IDWBE -Chapter 438 A Difficult Situation

Regarding Xiao Xizi, he couldn’t say he disliked him, but he couldn’t say he liked him either.

Xiao Xizi was never exactly a likable person.

He had lofty ambitions, cared only about pleasing Lord He, and never paid attention to anyone else.

He killed and committed countless crimes, hated by all, yet he was Lord He’s most loyal lackey.

No one could do anything to him.

“Boss,” Zhou Jingye first glanced at the guards at the gate of the mansion, then at the approaching carriage from the palace, and finally leaned close to Fang Pi, whispering, “That guard over there looks familiar.”

Squinting, Fang Pi looked in the direction Zhou Jingye was pointing. Beside Xiao Xizi’s carriage, in addition to two small eunuchs, were two armed guards. One had thick eyebrows and small eyes; seeing Fang Pi look over, he didn’t flinch in the slightest but instead held his gaze.

“I’ve never seen him before. Who is he?”

Fang Pi asked curiously.

Zhou Jingye smiled, “If I’m not mistaken, that’s Hong Shilong, a leftover of the secret guards. Like me, just a minor officer. I never expected he’d be allowed into the palace.”

Fang Pi frowned, “Xiao Xizi’s boldness is astounding… daring to casually shelter someone from the secret guards.”

Shan Sanguan shook his head, “Boss, although this Eunuch Xi is a bit overbearing, in this palace, the imperial guards answer solely to Lord He. Without his nod, not even a fly could enter.”

He then looked toward Hong Shilong, who was slowly approaching them.

As Hong Shilong came closer, he smiled, “Shan Sanguan, I didn’t expect not only have your skills improved, but your mind has too. Not bad. Without Lord He’s favor, how could someone like me enter the palace to serve Eunuch Xi?”

Shan Sanguan snorted coldly, “How could someone like you possibly get Lord He’s attention?”

Hong Shilong ignored him and turned to Fang Pi, bowing slightly, “If I’m not mistaken, this must be Lord Fang Pi of the imperial guards. I’ve heard much of your name!”

“You not only escaped my imperial guards’ pursuit but even infiltrated the palace. With such skills,” Fang Pi said coldly, hands behind his back, “it’s no wonder you caught Lord He’s attention.”

“Your praise is too generous,” Hong Shilong replied with a forced smile, “I captured rebels and performed my duties, and Lord He said the deserving are rewarded, the guilty are punished. My skills are nothing; it’s Lord He’s wisdom that is remarkable.”

Zhou Jingye chuckled, “So it turns out he’s a traitor of the secret guards.”

“Traitor?”

Hong Shilong countered, “If I am a traitor, then what about the two of you?”

“We all serve Lord He. There’s no need for so much nonsense,” Shan Sanguan’s mouth twitched slightly. Seeing Zhou Jingye flustered, he quickly added, “Lord He is wise and mighty; we can only repay him with our lives.”

If Hong Shilong counted as a secret guard traitor, then how could he and Zhou Jingye escape? They, too, were traitors—cowards clinging to life!

Who among them was truly noble?

If they had even a bit of courage, they should be accompanying Jiang Zhong and He Jin to their deaths right now!

Fang Pi’s expression darkened, “So you think having Xiao Xizi backing you gives you the right to talk big in front of me?”

Hong Shilong carefully forced a smile, “Not at all, sir.”

Fang Pi slowly said, “If I wanted to kill you right now, do you think Xiao Xizi would arrive in time to save you?”

A chill ran down Hong Shilong’s spine. Seeing Shan Sanguan and Zhou Jingye slowly closing in, his knees went weak. He trembled, “I… I admit my mistake! Spare me, sir!”

He finally remembered that the person in front of him was the commanding officer of the imperial guards.

He was only a small fourth-rank officer. If Fang Pi wanted him dead, he had no means of resistance!

Even if Eunuch Xi were there, what could he do? Would he risk a confrontation with Fang Pi, the representative of the imperial guards? Impossible.

In the end, he was just an insignificant ant.

“Enough, enough,” Fang Pi yawned and waved his hand, “Stop making noise. It’s cold outside; let’s talk indoors.”

He ignored the guards at the door and walked straight into the side room of the main hall.

Sun Cheng squatted on the floor, holding iron tongs, flipping sweet potatoes in the brazier. Seeing Fang Pi enter, he scowled, “Who let you in? This is a restricted area!”

