The Ming Dynasty's henchmen, working from nine to five

Chapter 83 is for the Princess

Looking at Wen Kai, who was nonchalant and seemed fearless, He Xin's face turned pale and then red, his mood constantly shifting.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's handling of cases was a privilege granted by the Emperor; anyone who obstructed them could be executed first and reported later.

If it were an ordinary matter, he wouldn't be so hesitant. After all, he was the Minister of Justice, a second-rank official, and how could the Embroidered Uniform Guard dare to touch him at will?

But things are different now. Shen Lang, the madman who was executed by slow slicing in the street, was actually brought back to the yamen and protected under the guise of interrogation!

Lu Yu has always been shrewd and calculating, and he obeys His Majesty's every command. Why would he risk angering His Majesty by doing such a thing?

Something unusual must be going on, so he couldn't help but think it through.

He even had a vague suspicion that this might be a trap set specifically for him!

After all, this case involves unregistered fortune tellers, and Lu Yu has a great opportunity to use this to his advantage.

His Majesty announced the day before yesterday that he would be in seclusion for three days to burn incense and cultivate Taoism, and that no one should disturb him during this period.

Although the situation was urgent and an exception could be made, he was unwilling to be the one to take the lead.

The Duke of Zhenguo's son is dead, and his disgraceful deeds have spread throughout the city. If His Majesty learns that the Ministry of Justice has failed in its duties, he will certainly not let him off lightly.

The best solution is to capture Shen Lang and hand him over to His Majesty.

However, Lu Yu's current attitude made him feel uneasy, putting him in a dilemma.

Civil officials are like this; after scheming and plotting in the court for a long time, they have to think about everything for a long time, and the more they think, the less they dare to act rashly.

Seeing He Xin's expression, Commander Wen Kai lost his patience and stood up, saying, "Let Lord He figure it out himself."

"Don't close the door; leave it open for Lord He, in case he changes his mind later!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he led his entourage away in a swagger.

He Xin stood frozen in place for a moment, staring at the wide-open gates of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, before finally gritting his teeth in reluctance and waving his hand, saying, "Let's retreat!"

Then, he and his men slunk away.

Inside a quaint, antique courtyard.

Zhang Xian is holding a white piece and playing chess with someone.

Opposite him was an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, who was in good spirits.

It was none other than the famous Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Yu!

Lu Yu wore a gentle smile and casually curled up in the rattan chair, like a handsome old cat.

He raised his hand, placed a black piece, and casually asked, "After He Xin left, he never came back?"

Zhang Xian pondered for a moment, placed a white piece, and replied, "No, and no one was left to keep watch. They withdrew very decisively."

Lu Yu then asked, "Where is Zou Nanpu?"

Zhang Xiandao: "Among the upright officials, no one cares."

Lu Yu asked, "Is everything ready?"

Zhang Xiandao: "As Lu Gong instructed, the matter of Zou Nanpu's son, Princess Yongci, and Qi Yan has spread throughout the town."

"He's so calm even when things are at their most urgent; such caution won't do." Lu Yu smiled and placed another piece.

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xian paused.

Lu Yu said, "Tell him that I am willing to die to protect Shen Lang, and that I will escort him away from the capital at midnight tomorrow."

Zhang Xian's brows furrowed slowly, and he said in a deep voice, "Do you intend to break ties with both the Ministry of Justice and the Qingliu faction at the same time?"

Lu Yu smiled and said, "Qi Yan really did me a big favor this time, managing to force Yan Shen and Qingliu to join forces."

"In recent years, these people have become increasingly presumptuous. If we don't put them in a good position, they might start to ride roughshod over our Imperial Guards."

"This is a good opportunity; I don't need to take action myself."

"If they keep jumping around and jump any higher, they'll fall to their deaths."

Zhang Xian pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Understood, I will take care of it immediately."

After speaking, he paused, then added, "Would you like to see Shen Lang?"

"He sent word early this morning that he has long admired you and wants to meet you to express his gratitude in person."

Lu Yu laughed heartily, "This little guy is really interesting. Look at him, he's usually so smooth, but when it comes to doing serious business, he suddenly becomes so stubborn!"

Zhang Xian sighed and said, "I am also completely baffled."

Lu Yu stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Tell him not to rush, to be patient and wait a few days."

"I will take the blame for him. Even if His Majesty is determined to punish him, I have a way to get him out of the capital safely."

Zhang Xian was taken aback: "You value him so much?"

Lu Yu said slowly, "He did nothing wrong in this matter, so naturally I must protect him."

"Moreover, the death of someone like him is a loss, and now that I've seen him, I can't just ignore it."

Zhang Xian was silent for a moment, then nodded.

While the two were focused on the chessboard and remained silent.

The other side of Huanghuafang.

Outside Dong'anmen, on Shiwangfu Street.

Inside the Jing'an Prince's Mansion, things had already erupted into chaos.

"What did you say?!"

"Shen Lang has been captured and is going to be executed?!"

"No, no, this won't do!!"

Upon learning that Shen Lang had been arrested, Princess Jing'an panicked instantly, her face turning pale with shock.

Princess Changning sat beside her, her hands clenched tightly, her ample bosom heaving violently.

The guard, Da Hu, wiped the sweat from his brow and said rapidly, "Lord Shen has truly stirred up a hornet's nest this time!"

"You'd never guess that the flower thief's true identity is actually Qi Yan, the second son of the Duke of Zhenguo!"

"Qi Yan?!" Princess Jing'an exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't he come to the Prince's residence just a few days ago?!"

Da Hu said with lingering fear, "That's right! It's fortunate that the princess doesn't like to associate with him and never has anything to do with him, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

"You have no idea, this man is utterly depraved, worse than a pig or a dog. He... he..."

""

Princess Changning merely frowned slightly, showing little reaction, but Princess Jing'an grew increasingly uneasy as she listened, a wave of fear washing over her.

"After Lord Shen discovered that he was the murderer, he reported the matter to the Ministry of Justice. However, for reasons unknown, the Ministry of Justice deceived the Emperor, concealed the matter, and acquitted Qi Yan!"

"In a fit of rage, Lord Shen had Qi Yan arrested and taken to the West Market. In front of 100,000 people, he was executed by slow slicing, suffering a total of 8,100 cuts!"

Princess Jing'an was stunned: "That place at the entrance of West Street is so small, how can it hold 100,000 people?"

"Also, how much does that Qi Yan weigh? It's so hard to cut it more than eight thousand times..."

'

"Big Tiger, where did you hear this news? It doesn't sound true to me."

Da Hu thought for a moment, then said seriously, "This matter has spread throughout the whole city. Everyone is saying it, so it must be true!"

That's certainly true.

Princess Jing'an nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Anything else?"

Da Hu said, "It is said that Qi Yan's screams lasted for a full hour and a half, echoing through the sky!"

"It's clear that Lord Shen is truly enraged."

At this point, he glanced at Princess Changning and added, "I dare to guess that Lord Shen is so angry because of the Princess!"

"Before Lord Shen left, he asked for the list of visitors to the Prince's residence, and Qi Yan's name was on it."

"He's both a womanizer and a conman, how could Lord Shen let him get away with this?"