Chapter 1:

The official residence of the Ning’an Prefecture under the Kaifeng Prefecture.

It was early spring, the nights still long. The watchman’s drum for the fifth watch had sounded, yet the sky remained dark.

It had rained during the night, leaving the bluestone pavement wet and glistening. The lantern light reflected on the ground, occasionally catching a glimmer of water.

Well-trained maids and servants bustled in and out carrying basins, hot water, and towels, attending to Prefect Xu Maocai and his wife as they washed and prepared for the day.

Xu Maocai was the local magistrate, so rising early was a given, and his wife was equally busy.

Today, several prominent officials’ wives in the city had arranged a gathering, and she was expected to attend. Every detail of her attire and jewelry had to be carefully considered.

She must not appear too extravagant and draw unwanted attention from above, yet she could not be too plain and risk embarrassment. Being an official’s wife was no easy task.

Once her toilette was complete, the maid lined up delicate small porcelain boxes filled with rouge and face powder, and a faint fragrance filled one corner of the room.

Xu’s wife examined each item, then selected small brushes and cotton pads, lightly choosing a few to tuck into her sleeve.

Today was for spring outings, watching plays, and drinking wine, and she would inevitably sweat and need to touch up her makeup. Therefore, aside from her initial appearance, she needed to carry cosmetics with her for touch-ups at any time.

Ladies of reputable families often tucked one or two fingertip-sized small boxes into their sleeves when going out.

Adjusting her hair, Xu’s wife spoke toward her husband’s reflection in the mirror, “Lang’er has been gone three days. I wonder how he is now.”

After more than twenty years of marriage, they had only this one troublesome son, and they inevitably spoiled him a bit. When he was away, they couldn’t help but worry.

Xu Maocai replied impatiently, “If he doesn’t cause trouble, that would be good enough.”

The mid-March literary gathering in Kaifeng was meant for scholars to exchange ideas and improve themselves. Over the years, many high-ranking officials had taken the opportunity to disguise themselves and attend.

One reason was for the court to seek out talented individuals, and another was that who didn’t have daughters waiting to be married?

Hearing her husband’s harsh words, Xu’s wife raised her voice slightly, “It’s rare that Lang’er wants to apply himself. How can you…”

Before she could finish, Xu Maocai interrupted, “You know it’s rare. How many books has he actually read? In my opinion, we shouldn’t have let him go! It’s all your indulgence.”

That brat couldn’t squeeze out a drop of ink if you wrung him dry. What literary gathering!

That scoundrel had been gone for days, and his eyelid had been twitching all the while. He felt something was going to happen.

Xu’s wife felt a little guilty but still stubbornly replied, “Once he settles down and starts a family, he’ll improve. I heard there are many noble ladies at the gathering, perhaps…”

In this dynasty, the restrictions between men and women were not taken too seriously, and many noble daughters attended literary gatherings, leading to many romantic tales.

After decades of sharing a bed, Xu Maocai could tell what she was dreaming about the moment she opened her mouth. He was about to scoff when the steward hurried in from outside:

“Master, Madam, someone has come from the Kaifeng Prefecture!”

Xu Maocai was taken aback, “Who is it?”

Ning’an Prefecture was directly under the jurisdiction of the capital Kaifeng. At this early hour, the city gates were still closed, and no one could enter or leave without official documents. Whoever had come must have urgent business!

The steward swallowed hard, “Xie Yu.”

“Xie Yu himself?!”

Xu Maocai’s steps faltered for a moment, then quickened.

Trouble was coming.

In the short distance of a few dozen steps, Xu Maocai’s mind raced through several thoughts. But before he could reach the front courtyard, a group of six or seven people burst in, taking the initiative to intercept him.

“Prefect Xu.”

The young man leading them wore a blue official robe. It was indeed Xie Yu.

To be honest, the official robe was not particularly attractive, resembling the shell of a crab by the roadside. However, Xie’s good looks made even the drab robe seem dignified and elegant.

Xu’s heart pounded in his chest. He dared not look directly and bowed, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

The Left and Right Military Inspectors were eighth-grade military officers in the imperial guards, usually under the command of the Kaifeng Prefecture, responsible for urban security and arrests. At first glance, they might seem unremarkable, but they were directly under the emperor’s command, a position reserved for trusted aides with the authority to report directly to the throne. They might meet the emperor more times in a year than ordinary officials would in a lifetime, so even nobles and high-ranking officials dared not slight them.

But what made this worse was that it was Xie Yu himself who had come…

He was himself of noble birth.

Xie Yu raised an eyebrow and suddenly lifted his hand, lightly flicking at his official robe.

Xu Maocai’s heart stirred, quickly correcting himself, “Greetings, Director Xie.”

Only then did Xie Yu give a satisfied hum.

Xu Maocai secretly exhaled in relief, “What matter brings Director Xie all the way here? It’s late and damp. Please, come inside.”

“No need for formalities.” Xie Yu raised his hand to stop him, speaking formally, “Your son suddenly had a fit at the literary gathering, disturbing the Emperor’s presence. Prefect Xu, please come with us to the capital to meet the Emperor immediately.”

His voice was calm and crisp but devoid of warmth, like raindrops falling from eaves and striking the edge of a lotus-shaped water vat, making Xu Maocai’s face pale.

What did he mean by a sudden fit?

No… No, it couldn’t be. He had already severely punished that brat before. He should have quit that habit!

Xie Yu stepped aside and raised his hand, his tone gentle but firm, “Prefect Xu, please.”

