Chapter 146: The Imperial City Office: Even the Emperor Breaks the Law!

Imperial City Office.

An institution independent of the Eastern and Western Depots and the Censorate.

Established since the founding of the Daqing Dynasty!

A special grace granted by the founding Emperor for the people.

And that famous Daqing saying:

"Even the Son of Heaven is subject to the law like a commoner!"

"Strike the Heavenly Drum, and you may accuse the Emperor himself."

But!

As imperial power grew ever deeper, the Imperial City Office became a mere shadow of its former self, now merely a symbol of "imperial privilege."

Each reigning Emperor maintains his own "secret service" to handle dark matters unfit for public knowledge—"dirty work!"

The Northern Wind has the "Da She He," the Qianyuan has the "Heibing Platform."

Both are the Emperor's eyes and ears, trusted pillars of his rule!

The "Xuanjing Office" established during Emperor Hui's reign was exactly such a body; after Emperor Hui's downfall, his successor purged and destroyed the Xuanjing Office, leaving not a single survivor.

Every new Emperor cultivates his own institution from scratch, never reusing the Imperial City Office—today's "Eastern Depot" is no exception; the Imperial City Office has gradually been marginalized.

The Imperial City Office has never been abolished—it's merely a rhetorical fiction to reassure the realm's subjects!

Just a symbol!

Those who serve within are all from powerful clans and imperial kin.

It's a quiet post, a nominal position, yet even its highest commander holds the rank of third grade.

And the Heavenly Drum, symbolizing "peace under heaven," has not been struck in twenty years.

In this silence, it proclaims Daqing's realm is tranquil, the state free of major affairs!

Today!

Two women arrived at the Imperial City Office compound.

A carriage halted at the gate; the two women walked together toward the side entrance.

The two guards at the gate hurriedly bowed to the woman on the left:

"Greetings, Miss Xie!"

The woman lifted her head, revealing a clear, dignified face, like a lotus emerging from water, exquisitely beautiful.

She gave a slight nod.

The two guards stared, spellbound.

But they quickly regained composure and respectfully opened the small gate: "Miss Xie, please enter."

This Miss Xie's younger brother is the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Office; she sometimes visits, and the guards know her well!

The other woman!

Was a red-clad beautiful matron, who also smiled faintly and stepped gracefully inside.

The two guards immediately turned their heads in unison, staring fixedly at the red-clad woman's back.

One swallowed hard, his gaze locked on the woman's full, moonlike curves.

"Stop staring!" the other guard hissed. "Anyone who walks with Miss Xie isn't ordinary. You're a gatekeeper—what are you gawking at?"

The scolded guard chuckled:

"Brother, I'm just gawking at a bit of ass!"

The other replied with a grin:

"You dog of a taste—why not join me tonight at Chunhua Pavilion? Heard a bunch of courtesans came from the Northern Wind—those looks…"

"Nah, nah, brother, my tastes are different—I prefer the women who lean out their windows down the alley!"

"Hah, I get it."

The two shared a knowing laugh.

The two women entered the inner courtyard; as they passed, all eyes turned to them in awe.

Though nominally an imperial institution, the Imperial City Office had few personnel—only forty or fifty, most of them idle and unoccupied.

In the courtyard!

Some rolled dice to gamble, others drank and chatted; some young noblemen even practiced calligraphy and Go here, enjoying a leisurely, refined air.

Finally!

The two women stopped before the central courtyard. The gatekeeper, recognizing the Xie family woman, bowed respectfully and let them pass.

Inside the main hall, sighs echoed, and footsteps trudged heavily back and forth.

As the two women entered, all eyes turned toward them.

Inside, three people were already present:

A cold-eyed white-robed woman, a brocade-clad eunuch, and a handsome middle-aged man slumped over a desk, looking utterly exhausted and uncouth.

If Lu Chen were here, he would recognize all three!

The Miss Xie was Xie Lingxuan of Mount Zhongnan.

The red-clad matron was Zou Shuning from the ruined temple by Yuetangjiang.

The white-robed woman was also someone they had met and traveled with on Yuetangjiang.

Zou Shuning caught sight of the white-robed woman and her eyes flickered with surprise—she had not expected to meet an old acquaintance here.

The white-robed woman smiled faintly at Zou Shuning in reply.

Then, the distinguished middle-aged man noticed Xie Lingxuan.

His lazy expression vanished instantly; he rose and bowed respectfully, saying:

"Greetings, Elder Sister."

The man was Xie Linghao, second son of the Xie family; a year ago, he was demoted for offending the Grand Empress Dowager and is now assigned as Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Office.

Xie Lingxuan gave a slight nod in reply.

The Xie family's rules were strict; even Xie Linghao, now Deputy Commander, knew the weight of propriety.

Though married, Elder Sister still consulted with their father on family and court affairs.

Xie Linghao deeply respected her.

The brocade-clad eunuch smiled warmly and greeted:

"Miss Xie, long time no see—how have you been?"

He considered Xie Chunan's current importance at court; the eldest daughter of the Xie family certainly deserved such deference.

Xie Lingxuan returned the courtesy:

"Director Jiao, you are well."

All exchanged pleasantries and introductions!

Zou Shuning was startled to see this eunuch named Jiao He—he was the Chief of Punishments of the Eastern Depot.

