Chapter 81

  Forced to stand at attention

  Zhao Pu was locked in a prison cell. Although it was said to be temporary detention, with no use of torture or forced confession, the environment was terrible. Zhao Pu reluctantly sat down on the straw, but the shrill cries and shouts from the surrounding prisoners, as well as the angry rebukes and whip cracks from the prison guards, made his whole body tremble.

  He thought someone would come to bail him out soon, but from afternoon till evening, and from evening till daytime, no one showed up. Zhao Pu, who usually had a sense of security, was also at a loss. He was both shocked and frightened, afraid of being abandoned, yet feeling it was impossible, as few people knew what he had done. In his heart, he hated Sun Er to death for putting him in this situation, and secretly vowed that when he returned, he would take care of Sun Er and his sister, whom he had played with long enough, and get rid of the two siblings once and for all.

  Zhao Pu didn't know that during this half day and night, it wasn't that no one came to bail him out, but rather people who were increasingly higher-ranking officials and more influential than the last had come. It's just that all of these people had been lightly dismissed by Feng Jishu.

  Feng Jishu is not a fool. Yesterday, after watching Yin Ruofei and others leave, he called Liu Paikou and others to the study room and carefully inquired about the course of events. He knew that his men were quite discerning and knew what was at stake.

  Although what was said in the hall was clear, there must still be some hidden content. Upon learning that the two young men were the eldest grandson of the Guo Gongfu old master and one who had once ridden a horse-drawn carriage with King Ze, Feng Jishu's heart skipped a beat.

  This young master of the Xiling House is notorious for being a troublemaker, and he's even been scolded by the Emperor himself. Who dares to provoke him?

  It's just that he understands the temperament of the old master of Xiling, but it's this younger one beside him who makes his heart skip a beat.

  It had been said for a long time that Zewang, the king under one person, had a very young companion reader. He hadn't seen him yet. However, as far as he knew, this child was extremely favored by Zewang and was taken with him wherever he went. Moreover, under his influence, Zewang studied diligently, and even the emperor personally praised him several times.

  Even if you don't mention the identity of Ze Wang's companion reader, this is also the legitimate young master from the Zhenjiang Marquis' manor. His own identity is also sufficiently impressive and tough enough. The Marquis of Zhenjiang was a trusted confidant of the Emperor, with meritorious service in the past, and now he is also a powerful figure, one of the few military leaders who have military power in the capital.

  Feng Jishu appears smooth on the surface, but in fact he has a very strong sense of self, and instantly thought of many things.

  For example, these two identities are extremely high. In the capital city, apart from the princes and kings, they already belong to the top-ranking young masters. Why would they bother with a small person like that?

  With their status, let alone a small partner of Tianxiang Building, even if they were the master of Tianxiang Building, it would be pointless to fight them. Would anyone dare to confront the Duke's Mansion and the Marquis' Mansion for their sake?

  There must be a profound reason for this. Feng Jishu couldn't think of it, so he didn't dare to move. The shopkeeper was arrested and put in jail, but no trial or interrogation took place.

  He never expected that all the reasons he had thought of were wrong, and the other party's real goal was him.

  After learning that Yin Ruofei was the study companion of Ze Wang, Feng Jixu thought of a reason and shifted the blame to Ze Wang. However, Ze Wang was not much older, and his status was far more noble than the other two. If it could be said that the first two people could be beaten casually, then Ze Wang could have killed this person on the spot without any consequences, and the other party would still be guilty of offending the royal family and deceiving the emperor.

  Feng Jishu was a clever man, but all clever men have one fault: they like to think things are complicated. He didn't figure it out that night, so he didn't sleep all night. The next morning, he got up early, and his bright red eyes scared the young servant half to death.

  Liu and a few others had been following Feng Jishu for several years, even his bad habits. Seeing him in this state, they all wanted to run away, but were chased by Feng Jishu, who kicked one of them in the foot.

  "Adults, adults, didn't I make it clear already?" Liu Captor said with some grievance.

  "Hmph, you've kept this lord up all night, you should be kicked."

  Several others looked pitiful, Feng Jishu grunted and turned away. Several bailiffs secretly let out a sigh of relief, it's really hard to work under such a hot-tempered master, but... fortunately the master is not a military general!

  "Sir, Lord Liu requests an audience." A yamen runner came up to report.

  "Hah, you've reached the rank of fourth-grade official. Please!" Feng Jixu revealed a strange smile and ordered his subordinates to invite the person to the back hall.

  This is already the fourth wave of people coming today. First, several sixth and seventh rank officials came to build relationships and wanted to bail out Zhao Pu from the Tianxiang Building, but he refused on the grounds of physical discomfort. After several rounds of back-and-forth, they finally wore down a fourth-rank official who was familiar with him.

  This time no matter what he says, he can't just disappear.

  This Mr. Liu and he were of the same year, back then some people were depressed and couldn't achieve their goals, some were sent to other places, now only these two are still officials in the capital. They were originally familiar with each other, now they are also both fourth-rank officials, and they come and go quite frequently.

  Mr. Liu burst into loud laughter as soon as he entered the backyard, pointing at Feng Jishu who was having tea and snacks under the grape arbor.

  "You, you, I knew you were pretending. How is it that you know now?" Lord Liu also didn't stand on ceremony and sat down beside him, as a servant brought over tea and then quietly withdrew.

  "What do you know?" Feng Jixu said lightly, "How did you know to come and see me?"

  "I heard you were ill and came to see you especially. By the way, I also have a small matter." Lord Liu said directly after drinking a sip of tea.

  "Are you saying I'm sick?" Feng Jixu smiled lightly, "Looks like you're here to plead for him too."

