Love Lock

Chapter 274 Father and Son in the Same Pair

As dusk settled, fine snowflakes drifted down from the sky, like scattered salt, softly falling onto the blue bricks and gray tiles of the capital city.

Just after the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the palace gates opened wide, and squads of imperial guards in iron armor marched out of the imperial city in orderly steps, their boots crunching on the snow.

Holding torches, their flames formed a winding fire dragon in the snowy night, spreading towards all parts of the capital.

The head of the secret guards, his face covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of hawk-like eyes, whispered, "By imperial decree, arrest the entire Wei clan, leave no one alive!"

Meanwhile, in front of Prime Minister Wei's residence.

"Halt! Who dares to trespass on the Prime Minister's residence!" The guards stood with their swords drawn, watching the large group of people who had suddenly appeared in front of the gate warily.

The captain of the Imperial Guard snorted coldly, took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his robes, and slowly unfurled it under the torchlight.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Wei family has deceived the Emperor and formed cliques for personal gain; they are hereby arrested and interrogated immediately. So be it!" The Imperial Guard captain read the imperial edict at breakneck speed.

The guards exchanged glances, their knives still firmly planted.

One of the older guards, steeling himself, said, "Sir, may I inform them first...?"

"Insolence!" the Imperial Guard captain interrupted sharply. "The Emperor's decree is absolute; who dares to obstruct it?"

With a wave of his hand, dozens of Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward, their gleaming swords and spears pointing directly at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence.

The guards were so frightened by the sight that they took several steps back, and the captain of the Imperial Guard took the opportunity to lead his men straight in.

The heavy mansion gate was pushed open with a bang, startling several crows that were perched on the eaves.

The Imperial Guards stormed in like bandits, throwing the mansion into chaos. The maids and servants fled in panic, some of the more timid ones already crying out.

A quick-witted servant stumbled and ran towards the backyard, shouting, "Madam! Something terrible has happened! Soldiers have broken in!"

Before long, the Prime Minister's wife, surrounded by maids and servants, hurriedly arrived at the front yard.

She was probably not yet fifty, and her well-maintained face was now completely pale, and her hair was somewhat loose, clearly indicating that she had just run.

Seeing the courtyard full of soldiers, she forced herself to remain calm and curtsied: "General, what brings you here at this hour?"

The captain of the Imperial Guard read the imperial edict again, his voice so loud that the entire courtyard could hear it clearly.

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's wife swayed and nearly fell, but was caught in time by the nanny beside her.

Her husband served as prime minister for three emperors and was highly regarded by them. After the new emperor ascended the throne, his position was second only to the emperor and above all others, unmatched by anyone.

How could her husband, who holds such a high position and great power, possibly deceive the emperor, form cliques, or engage in corrupt practices?
"This...this must be a misunderstanding..." The Prime Minister's wife spoke with conviction, but her voice trembled. "My husband is utterly loyal, how could he..."

"Please forgive me, Madam, I was merely following orders." The Imperial Guard captain interrupted expressionlessly, giving him a look that said, "Don't try to bribe me." "May I ask where Prime Minister Wei and your son are now?"

Just as the Prime Minister's wife was about to reply, a fat young man with big ears was escorted over by two Imperial Guards, with half a piece of pastry stuffed in his mouth.

He struggled and cried out, "Auntie! They stole my braised lamb leg!"

Seeing Wei Dabao's appearance, the Prime Minister's wife was both anxious and angry: "Dabao! What's wrong with you..."

She turned to the captain of the Imperial Guard, her voice pleading, "General, my master and eldest son are not in the manor. They...they went to the brothel, Wan Hua Lou. We'll find out when they return..."

"Wanhua Tower?"

The captain of the Imperial Guard twitched his lips. He knew that it was the most famous brothel in the capital, a den of iniquity where high-ranking officials and nobles indulged in pleasure.

But for both father and son to be sleeping and dine at the same brothel is simply too much...

Hey!
These influential people really know how to have fun!

Could it be—"The peacock flies southeast, father and son are a pair"?

what!
Just thinking about it sent chills down the spine of the Imperial Guard captain, and he couldn't help but shiver.

"It was...it was the son of the Vice Minister of War who hosted the event..." The Prime Minister's wife's voice grew softer and softer, and a look of shame appeared on her face.

The captain of the Imperial Guard sneered, "Guards! Take everyone in the Prime Minister's residence to the prison to await further instructions."

He turned to his deputy and said, "Take a team and come with me to the Wan Hua Lou."

As soon as the order was given, cries and pleas for help echoed throughout the Prime Minister's residence.

As the Imperial Guards escorted the weeping women away, the snow fell even harder.

The stone lions in front of the Prime Minister's residence were covered with a thick layer of snow, as if they were wearing mourning clothes for this once illustrious family.

Outside, panic gripped the city due to the large number of Imperial Guards, but inside the famous Wan Hua Lou in the capital, it was a scene of revelry and revelry.

The building is three stories high, with red lanterns hanging on its upturned eaves, making it particularly eye-catching in the snowy night.

Inside the building, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, the melodious singing of female singers mingled with the laughter of guests, and the air was thick with the scent of perfume.

