In official circles, few people truly maintain spotless reputations; most just close their eyes to each other's misdeeds. Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin had been with the Jinyiwei for years and were seasoned veterans—how could such a scandalous matter be exposed?

  Even if it was discovered, given their influence, they surely had ways to silence the censors—many of whom had their own skeletons that the Jinyiwei could easily exploit.

  Guanhai, knowing Han Zhi disliked vague answers, downed the tea Guanshan had handed him and quickly recounted the whole story. "Celestial Master Zhang recently entered the capital and took up residence at Qingxu Temple. Every year when he arrives, His Majesty personally visits him to discuss Daoist philosophy. This year was no different, and the Yulin Guard and Jinwu Guard had already coordinated a detailed security map, with guards posted around Qingxu Temple. But a few days ago, when the Jinyiwei checked the map with the Yulin and Jinwu Guards, they found many unidentified individuals lingering near the temple, disguised as hunters. At this time of year, rabbits are scarce, let alone any real game. Suspicious, the Jinyiwei apprehended a few and subjected them to harsh interrogation, learning that these men were bandits from Henan. They'd acquired a map from an inside source, believing that a wealthy household was temporarily storing a rge collection of jewels nearby."

  Guanshan was startled; did that mean the security map of the Yulin and Jinwu Guards had been leaked and sold at a high price? If true, there was likely a mole within those guards, and the situation wasn't over yet. The map was designed to ensure the Emperor's safety, and now that it had been deliberately leaked, what were the perpetrators' intentions?

  Had the Jinyiwei not noticed those suspicious bandits, the consequences could have been severe if an incident involving His Majesty occurred. The implications could be far-reaching.

  Han Zhi, his brow furrowed, considered that Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin, being influential figures in the Jinyiwei, should have had ample opportunity to cover their tracks. "What's this got to do with Masters Xu and Jia? Didn't the Jinyiwei uncover this first?"

  Since the Jinyiwei had made the discovery, Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin should have had plenty of time to prepare. Even if someone they had pnted within the ranks slipped up, they should've been able to erase any evidence. How could things have spiraled out of control?

  Guanhai had been waiting for this question and sighed. "These two were just unlucky. The girl who sold the map for two thousand taels of silver was caught right away. The Jinyiwei initially didn't suspect one of their own, so they went after the Yulin and Jinwu Guards to score political points. They interrogated her in front of the commanders of both guards. The girl couldn't withstand the torture and quickly confessed, saying that a commander surnamed Zhao from the Yulin Guard had given her the map."

  So the mole was indeed from the Yulin Guard. Guanshan frowned, still puzzled. "If that's the case, the Jinyiwei could've just arrested the suspect. Why did it escate?"

  Han Zhi raised a hand, stopping Guanshan's line of questioning, and immediately asked Guanhai, "This Zhao—he's from the Zhao family of Jinling, isn't he?"

  The Zhao family of Jinling, descended from one of the founding generals of the dynasty, was the only family that had married into the imperial line through the founder's princess. Their line had survived peacefully, maintaining their nobility without controversy, and most of the Zhao family's sons served as companions to princes or lords. Among the most trusted military leaders under the current Emperor was Zhao Yunxia, a former childhood companion of the Emperor and current military governor of the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.

  The Zhao family would never accept taking the fall for such a scandal and would undoubtedly make a fuss.

  During the investigation, Captain Zhao, terrified, confessed everything to the Jinyiwei and the commanders of the Yulin and Jinwu Guards, exposing Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin. He revealed that he had been pced in the Yulin Guard by them, though he had originally wanted a quiet post in the Provincial Guard. When the King of Zhennan had denied him a position due to strict military discipline, he had taken up Xu Liang's offer in the Yulin Guard instead.

  With the truth uncovered, the investigation continued down the line. Once the hidden matters were exposed, they couldn't be contained. The probe revealed that Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin had secretly inserted a total of seventeen people into the Yulin and Jinwu Guards.

  As for the Jinyiwei, almost anyone questioned would likely have some connection to Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin.

  The hornet's nest was thoroughly stirred. By evening, news had reached the censors, who immediately took action. The next day, memorials accusing Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin of neglect of duty, profiteering, and personal enrichment flooded the cabinet and the Emperor's desk.

  As Guanhai finished, his voice trembled slightly. "His Majesty is furious. He has ordered Ye Jingkuan and Lord Lai of the Jinyiwei to jointly investigate. They've confiscated so many boxes from the Xu and Jia families that they fill half the street..."

  Thankfully, although he had dealings with Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin, they had never exchanged letters or promissory notes, only unmarked gold bars and silver.

  If not, let alone other matters, the recent affair with Zhang Tianhe would likely have implicated him.

  This incident didn't directly implicate the Han family, but Han Zhi still couldn't feel at ease. He gnced at the pitch-bck sky outside and finally instructed Guanshan, "Check if Qian Ying has left yet. If he hasn't, bring him to see me immediately."

  The Prince of Commandery had always been close to Jia Yingxin and Xu Liang, so it was possible there were traces left behind that hadn't been cleaned up in time. Ye Jingkuan, a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince's faction, wouldn't miss any leverage if he discovered evidence. If that happened, the Prince of Commandery might not be able to escape this time.

  Everything seemed almost too perfect, as if orchestrated. Both commanders, Jia Yingxin and Xu Liang, had failed to escape involvement. With the influence they'd built over the years, such a situation would have been unthinkable in the past.

  Was this the result of a power struggle within the Jinyiwei, leading to Jia Yingxin and Xu Liang's downfall? Or had someone dug a pit for them, ensuring their demise?

  Han Zhi's slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, and he couldn't help but think of Song Chuyi.

  ______

  Author's note: Seeing many readers are concerned about Song Yan's intelligence, I want to crify that he's a ten-year-old child. Although he's studied in Shuzhong for three years and has experienced some aspects of civilian life with Tang Mingzhao, these experiences don't make him a genius or give him a sharp instinct like his sister's. Growth is a process... so please have a little patience with both the author and Song Yan! Love you all, mwah.