“You’ve learned some attitude now? Acting like I don’t exist?”

Fang Pi’s displeasure was evident.

If Sun Cheng weren’t Sun Chongde’s younger brother, he would’ve already slapped him.

Who was he?
The commanding officer of the imperial guards!
The right-hand of Commander Qi Peng!
A trusted aide of Deputy Commander Pan Duo!
The eyes of Lord He!

People like Jiao Zhong, Lei Kaishan, or Tan Fei dared to provoke him because they were ninth-rank officials—an entirely different level.

And you, Sun Cheng, a mere gatekeeper, have the audacity to mock me?

Who gave you that confidence?

Your older brother, Sun Chongde?

Even if your brother came personally, what could he do? He still couldn’t afford such disrespect!

“Who do you think you are?”

Sun Cheng wasn’t easy to intimidate.

Looking down on him was one thing—but not on his brother! His brother was the Minister of the Imperial Stables, a third-rank official!

Fang Pi sneered, “Are you asking for a beating?”

He couldn’t beat others, but he could easily beat ignorant Sun Cheng. People like him were beneath notice.

“You dare!”

Sun Cheng shot back, “This is Lord He’s mansion. If you lay a hand on me, I’ll report you to Commander Jiao!”

Fang Pi sat down on a chair, unconcerned, “Is that all you’ve got?”

Sun Cheng replied, “I’m not afraid of you!”

Fang Pi asked curiously, “Back in Baiyun City, I lived near you with Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai. Your father was my uncle, your mother my aunt. I respected both. Even your older brother, I treated as my own. Sun Xia even called me brother. See this hole in my clothes? She specially sewed it for me yesterday. I didn’t beat you because of her! Not because I was afraid! And yet, you keep opposing me? I don’t get it.”

The two were never enemies, but Sun Cheng acted as if they were rivals.

“Sun Xia would never call you brother!”

Sun Cheng shouted, red-faced, “Stay away from my sister, or I won’t spare you!”

“Boss,” Zhou Jingye cautiously nudged the stunned Fang Pi.

How foolish! He couldn’t understand why Sun Xia was irritated. Didn’t he feel any sense of loyalty from her?

“I consider Sun Xia my sister,” Fang Pi looked at the furious Sun Cheng, feeling somewhat ashamed.

His heart always belonged to Hong An, who only had eyes and heart for the blind man. A normal person like him could never compare. It left him feeling utterly desolate.

He knew Sun Xia’s loyalty; he just wanted peace. According to Lord He, he needed at least two years to heal his emotional wounds.

“My sister doesn’t lack brothers!”

Sun Cheng snapped, “Stay away from her, or you’ll regret it!”

“Ah, let’s pretend I said nothing.”

Fang Pi sighed, grabbed a hot sweet potato from the brazier, and turned to leave.

Squatting at the gate, he shifted the scorching sweet potato from hand to hand, unable to find a chance to peel it.

Zhou Jingye and Shan Sanguan watched helplessly, occasionally glancing toward the mansion.

Lin Yi sat in the main hall, sighing, “It’s late, and everyone’s causing trouble. They really don’t want me to have any peace.”

“My apologies.”

Xiao Xizi’s head banged repeatedly against the stone floor.

“Stop,”

Lin Yi lifted his tea cup impatiently, “If you damage the floor, are you paying for it?”

“Yes…”

Xiao Xizi forced a smile.

Lin Yi asked, “The prince requested this?”

“Yes,”

Xiao Xizi hurriedly explained, “Following Lord He’s orders, we always treat the prince with respect. The prince asked to go to the imperial gardens. We couldn’t refuse, so we agreed. Unexpectedly, the Consort and Consort Tang were also there. Seeing the prince, the Consort summoned him and approved the request to deliver charcoal to the Eastern Palace. Being kind-hearted, the Consort agreed.”

Lin Yi shook his head, “Coincidence? There’s no such thing as coincidence in this world. Investigate—thoroughly!”

“Yes!”

Xiao Xizi exclaimed, “Understood! I’ll investigate thoroughly!”

Lin Yi continued, “It’s natural for the prince to worry about the princess and heir. Deliver the charcoal and books.”

Xiao Xizi smiled obediently, “Lord He is wise.”

