Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

The air in the room remained stagnant, tinged with the salty taste of tears. Huangfu Ling pressed a handkerchief to the tip of her nose, occasionally letting out a suppressed sob. Her almond-shaped eyes were as red and swollen as overripe peaches. She deliberately tilted her head, her chin slightly raised, adopting an attitude of repulsion. Yet, her slightly tilted ears silently picked up every subtle movement behind her.

Zhang Jingwei sighed silently and tentatively sat down on the embroidered cushion beside her. His palm, with a soothing warmth, gently placed itself against her frail back, stroking the curves that rose and fell slightly from her sobbing, his movements as gentle as if he were smoothing down a cat with its fur standing on end.

"Now... you should calm down a little, right?" He lowered his voice, and the ending tone was filled with cautious flattery, scratching the silence like a feather.

Huangfu Ling's shoulders stiffened, and she twisted around abruptly to shake off his touch: "Hmph! I... I don't want to pay attention to you!" But these words were shrouded in a heavy nasal tone, not only did they lose their momentum, but they also revealed a bit of aggrieved and naiveté.

A barely perceptible smile flickered across Zhang Jingwei's eyes, and he deliberately drew out his tone, "Okay—okay—just ignore me." He made a move to stand up, but suddenly turned back, leaning over and resting his hands on the edge of the couch on either side of her, trapping her in the small space between him and the soft couch. "Then... hot pot tonight? Junxing's base has been improved, it's delicious."

"No!" She grabbed the round fan beside the couch and slapped him on the chest lightly.

"Then... let's have a barbecue?" He moved closer, his eyes fixed on the subtle changes in her profile. "Ask the chef to cut the lamb legs fresh, marinate them with your favorite Western cumin and pepper, and grill them over charcoal until they are sizzling with oil..." He saw that the corners of her tightly pursed lips seemed to relax a little.

Huangfu Lingqiang's face was tense, but his voice had softened: "No! You...you get out!"

Zhang Jingwei suddenly leaned in close. His warm breath, tinged with the crisp fragrance of agarwood, unexpectedly smothered her sensitive earlobes. Huangfu Ling instinctively flinched, trying to hide, but he gently grasped her wrist. His low, searing voice practically penetrated her ears: "Then... how about eating me? Or I can eat you!" The last few words were reduced to a scalding whisper, mingled with a faint chuckle that escaped his throat.

Huangfu Ling's ears flushed bright red, quickly spreading to her snow-white neck. Embarrassed and angry, she opened her mouth to rebuke him, but the image of those 3000 words involuntarily surfaced in her mind. She couldn't help but burst out laughing, and hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief. She glanced at him with a stern look, her eyes sparkling with tears: "You... are so bad!" This time, the round fan came down firmly on his shoulder, but the force was as light as a whisk.

Zhang Jingwei took advantage of the situation and pulled her into his arms. Huangfu Ling struggled symbolically, but finally, with a red face, she gently rested her burning forehead on his warm shoulder.

……

night.

Deep inside the cell block, it was not as dark, damp, and filthy as an ordinary prison cell. The "luxury single room" where Xiao Kewei was located had obviously been specially cared for. The walls had been recently painted, the floor was covered with dry straw mats, and there was even a small air vent that let in a few rays of cool moonlight. In the corner was a wooden bed, and the bedding was clean and tidy. What was out of tune with this environment was Xiao Kewei's condition - far from being decadent and listless like an ordinary prisoner, he had a rosy complexion and even looked more energetic than before he was imprisoned. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on the straw mat, picking his teeth leisurely, as if he was just on vacation.

Zhang Jingwei appeared outside the fence, followed by two yamen runners carrying a delicate red clay stove and tea sets. The runners placed the items on the single low table in the cell, lit the stove, and then bowed and retreated, leaving Zhang Jingwei alone.

Zhang Jingwei lifted the hem of his robe and calmly sat down across from Xiao Kewei, separated by the curling fire and steam. He picked up the teaspoon and slowly stirred the tea leaves in the teapot, not even raising his eyelids. "Master Xiao, I haven't seen you for a few days. You look even more rosy... and you seem to have gained a lot of weight." His tone was flat, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

Xiao Kewei chuckled and touched his chin which had indeed become rounder. His tone was relaxed, even with a bit of satisfaction: "Thanks to you, sir. Here, I don't have to worry about the intrigues and the stressful things in the yamen. I have good food and drink every day, I am protected from the wind and rain, and I can sleep soundly. Hey, these days are carefree and very comfortable!" He deliberately dragged out the word "comfortable".

Zhang Jingwei lifted the boiling kettle and smoothly heated the cup, rinsed the tea, and brewed it. The fragrance of the tea instantly filled the small cell, diluting the musty odor. "You seem at ease now," he said, pushing a cup of clear tea toward Xiao Kewei. He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a hawk, and stared at him. "But it's been tough on me. It's a mess out there, and I'm exhausted from investigating this case. I can't even find anyone to talk to."

