Chapter 38 Swift Execution

Chapter 38 Swift and Decisive Action

The music played gracefully, and the dancers’ steps never faltered, yet the three seated at the head table fell into a sudden silence.

Chu Jiubian released Qin Xiao’s wrist and said, “The congee is better.”

Qin Xiao looked down at the full table of dishes, then set down his chopsticks and instead took a sip of the savory congee. “Indeed, it’s quite good.”

The atmosphere relaxed again.

Xiao Yao’s gaze moved between the two of them before lowering to his five dishes on his own table.

The soup had been finished, and the other dishes had also been sampled, but the bowl of congee, which he found the most ordinary in taste, remained largely untouched.

He poured himself a cup of wine, then raised it toward the two across from him, smiling as he said, “Allow me to toast you two lords.”

With that, he drained his cup in one go.

Qin Xiao watched Chu Jiubian out of the corner of his eye and, seeing that the other made no move to stop him, poured himself a cup as well and drank it down, granting Xiao Yao this courtesy.

Noticing that Chu Jiubian did not drink, Xiao Yao did not take it to heart.

An immortal’s palate was naturally more refined; it was understandable if he did not care for mortal wine.

He kept his warm smile as he asked, “What do you two think of the proposal I mentioned earlier?”

Such a lucrative venture, if entirely monopolized by the Xiao family, would undoubtedly make them the target of collective opposition from other factions.

Both their trade and commercial routes would face numerous obstacles.

Yet, compared to the substantial gains to be reaped, these challenges seemed minor.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had already discussed this matter beforehand, so Qin Xiao now spoke up: “His Majesty has already given his answer—the fine salt trade will certainly include a share for the Xiao family.”

This was a reward for Prince Jiannan, intended to set him apart from others.

However, Qin Xiao then shifted his tone, adding, “But the court can only allocate one-third of the goods to the Xiao family. Any more would be inappropriate. After all, everyone should get a piece of the pie.”

No matter how extensive the Xiao family’s trade routes were, they could not compare to the Qiu family’s.

Moreover, the Four Great Families were based in Langya, Lin’an, Wuwei, and Yanmen, spread across the four corners of Great Ning, each with their own familiar market territories.

Only by distributing the goods among all parties could the fine salt business quickly expand nationwide and swiftly recover costs.

This was Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao’s primary objective at the moment.

Even if they were not pressed for money, they would not give the business solely to any single faction, especially not the Xiao family.

The Xiao family was already powerful; allowing them to grow further would completely disrupt the current balance of power in Great Ning.

Xiao Yao snapped open his folding fan and fanned himself lightly.

One-third of the goods?

He understood their reasoning. Likely, one of the three shares had already been reserved for the Qiu family, given that their trade caravans reached overseas and could generate greater profits.

The remaining two shares would be divided among the other three families.

Now, granting one of these two shares directly to the Xiao family was already a gesture acknowledging Prince Jiannan’s contributions to the dam construction.

Xiao Yao did not underestimate this additional portion. Given the value of fine salt, this extra share would allow him to earn considerably more than the Wang and Lu families.

However, under these circumstances, offering thirty percent of the Datura profits to the court seemed a bit of a raw deal.

“How would the profit-sharing be arranged?” Xiao Yao intended to first sound out the court.

Qin Xiao twisted his thumb ring, remaining silent for a moment before replying, “We will forgo the share of Datura profits, but the fine salt share must be upped to fifty percent.”

He did not know what Datura was, but since Chu Jiubian had stopped him from eating it earlier, there must be some issue with it.

In that case, he would steer clear of the substance and focus solely on the fine salt.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yao instinctively glanced at Chu Jiubian and noticed a faint, almost imperceptible smile on the other’s lips.

“What does the head of the Xiao family think?” Qin Xiao’s question drew his attention back.

Xiao Yao pretended to hesitate. “I plan to sell the fine salt in the southern regions. The wear and tear on the trade routes, the manpower and resources required, and the expenses incurred upon arrival—all of these represent significant costs. A fifty-fifty split would make this business difficult to sustain.”

Qin Xiao smiled, leaning back against the armrest with a lazy yet elegant posture.

“The Ministry of Revenue will provide you with salt permits. The Xiao family is acting on behalf of the court, so no one would dare cause you trouble.”

The underlying message was that the Xiao family’s sale of fine salt would not be considered illicit trade—it could be conducted openly.

