Chapter 1881: The Frail Young Master's Bride to Ward Off Misfortune 36

Duan Linfeng prepared good wine and meat, without mentioning the investigation at all.

But this trick had no effect on Sir Xu whatsoever.

Just as they sat down, Sir Xu took out a rolled-up bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve.

"The Emperor has an edict; Duan Linfeng, step forward and kneel to receive it."

Duan Linfeng shuddered all over, inexplicably nervous, hurriedly knelt and crawled a few steps, raising both hands above his head to receive the edict.

But after just a few glances, Duan Linfeng's face turned ash-gray as he read the charges word for word, his heart filled with disbelief.

Duan Linfeng looked at Sir Xu, then tremulously glanced at Jin Yu Dong behind him.

"No… why would the Emperor suspect I'm Prince Li's man? Why would he think I have the gall to traffick government salt to raise private troops? It's a misunderstanding… all a misunderstanding!"

"Sir Xu! Who reported it? Who spread the rumor? You've served as an official for decades—you ought to discern the finest details, Sir Xu!"

Duan Linfeng suddenly rose to his feet, gripping the edict tightly, and glanced toward the courtyard outside without a trace.

Jin Chen keenly noticed, followed his gaze outward, saw a black shadow vanish, and immediately turned serious.

It was the black-clad person who had abducted Sir Sheng that day.

What guard could possess such martial skill and lightness?

……The capital, covert guards?

Jin Chen pondered for a few seconds, choosing to file a complaint rather than personally apprehend the culprit.

Not wanting to tire himself out at all.

"Dage, a black shadow just flashed outside."

Jin Chen played with Ye Yuchi's fingers, speaking as if startled, and accurately pointed out the direction.

"It flew that way."

Jin Yu Dong coldly looked at Duan Linfeng, whose expression had changed, and shouted in a shaking voice: "Men! Guard the Liu Manor Main Gate; allow no one to enter or leave."

"Yes!"

The capital specially ordered the Jinyi Guard to quickly secure every entrance and exit, leaving no gap.

Duan Linfeng lacked the resolve; his voice trembled as he continued answering Sir Xu's pressing questions.

But immediately afterward, he heard even more chilling words.

The mountains and forests where they had been drilling private troops were all discovered!

Yet they hadn't even noticed being followed!

The true master of tailing, Jin Chen, again produced a folding fan from his sleeve, fanning it lightly, hiding his talent and fame.

Ye Yuchi seized his wrist the next second, forcefully cutting off his pretense: "Husband, you were still coughing the day before yesterday."

Jin Chen sheepishly closed his fan.

Sir Sheng and Duan Linfeng tried to explain in turns, but before the evidence their words were pale as paper, and cold sweat poured forth uncontrollably.

"The evidence is as solid as a mountain; how dare you still quibble!"

Sir Xu slammed the table, glared coldly, and jabbed his two fingers hard at Duan Linfeng's front.

"Trafficking government salt violates our dynasty's law! Drilling private troops makes the charge of treason stick! Harming the son of our dynasty's foremost imperial merchant chills hearts and questions the throne's rule! With so many crimes piled on, there is no pardon!"

"What else do you two have to say!"

Jin Yu Dong threw open his cloak, revealing a yellow mandarin jacket, drew his sword, and declared: "The Emperor has an edict! If the investigation is true, then execute first, report later—Duan Linfeng, Sir Sheng, you two had better prepare to die!"

Duan Linfeng was utterly devastated, collapsing to his knees.

Sir Sheng suddenly turned vicious, drawing a dagger from his sleeve and lunging at Jin Chen, who sat nearby watching the drama.

"Even if I die, I will avenge this blood-deep grudge!"

"Xiao Chen!" Jin Yu Dong's tone shifted sharply.

Jin Chen embraced his husband who tried to shield him with his body, nimbly sidestepped, and kicked out hard with his boot.

Thud!

Sir Sheng was kicked five meters away!

He then slammed hard into the central pillar, the sound of breaking bones clearly audible.

Jin Yu Dong froze in surprise for three seconds.

How could he not know his own younger brother had become this formidable!

Jin Chen gave Youyou a look, saying, "Stupid Yuchi, did you think blocking the blade with your back would keep me unharmed?"

Ye Yuchi pressed his lips, the tense body from just moments ago relaxing; his reaction was purely instinctive, and he looked up at Jin Chen with a hint of grievance.

"All right, all right, look at me—I'm completely intact."

Jin Chen stood up, turned in a circle to show his husband, then suddenly dodged backward.

"Ouch."

Duan Linfeng was killed, blood nearly splashing all over him!

Jin Chen patted his sleeve, "Dage, you did that on purpose, didn't you!"

Jin Yu Dong's forehead twitched: "Who told you to suddenly stand up!"

Ye Yuchi's eyes flickered, fixed on the corpse on the ground, his mouth curling involuntarily.

【Villain Blackening Value detected -15, total 15!】

Jin Yu Dong slaughtered without hesitation, let alone the next target, Sir Sheng, who was utterly defenseless.

The Liu Manor household dared not show themselves, yet the wailing was so loud their hearts turned cold halfway.

What Duan Linfeng had done, they not only knew full well, but even hoped to share the spoils after success, becoming imperial relatives.

Now that the plot has been exposed, how could they possibly escape?

——

Three days later.

All private troops were placed under control, awaiting disposition.

Jin Yu Dong returned to the capital with the imperial envoy, carrying all evidence of Prince Li's rebellion, as well as the list of able-bodied men who died at Duan Linfeng's hands during the period in Chuan Ze Cheng.

The dust settled, and all those who deserved to die have died.

The huge stone that had been weighing on everyone in the Jin household, up and down, for this period of time, finally settled.

But what Jin Chen didn't expect was that Ye Zining, who had lost a leg and could only scrape by begging, would still manage to give them a big fright.

Another clear day.

The summer sky was blue and clear, and Jin Chen's body had been nursed back to complete health; on a whim he pulled Ye Yucie into the courtyard to have him play the guqin.

Ye Yucie actually hadn't touched the guqin for a long time.

But persuading him only required a few kisses from Jin Chen.

The guqin's melody lingered, the fruit's fragrant scent was refreshing, and the ice cubes dispelled the heat.

Jin Chen was enjoying it immensely; in less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Duo Yu suddenly walked in, leaned close to his ear, and said a few words.

"Cough cough…"

Jin Chen was startled by the news, moved his wine cup aside, looked at Duo Yu, and said, "Is that what he said?"

"Yes, he is waiting for you at the side courtyard Main Gate."

Duo Yu hesitated and said, "Young master, could Ye Zining have lost his mind?"

Jin Chen pondered for a few moments, rose, walked over to Ye Yucie, who was seated behind the guqin, and leaned in to press against his ear.

"I'll go out for a bit, Ah Ci, wait for me to return."

Ye Yucie, hearing this, also glanced at the oddly expressioned Duo Yu, lightly nodded, and gave Jin Chen a faint smile.

"Husband, come back early."

"Okay."

Jin Chen walked toward the corridor, not forgetting to instruct Duo Yu, "Don't let Ah Ci come out; this matter must not be known to him."

No one knows whether Ye Zining's dream of this matter from a past life is true or false, but it will surely stir up unpleasant memories for Ye Yucie.

"Yes, young master."

Duo Yu returned to the courtyard, and in an instant met Ye Yucie's eyes, which held a cold glint.

"What did Jin Chen go off to do?"

Duo Yu: "……"

"Young master, hurry back!"

"I feel like I can't keep it hidden!"