After changing clothes, Steward Li hurried out.
At this moment, he suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Steward Li behind him, "Did the message you sent to Chongzhou earlier get sent out?"
Since the information from the man in black was a trick by the Zhang family, there was no conclusive evidence that Hongning City had sided with the Crown Prince.
Steward Li, unaware of what was to come, nodded, "It was just sent out when Eunuch Chang Gui arrived with his men."
Steward Li frowned, "Forget it, let's see what the Emperor's decree is first."
...
The Li residence was a prominent family in the vicinity. The encirclement of the mansion by so many soldiers naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Li Yue Shu, who had intended to personally visit Steward Li at his residence to discuss matters, happened to be in the crowd.
People around were discussing, but no one knew what had happened at the Li residence.
The soldiers blocked the commoners from approaching, while a man in brocade robes standing at the entrance held a horsetail whisk. His face, over fifty, was fair and clean, and his every movement exuded a feminine gentleness.
This appearance instantly reminded Li Yue Shu of a specific profession from ancient times—an eunuch.
Just then, several figures rushed out of the Li residence.
Li Yue Shu only recognized Steward Li, but the one walking in front of him should be Steward Li himself.
Steward Li, with a fawning smile, respectfully greeted him, "Eunuch Chang Gui, what a grand visit! Why didn't you let me know in advance so I could send someone to pick you up!"
"Please come in, Eunuch. I recently acquired some fine tea. You must try it later."
Saying so, Steward Li tried to usher him into the residence.
Eunuch Chang Gui, however, waved his hand, "No need. I am here to read the Emperor's decree. Steward Li, receive the decree!"
Steward Li's unease resurfaced. He looked at Eunuch Chang Gui's slightly raised head and finally knelt down.
Eunuch Chang Gui was a favorite of Noble Consort Lan. Having served the Second Prince for so many years, he had naturally met him before.
But only this time, his attitude towards him was like this.
As Eunuch Chang Gui produced the imperial yellow decree, everyone knelt, including the onlookers.
Li Yue Shu, mingling with the crowd, naturally knelt as well.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
Eunuch Chang Gui recited a string of four-character idioms, none of which Li Yue Shu remembered, but she generally understood the meaning.
The Li residence colluded with the former prefect, engaged in bribery for official positions, and disregarded human lives. It was now decreed that Eunuch Chang Gui was to escort Steward Li back to Chongzhou for trial, and the household members were to be temporarily confined within the residence and not allowed to leave.
The decree concluded with the words, "All property of the residence shall be confiscated into the national treasury."
Steward Li collapsed onto the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his usual air of superiority completely gone.
Eunuch Chang Gui looked down at him from above, his voice tinged with a chill, "Receive the decree!"
Steward Li looked up at him but never reached out.
The imperial yellow decree hurt his eyes.
Eunuch Chang Gui sighed, bending slightly, "Steward Li, this is the Emperor's decree. To defy it is to invite the extermination of one's entire clan."
He deliberately emphasized those four words, making the meaning crystal clear.
Steward Li trembled, looking at him in shock, "Eunuch, Noble Consort Lan..."
"Steward Li!" Eunuch Chang Gui's voice deepened, "Don't forget the saying, 'disaster comes from the mouth'!"
He lowered his voice significantly for the latter part, so only Steward Li could hear.
The crowd could only see Steward Li's expression change, as if all color had drained from his face in an instant.
At this moment, he bore a slight resemblance to the Zhang family members from earlier.
Steward Li extended a trembling hand and slowly took the decree, "Your humble subject receives the decree..."
Eunuch Chang Gui straightened his body and announced loudly, "Guards, inventory the Li residence's assets, secure the people, and escort them to Chongzhou tomorrow morning."
The Li residence, once resplendent, was thus confiscated.
Li Yue Shu watched in the crowd for a while before turning to leave.
No one noticed a blood-covered figure standing in a dark corner, silently observing the soldiers coming and going within the mansion, a strange glint flashing in their eyes.
Steward Li, who could decide his life or death with a single thought and force him to kill his own parents, had his home confiscated and was to be taken to Chongzhou, his fate uncertain.
Was this the power of those in authority?
Zhang Yang slowly clenched his fists. The blood on his hands had long since turned cold, but the blood in his heart was heating up.
...
On the way home, Li Yue Shu pondered the matter of the Li residence.
It had been so long since the former prefect had been implicated; even if Steward Li had bought his position, there was no reason for it to be exposed only now.
Moreover, with Noble Consort Lan behind the Li residence, how could they be raided without warning, and precisely at a time when she was being threatened?
Although all of this might be a coincidence, she subconsciously felt that something was amiss.
As she was thinking, the carriage arrived at her doorstep.
Everyone who had been waiting for her news heard the commotion and hurried out.
"Yue Shu, how was it? What did the people at the Li residence say?" Aunt Liu took the reins of the carriage, asking anxiously.
Li Yue Shu pursed her lips and smiled, "Don't worry, the Li residence is no more."
"No more? What does that mean?" Mother Mo asked with a look of confusion.
Facing everyone's bewilderment, Li Yue Shu recounted what she had seen, "...The Li residence has been raided. Even if Steward Li returns, the prefectural examination will be long over. Everyone doesn't need to worry."
Shen Wei, holding his younger son, stood to the side, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Steward Li had gone to Chongzhou, so he wouldn't be coming back.
Of course, with Qin Ye Cheng's methods, he might not even reach Chongzhou.
"Heaven truly protects us!" Aunt Liu clasped her hands together and bowed to the heavens, "Yue Shu is blessed. Heaven itself is helping us!"
Li Yue Shu smiled but didn't respond.
She had repeatedly snatched opportunities from the chosen one; would Heaven really help her?
It seemed highly unlikely.
However, with the fall of the Li residence, her most pressing concern was resolved. Now, she could just wait for the results.
...
The night was as dark as ink.
With Steward Li imprisoned, almost everyone in the Li residence lost sleep.
They all hid in their rooms, listening to the patrolling soldiers outside, too frightened to even speak.
Because of this, no one noticed a small figure, moving through the shadows, making their way to where Steward Li was being held.
Although it was termed "imprisonment," it was merely a relocation from the spacious and luxurious main courtyard to a small courtyard with a clear view and easy surveillance.
Zhang Yang had lived in the Li residence for so long and had always done the dirtiest and hardest work. He was naturally very familiar with the layout of the mansion.
He crouched in the darkness of a corner. As soon as the patrolling soldiers left, he hurried into the courtyard.
"Squeak—"
In the dead of night, even the slightest sound of a door opening was amplified, yet it did not wake the sleeping occupants.
Zhang Yang cautiously approached. After recognizing the face of the person lying on the bed by the faint moonlight, he took out a dagger from his embrace.