Chapter 997: Chickens and Dogs Rise to Heaven

Xue Shao frowned and looked toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Embroidered Uniform Guard: "... The man surnamed Zheng is currently in the Imperial Prison, but he was arrested because he offended the late Emperor—ordered by the late Emperor and Wang Zhen—not because of this case. Our Embroidered Uniform Guard has not shielded Feng Hongde."

Xue Shao withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly to Lin the Prefect: "I understand. Since you reported him, your possession of evidence must go beyond just these ledgers."

Of course it did—given Xue Shao's reputation as the Ghost Who Terrifies Jiangnan, Lin the Prefect didn't even blink, happily handing over all his evidence.

Xue Shao gained much; by the time Pan Yun returned from her arduous external duty and began organizing her scattered findings, Xue Shao had already drafted his impeachment memorial, appended ample evidence, and prepared two copies: one sent via the relay station to Jingcheng;

the other handed to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for secret delivery to Jingcheng.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had their own channels, and their speed would surpass the official relay.

Moreover, their secret memorials could reach the Emperor directly, whereas my memorial to the Censorate still had to pass through the Censorate and the Grand Secretariat.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard were eager to help deliver the memorial—they arrived late and missed most investigations, essentially picking up ready-made work. If Xue Shao was willing to write the memorial and include them, handing over both the memorial and evidence, then half the credit for this case belonged to them.

They weren't the State Preceptor, doing good deeds without seeking merit. In the imperial court, who doesn't want merit to advance further?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard urged the messengers to deliver the letter swiftly to Jingcheng, insisting it arrive before the official relay.

When Pan Yun heard the letter had been sent, she held up the materials she'd organized and asked: "Then what about mine...?"

Xue Shao took them and smiled: "Those are for official court records; this one is for prosecuting him."

Pan Yun's gaze flickered: "I forgot—you're the Imperial Inspector, authorized to handle this case directly and merely need to escort the prisoner back to Jingcheng. But you only have three or five Embroidered Uniform Guards. Feng Hongde controls the entire Chaozhou Garrison—what if he resists?"

"That's why I need to borrow troops," Xue Shao said. "Tomorrow is the martial arts contest for marriage. We leave tonight."

"Where to?"

"To borrow troops."

Pan Yun hesitated between watching the spectacle and staying with her friend, then ventured: "Can you borrow troops alone?"

Xue Shao regarded her silently: "Aren't you done investigating? What remains is arresting and interrogating to uncover hidden truths. Do you still intend to stay here?"

Pan Yun rubbed her nose: "I've never seen a martial arts contest for marriage in my life."

Xi Jin: "Master, let's go ourselves. In the State Preceptor's eyes, watching the martial arts contest matters more than us."

"Xi Jin, don't stir up trouble—I didn't mean that. I'm saying our actions these past two days have been substantial, especially yours, Xue Shao—you appear, then vanish. If I don't stay to watch, what if Feng Hongde wakes up?"

Xue Shao: "Come with me. He won't wake up."

Pan Yun frowned: "Why?"

Xue Shao said calmly: "He'll think we're eloping. He'll never suspect you're Xue Shao."

Pan Yun:...

Xue Shao urged her: "Are you coming or not?"

Pan Yun hesitated, deciding she couldn't prioritize spectacle over friendship, then asked: "Who are you borrowing troops from?"

Xue Shao: "I have two plans. Don't you want to know if Cao Rong can be saved? I'll go see him."

"What if he can't?" "Jiao Tong, Provincial Administration Commissioner of Guangdong—he was a student of my uncle's grandfather. When my uncle was exonerated, Jiao Tong petitioned on his behalf, even at the cost of angering Wang Zhen. Most importantly, he's only been in Guangdong three years. Whether for public or private reasons, I'm confident I can borrow troops from him."

Pan Yun sighed: "Fine. I'll go with you."

A smile flickered in Xue Shao's eyes. He thought a moment: "If you truly want to see the spectacle, we can leave after noon tomorrow."

Pan Yun tilted her head: "Afternoon?"

"Yes," Xue Shao lowered his gaze. "Feng Hongde arranged for a literary exam first to ensure my victory. The martial arts contest begins in the afternoon."

Pan Yun studied him up and down: "I know your martial arts are strong, but with your frail scholar's appearance, how did he be certain you'd win the martial exam after the literary one?"

Xue Shao: "He arranged another man to take the literary exam with me. He'll fight first, and I'll appear at the end to defeat him."

Pan Yun: "... For the sake of making you a son-in-law, he's certainly tried hard."

Xue Shao smiled: "It's fine. Mostly, the honor of being a Provincial Graduate carries weight."

"More than that—our Master is handsome, and from the Hedong Xue clan."

Pan Yun: "He believes a Hedong Xue would become a son-in-law?"

"A collateral branch. Our Master says his eldest brother is also a Provincial Graduate, and the family has no extra wealth or connections to help him. Since Feng Hongde likes our Master, he believes whatever our Master says."

Pan Yun murmured in amazement. The next day, she packed her bag and happily went with Xue Shao to watch the spectacle.

Perhaps because the Feng family was so prominent in Chaozhou, news about them spread rapidly. Everyone in the courtyard knew Xue Shao was greatly favored by Feng Hongde.

When he checked out, the landlord led the remaining tenants to escort him out, following him from the alley all the way to the main road.

Xue Shao looked embarrassed, pushing them away repeatedly, until they finally stopped at the street corner, bidding him farewell with lingering concern: "Master Xue, don't forget us when you rise to power."

"Master Xue, if you can't win, recite poetry or prose. Warriors say they dislike scholars, but secretly adore them. As long as Feng Ban Cheng likes you, who he marries is his decision."

"True. I think you and Feng Young Lady are perfect together. This morning I heard magpies singing—that's an omen of good fortune. You'll win!"

"Master Xue, go first for the literary exam. We'll come cheer for you in the afternoon during the martial contest."

"Exactly. Everyone, put aside your work this afternoon and go cheer for Master Xue."

Xue Shao hurriedly waved them off, but the courtyard's laborers and helpers were already excited, ignoring him entirely, deciding among themselves where to gather and even brainstorming a rousing chant.

Xue Shao:...

Pan Yun stifled a laugh and nudged him: "Looks like Master Xue has the people's support. Everyone wants you to become Feng Ban Cheng's son-in-law right away."

Pan Yun's words struck a nerve. The bustling laborers immediately turned and surrounded Xue Shao again, insisting: "Master Xue, don't forget us once you're in the Feng household!"

The landlord, squeezed to the back, sighed: "When one man ascends, even chickens and dogs rise to heaven."

Pan Yun was pushed out too, standing beside him. She asked: "Are you one of the chickens or dogs?"

The landlord looked solemn: "Being a chicken or dog isn't so bad."