Golden Branch

Wang Fu hurried to the Zhaixing Tower.

Before I got close, I saw a circle of people gathered in front of the four-story building.

"Excuse me!"

"Excuse me! Let me pass!"

Wang Fu gritted his teeth and squeezed in while saying polite words.

When I squeezed closer, I just happened to see the confrontation between Zhou Jiming and the shopkeeper.

After listening to the conversation between the two, Wang Fu's face became a little solemn.

This Censor Zhou is indeed here to cause trouble!

The shopkeeper had already clearly mentioned Princess Wang and the many backers of Zhaixing Tower, but Censor Zhou was still very persistent.

"...This guy is here just for the princess!"

The fact that Wang Fu was accepted as Wang Mian's confidant and was even given the honor of being given a surname shows that he definitely has extraordinary abilities.

He can not only assess the situation but also make decisions promptly.

"Since you're deliberately making things difficult for me, it's useless for me to show you the general's business card!"

"Perhaps, this cruel official will seize the opportunity to find fault with me and accuse me of abusing my power and power for personal gain!"

"Although it's insignificant, it does damage our reputation. Most importantly, we must not allow this brat to step on the generals and princesses and establish an image of himself as an upright, incorruptible official!"

Wang Fu's brain was working quickly and these thoughts flashed through his mind.

He raised his hand, straightened his collar, and put away the business card inside.

At this moment, in the lobby, the two sides were facing each other, with swords drawn and a conflict about to break out.

"How dare you! The Hundred Cavalry Division is investigating a case, and you, a mere commoner, dare to stop them?"

Seeing that the shopkeeper dared to raise his hand to stop him, Zhou Jiming's face turned cold.

In the past two years, he either reported corrupt officials or handled cases.

He often appeared in the imperial prison, and when necessary, he would personally try cases.

In ancient times, torture was essential when trying a case.

After witnessing so many kinds of torture, people will become hard-hearted, cold-blooded and cruel.

Zhou Jiming transformed from a handsome and elegant scholar into a cruel official with a twisted and dark heart.

It was still that handsome face, but now it had a hint of femininity and ruthlessness.

Especially when his face turned cold, his whole body exuded a sinister and murderous aura.

It seemed as if the entire area around him was filled with a thick and sticky smell of blood.

The shopkeeper was horrified. How could this be called an Imperial Censor? It was clearly a Rakshasa from the Senluo Palace.

The shopkeeper finally understood why some people in the community said that Zhou Jiming was the Jade-faced Yama.

This man has a good-looking appearance, but he is actually vicious and cruel inside, killing people without blinking an eye.

I heard that it was a luxury for those who were captured and tortured by him to leave their bodies intact.

The shopkeeper dared to stop him because, firstly, it was a subconscious reaction, and secondly, he was confident that he had a backer.

but--

"I have offended Zhou at the moment. If he captures me directly, can the county lord send someone to rescue me in time?"

"Zhou Jiming is a notorious mad dog. He dares to show his teeth to anyone, even royal relatives or nobles."

"He didn't give the princess any face just now. Even if the princess sends someone, they might not be able to save me!"

The shopkeeper was so frightened by his own imagination that his face turned pale and his legs were trembling.

If he hadn't had a bit of rationality left in him, he might have been scared to death.

"...Zhou, Censor Zhou! Our Zhaixing Tower is truly not a hideout!"

Holding back his fear, the shopkeeper trembled as he made the final remedy.

"I just said it, whether it is true or not, you can find out by searching it!"

Zhou Jiming sneered, "You're being so defensive, are you feeling guilty?"

Shopkeeper: ...Why should I feel guilty? I just don't want the reputation of Zhaixing Tower to be damaged, and I don't want to embarrass the county lord.

"Search!"

"Anyone who tries to stop us will be treated as an accomplice!"

Zhou Jiming stroked his clothes, his voice was not loud, but his words were filled with murderous intent.

The shopkeeper's legs went weak and he almost stumbled and fell to the ground.

He looked at the group of police officers who were as ferocious as wolves and tigers, and rushed in without caring about anything.

He instinctively wanted to reach out, but was afraid of Yu Zhou Jiming's threat.

He, he——

Just when the shopkeeper didn't know what to do, the "savior" came.

"Censor Zhou, please show mercy!"

Wang Fu quickly walked up the stairs and started laughing before he even opened his mouth.

He was smiling and his attitude was very respectful.

When he came close to Zhou Jiming, he bowed deeply and saluted with his arms crossed: "Wang Fu, the manager of the Wang residence in Pingkangfang, greets Censor Zhou!"

Wang's house in Pingkangfang is Wang Mian's home.

Although she was granted the title of a princess, she did not have a title nor was she given a house.

Therefore, when the servants of the family revealed their identities to the outside world, they could not say "Princess Wang", and could only say vaguely: Wang's House in Pingkangfang.

"Oh, you are the owner of this Zhaixing Tower?"

Zhou Jiming raised his eyelids and did not continue the conversation about "Wang's House in Pingkangfang". Instead, he directly asked about Wang Fu's identity.

Wang Fu's heart skipped a beat: This person really has bad intentions!

The investigation is real, but more importantly, we still have to target the noble person behind Zhaixing Tower...

Wang Fu was secretly alert, but his smile on his slightly fatter face became even brighter.

"I dare not! I dare not! I am only helping you, my lady!"

Wang Fu once again mentioned his master in a subtle way.

Zhou Jiming's eyes flashed, and he said coldly: "Don't dare? I think you dare very much!"

"In recent months, disappearances have occurred frequently in Beijing, and surprisingly, one-third of these cases are related to your Zhaixing Tower!"

