Chapter 385: You ‘re Smart

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Despite their lively conversations, they assessed each other secretly and cautiously.

They didn’t even consider who the emperor was—a master of group battles and a cunning hunter. How could they take advantage of him?

He single-handedly managed everyone present, saving the effort of the three others.

They sat and listened, not bothering to touch even a sip of tea.

Qiao Mai had checked today’s food and drinks, and there was no problem. They could eat and drink without worry. However, they barely touched their chopsticks.

After the meal, unable to extract any information, they finally resorted to asking Qiao Mai about commercializing tea and ice.

“The tea was obtained occasionally, and I only brought a small amount on the journey. As for the ice, we used special means to transport it along the way. It was only for our use during the journey. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. Doing business doesn’t always result in profit; righteousness is paramount.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. We bid farewell.”

The emperor and his group boarded their carriage and departed. Upstairs, the onlookers remained seated, exchanging glances with each other.

“These four are not ordinary. That old man has such a strong aura. As soon as he arrived, he took charge and suppressed us. His wife seems to come from a humble background, and the other couple, though seemingly ordinary, showed no fear of the old man’s presence. It seems their status is not low. I heard they have twenty guards accompanying them, and the maids around them are also extraordinary.”

“We should be cautious. Let’s abandon this piece of cake.”

“Yes, our thoughts align.”

From that day on, Qiao Mai and the others were no longer disturbed, but the spies at the inn’s entrance remained.

The emperor and his group continued their daily strolls, sightseeing, dining, and listening to music without unusual activities. The people of Luzhou City gradually let their guard down.

In the calm days that followed, a new group of unexpected guests arrived at the inn one night.

The main battlefield was the rooftop, and the main actors were the black-clad figures and Blackie.

The black-clad figures were wiped out, and their bodies were thrown into the Rong mansion. Qiao Mai lets Miss Rong witness how she keeps to her promises.

The next day, she was hung upside down outside the city walls, naked.

When the day broke, the citizens entering and leaving the city could see the spectacle.

This time, it was not so easy for her to come down. When the Rong family discovered she was missing, they sent people to search the city. They found her at the city gate when the sun rose.

It took considerable effort to bring her down.

The citizens enjoyed an eye-catching sight—every detail of her body, including birthmarks, was visible.

The Rong family faced a severe loss of pride.

“Did you provoke those people again?”

“Yes, Father. Yesterday, I sent someone over. I won’t stop until I get what I want.”

“If he could insult you like that, he has the ability to kill you. No one will stop you from trying to kill yourself. You can’t drag the family down.”

“Father, why are you so stingy? Don’t forget that the empress is from our family.”

“Nonsense. She came from the main family. The empress is not the emperor. The previous empress was also removed from her position. She strictly demands from her family, let alone our branch.”

“Anyway, the emperor is far away. They can’t control us here.”

“You’d better behave yourself.”

Furious, the Rong family head revoked all her privileges and assigned someone to watch over her. Without his orders, Miss Rong was not allowed to act recklessly.

A day later, ten thousand elite soldiers from the border arrived. Following the emperor’s orders, they investigated the five thousand soldiers outside Luzhou City.

The emperor received evidence of their crimes and immediately suspended the commander. He chose a replacement from the generals at the border.

The forces outside the city remained passive while the Golden Dragon Guards infiltrated the city, investigating each household.

Even the most profitable shops in the city couldn’t escape scrutiny. For three consecutive days, the city remained quiet. On the third night, the sky opened up, pouring down heavy rain.

The emperor examined the thick account books with a headache in the inn.

“Golden Dragon Guards.”

“Present. ”

“Tomorrow night, carry out operations. These five families must not be released. First, take them to the prison, then thoroughly search their residences, from properties to shops. Ensure everything aligns with the account books.”

“Yes!”

In the night rain, the Golden Dragon Guards left the inn while bearing the emperor’s orders.

The rain continued throughout the day and night, finally stopping. On this night, the five families of Luzhou City found themselves surrounded by imperial troops. Any resistance was met with immediate execution by the Golden Dragon Guards.

All of them were detained in the magistrate’s prison, which had been taken over by the commander from outside the city.

The night saw 15,000 soldiers searching. When dawn broke, they began tallying the confiscated wealth. By noon, the old emperor received the news.

The five families’ confiscated records amounted to sixteen million taels, with countless precious jewels, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. The valuable medicinal herbs were as numerous as hairs on an ox.

Rather than getting angry, the old emperor chuckled.

“Excellent! They’ve been saving money to send gifts to us. With this batch collected, how can the national treasury not be abundant? If more such people come, we will be even more prosperous. No need to worry about money anymore.”

“Your Majesty, do you want the main culprits to be publicly tried?”

“I’ll leave it to you and the commander to handle. We don’t want to see these parasites. Have the opium dens been searched?”

“Not a single one was spared.”

“After the trial, those deserving death shall be executed according to the laws of the Great Ming; those deserving banishment shall be banished. Remember to pull out all the poppy plants outside the city and post notices. Any household caught growing this stuff again will be sentenced to death!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Golden Dragon Guards left. The emperor sought out Qiao Mai. “In-law, everything has been settled.” “Let’s witness the spectacle?”

“I had the same idea.”

The four arrived at the magistrate’s office. The crowd gathered outside, eager to know the fate of the five families.

Qiao Mai gestured for people to make way, and a path naturally formed. The emperor entered the office with his three companions.

The heads of the five families knelt in the courtroom. The leader of the Golden Dragon Guards sat above them, accompanied by the commander.

The Rong family head and Magistrate Wu resisted and argued, especially the Rong family head.

“How daring you are to move against the empress’s maternal family.”

“Hmph, isn’t the law applicable everywhere? His Majesty revised the law. His Majesty even said he would be treated the same as commoners if he breaks the law. You are not the empress; you are merely related to Her Majesty. Can you compare to His Majesty?”

“Hmph, we refuse to accept this.”

“We have witnesses and material evidence. You have no choice but to accept it.” “I want to submit a complaint. You abused your power to arrest us.”

The leader of the Golden Dragon Guards displayed a token. “Open your eyes and see what this is.’

Upon seeing the token, the Rong family head and Magistrate Wu collapsed.

How could they not know the Golden Dragon Guards? They were the emperor’s personal guards, dedicated to protecting the emperor and following his orders. In other words, the current situation they faced was all due to the emperor’s favor.

Suddenly, Magistrate Wu widened his eyes, looking at the Golden Dragon Guards. “Is the emperor currently in Luzhou City?”

“Hmph, you’re pretty clever.”

Magistrate Wu bowed his head resignedly. As he thought, that person seemed familiar that day. It turned out to be the emperor.

They operated opium dens and harmed the commoners—the emperor knew it all. Alas!

Simultaneously, the Rong family head also realized this problem. He looked at Magistrate Wu. “Why didn’t you say it earlier?”

“I just thought of it.”

The Rong family head suddenly turned around, looking at the commoners outside the magistrate’s office. At a glance, he saw the emperor and the others.

The emperor calmly gazed at him, and the empress stared at him with a stoic expression.

The words he was about to say never left his mouth.

What could he say? The emperor intended to punish him, and there was no escape. Just two days ago, he still regarded them as guests, but now, he had become a prisoner under their control..