Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After the banquet, Shen Lang declined Zheng Bisheng's suggestion to go to a brothel and listen to music together that evening, citing his inability to hold his liquor, and returned directly to the inn.

After seeing off the other officials, Zheng Bisheng finally relaxed after a day of tension.

Back in the room, Zheng Xiaoru immediately brought over a cup of hangover tea and asked Zheng Bisheng, "Father, what do you think of Shen Lang?"

Zheng Bisheng snorted coldly, took the tea and said, "Just a pretentious brat. It seems the court is overthinking things."

Zheng Xiaoru had an "I knew it" look on his face: "I knew it would be like this, a kid who's not even twenty years old..."

He only became a member of the royal family by winning the Empress's favor with his good looks. What great abilities could he possibly have?

In this small corner of Suzhou, the Zheng family still calls the shots.

Zheng Bisheng: "We can't say anything, but at least they have a real achievement of recapturing the old capital of Chang'an."

Zheng Xiaoru scoffed: "In my opinion, he just went along to bask in some credit."

He has no real talent; he's just someone the Empress has taken a liking to.

"They're only giving me a chance to earn some credit, and then they'll elevate my status to shut up the officials."

Zheng Bisheng wanted to refute it, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make sense.

"Hopefully, this matter will pass quickly so we won't have to live in constant fear."

"Dad, you're getting more and more conservative as you get older. What are you afraid of? We have money and soldiers."

The powerful families in the various prefectures of Jiangnan are also of one mind with us. Even if they discover something, they won't be able to touch us in the slightest.

"Better safe than sorry; being too reckless or impulsive will only backfire."

"I understand, Father. You've said this thousands of times, and my ears are practically calloused. Why don't you let Yunniang play the zither to liven things up?"

"Well, I'm tired after a long day."

The Zheng family father and son both sincerely admired Yunniang's musical skills.

No matter how troubling things are, hearing Yunniang's zither music will quickly calm one's emotions.

……

Late at night, after leaving the governor's mansion, Suzhou Prefect Yuan Shouchang went to Chunfeng Tower and had some "softening" treatments with the girls there before heading home, completely satisfied.

The streets were deserted at this time, with hardly anyone walking around.

Sitting in the carriage, Yuan Shouchang was drowsy. Perhaps due to excessive indulgence, his body was already quite weak at less than forty years old.

He was exhausted after fighting with that young courtesan for less than half an hour, and his body still feels sore, numb, and weak all over.

In the past, he could fight continuously for more than an hour without repeating a single move.

"Xu~~"

Just as he was about to take a nap to recover his energy, a mournful neighing of a horse was heard, and the carriage suddenly stopped in the street.

"Why aren't you leaving, Lao Feng?!"

Yuan Shouchang felt strange and, supporting his aching and weak back, lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

As a result, the coachman disappeared without a trace, and the surroundings were quiet and deserted.

A cold wind blew by, making people shiver.

"Old Feng, where are you?"

"That's strange, did he go to relieve himself?"

Just as Yuan Shouchang was feeling puzzled, a cold sound came from the roof of the car.

"Lord Yuan, the Jingwei Division requests your presence. Please come."

Before he could even cry out in alarm, a silver needle was already embedded in his neck from the shadows, instantly knocking him unconscious.

……

Puff...

When Yuan Shouchang woke up again, he was awakened by a basin of ice-cold water.

"Ahoo!"

He shuddered and looked around carefully.

He found himself in an extremely dark room, and sitting in the distance opposite him was a man with a goatee, wearing a white flying fish robe, who was looking at him with a half-smile.

It was Jiang Chaoyun, a commander of the Jingwei Guard.

"Who are you people? What do you want with me here?"

Jiang Chaoyun smiled, got up, moved a stool in front of Yuan Shouchang, sat down again, and then spoke with a smile.

"I'm sorry to have brought Prefect Yuan here in this way."

As long as Yuan raises his hand and is willing to tell us everything we want to know.

"Then you can leave safely tonight, and I promise I won't harm you in the slightest."

Jiang Chaoyun was speaking with a smile, but Yuan Shouchang felt a chill emanating from her very core.

He tried to get up and question them, but when he moved, he realized that his hands and feet were already tied to the chair.

"Prefect Yuan, I advise you not to make any rash moves. Just cooperate and tell us what we want to know, and you will be able to return unharmed immediately."

"Who are you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Rui, who was standing behind him, immediately put a thick cotton cloth over his face and wrapped it around his face several times.

Bang~

The next moment, a fist wearing a leather glove landed directly on his face.

"Woo~"

Instantly, Yuan Shouchang let out a shrill wail.

