With a loud bang, the door to the private room was kicked open from the outside.

The loud noise startled Wang, the registrar, so much that he trembled and immediately withdrew his hand.

A man dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, with a handsome face but a hint of arrogance and ferocity, leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed.

He was followed by several equally well-dressed but clearly thugs and henchmen.

The person who arrived was none other than Helian Jue.

"Oh, it's quite lively here? I heard someone's auditing the accounts here? What accounts? And they've even come to investigate my friend?"

Helian Jue's beautiful peach blossom eyes lazily swept across the messy table, lingering for a moment on the greasy corners of Wang Zhubu's mouth and his disheveled appearance with his official hat askew.

Finally, his gaze fell on Zi Xi, a half-smile curving his lips. He deliberately emphasized the word "friend," but his eyes remained coldly fixed on Wang Zhubu's face.

When Wang, the registrar, saw who it was, his mind went completely blank, the color drained from his face, and even his lips trembled.

This...this...isn't this the infamous troublemaker, Prince Jing's heir, Helian Jue, whom everyone in the capital knows and fears?!

What's up with this little tyrant?!

And they claim to be friends with this pretty shopkeeper?!

Wang, the registrar, was so frightened he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Who in the capital doesn't know this man's fearsome reputation?

They rode their horses wildly through the streets, not caring whether they would trample pedestrians. Although they were lucky enough not to hurt anyone, their arrogance was enough to terrify anyone!

They beat up those prominent scions of wealthy and powerful families as if it were child's play!

They are ruthless and dare to mess with anyone, no matter how powerful their background is!

They regarded these minor officials in the government offices as ants. If they displeased them, they would be whipped at best, and thrown into prison and tortured to the point of wishing they were dead at worst. This was a common occurrence!

The Prince Jing's mansion wields immense power, and even His Majesty indulges his nephew greatly; who dares to discipline him!

Wang, the registrar, felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. His legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

His two henchmen, who had been trembling outside the door when they saw Helian Jue kick it down, were now even more pale and knelt down with a thud, their heads bowed low as if they wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Your Highness! I...I...I was merely following orders to perform my duties...I had absolutely no other intentions!"

Clerk Wang was so frightened that he became incoherent, his voice trembling like leaves falling in the autumn wind, and cold sweat poured down his forehead like a waterfall, instantly soaking the back of his official robe.

He no longer cared about official authority, the scholar's instructions, or his heavy purse.

Saving your life is the most important thing!

Helian Jue chuckled and strolled in slowly, his boots landing on the fallen account books.

"Just routine? You came to my friend's restaurant and ate and drank like a fish, your mouth was all greasy, and the account books were even on the floor... What kind of accounts are you checking?"

"I think you're abusing your public office to commit embezzlement, aren't you?"

He looked down at the trembling Wang, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt and disgust.

"Tsk tsk, these accounts are a hundred times clearer than your government's pile of messy accounts! What? Is the government too idle? Or do you think the people I, Helian Jue, protect are easy to bully?"

He bent down, picked up the ledger with two fingers with disdain, and casually flipped through a couple of pages.

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! Your Highness, please understand! I was blind! I deserve to die!"

"The accounts of Bazhenlou are clear! The operation is compliant! There are absolutely no problems! It was my mistake! I'll get out of here right now! Right now!"

Wang, the registrar, was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, wishing he could grow wings and fly away from this place of trouble.

"roll?"

"You ruined my meal, startled my friend, and now you want to get out just because I said you were confused?"

Helian Jue raised an eyebrow, his voice not loud, but it made Wang Zhubu feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.