Chapter 120

Chapter 120: The Crime of Illegal Salt

Duke Qi stayed busy keeping company with Madam Tao, who was pregnant.

Qi Shu Xian delivered the things he had gathered from the pawnshop and from Qi Fei Yan to Ping Lan Residence. Sheng Zhi Wan had An Zhi and Ting Lan check everything carefully, and this time the goods were indeed genuine.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Thank you for the trouble, Heir Apparent. But Heir Apparent still needs to keep at it. The only things left are the hair ornaments, jewelry, and the books and paintings that Second Sister took with her when she went to visit relatives.”

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

When Sheng Zhi Wan returned after being reborn, Qi Fei Rui had happened to be away visiting family in Lin ZhouQing He. With Qi Fei Rui’s personality, she would sightsee everywhere she went and write poems and paint as she pleased, so the round trip would take at least two or three months.

Because of that, Sheng Zhi Wan still had not met the future Third Prince’s consort.

Qi Shu Xian said coldly, “Don’t worry. You won’t be shortchanged.”

Even so, Qi Shu Xian’s gaze could not help falling on Sheng Zhi Wan. Her face seemed more and more stunning, so dazzling it was hard to look away.

It was ridiculous. Qi Shu Xian and Sheng Zhi Wan were husband and wife, yet they still had not consummated their marriage.

At the beginning, Madam Cui had wanted Qi Shu Xian to keep Sheng Zhi Wan under control. Later, Sheng Zhi Wan refused to let Qi Shu Xian come near. One thing after another pushed the two of them farther apart.

Thinking of that, Qi Shu Xian’s eyes flickered as he said, “Tonight, I will come over for dinner.”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “…”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Heir Apparent should go to Concubine Meng or Concubine Huan Zhu instead. They probably understand Heir Apparent’s tastes better than I do.”

Qi Shu Xian snapped, “Sheng Zhi Wan!”

Qi Shu Xian pressed his lips together. “I don’t believe you don’t understand what I mean. We’re husband and wife. Are you really going to live like this for the rest of your life?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Why not? If Heir Apparent has nothing else, please leave.”

Sheng Zhi Wan felt sick to her stomach.

Qi Shu Xian still thought about these things even now. It seemed Concubine Huan Zhu had not been working hard enough lately.

Or maybe Sheng Zhi Wan had not found enough trouble to keep Qi Shu Xian busy.

It did not matter. Soon, Qi Shu Xian would have plenty to do.

As for Sheng Zhi Wan, she was waiting for the chance that would make Imperial Father agree to let her separate from Qi Shu Xian by mutual consent.

Sheng Zhi Wan closed her eyes and silently counted. There were less than forty days left.

Zi Sheng Hall.

Eunuch Su did not even dare to breathe loudly.

Emperor Chong Sheng’s face looked darker than ever, and the veins stood out on his right hand as he gripped the memorial. After a long time-

Emperor Chong Sheng laughed in furious disbelief. “Good, good, good! These are all my fine court officials, and my fine imperial kin!”

No wonder the official salt revenue had been so low this year.

It turned out it was not only commoner and wealthy merchants who dared to sell illegal salt. Even among Emperor Chong Sheng’s officials and the clan-backed imperial relatives, many people were involved.

Worse, those people did not just take their share of the official salt profits. They also squeezed kickbacks layer after layer from the illegal salt dealers below them.

How big did their appetites have to be before they felt full?

Emperor Chong Sheng barked, “Su De Yun! Summon Xie An to see me!”

That day, during shen hour, Imperial Forest Guard Commander Xie An was summoned into the palace by Emperor Chong Sheng.

A quarter of an hour later, Xie An walked out of Zi Sheng Hall. Thinking of what he had to do next, he could not help letting out a long breath.

Right Commander Zhou Shou Gui of the Yu Lin Guard, who had been waiting outside the palace, hurried to meet him. “Commander Xie, what did His Majesty command?”

Xie An said, “There’s work to do.”

Xie An pulled out a thick memorial from his robe and handed it over. “Everyone listed here participated in the illegal salt trade-this includes clan-backed imperial relatives, court officials, and wealthy households.”

Zhou Shou Gui opened it and swept his eyes down the page. Several names made his gaze freeze.

Zhou Shou Gui said, “This… what does His Majesty mean?”

