Chapter 237: Releasing the Prisoners

Chapter 237: Releasing the Prisoners

It was impossible to hide the large gathering of people outside the Northern Pacification Office from the authorities.

The officers from the City Defense Department patrolled the area repeatedly. They were afraid that the crowd might cause trouble, which would implicate them, but they also didn’t want to get involved with the Jinlin Guard and stir up more issues.

This resulted in the following scene: many officers were present, but since the people didn’t cause any trouble, the officers did not intervene.

The next morning during the early court session, amidst the announcement "Those who have matters to report, step forward; those who don’t, retreat," several coughs were heard simultaneously, and a few ministers prepared to step out.

These coughs, of course, weren’t real but a signal to indicate the intention to report, avoiding the awkwardness of stepping forward at the same time.

Emperor Xingyuan was momentarily surprised.

If he wasn’t mistaken, those intending to report included Lord Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue, Deputy Minister Chen from the Ministry of War, Imperial Censor Du from the Censorate, and Headmaster Meng from the Imperial Academy. It was rare for these individuals to be so proactive.

Due to the mishandling of disaster relief efforts, Emperor Xingyuan was already dissatisfied with the Ministry of Revenue. Censors usually reported troubling matters, and Headmaster Meng might urge the scheduling of the upcoming imperial examination, but the emperor wasn’t in the mood for it. So, he turned to Deputy Minister Chen from the Ministry of War, "What matter do you have to report, Deputy Minister Chen?"

Deputy Minister Chen knelt and reported, "Your Majesty, yesterday afternoon, a large number of people gathered outside the Northern Pacification Office and did not disperse throughout the night."

The City Defense Department was responsible for the capital’s security and fell under the Ministry of War. If the gathering turned into a disturbance, the Ministry of War would be held accountable.

"What prompted this gathering?"

"Most of them were residents of the North Tower Ward, gathered outside the Northern Pacification Office requesting the release of Miss Kou."

After hearing the report, Emperor Xingyuan’s expression turned solemn. "Rise."

Deputy Minister Chen silently returned to his place.

"Headmaster Meng, do you have anything to report?"

Headmaster Meng stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I am reporting on the same matter."

Emperor Xingyuan was puzzled, "Headmaster Meng, you are also aware of this matter?"

"Your Majesty, there is a student at the Imperial Academy who is also a resident of the North Tower Ward. He requested leave for personal matters yesterday. The instructor who granted the leave later learned that the residents of the North Tower Ward had gone to the Northern Pacification Office requesting Miss Kou’s release and, feeling uneasy, went to inquire further. It was then discovered that this student, Guyu, had been detained by Lord Xiao, the Pacification Officer."

Headmaster Meng couldn’t disclose that they had known from the start why Guyu requested leave.

Emperor Xingyuan’s expression darkened slightly upon hearing this, "What is the student’s name, and why was he detained?"

"The student’s name is Guyu, and he is seventeen years old."

At seventeen, emotions run high, and a sense of justice is strong.

"Out of gratitude for Miss Kou’s kindness, he joined his neighbors in petitioning the Northern Pacification Office for her release. It appears that Lord Xiao, the Pacification Officer, believed he was inciting the disturbance, so he detained him along with the ward chief of the North Tower Ward." As Headmaster Meng reported this, he raised his voice, "Your Majesty, you have appointed me as the Headmaster of the Imperial Academy to oversee the education of the nation. Guyu, though impulsive in his actions, is a student who repays kindness and fears no authority. He is exactly the kind of student I aim to cultivate. Knowing that he is imprisoned, I cannot ignore it. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to show mercy and allow Guyu to return to the Imperial Academy to continue his studies, and permit the ward chief of the North Tower Ward to return home."

After Headmaster Meng’s report, Emperor Xingyuan turned his attention back to Lord Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue.

"Your Majesty, I also…" Lord Zhang was reporting on the same matter.

