"Madam, something terrible has happened, Madam!"
"What's all this commotion? What terrible thing has happened?"
A dignified lady, dressed in elegant robes, emerged from the room with displeasure.
"Madam, many people have arrived outside, claiming to be from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, demanding to inspect the silver the master has stored in the cellar!"
"What? Why didn't you stop them? And didn't you tell them this is the residence of the Censorate's Grand Censor? This is a third-rank official's mansion, what Embroidered Uniform Guard dares to be so presumptuous?"
The Censor's wife, her composure shattered, lost her dignified demeanor. Her face contorted in shock and anger as she yelled.
"We did, but it was no use. All the servants who tried to stop them were beaten and tied up. I heard they'll be taken back on charges of obstructing official business!"
"This is outrageous! This is the capital of the Yunyue Kingdom! Is there no law?"
The Censor's wife, enraged, let out a bitter laugh. She waved her hand and commanded, "Go, gather about ten good men, and accompany me to see what's going on."
"Yes, Madam, understood."
Outside the Zhang mansion's cellar.
"My Lord, your subordinate has questioned several people, and this is indeed the mansion's cellar!"
"Mm, I see." Chu Chen nodded, with a hint of dissatisfaction, he reminded, "Also, don't call me 'My Lord' outside. You should call me 'Second Minister'."
"Yes, My Lord, your subordinate understands, My Lord!"
"..."
Damn it, are you looking for a beating?
Chu Chen glared at him unhappily but couldn't be bothered with this fellow. Whether he called him that or not, he'd sort him out later and add more personnel, otherwise, people would say the Embroidered Uniform Guard is my private department.
Although, it was indeed the case.
Seeing his subordinates still standing around, Chu Chen roared, "What are you all standing there for? Smash the door for this minister! Do I have to teach you how to open a door? Didn't you see me kick the door just now? When my Embroidered Uniform Guard encounters a door, unless it's ours or the royal family's, we just kick it down or smash it!"
"Yes!"
With Chu Chen's command, the dark guards, disguised as Embroidered Uniform Guards, immediately channeled their inner energy. Two of them raised their legs and kicked forcefully.
"Heh, this is indeed a cellar door meant for storing silver, quite sturdy!"
Chu Chen exclaimed in surprise, looking at the dented but still functional cellar door.
"Keep kicking, keep kicking!"
Upon hearing this, the two kicked the door again.
After three or four kicks, the deformed cellar door was finally kicked open.
"Made entirely of metal, how extravagant!"
Chu Chen looked down at the ruined door, spat, and waved his hand, saying, "Go in carefully, don't trigger any traps."
Chu Chen wasn't sure if there were any traps behind such a thick door, so it was better to be cautious.
Ten men immediately entered cautiously, while Chu Chen and the remaining men waited outside.
Just then, an angry female voice suddenly came from behind, "Who are you people? In the Censor's mansion, you dare to act like bandits. Are you not afraid of the law?"
"?"
Chu Chen, with a question mark in his mind, turned around and saw a noble lady leading more than a dozen servants armed with swords and sabers approaching.
Seeing the weapons in their hands, the dark guards, disguised as Embroidered Uniform Guards, also drew their weapons.
The atmosphere instantly became tense and murderous, causing the servants, who were only good at scaring people, to tremble.
The noble lady hesitated for a moment and stopped, not daring to step forward.
But she still sternly asked, "Who are you people?"
"I am the newly appointed Second Minister of the Yunyue Kingdom, Chu Chen. I am here on official business with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It's best for any bystanders to leave, otherwise, being detained would be quite undignified."
Chu Chen replied with a cold smile.
He was guessing if this noble lady was Zhang Guojin's principal wife.
"I am the Censor's wife. For what offense has my husband committed that the Second Minister personally leads his men here?"
"My husband holds the rank of Grand Censor, a third-rank official. He is upright and incorruptible, how could he commit an offense without reason? I request the Second Minister to explain!"
Hearing that the other party was the Second Minister, the noble lady was stunned. Her tone was no longer as sharp, but she still questioned him neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
"Oh? So you are Madam Zhang? Then you've come at the right time. I have been ordered to investigate whether your husband has been involved in corruption and bribery. As his wife, you are likely privy to this matter. Please cooperate and tell me how much your husband has embezzled and whom he has bribed in the past five years!"
Chu Chen's eyes lit up. He directly used the method of framing Zhang Guojin on his wife.
"Nonsense! How could my husband be corrupt and take bribes? This is clearly slander!"
"Heh heh!" Chu Chen drew the scabbard from his waist and held it up, saying, "This is the Imperial Sword bestowed by His Majesty, sufficient proof that what this minister says is true. You had best cooperate, or I will detain you as well!"
"You!"
She had just doubted if this person was the Second Minister when she saw a bright yellow scabbard with dragons, inscribed with the words "Imperial Sword."
She knew this could not be faked. At least, the person faking it would not dare to be so arrogant in a third-rank official's home, wouldn't that be walking into a trap?
This meant that the person before her was indeed the Second Minister, and he was indeed here to investigate her husband's corruption.
The noble lady trembled with anger but could not speak.
Her eyes suddenly fell on the metal door panel on the ground. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked over.
She saw that the metal door of her cellar was gone, and people in brocade robes stood guard at the entrance.
The noble lady was shocked and furious, pointing at Chu Chen, "You, you dare to dismantle my cellar door?"
"If I didn't dismantle it, would I ask you for the key? That would be too troublesome. Smashing it directly is simpler."
Chu Chen sneered and said with a serious expression, "Don't worry, I have a bet with your husband. If there isn't at least eighty thousand taels of silver in cash at home, then this minister has slandered him, and I will apologize and repair this door for you."
After speaking, he changed his tone and said sternly, "But if there is eighty thousand taels of silver or more, then don't blame this minister for being ruthless and detaining all of you as well!"
"!!"
Upon hearing this, the noble lady's heart sank. She felt dizzy and swayed backward.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't try to frame me!"
"Damn, she actually fainted. Aren't you going to hold your madam?"
Chu Chen was a little anxious, fearing that this person would die and it would be difficult to reason.
The servants dared not touch the madam directly. They could only call for maids to help her up and summon the family doctor to examine her.
While the servants were busy, two of the dark guards who had entered the cellar came out and said, "Reporting to Second Minister, the cellar is full of shelves, laden with gold and silver. There are also treasure chests and piles of jewels. Furthermore, there are framed paintings and calligraphy."
"Leave twenty men behind, the rest follow this minister inside."
Chu Chen waved his hand, ignoring the fainted madam, and led his men into the cellar.
Through a long passage, Chu Chen entered the cellar and was immediately dazzled by the brilliance of the opened treasure chests.
"Holy crap, this alone is worth tens of thousands of taels, right? So greedy! Even a pig isn't as greedy as you, Lord Zhang!"
Chu Chen cursed angrily and ordered his men to count the silver on the shelves.