The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 352 - 300, Interrogating Zhao Douan

A day later, the imposing Imperial Envoy's procession once again became the focus of the entire city.

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And this time, its deployment came without any forewarning or prior arrangements.

Thus, when hundreds of cavalrymen silently surged through the main road of the southern gate like a tidal wave, the city's residents hid in panic with only fear and confusion in their eyes.

"Imperial Censor Chen, where are we heading?"

Within the encircled cavalry troop, Sun Xiaozhun, having just caught up, rode a horse and pulled on the reins, loudly asking the middle-aged Imperial Censor beside him.

While speaking, his eyes drifted to the front of the procession, still under the guise of Zhao Duon, surrounded by the Jinyi of Lihua Hall.

Although Chen Hong was a civil officer, his horsemanship was surprisingly good.

He cracked a smile and loudly replied,

"Where the Imperial Envoy wishes to go, how should I know? However, I suspect it is to inspect the mine."

An inspection... Could it be so sudden?

It felt more like a raid; they clearly didn't want us to keep up... thought Governor Sun internally.

Yet his heart felt somewhat relieved—

At the mines, he had repeatedly emphasized strict supervision.

With the County Chief Wang in charge, even if the imperial envoy launched a surprise visit, there would be no issues.

At this moment, the troops grandly exited the city gate, indeed heading towards the mines.

Taicang was slightly unusual; in typical prefectures, both the prefectural and county governments were located within one city.

Originally, the Taicang county government was arranged thus too, but the exploitation of the silver mine had spawned a plethora of factories.

In addition to the mine workers' living needs, the town near the silver mine gradually expanded.

It had long surpassed the scale of a typical small town, and later for administrative convenience, the Taicang county government even relocated from the city to this area.

Thus, the city and the county government were separated by the mine, though the distance was not great.

Autumn winds were biting, clouds fluttered overhead.

Governor Sun leaned on his horse, having ridden the bumps for a while, when a massive pit appeared before him, as if hammered out by a celestial being—a silver mine.

The group slightly reduced their horse's speed; the workers and county officials stationed at the mine, seeing them from afar, also came forward to meet them.

"After the official Wang Chusheng disappeared, to ensure order at the mine, I ordered the Taicang County Chief to temporarily take on the County Magistrate's responsibilities," Governor Sun loudly introduced while on his horse.

After speaking, Sun Xiaozhun spurred his horse forward, scanning the approaching group and frowned:

"Where is County Chief Wang?"

The leading archivist of Taicang was terrified by this powerful display.

Already suspecting that the imperial envoy had arrived, upon the Lord Prefect's inquiry, he hastily replied with trembling,

"Reporting to the Prefecture, the County Chief was here just now, but had to return urgently to deal with some affairs in the government office... Shall I send someone to find him?"

Useless, can't be found at a critical moment... Sun Xiaozhun thought displeasedly, turning to look at "Zhao Duon":

"Mr. Zhao, I am rather familiar with this area, allow me to guide everyone on a tour…"

"Which direction is the county government?" asked the leading "Zhao Duon" suddenly.

Sun Xiaozhun paused briefly, then gripping his whip, pointed towards a distant town, "Right over there."

"Zhao Douan" spurred his horse forward:

"To the county government."

Boom, boom, boom…

Shrouded by the Iron Cavalry, the troop bypassed the mine pit and streamed towards the county government, carrying Governor Sun along as a dark turbulent flow.

Distant mountains blushed with sunset; nearby, the Iron Cavalry formed a black line—an utterly picturesque scene.

Meanwhile, on another fork in the road far away, Coach Xie pulled his horse's reins, eyes filled with shock and uncertainty as he watched the distant court troops depart.

"Master, why have the soldiers come?"

Behind him, Little Wu, who insisted on following on a spotty horse, wore a dazed expression.

The youth's eyes held both fear and intense admiration:

"What a presence, it's like they're protecting some high official."

"The Imperial Envoy..."

Coach Xie murmured, "Did you see the one in a red official robe in the procession?"

"Ah, I think so. Could it be the Lord Prefect?"

The youth, despite his swollen nose and bruised face—and actually uninjured internally—was momentarily stunned.

With his understanding, he knew that only the Lord Prefect of the entire Taicang Prefecture could wear crimson robes.

"The Prefect personally accompanying, it must be the Imperial Envoy visiting the countryside. Let's follow them."

After a brief contemplation, Coach Xie turned his horse around.

He had entered the city searching for Governor Sun and now, bumping into him halfway, had no choice but to tail them.

"Oh, oh,"

Little Wu nodded excitedly, his heart burning with curiosity, eager to see what an imposing figure the Imperial Envoy really was.

...

...

Taicang County Government.

After Zhao Douan and his group were taken back to the county government, they were neither thrown into jail nor excessively harassed.

