Military Advisor Cao nodded and shouted to the men who had followed him, "Let's go in and search the mansion!"
As soon as Military Advisor Cao shouted, several burly men stood menacingly at the entrance of the Xie residence. After taking a few steps back, they forcefully shoved the door open with their shoulders.
"What are you all doing?!"
The Xie family steward heard a loud "bang" and was so frightened that he ran out barefoot without even putting on his coat.
It was late at night, and everyone in the Xie household was asleep, except for Xie Jun, who was indulging in nightly revelry.
"By imperial decree, search the residence!"
Cao, the military advisor, shouted, his voice even louder than that of the Xie family steward.
However, the music from Xie Jun's room was even louder. He had been in a bad mood these past few days and could only numb his nerves by listening to music while embracing two women.
"By imperial decree?! Where is the imperial decree? I don't see it!"
The steward roared, and several servants and thugs carrying sticks rushed up behind him.
“Our master is a second-rank official in the imperial court. You dare to search him and see what happens?!”
The Xie family steward stood in front of Jin Jinzhi with his hands on his hips, looking fearless.
"Open your dog eyes and take a good look! This is the Prince of Jibei standing before you!"
Cao Canjun looked at Xie's steward as if he were a fool: "He really has never seen the world."
"Don't tell me you haven't heard of the name of the King of Jibei!"
Upon hearing that it was the Prince of Jibei, the servants and thugs were so frightened that they all took a few steps back. Back then, the infamous case of the Marquis of Chinan was the one in which this Prince of Jibei searched and confiscated the property.
If even a high-ranking general was imprisoned in the imperial prison, what chance would a mere vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue have?
Cao, the military advisor, stopped wasting words with the Xie family steward. He beckoned to several men, who followed him into the backyard: "You lot, come with me to search the backyard!"
The group nodded and followed Cao Canjun, pushing aside those blocking their way and entering.
Jin Jinzhi stood at the door, looking around the Xie residence.
The mansion looks like it has been renovated; every flower, every blade of grass, and every tree is meticulously trimmed.
It's a pity that Xie Jun probably won't be able to stay in this mansion for long, as it will soon be confiscated.
Although he had never been to the backyard of the Xie residence, he trusted Yun Duoduo.
That girl always seemed to have a magical power, able to both save boys and girls abducted by human traffickers and find the fatal weaknesses of mountain bandits.
Moreover, her intelligence made him unconsciously believe what she said.
Time really flies...
When I first met Duoduo, she was so small, and her eyes were swollen like walnuts from crying.
Now, she has blossomed into a graceful young woman, and will soon be of marriageable age...
Thinking of this, Jin Jinzhi suddenly smiled. Whenever the song "Clouds" played, his heart always felt warm.
Jin Jinzhi touched the jade pendant tied to his waist. It was a gift from her many years ago when he was preparing to go to the northern frontier.
The bell on the jade pendant made a clear, ringing sound.
She was six years old that year.
Jin Jinzhi's feelings for Yun Duoduo were somewhat complicated. If it were many years ago, he would have cursed himself as a beast in his heart.
But things are different now. Yun Duoduo has reached marriageable age, so it's understandable that he might have feelings for her.
When the Xie family steward saw Jin Jin's smile, he got goosebumps all over his body and felt a chill run down his spine.
But at this moment, seeing that he seemed to be immersed in memories and thoughts, the Xie family steward made a gesture, signaling the servants to quickly go and tell Xie Jun.
Xie Jun didn't even notice the commotion at his residence; he must be drunk.
The servant had just turned and taken a step when Jin Jinzhi looked up and said coldly, "Where do you think you're going?"
The servant was so frightened that he immediately fell to the ground: "Oh my god, Your Highness, I'm just a errand boy, please spare my life!"
Jin Jinzhi raised his head, and several people behind him walked over and surrounded the Xie family's steward and servants.
"Keep a close eye on them."
"As for Lord Xie, let him get another good night's sleep."
Before half an incense stick's time had passed, Military Advisor Cao led his men out of the backyard, dragging a lot of things behind them with a clanging sound.
"Your Highness, these are all hidden in the storeroom in the backyard of the Xie residence!"
Cao, the military advisor, found a large number of rocks, copper pieces, molds, and many counterfeit coins that were only half-finished in the Xie residence.
Jin Jinzhi nodded: "Leave a few of our men behind to watch over the Xie residence."
"Let's leave these things here for now."
The men that Cao Canjun brought nodded and stood aside with their knives in their hands.
"I will go to the palace and report this matter to His Majesty, and then make a decision."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
...
Inside the Prince Rui's mansion, all was quiet. The cool moonlight shone on the courtyard. From a sleeping chamber with an osmanthus tree planted in front of the door, whispers could be heard.
"What's this smell?"
Although incense was burning in the bedroom, Yun Shaomu still smelled an unpleasant odor, like the smell of sweat mixed with the scent of flower petals—a fragrance that was both strong and unpleasant, making him feel quite uncomfortable.
The eldest son of Prince Rui, Yun Shaomu, and the second son, Yun Shaoyuan, shared a bed in the same bedroom.
"Brother, have you taken a bath?"
Yun Shaomu covered his nose and asked.
"Yes, I washed it."
Yun Shaoyuan was almost asleep, but he woke up immediately when he heard Yun Shaomu's words.
He asked vaguely, "Did you wash?"
"No..." Yun Shaomu pursed his lips.
"My mother asked my father to wash me, but later, my father didn't wash me."
Yun Shaomu sniffed himself and found that he didn't smell very good. He then moved closer to his brother Yun Shaomu and sniffed him. The smell was very refreshing.
[It was just the smell of my own sweat...]
Yun Shaomu looked exasperated, somewhat helpless.
"Brother, who gave you a bath? Did you do it yourself?"
"No, Mother washed me once, and then... then Father washed me again." Yun Shaoyuan's voice was still muffled; he was just too sleepy.
This morning, his father made him recite poems and books twice, and also practice the horse stance. Even though he had been squatting for an hour, after he changed out of his cold and damp clothes, his father made him squat for another hour.
"It was washed again..."
Yun Shaomu's face darkened again; it seemed his father had confused the two brothers once more.
Sigh, men, they really can't be relied on.
Yun Shaomu sighed, threw off the covers, and climbed down, intending to throw himself into the pool behind the artificial hill for a bath.
I need to wash and smell nice before I can sleep comfortably.
"Brother, you should go to sleep first."
Yun Shaoyuan turned over and fell into a deep sleep without asking any further questions.
...
The moonlight was hazy, and the streets of the capital were deserted.
When Jin Jinzhi arrived at the palace, Yun Beiye was still working late into the night.
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