After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

The severity of the situation shocked the imperial court.

The emperor, about to abdicate, unleashed a torrent of fury, issuing a resolute and cruel imperial edict—

The Ning family of the capital colluded with the Northern Dynasty to sell military equipment, an act that aroused the wrath of both gods and men! Their crimes were heinous!

The bandit leaders Ning Guangtiao, Ning Guangxian, and Ning Guangshao, along with Kong Xiang, the deputy commander of Yunhu Camp, were executed without pardon. Their families were confiscated, their clans were exterminated, and their heads were displayed along the Yangtze River as a warning to others.

Last year, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War inspected the riverside but was completely unaware of the Yunhu Camp incident. He was a mere figurehead and was demoted by the emperor, who then sent him to Qujing, Yunnan as the prefect.

Fan Shiwei, the commander-in-chief of Yunhu Camp, was stripped of his post for failing to manage his subordinates properly and neglecting his duties. He was temporarily detained in the capital to be observed for future conduct.

The Five Military Commands were found to have failed in their duties and were fined one year's salary. Their direct superior, Zhang Chengyu, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, was imprisoned pending investigation.

Zhou Tianchao, the Left Commander-in-Chief of the Governor-General's Office, resigned to take responsibility and requested to retire. The Emperor refused. Zhou Tianchao pleaded again, but the Emperor still refused. Zhou Tianchao pleaded a third time, and the Emperor had no choice but to grant the Commander-in-Chief, who was not yet sixty years old, permission to retire and return to his hometown.

The purge in the capital was thorough, and the area outside the capital was no exception. Hundreds of officials, large and small, from the three counties surrounding Yunhu, the local provincial administration, the provincial judicial commissioner, and the military command were all punished with salary deductions and reprimands. Furthermore, Gu Xichuan, the governor of Yunhu, was ordered to patrol along the river and thoroughly investigate the matter of collusion with the Northern Dynasty.

Although everyone complained and inwardly cried out for justice, they naturally understood that the court's reprimand was a pretense, a real warning. At this point, they could only swallow their bitterness, behave themselves properly, and temporarily refrain from earning money they shouldn't.

If we were to get caught up in this mess now, it wouldn't be as simple as just being beheaded.

……

……

"Originally, Xue Yan and his group's plan was flawless. The Heavenly Principle Sect was responsible for the attack, and Li Erlai was the murderer. On the surface, it had nothing to do with the Ning family in the capital. Li Erlai himself admitted it. Although Young Master Ning was considered the mastermind, with only witnesses, he would at most be exiled. As long as Young Master Ning lived, Marquis Jingbei wouldn't completely turn against him; it's just that Young Master Ning wouldn't be able to inherit the title. Hmm... even I have to admit, they calculated things very well."

Inside the Ning family study on Datong Street, Qin Yuanyao, dressed in a red flying fish robe, poured tea for Prince Xin while smiling.

"But after Young Master Ning was wrongfully imprisoned, he did the opposite, using a major crime to exonerate himself of a minor one, and was released from prison to investigate the case personally. This move far exceeded their expectations, and they were thrown into disarray."

The female commander couldn't help but laugh, and Zhu Cuiwei's lips also curved slightly.

"...Although the Ning family also colluded with the Northern Dynasty to sell gunpowder and weapons, their true motive for plotting against Li Family Village was the Heavenly Principle Sect...Wen Liang was indeed sent by the Sticky Rod Office, but he had nothing to do with the Ning family. It was the Northern Dynasty that, after obtaining the gunpowder formula, learned of Young Master Ning's reputation as a fire thief and wanted to kill him beforehand..."

As Qin Yuanyao spoke, Zhu Cuiwei suppressed her smile and frowned.

The young doctor had spoken to her about the dissemination of technology long ago. She thought she had been careful enough and had repeatedly reminded the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Ministry of Works.

But the speed and, especially, the simplicity of the event far exceeded her expectations.

"Holding a position without performing its duties." These four words were previously used as a rhetoric among court officials to attack each other, but at this point, it had to be admitted that this was a prevalent and widespread fact within the court... From officials to clerks, from generals to soldiers, and even down to the artisans, everyone needed a thorough overhaul.

Zhu Cuiwei held a scroll in her hand, feeling somewhat worried.

