"Young Master, Wang Zheng has ordered a thorough investigation into the Xiongnu night raid," the servant said, bowing to Wei Ci.

The man in the white mink coat sat blankly in the chair, his eyes vacant. His own secret guards had all been wiped out, as had the strong and brave soldiers sent by the Xiongnu.

Why? Unless it's a major martial arts sect that couldn't take it down, even in the capital, a high-ranking family shouldn't be attacked at night like this! Just who are the Fengyue Tower and the Huo family?

He could kill Xiao Lanyi! But he was defeated by a group of women and a few ordinary people. He was not convinced!

Wei Ci's forehead veins bulged, his hands trembled, and he took out Wushi Powder from his pocket, inhaled a mouthful, and gradually calmed down.

"If I remember correctly, Five-Stone Powder was already listed as a prohibited drug in the previous dynasty. Some of it was confiscated in the capital a few years ago and is stored in the Ministry of Rites' warehouse. Wouldn't you call this embezzlement by Lord Wei?"

Before he was seen, his voice was heard. Wang Zheng walked with his hands behind his back and said this.

Upon seeing Wang Zheng approach, the man put the medicine bottle back into his pocket, gave a cold laugh, and said...

"His Majesty, feeling sorry for my leg ailment which causes me great pain during rainy and cold winter days, specially bestowed upon me excellent medicine. How could it be considered embezzlement by Magistrate Wang?"

Wang Zheng raised an eyebrow. Oh dear, this emperor is so cunning! Under the guise of showing concern, he's making Wei Ci inhale Wushi Powder, isn't that just sending Wei Ci to meet his maker as fast as possible?

"Let's set aside the matter of the Five-Stone Powder for now. I've come here to demand the release of the person you requested from me, sir."

"Oh?" Wei Ci raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I found a token among the corpses of the Xiongnu I raided last night," Wang Zheng said, raising his hand. Liu Cheng presented a red cloth with both hands, inside which was a square bronze plaque.

“A bronze plaque as a token isn’t something every guard can afford, Lord Wei,” Magistrate Wang said calmly, sitting down in front of Wei Ci and casually pouring himself a cup of tea.

He thought to himself, "People from the capital are really rich. Even their kettles are made of jade. My Luan'er's room is just missing such a beautiful decoration. She can hold it even if she doesn't drink from it; just looking at it makes her happy."

It wasn't difficult to check the waist tokens of the Wei family guards. After all, from the day Wei Ci arrived in Pingyang County, all the people had seen the guards riding tall horses and leading the way with tokens hanging from their waists, and these tokens were exactly the same.

Wei Ci hooked the token with his finger and said...

"Does Lord Wang mean that I'm colluding with the enemy to send a message? Based on this token alone?"

Wang Zheng grinned, revealing his little tiger teeth, and said...

"I didn't say that, sir. Don't wrong me."

They wanted to pin the blame for slandering Shangguan on him, but sorry, he wouldn't accept it.

The man in white gave a wink to the guard beside him, and the guard on duty immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and said...

"This token is mine. I take full responsibility for my actions. It was used for my private communications with the Xiongnu."

Wang Zheng raised an eyebrow and asked...

"Tell me what messages you exchanged with the Xiongnu."

The man with the tiger teeth picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea smelled wonderful; it must cost several hundred taels of silver per pound. He wanted this one too.

The guard's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed, and he replied...

"I noticed that so many wealthy ladies from the county came and went from the brothel every day, so I made an agreement with the Xiongnu to let them rob us in the middle of the night, and afterwards we would split it in half."

"Hahahaha," Wang Zheng laughed out loud, holding his water glass, causing the tea inside to splash out as he shook his body.

"Do you think they're stupid? They'd take such a huge risk just to split the profits 50/50 with you?"

Wang Zheng's smile faded, and he looked at Wei Ci with a serious expression, continuing to speak.

"Don't you agree, Lord Wei?"

Seeing the magistrate's dismissive attitude, Wei Ci's murderous intent resurfaced. He drew a dagger from his waist and planted it in the middle of the table, saying...

"If Magistrate Wang wants to interrogate someone, then take them back for interrogation. I am, after all, your superior; at least be polite."

The magistrate glared at him boldly, "You think you're worthy?" He then continued to ask the guard...

"Then what does the Huo family have to do with it? Why would the Xiongnu go to the Huo family?"

"It must be because the Huo family and the brothel are too close, so..."

"So those Huns got it wrong, right?"

Seeing that things were getting increasingly difficult to explain, Wei Ci gave the guard a wink. In an instant, the man kneeling on the ground picked up the dagger on the table and slashed his own neck.

Blood splattered everywhere. Wang Zheng was a little disgusted and, holding the stool with both hands, shuffled to the side like a crab.

Wei Ci's eyes were gloomy, and he remained motionless as the blood dripped onto his white coat, making Wang Zheng's teeth ache with envy.

How expensive! How expensive! Even his annual salary as a county magistrate might not be enough to buy one! He's truly the biggest spendthrift in the capital!

"Now Magistrate Wang should be satisfied, right? This man has given you his confession. As for what he did, I know nothing about it," the man said, unmoved, his eyes fixed on Wang Zheng.

"Justice resides in the hearts of the people, Lord Wei. I must give the people of Pingyang County justice." Magistrate Wang clasped his hands and bowed, completely ignoring the corpses on the ground, and led his men out of the room.

Anyone could see that the guard was just being used as a scapegoat. Wang Zheng thought it was time to send a memorial to the capital.

"Someone come here!" Wei Ci shouted from inside the house.

The servant hurriedly pushed open the door and bowed to receive instructions.

"Pack your bags, get ready to return to the capital."

"yes"

The servant retreated to the doorway, then returned and asked...

"That Fanghua girl?"

Wei Ci pinched his brow, thought for a moment, and then said...

"Take it with you"

The servant was shocked to hear this. He was going to bring a prostitute along? His master had been shoved with countless beauties along the way. He didn't know how this girl from Pingyang County had caught his eye and was about to rise to prominence.

"yes"

Before leaving, Wei Ci wanted to visit the Fengyue Tower. He wanted to see what kind of place it was that could cause him to lose so many people.

That night

A carriage arrived at the entrance of the brothel. It was unusual for the brothel to be open in the evening. This delighted the male patrons who frequented the place; finally, they could go and listen to some music.

Honestly, they came here to cultivate their few remaining sentiments. Besides, the young girls in the building sing really well, and if they're lucky, they might even see the most beautiful courtesan perform a dance, right? They'd try their luck.

Wei Ci stepped off the carriage using the footstools and looked at the Fengyue Tower with its bright lanterns hanging in front of him.

Hearing that the girls here can choose whether or not to take customers, the man sneered. Tonight, he would see if the gold and silver treasures could tempt these women to climb the social ladder and get rich!

"Oh, sir, you look like a new customer. Is this your first time at our establishment? What kind of girl would you like to keep you company?" the waiter asked with practiced ease.

The man tossed out a piece of silver.

"Courtesan"

The waiter suddenly felt the silver in his hand was burning hot, and hurriedly stuffed it back into the hand of the servant following behind him, saying apologetically.

"Sir, I'm so sorry, our courtesan only sees customers when she feels like it. How about I inform her? If she doesn't come, you can look for someone else?"

Wei Ci looked around, then glanced at Ruyi dancing on the stage and said...

I want her too!

"Alright, alright! I'll have Miss Ruyi come and keep you company after she finishes this dance."

"I want the courtesan too!"

...