Even if the court later sought to use this as leverage against the Xiao family, it would be impossible.

There was also a subtle hint of threat: the court was openly sharing half its profits with you, allowing you to “embezzle by decree.” You should be satisfied.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Xiao Yao’s eyes.

This was an offer difficult to refuse.

He raised his cup and smiled. “It is an honor for the Xiao family to serve the court. Even if we incur some losses, it is of no consequence.”

The fine salt trade was guaranteed to be profitable—how could there be any loss?

Xiao Yao was clearly feigning modesty while reveling in his gain.

But Qin Xiao still courteously replied, “The court will certainly remember the Xiao family’s dedication to the nation and its people.”

The broad terms of the deal were settled. As for the details—such as how much the Xiao family would pay upfront and how often profit shares would be submitted—these would be handled by specialized personnel for verification and signing.

Since this was a court-sanctioned business, Qin Xiao would delegate the matter to the Ministry of Revenue.

Minister Su Sheng of the Ministry of Revenue appeared to be a loyal official, but behind the scenes, he had his own family interests, though they were not as prominent as the Four Great Families.

Yet, having his own faction meant Su Sheng would inevitably seek benefits for himself and his family. He would undoubtedly find ways to profit from the salt sales.

However, with the national treasury depleted, Qin Xiao was unwilling to let others take even a single coin. Thus, he needed to assign his own trusted officials to the Ministry of Revenue to specifically oversee the fine salt sales.

Alternatively, he could establish a new department directly under the emperor’s control to monitor the operations of all court ministries.

Qin Zhaoyang was still in the south and had not returned, so among the available personnel...

Qin Xiao quickly ran through the options in his mind and soon identified the most suitable candidate.

Hong Fu had been personally trained by his grandfather. Qin Xiao knew better than anyone else the extent of his capabilities.

Keeping such talent confined to the limited scope of the palace was a waste. This salt transport matter might as well be entrusted to him.

Of course, there was another reason: the eunuch Hong Fu had been in the palace for a long time, was easygoing and kind, and in his spare time, he even taught many palace attendants, including Xiao Xiangzi, to read and learn reasoning. Many people were grateful for his kindness.

If Hong Fu could fully display his abilities, he would indeed have no shortage of people to command, far surpassing "lone operators" like Qin Xiao.

However, from the previous dynasty to the present, there had been no precedent of eunuchs participating in government affairs, so this matter still needed further consideration.

The meal was quite enjoyable for both host and guests. After about half an hour, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao said their goodbyes and left the pleasure boat.

Xiao Yao personally escorted the two to the shore. Only after their figures had disappeared into the distance did he turn and return upstairs.

The dancers and musicians on the upper floor had already been dismissed. The second floor now looked empty and deserted, with only three low tables and the cold food left on them.

The area where the low tables were placed was slightly elevated compared to the dance floor. As Xiao Yao walked to the spot near the dance floor, attendants immediately laid out a soft cushion and placed an armrest for him.

He sat on the soft cushion, leaning sideways against the armrest.

"How did Qin Xiao get in?" he asked calmly.

An attendant standing nearby with bowed head immediately knelt down, trembling as he replied, "My lord, our people tried to stop him but couldn't."

After all, that was Prince Ning. Not only could they not defeat him, but even if they could, they wouldn't dare to use force to stop him.

Xiao Yao knew they had guessed his intentions and thus didn't dare to go all out.

Forget it, no need to trouble these fools.

He lightly raised his hand, and another attendant immediately presented him with a bronze wine vessel filled with liquor.

Xiao Yao took it and sipped the wine before asking again, "Wasn't Datura added to the porridge?"

The attendant, who had just relaxed slightly, immediately tensed up again and said, "My lord, the cooks thought adding Datura to the porridge would taste bad, so they didn't add it."

Xiao Yao traced the embossed patterns on the wine vessel, his gaze dark and unfathomable.

After a long while, he spoke again, "Bring some people here."

The attendant immediately acknowledged and withdrew. Before long, he returned with seven dancers.

The dancers had graceful figures and stunningly beautiful features, yet not one of them could compare to the young lady of the Xiao family.

Xiao Yao was unimpressed and called the attendant over, whispering a few instructions in his ear.

The attendant left again and returned shortly after, followed by several other attendants, each holding a tray with bowls of steaming porridge.

"The master is giving you a reward. Eat," the attendant said to the dancers.