  Those who knew he was ill were just a few people who came in the morning. Since Mr. Liu also knew, it must be related to this matter.

  "That's right." Lord Liu nodded in agreement. Their relationship was good, and there was no need to beat around the bush. Besides, he also knew Feng Jipu's temperament.

  "What kind of person is it that makes all of you speak up for him?" Feng Jishu smiled. This back and forth, if there wasn't a problem, he wouldn't have believed it. It's just that they can invite a fourth-rank official to move, the people behind must be predictable, it's just those few people.

  "I'll just say it straight out, the big boss may not be an important figure, but the one backing him is no ordinary person, someone you and I can't afford to offend." Lord Liu sighed, "I didn't want to come, but I have no choice. I won't say more, just that this person is not to be trifled with, it's not worth offending those who shouldn't be offended for the sake of a small fry."

  "Liu brother, you know me," Feng Jishu sighed, "I'm not a foolish person, but this matter has put me in a difficult position."

  No matter who is behind it, it's no bigger than Ze Wang. Who does Ze Wang represent? It must be the royal family, the emperor.

  These two forces, he has already made his choice in his heart now.

  "I understand." Lord Liu also sighed, "You measure it yourself, I'm leaving."

  "Little San, see off Director Liu."

  Mr. Liu and Feng Jixu were indeed familiar with each other, knowing that if he had a mind to release someone, he would have done so long ago; now, this was already a firm decision.

  However, what he didn't know was that the one who had made up his mind wasn't someone else, but himself. If it weren't for him coming to visit, perhaps Feng Jiu wouldn't have been so resolute.

  Yin Ruofei went to look at houses outside the city, Rong Jingze intentionally let him practice on his own and didn't follow him. In the Wang Fu, he was getting bored when he heard Rong Shi come in to report, "Master, the Prefect of the Imperial Capital has arrived."

  "Huh?" What is he doing here? Yesterday, Yin Ruofei did talk to him and they discussed Feng Jixu's character, thinking it was okay and that he could be used.

  "He's disguised himself." Rong Shi looked at Rong Jingze's face, which showed a skeptical expression, and immediately followed up with another sentence. As his bodyguard, these officials in the capital naturally knew him, even if he was disguised, it was still the same.

  "What?" This was beyond Rong Jingze's expectations. "Disguise? Haha, let him come in."

  He likes things with meaning, and this Feng Jiu looks very interesting.

  "Humble servant Feng Jixu has seen the king." Feng Jixu was dressed in casual attire, but his etiquette was not lacking in any way.

  "Lord Feng, what brings you to my humble abode?" Lord Rong Jingze's lazy and slow tone was not unexpected by Feng Jise. He had long known that the king was like this, but his body was unimportant, it was his identity that mattered most.

  "Your Highness, I have come here to report something. To put it simply, he didn't want to take sides, but now he has been forced into this situation. If he doesn't release him, he will offend a certain high-ranking official; if he does release him, the one he offends might be Prince Ze or even...the Emperor."

  "Speak."

  Feng Jishu recounted every detail of what had happened that half day and night, and also presented a confession with his thumbprint on it.

  "Why don't you go and tell His Majesty?" Yong Jingze smiled, a beautiful but chilling smile.

  "It's not that I, your humble servant, don't want to speak, but this matter is still not within my grasp. Just this small Tianxiang Tower shopkeeper has already revealed so many things. Your humble servant dares not investigate further and can only request Your Highness to report to the Emperor."

  "So it was." Ze Wang looked deeply at Feng Jixu, "Feng sir, do you know what your actions represent?"

  Feng Jishu's face changed, he got up from the stool, knelt down on both knees and said, "Your humble servant is willing to listen to Your Majesty's orders."

  "Since that's the case, you're also a sensible person. You can go back now. That person should be released when the time is right. I will report this matter to the Emperor."

  "Yes, your humble servant takes his leave."

  Feng Jishu didn't wipe the cold sweat from his brow until he had left the door. It was said that this prince was a stubborn and unruly person, but Feng Jishu hadn't expected him to be so intimidating, making him tense all over; such a thing had never happened before.

  After Mr. Liu left, Feng Jishu determined that this shopkeeper must have many secrets and was very afraid of him knowing them.

  Although he is a smooth talker, he has never been corrupt or bent the law. Every case he handled was fair and just. In the past, there were also people who tried to bribe him, wanting to pull him into their wrongdoing, but they all failed due to his clever avoidance.

  He is not an important figure either, so it's not worth thinking too much about him.

  This matter is extremely abnormal, and the other party's behavior has completely aroused his vigilance. He hastily ordered someone to bring him up for a thorough interrogation of this shopkeeper.

  At first, the other party was not willing to confess, but Feng Jishu was no ordinary person. With a few words, he exposed the other party's weakness. After a round of interrogation, the shopkeeper had already confessed everything and revealed a secret that even Feng Jishu found unbearable. He quickly disguised himself and went to see King Ze.

  The author has something to say: Too few comments, cry. In this era, nothing is important, only when taking off pants do many people comment...

  I don't know if this chapter will make you feel a bit confused.

  At court, it must be dispatched. Feng Jixu is the son-in-law of the Right Prime Minister, and the two illegitimate sons of the Lin family are the Left Prime Minister and the Minister of War. However, the Right Prime Minister has never formed a clique, so Feng Jixu will not form a clique either. The two are like big and small mudfish. Now that Xiao Fei has sent someone to his place, it's forcing him to take sides. Either stand with Prince Ze or stand on the other side. Release the person or don't release them, there are only two outcomes.