Xie An said, “What do you think? Every single person on this roster, one by one, must be arrested and shackled tight. Not one can escape!”

People always said the law did not punish the crowd. That was only because the crowd had not touched the ruler’s bottom line.

Once the ruler was furious, even imperial in-laws would be taken without mercy.

Zhou Shou Gui asked, “Commander, the first household… where do we go?”

Xie An said, “We follow the order on the memorial.”

Zhou Shou Gui said, “Grand Commandant Wang Wen Ye’s home!”

As the sky over the capital city darkened, it quietly turned upside down as well.

After the most eye-catching people on the roster were controlled, Xie An and Zhou Shou Gui felt more and more at ease.

Then Zhou Shou Gui saw the next name and frowned in confusion. “Why would a Junior Fifth Rank Assistant Minister get involved in illegal salt for no reason?”

Compared to the imperial clan relatives and the powerful Second and Third Rank officials on the roster, a Junior Fifth Rank Assistant Minister was far too insignificant.

He was so insignificant that Zhou Shou Gui had not paid attention before. Now that he did, it only seemed stranger.

Xie An frowned. “Who cares? If the name is on the list, it can’t be wrong. Go-kick the door and surround the manor!”

Lian Manor.

Assistant Minister Lian had been singing an opera tune in his study. It was one of his few small hobbies.

But today, the opera had barely started when hurried footsteps interrupted him.

Assistant Minister Lian opened the study door with a scowl. “What is it?”

The servant boy’s face was deathly pale. His legs trembled, and he could not even get his words out.

Then a cold shout rang out from outside. “By His Majesty’s decree, Hong Lu Court Assistant Minister Lian Jie Yu, for the crime of illegal salt, the manor will be confiscated at once!”

Assistant Minister Lian went limp and collapsed to the ground.

In the other courtyards of Lian Manor, women and children, old and young, all trembled as soldiers watched them and drove them into the inner courtyard.

Old Madam Lian still did not understand what was happening. She looked at the Yu Lin Army guarding Lian Manor heavily and tried to ask a question, but the moment she opened her mouth, a sharp voice shouted her down.

Old Madam Lian had never been treated like that before. For a moment, she did not know what to do.

Qi Fei Yan recognized the armor of the Yu Lin Guard. Seeing the cold, stern expressions on their faces, her heart filled with fear.

Had Father-in-law committed a terrible mistake?

But Father-in-law was only a Hong Lu Court Assistant Minister. What kind of huge wrongdoing could he possibly have done to alarm the Yu Lin Guard?

It was not until Xie An half hauled Assistant Minister Lian, who had collapsed on the ground, over to them.

Madam Lian and Old Madam Lian rushed forward at once.

Old Madam Lian cried, “Jie Yu! You fool! What did you do?”

Madam Lian grabbed him and sobbed, “Husband… why is this happening?”

Assistant Minister Lian’s face was as white as paper. He stared at Commander Xie An, who stood there coldly without saying a word, and Assistant Minister Lian wanted to ask too.

The crime of illegal salt?

When had Assistant Minister Lian ever gotten involved with illegal salt?

No matter how terrified and helpless everyone at Lian Manor was, the Yu Lin Guard moved fast. In no time, they controlled the entire manor, masters and servants alike.

Lian Wen Hui, who had spent the night outside, was also dragged back and arrested.

When the whole family was taken into the prison together, they discovered the prison was surprisingly lively.

Assistant Minister Lian looked at one familiar face after another inside the rows of cells. The farther he walked, the more his heart sank.

Grand Commandant Wang, the Marquis of Shun Nan, Palace Attendant Jiang, the Vice Minister of Revenue, a Remonstrance Officer…

These, these, these… all the people he had still seen at morning court today were now here.

Anyone who did not know better would think they had followed some prince in a failed rebellion to seize the throne.

Could it be that all of them had been dragged in for illegal salt?

But-no!

Assistant Minister Lian suddenly realized something. He shouted and rushed to Xie An. “Commander Xie! This official-this official has no crime of illegal salt at all! Did you arrest the wrong person?”

Assistant Minister Lian clung to that hope.

Among the women of the Lian Family, Qi Fei Yan was the only one who stayed somewhat calm, because the Duke Manor stood behind her. Yet the moment she heard the words “crime of illegal salt,” her steps stopped cold.

What… what?

The crime of illegal salt?!