The dancers, accustomed to receiving rewards from nobles, saw no reason to doubt. They softly thanked him and drank all the porridge.

The attendants holding the trays withdrew, leaving only the seven dancers, Xiao Yao, and a few close attendants in the large hall.

Xiao Yao lifted his gaze and looked at each one from right to left.

The dancers all seemed normal at first, until the sixth one—her face pale, covered in a cold sweat, shivering uncontrollably, and her condition worsening rapidly.

"Thump!" A heavy sound of something hitting the ground.

Xiao Yao shifted his gaze and saw the seventh dancer, standing on the far left, had fallen backward onto the floor, her body convulsing violently, with large amounts of white foam pouring from her mouth.

"Aah—"

One of the dancers screamed, and the sixth dancer, who had been struggling to hold on, also collapsed to her knees.

She clutched her chest in pain, her face turning purple from suffocation.

Her face contorted as she tried to cry for help, but no words came out.

Soon, the fifth and fourth dancers also began showing similar reactions—shivering uncontrollably, collapsing to their knees, and sweating profusely.

The third dancer, terrified, her legs gave way and she fell to the floor with a thud, instinctively scrambling away.

Suddenly, the second dancer also fell weakly to the ground, clutching her head and moaning in pain. In contrast, the first dancer seemed unaffected, even laughing, and her laughter grew louder and louder.

The third dancer looked on in terror as everything spun before her eyes. She felt strangely light, and everything around her began to swirl and turn upside down.

She started laughing uncontrollably, staggering to her feet and stumbling into a dance.

But before long, she suddenly collapsed, vomiting from her mouth. Even when there was nothing left, she continued retching as if trying to spit out her internal organs.

Xiao Yao coldly watched this bizarre scene, the veins on the back of his hand holding the wine vessel bulging. His palm was pierced by the intricate carvings, and blood trickled out.

The attendants serving at his side were pale-faced, trembling uncontrollably as they watched the dancers.

How could this be?

They had only eaten porridge with Datura added. How could this happen...

Moreover, the more Datura was added, the more severe the dancers' reactions seemed. The seventh dancer had long stopped breathing, and the sixth had already lost focus in her eyes, only mechanically foaming at the mouth.

Xiao Yao slowly rose from the floor, casually tossing the wine vessel into the dance floor. As he turned and walked away, he said, "Find an antidote."

The attendants responded in unison.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao walked side by side, gradually moving away from the lakeshore.

==

However, the streets were crowded with people, making it unsuitable for conversation. So, the two tacitly remained silent until they arrived at Brocade Quarter.

Tonight, Brocade Quarter was even livelier than usual, and the shops were closing later than normal.

The door of Treasure House was wide open, with many people coming and going.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao were very conspicuous. As they walked, many people cast glances their way. When they arrived at the entrance of Treasure House, the manager Qin Su spotted them immediately and hurried over to greet them.

"My lord, Ninth Young Master," Qin Su had never met Chu Jiubian before, but given that he was with Qin Xiao and had such an unusual hairstyle, it could only be the Ninth Young Master.

An Wuji would drop by Treasure House during his patrols to have some tea or snacks and chat with Qin Su before continuing his rounds.

It was from him that Qin Su had heard about the affairs between the lord and the Ninth Young Master—how the Ninth Young Master had come down from heaven for the lord, written love poems for him, longed for him at night, and was especially kind to the emperor.

Over the past month, not only Qin Su but all the Qin family members, and even some informed citizens, had heard about these two.

Now, seeing them arrive together, Qin Su was visibly excited, stealing glances at Chu Jiubian.

He thought to himself that this Ninth Young Master and the lord were indeed extremely well-matched.

He guided the two upstairs and said enthusiastically, "My lord, are you planning to pick out some items with the Ninth Young Master? Recently, we've acquired some interesting curios."

"We'll look later," Qin Xiao said without stopping. "First, to the private chamber. There's something I need to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Qin Su knew it was something important and immediately composed himself, leading the two to the innermost room on the second floor.

The room appeared to be some kind of reception room, furnished with tables, chairs, and bookshelves, everything neat and clearly visible.

Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian sat side by side in two chairs, separated by a tea table.

Qin Su ordered someone to guard the room, then quickly entered and locked the door before hurrying to pour tea for the two.

"No need," Qin Xiao said. "Let's get straight to the matter."

"Yes," Qin Su replied, taking a seat on the chair opposite them. He perched on the edge of his seat, appearing somewhat restrained.

