Huzi! Watch Your Mouth!

The night was at its darkest.

Outside the Xuanjing Division.

A motley group of people emerged from the Imperial Prison.

At their head was Zeng Shilin, the current Governor of Fengqi Road.

He stood amid the crowd like the moon surrounded by stars.

Zeng Shilin's expression was solemn, and his tone grave:

"Prefect Qi, before long, the court will allocate a sum of funds. You had best personally oversee the repairs to Tong'an Street."

"This subordinate understands."

An elderly man in red Official Robes beside Father accepted the order. He was past fifty, his face deeply lined with ravines. Other than the shrewdness in his eyes, his entire body exuded an air of twilight decay.

This man was the current Prefect of Two Rivers Prefecture, Qi Xiande.

Father was not the only one unlucky enough to be implicated by the loss of the Dragon Survey Map. Qi Xiande was caught up in it as well.

"Mm. Commander Wang, my son has solved the case of the stolen Dragon Survey Map. The culprit has been identified as Wang Lang, an attendant at the Map Repository. Keep a close watch on him and investigate thoroughly. We must drag out the mastermind behind this!"

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed through Father's Phoenix Eyes, and his tone was exceedingly stern.

The bearing he had cultivated over twenty years as an official abruptly surged forth, his authority rumbling like thunder.

"Yes!"

A middle-aged man of around forty shuddered and swiftly bowed to Father, his voice full and forceful.

His face was black as charcoal, his beard luxuriant, and his face square—a typical northerner's appearance.

Wang Deli, Commander of the Xuanjing Division in Fengqi Road.

In truth, he was the first person who ought to be held accountable for the loss of the Dragon Survey Map.

"If I recall correctly, that attendant Wang Lang also lives on Tong'an Street. Should this case encounter any unresolved matters, you two may discuss them properly."

"Yes."

The two accepted their orders at the same time.

Commander Wang Deli turned his gaze toward Zeng Anmin, his face filled with gratitude. Under the moonlight, his black face practically reflected light as he boomed, "I have to thank you greatly, worthy nephew! If not for your wit and cleverness, I fear that by next year there would not even be anyone left to burn paper offerings at my grave!"

"Damn it, if I could learn even half of Governor Zeng's skill at producing sons, that brat of mine wouldn't be sneaking off to the Jiaofang Division behind my back every day!!!"

Wang Deli had always been a rough man. Even with his superior standing right there, he had no filter whatsoever.

Father's brows drew together slightly, displeasure rising in his heart.

Of all pursuits, none ranked above study.

Martial Artists truly spoke crudely.

"Yes, Nephew Anmin is graceful in appearance and wise within. In this case, he remained calm in danger and displayed unparalleled insight. Lord Zeng, to have such a Prodigy for a son truly makes others endlessly envious!!"

Qi Xiande, Prefect of Two Rivers Prefecture, sighed bitterly in admiration.

Look at that. Scholars spoke far better than those Crude Martial Artists.

Sure enough, Father was smiling now, unconsciously stroking his beard with his right hand as he said, "Heh heh, my son merely had a little luck."

Nearly half an hour had passed since Zeng Shilin had been released from prison.

Emperor Jianhong had long since taken Princess Ning'an back to retire for the night.

The White-robed Venerable had not lingered either, due to his discord with Father.

Once Father had finished arranging official matters, he dismissed everyone.

Outside the Xuanjing Division, the Governor's Mansion carriage waited there.

After everyone had left, Father wiped the smile from his face and said calmly, "Home."

"Mm." Zeng Anmin nodded and followed Father briskly toward the carriage.

He truly wanted to return to his room and carefully study just what was going on inside his Sea of Consciousness Space.

The carriage was enormous, drawn by six fast horses.

It did not look particularly extravagant, yet a closer examination revealed luxury in every detail.

"Master."

The moment the two boarded the carriage, Zeng Anmin saw a beautiful married woman sitting inside.

