After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 99 The Eastern Depot Takes Over

"Master, master, something terrible has happened!"

At the Wang family residence, the butler rushed in.

Wang Ao was drinking tea when he said with displeasure, "What's the rush?"

The steward said with a bitter face, "The Zhenwu Temple has been raided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Everyone from the Medicine King Sect has been taken away!"

Wang Ao's expression changed drastically, and he asked, "Who has such audacity to dare to attack the Medicine King Sect?"

"It's said to be Li Chun, the commander of the Crown Prince's guards!"

Wang Ao immediately thought of the injuries he had sustained in the Eastern Palace.

He has been resting at home for the past few months, but due to his advanced age, his injuries are healing very slowly.

Some time ago, I accidentally obtained a herbal pill. After taking it, I found that the pain in my broken bone had disappeared, I had strength again, and I even had sex with my concubine.

He's over sixty years old and had long been unable to keep up with his efforts, but unexpectedly he's been able to experience a second spring in his life.

During this period, he used various means, swallowed his pride, and begged people everywhere, even spending a lot of money to buy it from the public at high prices, all for the sake of Baicao Dan to survive.

Now that I've heard that the Medicine King Sect has been captured, this is outrageous!

"How dare he, a mere guard of the Crown Prince's palace, arbitrarily arrest people?"

The steward said, "I've also heard that the Medicine King Sect sells fake medicine—"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Overcome with anger and anxiety, Wang Ao disregarded his leg injury and rose to leave, shouting, "Quickly, take this old man to the palace!"

The steward hurriedly chased after him, saying, "Don't worry, I'll go prepare the sedan chair!"

When the sedan chair arrived at the Meridian Gate, the steward helped Wang Ao down.

"Minister Wang, you've arrived too!"

Wang Ao looked up and was stunned.

Several sedan chairs were already parked near the Meridian Gate.

Several familiar figures were gathered together; they were all elderly officials with gray hair and beards.

There were retired ministers who had served for many years, and vice ministers who were recuperating at home due to illness.

An elderly man with white hair came forward to greet them; it was none other than Tu, the former Minister of Personnel.

Wang Ao hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Minister Tu, how could you—"

Tu sighed and said, "You must have come because of the Zhenwu Temple, right? I'm taking those Hundred Herbs Pills too. If I stop taking them, I'm afraid my old bones won't be able to hold on."

A man nearby leaned over; it was Zhou Jing, the former Minister of Revenue. He said with a bitter face, "Who says it isn't true? After taking this medicine, my old back pain is cured, and I can even eat two bowls of rice. Now that I've heard that the Medicine King Sect has been raided, I feel like my heart is being scratched by a cat."

Wang Ao became even more anxious upon hearing this.

These old guys are all living off Baicao Dan!

"Let's go, into the palace!"

A group of elderly officials, supporting each other, walked unsteadily toward the palace.

Qianqing Palace.

The Hongzhi Emperor was sitting behind his desk reviewing memorials.

Xiao Jing served him from the side.

Suddenly, a young eunuch hurried in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Vice Minister Wang Ao, Minister Tu Tu, and several other senior officials request an audience."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked up, somewhat surprised: "Why have they all come together? Summon them!"

A moment later, a group of elderly officials with white hair walked in, supporting each other, and knelt down in unison.

Seeing this, the Hongzhi Emperor was even more puzzled: "My dear ministers, what's going on? Rise at once."

Wang Ao remained kneeling, kowtowing and saying, "Your Majesty, we have come to beg Your Majesty to make a decision!"

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly: "What is it? Tell me."

Wang Ao raised his head, his face filled with grief and indignation: "Your Majesty, Li Chun, the commander of the Eastern Palace guards, led his men into the Zhenwu Temple today and arrested everyone from the Medicine King Sect! They also confiscated all the elixirs!"