Most of his restraint, however, was due to Chu Jiubian's presence. He was afraid of leaving a bad impression on Chu Jiubian, which might affect the lord's image in the young master's eyes.

"Do you know about datura?" Qin Xiao got straight to the point.

"Yes," Qin Su nodded, and without waiting for further questions, he laid out everything he knew: "Datura is a peculiar spice from the southern seas. It was first brought to the Western Regions by a merchant caravan from the Western Regions' Serbia, and then it spread to Gansu."

"Later, a merchant family named Gu from Gansu brought it to the central plains. It reached the capital about half a month ago."

It reached the capital half a month ago?

Chu Jiubian frowned. "Has this datura been sold elsewhere?"

Qin Su quickly replied, "Young Master, datura is quite expensive—ten taels in weight were worth a gold ingot. Few people in Gansu could afford it. At the time, the Gu merchant caravan happened to be heading to the capital, so they brought some along and didn't sell any on the way."

Chu Jiubian felt relieved.

It was good that it hadn't spread elsewhere. There was still time.

Qin Su continued, "The Gu merchant previously mentioned that if it didn't sell well in the capital, they would have to go to the wealthy Jiangnan region. However, people in the capital seemed to like it, so all the goods he brought were sold."

"How much was sold?" Chu Jiubian asked.

Seeing the slight furrow in Chu Jiubian's brow, Qin Su knew there must be something wrong with the datura. Feeling somewhat flustered, he quickly replied, "Not much, only about one dan (approximately 120 jin)."

When the Gu merchant brought the datura back from the Western Regions, he wasn't sure how well it would sell, so he only brought a small amount to test the waters.

"I also bought a few taels from him yesterday. They're currently stored in the warehouse, and I haven't had a chance to try them yet," Qin Su added.

Chu Jiubian calculated that one dan in the Da Ning Dynasty was equivalent to about 120 modern Chinese jin.

For a traveling merchant caravan, this might only be the weight of one or two bags of goods, but since it was a drug, that was already a significant amount.

"Do you know who bought these goods?" Chu Jiubian asked.

"Most of it was sold to the Xiao family," Qin Su said. "The Gu merchant mainly deals in spices, and since the Xiao family had many women in the household, he has a fixed partnership with them. However, from what I gathered, the Gu merchant plans to stop dealing in datura altogether and leave the business entirely to the Xiao family."

For a small to medium-sized merchant caravan, making frequent trips to the capital—considering the risks on the road and other expenses—even if ten taels of spice were worth a gold ingot, it might not be worth the effort.

Of course, the main reason was that the Xiao family had taken an interest in the business and wouldn't allow any competition.

The Gu merchant was shrewd enough to weigh the pros and cons and decided to curry favor with the Xiao family by providing them with the identity and contact information of the wealthy merchant from the Western Regions' Serbia.

"I had people keeping an eye on the situation, so I also learned the identity of that wealthy merchant. To get ahead in this business early, I already sent someone to the Western Regions yesterday," Qin Su said.

He had originally intended to make more money from this business to help boost the imperial coffers, which was why he had taken the trouble to gather information.

Now, it seemed like he had unintentionally done the right thing.

But he still didn't know what exactly was wrong with the datura.

Qin Su wanted to ask, but given his position, he refrained.

Chu Jiubian, on the other hand, was completely reassured.

It seemed the substance hadn't spread widely yet, and there was still time to stop it.

The only concern was the portion bought by the Xiao family—who had they sold it to, or were they using it themselves?

Chu Jiubian thought of Xiao Yao's state earlier and knew he was already addicted to the substance.

Given Xiao Yao's intelligence, he had likely noticed something wrong with the datura early on. However, since he had only recently started using it and hadn't experienced severe side effects, he hadn't paid it much mind.

Of course, addiction could cloud one's judgment. Xiao Yao's unthinking consumption might have been his mind's way of preventing him from thinking clearly.

If that were the case, then a promising young man like him would be ruined by this substance.

But Chu Jiubian didn't care in the slightest.

The Xiao family plotted and manipulated, treating human lives as worthless.

With so many debts, their own lives weren't worth much either.

"Send someone to investigate who has come into contact with datura," Qin Xiao ordered.

Qin Su acknowledged and immediately went to make arrangements.

Once they were alone in the room, Qin Xiao turned to Chu Jiubian.

