Chapter 997: Chickens and Dogs Ascend to Heaven

Xue Shao frowned and looked at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Embroidered Uniform Guard: “...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 did not shield Feng Hongde.”

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

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

Xue Shao gained much. By the time Pan Yun returned from her difficult errand 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 courier station to the capital;

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

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had their own channels, and their speed surpassed that of the official courier.

Moreover, their secret memorials could reach the Emperor directly, while mine had to pass through the Censorate and the Grand Secretariat.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard were eager to deliver the memorial—they arrived late and missed most of the investigations, so they were essentially picking up ready-made gains. 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, who did good deeds without seeking credit. In the imperial court, who didn’t want merit and advancement?

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

When Pan Yun heard the letter had been sent, she held up her organized evidence and asked: “Then what about mine...?”

Xue Shao took it and smiled: “That’s for official reporting to the court. This one is for prosecuting him.”

Pan Yun’s eyes flickered: “I forgot—you’re the Imperial Inspector, authorized to handle this case directly and bring the accused back to the capital. But you only have three or five Embroidered Uniform Guards. Feng Hongde controls the entire Chaozhou Guard. 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 loyal to her friend, then ventured: “Can you borrow troops alone?”

Xue Shao looked at her silently: “Aren’t all the investigations nearly complete? What remains is arresting him and extracting what can’t be uncovered secretly. Do you still need 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 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 significant, especially yours, Xue Shao. You appear and 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 spoke calmly: “He’ll think we’re eloping. He’ll never suspect I’m 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 posthumously exonerated, he 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 really want to see the spectacle, we can leave after noon tomorrow.”

Pan Yun tilted her head. “Afternoon?”

“Yes,” Xue Shao lowered his gaze. “To ensure my victory, Feng Hongde will hold the literary exam tomorrow morning and the martial arts contest in the afternoon.”

Pan Yun studied him up and down. “I know your martial skill is high, but with your frail scholar’s appearance, how is he certain you’ll win the martial arts contest after the literary one?”

Xue Shao: “He’s arranged another man to take the literary exam with me. He’ll fight first, and I’ll step in to defeat him at the end.”

Pan Yun: “...For the sake of making you a son-in-law, he’s certainly trying hard.”

Xue Shao smiled. “It’s not bad. Mostly because of the prestige of being a Provincial Graduate.”

“Not just that. Our young master is handsome, and he’s from the Hedong Xue clan.”

Pan Yun: “He actually believes a Hedong Xue would become a son-in-law?”

“A collateral branch. Our young master says he has an elder brother who’s also a Provincial Graduate. There’s no extra money or connections to help him. Since Feng Hongde likes our young master, he believes anything he says.”

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

Perhaps because Feng’s household 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, walking with 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, urging him with reluctant goodbyes: “Master Xue, when you rise to power, don’t forget us.”

“Master Xue, if you can’t win, recite poetry or quote texts. Warriors say they dislike scholars, but secretly they adore them. As long as Feng Bancheng likes you, who he marries is his decision.”

“True. I think you and Miss Feng are perfect together. This morning when I woke up, I heard magpies singing—that’s an omen of good fortune. You’ll win!”

“Master Xue, go first for the literary exam. In the afternoon, when the martial arts contest begins, we’ll come cheer for you.”

“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—they’d decided among themselves where to gather in the afternoon and even began brainstorming a rousing slogan.

Xue Shao: ...

Pan Yun stifled her laughter and nudged him. “Looks like Master Xue has the people’s support. Everyone wants you to become Feng Bancheng’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, once you enter the Feng household, don’t forget us!”

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

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.”