"I am not the kind of fool who willfully accuse others. Today, I will give you a chance to prove your innocence—"

As Zhou Jiming spoke, his eyes were full of interest as he looked at Wang Fu: "Manager Wang, let me search. If there is really nothing unusual, I can clear you of suspicion!"

From what he said, it seemed that he was actually considering Zhaixing Tower.

Wang Fu sneered inwardly, what a silver-tongued official.

It's obvious that he wants to cause trouble for my wife, but he still acts like this.

What, after you said this, do you want me to shed tears of gratitude and kneel down to express my gratitude?

"You're joking, Censor Zhou. We at Zhaixing Tower are innocent to begin with. We don't need you to prove it!"

Since he knew that the other party was looking for trouble, Wang Fu pinched his palms hard and straightened his back.

Zhou Jiming's reputation as a cruel official is indeed terrifying.

But their wife and husband are not people who can be bullied.

If Zhou Jiming were really allowed to conduct an unwarranted search, Zhaixing Tower would become a place where anyone could step on it.

For the sake of Zhaixing Tower and his wife's reputation, he must not retreat even if he angers Zhou Jiming today.

Zhou Jiming raised one eyebrow. His eyes were darker in color.

From a distance, it looks like pure black ink.

This eye color, coupled with Zhou Jiming's sinister temperament, gives people a dark and ghostly feeling.

It was as if his eyes were a black hole that could swallow everything.

Ordinary people didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

Wang Fusheng had been following Wang Mian and had seen many storms. He also knew the ability of his own lady, so he barely avoided his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and looked into Zhou Jiming's eyes.

"Censor Zhou, I guarantee with my life that Zhaixing Tower is definitely not a den."

"Your head? Ha, a mere slave's life, how much is it worth?"

Zhou Jiming's eyes were full of contempt, and his words were without mercy.

"My housekeeper's life is worthless, so what about me?"

Wang Mian was worried, so he followed anyway.

She and Wang Fu arrived almost at the same time, so she heard most of the conversation between the shopkeeper and Zhou Jiming, and the confrontation between Zhou Jiming and Wang Fu.

Very good, this ex-boyfriend is here to cause trouble.

Wang Mian is self-aware and does not think that she is charming enough to make her ex-boyfriend, who had broken up with her for several years, still feel resentful about her.

This person is clearly "Xiang Gong dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong".

On the way here, Wang Mian was guessing Zhou Jiming's intentions.

Wang Mian’s most direct relationship is her husband Xiao Wuji.

Xiao Wuji is the confidant of the Eastern Palace, and now he is leading troops outside.

If it weren't for the fact that Zhou Jiming was jealous of a gifted child like Xiao Wuzhi, it would make sense.

However, Zhou Jiming was a civil servant, while Xiao Wuzhi was a military man, and the two had no direct interest relationship.

Wang Mian thought of someone who could make Zhou Jiming even more jealous and resentful—Lou Yu.

Zhou Jiming was an imperial censor, but he was famous in the capital for his "good criminal investigation skills".

Lou Yu, who held the position of Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, was also known as a "god-like judge of cases".

Lou Yu and Zhou Jiming are the competitors.

Oh, yes, there is another key point that is enough to stimulate Zhou Jiming——

The current Dali Temple Minister is old and is about to retire.

If he steps down, the position of the head of the Dali Temple will be vacant.

According to the original plan of the Crown Prince and Lou Yu, the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was originally reserved for Lou Yu.

Zhou Jiming probably took a fancy to this position.

After all, as an imperial censor, he interfered in the trial, which was quite "unreasonable".

If he could take over the Dali Temple, it would not only make him legitimate, but also allow his career to have a "qualitative" leap - one of the Nine Ministers, the highest position among officials!

"What a jerk Zhou Jiming is! He actually wants to use me to plot against that little pervert!"

Although it was just a guess, the more Wang Mian thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense.

She hid in the crowd and watched Zhou Jiming show his power silently.

It was not until Zhou Jiming started to threaten that Wang Mian could no longer bear it and stood up.

"Junjun!"

When Wang Fu saw his mistress, his eyes suddenly lit up.

The shopkeeper seemed to have seen a savior, and his limp body straightened up again.

"Lord Wang!"

A dark light flashed in Zhou Jiming's eyes.

He didn't expect that Wang Mian would show up in person.

Although it was unexpected, I didn't lose my composure.

He stood up and saluted with his arms crossed.

Well, Wang Mian is a princess, the fourth rank.

As for Zhou Jiming, he was only a fifth-rank official.

Therefore, when Zhou Jiming saw Wang Mian, he had to bow.

Wang Mian: ...More than that!

I am not just a princess, I also have many backers.

"Excuse me, Censor Zhou!"

Wang Mian slowly approached, glanced at Zhou Jiming, who was surrounded by a gloomy aura, and said slowly, "I just heard that Censor Zhou wanted to search my Zhaixing Tower?"

"I dare not, but this is a serious case that the Saint and the Crown Prince are very concerned about. In order to solve the case as soon as possible, I have no choice but to—"

"Solving the case is indeed important! However, my Zhaixing Tower is definitely not a place where filth and corruption can be hidden!"

Wang Mian interrupted Zhou Jiming arrogantly.

Like Wang Heng, she was used to keeping a low profile, and even though her status became noble, she never took advantage of her position to bully others.

But at this moment, Wang Mian still wanted to bully someone.

Humph, now I've been slapped in the face by someone. If I don't fight back, wouldn't I be a waste?

If she still suffers from humiliation today, then all her struggles over the years would be in vain...

PS: Thank you CV Xiao Muyu and Aunt Lianzirong for the reward. Thank you for your support, mua~~