The First Lackey Under The Empress

At that moment, the setting sun gradually sank, reflecting a ruddy complexion on the man's face, like an old general on a stage.

“Heh, that’s right,” another member of the Red Flower Society winked:

“As expected of a ‘Miss’ from an official’s family, probably well-fed, with plenty of energy, beautiful features, and delicate skin.”

The others also revealed knowing smiles.

The leading man holding the wine bowl glanced at the gang members and warned:

“Keep your hands clean, no one can touch her without orders from above. Who knows what might be involved later.”

The crowd responded dispiritedly:

“Understood. But speaking of which, why capture an official’s daughter? Besides, she saw our faces, if she’s released…”

“Stop thinking nonsense, just do as Lord Meng says.”

The “Lord Meng” they spoke of was the leader of the largest gang in the capital.

Among the common people, he had the nickname “Night King”.

Some even believed that the capital belonged to the Empress during the day and Lord Meng at night—the common people couldn't see the broad sky, and Lord Meng was the greatest figure they could hope to see.

As the group ate meat and drank wine,

suddenly, they faintly heard the approaching sound of chaotic footsteps outside.

“Someone’s coming—”

The leading man became vigilant, raised a finger to his lips, and signaled for silence.

One hand gripped the iron rod beside him.

“Bang, bang, bang!” Someone pounded on the door: “Open up!”

With no response, the group of gang members lightened their footsteps, held their weapons, and approached the courtyard gate.

The next second, they saw the wooden courtyard door being kicked open by several large feet with a “bang!”

As the door fell, a group of Imperial Constabulary officers rushed in!

Almost instantly, the gang members were all knocked down, completely outmatched.

“Ah, officers, spare our lives…”

The one who kicked the door open was a Peony Hall Investigator, who kicked the rod-wielding man in the chest, placing the cold, sharp blade on his neck:

“Did you kidnap someone? Where is she?”

The man stammered and didn't speak.

An officer who went to search stood outside the woodshed door, glanced inside, and shouted:

“Chief, there’s a woman inside, her clothes match the description.”

The Peony Hall Investigator's eyes lit up and he said:

“Don't move rashly, set off the signal flare.”

A follower took out a bamboo tube from his waist, pointed it towards the sky, grabbed the pull cord and yanked it hard.

“Shoo—”

A sharp whistle sounded, and a fiery red flare shot up from the ground, exploding in the sky, accompanied by a wisp of conspicuous smoke.

Shortly after.

Outside the courtyard, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, and Hou Renmeng and Qian Kerou, who were also searching in the Eastern District, arrived at the same time.

“The person is in the woodshed, her identity hasn’t been verified yet.” A Peony Hall colleague bowed.

The two exchanged joyful glances, Qian Kerou stepped forward, and slashed the lock chain with her saber.

As soon as she entered, she saw a beautiful young woman wearing a ruqun dress tied up in the dark woodshed, wriggling and whimpering.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re here to save you.”

Qian Kerou squatted down, pulled out the rag from the girl’s mouth, compared her to the portrait in her hand, and asked:

“What’s your name?”

The girl was extremely frightened and timidly said:

“Feng… Lianlian…”

Her delicate face was covered in tears, and she didn't know what had happened.

Found her… Qian Kerou silently breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, cut the rope for her, and said:

“We are from the Pear Blossom Hall of the Imperial Constabulary, subordinates of Investigator Zhao, and we are ordered to rescue you, come with us.”

Investigator Zhao… Father mentioned him, that Empress’s pretty boy… White Horse Zhao Envoy?

Feng Lianlian was stunned.

Suddenly thinking of the rumors about Zhao Du'an's bad reputation, she became even more afraid and shrank back.

Qian Kerou: “…”

At this moment, footsteps came from outside the courtyard again.

At the end of the alley, a group of gang thugs wearing uniform jackets with red flowers embroidered on their lapels surged like a tide.

But upon seeing the Imperial Constabulary soldiers, their momentum faltered slightly.

In the crowd, a silver-haired old man, about fifty years old, wearing a Tang-style jacket and cloth shoes, strolled over.

He was also twirling two oily and smooth walnuts in his hand.

Beside him, a young man with sharp eyes and steady steps followed, clearly a martial artist as well.

