Jia Xu rarely came to the Southern Office, and with that look on his face today, something major had clearly happened.
To the Embroidered-Clothes Envoys, trouble meant someone would die.
Either someone else, or them.
Yet Jia Xu did not even glance at them. He walked into the Main Hall and sat in its sole folding armchair.
An Embroidered-Clothes Envoy immediately stepped forward to serve him hot tea, but after picking up the bowl, Jia Xu smashed it hard against the man's head.
"Get out!"
Scalding tea drenched the envoy's face, but he dared not utter a word of complaint. Enduring the pain, he staggered outside the hall and knelt.
Jia Xu swept his gaze over the envoys kneeling outside, his expression so dark he seemed ready to pick someone out and devour him.
"Why wasn't the news of the rumor reported?"
"Who was responsible? Step forward!"
At his words, the envoys shuddered. Not one spoke, but their faintly trembling hands betrayed their fear.
Seeing this, Jia Xu suddenly laughed. "What, no one will admit it? Simple, then. All of you, draw your blades and cut off your hands."
"You're a pack of useless fools anyway. No point keeping you. Might as well be rid of you."
At that, one of the envoys finally could bear it no longer. Bracing himself, he rose. "Reporting to Duke Jia... it was your subordinate."
Jia Xu's gaze fell on him. "Answer my question," he said expressionlessly.
The man's clothing marked him as a Gentleman of the Household, already a very high rank. There were only seven Gentlemen of the Household in the entire Embroidered-Clothes Envoy Organization.
The Embroidered-Clothes Central Commandant pressed his lips together and answered, "I learned of this rumor half a month ago, but it wasn't widespread then. I thought there