I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

South City, Zhou Mansion.

Bang bang bang, bang bang bang...

A series of urgent knocks came at the door.

The doorman asked impatiently, "Who is it? Stop knocking!"

With a creak, the door opened a crack.

However, before the gatekeeper could see who it was, he felt a tremendous force coming from in front of him, and his body was sent flying backward.

Li Ruolian kicked open the door and ordered, "One team guards the entrance, the second team goes to the back door, the rest of you follow me. If you encounter any resistance, kill without mercy!"

The doorman stumbled to his feet, shouting, "Who are you? Do you know where you are...?"

brush!

Li Ruolian slashed backhand, and blood splattered everywhere.

The doorman clutched his neck, never understanding what had happened until his death.

Li Ruolian didn't even bother to look at him, and led her people straight to the front hall.

The Zhou family's guards rushed over upon hearing the news, but upon seeing the menacing Imperial Guards, they dared not approach.

Li Ruolian quickly arrived at the entrance of the front hall, and finally, Zhou Kui appeared.

The guards made way for Zhou Kui, who stepped forward and asked, "So it's Vice Commissioner Li. What brings you here?"

"We are ordered to investigate cases of ghost employees within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We request that Magistrate Zhou accompany me."

"presumptuous!"

Zhou Kui said with a gloomy face, "My son is the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, your superior. How dare you come to our door with a knife? Do you have any respect for order and hierarchy?"

Li Ruolian, neither humble nor arrogant, said, "We have come here on the orders of the Commander. The Deputy Commander is the Commander's adjutant. Does the Earl of Jiading have any objections?"

"snort!"

Zhou Kui snorted coldly and said, "Who does Luo Yangxing think he is? If he has the guts, let him come and see me himself!"

"I'm sorry, Commander Luo has official duties to attend to. This case will be handled by me today."

"Li Ruolian, you're not qualified to kick down my place!"

"Then it's no longer up to the Earl of Jiading! Guards!"

"exist!"

Dozens of Imperial Guards stepped forward, gripping their sword hilts.

Zhou Kui's expression changed drastically. Pointing at Li Ruolian, he said, "This is the Zhou residence. I am the father-in-law of the current emperor. Let's see who dares to be insolent!"

Upon hearing this, everyone involuntarily stopped and waited for instructions.

After all, this is Empress Zhou's home, so it's best to be cautious.

Unexpectedly, Li Ruolian showed no hesitation and said again, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is acting on imperial orders; we request that the Earl of Jiading grant us this favor!"

Seeing this, Zhou Kui ordered the guards behind him, "Drive these arrogant bastards out!"

The two sides confronted each other, their tensions running high and ready to erupt at any moment.

Li Ruolian said with a stern face, "Earl of Jiading, you should think carefully about the consequences. You are defying an imperial decree!"

"Haha, hahaha..."

Zhou Kui burst into laughter and said, "Even His Majesty himself would have to give me some face. What are you, a mere deputy commander, to me?"

"Don't you even know who in Beijing would dare disrespect the Zhou family?"

"Even if I were to defy the imperial decree, would His Majesty, considering kinship, dare to execute me outright?"

"Li Ruolian, if you soften your stance and apologize, I will let today's matter go. But in the future, you must learn some manners and not..."

"Someone come here!"

Li Ruolian's loud shout interrupted Zhou Kui's eloquent speech.

"The Earl of Jiading is obstructing the investigation; arrest him! Anyone else who resists will be executed without mercy!"

Zhou Kui stepped forward and roared, "Let's see who dares!"

brush!

With a flash of cold light, Li Ruolian's embroidered spring knife was already at Zhou Kui's neck, and a chill ran straight to his heart and lungs.

"You, you... what are you doing? I am the Emperor's father-in-law! Put down your knife at once!"

Li Ruolian ignored him and ordered, "Arrest them!"

"yes!"

No longer hesitant, everyone rushed forward with their knives drawn.

The Zhou family's guards tried to resist, but after several were killed, the rest of them all became obedient.

Zhou Kui's forehead was covered in cold sweat: "Li Ruolian, do you know what you're doing?"

"Of course I know!"

Li Ruolian's face was grim as she said, "I'll say it one last time: the Embroidered Uniform Guard is acting on imperial orders. I demand that the Earl of Jiading hand over Magistrate Zhou!"

"My son is not... not at home..."

"real?"

Zhou Kui replied truthfully, "I went to the morning court today!"

Li Ruolian thought for a moment and said, "The Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is not required to attend court except on the first and fifteenth of each month."

The Ming Dynasty's court assemblies were divided into regular court assemblies and lunar calendar assemblies. The lunar calendar assemblies were held on the first and fifteenth of each month, and all officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital were required to attend. Regular court assemblies were attended by the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and some high-ranking military officers.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard is a special case; apart from the commander, no one else is required to attend regular court sessions.

"I have caught a cold and am unable to go out. Jian'er is going to court in my place to deliver silver to His Majesty."

"What kind of money should we send?"

Zhou Kui gradually gained confidence and said, "His Majesty has called on all officials to donate. My Zhou family has received the country's favor for generations, so naturally we should take the lead in donating."

"I have heard a little about this matter; the Earl of Jiading donated five hundred taels."

"snort!"

Zhou Kui snorted again, seemingly having regained the initiative.

"Do you know that after I returned home, I sold my possessions and raised another three thousand taels of silver? Today, Jian'er delivered the silver notes to the palace. His Majesty will surely be delighted and may even bestow upon me an official title and rank. It is absolutely unwise of you to oppose me at this time!"

Li Ruolian didn't care about any of that. Since he entered officialdom through the military examination, he had never relied on anyone.

Whether you are the emperor's father-in-law or a duke, I only listen to His Majesty!

"The Earl of Jiading should keep these words to himself and speak them to His Majesty!"

"You...you really want to make things difficult for me?"

Zhou Kui was shocked. After saying so much, he realized that Zhou Kui was completely unyielding.

"Men, seize him!"

Li Ruolian immediately ordered his men to tie up Zhou Kui and take him to the Beizhen Prefecture.

Zhou Kui's old face turned a deep purplish-red with anger. He cursed all sorts of nasty things, but to no avail. Seeing that there was no way to change the situation, he started to make threats.

"You just wait! I'm going to report you to His Majesty and have your entire family executed!"

Li Ruolian suddenly laughed and said, "Earl of Jiading, I think you haven't grasped the situation yet. This time, when we meet His Majesty, it's not me who will be executed along with my entire clan, but the Zhou family!"

"You... what nonsense are you spouting? I am the father-in-law of the current emperor, and my daughter is the current empress. Even if I have committed any wrongdoing, His Majesty can forgive me..."

"Can the crime of treason and collusion with the enemy be forgiven?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kui froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

"What...what did you say?"

Li Ruolian immediately stopped hiding it and said, "Earl of Jiading, your affair has been exposed!"

Zhou Kui was pale, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and he said tremblingly, "Aren't you investigating cases of embezzlement? What does this have to do with me?"

Li Ruolian sneered, "Do you really think that your son's embezzlement is something we need to make such a fuss about? Let me tell you the truth, the silver notes and secret letter you sent out are already in His Majesty's hands."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Kui felt his knees buckle and he collapsed to the ground.