Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Although he knew it would implicate his disciple, Zhao Siye still felt heartbroken for his disciple upon seeing the official document.

He unconsciously reached out and squeezed Pei Lian's arm tightly.

Pei Lian sensed her teacher's worry and gently patted her hand to show that she was alright.

Shang Jingming stepped aside to make way for two sedan chairs parked outside the gate, guarded by heavily armored soldiers whose weapons gleamed with a cold, sharp light.

"The innocent are innocent. My teacher and I have a clear conscience, so what is there to fear?" Pei Lian said firmly, releasing Zhao Siye's hand and getting into a small sedan chair behind without looking back.

"Well said." A hint of relief rose in Zhao Siye's eyes as he walked steadily toward the first sedan chair.

Just before getting into the sedan chair, he glanced at the mansion from afar, seemingly looking at something.

Both Mr. Zhao and Young Master Pei have been taken away by the Five Cities Garrison. Their fate is uncertain. The household has lost its leader, and the servants are in chaos.

Xie Wumian issued orders one by one: "Keep the doors closed and no one is allowed to enter or leave in the coming days."

"No communication with the outside world is permitted, nor is any information from within the government office sent out."

"If anyone tries to take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, or steals the owner's property and absconds with the money, once discovered, they will be handed over to the government and will not be shown any mercy."

One of the scheming individuals complained, "You're a guest of this house! Are you trying to usurp our place just because the host isn't here? Why should we listen to you?"

Xie Wumian's gaze was sharp. He raised his hand and pointed at the person who spoke, and said loudly, "Those who cause chaos in times of crisis must have ulterior motives. Who is willing to capture him for me? I will reward you with fifty taels of silver."

Fifty taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live on for two or three years.

Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to the person who had instigated the disturbance.

The speaker felt like he had become a piece of Tang Monk's flesh, with everyone wanting to take a bite. He tried to run away, but a big, burly man next to him used a jack to pin him to the ground, making him sit so firmly that his eyes rolled back in his head.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xie Wumian handed him a silver note.

Now, everyone's gaze towards Xie Wumian changed.

Xie Wumian looked around at the people in the courtyard: "From today onwards, those on duty each day, and those on night watch, will be in groups of five and will receive a reward. If anyone is found passing on messages, they will be arrested on the spot and brought before me. The reward will be fifty taels of silver."

After arranging the affairs of the mansion in a way that "overstepped his bounds," Xie Wumian instructed his attendants: "Prepare all available cash from restaurants and shops in the capital so that I can access it at any time."

The attendant, observing Xie Wumian's expression, cautiously said, "If money could solve this, that would be great, but I'm afraid it's not something that money can resolve."

How could Xie Wumian not know this principle?

The teacher and his junior brother were taken away by the Five Cities Garrison.

Although he had issued a gag order to everyone in the mansion to prevent rumors that were detrimental to his teacher from spreading from within the mansion.

But over time, rumors and gossip will inevitably start to circulate.

Moreover, the situation with the Five Cities Garrison is still unknown.

The leader refused to reveal a single word.

Based solely on the few words my junior brother just spoke, all I know is that a case of selling exam questions has occurred, involving fourteen people. We don't even know who framed our teacher, how they framed him, or whether the Five Cities Garrison has any evidence. How can we possibly clear his name?

Without bribing officials at all levels, how long can a teacher of his age endure in prison?

Xie Wumian closed his eyes, mentally calculating whether there were any connections he could make among his teacher's old friends, and said wearily, "It's better to be prepared."

...

When Pei Lian was "invited" down from the sedan chair, they had already arrived at the prison of the Five Cities Military Command.

He looked around and saw his teacher's sedan chair parked to the side. Just as he was about to walk over, he was stopped by soldiers.

Two constables escorted him through the passageway and into the prison.

As you pass through the cave entrance, the sunlight is blocked out, and a dark, damp atmosphere hits you.

A musty, rotten smell mixed with a faint odor of blood lingered around my nose.

Faintly, one could still hear the cries and groans of the tortured prisoners.

Pei Lian's heart sank slightly.

Perhaps fearing they would collude, he and his teacher would be detained separately.

The teacher is getting old. In this kind of environment, if no one takes care of him, how many days can he last, even if he is still in good health?

The only saving grace is that the teacher is a retired Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy, and yesterday's announcement ceremony marked the passing of the highest degree. Since he himself is a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he will not be subjected to torture before being stripped of his academic honors.

With the clanging of chains, the wooden gate in front of him was opened, and Pei Lian was "invited" into the prison.

A small skylight, a dilapidated wooden table, and a straw-covered "bed" where countless bloodied prisoners had lain—that was the entirety of this cell's furnishings.

From riding through the streets in glory to being imprisoned in darkness, it all happened in just one night.

The pain from his injuries continued unabated. Pei Lian slowly walked to the wall, leaned against it silently, closed his eyes, and seemed lost in thought.

...

At the same time, a sedan chair passed through the Wucheng Military Command's office, went straight into the backyard, and stopped at the door of the side room.

Shang Jingming raised his hand and waved the soldiers away.

Zhao Siye only heard a series of footsteps accompanied by the sound of armor rubbing together. The sedan curtain was lifted, and light shone in.

The young and handsome commander of the Five Cities Garrison bowed and personally lifted the sedan curtain, his expression extremely polite: "Mr. Zhao, we've arrived. Please alight from the sedan."

Knowing that he had been taken to the Five Cities Military Command prison, Zhao Siye bent down and got out of the sedan chair.

Looking up, I saw a house with blue bricks and tiles, bright and clean windows.

Zhao Siye paused, turning to look at Shang Jingming.

Shang Jingming remained calm and gestured for him to enter: "Sir, tea and snacks have been prepared inside. Please rest for a moment, and we will discuss this further in a short time."

...

First update delivered! I'm 450 words short of finishing this chapter, everyone keep it up!

I didn't reach my goal for today, so I'll only post one update tomorrow. I'm too tired to continue today, so the second update will be tomorrow. Everyone, get some rest too! Sending love~