Whether the Northern Dynasty truly obtained the gunpowder formula is still under investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which has already mobilized in full force. Even if the other side did obtain this new refining method, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will intercept and kill the Northern Dynasty's messengers and craftsmen, doing everything possible to prevent the technology from leaking out.

However… this is only a case of locking the barn door after the horse has bolted. Prevention is always better than cure.

The empress, who will ascend the throne next month, pursed her pink lips, her gaze gradually darkening.

This time, the ruthlessness of the Northern Dynasty's Sticky Pole Office was expected, but their actions were still unexpected.

Their men were being watched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, making it difficult for them to act. So they went to ask martial arts practitioners to take action, which put them out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's sight.

Fortunately, I had arranged for someone to protect the young doctor, otherwise he might have actually been killed by the other party this time.

What surprised her the most was...

It's still the Heavenly Principle Sect.

"Is it the Heavenly Principle Sect again?"

"That's right," Qin Yuanyao nodded. "The Ning family made a double profit. They not only gave one portion of gunpowder to the Northern Dynasty, but also to the Heavenly Principle Sect, so that they could plot to frame Young Master Ning."

"The Heavenly Principle Sect is a mixed bag of people from all walks of life. The man in black robes possesses a kind of witchcraft-like trick that can control a person's mind and soul for a certain period of time, but the target must take their medicine beforehand. Li Erlai was tricked when he drank the tea that Li He handed him at Li Baoxin's house, and confessed in a daze... Marquis Jingbei, however, took some antidote pills prepared by the physician beforehand, and poured the wine and tea into his sleeve, which prevented the other party from succeeding."

"The jailers and others who broke into the prison that night, although they were indeed from the Northern Dynasty. Their kung fu and accent also indicated that they were from the North. However, after torture and interrogation, it was discovered that these people were not from the Sticky Rod Office, but rather people sent from the North by the Heavenly Principle Sect."

Zhu Cuiwei's eyebrows, which were as light as distant mountains, suddenly furrowed tightly.

Why is the Heavenly Principle Sect making such a big move this time? And so many people have come.

The Heavenly Principle Sect was mostly active in the north, so how come it's causing trouble in the Southern Dynasty now? It's even colluding with a powerful family like the Ning family and trying to seize the gunpowder formula.

She said calmly, "How did the Ning family collude with the Heavenly Principles Sect?"

Although the woman's face was pale, a hint of coldness still lingered between her brows. The Ning family colluded with the Northern Dynasty and also with the Heavenly Principle Sect; how could Ning Guangtiao's ambitions be so vast?

He planned to incite chaos within the Southern Dynasty through the Heavenly Principles Sect, then draw the Northern Dynasty's attention to attack. Under this pincer movement, his son, with the title of Marquis of Jingbei, would lead troops north and defect to the Northern Dynasty. In this way, the Ning family could obtain a royal title from a different surname in the Northern Dynasty.

The saying "a man's greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant" applies to Zhu Cuiwei's mind, and the murderous aura between her brows intensifies at the thought of this possibility.

But the female commander in the red flying fish robe shook her head and said in a slightly deep voice, "It's not that the Ning family has approached the Heavenly Principle Sect, but rather that the Heavenly Principle Sect has approached the Ning family."

Prince Xin raised an eyebrow.

The female commander said, "We learned from the testimonies of the managers under Xue Yan of the Ning family that about twenty days ago, people from the Heavenly Principle Sect came to the Ning family and told them that Manager Sun of the gunpowder workshop frequently visited Xueyu Tower and owed a lot of prostitute fees. Ning Guangshao also frequented this brothel... Thus, the two of them became involved... The one who wanted to get the formula was Kong Xiang of the Yunhu Camp. Kong Xiang secretly surrendered to the Northern Dynasty, and they offered the Ning family an exorbitant price. After the Heavenly Principle Sect made contact with the Ning family, they said that as long as they gave them the gunpowder formula, they could solve any problem they couldn't solve... Therefore, the Ning family asked the Heavenly Principle Sect to plot and help them get rid of Young Master Ning..." The female commander slowly reported while organizing her thoughts.

It was noon, and the golden sun was shining brightly outside.

……

……

"Tsk tsk tsk, you really have a lucky life."

