Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Crime of Illegal Salt

Duke Qi busied himself attending to Madam Tao, who was with child.

Qi Shu Xian brought the treasures collected from pawnshops and Qi Fei Yan to Pinglan Residence.

Sheng Zhi Wan had An Zhi and Ting Lan inspect them carefully. This time, they were indeed genuine.

“Many thanks, Young Lord,” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly. “Still, please continue your efforts. Only a few more pieces remain, mainly jewelry, books, and paintings that Second Sister took when she visited her family.”

Sheng Zhi Wan had An Zhi hand Qi Shu Xian the marked list.

When she had returned in this life, Qi Fei Rui had been off visiting relatives in Lin Prefecture, by the Clear River. With her habit of sightseeing and artistic pastimes, the trip would surely take several months.

Thus, Sheng Zhi Wan had yet to meet this future Third Prince’s Consort.

“Rest assured, you won’t lose a single item,” Qi Shu Xian replied coldly. Yet, his eyes lingered involuntarily on Sheng Zhi Wan’s increasingly captivating face.

It was laughable. Though husband and wife, they had never consummated their marriage.

At first, Madam Cui had instructed him to keep Sheng Zhi Wan at arm’s length.

Later, it was Sheng Zhi Wan herself who rejected his approach, their relations growing more strained with each incident.

With a fleeting hesitation, Qi Shu Xian spoke again, eyes flickering, “I’ll join you for dinner tonight.”

Sheng Zhi Wan was momentarily speechless.

“Perhaps Young Lord should dine with Concubine Meng or Concubine Huan Zhu instead. Surely they understand your tastes better than I.”

“Sheng Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian’s lips tightened. “You understand my meaning. We are husband and wife. Do you truly intend to live like strangers forever?”

“Why not?” Sheng Zhi Wan replied, disgusted. “If there’s nothing else, Young Lord, please leave.”

How could Qi Shu Xian still have such thoughts now? Perhaps Huan Zhu wasn’t diligent enough lately.

Or perhaps, she hadn’t given him enough trouble?

No matter—he would soon be busy enough.

She quietly counted down, eyes closed. Less than forty days until the chance she’d been waiting for—the chance for Imperial Father to approve their separation.

…

Purple Radiance Hall.

Eunuch Su hardly dared to breathe.

Emperor Chong Sheng’s face was dark with rage, veins protruding as he clutched the memorial tightly.

After a long silence—

“Excellent!” Emperor Chong Sheng laughed bitterly, enraged beyond measure. “What fine officials! What loyal relatives I have!”

No wonder official salt revenues were so low this year!

Not only commoners and merchants, but even court officials and royal relatives dared trade in illegal salt, lining their pockets at every turn.

How large must their appetites be to fill their greedy bellies?

“Su De Yun! Summon Xie An at once!”

By late afternoon, Feather Forest Guard Commander Xie An appeared before Emperor Chong Sheng.

Within a quarter hour, he emerged from Purple Radiance Hall, sighing deeply at the weight of the task ahead.

“Commander Xie, what has His Majesty commanded?” asked Zhou Shou Gui, Right Commander of the Imperial Guard, rushing forward.

“We have work to do,” Xie An replied, drawing out a thick list. “All those listed here—royal kin, officials, wealthy merchants—have been trading illegal salt.”

Zhou Shou Gui’s eyes widened as he read, startled by prominent names.

“What does His Majesty mean by this?”

“You understand,” Xie An said firmly. “Everyone named here must be seized immediately. Not one escapes.”

What nonsense about “law not punishing the majority”? When the ruler’s limit was crossed, even royal kin faced the sword!

“Commander, which household do we start with?”

“Follow the list’s order! Grand Commandant Wang Wen Ye’s household first!”

…

As dusk settled over Capital City, turmoil silently brewed.

With prominent offenders secured, Xie An and Zhou Shou Gui breathed easier.

Seeing the next name, Zhou Shou Gui frowned. “Why would a minor fifth-rank official be involved?”

Compared to royalty and high-ranking officials, a junior fifth-rank Shaoqing seemed trivial.

Previously unnoticed, it now felt oddly conspicuous.

“Who cares? If he’s listed, he deserves it. Break down the doors! Surround the residence!”

…

Lian Residence.

Lian Shao Qing was singing opera alone in his study, a rare personal indulgence.

Yet the performance barely started before frantic footsteps interrupted.

“What is it?” Irritated, Lian Shao Qing flung open the door.

“M-master, it’s terrible!” the servant stammered, pale and trembling.

A harsh voice thundered from outside, “By His Majesty’s decree, Lian Jie Yu, Junior Shaoqing of the Court of State Ceremonial, is guilty of trading illegal salt. Immediate confiscation!”

Lian Shao Qing collapsed to the floor.

All over Lian Residence, servants and family members were swiftly gathered by Imperial soldiers.

Confused, Old Madam Lian tried questioning them, only to be harshly silenced.

Qi Fei Yan recognized the soldiers’ armor, dread filling her heart.

Had her father-in-law committed a serious crime?

He was just a minor Shaoqing—what could he possibly have done?

Only when Xie An roughly dragged a limp Lian Shao Qing forward did the women rush up.

“Jie Yu! What folly have you committed?” Old Madam Lian cried.

“Husband! What happened?” Madam Lian echoed, tears flowing.

Pale-faced, Lian Shao Qing desperately looked to the silent, cold-faced Xie An.

Trading illegal salt?

When had he ever been involved?

Yet no matter their panic, the Imperial Guard acted swiftly, thoroughly securing the residence. Even Lian Wen Hui, spending the night away, was brought back and imprisoned with the family.

Inside the prison, Lian Shao Qing stared in shock at familiar faces: Grand Commandant Wang, Marquis Shunnan, Official Jiang, the Vice Minister of Revenue, the Palace Counselor…

These men, seen at morning court today, were now here as prisoners.

Had they conspired to usurp the throne?

Or—

Was it truly because of illegal salt?

Yet—

No!

Lian Shao Qing suddenly grasped the truth, desperately shouting to Xie An, “Commander Xie! Your humble servant is innocent! You’ve surely arrested the wrong person!”

Hope flickered.

Among the Lian family women, only Qi Fei Yan, confident in her ties to Duke Qi’s household, remained somewhat calm. But upon hearing “crime of illegal salt,” her steps froze.

Illegal salt?!

What…?