Chasing out, Xu’s wife cried in panic:

“My son would never act like that! There must be some misunderstanding.”

Xie Yu spoke politely, but the boy-faced officer beside him showed no such courtesy. He sneered, “Your son ran around barefoot and bare-chested, his hair loose, acting like a madman and ruining the literary gathering. Coincidentally, the Emperor had come in disguise to seek out talented individuals for the court… I suppose I don’t need to elaborate further?”

Xu Maocai’s face turned purple with rage. His vision darkened, his body swayed several times, and he staggered to the ground.

Xu’s wife rushed to support him, hearing her husband muttering only a few words:

“It’s over. All over…”

That was clearly the symptom of taking Wushi San (Five Stone Powder).

Who had tempted that brat to relapse?!

In the previous dynasty, Wushi San was widely popular among high-ranking officials, who indulged in it daily, leading to uncontrolled behavior and ultimately the fall of the dynasty.

Therefore, this dynasty took that as a lesson and repeatedly issued edicts banning Wushi San and similar substances, though some still secretly admired the previous dynasty’s unrestrained lifestyle, considering it romantic and elegant.

Now, Xu Maocai, as a government official, had his son openly take Wushi San and then act madly in front of the Emperor. According to the law, at best he would be banned from the imperial examinations for life, at worst… he would be executed!

As for Xu himself, the prefect, he would face suspicion of covering up and failing to properly discipline his son, as well as being incompetent in education. Both public and private aspects were disgraceful. How could he expect a good outcome when he went to the palace to apologize?

Xie Yu looked down at the couple with lowered eyes, “Apologies. Officers, take them.”

The following officers rushed forward, pushing aside Xu’s wife and forcibly lifting Xu Maocai to escort him out.

“Master!” Xu’s wife chased him to the courtyard but was stopped by Xie Yu.

“Madam, please stay.”

Xie Yu’s group arrived under the moonlight, their official robes and the moisture on their eyebrows and eyelashes reflecting the flickering candlelight, making them seem almost otherworldly.

Princess Ningde and her consort were both exceptionally handsome and beautiful, so their offspring naturally inherited their striking features.

In the past, when Xu’s wife and other officials’ wives gathered to chat privately, she had even dared to imagine what it would be like if her husband looked like that.

But now, seeing the real person, Xu’s wife felt only boundless fear.

“Director Xie, it must be a misunderstanding… We are innocent!”

In her eyes, her son might be a bit willful, but that was just youthful behavior. He was naturally wonderful in every way. How could he possibly touch something like Wushi San?

Her son was in prison, and her husband was about to be taken away for questioning. Who knew if he would return?

In an instant, it felt like the sky was falling. How could she let them take her husband away like this?

Xie Yu calmly avoided her grasping hand, “Whether there is injustice or not will be determined by the Kaifeng Prefecture. Madam, please return.”

Without waiting for Xu’s wife to respond, he turned to leave.

Thinking of her husband’s uncertain fate, Xu’s wife felt a buzzing in her head. Ignoring all etiquette, she impulsively rushed forward to plead.

As she swung her arm, something flew from her sleeve, heading straight for Xie Yu.

Xie Yu, being a martial artist, reacted quickly. Hearing the object approaching, he instinctively raised his sword to block. The round, hard object was immediately deflected with a “ding” sound.

Unexpectedly, the “weapon” had a “mechanism.” Upon impact, it split into two halves mid-air, scattering a large amount of powder that fluttered down onto Xie Yu.

“Weapon!”

“Mad woman!”

Seeing their superior attacked, Xie Yu’s subordinates instantly changed expressions.

“No, no… I…”

Before Xu’s wife could explain, she was pressed to the ground. Looking up, she saw the boy-faced officer raising his hand to strike.

Xie Yu knew his subordinates well. Closing his eyes, he shouted, “Hold!”

The boy, named Yuanpei, pressed his lips tightly, glaring fiercely at Xu’s wife. One hand gripped her collar, while the other raised a fist.

“Yuanpei,” the large man checking Xie Yu’s condition called out, “Director Xie told you to stop. Didn’t you hear?”

At this point, Xu’s wife still held the title of fifth-grade noblewoman. Regardless of any crimes, she could not be physically punished arbitrarily.

Yuanpei calmed down slightly, looking at Xie Yu and then at Xu’s wife. Grinding his teeth, he finally released her unwillingly.

Xu Maocai, who had been watching all this, realized he had been holding his breath the entire time. Seeing the scene unfold, his legs gave way, and if not for the officers holding him up, he would have collapsed to the ground.

It was over.

This time, they had seriously offended Xie Yu.

“Director, are you alright?”

As Yuanpei rushed over, he noticed that his superior… smelled fragrant?

Xie Yu had already covered his face. Only a few scattered powder particles had blown into his eyes, causing slight irritation.

He pinched the powder on his face, smelled it, and found it fragrant.

It was likely face powder.

Yuanpei quickly ordered someone to fetch water to wash it off. Then he heard voices from outside the courtyard gate and angrily shouted, “Who’s making noise!”

The officer closest to the gate went to inquire, “Director, it’s the doctor from the residence. Hearing the commotion here, knowing that Prefect Xu and his wife were up, he specially came to bid farewell, as they had agreed he would leave today.”

“A doctor?!”

Both Yuanpei and the large man’s eyes lit up, “Quickly invite him in!”

Since there was a doctor nearby, they should have him check things out.

Soon, accompanied by the faint sound of rustling clothes, a figure appeared at the door.

Yuanpei was stunned, blurting out, “A woman?”