Outside the Imperial City.
"Boss."
Scholar Twin Whips hurried over and glanced at the vast procession of Imperial Palace Experts behind his boss.
"Back to the Government Office first!" Jia Huan's expression was icy.
As soon as they returned to the halls atop the Thirty-Six Hanging Mountains, they saw the Embroidered Uniform Guard assembling on the various training grounds. Numerous red-robed Thousand-Household Commanders moved back and forth, lending the atmosphere an eerie tension.
Southern Office Officials stood silently outside the Northern Commandant Office.
Commissioner Ouyang hesitated for a long time before finally stepping up beside Jia Huan and saying quietly:
"Lord Jiang feared you might act on impulse and lead the Kirin Office's ten thousand guards in a revolt, so he took precautions. They'll withdraw once you hand over your waist token, official seal, and documents."
His voice was terribly hoarse.
Lord Jiang had long regarded Pacification Commissioner Jia as a thorn in his side!
Now he had seized an opportunity that came once in a thousand years!
Using private torture to humiliate and maim someone, using armor and crossbows to frame an imperial relative-and the emperor's own brother-in-law at that. The affair was so heinous it made one's hair stand on end. The civil and military officials were outraged, skittish as birds startled by a bowstring.
Of course he believed Jia Huan was innocent!
But his belief meant nothing. Jia Huan was indeed under grave suspicion!
At court, people turned their opponents' methods back against them. Anyone under suspicion had to be investigated.
Jia Huan's face darkened. Struggling to rein in his emotions, he asked coldly:
"Brother Ouyang, where is that man named Chen Yu?"
"In the Imperial Prison."
"Thank you, Brother Ouyang."
Jia Huan hurried to the Imperial Prison.
Inside the prison, officials from the Three Judicial Offices