It was not known whether it was due to Mr. Song's influence or the arrest officer's uncertainty about their identities.

In any case, they were temporarily confined to the side yard of the county government and forbidden from leaving.

The side yard was small, only containing a stone table and three stone stools.

Additionally, there was a splendid cluster of chrysanthemums.

Zhao Douan, Xu Junling, and Mr. Song occupied the three stools, with Lv Qingfeng and others standing.

No one had weapons; all their swords and knives had been confiscated by the government officer—a move tacitly permitted by Zhao Douan.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

Xu Junling disdainfully slid a jade finger across the rough tabletop and, not surprisingly, her fingernail gathered dust.

As a princess from the Royal Family, when had she ever suffered such "grievances"?

In the Huai River region, not to mention a lowly Eighth-ranked County Chief, even a Seventh-ranked County Magistrate was nothing but obsequious in her presence.

Dare not give face to Prince Huaian?

"Given the circumstances, could we possibly fight the government officers?"

Zhao Douan remained composed, unfazed by the dire setting.

"Hmph, you think I would believe your nonsense?"

Xu Junling rolled her eyes playfully with a hint of naivety, then suddenly smiled and said:

"Be careful, or you'll be thrown into the major prison soon. If a government official and a County Chief disappear, do you think they would mind making us disappear as well?"

"Wouldn't that be better?"

Nearby.

Mr. Song, distracted and restless, listened to the carefree conversation between the two and trembled with fear.

He wanted to ask something but was concerned about eavesdroppers and swallowed his words instead.

After a long wait, when everyone's patience had almost worn out, noise finally came from outside.

"County Chief, my lord."

Outside the firmly shut yard door, a clerk's voice was heard.

Then, the wooden door opened, and an official walked in, wearing an Eighth-ranked green robe and a Seventh-ranked hat, his attire mismatched.

He looked weary, his appearance shifty.

County Chief Wang was not in a good mood.

Originally, he wanted to have the people arrested and let his subordinates interrogate them without his involvement, to avoid being directly responsible.

However, the local arrest officer, though looking crude, knew how to survive and reported directly.

Mentioning Mr. Song, they arrested everyone together, asking County Chief Wang how to proceed.

If it were just some unidentified outsiders, well-dressed young masters, or ladies, temporarily detaining them might not be a big issue.

But Mr. Song was a local gentry, the manor owner of the Song family, and a favored guest of the Lord Prefect.

Now, County Chief Wang could no longer feign ignorance and had to return sullenly for personal interrogation.

"County Chief Wang!"

Inside the small courtyard, Mr. Song quickly stood up and bowed:

"You have returned. Has there been some misunderstanding?"

Professional scapegoat, County Chief Wang held a blank expression, did not respond, and intently scrutinized the men and women in the yard.

He frowned tightly; as a local official, he had seen all the distinguished families' children in Taicang Prefecture but did not recognize the people before him.

"Could it be that they are not from this prefecture?"

Murmuring in his mind, County Chief Wang put on an authoritative air and started formally:

"Who are you people, and why are you at the Song family's manor? Why are you spying on the court's silver mine? What is your purpose? Who sent you? What is your motive? Approaching government-held mines privately, do you have official permission? Who is backing you up? ..."

His vigorous questioning intended to intimidate the delinquents.

Zhao Douan clicked his tongue in surprise, thinking that this set of statements sounded somehow familiar...

Nearby.

Mr. Song hurried to clarify:

"It's all a misunderstanding. These two were passing through our county and came to visit me at the manor because of a small altercation with the younger generation..."

"Mr. Song, I am interrogating the suspects."

County Chief Wang pointed to the official hat on his head, his expression solemn, his tone stern:

"The county is currently unstable, and I am temporarily taking on the responsibilities of the County Magistrate. Any suspicious individuals must be thoroughly investigated!"

Mr. Song closed his mouth.

Thinking he was trying to help, but the fellow was not listening...

Zhao Douan was sitting on a stone stool, didn't stand up, and said with a smiling face:

"So you are the County Chief here? Wang Chusheng's deputy? A mere Eighth-ranked, temporarily wearing a Seventh-ranked hat, should I say you are lucky or unlucky?"

Who are you... speaking in such a tone...

County Chief Wang was first displeased, but after hearing the latter part, he felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.

"This is the county government! I am questioning you! I've seen many young masters and mistresses like you, relying on your family's power, running amok. Do you still have any regard for the law, daring to assault the Song's people?"

County Chief Wang, with an air of authority seemingly like the honor of the entire county:

"I don't care what your backgrounds are, let me inform you, Imperial Commissioner Zhao himself is currently in this prefecture. Is your family bigger than Imperial Commissioner Zhao? Speak, what is really your purpose?!"