No escaping the blame

"The old Alliance leader was merely worried about your health. He meant nothing else by it. Why let it weigh on your mind, young master?"

After a moment's thought, Yang Qing told Bu Er, "Relay my verbal orders to the Alliance at once, so the old Alliance leader can rest easy."

Bu Er nodded in assent, then remembered something else. "The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review comes with ill intent. Have you decided how to deal with him, young master?"

Yang Qing said, "Let him enjoy his triumph for a while. Otherwise, how would he reap any benefits?"

"But that would truly put you in a difficult position, young master."

Worry filled Bu Er's eyes.

"Only for a while. Remember, widen the opening and let him in."

Seeing the resolve on Yang Qing's face, Bu Er said no more. With a flicker of movement, he too left the prison.

Several days later, in the prison of the Yan Prefecture government offices.

Early that morning, Yang Qing was informed that Fu Bonian, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, would soon arrive to investigate the matter personally.

"This Lord Fu certainly acts with the force of thunder and the speed of the wind. I wonder how he will handle this matter."

Bu Er looked at Yang Qing with deep concern.

How could someone who had held the office of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for so many years be easy to deal with?

"It's fine. Let us see what he does."

As the two spoke in low voices, a loud announcement rang out from outside. "Lord Fu has arrived!"

Yang Qing slowly turned and saw a dark-faced, burly man striding toward him.

The man stood tall and straight, his voice resonant as a great bell, his