Chapter 600: When Trouble Strikes, Just Shift the Blame onto Gao Changjing!

The next day.

The sun was at its height, hanging in the sky, scorching the land outside Zheng County, the seat of Huazhou, to a blistering heat.

Where the wind passed, it raised gusts of hot air, and even the willows along the road drooped listlessly.

Cicadas chattered noisily, each call louder than the last, making one's mind feel suffocated.

Beside the official road outside the city, a regiment of men and horses stood in perfect order, led by Prefect Yao Hongnian of Huazhou, with the civil and military officials of the prefecture waiting there.

Yao Hongnian wore the official robe of a prefect; though it was early summer, fine beads of sweat already dotted his forehead, which he brushed away with his sleeve, his gaze still fixed on the end of the road, his expression full of respect and apprehension.

The officials behind him, also clad in various official garments, stood or waited in silence, each suppressing any hint of slackness.

Suddenly, a rapid clatter of horse hooves rose from afar to near, kicking up dust and shattering the surrounding stillness.

Yao Hongnian's spirit perked up; he quickly straightened his attire and looked toward the source of the sound.

At the road's end, two jet‑black steed galloped forward, their riders clad in Xuanse Jinshen, the robes fluttering in the wind—Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze.

"Ride! Ride! Ride!"

The hooves struck the Shiban, producing a crisp "de-de" clatter, imposing in its vigor.

Close behind was a lone rider in Xuanse Jinshen, his face stern, a gilded long blade at his waist—Hou Mo Chen Xiao.

Further back came dozens of embroidered‑clad emissaries of the Mingjing Department, each agile and eagle‑eyed.

At the rear were over a thousand elite garrison troops of the Left Martial Guard, clad in martial garb, horizontal blades at their waists and long bows on their backs, marching in strict formation, dust rising and killing intent exuding.

In a moment, the party reached just outside the city gate.

Chen Yan raised his hand to tighten the reins; the steed let out a long neigh and halted steadily.

Yuwen Ze also stopped, gazing at the towering Huazhou City Gate, then glancing at the awaiting officials, murmuring, "Is this really Huazhou?"

Seeing this, Yao Hongnian dared not hesitate; he hurried forward, reached the horses, bowed deeply, his voice resonant yet slightly obsequious: "I, Yao Hongnian, Prefect of Huazhou, leading the civil and military officials, have come to receive Chen Zhuguo, Prince of Ancheng!"

"Chen Zhuguo and the Prince have endured a hard journey!"

The civil and military officials behind him also bowed in unison, shouting together, "We have seen Chen Zhuguo! We have seen the Prince!"

The voices rang in perfect unison, echoing across the open outskirts.

Chen Yan leaned on his horse, twirling the Horse Whip at his waist with his right hand, his gaze half‑smiling as it swept over Yao Hongnian's deferential demeanor; turning to Yuwen Ze beside him, he teased loudly, "Ah Ze, look at it—this Prefect Yao is truly unusually sensible!"

Yuwen Ze raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and replied in kind, "Indeed, with such keen perception, how could one not ascend to the high post of prefect?"

Yao Hongnian's smile widened, his bow deepening, and he quickly added, "These are duties I ought to perform!"

Chen Yan waved his hand, his tone indifferent, "Enough, no need for formalities!"

Yao Hongnian and the officials then straightened, responding in chorus, "Thank you, Chen Zhuguo! Thank you, Prince!"

Chen Yan finally dismounted at a leisurely pace, his Xuanse Jinshen brushing the ground and stirring a wisp of dust.

He stood tall, eyes blazing, slowly scanning the Huazhou officials before him, then said, "Prefect Yao, now that Huazhou's civil and military have arrived, why not introduce them to my lord and the Prince?"

Yao Hongnian heard this and promptly bowed, replying, "Yes!"

Having said so, he turned and pointed to the nearest official standing by his side.

The official had a refined appearance, seeming about forty years old.

Yao Hongnian introduced, "Chen Zhuguo, Prince, this is the Chief Clerk of Huazhou, Du Duo Yi!"

"Chief Clerk Du hails from the Jing Zhao Du Clan and is even a relative of the Prince..."

Du Duo Yi stepped forward, bowed deeply to Yuwen Ze, and respectfully said, "I, Du Duo Yi, have seen the Prince!"

