The surrounding soldiers exchanged glances, utterly speechless. Everyone knew you were a good-for-nothing wastrel. How dare you claim to be a good person?
"Hahaha..." Chu Chen burst into laughter and, in a flash, was already out of the Ministry of Justice.
The Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.
Prince Jing, clad in a purple robe, sat in a pavilion sipping tea. He suddenly spoke, "Minister Zhou, what do you think of this Chu Chen?"
Zhou Wenfeng bowed respectfully upon hearing this. "Your Highness is wise. I was just about to report to you on this matter. This Chu Chen is indeed very peculiar."
He lowered his head, remaining silent, and thought to himself, "His Highness is wise and mighty, with keen insight. However, this Chu Chen is cunning and full of schemes. If His Highness were to gain him, wouldn't it be dangerous?"
"Chu Chen, is it?" Prince Jing murmured, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "If he can behave himself, then so be it. If he cannot remain content and dares to stir up trouble, then do not blame me for showing no mercy!"
Night fell. The bustling, lively streets gradually quieted down. In a restaurant by the roadside, a young man sat alone, drinking, his figure solitary.
"Young Master." A black-clothed guard entered. "I have inquired. Chu Chen has been released by His Majesty. His Majesty has dispatched him to suppress bandits in this vicinity."
"Oh?" Hearing this, the young man's brow furrowed. "This fellow actually escaped so quickly?" The young man's expression turned extremely grim.
"Young Master, what do we do now?" the black-clothed guard asked in a low voice.
The young man gritted his teeth and said, "I don't believe he can hide forever without showing himself. Keep a close watch on him. I want to see how long he can conceal himself!"
As Chu Chen stepped out of the inn, he immediately encountered Zhou Wenfeng.
"How was it? Did you sleep comfortably last night?" Zhou Wenfeng said with a forced smile. "If you are willing to pledge allegiance to the court, I can spare your life."
"Lord Zhou, are you planning to imprison me?" Chu Chen said mockingly. "Aren't you afraid of being impeached?"
"Impeached? Do you think you'll have the chance?" Zhou Wenfeng sneered dismissively. "I am the Minister of Justice. You have committed murder and arson, with countless crimes. These deeds have already spread throughout the city. Even if I lock you up for three to five years, no one will utter a single word of complaint!"
"Oh?" A hint of amusement flickered across Chu Chen's face. "Lord Zhou, have you forgotten what I said last night in front of the Ministry of Justice? I said that if you hadn't forced my hand, I wouldn't have killed innocents. You are reaping what you sow!"
"Stop playing dumb! Do you think you can get away with this so easily?" Zhou Wenfeng reprimanded. "I have already gathered evidence against you. The evidence is conclusive. Stop resisting!"
"Evidence?" Chu Chen shook his head and chuckled. "Lord Zhou, there are thousands of types of crimes in this world. Pick any one, and how can you be sure I committed a grave offense?"
"Let me tell you, your evidence is useless!" Chu Chen said coldly. "Even if you arrest me, what can you do? Do you dare to escort me to the Grand Court of Revision?"
Chu Chen was right. After all, Chu Chen was an imperial envoy. If he were truly imprisoned, even if the Emperor personally issued a decree of pardon, his official career would be utterly ruined!
Seeing Zhou Wenfeng speechless, he continued, "Lord Zhou, I advise you to be less arrogant. Be careful not to speak ill and invite disaster. If you push me too far, I'll kill you directly! His Majesty has ordered me to suppress bandits, and you are repeatedly obstructing me here. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to His Majesty and have you punished for your offense?"
"You... you dare!" Zhou Wenfeng's face turned pale with fear. He was indeed afraid! Chu Chen now represented the Emperor and held command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! If he truly angered the Emperor, the consequences would be absolutely catastrophic!
"See if I dare!" Chu Chen grinned, reaching out and patting Zhou Wenfeng's shoulder. "Do a good job. After the bandit suppression is over, I'll put in a good word for you."
"You... you..." Zhou Wenfeng was terrified, his legs trembling.
"Alright, get lost. Don't let me see you again." Chu Chen waved his hand and turned to leave, leaving Zhou Wenfeng standing there, stunned for a long time.
A moment later, Zhou Wenfeng suddenly awoke. He remembered what his father had warned him about: Chu Chen was definitely not simple! "No matter what, as long as he is alive, I will never have peace. Since that is the case, I might as well eliminate him!" Zhou Wenfeng made up his mind, his eyes flickering. "This bandit suppression is an opportunity. As long as Chu Chen is killed, there will be no flaws!"
At the same time, on the eastern outskirts of the capital, dozens of riders galloped at high speed.
"Big Brother, why are you in such a hurry to call us over?"
"Yes, we are under orders to patrol the counties. If we are delayed, His Majesty will surely blame us." Several Embroidered Uniform Guards complained.
"What do you guys know!" the Embroidered Uniform Guard captain on horseback reprimanded, frowning. "You should know that our Northern Yue Prefecture dispatched six cavalry units this time, but only four returned. And the other three units were all annihilated!"
"This matter must be reported to the Minister as soon as possible, otherwise, if those bandits exploit the situation, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"Big Brother, you mean those bandits killed our comrades?" everyone exclaimed in surprise. "They are too audacious! They even dare to assassinate Embroidered Uniform Guards?" The Embroidered Uniform Guards were specifically responsible for apprehending corrupt officials and eliminating evil, wielding immense power. Ordinary citizens feared them like mice feared cats. Who would willingly court death by killing an Embroidered Uniform Guard?
"No matter how audacious they are, the situation this time is likely dire," the captain on horseback sighed.
Li Zhongde, the Minister of the Grand Court of Revision in the capital, and two other vice ministers were gathered to discuss matters.
"What do you think His Majesty called the three of us here for?" Li Zhongde frowned.
"I don't know. Many things have happened in the court recently. His Majesty seems to be increasingly displeased with certain individuals."
"Alas, I hope it's not what we suspect."
"However, it seems His Majesty is determined to rectify the bureaucracy this time."
"Yes. In recent days, all the official families that have been sealed by His Majesty have suffered heavy losses, especially the Prime Minister's Lin family, which is in a truly miserable state!"
"This matter is definitely related to that consort!"
"Hush, speak cautiously!"
"What are you afraid of? His Majesty can't hear us anyway. I just feel that this consort is a bit strange. I suspect he's not human at all!"
"Not human?" Li Zhongde narrowed his eyes. "Don't speak recklessly. Do you know the consequences if such words spread?"
"Heh heh..." The vice ministers exchanged knowing glances, nodding to each other as if reaching a tacit understanding, and then fell silent.