Chapter 88: audacious

Chapter 88: Boldness Unparalleled

None of the onlookers dared to utter a single word, only watching Li Buyan with bated breath. They wondered in their hearts, What kind of courage did this person consume to be so daring? Has she gone mad?

But Li Buyan was even more audacious.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

She smiled at Zhao Yishi and said, "I wish to file a complaint to the Emperor."

In Zhao Yishi's twenty-three years of life, he had never seen anyone smile before lodging a complaint to the Emperor.

"Go on then," he invited.

"The Ji family's downfall is their own affair. The punishments and blessings from the heavens are beyond our control as common folk. But can the Imperial Guards refrain from being too heavy-handed?"

"How do you mean, Miss?" Zhao Yishi's brows knitted slightly.

"A woman's reputation is her life. When a man's tainted hands touch them, they're pushed towards death!"

Li Buyan turned his head with a fierce glare at Xu Lai.

"I'm not like someone like you, with an unrefined appearance and a stiff personality. If anyone dares to provoke me, the fish may not die, but the net will surely break!"

"You, you, you..."

Xu Lai was both startled and enraged, regretting that his parents hadn't given him a more eloquent tongue.

Zhao Yishi's voice took on a chill.

"Who was it?"

No one dared to speak, as if the air itself had been infused with that coldness, sending shivers down their spines.

"It was him!"

From among the group of women, Ning, adorned with jewels from head to toe, stumbled forward, pointing at Zhang Fei.

"It was him who bullied our Ninth Miss. I saw it all clearly. That beast's hand even reached..."

"Third Sister, Third Sister, please, stop now, just don't say anymore,"

Madam Ji clutched her daughter tightly, weeping bitterly, "Have mercy on the child's life!"

Ning truly wished to place one hand on her hip and point at Madam Ji with the other, scolding her relentlessly for three days and nights.

Who was the Crown Prince's son?

He was the son of the Prince!

Someone has already lodged a complaint to the imperial court, yet you still hold back your words?

"Because of mothers like you, your daughter gets bullied. If it were my daughter, I'd rather die alongside that beast than let her suffer!"

Silence fell upon the courtyard as she finished speaking.

Zhao Yishi's face was as cold as ice. She turned around and looked at the three people behind her with a faint expression.

Among the trio, the elder was the Censor Lu Shi, who had dressed in crimson today and pulled Ji Lingchuan off his horse.

The other two were Feng Changxiu, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Yang Yijie, the Southern Inspectorate of the same force.

At first, Feng Changxiu didn't take the matter of reporting to the emperor very seriously.

Throughout history, raids on households had always been lucrative assignments. Which wealthy family's matriarch or concubine didn't have some hidden savings?

Since it involved private matters, whoever ended up with the loot was known only to the heavens, the earth, and those involved. As long as they didn't go too far, even the one sitting on the dragon throne would turn a blind eye.

He'd initially thought it was just about money, but never imagined it would lead to...

How foolish!

Whose dog was the Ji family?

What was the relationship between the crown prince and the imperial grandson?

The imperial grandson himself had come in person, yet someone still dared to touch Miss Ji? Weren't they just slapping the imperial grandson in the face?

Feng Changxiu hurriedly stepped forward, declaring his stance, "Your Highness, I have failed in my governance. Please mete out your punishment."

Zhao Yishi smiled nonchalantly. "How does Lord Feng plan to punish himself?"

Feng Changxiu coughed softly. At that moment, his trusted guard swiftly drew his blade.

A blood-curdling scream echoed as Zhang Fei's right hand, still clutching the silver note, was severed at the wrist. Blood gushed out, splattering the clothes of those nearby.

Two more Imperial Guards promptly approached, one on each side, to carry the now-unconscious Zhang Fei away, disappearing from sight quickly.

The entire incident happened in an instant, leaving everyone stunned. Some of the ladies had even fainted from the shock.

Yet, Feng Changxiu seemed unfazed, respectfully saying, "I have committed a grave offense by disturbing Your Highness. It is a punishable crime."