"I have long admired your illustrious name; to meet you today is a three‑life blessing!"

Yuwen Ze nodded, a faint smile appearing, and raised his hand, saying, "No need for formalities."

Yao Hongnian then turned to another official, whose frame was slightly slender yet whose eyes were sharp.

"This is Pei Min, the Household and Tax Staff Officer of Huazhou!"

"\"Staff Officer Pei oversees Huazhou's household registration and land taxes; he is my right‑hand man... \""

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow at the mention of Pei Min, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, and asked with a smile, "The Hedong Pei Clan, right?"

Pei Min quickly bowed, replying respectfully, "Indeed! I, Pei Min, come from a branch of the Hedong Pei Clan..."

"I have seen you."

After Yao Hongnian finished introducing the other officials, his obsequious smile deepened, he rubbed his hands, hurried to Chen Yan, bowed, and said, "Chen Zhuguo, Prince, you have both trekked from Chang'an in dust and fatigue; surely you are exhausted!"

"I have already prepared light wine in the city; though not a delicacy, it can welcome you and cleanse the dust; I hope you will honor us with your presence!"

Chen Yan lifted his hand, gently pressing, cutting off his words, his tone flat, showing no emotion, "No need to rush the wine!"

The words fell, his brows lifting slightly, eyes blazing, landing on Yao Hongnian's smile‑filled face, he slowly asked, "Prefect Yao, you should know why my lord and I have come, shouldn't you?"

Yao Hongnian felt a chill in his heart, yet his smile did not waver, and he quickly bowed, replying, "Know! Know!"

"Chen Zhuguo and the Prince are here because of the relay inn fire case!"

Chen Yan heard this, his left hand resting behind him, the hem of his Xuanse Jinshen fluttering in the hot wind, his gaze sweeping over the tightly shut city gate nearby, and he said in a deep voice, "Since you know, Prefect Yao, lead my lord and the Prince to the burned relay inn and have a look!"

"Yes! Yes!" Yao Hongnian answered repeatedly.

He immediately stepped aside, made a respectful gesturing motion toward Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze, bowed, and said, "Chen Zhuguo, Prince, this way, please!"

Having said so, Yao Hongnian led Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze toward the direction of the relay inn.

Behind them, the Huazhou civil and military officials, as well as the embroidered emissaries of the Mingjing Department and the elite troops of the Left Martial Guard, followed closely.

The vast procession stamped orderly footsteps on the scorching official road, startling the cicadas by the roadside into a brief pause.

In less than the time it takes for half a incense stick to burn, the party arrived before the ruined relay inn.

The once orderly and elegant relay inn now bore no resemblance to its former self; broken walls and ruins under the blazing sun exuded a charred, decayed gloom.

Several charred, brittle beams stood crookedly amid the wreckage, as if they might collapse with a thunderous crash at any moment.

The air was thick with a strong burnt odor mixed with the scent of ash from grass and wood, stinging the nostrils.

A few crows perched on the broken wall, emitting hoarse cries, adding to the desolate melancholy.

Yuwen Ze stood beside Chen Yan, his gaze heavy as he watched the scene, curled his lip, a trace of icy cold flashing in his eyes, and thought coldly: "To be burned into such a ruin, these people's methods are truly ruthless!"

Chen Yan's expression was calm, his face expressionless as he scanned the ruined walls before him, his eyes sweeping over the charred beams and scattered debris, then he turned to Yao Hongnian beside him and asked in a deep voice: "Inspector Yao, what have you uncovered about the cause of the inn's fire?"

Hearing this, Yao Hongnian hurried forward a step, clasped his fists and bowed to Chen Yan, and solemnly replied: "In reply to Lord Chen Zhuguo! According to the meticulous investigation by the judicial aide of the prefectural government, and the preliminary inference after extensive inquiries and evidence collection…"

He paused, then his tone suddenly became indignant, speaking with conviction: "This matter was the work of Qi State spies lurking in Chang'an!"

"It was that treacherous and cunning Gao Changjing, who, to sabotage our Great Zhou Imperial Academy's expansion plan, secretly sent men to set fire and harm our Great Zhou officials!"

"Gao Changjing?" Yuwen Ze heard the name, blinked, and muttered to himself: "Now that's interesting!"

"This Yao Hongnian, having learned Brother A Xiong's trick, always throws the blame onto Gao Changjing when trouble arises!"