Before he could ask, Chu Jiubian said, "This substance is addictive. Once someone starts using it, they'll crave it constantly. Without it, they'll feel like thousands of ants crawling under their skin."

Qin Xiao's expression turned cold.

It seemed this very characteristic was what made people drawn to it and led Xiao Yao to believe it could rival fine salt.

"Overdosing can cause immediate death," Chu Jiubian said gravely. "Even small, regular doses will gradually damage the body, reducing a person to a wreck within a few years."

Qin Xiao's expression darkened completely.

He hadn't bothered with the small kingdoms in the Western Regions, but now they were bringing such a substance into the Da Ning Dynasty. Did they not know its dangers, or were they willfully spreading it?

Chu Jiubian looked at him and said, "We must retrieve all of it."

This substance was addictive, and the more people exposed to it, the greater the demand would be.

Moreover, due to its high cost, only the wealthy and powerful had access to it, and these individuals had means to obtain more.

Even if the authorities issued strict bans, they would find ways to get their hands on it.

In Chu Jiubian's time, everyone hated these drugs, yet they persisted because the market demand never ceased.

Now that Chu Jiubian was in power, he couldn't allow the people of the Da Ning Dynasty to be exposed to it. They had to control it and crack down hard with the harshest measures.

Qin Xiao stood up. "Let's return to the palace."

That night, the Imperial Guards, carrying imperial decrees, went to the mansions of the capital's nobility to seize all datura.

Naturally, this included the Four Great Families.

Wang Qichen had just returned from the pleasure cruise and hadn't even made it inside the residence when he noticed two squads of Imperial Guards stationed outside the main courtyard.

He raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of anxiety or surprise. Instead, he walked toward the gate curiously.

The Imperial Guards pretended not to see him.

Wang Qichen, however, started making conversation. When no one responded, he entered the residence and walked until he reached a lavish courtyard before stopping.

Several Imperial Guards were still posted at the courtyard entrance, and the Head Imperial Guard, An Wuji, was inside, speaking with Wang Huanzhi.

Wang Huanzhi’s face was unreadable, his demeanor as aloof and superior as ever.

An Wuji held a bag the size of a human head. After saying something to Wang Huanzhi, he turned and walked out of the courtyard.

He didn’t even pause as he passed Wang Qichen, continuing on his way out.

Wang Qichen watched his retreating figure and only looked away once An Wuji was far enough. He then peered into the courtyard.

Inside, his half-brother, Wang Wenfu, was being reprimanded by Wang Huanzhi.

His aunt, Yuan Yu, the current matriarch of the Wang family, stood protectively in front of Wang Wenfu, sobbing and begging Wang Huanzhi.

Wang Wenfu was indignant. “Father, don’t listen to their nonsense! That Datura is just a tasty spice—how could it be poisonous? I’ve been eating it for days, and I’m still alive!”

“Do you even know who issued this order?!” Wang Huanzhi snapped, furious at his son's stubbornness. “It bears the Emperor’s seal! Hiding it and refusing to hand it over—are you defying the imperial decree?”

“Husband!” Yuan Yu cried out, cutting him off.

Wang Huanzhi, too angry to choose his words carefully, fell silent. He could only shoot his son a glare before turning to leave the courtyard.

Wang Qichen didn't bother moving aside, and the two met face-to-face outside the courtyard gate.

“Where have you been running around this time?” Wang Huanzhi frowned at him. “Can’t you take a page from your second brother's book? You’re a grown man—it’s time to act mature and steady!”

Wang Qichen leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, and smiled. “Father, that’s hardly fair. Wang Wenfu and Wang Wenyao share the same mother, yet they’re worlds apart. How could I, born to the principal wife, ever compare to my exceptionally gifted second brother, born of a concubine?”

Wang Huanzhi knew he couldn’t control this rebellious son, nor did he actually want Wang Qichen to amount to anything.

His second son, Wang Wenyao, excelled in both civil and military arts and was the one he had chosen as the designated heir of the Wang family. As for the current heir, Wang Qichen, he would eventually have to make way for Wenyao.

Wang Huanzhi snorted coldly and strode away, sleeves swinging.

Inside the courtyard, Wang Wenfu, knowing his father had left, raised his voice even louder. “I bet Prince Ning just wants to corner the Datura market! That’s why he’s calling it poisonous—to wrest it from my hands. The man's petty and shameless!”

