Amidst the grand city of the capital, rich folks wandered here and there, low-ranking staffs no better than dogs, and even some princes who did not gain the favour of the court were even more worthless than pennies.
However, the current Emperor was an exception. From the time since the current Emperor was still an official of the court, with only his wife, Lai Dugu, by his side, she wasn't like other women who only knew how to hide behind her husband for protection. Many conquests achieved by Yang Jian were thanks to Lai Dugu's contribution. After Yang Jian's ascension, Lai Dugu ruled by his side and became Empress Dugu, supporting her husband behind his back and ruled over the court together. Everyone saw her as the second in power next to the Emperor.
Many people also deducted that, between the Emperor and the Empress, not only were they loving, but also very in sync and helped each other often. Between them, none could be without the other. Because of Empress Dugu, the current Emperor's position as the Emperor was more secure than any Emperors before him. Additionally, the Emperor had pledged an oath that he would never take in another wife. Thus, every current prince and princess were all sons and daughters of the current Empress.
Princess Leping's situation was slightly unique. Not only was she the Empress' daughter, but also her eldest, and because she experienced a lot of things at a young age, both the Emperor and Empress loved her dearly. They would never refuse any of her wishes. When Princess Leping's people walked out in the streets, everyone treated them with at least three degrees of respect.
Princess Leping had a daughter with the former Emperor, Yuwen Yun. Her daughter's name was Eying. Since she lost her father at such a young age, she had the protection of her mother and grandfather who did not mind the identity of her father, she was also deeply loved. The milkmaid who took care of her had risen the ranks due to her care, gaining some acknowledgement. Half a year ago, the milkmaid's son got involved in a case and was held by the Jiejian Bureau. The milkmaid pleaded Yuwen Eying, and so Yuwen Eying went to her mother for help.
The princess only had one daughter and could not bear to see her daughter in pain, so the princess took the lieutenant from her house to the Jiejian Bureau and demanded them to release the milkmaid's son.
The Jiejian Bureau had three Commanders. The First Commander was the head of the Ministry of Justice. He did not care much for what happened within the Jiejian Bureau. The one who held real power over the Jiejien Bureau was its Second Commander, Feng Xiao.
On that day, there weren't many people. Later on, someone spread rumours that the princess had brought people to the Jiejian Bureau. Since the princess was there, the lieutenant refused to relieve himself of his sword despite the Blade Stone being present. The princess also tolerated him, and then both parties quarrelled. Feng Xiao did not say much, solely taking the lieutenant's sword and snapping it into three pieces.
The lieutenant was shocked beyond words. Before he could even react, he was pinned against the Blade-Relieving Stone1 with all the three broken pieces of his sword. Thankfully, the swords only pierced his clothing and under his thighs, holding him in place. He stood there, stunned, too afraid to move.
Everyone was shocked and stiff. Princess Leping could not believe that someone in this world still dared to do this in her face, humiliating her people. She complained to the Emperor. Who could have guessed that the one who got the short end of the stick was not the Jiejian Bureau and certainly not Feng Xiao. The Sui Emperor only laughed and said, "Aye, this is the queer temper of the Second Commander Feng." That lieutenant was sent out of the country, the princess merely comforted with a few words, and everything put behind them.
After that time, not only the Princess Leping but the other commoners could also see that the Jiejian Bureau was no small matter in the eyes of the Emperor. Feng Xiao so treasured as a subordinate of the Emperor that he even made Princess Leping unable to do anything against him.
Feng Xiao's name travelled across the capital. Even when others did not speak of it, there was no doubt that the people from the princess' house would know about this incident.
As a result, when this person heard 'Jiejian Bureau' and 'Feng Xiao', his face changed immediately. All he wanted to do at that moment was just to run away, entirely losing his previous haughty behaviour.
"Perhaps there is a mistake. Since this is the Jiejian Bureau, I will not interfere in your investigations, please!" The person laughed unpleasantly; his tone quietened down a bit.
Nonetheless, it was not easy to get rid of the Second Commander of the Jiejian Bureau. He raised his hands and gestured an order, turning to Magistrate Zhao, "These people are related to the case. Bring them all back for questioning."
Magistrate Zhao, "This…"
Feng Xiao did not wait for him to finish talking before immediately getting up on his horse, bringing Wen Liang and the rest of the people who were involved away.
The people from the princess' house were not willing, but they could not do anything as they were taken away, glaring at Feng Xiao with an angry look as they obeyed. Even if they were in the capital, and if Princess Leping came herself, she would not be able to do anything as well, never mind in a place such as this, yet if Feng Xiao killed him right here, he could still walk away as if nothing happened.
Feng Xiao did not question Wen Liang himself; instead, he handed over the case to Magistrate Zhao.
During this one month, one thing after the other happened in the City of Six Crafts, and so, Magistrate Zhao could feel his headache getting more and more severe. He could only give it his full attention, fearing Feng Xiao's fury if he did his job nonchalantly. He did not dare to question the men of Princess Leping's house too much, yet he managed to get the information from the sister. Swiftly, he found the answer.
A few decades ago, there were two families involved. One was the Ying family, and the other was the Wen family. They were both businessmen of many generations, and their relationship was great. In the beginning, there was nothing much about them. They were around the same level and were purely trivial merchants. However, because the Wen family conducted business honestly, they quickly gained many networks and business allies; and in the end, became wealthy and powerful. On the other hand, the Ying family had no such luck. Thus, as they bore greed in their hearts and schemed with thieves, when the Wen family's father and his eldest son went out on an expedition, they were both murdered in cold blood. Since the Wen family only left behind children and women, the Ying family took their business and became wealthy themselves.
