“Really? You’ll listen to my every word?” the shadowy figure narrowed their eyes, surprised.
Beauty Consort Jia and Beauty Consort Yi exchanged glances, then nodded emphatically, “We’ll listen to little brother’s every word…”
The shadowy figure let out a cold laugh, “Very well, then you two should gag yourselves first!”
The two beautiful consorts: “???”
Does little brother have this kind of preference?
“And then tie up your own legs…” the shadowy figure continued.
Upon hearing this, Beauty Consort Jia’s expression grew even more excited, “This sounds very thrilling!~”
“Yes, little brother, don’t rush. We’ll tie ourselves up now. We promise to tie them up tightly!” Beauty Consort Yi said, and then began to look for ropes.
Half an incense stick later, the two beautiful consorts were like two giant meat dumplings, tightly bound to the bed…
The shadowy figure, unable to suppress a laugh, stepped forward and used a handkerchief to stuff their mouths, “We shall never meet again. Take care, ladies!~”
“Mmm?”
“……”
The two beautiful consorts looked utterly bewildered, and then they saw the shadowy figure carrying Master Huang and slipping out through the window.
After a long moment of stunned silence, the two women finally began to let out muffled cries.
In a narrow, cramped alley, Huang Fulin was roughly thrown to the ground…
With a dull thud, Huang Fulin woke up with a grimace, “What the, who, who dares to… even dare to do this to an official like me…”
“Slap slap!~”
Before he could finish speaking, the shadowy figure delivered two swift slaps, making Huang Fulin see stars and causing a front tooth to fly out.
“Dog official!” The shadowy figure removed the black cloth, revealing a handsome and refined face.
This person was none other than Kong Xingzhuo, who had been staking out the Huang residence for half the day…
“Who, who are you?” Huang Fulin clutched his face and slowly got up, “Why, why did you kidnap me?”
“Are you Governor Huang?” Kong Xingzhuo’s expression was cold as he grabbed Huang Fulin by the collar, “I’ve heard that you disregard the law, illegally maintain private troops, oppress the common people, and accept bribes. As the Jiangnan Transport Commissioner, you break the law you are supposed to uphold and embezzle funds. I am now going to throw you into the Dali Temple to let you ‘enjoy’ yourselves for a couple of days first…”
Huang Fulin: “???”
Wait, who exactly are you?
You call me a dog official the moment we meet, slap me, and threaten to send me to Dali Temple. What have I ever done to you?
“Good… good sir, please calm your anger, cough cough!” Huang Fulin quickly lowered his stance and pleaded in a low voice, “First, tell me what’s going on, and then I can help you. Fists can’t solve problems!~”
Having served as an official for many years, Huang Fulin had long since become a cunning old fox…
Since this young man accused him of corruption, he must have found some evidence and intended to extort him.
Kong Xingzhuo let out a cold, drawn-out laugh, “I want you to confess your crimes yourself. Tell me, what laws have you broken over the years?”
Huang Fulin: “……”
Let him confess himself?
Good heavens, there were too many to count. It would probably take three days and three nights to finish.
“Your subordinate, your subordinate cares for the people and serves with integrity. I haven’t… haven’t broken any laws!~” Huang Fulin argued evasively.
Hearing this, Kong Xingzhuo’s expression turned stern, “You won’t talk, will you? Fine, I’ll take you for a ride on the ‘swing’!”
Swing?
Huang Fulin’s legs trembled as Kong Xingzhuo forcibly dragged him away…
The next morning, outside the capital.
Above a majestic cliff, there stood a crooked jujube tree.
From a branch of the jujube tree, Huang Fulin was hanging upside down like a piece of cured meat…
Below him was a bottomless abyss, with sharp rocks scattered everywhere. If he fell, he would be smashed into a meat patty.
“Help, help! Someone, come quickly!~” Huang Fulin flailed his arms, grabbing wildly, his face pale with fright.
Kong Xingzhuo walked over with a dagger and chuckled, “Lord Huang, do you like this ‘swing’?”
After speaking, Kong Xingzhuo began to cut the rope with the dagger…
“You, you, you, who exactly are you? Did someone from above send you?” Huang Fulin roared angrily, cold sweat pouring down his face, “If someone from above sent you, you can tell your master that this humble official has never done anything to betray my master. I send money to my master on time every month. Why would my master try to harm me like this?”
Master?
Kong Xingzhuo paused, staring intently at Huang Fulin, “Who is your master?”
It seemed this trick was truly effective. A little scare could elicit so many secrets…
“I, I don’t know my master’s identity either. It’s just that my master always sends nuns to collect the money orders, and has never come herself!~” Huang Fulin stammered.
Kong Xingzhuo was even more puzzled after hearing this…
If Huang Fulin didn’t know who the person above was, why would he obediently follow that person’s orders?
“Do you have something on that person?” Kong Xingzhuo asked.
Huang Fulin bit his lip and nodded, “No… that’s right. All the evidence of my corruption over the years is in my master’s hands. If I don’t do as my master requires, my master, my master will expose me, so, so…”
“I see!~” Kong Xingzhuo nodded thoughtfully.
It seemed Crown Prince’s worries were justified. As soon as the matter of the Jiangnan transport was investigated, the mastermind behind the scenes could be apprehended.
This matter concerned the safety of the court and the long-term stability of the Great Liang Kingdom, and it must be taken seriously…
“Lord Huang, you can tell the censors slowly about your own mistakes. If you utter a single falsehood, you know the consequences!”
As Kong Xingzhuo spoke, he lowered Huang Fulin…
That noon, the Censorate received a prisoner who had surrendered himself.
Meanwhile, Kong Xingzhuo galloped back to Dashui Village.
At the same time, in the northern frontier city of Suicheng, within the barbarian royal palace.
“Marquis, I heard that the Khan and Khatun are returning to the palace today. I saw the High Priest leading the palace attendants to prepare a banquet…” Qinglan said with a smile while pouring tea.
Gu Mingyan was sitting by the pond, eating pastries with Han Chiyan.
Since moving into the royal palace, Gu Mingyan had gained six or seven pounds. He was feasted with rich food every day. When he had nothing to do, Han Chiyan would accompany him in playing chess to relieve boredom, strolling through gardens, and admiring flowers. The two of them were having a honeymoon in advance…
The northern frontier was mostly grassland or barren hills. There were no lush bamboo gardens, nor beautiful mountain scenery.
In order to help Marquis Gu adapt to life here, Han Chiyan specially selected a secluded and elegant courtyard for him.
Most of the scenery and pavilions here were renovated to imitate Central Plains architecture, which showed that Han Chiyan was a very thoughtful woman…
“It’s good that they’re back!~” Gu Mingyan picked up a piece of pastry with his chopsticks and offered it to Han Chiyan’s mouth, “Yan’er, try this. This is the crispy shortbread my father made himself!”
Han Chiyan’s mouth twitched violently.
Could the things made by the old Marquis be edible?