“Enough!” Yuan Yu was also exasperated but couldn’t bring herself to scold her son harshly. She only gave his arm a few light pats.

The maids coaxed and talked Wang Wenfu to return to his room, and the young man’s curses gradually faded away.

Outside, a breeze whispered, stirring the young man’s long hair.

Wang Qichen lowered his gaze, staring at a small pebble by his feet.

Wang Wenfu had always been willful, but he wasn't a complete fool—he knew some things were better left unsaid.

Insulting and slandering Prince Ning was something Wang Wenfu would never have done before.

Yet today, he seemed unusually worked up.

Datura...

Wang Qichen stepped forward and walked out of the residence.

Meanwhile, An Wuji had already confiscated nearly thirty jin of Datura powder from the mansions of the nobility.

After leaving the Wang family, he secured another forty jin or so from the Lu, Qiu, and Xiao families.

He brought it all back to the palace and headed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao sat in the council hall, the flickering lantern light illuminating the room.

Upon entering, An Wuji noticed the two sitting opposite each other, the atmosphere somewhat tense.

But he was oblivious and paid it little mind, having already accepted Chu Jiubian as one of their own.

He dumped the bag of spice on the floor unceremoniously, dropped into a chair, and began his report. “I searched according to the list Qin Su provided, but even including what was left at Treasure House, we only recovered less than seven hundred liang.”

Seven hundred liang—about seventy jin.

Out of the original one hundred and twenty jin, fifty were still missing.

No one knew whether they had been consumed or if someone was still hiding them.

The investigation order An Wuji held only granted him access to the noble families’ residences—it didn’t permit a thorough, room-by-room search.

“If they’re hell-bent on hiding it, we won’t find it,” Chu Jiubian said, his expression dark as he looked at the bag on the floor.

He had given them a chance. If they failed to seize it and ended up harming themselves, that was their fate.

“But is this stuff really that terrifying?” An Wuji asked curiously.

Chu Jiubian replied, “Feel free to try some.”

An Wuji immediately shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ll take your word for it. So, what’s next?”

Chu Jiubian looked at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao sat with one leg crossed over the other, looking somewhat indolent.

He lifted his eyelids, meeting Chu Jiubian’s gaze. After a moment’s pause, he said, “Call the scribe. We're drafting an edict.”

The next day, there was no morning court session—it happened to be a day off.

Even so, officials who hadn’t attended court received news from the palace.

The Emperor had issued an edict early that morning, stating: “The highly poisonous Datura, also known as poppy shell, is strictly forbidden throughout Great Ning. Violators will be executed on the spot! This decree must be passed down through generations, and descendants must take it to heart!”

The Imperial Guards, tasked with spreading the order, relayed it to government offices at all levels. Minor officials were sent to spread the word through every street and alley, even providing illustrations of the poppy plant in its various forms—from the flower to the powder—along with descriptions of its scent and the effects of ingestion. They emphasized that disobedience would lead to poisoning and death, ensuring all commoners understood the danger.

The edict was also urgently delivered to local government offices across the nation. If anyone under their jurisdiction was found consuming the substance, the local officials would also be held accountable.

This was the most stringent decree issued since Baili Hong ascended the throne, and nearly everyone understood its severity.

Of course, there were still those who were fearless or couldn't help themselves, continuing to consume it in secret at home.

Some were cautious, but others showed no restraint—even daring to defy the decree openly.

For instance, on the evening of July 8, the very day the decree was issued, two young men openly consumed Datura with wine at the most popular brothel in the West Market—the Carefree Pavilion.

Not sure if it was due to excessive drinking or the influence of the datura, but the two men actually became somewhat unhinged.

They clutched the courtesans in the brothel, stumbling out of the private room while spouting off.

"That Qin Xiao, what a damn regent king, I've had it with him!"

"And banning datura, execution for anyone who disobeys. Well, I've taken it!" The blue-clad youth pounded his chest. "I, Wang Wenfu of the Langya Wang clan, let's see if Qin Xiao dares to chop my head off!"

The other youth also laughed wildly: "I am Lu Xingwen of the Wuwei Lu clan, let's see if Qin Xiao can behead me!"

The two men were acting completely deranged, and the women and madams in the brothel were terrified, their faces pale and trembling.

What kind of person was Prince Ning?

The scene of the bloodbath at the Shenwu Gate just a month ago was still vivid in everyone's minds—these two were truly reckless!