"No wonder the fire broke out shortly after Mei Renbi's incident; the timing was precisely calculated!"

Chen Yan listened, a hint of playful smile flickering in his eyes, looking at Yao Hongnian with a half‑smile, his mouth curving slightly, and slowly repeated the name, his tone inquisitive: "Gao Changjing's doing?"

Yao Hongnian, feeling his heart tighten under Chen Yan's probing gaze, nevertheless steeled himself and replied resolutely: "Exactly!"

Before the words fell, he stepped half a pace forward, his face full of indignation, and declared loudly with certainty: "That Gao Changjing's thieving heart never dies, his wolf‑like ambition is laid bare!"

"Some time ago he covertly assassinated the Qilin prodigy, attempting to provoke border clashes between Great Zhou and Liang Kingdom, stirring up court affairs!"

"Now he brazenly burns the inn, harms Great Zhou officials, seeking to sabotage the Imperial Academy's talent‑recruiting enterprise; his heart is punishable! His crime deserves execution!"

His impassioned words caused several officials nearby to echo him.

The staff officer Pei Min stepped forward, bowed and shouted: "Inspector, you speak truly!"

His face flushed red, his voice trembling with emotion, he continued angrily: "That thief Gao Changjing is downright treacherous and sinister!"

"He will stop at nothing to achieve his aims; he is a grave internal threat to Great Zhou! If not eliminated, disaster will follow!"

Chief clerk Du Duoyi also wore a furious expression, his eyes full of hatred, fists clenched, he gritted his teeth and added: "That thief Gao Changjing repeatedly schemes to disturb Great Zhou's stability, harming our loyal officials!"

"Such a villain deserves to be torn apart by a thousand knives, only then can the spirits of the departed be appeased!"

Seeing everyone follow his lead, Yao Hongnian felt slightly steadier, changed tone, let out a heavy sigh, his face full of sorrow and regret, his voice deepening a few notes: "Alas!"

He paused, scanned the broken walls, and said mournfully: "Pitiful are those colleagues who lodged in the inn, each a pillar of talent; before they could serve the nation, this thief mercilessly snatched their lives! Heaven is blind!"

As he spoke, he pounded his chest heavily, looking heart‑broken and unable to contain himself.

The civil and military officials of Huazhou, seeing this, also showed sorrowful expressions.

In an instant, a mournful atmosphere spread over the inn's ruins.

Only Chen Yan, hands behind his back, watched them chant in unison with interest, his face showing no trace of grief, but rather a half‑smile of amusement.

After Yao Hongnian finished this performance, Chen Yan slowly spoke, his voice low but clear to everyone's ears: "So, Inspector Yao, you wish to avenge these unjustly slain colleagues, right?"

Hearing this, Yao Hongnian, without hesitation, bowed and replied: "Naturally!"

He again covered his chest, his body trembling slightly, his tone earnest and angry: "The colleagues' tragic deaths sadden me to the core; I cannot find peace day or night!"

Chen Yan heard this, his mouth corners lifted slightly, a flash of cold brilliance in his eyes.

He gently uttered two words: "Very well!"

As the words fell, his smile grew more playful, then he suddenly raised his voice, commanding loudly: "Capture them!"

Those two words thundered like a shock, ringing in everyone's ears.

Hou Mo Chen Xiao, already poised, lifted his hand at once and said gravely: "By Lord Chen Zhuguo's order! Move!"

The Mingjing Embroidered Attire Envoys behind him responded, each agile, moving as fast as lightning, and in a blink they rushed before Yao Hongnian, Du Duoyi, and Pei Min.

Before the three could react, the Envoys pinned them to the scorching ground, twisting their arms behind their backs, crushing their knees, leaving them unable to move a fraction.

Yao Hongnian was stunned, struggled to lift his head, his earlier grief and regret all faded, leaving only bewilderment and incomprehension.

He could not understand; moments ago he was hearing Chen Zhuguo accuse Gao Changjing, now he suddenly flipped, without any sign.

He gaped, and from his throat erupted a shocked angry shout: "Chen Zhuguo, what are you doing?!"

Immediately, he raised his voice sharply, shouting at Chen Yan: "Injustice! Chen Zhuguo, I have done nothing wrong!"

"I serve the country with all my heart, with no selfish motive whatsoever!"