"Lord Feng said his estate was robbed last night. We, the Vulture Stronghold, used to do business openly and honestly, never stealing chickens or dogs. Besides, last night my father and I were drinking and carousing at the Cuihong Pavilion, and we even ran into Lord Zhou Ningzhang." Ji Fengming grinned shamelessly at the embarrassed Vice Minister of Revenue, Zhou Ningzhang, making him shudder and wish he could dig a hole and hide so that Ji Fengming could divert his attention.

Unexpectedly, Ji Fengming walked straight up to him and patted his frail shoulder affectionately, almost knocking him to the ground. His tone was incredibly familiar: "Lord Zhou, right? My father and I each ordered a girl to accompany us for drinks. You were sitting in the private room opposite us, and neither of the doors was closed at the time. I saw you with a girl in each arm..."

"Ahem!" Hearing Ji Fengming's increasingly outrageous words, which were about to turn into a ridiculous joke in court, Shang Xiche had to cough lightly to interrupt him: "Zhou Ningzhang, is this true?"

"Your Majesty..." Zhou Ningzhang clasped his hands together in front of him, bowing like a shrimp, and quickly walked to the front of the hall and knelt on the ground, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, I did indeed encounter Marquis Anping and his son last night. I deserve to die."

Ji Chenhai twisted his head and said, "Lord Zhou, I'm puzzled by what you're saying. You just happened to run into my son and me, so how is that a capital offense? You haven't been robbing or plundering with us, so is there such a big crime?"

The entire court of officials: "..."

Shang Xiye kept his eyes down, his nose closed, and his hand plucked a tuft of white wool from the wool blanket.

"All of you, step back! What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket in front of the palace?" Shang Xiche reprimanded softly, but showed no sign of anger. "Minister Feng, that's enough. Stop crying. It's just a manor. I'll reward you with fifty dan of tribute rice later. If you really can't get over it, I'll hand this matter over to Magistrate Xiong Yingxiang for a thorough investigation."

Will you reward him with fifty dan of tribute rice?

Feng Zhengchang secretly coughed up blood; that was all the wealth he had accumulated through years of embezzlement!

If Your Majesty hadn't spoken and knocked on the door, would he have moved all his possessions to that estate overnight to prevent those two bandits from robbing him?

Adults suffer in silence, but they can't say it, and they can't even investigate openly. It's infuriating!

“Your Majesty is right. It’s just a matter of one estate. I… I have already received the reward, so I won’t trouble Lord Xiong anymore… Waaah…” Feng Zhengchang lifted the sleeve of his official robe, still wiping away tears.

All the officials and civil and military officials turned their heads in disapproval.

I never would have guessed that Lord Feng is so easily moved to tears.

Seeing this, Lord Feng felt even more miserable: You know nothing, sob sob sob...

After the court session.

Ji Fengming stepped out of the court, stepping on Zhou Ningzhang's heels. He put his hand on Zhou Ningzhang's shoulder and said with a grin, "Lord Zhou, we've all been friends who've drunk and been with friends before. How about the three of us get together for another round of drinks tonight?"

"Hmph!" Zhou Ningzhang glared at Ji Fengming with a haughty air, then turned and left.

Seeing this, the other officials also quickly slipped away, fearing that they would be caught by these two bandits, dragged out and subjected to disreputable acts, ruining their reputations.

Once outside the palace gates, Ji Fengming followed closely behind Shang Xiye, leaping onto his carriage. He then casually sat opposite him, gesturing a "five" with his hand.

Shang Xiye glanced at Ji Fengming indifferently and held up three fingers without expression.