Zhao Yishi's strikingly handsome face took on a pale hue. "Lord Feng has worked hard. Carry on with your duties!"

"Yes!"

Feng Changxiu turned and cast a cold glance around. The Imperial Guards lowered their eyes and set off to carry out their task of raiding the household.

Zhao Yishi averted his gaze. "Lord Lu."

Lord Historian Lu Shi stepped forward. "Your Highness?"

Zhao Yishi replied, "I would be grateful if Lord Lu could convey the events of today truthfully to the Emperor's ears."

"Your Highness can rest assured," Lu Shi said solemnly. "I will thoroughly investigate and then report to His Majesty."

"Excellent!"

Zhao Yishi turned again, his smile directed at the Minister of Justice, Xu Lai.

Xu Lai, already trembling with fear, saw the Crown Prince looking at him amiably and quickly knelt, lowering his body.

"Your Highness, please understand that the matter is not as it seems…"

"Lord Xu, the Censorate will handle the investigation," the Crown Prince interrupted, bending down to help Xu Lai to his feet. "Lord Xu, your visit concerns the Ji family. Matters concerning them are of great importance; you must not neglect one for the other."

Not a hint of reprimand laced the voice, which was even warmer than the gentle spring breeze caressing their faces.

Xu Lai, however, inexplicably felt a chill creeping up from his feet. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Lord Xie, Lord Pei!"

"Your Highness."

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao stepped forward.

Zhao Yishi gazed at them with a displeased expression. "It's not yet closing time. Why are the two of you here?"

Xie Zhifei inwardly sensed trouble and tried to smooth things over with a smile. "We just came to take a look."

Pei Xiao lifted his head proudly. "I forced him to come with me."

Zhao Yishi replied coolly, "Have you had your fill of watching?"

Xie Zhifei hurriedly smiled. "Yes, we have, we have. I'll take my leave now, Your Highness."

Pei Xiao muttered softly, "This subject will take my leave as well."

"Hold on!"

Zhao Yishi let out a faint sigh. "Lord Lu, these two have disregarded the rules of the office. When it comes to the year-end assessment, do not forget to include this incident."

Lu Shi replied with unyielding impartiality, "Your Highness, rest assured, I won't forget."

How could you, you old timer, forget?

Both Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao's expressions changed drastically.

Originally, both of their official positions had been acquired through monetary donations. With this incident recorded in their annual assessment, how could they still hope for promotion?

Xie Zhifei sought help with an imploring look towards Pei Xiao, but to his surprise, Pei Xiao was also looking at him with anticipation.

Their eyes met.

Well then!

Well, that's just my bad luck!

Xie Zhifei shot Li Buyan a fierce glare. "Come on, Your Ladyship," she said.

Li Buyan chuckled and linked arms with her lady. "Miss, let's go!"

Yan Sanhe gave Ning Shi a deep, enigmatic glance. The mistress and maid passed by Zhao Yishi with heads held high and chests puffed out.

On Xie Zhifei's face was a look that seemed to say, "If there were a hole in the ground, I'd crawl into it." She bowed to Zhao Yishi as she left with Pei Xiao.

In the corner, Ning Shi, with her hair adorned in jewels, was equally bedazzled by confusion.

Who exactly is this Miss Yan? How can she be both a palace official and Third Master's foster sister?

And...

What did that glance she gave me just now mean?

...

Leaving the chaos of the Ji residence behind, Xie's carriage awaited at the entrance. As Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan climbed in, the curtains suddenly lifted to reveal Pei Xiao and Xie Zhifei entering one after the other.

The spacious carriage instantly became cramped.

Feeling uneasy, Yan Sanhe frowned and barked, "Get out!"

"Shut up!"

Pei Xiao saluted Li Buyan with a fist to his chest.

"Miss Li, if there were any past offenses, I hope you'll overlook them as a person of greater stature. As for what just happened..."

"Don't thank me..."

"Not saying a word!"

The voices of the master and servant echoed almost simultaneously.