The Ministry of Justice was a whirlwind of activity. Its officials were rushed off their feet, and large numbers of Ministry constables surged out. The matter was of grave importance, and Minister of Justice Feng Tingji directly requested the Heavenly Patrol Division and the Imperial Guard Headquarters to assist in the investigation.
At the same time, the Minister of Justice was rapidly preparing a memorial. Such a major matter had to be reported to the throne. Thirty-one princely mansions had been robbed; a mere Ministry of Justice could not possibly keep it suppressed.
While everyone was running themselves ragged, Xi Quanzhong, the chief steward of Duke Mi's Mansion, strode arrogantly into the Ministry of Justice. But the moment he shouted out, he realized something was wrong.
The princes, dukes, and marquises all looked at him with undisguised hostility.
Given his status as Duke Mi's chief steward, when he encountered most of the dukes and marquises here alone, he ordinarily did not even need to greet them or pay respects. It was already good enough if he did not trouble them.
Yet under the hostile stares of so many princes and marquises, Xi Quanzhong, chief steward of Duke Mi's Mansion, grew somewhat timid. He carefully stepped forward to pay respects to the Heir of Prince Xun, then paid respects to every prince, duke, and marquis present, one by one.
There was no helping it. With so many princes and marquises present, if he dared act arrogantly and they all swarmed him, accusing him of despising the princes and marquises, then even if they beat him to death, Western Patrol Envoy Xi Qiangu would absolutely not stand up for him.
Only after going through the formal greetings did Xi Quanzhong finally meet the Minister of Justice. He hastily reported, "By my lord's