Lin Yi sighed, “She’s my biological mother, always giving me trouble. What am I supposed to do?”

In his past life, he never had a chance to be a son, so he lacked experience.

In this life, finally having a real mother, he cared deeply for her, even if he often angered her.

Now, with her palace intrigues, he was at a loss.

Hearing this, Xiao Xizi immediately lowered his head, too intimidated to speak, again banging his head on the floor.

To consult Lord He? Impossible!

A servant without self-awareness would never survive such a task. A eunuch had no right to answer such a question.

“This is getting out of hand,” Lin Yi waved impatiently, “Leave now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Xiao Xizi hurriedly exited the hall.

“Send someone in.”

“Lord He.”

Jiao Zhong approached cautiously.

“Summon Fang Pi.”

“Yes.”

Jiao Zhong immediately called Fang Pi.

“Greetings, Lord He.”

Fang Pi knelt, feeling the oppressive atmosphere, uneasy and speechless.

“You came just in time,” Lin Yi said lazily. “Are you aware of the situation?”

“Yes, my lord,” Fang Pi, hunched over, forced a smile, “I’ve been waiting outside, awaiting your orders.”

Lin Yi said coldly, “Go tell Qi Peng: those who deserve to die, kill them. This time, I will show no mercy.”

His instincts told him someone was trying to sow discord between him and his mother.

How audacious! They think they can manipulate him easily.

He had to show them the sharpness of his blade.

“Yes, sir!”

Fang Pi replied loudly, then left without further orders.

At midnight, in the dry, cold night, rain suddenly began to fall.

“Sir, it’s cold. Let’s go back,” Pan Duo placed his hand on the wheelchair armrest, looking at Qi Peng, whose hair was wet, sympathetically. “I’ll ensure everything is perfectly safe.”

Qi Peng looked at the patrolling imperial guards and riders, and after a long moment said, “Safe? How many times have you promised safety, only to disappoint me—and Lord He?”

Pan Duo whispered, “I am ready to accept any punishment!”

Qi Peng said, “No one asks you to die. But this time is different. Lord He said those who must die will die. You had your chance; now you must act.”

Pan Duo hesitated, “It involves the prince. I’m afraid…”

“There’s nothing to fear,” Qi Peng suddenly looked at Tang Yi behind him, “I haven’t congratulated Lord Tang yet on your promotion to Censor of the Surveillance Bureau. Your contributions to the state will be reported to Lord He. He will see clearly.”

Tang Yi smiled, “You are too polite. Serving Lord He is our duty.”

“Rule by law—that is Lord He’s intention as well,” Qi Peng, with Pan Duo rotating the wheelchair, looked at Tang Yi directly, “Those who break the law shall be executed without mercy!”

As dawn approached,

Residents around the Meridian Gate noticed the long-unused guillotine had suddenly become active.

By noon, heads had piled high, and blood mixed with rainwater, flooding the gate area.

In Ankang City, a pack of dogs circled the corpses. The wild dogs tore into them, guts spilling out.

“Ugh!”

Zhu Ruorong vomited against the city wall.

“Ha ha,” Someone mocked the butcher, “You can’t even handle this? And you slaughter pigs?”

Suddenly, wild dogs attacked the heads, gnawing fiercely. Seeing the brains spilling out, he quickly turned away.

He couldn’t stop retching.

Muttering, “Such sin… such sin…”

“Ha ha,” Zhu Ruorong laughed until tears came.

By evening, news spread across Ankang City that the Prince’s Grand Tutor Fu Yin’s entire family had been executed.

“Spare his wife and children in swaddling clothes; that is already imperial mercy,” In the governor’s mansion, He Jixiang glanced coldly at the angrily glaring Chen Yan, snorted, “Don’t be insolent, Lord Chen.”

Chen Yan snarled, “After all these years, I never imagined you could be so heartless and ungrateful!”

Chen Desheng interjected, “Lord Chen, you are mistaken. Lord He assisted the Regent in state affairs, always considerate of old friendships. He didn’t persecute Fu Yin, hoping he might return to the right path. Never did I imagine Lord Fu was so foolish!”

Gan Mao suddenly opened his eyes, adding, “Lord Chen, Lord He truly did all he could; we cannot fail to appreciate imperial mercy.”

Chen Desheng was right. Lord He did not annihilate Fu Yin’s entire household—a great act of mercy!