Master of Raiding Houses

At the entrance of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

A squad of Brocade Guard stood in a single line.

They attracted a crowd of commoners who gathered around, pointing and whispering to one another.

"Why has the heir to the Marquis of Southern Suppression brought the Brocade Guard here again?"

"Need you ask? He must be here to identify the culprit!"

"The Prime Minister's Mansion is going too far. Back when Qin the Third died, the Qin Family was nearly exiled in its entirety, and now they've set their sights on the heir."

"But..."

"No 'buts' about it. The Brocade Guard are the eyes and ears of His Majesty; think of how many corrupt officials they've brought down since their inception. You might not believe the rumors, and you might not believe the heir to the Marquis of Southern Suppression, but surely you can't doubt the Brocade Guard?"

"True! But if they're here to identify the culprit, why did they return empty-handed this morning?"

"That's obvious. Do you really think the Prime Minister is just some ordinary official? It's not that easy to make him yield."

"I hope this ends soon. The city was under martial law all day yesterday, and I didn't earn a single copper."

"Exactly. These civil and military officials fight back and forth, and it's us common folk who suffer. Such a fine young man, all alone in the capital, and the Prime Minister's Mansion still wants to harm him. If they really push Marshal Qin too far, it's us ordinary people who will pay the price."

Their voices were low, but with Chen Sui's cultivation, he could hear them clearly.

As he listened, sweat began to trickle down his forehead. He finally understood Qin Muye's little scheme, and he lowered his voice to say, "Muye! Why don't you go home and think about it some more, and come back to the Prime Minister's Mansion once you've remembered?"

"I can't remember anything at home. I need to look at Shen Jin's face to help jog my memory!"

"But this looks bad. How about I dismiss the Brocade Guard?"

"That won't do. We haven't ruled out Shen Jin's suspicion yet. If we don't have anyone guarding the place, what if he commits a crime and flees?"

"So, will you be able to remember this time?"

"I'll do my best!"

"..."

Chen Sui was speechless. "Doing his best" meant he wouldn't remember a thing.

But with the Brocade Guard surrounding the Prime Minister's Mansion twice in one day, the commoners, unaware of the truth, would surely let the rumors grow more outrageous by the hour.

If this went on for a few more days, the blame would be stuck to Shen Kui's head for good; even if they found the real culprit, it would be impossible to wash the stain away.

He had to stop this kid.

He took a deep breath. "Muye, there are some things your uncle must remind you of."

Qin Muye grinned. "Am I framing him on purpose?"

"No!"

"Did I force a confession through torture?"

"No!"

"Uncle, are you just too busy with your own work to help me out?"

"..."

"Uncle, what was it you wanted to remind me of?"

"Forget it! Let's just head into the Prime Minister's Mansion first!"

Chen Sui rubbed his temples and led Qin Muye into the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Seeing Qin Muye return.

Shen Jin was so angry that his eyes turned bloodshot. "Qin Muye! You can't remember the facts, and now you can't remember the way? You just rolled out this morning, and you're already lost by the afternoon?"

Qin Muye furrowed his brows and looked at Chen Sui. "Commander Chen, you saw it yourself. The hostility the Prime Minister's Mansion holds for me is plain to see. I feel that spending more time here is well-justified. Don't you agree?"

Chen Sui: "..."

Shen Jin was driven mad. "You..."

"Jin'er, show some respect!"

Shen Kui's voice rang out from behind, and he walked over with a smile. "My dear nephew, do not be angry. Just treat the Prime Minister's Mansion as your own home. There is no rush; take your time to think."

"The Prime Minister certainly knows how to speak!"

Qin Muye cupped his hands in a salute and strode toward the main hall. He looked around and asked, "Prime Minister! That muskmelon from this morning was quite delicious. Is there any left?"

Shen Jin's neck stiffened with rage. "Qin Muye! That's enough! Don't push your luck!"

"And what if I do?"

Qin Muye stood up. "Shen Jin, listen well: you are nothing but a stinking suspect! I gave His Majesty face yesterday, which is why you're still able to stay at home. If I were to get serious, tell me, which prison cell would you be in right now?"

Shen Jin: "Huff... huff..."

Qin Muye looked at Shen Kui with a smile. "Prime Minister, what about that muskmelon?"

Shen Kui: "..."

Chen Sui: "..."

He had found it strange yesterday that his nephew, having suffered such a drastic change in fortune, had actually become more stable in temperament; he had initially assumed it was the power of love.

As it turned out today, his nephew's personality seemed even more twisted.

Hiss... how is this situation supposed to end?

He didn't know what to say, so he could only wait until it was over to seek instructions from the Emperor.