Inside the "Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion" on the top floor, Prime Minister Wei was surrounded by women on either side, his face beaming. Opposite him, Wei Chengchao, the eldest son of Wei, was also surrounded by beautiful women.

"Come, let's have another drink!" Prime Minister Wei raised his wine cup, his eyes blurry with drunkenness as he looked at Li Sheng, the son of the Vice Minister of War, beside him. "Young Master Li, you've gone to great lengths today!"

Li Sheng smiled and raised his glass: "It is my honor that the Prime Minister has graced me with his presence."

Wei Chengchao leaned lazily against the songstress's snow-white lap, his eyes hazy with intoxication as he gazed at the carved beams of the room.

On the gilded candlestick, the red candle wax cast mottled stains, illuminating the room in an ambiguous, dim light.

He reached out and grabbed a wine glass from the table, raising it towards Li Sheng in the distance.

“Brother Li…” he slurred with a laugh.

As he tilted his head back and drank it all, the wine dripped down his chin onto his brocade robe. Before the courtesan could even wipe it away with her handkerchief, Wei Chengchao felt a bloating in his lower abdomen.

"My beauty..." He pinched the songstress's rosy cheek, "Help me... to change my clothes..."

Wei Chengchao was clearly drunk, and the singer was helping him to the toilet, his figure staggering.

When I returned from the outhouse, I suddenly heard a clanging sound of metal striking metal coming from downstairs.

Wei Chengchao squinted through his drunken eyes and saw dozens of armored imperial guards surge into the first-floor hall like a tide. The gleaming blades shattered the colorful silk lanterns, startling the guests who screamed and scattered.

A silk merchant tried to flee through the door, but was immediately struck in the back of the knee by a spear from an Imperial Guard, and knelt on the ground wailing.

The madam quickly put on a fawning expression and tried to smooth things over: "Gentlemen, please have mercy, we follow the rules here..."

Before the madam could finish speaking, she was kicked to the ground, her hairpins flying far away.

"Rebellion...rebellion!" Young Master Wei was enjoying himself here, and these soldiers dared to disturb his pleasure.

Wei Chengchao was about to angrily rebuke them for being blind when he saw the Imperial Guard captain's long boots crush the madam's jade hairpin with a thunderous sound.

"By imperial decree, apprehend the traitor! Anyone who dares to act without authorization will be executed!"

The once noisy hall fell into a deathly silence, and Wei Chengchao's drunkenness was also mostly sobered up.

He saw the gilded fish-shaped pouch on the waist of the Imperial Guard captain, which was a token that could directly reach the Emperor!
In the instant he was stunned, the captain of the Imperial Guard had already grabbed the madam and was questioning her: "Where is Prime Minister Wei?"

Where is Prime Minister Wei?
What do you mean?
Wei Chengchao's heart skipped a beat. Were these Imperial Guards here to arrest his father?
The madam tremblingly raised her fingertips, painted with mandarin duck hairpins, and pointed to the third floor. "Quick! Help me back...back to my room." Wei Chengchao shook his head, trying to stay conscious, but his body movements couldn't keep up.

The songstress supported him, but he didn't even bother to pick up the shoe he had lost while running, and his legs were so weak that they wouldn't obey him.

The clanging of armor grew closer in the distance, and as he glanced back, he saw the gleaming tips of the Imperial Guards' blades seemingly touching the red carpet on the third floor…

"Father..." he whispered, "Something seems off..."

Before he could finish speaking, the door was kicked open.

The captain led a squad of Imperial Guards in, and the clash of swords shattered the tranquil atmosphere inside.

The singers and girls screamed and scattered, knocking over cups, plates and bowls on the table, making a crisp cracking sound.

"Be bold!"

Although Prime Minister Wei's eyes darted around, the hand he removed from the singer's leg pointed directly at the newcomer, and his tone still exuded the authority of a superior.

"Your Excellency! I apologize!" The captain of the Imperial Guards said sternly, his face grim. "We are acting on imperial orders to arrest you and your son!"

Upon hearing this, Li Sheng, the son of the Vice Minister of War who was not too drunk, turned pale with fright. He used both hands and feet to scramble to the side and back away, clearly trying to distance himself from Prime Minister Wei and his son.

Prime Minister Wei seemed not to have heard the words "by imperial decree." He staggered to his feet, pointed at the Imperial Guard captain's nose, and cursed, "You audacious dog! Who gave you the guts..."

Without further ado, the captain of the Imperial Guard waved his hand, and several Imperial Guards took out iron chains and stepped forward to lock the man up.

Wei Chengchao, now completely sober, suddenly staggered and stood in front of his father, saying in a deep voice, "General, there must be a misunderstanding. My father is, after all, the current prime minister. Even if he is guilty, he should still have some dignity."

The captain hesitated for a moment, but Prime Minister Wei seized the opportunity to grab a wine pot from the table and smash it over his shoulder: "Get out of the way! I want to see His Majesty!"

The wine jug hit the captain of the Imperial Guard on the shoulder and shattered into pieces.

