vrcanaries Chapter 1329
Chapter 1329
But then he heard the arrogant and imposing Duke Wu Xun, who was walking in front of him, suddenly stop in his tracks, making a rustling sound of surprise and uncertainty:
"Hmm...?? What is that...?"
"Aren't those the Embroidered Uniform Guards? They're quite numerous, judging by their shadowy figures..."
"What are the Embroidered Uniform Guards doing at the Duke of Liang's residence at this time?"
"Wait a minute... isn't that Zhao Feng, the commander in charge of all the Imperial Guards in Yingtian Prefecture, who's currently serving His Majesty? If the Imperial Guards are coming, fine, but why is it this guy again??"
"..."
Led by Duke Lan Yu of Liang, followed by Marquis Zhang Yi of Heqing, Marquis Cao Xing of Huaiyuan, Marquis Zhu Shou of Zhulu, and many other dukes, marquises, and military officials, their expressions immediately changed, their faces showing a mixture of surprise and uncertainty, their eyes flickering.
I couldn't help but feel a little guilty subconsciously.
"Could it be that the palace has already learned of something? That's why the Imperial Guards have come knocking on our door so soon after we stepped out?"
"No! We've only been planning this for a short time. The news shouldn't have come so quickly."
"Besides, we haven't even started causing trouble yet. Who in the Qianqing Palace would dare to make a move against us first? — That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"..."
Thinking about this, the group felt less guilty and uneasy—what could the mere Embroidered Uniform Guard do to me? What could they possibly do to me?
Chang Sheng and Zhang Wen's eyes immediately lit up slightly, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope in their despair: Regardless of what the Embroidered Uniform Guards were here for, at least they had interrupted this matter.
However, Wang Chen and Luo Hongzhi, these two undercover agents, were met with a stampede of disapproving reactions.
They easily stirred people up.
Just when we thought we were about to escape unscathed, what's with this Imperial Guard suddenly appearing out of nowhere? Hopefully, nothing unexpected will happen...
At the entrance of the Duke of Liang's mansion.
Everyone was stunned, but each of them had their own thoughts.
While pondering.
Zhao Feng, along with numerous Imperial Guards from the Imperial Prison, including the various incriminating evidence they had collected and sealed up, arrived at the gate of the Duke of Liang's mansion.
"This humble official is Zhao Feng, Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Greetings to all the dukes and marquises," Zhao Feng said, bowing with clasped hands. Although she had come with ill intentions, the other party's status and rank were undeniable.
As for Lan Yu, Zhang Yi, Zhu Shou, Cao Xing, and others...
Firstly, they still have their confidence, and secondly, they don't know what the situation is yet. If the other side is completely unaware and they expose themselves first, it will cause some obstacles in doing many things later.
Therefore, everyone immediately composed themselves, pretending that nothing had happened, and even managed to force a polite smile.
Lan Yu also nodded slightly in polite greeting.
He feigned composure and greeted him with pleasantries: "Oh? Vice Minister Zhao, what brings you to our Duke of Liang's residence today? You are a very busy man, and you usually don't have the chance to come here. You must come in and have a cup of tea today."
Of course.
Zhao Feng's face showed no trace of a smile, only a coldness devoid of expression.
He then added with a distant tone, "Duke Liang, you are too kind. However, I am here today on official business, to deliver a decree from His Majesty."
While talking.
He appeared resolute, determined, and righteous, as if he were ready to "go all out," and symbolically clasped his hands in the direction of the palace.
Lan Yu and the people behind him all changed their expressions slightly.
They couldn't quite figure out what kind of decree it was, since the person in the palace had always been indulgent and doting towards them, and had basically never issued any decrees. They were even more unsure... whether the timing of this decree was a coincidence or intentional.
In short, this whole thing seems strange in every way.
Lan Yu, who was leading the group, paused for a moment, then said with a look of great interest, "Oh? It's His Majesty's decree? Zhao Qian, please." After saying that, he politely gestured with his hand.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zhao Feng looked past him and onto the three people beside him who were half a step behind him: Marquis Heqing Zhang Yi, Marquis Zhulu Zhu Shou, and Marquis Huaiyuan Cao Xing. The three of them felt quite uncomfortable.
Although Zhao Feng was somewhat apprehensive, since he had brought his men and the charges against them, he wouldn't hesitate any longer. He immediately took out the still-warm imperial edict from his sleeve and loudly proclaimed, "Marquis Heqing Zhang Yi! Marquis Zhulu Zhu Shou! Marquis Huaiyuan Cao Xing, receive the edict!"
Lan Yu was somewhat taken aback, while Zhang Yi, Zhu Shou, and Cao Xing were also stunned with surprise.
Clearly, none of them expected that the imperial edict wasn't addressed to Lan Yu, but rather to the three of them.
But given the current situation, he had no choice but to accept the imperial decree.
Let's see what kind of trouble it is before we talk about it.
So Zhang Yi, Zhu Shou, and Cao Xing exchanged a meaningful glance, stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants Zhang Yi/Zhu Shou/Cao Xing receive the imperial decree!"
The others did not dare to act on their own and all knelt down as well.
Seeing the dukes, marquises, and military officers kneeling before him, Zhao Feng's throat tightened slightly—these are all ruthless people here.
However, he was able to become the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He, Zhao Feng, is not made of clay either.
He took a deep breath, composed himself, narrowed his eyes, sharpened his gaze, and loudly proclaimed, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!"
"Marquis Zhang Yi of Heqing, Marquis Zhu Shou of Zhulu, and Marquis Cao Xing of Huaiyuan, despite their great merits and hereditary privileges, holding the titles of marquis and enjoying generous salaries, have not thought of continuing to serve the Ming Dynasty. Instead, they have seized farmland, accepted bribes, and abused their power... their crimes are too numerous to list! They are hereby arrested and brought to the imperial prison for rigorous interrogation and verification. This is my decree!!!"
"Encroaching on...grabbing farmland??"
"Accepting...accepting bribes?!"
"To arrest him and bring him to the imperial prison for trial?"
As Zhao Feng's voice fell, Zhang Yi, Zhu Shou, and Cao Xing were stunned. They all looked up abruptly, staring at Zhao Feng in disbelief and sighing.
In their eyes, there was surprise, disbelief, anger, and chilling murderous intent.