Tu Yong also kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Medicine King Sect is dedicated to saving lives, and their Hundred Herbs Pill is especially effective. After taking it, our chronic illnesses were completely cured, and our aged bodies were given a new lease on life. Now that we have been arrested without cause, we humbly beg Your Majesty to intervene!"

The Hongzhi Emperor was taken aback and looked at Xiao Jing: "Is that so?"

Xiao Jing also looked completely bewildered.

He really didn't know.

No one from the Eastern Depot has reported this.

Seeing that he remained silent, the Hongzhi Emperor's face darkened immediately: "Xiao Jing, are the Eastern Depots all useless? How could you not know about such a major matter?"

Xiao Jing hurriedly knelt down, sweat beading on his forehead: "This old servant—this old servant will go and investigate immediately—"

Before he could finish speaking, another series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A middle-aged eunuch dressed in a brown robe trotted in; it was Wang Yue, the director of the Eastern Depot.

He knelt down as soon as he entered: "Your Majesty, this servant has important news to report!"

The Hongzhi Emperor stared at him: "Speak!"

Wang Yue, panting, said, "Li Chun, the commander of the Eastern Palace guards, led the Embroidered Uniform Guards into the Zhenwu Temple today, arrested all the disciples of the Medicine King Sect, and confiscated all the elixirs!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing flew into a rage: "Why didn't you report such important news sooner!"

Wang Yue said aggrievedly, "This servant only just found out—"

Xiao Jing said, "You only found out after everyone's been arrested!"

Wang Yue had no choice but to explain: "Today, someone in Shuntian Prefecture filed a complaint, saying that they almost lost their life after taking a pill from the Medicine King Sect. The sect leader, Qian Xuzi, went to confront them, so I took some people to Shuntian Prefecture to gather information. As a result, I missed the Zhenwu Temple. By the time I received the news and rushed over, Commander Li had already arrested the person. I had no choice but to hurry to the palace to report."

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned and asked, "What did you say? Qian Xuzi is in Shuntian Prefecture?"

Wang Yue nodded: "It's about Shuntian Prefecture. They say someone almost died after taking the Hundred Herbs Pill, and Sect Leader Qian went there to confront them directly."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ao immediately panicked and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a frame-up! We have personally experienced the miraculous effects of the Hundred Herbs Pill; how could it possibly kill anyone?"

Tu Yong quickly added, "Your Majesty, I have been taking the Hundred Herbs Pill for days, and my health is improving day by day. If you say this medicine is poisonous, I will be the first to disbelieve it!"

Then someone else chimed in, "Your Majesty, I've been taking medicine for my chronic leg pain for over a decade without any improvement, but this Hundred Herbs Pill works. If it were poisonous, my legs would have been crippled long ago!"

As the Hongzhi Emperor listened to the chatter of these old ministers, his brows furrowed even deeper.

He now takes medicine daily, and not only has his cold been cured, but he also feels noticeably more energetic.

The Shuntian Prefecture filed a complaint, and Li Chun arrested people. Something feels off...

He abruptly raised his head and asked, "Who filed the complaint?"

Wang Yue said, "At first, there was a victim named Wang Er, who was from the Wuqing County Development Zone. Later, seven or eight more people came, all of whom were local residents, as well as some who came from other places."

The Hongzhi Emperor finally realized what was wrong: the development zone, Li Chun —

No matter how you look at it, this matter is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince!

"Send the Crown Prince to see me!"

"yes!"

Wang Yue left in a hurry and went straight to the East Palace.

Xiao Jing asked, "Your Majesty, should we speak to the Shuntian Prefecture and ask them to release Sect Leader Qian first? Otherwise, if word gets out, it will damage the reputation of the Medicine King Sect."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded and said, "Tell Han Chong that the Eastern Depot will take over this case, and have him release the prisoners first."

Xiao Jing then asked, "Then who did Li Chun arrest—"

"Didn't you hear what I said? The Eastern Depot is taking over!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

P.S.: This chapter is from the 7th. There were no drafts saved; it was all typed by hand and is being posted immediately. Please bear with me, dear readers!