"I am not a thief; I am here to see the Prince!"
The moment Wang Tie Zhu saw the guards, he shouted.
Although it was late at night, he had clearly seen that there were at least dozens of eyes watching the entire Prince Xin's mansion at this hour.
Whether it was the front gate or the back gate, even a fly flying out at this moment would likely be recorded.
"My Prince's bloodline is noble, not something you can just see! Who do you think my Prince is? A jester from the entertainment district? Take him away, give him 100 military strokes. If he survives, throw him into the Kaifeng Prefecture dungeon tomorrow morning!"
Wang Tie Zhu's relief vanished. He was shocked, almost collapsing to the ground.
What a joke! With his small frame, 100 military strokes would surely kill him!
"I want to see the Prince! I want to see the Prince! I have an important message for the Prince!"
Even a fool like Wang Tie Zhu had figured it out by now. The person in front of him was most likely a spy from the Imperial City Department planted in the Prince's mansion.
But the more this was the case, the less he dared to take out the item hidden in his shoe sole.
Although he appeared rough on the outside, he was refined within. Something valuable enough for a border defense commander could only be extremely important, as anyone could guess.
"What are you waiting for? Muzzle him! Do you want him to wake up the distinguished guests in the courtyard?"
Hearing Wang Tie Zhu, the leading guard became even more agitated.
"Li Tou, this fellow doesn't seem to be lying. Why don't we send someone to ask around at the front?"
After looking at Wang Tie Zhu again, the other guards clearly felt something was amiss.
There had been intruders in the Prince's mansion before, but those either begged for mercy or fought desperately. Sneaking into a Prince's mansion at night was a capital offense.
Even if they were beaten to death on the spot, the Kaifeng Prefecture would have nothing to say.
"Look at him, with his shifty eyes, how could he be a good person? The Prince is already vexed. Do you want to be punished along with him?"
Seeing his subordinates starting to disagree with him, Li Yanchun's face darkened. While adjusting his belt, he casually placed his right hand on the hilt of his saber.
"Brothers, I am an inspector from the Kaifeng Prefecture. I genuinely have urgent matters to see the Prince! If you don't believe me, I have my Kaifeng Prefecture token as proof! The Prince is not asleep this late because he is waiting for my news. This guy wants to silence me, he is clearly a spy from the Imperial City Department!"
Seeing Li Yanchun's action, Wang Tie Zhu was even more convinced of his guess. He had planned to take a risk for fortune tonight. Having escalated to this point, he didn't hesitate to expose Li Yanchun's identity.
"You're talking nonsense! I've been by the Prince's side for so many years, how could I be a spy from the Imperial City Department? I think you are the spy from the Imperial City Department, trying to harm the Prince! If I'm not mistaken, as soon as you meet the Prince, the Imperial City Department spies will be knocking on the door!"
Hearing Wang Tie Zhu's words, Li Yanchun's eyes showed a hint of panic.
He didn't know others well, but he was clear about the people around him. These were all Zhao Zhen's confidantes.
If he showed any sign of weakness today, who could guarantee that these people wouldn't kill him on the spot?
After all, Wang Zongchu had said a few days ago that it was now a do-or-die situation. If Zhao Zhen didn't die, they would.
"Nonsense! If you're not a spy from the Imperial City Department, why don't you even dare to go and ask the Prince?"
To save his own life, Wang Tie Zhu was now fighting with all his might, shouting almost every word hysterically.
Although Prince Xin's mansion was vast, it was late at night. His shouting immediately stirred the prize dogs kept in Zhao Zhen's mansion, which began to bark in response.
"What's that noise? What's happening outside?"
Zhao Zhen, pacing restlessly in his study, felt an inexplicable unease upon hearing the dogs barking outside.
"Reporting to Your Highness, it seems a fool has been caught at the front. For some reason, this fellow insists on seeing Your Highness!"
Hearing Zhao Zhen's inquiry, the confidantes guarding outside the door quickly replied in hushed tones.
"A bunch of useless wretches, can't even handle such a small matter? Am I, though in decline, now something any cat or dog can bully? Why keep such fools alive after catching them?"
Zhao Zhen was currently enraged. Upon hearing this news, he didn't bother to ponder further.
He almost unhesitatingly issued an order to kill!
"Wait!"
As Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Wang Xiang hurried out of the room.
"Go to the front courtyard and bring him here. Remember to bring the guards who found him as well!"
"Master Wang, he's just a fool. Is it necessary?"
Hearing Wang Xiang, Zhao Zhen frowned instead.
"Your Highness, don't you find this strange? Have you ever seen a caught fool not beg for mercy but instead insist on seeing you? This mansion is heavily guarded; it's likely some people want to get in but can't!"
Although there were outsiders present, Wang Xiang couldn't speak too plainly. However, after he finished speaking, Zhao Zhen suddenly realized.
It seemed to be true. Not to mention how strict the guards of his own mansion were, even the spies from the Imperial City Department outside would not allow those who wanted to get in to do so freely.
"Do as Master Wang suggests. Remember, do not harm his life!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen nod, the confidantes waiting outside the door quickly scurried towards the front courtyard.
"Li Tou, something is amiss. We should report this first. San'er, you're fast, go find Steward Niu at the front!"
Hearing the words "Imperial City Department," those loyal followers of Zhao Zhen felt that something was not quite right.
Whether Li Yanchun or Wang Tie Zhu was the spy, there was something strange about this matter. Prince Xin's mansion had been in a state of panic and heightened alert recently. How could they dare not take it seriously.
"Stop right there! What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to disobey orders just because of this person of unknown origin?"