The captain's face darkened: "Disobeying an imperial decree is an even greater crime! Seize him! You can say whatever you want to him when you see His Majesty!"

A dozen or so Imperial Guards rushed forward, and Wei Chengchao's legs went weak, causing him to be pushed to the ground.

Prime Minister Wei was still struggling under the influence of alcohol when he was finally struck on the back of the neck by the hilt of a sword by the captain of the Imperial Guard, and he passed out.

"father!"

Seeing that the Imperial Guards were serious, Wei Chengchao exclaimed in surprise, and anxious tears rolled down his cheeks.

The Imperial Guard captain glanced at him and said coldly, "Don't worry, you won't die."

He turned to Li Sheng, who was huddled in the corner: "Young Master Li, I apologize for disturbing you."

After saying this, he ordered his men to lift the unconscious Prime Minister Wei and escort Wei Chengchao away.

Outside the Wanhua Tower, the snow had already accumulated to a depth of about an inch.

The Imperial Guards escorted the Wei family father and son through the snow, leaving a trail of deep footprints.

Wei Chengchao glanced back at the brightly lit brothel, then looked towards the palace, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, similar scenes were unfolding throughout the capital.

Members of the Wei clan, regardless of age, were dragged out from their mansions, taverns, and even brothels.

The torches of the Imperial Guards moved through the streets and alleys, making the falling snowflakes appear like blood-red petals.

In a courtyard house in the east of the city, Wei Shilang, the younger brother of Prime Minister Wei, was just about to go to bed when he was dragged off his bed by soldiers who broke in.

In the Drunken Immortal Winery in the south of the city, Miss Wei was enjoying wine and discussing poetry with her friends when she was suddenly startled into fainting by the Imperial Guards who broke in.

Even the elderly Madam Wei, who practiced Buddhism with her hair still intact in a temple outside the city, was respectfully "invited" out of the Buddhist hall by the Imperial Guards...

On the highest corner tower of the palace, a figure draped in a fox fur coat silently watched the ever-moving torches in the distance. Snowflakes landed on his shoulders, then quietly melted away.

"Your Majesty, it's windy outside, let's go back inside!" Li Zhongxin whispered from behind.

Emperor Jing nodded slightly, and as he turned around, a faint smile finally appeared on his face, which had been filled with anger.

The wind and snow, carrying a chill, raged across the capital city as dusk settled.

The Imperial Guards, carrying torches, continued to patrol throughout the capital, ruthlessly capturing members of the Wei clan.

Of course, this also includes Wei Dahai, who had just taken office as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Dongfang Jiming stood by the window on the second floor of the teahouse, his fingertips gently parting a corner of the bamboo curtain.

Even in the dimly lit room, his bright red brocade robe was still dazzling, and the dark patterns embroidered with gold thread appeared and disappeared with his movements.

The sound of clashing armor came from downstairs, and a squad of Imperial Guards was pouring into the Dali Temple government office across the street.

"Search! The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review must still be in the yamen." The leading general shouted sternly, snowflakes falling on his ashen face, instantly turning into water vapor.

Dongfang Jiming's alluring eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow beneath his eyes.

He loosened the curtain, took out a piece of silver from his sleeve, and placed it on the table. The silver made a crisp sound as it touched the sandalwood tabletop.

"Are you leaving now, sir?" The shopkeeper approached, bowing slightly, his eyes lingering on the silver ingot.

Dongfang Jiming did not answer, but simply unfolded the red cloak draped over the back of the chair.

The scarlet satin cascaded down like water, its inner lining of sable fur gleaming dimly in the candlelight.

He fastened the silver buttons on his collar, and the snow fox fur trim around the edge of his hood trembled slightly with his movements.

As Dongfang Jiming walked towards the stairwell, the wooden stairs creaked slightly beneath his feet.

Only two or three guests remained in the lobby, all of them keeping their heads down and talking quietly, as if this would allow them to escape the commotion outside.

As Dongfang Jiming's boots stepped across the threshold, a biting gust of wind, carrying snowflakes, swept towards him.

He subconsciously tightened his cloak; the melted snow had soaked the bluestone pavement, which gleamed with a blood-red sheen under the torchlight.

Deep in the alley, the lanterns of "Youjia Inn" swayed in the wind and snow. Dongfang Jiming slipped inside, bringing with him a blast of cold air.

Uncle Liu, who was fiddling with his abacus and doing some calculations, came up from behind the counter with a fawning smile on his face: "Grandpa's back? This weather's really scorching..."

Dongfang Jiming seemed unwilling to answer him, interrupting him directly with a voice as cold as ice. "Send some hot water to the room."

As he spoke, he strode up the stairs, the hem of his bright red brocade robe sweeping across the wooden steps with a rustling sound.

The door to the innermost room on the second floor was ajar.

As dawn broke and I pushed open the door, a warm feeling mixed with the scent of agarwood wafted towards me.

Five or six young men dressed in brown short jackets immediately stood up. One of them took his cloak, and another quickly stepped forward to close the door. Their movements were so practiced that it seemed like they had rehearsed it a thousand times.

"Close the window."

Dongfang Jiming gave a brief command, his slender fingers unfastening his scarlet cloak.

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