She was draped in red. Beneath her long jade-like neck, her creamy breasts resembled congealed white jade, half-hidden and half-revealed, while her slender waist could not fill a single grasp.

Her face carried an increasingly noblewoman-like air, springtime in her eyes and coquettish charm at their corners.

The haggardness of having just left prison lent her several more touches of pitiable fragility for no reason at all.

Damn!

A beauty who could score a full ninety points!

Zeng Anmin subconsciously looked once, twice, three...

Only when the memories of the previous owner surfaced did he hurriedly withdraw his gaze.

Madam Zeng.

Father's concubine, whom he had taken more than four years ago.

The previous owner had not been particularly interested in her and rarely spoke with her.

Strictly speaking, she was his stepmother.

"Mm." Father nodded faintly, shot her a glance, and asked, "Has everything in the mansion been settled?"

"It has. The servants arrested by the Xuanjing Division today have all been released."

Concubine Lin looked exhausted, her voice somewhat hoarse. "Master, you are unharmed?"

"Unharmed."

Father slowly raised his head and looked out the carriage window, a trace of chill in his voice.

"This calamity has allowed this old man to see many people clearly."

Silence. Stillness.

Father had always carried great authority within the household.

Thus, when he was in a mood, no one dared speak.

"The Xuanjing Division... it is time for a thorough purge."

The trailing note of Father's words held a chill that made one shudder.

"Dad!"

A childish voice rang out beside Zeng Anmin's ear.

Zeng Anmin instinctively looked toward the source of the sound.

In the corner of the carriage, a little child with huge eyes and a tiger-head soft cap was sucking on his fingers, looking over with bright eyes.

Wasn't I an only child?!

When did I get a younger brother??

He had just wanted to shoot Father a questioning look when his expression suddenly froze.

This kid... seemed to be calling him?

Memories about the little child came flooding in.

Huzi.

The son of his older female cousin.

Years ago, the Holy Dynasty and the Demon Race had gone to war. His cousin's husband's family, along with her own family, had all perished one after another in that war.

Wild rumors then spread that his cousin was a lone star of doom.

His cousin had a fierce temperament, so she simply joined the Dao Sect and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Dao.

Before leaving, she had entrusted her only son to Father.

"But why is he calling me Dad?!"

Zeng Anmin's scalp went numb.

This was clearly his cousin's son!

He seemed to see the signboard of some orthopedic hospital...

He frantically searched through his memories.

Only after a long while did he finally let out a breath of relief.

So that was it. So that was it...

Huzi had lived in the mansion for more than two years. Once, he had returned crying and told the previous owner that someone had mocked him for having no father.

Yet when asked who had said it, he could not explain clearly.

In his panic, the previous owner had said, "From now on, call me Dad! Let's see who dares laugh at you!"

Huzi was also the sort to stubbornly cling to reason, and from then on, he never changed that form of address.

"Huzi." A smile appeared on Zeng Anmin's face as he beckoned to him. "Come sit here."

In his previous life, he had also been someone who loved children very much.

"Mm-hm..."

Huzi toddled over, blinking his large eyes as he began to complain pitifully, "Dad, someone was mean to me today. They even locked me in a little room and wouldn't give me food... I called for Grandpa and Dad, but neither of you came~"

His tone even carried a faint sob.

A child's voice was the easiest thing to touch the softest part of one's heart.

Zeng Anmin's heart ached, but Father merely snorted coldly. "Be good, Huzi. Tomorrow, Grandpa will carry you to the Imperial Prison. Whoever was mean to you, not a single one of them will get away!"

Hearing this, Huzi quickly raised his chin and struck while the iron was hot, pointing at Aunt Lin. "They weren't just mean to me—they were mean to Mom too!"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Anmin could not help but feel pity for those Red-robed Guards in the prison.

The Governor of Two Rivers settling accounts after autumn—those little shrimps would not be able to bear it...

Wait!!

Zeng Anmin abruptly turned to look at Huzi.

Kid, what did you just call Concubine Lin?!!

No, Dad, listen to my explanation!!!