During the fundraising efforts, Miss Kou, who had donated fifty thousand taels of silver, left a deep impression on him. Officially, he admired her; privately, her generous donation had greatly assisted him in his duties, and with Lord Pei encountering some issues, he might have a chance for advancement. Thus, he felt compelled to speak up for her.

The last to step forward was Censor Du.

Compared to the previous individuals’ calm demeanor, this censor’s tone was much more aggressive, vehemently denouncing the Jinlin Guard. If Emperor Xingyuan hadn’t been seated on the dais, he might have been showered with spit.

"Miss Kou donated 50,000 taels of silver to the disaster victims in Dingbei, helping the court alleviate its worries. The people of North Tower Ward still remember Miss Kou’s kindness, but the Jinlin Guard arrested her based on mere rumors. How will the people view the court now? I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

After listening to the reports from several ministers, Emperor Xingyuan's face was already clouded with anger.

Xiao Lengshi had only just taken over the Northern Pacification Office and already caused this much trouble, suggesting he lacked competence. Moreover, Miss Kou had been detained by the Jinlin Guard for three days with no progress, so continuing to detain her would be pointless, which made Emperor Xingyuan even more dissatisfied.

"I understand."

Emperor Xingyuan quickly issued an oral decree to release her from the Northern Pacification Office.

When Xiao Lengshi received the decree, he dared not show any emotion, though he felt terrible inside.

As soon as the messenger left, Jinlin Guard Commander Feng Lin arrived.

"Commandant—" In front of Commander Feng, Xiao Lengshi was very respectful, showing none of his usual ruthless demeanor.

Commander Feng's tone carried dissatisfaction. "How did you let this situation get so big? I've never seen the Jinlin Guard handle a case where so many people surrounded the office."

Xiao Lengshi had been recommended by him to the Emperor, and if he didn't handle this case well, he, as the recommender, would lose face with the Emperor.

"It was my fault for not handling it properly," Xiao Lengshi said, feeling utterly frustrated.

He had already been quite lenient. Knowing that Miss Kou was a guest of the Eldest Princess’s Residence and had some standing with the Emperor, he hadn't used any severe tortures on her. Who knew that arresting a young girl would provoke so many ordinary citizens?

"Miss Kou has great kindness towards the people of North Tower Ward, not just one person, but hundreds. A commoner doesn't amount to much, but what about dozens or hundreds of them? Under the Emperor’s watch, could you really arrest so many people?"

Xiao Lengshi listened in silence.

Commander Feng sighed. "There’s no point dwelling on it now; just be more careful in the future."

"Yes."

After being scolded by Commander Feng, Xiao Lengshi, with a stern face, went to the place where Xin You was imprisoned.

As the door opened, light poured in.

Xin You, with her eyes slightly closed, opened them and looked at the man walking in with long strides.

Xiao Lengshi stood in front of her, his eyes as deep as a pool.

"Miss Kou is quite capable."

"Commandant jokes. If I were so capable, why would I be here as a prisoner?" Xin You's tone was light as she guessed the reason for Xiao Lengshi's appearance.

Presumably, they were now in a stalemate, and it depended on who had more patience. He wanted to break her spirit; he shouldn't have appeared so quickly.

Was something unexpected happening?

As Xin You speculated, Xiao Lengshi suddenly lowered his voice. "How did you stir up those people?"

People?

Xin You was puzzled inside, but in Xiao Lengshi's eyes, she appeared calm and composed.

"Hundreds of people surrounded the Jinlin Guard, forcing them to release you under public pressure. Commandant Xiao will remember Miss Kou's ability. Guards, escort Miss Kou out."

As Xin You was led out, her mind raced with thoughts: Could those people be the residents of North Tower Ward?

If so, such a big event would definitely reach that person's ears, and the release must have been that person's will.

If she left the Northern Pacification Office and exposed the tortures the Jinlin Guard used on her, how would that person view Commandant Xiao, who was temporarily in charge?

As Xin You pondered this and glanced back, something strange began to happen to her vision.