Naturally, as scions of noble families, perhaps Qin Xiao really wouldn't dare touch them, but the commoners around them could easily become scapegoats for venting anger.

The other scholars, officials, and military officers drinking and enjoying themselves in the brothel were also horrified, fearing implication, and they quickly fled.

==

The Imperial Palace.

It was a rare sunny day today.

After dinner, Baili Hong was strolling in the imperial garden with Eunuch Hong and several palace attendants, while Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao followed leisurely behind.

"Eunuch Hong is going to be quite busy these days," Chu Jiubian remarked.

Qin Xiao had mentioned to Chu Jiubian the previous evening that he wanted Hong Fu to handle the salt transport administration and even proposed establishing a separate department for Hong Fu.

Chu Jiubian's first reaction was to refuse.

With the bloody lessons of eunuchs causing political chaos in the past, he naturally had some preconceived notions.

However, he was now in the Da Ning Dynasty, where the previous two reigns had no precedent of eunuchs holding power, so there was no risk of such chaos.

Even the concept of "maternal kinsmen meddling in state affairs" was something officials raised to criticize Qin Xiao after he came to power.

With no prior experience, Chu Jiubian felt that outright rejection might seem like he was undermining Hong Fu.

Chu Jiubian was well aware of his standing in Qin Xiao's eyes—they were merely partners, not comparable to the long-standing trust between Qin Xiao and Hong Fu.

Moreover, Hong Fu was truly loyal to Baili Hong and indeed very capable.

Having him remain as a chief eunuch was a waste of talent.

Qin Xiao's idea was simple: he lacked capable people, and Hong Fu was both reliable and had many eunuchs willing to follow him.

As eunuchs, including Hong Fu, none had descendants, which reduced the risk of nepotism and made it difficult for them to form cliques.

Since their power was granted by the emperor, who could revoke it at any time, they could only be "loyal ministers."

But everyone has self-interest.

Any faction, once it grows, can become uncontrollable.

Chu Jiubian pondered this and did not respond immediately, but Qin Xiao did not press him.

That was why An Wuji felt the atmosphere between them was strange when he entered.

However, Chu Jiubian soon realized that any system would eventually reveal flaws over time.

So, addressing specific issues on a case-by-case basis, given the current situation in the capital where both he and Qin Xiao were short-staffed, it was acceptable to let Hong Fu, this loyal chief eunuch, handle salt transportation for now.

Once more talents emerged from the imperial examinations and the power of the nobles was weakened, they could reconsider other arrangements.

Qin Xiao gazed at Eunuch Hong's back and suddenly said, "He entered the palace for your elder sister."

Chu Jiubian paused.

He looked up into the man's deep eyes, sensing that Qin Xiao had much more to say.

But in the end, Qin Xiao only smiled faintly and said, "I meant to say that he is very trustworthy."

"Hm," Chu Jiubian responded, turning his gaze forward.

He naturally knew Hong Fu was trustworthy. To Qin Xiao, even Xiao Xiangzi was more trustworthy than Chu Jiubian, an outsider.

Qin Xiao watched his profile for a moment before forcing himself to look away.

A light wind stirred through the young man's loose hair, the ends just barely brushing the back of the man's hand hanging at his side.

Qin Xiao lowered his gaze, his fingertips curling slightly.

They walked side by side in silence, the distance of two hand spans between them amplifying a sense of detachment.

It was only when Xiao Xiangzi, who was following behind, received a message from an imperial guard and hurried forward that the atmosphere between them seemed to shift subtly.

Qin Xiao glanced at the note and naturally handed it to Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian saw the names—one Wang, one Lu—and understood immediately.

The man beside him called for an imperial guard and ordered casually, "Notify An Wuji to arrest them. Execute them at the Shenwu Gate before tomorrow's morning court. If they resist, kill them on the spot."

The imperial guard left to obey the command.

Xiao Xiangzi also took the note from Chu Jiubian and gradually fell behind until he was walking alongside Shui Qing and Shui Yun. He then took out a flint and burned the note to a crisp.

Shui Qing, watching the two masters' figures ahead, couldn't help but whisper to Shui Yun, "Sister, when will the masters hug? I really want to see it."

Shui Yun's eyebrow twitched. She glanced anxiously at Qin Xiao's back, and seeing no reaction, she glared at the girl and mouthed silently, "Are you trying to get us killed? His Lordship has exceptional hearing!"