Sitting in the chair in the main hall, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, as if his back were pricked by thorns, and as if a fishbone were stuck in his throat.

Qin Muye was in no hurry, leisurely continuing to gnaw on a melon, not even sparing Shen Jin a glance.

Another hour passed.

He stuffed the last lychee from Lingnan into his mouth with satisfaction, took the towel handed over by a maid, and elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth.

Then, he stood up again: "Commander Chen, I still haven't remembered. Let's go!"

Chen Sui: "..."

You were only focused on eating; when did you have time to think?

Shen Jin was so furious he felt like he might explode, but under the suppression of his old father, he couldn't say a single word.

Shen Kui, on the contrary, was all smiles, showing no signs of impatience: "Worthy nephew, I have suddenly recalled something. Would you like to hear it? Perhaps it might help you remember something."

Qin Muye sat back down: "Prime Minister, I am all ears!"

Shen Kui stroked his beard: "A few days ago, I heard that Jin'er invited friends onto a boat for some amusement, and your name was on the guest list. Grateful that the relationship between the Shen and Qin families had finally thawed, I had Jin'er prepare a gift to present to you.

"However, a thief suddenly appeared and abducted you, causing that gift to be left on the boat.

"Since you are visiting today, you might as well take the gift. Perhaps seeing it will help you recall more!"

Shen Jin was stunned: "Father! When did you have me prepare a gi..."

After being glared at, he quickly shut his mouth.

Qin Muye, however, seemed to have remembered something: "It seems there was such a thing. What was that gift again..."

Shen Kui clapped his hands with a smile.

The next moment.

A maid walked over carrying a red sandalwood box.

Opening the lid, inside sat a Red Jade Pixiu.

Seeing this, the corners of Chen Sui's eyes twitched violently. The red jade was translucent throughout, and the posture of the Pixiu was incredibly lifelike; it was clearly the work of a master.

As a renowned master of confiscating properties, he estimated the value of this Red Jade Pixiu at a glance.

Five thousand taels... at the very least!

This brat is truly greedy. But if he is only after money, then the matter is easy to resolve. I was truly afraid that Qin Muye would use this opportunity to vent all the grievances he had suffered in the past.

Qin Muye took the Red Jade Pixiu, and a smile finally appeared on his face: "Familiar! Familiar! This is my thing. I think I've remembered a little."

Shen Jin: "???"

You shameless fellow, how can you be so shameless!

Shen Kui stroked his beard and smiled: "What has my worthy nephew remembered? Can it prove the innocence of the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

Qin Muye pondered for a while, then shook his head: "What I've remembered is still too little. I recall that Brother Shen Jin also gave me other gifts. If I could see them all, I should be able to remember everything."

Shen Jin: "???"

Shen Kui: "..."

Chen Sui: "..."

What a massive appetite!

Shen Jin wanted to curse.

Shen Kui, however, waved his hand with a smile: "Worthy nephew! I don't remember everything Jin'er gave you either, but if they were all brought back, they should be in the West Pavilion Study. Why don't you go and look for them?"

"Father!"

Shen Jin was anxious; the West Pavilion Study contained all his prized collections.

Shen Kui frowned and ordered: "Jin'er! Take our worthy nephew there!"

Shen Jin: "..."

An incense stick of time later.

Qin Muye walked out of the West Pavilion Study with bags in both hands, while Shen Jin followed behind with a pained expression.

Shen Kui sipped his tea unhurriedly and asked with a smile: "Worthy nephew, have you remembered?"

"Remembered, I've remembered."

Qin Muye smiled and draped an arm around Shen Jin's neck: "That night, Brother Shen and I had already buried the hatchet. We are like brothers; how could the Prime Minister's Mansion be the villains who kidnapped me?

"By the way, my birthday is in a few days. I will be holding a banquet at the Southern Pacification Mansion.

"Brother Shen must attend, so that the world can witness our brotherly bond and prevent anyone from splashing dirty water on the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Shen Kui finally revealed a hint of a satisfied smile; this young man at least knew when to advance and when to retreat.

In this way, the damage to his own reputation should be kept to a minimum.

Without Qin Muye's cooperation, this matter truly could not have been accomplished.

He looked at Shen Jin: "Jin'er! When the time comes, take some gifts and go congratulate your nephew on his birthday!"

Shen Jin: "???"

I have to bring gifts too?

Qin Muye smiled and responded: "Oh, that's right, Brother Shen! And those friends from the flower boat that day—they are all our close acquaintances, and they all need to help me recover my memories. I'll have to trouble you to notify them and have them join my birthday banquet as well!"

Shen Jin: "???"

Since when did you have friends on the flower boat?

Not only are you extorting me.

You want me to help you extort others as well?