The Eastern Depot was established by the current Emperor; its head is called "Supervisor of the Eastern Depot," and its members are known as "Supervisor" or "Eunuch Lord."

Below him are one Chief of Punishments, one Chief of Justice, both also called "Deputy Punishers," personally selected by the Emperor.

Below them are over forty clerks and supervisors, and over a thousand agents stationed across the realm for surveillance and apprehension.

Jiao He, as Chief of Punishments, was a high-ranking official of the Eastern Depot.

In terms of power, he rivaled a first-rank official holding great authority.

But!

Weren't the Eastern Depot and the Imperial City Office not on good terms?

Both had the right to report directly to the Emperor.

The Eastern Depot's full title is "Imperial Commissioner, Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, Eunuch Office Seal"; it is granted a sealed ivory stamp, used to seal all confidential memorials.

The Imperial City Office has its own small seal; affixing it to a memorial allows direct delivery to the Emperor's desk.

Though both enjoyed the privilege of direct imperial access, this function had lain dormant for over a decade, and mutual rivalry had long since silenced communication.

With its power waning, the Imperial City Office posed no real threat to the Eastern Depot.

Yet now!

A high official of the Eastern Depot appeared here—could it be he too had come for that matter?

The white-robed woman was Tao Jiamin.

Her father was Jiao He's martial arts master; they were fellow disciples, with deep ties.

Xie Linghao's gaze unconsciously lingered a moment longer on Zou Shuning—this red-clad beauty was effortlessly alluring, impossible to ignore; normally he would have weighed his options carefully.

But!

He was overwhelmed now—how could he think of such things?

Zou Shuning and Xie Lingxuan were childhood friends; upon arriving in the capital, they had immediately reunited, their deep bond evident.

Then!

A sigh rang out clearly in the room.

All turned to look.

Xie Linghao slumped back into his chair, voice heavy with despair: "This is truly going to kill me!"

He went on complaining, "Director Jiao, can I just quit and go home? The Commander went straight to the palace and dumped this mess on me!"

Jiao He smiled and comforted:

"Commander Xie, I warned you in advance—I'm not unfaithful to you, am I?"

Xie Linghao let out a bitter laugh: "Eunuch, you'd be better off not telling me—just give me a quick death."

The others in the room remained silent; they understood the thorny situation they were about to face.

"Young Protector, come to the Imperial City Office with a blood-written indictment!"

Xie Lingxuan had been informed by her father, Xie Chunan, and had come along with her female friends.

Jiao He had been specially dispatched by the Son of Heaven to prepare Xie Linghao.

Originally, this matter was to be handled by the Director of the Imperial City Office, but the Director had already entered the palace and avoided meeting anyone.

"A seasoned bureaucrat, well-versed in the ways of officialdom!"

So!

This troublesome task fell upon Deputy Director Xie Linghao.

He had just been preparing to return home to the Xie Family to avoid trouble when Jiao He caught him off guard and forced him to meet the Young Protector.

"Who dares accept this blood-written indictment from the Young Protector?"

Xie Linghao suddenly spotted his elder sister, Xie Lingxuan, and his eyes lit up.

"Sister, what does Father advise me to do?" he asked urgently.

Xie Lingxuan shook her head gently and replied:

"Father says you should act as you see fit."

Hearing this, Xie Linghao immediately felt a headache coming on. He pressed his palm to his forehead and groaned:

"What am I supposed to do now? How can the Imperial City Office possibly take this case?"

This is an indictment against the Son of Heaven!

Normally, you'd just drive them out—but now it's the Young Protector himself. What are we to do?

Just then!

The guard at the door entered and reported:

"Report, Deputy Director Xie: three people outside are striking the Heavenly Drum. Should we drive them away?"

Normally, commoners never struck the Heavenly Drum—they were simply driven off.

Xie Linghao quickly asked:

"What are the three dressed like?"

The guard replied: "Two men and one woman. They wear plain clothes, nothing unusual."

He added: "But one middle-aged man has a magnificent hawk perched on his shoulder!"

No sooner had he spoken!

The guard looked puzzled, but the men in the room reacted strongly.

"It's really them!"

Xie Linghao leapt to his feet at once!

Xie Lingxuan's heart trembled; she clenched her slender hands. It had been many years since she last saw him—now they would meet again.

Jiao He's expression turned solemn.

The white-robed woman, Tao Jiamin, looked on with clear anticipation.

Zou Shuning silently gazed toward the main hall, her thoughts drifting once more to the man who had ridden the wind across the Yuetangjiang.

Qin Xiaowu led the horse, eight thousand laborers pulled the bridge, and before tens of thousands, one man crossed the river—what a magnificent sight! Even now, recalling it left one breathless.

Just then!

The guard rushed into the room, his face tense: "Report, Deputy Director Xie: Deputy Director Zhang is arguing with the three!"

What?

Everyone was stunned.

The Imperial City Office had one Director and two Deputy Directors.

Xie Linghao hurried out of the room, the others following close behind.

PS: There's more tonight. Mmp, feels like another cliffhanger. Should have two more chapters tonight—the last one might be late, so don't wait up; you can read it tomorrow morning.

I've read your feedback. If I can't add an extra chapter tomorrow, I'll cut some plotlines and wrap up the Jingcheng arc quickly.



(End of Chapter)