The second little Lord of the Wen family, sickly and ill since he was young, lived with his grandfather to be taken care of. Hearing this story, he grew suspicious and investigated in secrecy, finding the answer in the end. Wen Liang knew that during that time, he could not do anything to the Ying family because of their wealth and power, so he left home and founded a business on his own, getting to know many rich and powerful people, and also got involved in the Linlang Guild, finding more and more about his father and brother's death.
At the same time, a new Minister of Justice was appointed. Wen Liang took all the evidence he gathered towards the Ying family and went to him, from the thieves to the schemes, he showed them everything. Immediately, the Ying family was under house arrest and investigation. All their riches and wealth were confiscated, and the Ying's father was sent out to the outskirts of the country. He died on his journey there.
The young Ying siblings escaped their fates as they were still young. However, they grew to hate Wen Liang, and they knew that, for who Wen Liang was now, it was difficult to plot anything against him. Since they could not kill him, they thought of a method that would bring both of them down at once. Ying Wuqiu drank some poison at first then tried to fight with Wen Liang in a public place. He allowed himself to be injured by Wen Liang, the poison took effect, and he died on the spot. Wen Liang, naturally, could not escape a murder charge.
This case was incredibly complicated, but Magistrate Zhao saw the way Feng Xiao treated the princess' people and was afraid a small magistrate like him held no value at all, so he worked day and night non-stop; investigating everything and anything. Finally, they found the poison within Ying Wuqiu's body and proved that Wen Liang was innocent.
The Ying family schemed against the Wen family first, and the Wen family repaid in kind. Wen Liang told Feng Xiao that he did not know the Ying sibling, obviously lying to his face; however, the relationship between the Ying and Wen family was too complicated. When Magistrate Zhao finally reported it to Feng Xiao, a long time had passed.
But Feng Xiao was not very interested in the case. His attention was on Wen Liang himself.
"The Wen Family, except for Wen Liang, was there no one left?" He asked.
Magistrate Zhao shook his head, "Wen Liang still has a mother who is sick for many years. He is very obedient towards his mother. His mother is a Buddhist and was not permitted to use such cruel methods. So during that time, Wen Liang only targeted the father of the Ying family and allowed the young siblings to live. I've sent men to question his mother; it seems everything fits in just right. The physician also said that Wen Liang's mother is very anaemic, even medicine ceased to work for her. She might not live for long."
He held intentions to get close to Feng Xiao, but he was also afraid. Since he had nothing more to say, he quickly excused himself, imagining how he would ask Feng Xiao's servants and the people around him what he liked, so he could send some gifts and earn his favour. If he could get the great and mighty Second Commander to his side and speak a few good words for him before the Emperor, then he indeed didn't need to worry for his future.
Once Magistrate Zhao left, Pei Jingzhe said, "My Lord, that Wen Liang is indeed suspicious!"
Feng Xiao could not deny it, so he responded with an 'En'. His voice was soft and gentle, enough to cause one's heart to quiver involuntarily.
Some people are beautiful on certain features, but Feng Xiao was the type of beauty that was exquisite in every angle.
But of course, he was sharp, beautiful, and powerful. Such beauty was indeed rare in this world. When others gazed upon him, they could only bow down in admiration and envy.
Pei Jingzhe was lost in his thoughts for a few moments. He was wondering if Feng Xiao's parents knew what their son would become when he grew into an adult, which was why they gave him such an odd and ethereal name. After a while, Feng Xiao clicked his tongue impatiently. Pei Jingzhe quickly gathered his thoughts.
"That Jade of Heaven's Lake could make one immortal according to the legends, or even bring one back to life. Wen Liang's mother is incurable, and he is incredibly filial to his mother. Since his mother spoke up, he let the Ying siblings go free, only so they could return now for vengeance. If he is so loyal to his mother, then there is his motive."
Feng Xiao, "Continue."
Pei Jingzhe, "Today outside Linlang Guild's hall, if it hadn't been for you, Wen Liang would have died without a doubt. Perhaps it is because he was exposed and that his accomplices were afraid he would expose them, so they took action first."
"Also, in a place like the City of Six Crafts, it was never an essential branch for the Linlang Guild. All the auctions that were done in the past were never done in a place so far out like this. It could be because it is more convenient for them to go unnoticed here."
"A few people were involved in this altogether. In my opinion, Wen Liang is more or less related to the Khotan murder case and is definitely linked to the Jade of Heaven's Lake."
Feng Xiao listened, but said, "Do you not feel this is too much a coincidence?"
Pei Jingzhe looked surprised, "Your meaning is?"
Feng Xiao, "We are investigating Linlang Guild, but Wen Liang came to us himself. It is as if someone brings a pillow just as you want to fall asleep. I cannot help but be suspicious that someone is giving us a smokescreen."
Pei Jingzhe blinked. He felt that Feng Xiao might be thinking too much into it.
"I will order men to keep an eye on Wen Liang to gather more information from his side."
Feng Xiao turned and suddenly he asked about Cui Buqu, "Have you used the Naihe Xiang drug? How was the effect?"
Pei Jingzhe answered with a strange look on his face.
"I did, but…"
He wasn't able to finish his sentence.
Only when Pei Jingzhe went to take a look, was he surprised that there still existed someone in this world who could be immune to the Naihe Xiang drug.
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[1] Blade-Relieving Stone: This is an indication that anyone who isn't a member of the Jiejian Bureau would have to disarm themselves before entering the bureau. It's a sign of respect as it is considered rude to bring weapons into the territory of a well-respected host. It's also a sign of how important the Jiejian Bureau was to the Emperor.