Xiao Kewei picked up the teacup, blew away the hot steam, took a sip, and said calmly, "You are still young, and this is the time when you need experience. The more hardships you endure, the more solid your foundation will be."

"Experience?" Zhang Jingwei chuckled and picked up his cup of tea. "At my age, I'm already sitting in the position of Gaoyang County Magistrate. To be honest, even I was surprised."

"What's so strange about that?" Xiao Kewei put down his teacup, his tone carrying some sophistication of an experienced person, "In our Heavenly Dynasty, there are many sons of nobles who were granted official positions and titles at the age of fifteen or sixteen due to the influence of their ancestors. Your Excellency is nineteen years old this year. Compared with them, this is nothing strange." He changed the subject and pointed out something, "Take that Mr. Shi Jincheng, for example. He uses the name of Prime Minister Shi to bully others in Gaoyang. Your Excellency is the county magistrate, but you... can't do anything about him, can't you?" He deliberately emphasized the word "can't do anything about him."

Zhang Jingwei's fingers gripping the teacup tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white, but the smile on his face remained unchanged: "Who said I can't do anything? Didn't I still catch him and give him a few good lashes?" A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Xiao Kewei shook his head, as if commenting on an ignorant child: "Taking Hanshi Powder (Shiyao) may be the most insignificant mistake he has ever made."

"I can only imagine how much you've done to clean up his mess over the years." Zhang Jingwei nodded, looking at Xiao Kewei inquiringly. "I'm just puzzled. You're his brother-in-law and the chief clerk of the county government, and yet you can't control him?"

"There is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, sir." Xiao Kewei's smile was a little bitter. "He is the legitimate son of the Shi family's main house. Although my wife is the eldest sister, she is a concubine's daughter. This status... is a huge gap. Besides," he raised his eyes, with a hint of imperceptible mockery in his eyes, "you are an official, and he is a commoner. A higher-ranking official can crush a commoner. Can't you control him?" He returned Zhang Jingwei's words exactly as they were.

"Hahahahaha!" Zhang Jingwei suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had heard something extremely interesting. He raised his teacup and said, "Well said! Come, have some tea, have some tea!"

The two of them drank a glass together, and the atmosphere seemed to ease a little.

Xiao Kewei put down his empty cup, wiped his lips, and his eyes became shrewd. "Sir, you have condescended to come to this filthy place to see me today. You wouldn't do it just to drink a cup of tea and reminisce about the past with a prisoner like me, right?"

The smile on Zhang Jingwei's face gradually faded, replaced by a quiet sharpness. He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "Master Xiao is a discerning man. Indeed, I came here today to get to know someone better from you—Shen Kaiyang, the owner of Gaoyang Tower."

Xiao Kewei's pupils shrank slightly, then returned to normal. He slowly leaned back against the wall and let out an ambiguous sigh: "Huh... You've traced the case back to Manager Shen? Sir, your speed in investigating the case... is amazing." It was hard to tell whether his tone was one of admiration or fear.

"Tell me about it." Zhang Jingwei refilled his tea, his movements steady. "I'll count this as a contribution for you. When the time comes for reckoning, it will help you make up for your mistakes and keep you alive."

"A way to survive..." Xiao Kewei chewed on the words, his eyes flickering as if he was weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind and said, "Did he ask you for a slave?"

"I want it." Zhang Jingwei nodded, his tone cold. "The price is indeed generous, so generous that it makes people tempted. Over the years, you have sent all the slaves in the Gaoyang County Government's control who were of some value to him like throwing away garbage, right? The human trafficking clinic is now empty, and I, a new official, can't even earn this allowance." There was obvious sarcasm in his words.

Xiao Kewei didn't deny it, but just curled his lips: "Of course. If you shut me down and cut off this connection, they... will definitely be anxious."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze piercing Xiao Kewei like a knife, and his voice suddenly became icy cold:

"In a hurry? In a hurry to rebel?!"

The word "rebellion" was like a bolt of thunder that exploded in the silent cell, shaking the flame of the oil lamp violently.

Xiao Kewei seemed to be startled by Zhang Jingwei's sudden burst of murderous intent, but soon, a strange, as if relieved smile appeared on his face, and he nodded slowly:

"This...you know all this?"

"Gaoyang Tower!" Zhang Jingwei enunciated each word, his body tense like a hunter poised for action. "You were the one who oversaw the construction of that den of illicit entertainment, weren't you? When I raided your house, I found a ton of original blueprints for it in the secret compartment of your study!"

Xiao Kewei looked at those familiar lines with a complicated expression. "That's the part above ground. No matter how detailed the drawing is, it's just a facade for outsiders." He paused, his voice lowered, with a sense of apprehension at revealing a secret. "As for the underground... I don't know."

"Underground?!" Zhang Jingwei's breath hitched, his heart skipping a beat. "There's an underground?!"

