At a single word from the emperor, the Three Judicial Offices had joined forces to investigate the case and even mobilized soldiers. The commotion was considerable indeed.
Moreover, the Skywhale Gang, which enjoyed a measure of prestige in Wu Prefecture and the surrounding regions, had been directly crushed by the Imperial Court for its involvement. For a time, everyone in Wu Prefecture, from officials above to commoners below, and the martial artists who roamed the Rivers and Lakes between them, was stunned or terrified.
Heaven-Bearing Prefecture, the imperial palace, inside the imperial study.
The reigning emperor of Great Yong sat on a cushioned couch reading a book. Fine wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner beside him. Two dignified palace maids stood at each end of the couch, gently waving long fans, but the breeze could neither blow directly on the emperor nor scatter the Sandalwood Incense smoke. It was a task that required skill.
A eunuch approached with small, soundless steps.
"Your Majesty, Minister Si has arrived."
Without taking his eyes off the book, the emperor spoke mildly.
"Send him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuch went outside the imperial study, where the minister of justice cautiously asked him a question.
"Eunuch, how is His Majesty's mood?"
The eunuch smiled.
"There is no need to worry, Minister. His Majesty seems to be in quite a good mood."
As the emperor's chief personal eunuch, he naturally understood his habits best. The fact that the emperor was amusing himself with miscellaneous reading meant he was in a good mood.
Despite the chief eunuch's reassurance, Si Jingxiu dared not be careless. After stopping several paces from the couch, he bowed with his hands clasped and spoke at a suitable volume.
"Your subject, Si Jingxiu, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"Si