Fulai Tavern on Datong Street.

In a private booth on the second floor by the window, Han Laoguai, dressed in casual scholar's clothes, reached out to pour a cup of tea for his half-disciple from Li Family Village across the street.

"When I heard about this, I thought you were definitely going to be exiled this time... I was even thinking about whether I should risk my life to save you!"

The old monster muttered, "What a pity..."

The aroma of tea wafts through the air.

"What? Disappointed? Didn't you get a chance to perform, you old monster?"

Ning Nan snorted, picked up the steaming teacup, took a sip, and sneered.

"Don't worry, they're just a bunch of clowns... trying to scheme against me... pshaw! I got out that very day!"

"Tsk tsk," Han Qing shook his head and sighed again, picking up a cup of tea himself. "Impressive, truly impressive."

As he spoke, he added with a smug smile.

"Yeah, he really is a clown..."

Ning Nan smiled smugly, but there was no joy in his eyes; his heart remained heavy.

After a while, Han Qing asked some specific questions with a sigh, asking how Er Lai was doing. Ning Nan said that Er Lai had come out, but was still in shock and was resting at his house.

Li Yi and the others returned to Li Family Village, and the village chief's body was also taken back and laid to rest at home. The burial will take place tomorrow.

Han Laoguai said he would go back to the village tomorrow to see him off, and Ning Nan nodded, saying he would also go back tomorrow.

Old Monster frowned again and asked, "Who killed Brother Baoxin?"

Back in Lijiacun, he had a close friendship with Li Baoxin. The two often drank together. He wasn't wealthy, so Baoxin usually brought the wine, and he would fry a salted fish to go with it.

"Li He," Ning Nan's eyes darkened, and he said in a low voice, "that beast Li He killed the village chief with his own hands... After the village chief died, he came to call me... I was sleeping at the time, and Er Lai called him to the backyard to ask what was going on. After Li He told me, Er Lai got angry and rushed out... Li He picked up the knife that Er Lai was sharpening."

Ning Nan's voice was heavy. After letting out a long breath, he continued, "Li He's murder weapon was the village head's wood-chopping knife. After killing the man, he wiped away the blood and put it back... When the county magistrate checked the murder weapon, and Li He had already been arrested, he was frightened and confessed everything..."

Ning Nan sighed and slowly took a sip of tea.

The truth of the matter was naturally not that simple, but since it involved the Ning family's private affairs, Ning Nan couldn't say too much to Old Monster Han.

Even on my mother's side, all she knows is that the village chief was killed by Li He... If my mother's husband and in-laws were to die violent deaths, the wounds that had just begun to heal would be reopened.

...Twenty years ago, it was Li Hexia who poisoned his father, then pushed his grandparents into the river, and then cried "stop thief!" The steward of the Ning family in the capital was waiting downstream with his men, demanding to see him alive or dead.

The purpose of doing this was so that if Uncle Bo investigated in the future, everything would look like an accident.

Little did they know that their grandfather was an excellent swimmer; although their grandmother drowned, their grandfather survived.

After the grandfather carried the grandmother's body ashore, he was strangled to death by the Ning family steward who rushed over and wrapped several wet strips of cloth around his neck... This scene was witnessed by Li Baoxin, who came to rescue the people, which led to what happened next.

Li He lied that his two sons had died tragically, but in reality, they were taken to the capital by the Ning family and lived there until they grew up. The Ning family even gifted him a restaurant... No wonder Li He was willing to die for them.

But when Xingge dragged out Li He's two wealthy sons, their lives were in Xingge's hands, and the murder weapon was placed before him... Li He had no choice... Li He was sentenced to immediate execution, and his entire family, including his two wealthy sons, were exiled...

Thump! Ning Nan silently put down his teacup.

Gathering his thoughts, he looked up, patted the table, and loudly urged the waiter to bring the food quickly.

"Alright, alright, Master Ning, please wait a moment, please wait a moment..." The waiter bowed and smiled obsequiously, but inwardly he was screaming... Good heavens! He had no idea what had happened. How could the poor scholar who came to the restaurant owner in straw sandals just over a month ago suddenly become Master Ning, who lived on Datong Street, owned a large house, traveled by carriage, and was personally greeted by the owner this morning?!