Chapter 27

“It seems that I was too magnanimous. These people actually dared to insult the Imperial Family. If I don’t do anything, it would seem like I’m afraid of them.”

Emperor Yu Heng gritted his teeth in anger.

However, Pan Shuo didn’t know to take the cue and continued to provoke him.

“Your Majesty is wise, but you’re too generous. Those aristocratic families could live a carefree life today and enjoy wealth and glory. Isn’t this the peaceful world that Emperor Taizu fought for with his life?”

Emperor Yu Heng glared at him.

“Official Xie, pass down the decree. All those who participated in today’s brawl and insulted the descendants of the royal family will be exempted from their duties and will be flogged 20 times. They will be stripped of their positions for the rest of their lives!”

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“Your humble servant shall obey your command.” Xie Xian slowly left the imperial study room. With his attitude and posture, even if someone said that the decree was for someone’s rank promotion, there would still be people who would believe it. He was too relaxed.

When Qu Yu and Zhang Yu saw that they had nothing else to do, they left with Xie Xian.

Only Emperor Yu Heng and Pan Shuo were left in the imperial study room.

“If you don’t leave, are you going to stare at me here?”

Pan Shuo finally realized what was going on. “I thought…” He was waiting for orders here. He thought that he could pass on the imperial decree and ride on the heads of the young masters from the aristocratic families.

“Let me go with Assistant Minister Xie!” With that said, he slipped away.

Emperor Yu Heng, “…”

Qu Yu and Zhang Yu walked out of the palace gates silently. Pan Shuo had already caught up with Xie Xian. They were chatting and laughing as they boarded the ox cart to pass down the decree. It was obvious that he did not want to be with them.

Pan Shuo was finally able to oppress the younger generation of the aristocratic families. He was as excited as a child.

He was dancing with joy. He was clearly four or five years older than Xie Xian, but in terms of steadiness and bearing, he was far from him. He had completely forgotten that he was also a descendant of an aristocratic family, and his family background was above that of the other aristocratic families.

“Brother Qu, this Assistant Minister Xie is really…” Zhang Yu couldn’t help but shake his head when he got on the government’s ox cart.

“What are you talking about? Xie Xian has probably offended all the aristocratic families.” Qu Yu stroked his beard and muttered to himself. “Do you think that Xie Xian has intentionally led Pan Shuo into the trap?”

Zhang Yu and Qu Yu looked at each other and nodded.

He was not the only one who felt this way.

The two of them came from the lower class. They often interacted with each other and their personalities were similar, so they had long acknowledged each other as brothers and naturally spoke freely.

Before they entered the imperial study room, they first told Xie Xian, who was on duty, about what happened. Halfway through, Pan Shuo came in and Xie Xian pulled him over to listen. Then, he asked about many details.

Actually, from his questions, they could tell his inclination. As someone who served the emperor, by knowing more details, they would be able to remain flexible and answer questions when they were responding to the emperor.

If Xie Xian was described as doing his job, Pan Shuo would be considered being unrestrained.

In the past, his family’s background wasn’t that great, so he couldn’t blame anyone for being looked down upon. When his aunt had become the Empress Dowager, and his cousin had become the emperor, it was enough for him to show off and act arrogantly. But the problem was that the young masters of the aristocratic families all ridiculed him because of his family background.

From then on, he had been traumatized. He looked down on the young masters of the aristocratic clans, and from time to time, he would act pitifully in front of Emperor Yu Heng. These were all things that he had done before.

Xie Xian should have known, but he acted in that manner.

Especially when they entered the imperial study room, Xie Xian’s words were too obvious. He was clearly pointing at the aristocratic families.

Xiao Baoshu was eager to protect his elder sister, Xiao Baoxin was eager to protect her younger brother, and even Yang Shao was brave enough to fight for justice… What else could those young masters be doing?

They could only be taking advantage of their status to bully others and gathering the masses to instigate a fight!

Right after that, Pan Shuo, who was dragged in by Xie Xian, placed the young masters of the aristocratic families on the fire to roast. He involved the Emperor in this matter and forced the Emperor to oppose the aristocratic families.

If the lower class was not even fit to carry shoes for the aristocratic families, then was the Emperor of the lower class fit?

Whether it was compatible or not, no matter what the answer was, it was enough to disgust others.

Not to mention the high and almighty Emperor.

On the surface, Pan Shuo was the one who made things difficult for the descendants of aristocratic families, but the one who led him was clearly Xie Xian.