He was the youngest “Red Pole” enforcer in the Red Flower Society.

“Hehe, officers, may I ask why you’ve come? And under whose authority are you acting?” The silver-haired old man asked with a smile.

The gang members who were tied up and thrown in the courtyard, their eyes lit up:

“Lord Meng—”

Hou Renmeng, muscular and with a defiant expression, stroked the hilt of his saber and walked out, narrowing his eyes:

“You’re the boss of the Red Flower Society?”

Lord Meng was used to a pampered life, but having been in a high position for a long time, he still had some bearing, and immediately nodded with a smile.

But his heart was not as relaxed as his appearance.

He didn't know who Xia Jianghou was targeting, he was just acting on orders, ordering someone to kidnap Feng Ju's daughter.

A sixth-rank official of the Ministry of Personnel, for Lord Meng, who was in charge of the capital's underworld, although he was unwilling to provoke, he was not afraid.

Moreover, he had done similar dirty deeds for Xia Jianghou more than once, and he was already familiar with them.

But what he didn't expect was:

As soon as he kidnapped the person, after only half a day, he received the news that the judges of the Imperial Constabulary had collectively dispatched.

Like mad dogs, they simultaneously searched all the halls.

Lord Meng was shocked, and had to bite the bullet and rush over, but it was still one step too late.

“It’s good that it’s you, it saves me the trouble of finding you.”

Hou Renmeng grinned, revealing his white teeth, and shouted sharply:

“Take him down!”

Lord Meng's face changed, thinking, where did this unruly officer come from?

Shouldn't he be asking around first?

Why so reckless?

The Red Pole beside him immediately pulled out the iron rod from his waist, took a step forward, and unleashed his martial energy.

“How dare you! You dare to resist arrest, and despise the court!”

Hou Renmeng was not angry but laughed, slashing out with his saber.

Lord Meng paled and hurriedly shouted: “Don’t fight back!”

Even the largest gang is still in the shadows, how dare they openly confront the government?

Hou Renmeng, however, took advantage of the situation and kept slashing, forcing the Red Pole, who could only defend, to vomit blood and kneel on the ground, then spat arrogantly and sneered:

“Consider yourself wise, huh, someone like you rats in the gutter are worthy of asking my lord's name?”

He also slapped down the two oily walnuts in the old man's hand, raised his foot and crushed them hard—

Old Hou hated people who pretended to be something they weren't the most, well, his own lord was an exception.

In the courtyard.

Qian Kerou helped the soft-legged girl out, glanced coldly at the group, and seeing that it had attracted many people to watch from afar, she said loudly:

“Pear Blossom Hall is handling a case, idlers step aside.”

Pear Blossom Hall… They are Zhao Du'an's people…

Lord Meng's face suddenly turned pale, this “Night King” suddenly felt a chill down his spine, his legs trembling.

Thinking, how did he provoke this little judge?

He immediately became anxious in his heart.

He only hoped that Xia Jianghou would take action to rescue him as soon as possible—he had already sent someone to notify him before he came out.

… …

… …

General Overseer Hall.

When Zhao Du'an arrived, he saw Ma Yan, a tall and dignified room, had been waiting for a long time.

The Grand Eunuch with a thin face, messy and irritable eyebrows, and a gloomy and indifferent temperament said lightly:

“You’ve come? Explain yourself.”

As the Director, he had learned of the simultaneous dispatch of the nine halls at the first moment.

But he did not intervene to stop it, nor did he ask, only waiting for Zhao Du'an to come to explain.

“Senior brother is indeed calm.”

Zhao Du'an said with a smile, offering a free flattery.

He liked flattery the most.

It doesn't cost money, as long as you move your lips, you have a chance to explode gold coins, is there anything more profitable in the world than this?

Ma Yan sighed helplessly:

“Let's get down to business, what are you doing this for?”

Zhao Du'an said sternly:

“This subordinate is about to report to the Director and apply for an ‘Arrest Warrant’.”

Ma Yan frowned: “Who are you going to arrest again?”

The word “again” is well used… Zhao Du'an took a deep breath, speaking clearly and accurately:

“The hereditary Marquis of Xiajiang of the Great Yu!”

… …

Misspelled words will be corrected after updating.