Night lay heavy.
Eleven riders stopped outside Rongguo Mansion.
Jia Huan sprang from his horse and led Scholar Twin Whips and his nine other trusted men through the side gate.
All ten carried rosewood chests filled with gold ingots.
Before they reached the Ceremonial Gate, they saw more than a dozen Imperial Palace Experts roaming about.
Jia Huan stopped and regarded them coldly:
"What are you doing here?"
The old eunuch leading them hurried over, his voice carrying an inherent chill:
"Young... Young Master Jia, I am acting on orders from the Directorate of Ceremonial!"
Jia Huan stared at him for a long time before speaking in an icy tone:
"Eunuchs spending the night in private residences outside the palace has been taboo since ancient times, let alone in a Duke's Estate!"
"Get out, now!"
The old eunuch remained unmoved and replied stubbornly:
"Young Master Jia, I am carrying out orders!"
Jia Huan said calmly:
"Have the palace women officials keep watch. I'll count to three."
"One!"
"Two!!"
The Imperial Palace Experts exchanged glances, fear finally creeping into them.
Though he had been suspended, the pressure he exerted was truly terrifying.
Before today, he had been the Pacification Commissioner whose might cowed All Under Heaven!
"Let's go."
The Imperial Palace Experts left one after another.
His trusted men's faces darkened.
In the past, whenever these eunuchs saw their leader in the Forbidden City, they had fawned over him with the utmost deference.
Now they even dared talk back!
Without power, every demon and monster would crawl out of the woodwork!
And this was only the first day of his suspension!
"Huan'er." Hearing the commotion, Jia Zheng hurried over, his heart burning with worry.
Jia Huan said softly:
"Father, arrange guest rooms for my brothers."
With that, he walked away alone,