Dragon Slaying!

"Thank you to both of you, my benefactors, for your assistance."

As he spoke, Su Lie knelt down with a thud.

He knew clearly that without the help of these two Heavenly Mirror Division officials today.

Not only would he not have been able to afford his father's coffin.

He himself would have been unable to escape the clutches of the eldest daughter of the Xia family.

"Get up. A man's knees are made of gold; don't kneel at the drop of a hat."

Jun Wushang stepped forward and helped Su Lie up with his right hand.

"I beg the two benefactors to wait for me for half a day. After I bury my father, I will leave with you."

After speaking, he bowed deeply and turned to run towards the largest coffin shop in Ping'an County.

"Let's go."

Wei Qing did not wait for Su Lie to return. He mounted his horse with Jun Wushang and Zhang Xue, and they galloped away.

Seeing this, the surrounding commoners couldn't help but discuss.

"As expected of the Heavenly Mirror Division, they even made the Xia family compromise."

"Didn't you hear that official mention the founding ancestor? Never mind the Xia family, even if anyone else came, it wouldn't work."

"That's true. Not only do they uphold justice, but they are also so kind-hearted. This kid Su Lie is blessed. Now, not only is there enough money for Old Su's coffin, but the rest will be enough for him to get into the capital for the spring imperial examination next year and become an official, instead of being a servant."

"Yes, then Old Su can finally rest in peace."

On the carriage returning to the capital, Xia Yiran's face was gloomy, and her tone was icy. "Wei Qing, Jun Wushang, I've noted this debt."

"In the future, I will repay it tenfold."

She learned the names of her enemies from Wen Liang. Clenching her right fist, her fingertips suddenly pierced her palm, and blood flowed along the lines of her hand.

Seeing this, Wen Liang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Since Consort Xia rose in the harem, coupled with the birth of the Third Prince.

The entire Xia family had become unrecognizable to him.

The older generation was indulging in extravagance!

The younger generation was lawless!

If not for the fact that the previous head of the Xia family had saved his life and entrusted the Xia family to his care before his death.

He would have already left the Xia family.

Half a day later.

Wei Qing and the other two arrived at the Imperial City.

"Freshly baked guokui... Hey, customer, how many do you want?"

"Two."

"Coming right up!"

"Osmanthus rice wine - chilled!"

"Wontons... hot three-delicacy wontons, a large bowl for five coins, delicious and not expensive."

"Tang...hulu..."

Looking at the scene before them, Zhang Xue couldn't help but exclaim, "This Imperial City is so lively, more prosperous than I imagined."

"Miss, would you like some rouge and powder?"

The street vendor selling rouge saw the two Garrison Commanders beside Zhang Xue.

Instead of being afraid, he enthusiastically stepped forward to promote the rouge in his hands.

Zhang Xue looked at the fine huáli wood box handed to her and gently opened it. A unique fragrance wafted out.

Her eyes lit up.

The rouge before her was not a single scent but a perfect blend of rose, jasmine, and orchid fragrances.

It instantly captured her heart. She put the rouge into her embrace and asked, "Boss, how much is it?"

"Thank you for your patronage, ten taels of silver."

Before Zhang Xue could speak, Jun Wushang first expressed his dissatisfaction. "Old Li, think again?"

Old Li readily said, "Nine taels."

"Think again!"

Old Li closed his eyes in pain and made a "eight" gesture. "Eight taels, that's the lowest price. I won't sell it for less."

"Again..."

"Again my ass! You old scoundrel, stop pretending."

Wei Qing desperately wanted to beat the two people in front of him. "Zhang Xue, Wushang's fiancée, how much?"

"Oh, my goodness." Li Wen exclaimed, glaring at Jun Wushang before turning his gaze to Zhang Xue. "So it's sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law, this is my first time meeting you. Please accept this rouge as a gift from your brother."

"It's all Wushang's fault for being such a silent type and keeping such good news to himself. It's simply outrageous. Since you're new to the capital, I'll host a banquet for you at Tianxiang Tower today to welcome you."

Li Wen, the son of the Great Zhou's Minister of Personnel, was neither scholarly nor martial. He was only interested in business.

In just a few years, his businesses had spread across restaurants, silk shops, bookstores, porcelain workshops, and rouge shops.

His "Three Star Begonia" rouge, which he personally developed, was especially popular among the noble ladies and young ladies of noble families in the Imperial City.

The three of them met when they were ten years old during a fight.

Later, when Li Wen was confined by his father to prevent him from doing business, Wei Qing and the other one "stole" him out.

With their help, he started by setting up a stall on the street and gradually became the "business prodigy" of the Imperial City – Li Wen.

Today, he still maintained the habit of regularly setting up stalls.

Coincidentally, today was the day Wei Qing and the other two returned to the capital.

He thought they were "customers."

But unexpectedly, they were his own people.

"This..."

Zhang Xue's face immediately flushed from Li Wen's constant address of "sister-in-law."

"It's fine. What's his is mine, and what's mine is still mine. It's all family property," Jun Wushang said, patting his chest.

"Oh, you're so shameless..." Li Wen said speechlessly.

"Isn't that true?"

Jun Wushang directly interrupted him, raising his eyebrows and glaring as he retorted.

"Yes."

Li Wen pursed his lips and nodded.

He could only placate this lively and stubborn fellow.

"We'll catch up later tonight. Wushang and I need to report back to the Heavenly Mirror Division first."

"Alright, you guys go ahead. I'll be packing up my stall for the next few days."

After bidding farewell to Li Wen, Wei Qing and the other two continued on their way to the Heavenly Mirror Division.

In the main hall of the Wei residence.

Liu Ru said joyfully, "Lin'er, you did a great job on this assignment. The Third Prince is very pleased."

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Mother. Otherwise, how could I have caught the Third Prince's eye?"

"It's just..."

Wei Lin paused before continuing, "If the people from the Heavenly Mirror Division find out, will there be trouble?"

"I'm very happy that you considered this..."

Suddenly, a servant rushed in, sweating profusely.

Liu Ru was furious. "How dare you! Who allowed you to enter without announcing yourself?"

"Have you forgotten all the rules?"

The servant trembled in fear. "Madam, it's... it's Wei Qing. He's returned to the capital."

"What?"

Wei Lin sprang up, knocking over a teacup beside him. It shattered on the floor with a "crack."

"What are you afraid of? So what if he's back? We've now connected with the Third Prince. Do you think we're still afraid of him?" Liu Ru said indignantly, glaring at Wei Lin before speaking calmly.

"Right, right... we have His Highness the Third Prince."

Wei Lin nodded mechanically.

"Go inform the Master. Tell him his 'dear' nephew has returned to the capital."

Liu Ru's voice suddenly rose an octave when she said the word "dear."

"Yes, Madam."

The servant rushed out of the Wei residence and headed in the direction of the Ministry of Personnel.

In a secret room.

The lamplight flickered.

Casting the figures of two black-robed individuals long and short.

A chessboard was placed between them.

The black and white pieces on both sides fought fiercely on the board, locked in an inseparable struggle.

As a black piece in the left-hand figure's hand fell with a "clack."

"Dragon Slayer!"