Shui Qing pouted, looking hurt, but she just wanted to see it so badly.

Ahead, Qin Xiao was silent for another moment before speaking, "Do you think I am cruel, *Gongzi*?"

"What?" Chu Jiubian looked at him, surprised.

Qin Xiao met his gaze.

Chu Jiubian realized he was referring to the execution of the two noble scions.

The notorious villain, who spent three days and nights slaughtering people at the Shenwu Gate, now asking if he was "cruel"?

"It's not my first day knowing you," Chu Jiubian chuckled lightly, his tone exceptionally calm. "Datura brings enormous profits. A mere decree isn't enough to deter those people. Making an example out of a few is necessary. Since these two insisted on being the first to challenge the decree, they had it coming."

Qin Xiao studied him for a moment before saying, "That Wang Wenfu is Wang Huanzhi's actual son."

His status was not on the same level as that member of the Lu family's collateral branch.

"Are you afraid?" Chu Jiubian asked.

Qin Xiao chuckled, "Afraid of what? This king is blessed by immortals."

Chu Jiubian: "..."

He thought: Here we go again. When would this man ever trust him?

==

The ninth day of the seventh month.

A light drizzle had started early that morning.

The officials gathered at the palace gate, all unusually silent that day. Their sidelong glances, however, occasionally drifted toward Wang Zhiyuan and Lu Youwei at the front.

Almost everyone knew about the reckless remarks made by the young members of the Lu and Wang families at the Xiaoyao Lou the previous night.

The fact that the Imperial Guards had arrested them on the spot had shaken everyone present.

Yet, everyone was weighing the situation. The situation in the capital had not yet descended into chaos. Moreover, Qin Xiao still needed the support of the noble families to fill the state treasury, so he would not alienate them completely.

Arresting those two last night was likely meant to negotiate with the two families while simultaneously sending a warning to the others, reminding them not to forget Qin Xiao’s ruthless tactics.

It seemed today’s morning court session would be quite a spectacle.

Although Lu Youwei wasn’t particularly concerned about the disgraceful junior in his family, Qin Xiao’s arrest had made things awkward for him. Not intervening would make him look bad.

He almost wished Qin Xiao had simply beheaded the good-for-nothing last night—that would have saved him the hassle of having to save him.

Wang Zhiyuan felt similarly.

The difference was that the one arrested from his family, Wang Wenfu, was the direct descendant of the family head, a figure of considerable importance. Wang Huanzhi had pleaded with him repeatedly to ensure the boy’s safety, even going so far as to say, "The Wang family is willing to pay any price"—such naive talk.

The thought of being cornered by Qin Xiao during the morning court session made Wang Zhiyuan’s expression darken.

But there was nothing he could do.

The fine salt trade agreements had not yet been secured by the Wang and Lu families, while the Qiu Xuanzheng and Xiao Huaiguan families had already secured theirs.

If they offended Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian over the Wang Wenfu incident, they would risk losing significant profits, allowing the Xiao Huaiguan and Qiu Xuanzheng families to gain an advantage.

That was absolutely unacceptable.

So today, even if Qin Xiao humiliated him, or even executed Wang Wenfu right before his eyes, he would have to applaud the decision.

He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and then reopened them, his expression returning to calm.

Xiao Huaiguan had been in better spirits lately, his once-hunched back now noticeably straighter.

He glanced at Wang Zhiyuan’s grim expression, and the perpetually insincere smile on his lips grew a bit more sincere.

Qiu Xuanzheng had just signed a tripartite agreement for the fine salt trade with the Ministry of Revenue and Hong Fu the day before. By later today, the Qiu family would receive their share of the goods.

Now that he was aligned with Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian, he took pleasure in watching the Wang and Lu families’ predicament.

Of course, if those two families were to break ties with Qin Xiao completely over those two fools, the Qiu family would gladly take over their portion of the fine salt trade.

Each person harbored their own thoughts.

Just then, the palace gates slowly swung open.

Led by the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the officials were about to step forward when they froze in place.

About ten meters inside the gate, two disheveled young men knelt on the ground, bound tightly with ropes and gagged with coarse cloth.

They were none other than Wang Wenfu and Lu Xingwen, the two who had spoken recklessly the day before.

Standing beside them were two Imperial Guards, holding long blades.

Once it was clear that everyone had taken in the scene, the two guards gave no one time to react. With swift, decisive motions, they raised their blades and brought them down.