Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

"With such meager strength, you dare to be so presumptuous in front of me?"

Wang Dongjian loosened his fist and snorted disdainfully.

Qian Youkang's smile froze instantly, and he stood there, unable to believe it.

Seeing Wang Dongjian continue walking towards him, he felt fear and hurriedly said, "How much money did Zhang Xiaomeng give you? I'll pay double. As long as you choose to join me, you'll be rich and powerful."

"You want me to pledge my allegiance to you?"

Wang Dongjian looked disdainful. "You're not worthy."

Qian Youkang retorted angrily, "He's nothing but a discarded son of a marquis, powerless and without influence. What future do you have with him? My father is a high-ranking official, holding the second rank. It's your good fortune that I've taken a liking to you. Don't be ungrateful."

"Enough with the nonsense, just get over there."

Wang Dongjian forcibly grabbed Qian Youkang and threw him in front of Zhang Xiaomeng.

Qian Youkang had never suffered such humiliation. He roared at Zhang Xiaomeng, "You dare touch me? My father will never let you get away with this!"

"Yeah?"

Zhang Xiaomeng squatted down and said confidently and calmly, "My brothers are all very good fighters. Your dad can't touch me."

Qian Youkang laughed, looking at Zhang Xiaomeng as if he were a fool: "You were once the heir of a marquis's mansion, yet you know nothing about power. If my father wants to deal with you, it only takes a word."

"I don't believe you. Don't try to scare me."

"idiot!"

Qian Youkang was arrogant and said, "My father controls the nation's finances and food supplies. He can make you destitute with just a few words."

"That's public funds of the imperial court. How can it be manipulated by private individuals?" Zhang Xiaomeng feigned ignorance and took the opportunity to elicit information.

Hit where it hurt, Qian Youkang acted rashly and blurted out, "So what if it's public funds? My father has always been in charge of the government's finances!"

Wang Dongjian sneered inwardly.

He dares to say such outrageous things in public; he really is a filial son.

A glint flashed in Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes, but he feigned apprehension and softened his tone: "I didn't expect the Minister to wield so much power."

Qian Youkang laughed triumphantly: "Now you're scared? You'd better let me go right now, or you'll regret it!"

"It was my ignorance that led me astray." Zhang Xiaomeng reached out and helped him up, putting on a fawning smile. "It's a small amount of money, please help yourself."

"You're smart to know what's good for you."

Qian Youkang stood tall and proud, regaining his former radiance.

He had already planned it out in his mind: first, he would slip away, and then he would find someone to cripple Zhang Xiaomeng.

So he turned around and walked away with a swagger.

But just as he turned around, Zhang Xiaomeng raised his hand in a gesture.

Feng Yi immediately handed over a short stick.

Zhang Xiaomeng gripped the wooden stick, a fierce glint in his eyes, and slammed it down on Qian Youkang's knee.

"ah--"

A piercing scream suddenly rang out.

Qian Youkang collapsed on the spot, his face turning pale with pain, and he curled up on the ground, rolling around incessantly.

Zhang Xiaomeng held the stick and smashed it down relentlessly, one blow after another.

Qian Youkang's wails rose and fell, like a pig being slaughtered, making people's scalps tingle.

Every gambler watched with trepidation.

That's so brutal!

After being beaten, Qian Youkang was covered in blood and lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog.

His eyes blazed with resentment, and he forced out a voice with all his might: "My father... will never let you go..."

Zhang Xiaomeng, panting heavily, threw away the blood-soaked stick, grabbed Qian Youkang by the collar, leaned down and grinned maliciously: "Believe it or not, your dad won't touch me, he might even praise me for beating you well."

"impossible……"

Qian Youkang shook his head decisively.

My father has always doted on me the most, how could he sit idly by and do nothing?

But for some reason, a strange unease crept into my heart.

"Then I'll prove it to you."

Zhang Xiaomeng straightened up and casually pointed to a gambler: "You, go to the Minister's residence and have Lord Qian come and pick up the person in person."

The gamblers present were already stunned by the scene before them, and they all fell silent, their faces ashen.

The gambler who was called out dared not disobey in the slightest and scrambled out of the gambling den.

Zhang Xiaomeng gave Wang Dongjian a wink.

Wang Dongjian understood immediately and sent one of his men to secretly follow and monitor them.

Before long, the scout returned and whispered a report in Wang Dongjian's ear.

Wang Dongjian turned to Zhang Xiaomeng: "Minister Qian brought his guards and also invited officers from the Ministry of Justice."

Feng Yi immediately lowered her voice and reminded her, "The Ministry of Justice is the princess's man."

Upon hearing this, Qian Youkang instantly perked up and yelled at the top of his lungs, "My dad's here! You're dead!"

Zhang Xiaomeng leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "I'm also looking forward to seeing how the Minister plans to deal with me."

After saying that, he instructed Wang Dongjian and the others to put on masks to temporarily conceal their identities.

After all, they were officials in the same court, so Minister Qian would definitely recognize them.

Seeing this, Qian Youkang sneered, "Now you're thinking of covering your faces? Too late! So many people have seen it, none of you will escape."

A moment later, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A middle-aged man dressed in official robes, with a dignified face, strode in.

A large number of Ministry of Justice officials filed in behind them, armed with sharp blades, and quickly surrounded the entire gambling den.

The cold glint of the blade illuminated the surroundings, plunging the once bustling gambling den into utter silence.

The group of gamblers huddled in a corner, not daring to even breathe.

"Father! Save me!"

Qian Youkang hurriedly shouted for help.

When Qian Deming, the Minister of Revenue, saw his son lying on the ground covered in wounds, his sharp gaze suddenly turned cold.

He stepped forward, displaying his official authority, and launched the first attack: "Zhang Xiaomeng, how dare you! Injuring someone in broad daylight, do you have any respect for the law? If you know what's good for you, release him immediately, and I might be lenient with you."

Zhang Xiaomeng remained seated, even crossing his legs, and said calmly, "Minister Qian, you're already rushing to convict me before even clarifying the matter. Is this how you usually handle cases, arbitrarily labeling people?"

"presumptuous!"

Qian Deming sternly rebuked, "It's none of your business to interfere with my actions! If you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zhang Xiaomeng leaned back in his chair, a calm smile on his face: "I am here today on the Emperor's orders to arrest the wanted criminal Liu Wanfu. Your son has obstructed me, and according to the law, you should be punished as a member of the criminal gang. Minister Qian, I advise you to quickly take your men and leave, lest you end up implicated and lose your position."

"Nonsense!"

Qian Deming frowned, his face full of disbelief.

"You have long been expelled from the Marquis of Yongwu's household and your engagement to the royal family has been dissolved; this is common knowledge throughout the court and the public. Now, in an attempt to escape punishment, you dare to use the imperial edict as a shield to deceive everyone!"

Having said that, he turned to the official accompanying him and said, "Lord Lin, seize this madman immediately!"

This person is Lin Youwei, a principal officer in the Ministry of Justice.

He ordered in a deep voice, "Arrest them!"

Qian Youkang laughed wildly: "Zhang Xiaomeng, you're completely finished now..."

Before he could finish speaking, two constables quickly stepped forward and put shackles on him.

Qian Youkang was stunned on the spot, and struggled desperately in shock and anger: "Why are you arresting me? You're arresting him! Let me go!"

The constables ignored him and held him firmly in place.