After Wang Rui loosened the cotton cloth, Yuan Shouchang was panting heavily, but his face was neither bruised nor swollen, as if the punch had not hit him at all.

"Prefect Yuan, can we talk now?"

Yuan Shouchang immediately became much more obedient, and his attitude became more serious: "What do you want to ask?"

Why exactly was Liu Wu arrested?

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shouchang's heart skipped a beat, and he then fell silent.

Jiang Chaoyun wasn't in a hurry and gave Wang Rui another look.

Wang Rui wrapped the cotton cloth around his face again and punched him twice more, causing Yuan Shouchang to groan and clench his fists, his veins bulging.

When he was released again, Yuan Shouchang felt dizzy, but there were still no marks on his face.

“Prefect Yuan, we didn’t bring you here for no reason.”

Jiang Chaoyun said with a sincere expression.

"Since you've come here, you must have a reason. Tell me, why was Liu Wu arrested?"

After catching his breath, Yuan Shouchang slowly said, "Lord Liu's thorough investigation into the salt tax deficit has affected the interests of local powerful families. Your Excellency, we cannot let him live."

"What about the so-called use of vigilante justice and instigation of conflict between officials and the people?"

Yuan Shouchang: "That's true, it was also arranged by the Minister. Lord Liu thoroughly investigated and found major flaws in the salt tax ledgers, so the Minister had to resort to this drastic measure."

Jiang Chaoyun's eyes turned cold: "So, you mean everything was arranged by Zheng Bisheng?"

"Yes, it was all arranged by the Minister."

Fearing further torment, Yuan Shouchang simply confessed everything he knew.

He only wanted to get away and immediately go to Zheng Bisheng to tell him what had happened that night.

"Let me ask you again, how much of the salt tax revenue in various parts of Jiangnan is actually in deficit?"

Yuan Shouchang shook his head: "I really don't know..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Rui instinctively wanted to continue the torture.

Yuan Shouchang immediately became anxious: "I really don't know. The salt tax deficit started in the old lunar year and has been going on for twenty years. I really don't know. You can beat me to death and I still won't know."

Jiang Chaoyun: "You really don't know?"

Yuan Shouchang closed his eyes and nodded earnestly.

"Men, untie Prefect Yuan."

Soon, two members of the Jingwei Division untied Yuan Shouchang.

"May I leave now?"

"Of course, please."

Yuan Shouchang felt relieved and immediately decided to leave to find Zheng Bisheng.

"Oh my, mwah~"

"Awoo~"

Just as Yuan Shouchang was about to leave, a sound of coaxing a child suddenly came from outside.

The next moment, Shen Lang, carrying a child who looked about six months old, slowly walked into the dark room.

Yuan Shouchang was immediately startled: "Duke Zhenguo, how could it be you?"

Jiang Chaoyun ignored him and instead took the two official documents from the recorder and handed them to Shen Lang.

"Lord Zhenguo, this is Yuan Shouchang's confession. Please take a look."

Shen Lang didn't take the child; he continued to hold the child and make faces at him.

Then he grabbed the child's hand and waved to Yuan Shouchang: "Baby, do you see? Your daddy is over there."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shouchang's eyes widened immediately.

Only then did she realize that the child in Shen Lang's arms was her only son.

Immediately, he was so anxious that he was about to rush forward: "Duke Zhenguo, what are you doing here with my child? Quickly, give him back to me!"

"be honest."

The next second, Wang Rui pressed him down, rendering him completely immobile.

"Uh-huh-huh."

Shen Lang kissed the child a few times, then looked at Yuan Shouchang.

"Prefect Yuan, your son is so lovable! Oh, he's so tender and delicate, it's impossible not to love him."

Yuan Shouchang was immediately moved to tears: "Duke Zhenguo, this is the only heir of my Yuan family line! Please, I beg you, show mercy!"

Shen Lang's eyes turned cold: "That depends on whether Prefect Yuan is willing to cooperate. Not only your son, but also your mother and your sister's family, their lives are entirely in your hands."

Of course, if you think Zheng Bisheng can save you, just go and tell him about tonight's situation.

But don't blame me if you end up with nothing but ruin, your entire family wiped out, and a truly tragic fate.

After saying that, she put on a doting expression and looked at the baby in her arms: "Isn't that right? Hmm?"

"Giggle..."

The baby stared intently at Shen Lang, and was soon amused.

Yuan Shouchang felt a bone-chilling cold emanating from his entire body.

This Shen Lang was indeed not as easy to get along with as he had been during the day; he instantly grasped my weakness.

At that moment, he collapsed to his knees, utterly powerless.

"Duke Zhenguo, ask whatever you wish to ask, and this guilty official will answer without reservation!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's lips curled into a triumphant smile.