The fact that Xie Xian was able to thrive beside the Emperor meant that he was not an idiot. Compared to Pan Shuo who had connections, it was obvious that their intelligence was not on the same level. Pan Shuo was being led by the nose and was completely unaware of it.

“What exactly is going on with Xie Xian? Is he really not afraid that the Xie family will become the target of public criticism? Ever since he became a yellow gatekeeper, he has been targeting the aristocratic families,” said Zhang Yu in a low voice.

“Is there some feud between the rich and powerful?”

Otherwise, a young master from an aristocratic family wouldn’t have dug his own grave for his future path, right?

Young Master Xie was among those who were fighting.

“…Later on, do we really flog them?” After a while, seeing that Qu Yu did not speak, Zhang Yu could not help but ask again.

Qu Yu glanced at him. “The Emperor gave his orders personally, do you dare to lie to the emperor?” He paused for a while and continued, “Look at how excited Pan Shuo is. How can he not stare at them to ensure that they finish the flogging?”

It was so difficult for him to watch them in a ditch. Wouldn’t he have to watch the show with his arms crossed?

“Those people aren’t on the same side as us. Even if we help them, we won’t benefit. In a while, you shall deal with them impartially and beat them to death if you need to. We can’t possibly disobey the emperor’s decree, right?”

“Besides, Pan Shuo will be supervising us.”

Zhang Yu, “…” Actually, what Qu Yu wanted to say was to beat them to death, right?

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

After the discussion, the two of them sat in the carriage and did not speak again. When they entered the palace, it was still early in the morning. When they came out, it was already late in the morning, and there was a burning cloud on the horizon. It was so red and beautiful.

The Jiankang Public Security Bureau was located in the southwestern part of the city. When the Zhang brothers went back, there were ox carts from various aristocratic families all around the outside of the Public Security Bureau. It was a stark contrast to the deserted streets of the past. The street was so jam-packed that they got off the cart across the entire street and walked back to the Public Security Bureau.

There shouldn’t be any young masters here. They were all servants from the various residences. No one dared to stop them.

However, the passionate gazes from all directions were enough to roast them. Zhang Yu felt a chill in his heart. If he were to really carry out the flogging, the aristocratic families would probably become his enemy. However, if he didn’t flog them, he probably wouldn’t even have the chance to become enemies with the aristocratic families. They would first be torn apart by Pan Shuo, then again by the Emperor…

It was not until they entered the porch that they saw Xie Xian and Pan Shuo waiting eagerly for them.

“Xuan Hui, can you really not let me announce this decree? You also know that they usually look down on me. It wasn’t easy for me to subdue them this time. This is a rare opportunity.”

Pan Shuo’s tone was very intimate. Clearly, the two of them got along quite well in private.

Xie Xian smiled. “The emperor sent me here to pass on the imperial decree because he was afraid that Brother Pan would act on impulse. This is because the emperor dotes on you.”

Qu Yu thought in his heart, this Assistant Minister Xie was really capable of dealing with all kinds of people. He’d actually spoken the truth to a fool.

What kind of person was Emperor Yu Heng? How could he not know that Pan Shuo was holding a grudge against the aristocratic families?

Having him pass down the decree made him feel great, but he also became the target of the various aristocratic families.

Xie Xian, on the other hand, was different. He was from a top-notch aristocratic family! Moreover, he was already a target in the first place. He didn’t care if he had to do it again.

Emperor Yu Heng looked down on Pan Shuo, but in the end, he still sided with his family.

“I know that the emperor dotes on me—— You should also let me be and have some fun. After I announce this decree, the emperor won’t go so far as to settle scores with me. It’s not like I’m the one who said those shameful words.”

Zhang Yu glanced at Xie Xian. If it was him, he would have agreed. After all, Pan Shuo was the one who was eager to offend others.

However, Xie Xian did not say anything. He only smiled lightly and continued walking in.

When he walked into the courtyard, he saw that the young masters of the aristocratic clans were extremely tired. They were staggering and resting on various items in the courtyard.

Xie Xian turned around and smiled at Zhang Yu. Before he could react, he said.

“Yellow Gatekeeper Xie Xian—”

“Pan Shuo!” Pan Shuo raised his voice, causing the young masters of the aristocratic families to tremble. “Here’s the Emperor’s decree. All those who are involved in the brawl will be exempted from official duties. You will be sentenced to twenty strokes of the cane and will never be an official for the rest of your life!”