"There should be." Xiao Kewei's voice seemed to come from underground, with a cold echo. "Back then... I was still the head of the Gaoyang workshop. That piece of land looked flat, but underneath... it was hollow! It was impossible to lay a deep foundation (pillar stone)! Anyone who knows a little about construction knows that a tall building cannot be built there!" A trace of reminiscence and resentment flashed in his eyes. "But Shen Kaiyang... he bribed the county magistrate at the time with a large sum of money and forcibly obtained the approval procedures. The county magistrate took the money and turned a blind eye... and this building was built!"

"The previous county magistrate... was a member of the vassal party!" Zhang Jingwei immediately realized what was happening, then felt a sense of absurdity. "How could he... possibly have it both ways?"

"He's very powerful," Xiao Kewei interrupted, his tone filled with an indescribable mixture of fear and admiration. "When it comes to amassing wealth and power, he's even more impressive and ruthless than your wealthy father... Unlike you, a young and inexperienced person who wants to offend both the feudal lords and the prime ministers, and take a bite out of both."

"Haha," Zhang Jingwei laughed instead of getting angry, but there was no smile in his eyes, "That's what we call having personality!"

"Let's get back to the point." Xiao Kewei restrained his expression, which became extremely serious, even with a hint of warning, "Master Zhang, Shen Kaiyang...you have to be careful, very careful!"

He leaned forward, his voice low as a whisper:

"Although he's a Taoist monk, cloaked in the guise of pure cultivation, he's actually... ruthless and merciless, treating human life like worthless grass! He's obsessed with refining the so-called 'elixir of immortality.' Do you know what he uses as a medicine?" A trace of fear flashed in Xiao Kewei's eyes. "The heart blood of a living person!"

He paused, letting this shocking information explode in Zhang Jingwei's mind, and then continued:

"Furthermore, the potions he brewed were so potent and treacherous that they were unacceptable to human consumption. He would... test them on living people! The deaths of those used as drug slaves... were horrific! My father-in-law, Old Master Shi, was bewitched by his deception and captivated by his visions of immortality. That's why he's been buying slaves on a massive scale to provide him with 'ingredients'! Eventually, when they ran out of slaves... they turned their attention to the common people!"

Zhang Jingwei felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to his head! He had long known there must be a terrifying conspiracy behind this case, but he had never imagined it would be so ruthless! He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and spoke in a tense voice: "So... those seemingly benevolent acts of 'food for all' in Gaoyang City were also his... or rather, your Shi family's, a cover-up to recruit 'drug slaves'?"

"That's right!" Xiao Kewei nodded decisively. "Most of Gaoyang's financial and food economy is concentrated in the hands of three major families. The Shi family leads the way, and the Chen and Zhou families... Without their vast financial resources and connections secretly supporting and covering up, the Shi family alone would have been unable to quietly ensure that 'everyone has food to eat' and then select 'materials' from them... It's simply impossible!"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes instantly became extremely sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath: "You mean to say... the Chen family and the Zhou family are also involved in this?!"

"Exactly!" Xiao Kewei's answer was like a hammer, hitting Zhang Jingwei's heart. "The three families are one, sharing the same blood and branches. They have long been a poisonous snake entrenched in the underground of Gaoyang! Shen Kaiyang... is the leader of that poisonous snake!"

The cell fell into a dead silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the heavy breathing of the two men. The overwhelming amount of information, like an icy tide, overwhelmed Zhang Jingwei. He picked up the already cold tea and drank it in one gulp. The cold liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't quench the rage and chill that simmered within him.

"I understand." Zhang Jingwei's voice returned to calm, but beneath this calmness was thunder that was about to erupt. "Thank you... for your advice!" He stood up and prepared to leave.

"Master Zhang!" Xiao Kewei suddenly called out to him. He was still sitting on the straw mat, looking up at Zhang Jingwei with a complicated expression. "Back then... you insisted on imprisoning me. Now, after hearing so many 'treasonous' words in this detention room, do you ever... regret it?"

Zhang Jingwei paused without looking back. His back looked straight and hard in the dim light. His voice was clear and firm, with unquestionable majesty:

"No regrets. You've violated the law, accepted bribes, and perverted justice, aiding and abetting evil! Imprisonment is inevitable!"

He slowly turned around, his eyes like lightning, staring directly at Xiao Kewei: "According to the laws of the Celestial Empire, the crime you committed should be skinned and stuffed with straw, and your head hung up for public display!"

Xiao Kewei's body trembled slightly, and his face turned pale in an instant.

Zhang Jingwei changed the subject, a cold arc appearing at the corner of his mouth: "But...keeping you here will be useful to me."

After saying this, he did not stop, but turned around and strode away. The heavy prison door slowly closed behind him with a dull thud, locking Xiao Kewei and his complicated and unspeakable look in the depths of this seemingly "luxurious" cage.