officials behind Meng Xizhao were already drenched in sweat.
Given Meng Xizhao’s reputation, recent momentum, and his handling of events over the past two days, they unanimously concluded… he might actually be that dumb.
Qiu Suming, hands behind his back, prepared to scold him further, feeling he was also avenging the Gan family’s old grudges.
Before he could speak, Meng Xizhao suddenly exploded with fury.
“How dare you say my family’s upbringing is shameful?!”
“You can insult me all you want, but how dare you insult my parents?! My father is a top scholar, with knowledge vast as mountains of books. My mother grew up in a duke’s household, also well-educated! Aside from the royal family, who could have a better upbringing than mine?! Speak—tell me!”
Qiu Suming: “…………”
He stared at the nearly raging Meng Xizhao in disbelief. “Are you mad?”
“I’m not mad! But you—coming at me first, insulting me and my parents! Qiu Suming, I’d like to ask you, what kind of upbringing do you have? At your age, and yet so disrespectful? I am ashamed for you!”
Qiu Suming’s anger boiled over: “Meng Xizhao, you’ve gone too far!”
“Why can you insult me, but I can’t insult you? Is there such a rule in the world? Now I understand why your steward was beaten almost to death. With a master like you, it’s no wonder he got roughed up!”
Qiu Suming was startled. He had only known the steward had been detained, not that he had been beaten. In a flash of rage, he instinctively assumed it was the prefecture’s doing.
“Was it your men who did this?!”
Meng Xizhao’s face flushed red with anger: “What does that have to do with me?! I was idle, and only went to deal with your weakling steward—what, do you have servants who can’t even handle a bit of work? Your family upbringing is poor, and your steward is even worse!”
……
Qiu Suming was truly enraged.
The Qiu family was influential; he had been pampered all his life. Later, becoming Gan Grand Tutor’s son-in-law, his rise was further secured. Qiu Suming had never suffered injustice.
Now, being scolded by a boy not yet twenty for his family’s upbringing was unbearable.
He could not match Meng JiuYu’s eloquence, and Meng Xizhao’s verbal skill far surpassed his own. For every line he spoke, Meng Xizhao had dozens ready in reply, often using his own words against him. Officials tried to intervene, but the situation escalated beyond control.
Meng Xizhao refused to apologize. Qiu Suming was determined—an apology would be useless. He would crush this boy today.
The prefecture officials: “…………”
Weak, pitiable, helpless.
What kind of scene was this? How could a disagreement escalate into a full-blown shouting match?
Facing Qiu Suming’s murderous glare, Meng Xizhao was not entirely fearless. He hunched slightly, then stubbornly shot back: “You think I’m afraid of you? My father is Meng Cenzheng!”
Qiu Suming laughed in anger. A spoiled second-generation heir had reached the limit of uselessness.
“Don’t worry—you father won’t save you.”
Meng Xizhao’s eyes widened as he saw Qiu Suming’s face twist into a snake-like, sinister expression. Clenching his fists, he refused to back down. “Fine. I’ll go report this to His Majesty! You insult me, you threaten me—let’s see how His Majesty punishes you!”
Qiu Suming, however, laughed heartily this time.
Too amusing. Report to the emperor? In the mind of the Tian Shou Emperor, his father-in-law, Grand Tutor Gan, was first, and Qiu Suming was second!
Since the fifth year of Tian Shou, Qiu had been amassing wealth everywhere he went. A tenth of what he collected each year, in the form of rare treasures, ended up in the emperor’s private treasury. Were it not for Consort Gan’s supreme position, even Grand Tutor Gan would pale in comparison to him!
You think performing a few meritorious deeds allows you to surpass me? Hahaha, dream on! Even if you risk your life for the emperor, he wouldn’t think twice about you!
Meng Xizhao, enraged by the mockery, stormed toward the exit. Seeing him actually heading to the emperor, Qiu Suming quickly stifled his laughter and followed suit.
The Meng family was eloquent. Even with his high standing in the emperor’s eyes, Qiu knew he could not let others twist the story. He would accompany Meng Xizhao, set the record straight, and if possible, incite the emperor’s anger enough to strip Meng Xizhao of his office, showing him the danger of crossing the wrong people.
Meng Xizhao strode angrily, catching a glimpse of Qiu right behind him as he rounded a corner. He pressed his lips together and quickened his pace.
＊
In the palace, the Tian Shou Emperor frowned.
“What? How could this happen? Who was responsible?”
Two eunuchs bowed deeply in reply: “Your Majesty, we do not yet know. The thieves were brought to the prison by patrol officers last night. We were busy reporting to Your Majesty and have not yet investigated at the Yingtian Prefecture.”
The emperor: “……”
He had wanted to do a good deed, impress the beauty, and now this unwelcome mishap had occurred. How annoying.
He was somewhat reluctant to intervene, but Su Ruocun was still staying in his bedchamber, and he wanted to spend the night with her. If he ignored the matter, she would surely ask him about it, wondering what had happened to her lady-in-waiting.
His expression darkened. “And Lady Guan—how is she now?”
The eunuchs quickly replied: “Your Majesty, she was frightened and is resting in bed. The physician says she is not in mortal danger, but has a preexisting heart condition, and the shock triggered angina. She cannot be moved until she recovers.”
Ah—she wasn’t dead.
That was a relief. If she had died, Su Ruocun would have wailed dramatically, tears staining her face—a tragic beauty. That might have had its charm, but excessive grief would have ruined the emperor’s mood entirely.
Just as he was about to speak, a sudden cry rang out: “My lady, are you alright?”
The emperor froze. He hurriedly drew back the curtains and saw Su Ruocun pale, half-falling to the ground. Seeing the emperor, her face turned ashen, and she quickly straightened, performing a formal bow: “Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s heart ached at her state. “You heard everything?”
She silently nodded.
Had she demanded anything from him—pleading, seeking justice, summoning the imperial physician, or asking for favors—he would likely have granted it. But standing there silently, refusing to trouble him, her composure struck him.
Part of him felt she was far too sensible, almost beyond reason. Another part felt, I am standing right here—why not let me help? Does she doubt my ability to act?
Recalling that Su Ruocun had once resided in the Nanzhao palace, the emperor realized she was likely following their customs, further inflating his sense of superiority.
I am no coward like Lomailong! I can favor or protect whoever I wish.
The emperor immediately wanted Jian Shuwu summoned to clarify the situation himself—but before he could, the newly appointed Yingtian Prefect arrived on his own.
Qin Feimang whispered in his ear, and the emperor was puzzled: “How did these two end up quarreling together?”
Qin Feimang had no idea. “Should Your Majesty see them, or not?”
The emperor considered briefly and nodded: “See them.”
He still had business with Meng Xizhao, and he was genuinely curious how two people, seemingly unrelated, had escalated their dispute to the point of bringing it before him.
When the eunuchs announced they could enter, Qiu Suming immediately stood, straightened his clothes, snorted, and stepped past Meng Xizhao to enter the Kunyu Hall first.
Meng Xizhao did not contest, falling a step behind with a slight smile as he followed.
Before the emperor, Qiu Suming feigned a wronged expression, trembling as he bowed: “Your humble servant—”
He hadn’t even finished speaking when Meng Xizhao abruptly knelt beside him with a thud.
Qiu Suming: “……”
Meng Xizhao, experienced in this tactic, prostrated deeply, arching his rear in an exaggerated display of grief, wailing pitifully: “Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to rule in my favor!”
Qiu Suming: “…………”
A sudden, uneasy premonition crept over him.