With one brutal kick, the man’s neck snapped. He dropped with a thud into the pile of kindling soaked in vegetable oil, without even managing to utter a sound.
At that moment, the previously dim post station, lit by only two flickering lanterns, suddenly burst into full illumination, all the lanterns were lit.
Xiao Yunting stood cold-faced in the center of the courtyard, expression solemn, his aura stern and untouchable.
Everyone watching felt a chill crawl up their spines.
They had always heard that the Imperial Grandson was raised by Taoist priests on Mount Mao, more like a Taoist disciple than a noble, but no one had imagined his martial skills would be so terrifying.
All along the journey, the Imperial Grandson had kept a low profile. Aside from beheading the official who raped a village girl, he had shown no sign of martial prowess.
Now, everyone felt their hair stand on end.
Not only that but for Xiao Yunting to appear so swiftly and intercept the arson attempt, it was clear that he had known for some time there was a traitor in their midst!
Yet he had endured in silence the entire journey, giving no hint.
No wonder he’d acted so casually upon arriving at this post station, even saying they’d visit an old family in Yunmeng Marsh as guests.
So that had been deliberate, he was giving the traitors an opportunity.
Torches flared to life one after another, and everyone finally realized in horror: it wasn’t just Xiao Yunting and his Daoist guards, the Embroidered Uniform Guard were here too!
The Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Someone sharp-eyed suddenly recognized one of them: Chun Lin!
He was one of Lai Chenglong’s most trusted Embroidered Uniform Guard, constantly at his side!
He always seemed friendly and easygoing, smiling all the time, like he had no temper but anyone who knew him understood how ruthless he really was.
When had he arrived? Had Xiao Yunting known all along?!
Panic and chaos filled everyone’s minds. Fear and uncertainty set in.
Xiao Yunting calmly raised an eyebrow and strode straight toward Qi Wangkui of the Ministry of Rites: “Minister Qi, unless I’m mistaken, that man just now was one of yours, yes?”
Then he turned to glance at Qian Yuan of the Ministry of Revenue, who had just rushed in, disheveled. Xiao Yunting raised an eyebrow: “Looks like Minister Qian didn’t even have time to dress properly before coming out.”
Qian Yuan flushed with embarrassment, hastily pulling up his pants and stammered, “Wh-What’s going on, Your Highness? What happened?!”
Han Ding let out a cold laugh, tone sharp: “What happened? If Minister Qian had lain around in bed a minute longer, you’d be a pile of bones by now!”
Qian Yuan wasn’t stupid. As soon as he caught the thick stench of oil and gunpowder in the air, he instantly realized, it was an arson attempt!
He was so furious he was momentarily stunned. “Who?! Who would dare burn the imperial envoy’s camp?!”
Were they insane?!
Qi Wangkui’s expression turned utterly ashen. Hearing Qian Yuan’s words only made his face darker.
But Qian Yuan didn’t have time to notice.
They were on a disaster relief mission. If they lost the supplies and silver halfway, it would be a capital crime, possibly even extermination of one’s whole clan.
Working under the Xiao family came with great risk.
He cursed under his breath.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunting once again pointed directly at Qi Wangkui: “Minister Qi, what exactly were you planning, bringing twenty or thirty men in the dead of night to stack wood, pour oil, and prepare to start a fire?”
The implication was obvious.
Qi Wangkui abruptly closed his eyes, his face twisted.
He had planned everything carefully. The entire staff at the post station had already been replaced with his people, and just in case, he had ordered drugs to be slipped into Xiao Yunting’s group’s food.
But why, with such a perfect plan, had it still fallen apart halfway?!
Qian Yuan finally caught on. He spun toward Qi Wangkui, shaking him violently and cursing: “Are you insane?! You were going to burn us all? Burn the Imperial Grandson?! Are you trying to start a rebellion?!”
Despite the pressure and everyone turning on him, Qi Wangkui, worthy of his position as Vice Minister of Rites, remained composed.
He even forced a smile: “Your Highness must be mistaken. What could this possibly have to do with me? I’m a court-appointed envoy sent with you to Jiangxi for relief, I’d never sabotage my own mission.”
Still playing dumb?
Xiao Yunting gave a mocking sneer and kicked him hard to the ground.
For a civil official, dignity was even more important than life.
That kick, right in front of everyone, was a complete humiliation.
Qi Wangkui stiffened his neck and shouted: “Your Highness seeks to execute a loyal official on false charges?!”
He shouted louder: “Your Highness is murdering people! The Imperial Grandson is killing people!”
Qian Yuan hesitated for a moment, looking from the raving Qi Wangkui to Xiao Yunting. He lowered his voice: “Your Highness… Is there… some kind of misunderstanding here?”
Though Qi Wangkui had gone too far, one thing he said wasn’t wrong, he was a court envoy too. If the relief effort failed, he’d share the blame.
Xiao Yunting let out a cold laugh, kicked Qi Wangkui again, and shouted, “Chun Lin!”
“Present!” Chun Lin stepped forward immediately, standing before the crowd.
He wore the flying fish robe and bore the embroidered spring blade, clear signals not to be messed with.
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Xiao Yunting asked in a deep voice, “Did you find it?”
Chun Lin bowed and stared coldly at Qi Wangkui: “Reporting to Your Highness, we found it. Minister Qi colluded with his subordinates to siphon off five hundred thousand taels of relief silver. We’ve intercepted it all. His brother-in-law, steward, and others are also in our custody!”
Gasps of shock.
Everyone was stunned.
Qi Wangkui turned pale as death.
He hadn’t expected Xiao Yunting not only to uncover the arson attempt, but also to discover the stolen silver and even intercept it ahead of time.
This was ironclad evidence, caught red-handed.
Qian Yuan exploded.
As Vice Minister of Revenue, he had been entrusted with overseeing the relief funds, how could anyone dare embezzle them?!
This wasn’t just criminal, it was monstrous.
Worse, Qi Wangkui had clearly planned this all out: replacing the station’s staff, diverting the guards, preparing the oil and kindling. It was premeditated.
Overcome with fury, Qian Yuan didn’t hold back. He rushed forward and slapped Qi Wangkui repeatedly across the face—smack, smack, smack!—until Qi Wangkui’s face was twisted out of shape.
Still unsatisfied, Qian Yuan grabbed him by the collar and roared: “Are you insane?! This is relief money, for heaven’s sake! If something goes wrong, you won’t survive either!”
