“What a Shame!” Yu Hongyu, enraged, drew a sword from the nearby imperial guard. “Let me see how you plan to kill this official with one hand!”

Hearing him call himself an “official,” the steward’s arrogant expression slightly faltered. He carefully scrutinized Yu Hongyu and then cupped his hands, saying, “If you’re indeed a colleague of my master, shouldn’t you empathize with his grief over a family funeral instead of obstructing us?”

Yu Hongyu’s face turned pale with fury. “Don’t speak such ominous words in front of me! I am Yu Hongyu, the true Minister of the Agriculture. You’ve been deceived by an imposter!”

“Bah! Shameless scum!” The steward sneered disdainfully. “I’ve personally witnessed my master discussing state affairs by candlelight with the provincial governor, opening granaries to distribute food for disaster relief. How could I possibly mistake someone else for him?”

The surrounding officials looked at Yu Hongyu in astonishment.

“You… you…” Yu Hongyu stammered, his vision blurring with anger. How could this fraud be so convincing? He himself never had the authority or privilege to do such things! “That’s nonsense! A minister could never undertake such responsibilities. That’s reckless—”

“Exactly! Which proves you’re not my father, not the Minister of the Agriculture,” a young girl interjected, pointing at Yu Hongyu. “My father is eight feet tall, handsome, and majestic. How could someone like you, a short and stout little man, dare to impersonate him? You’re just jealous!”

Yu Hongyu was on the verge of losing his mind. “How am I short?! I’m a solid seven-foot man!”

System: [Pfft! Seven feet? More like six feet with three layers of insoles inserts just to barely make it!]

A few officials who overheard this nearly burst out laughing, sneaking glances at Yu Hongyu’s shoes. Sure enough, the soles were unusually thick.

The Minister of Revenue, a friend of Yu Hongyu, covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. “Ah, yes, yes. No jealousy here at all.”

Yu Hongyu froze in embarrassment.

Yuan Ruan: [Hahaha! Look at his expression. It’s like he’s been dealt a fatal blow over his height fraud.]

The Emperor: …

Initially, the Emperor had no interest in intervening in this petty squabble. However, upon noticing Yuan Ruan and the system being so amused that they forgot about the “True or False official” national fortune mission, he waved his hand.

The chief imperial guard immediately rushed forward, swiftly capturing the steward, the young girl, and the servants.

The steward and girl glared fiercely and struggled desperately.

The young girl, in particular, raised her voice. “Don’t think you can just arrest us! I even know the name of the provincial governor—Wu De. Eight years ago, he was recommended by the village elders of Lin County as a filial son. He’s only thirty-four this year. Are you going to say the provincial governor is a fraud too?!”

Yu Hongyu was about to deny it outright but then paused. That name sounded oddly familiar.

He suddenly turned to the Minister of Revenue, who was still suppressing his laughter. The other officials also quieted down, all casting curious glances at him.

The Minister of War nudged the Minister of Revenue. “If I recall correctly, your name is Wu De, and you were indeed recommended by the village elders of Lin County, correct?”

“Yes, but I’m not a provincial gov—” The A
Minister of Revenue let out a sudden cry of dismay. “What the hell?! That bastard not only stole my background but also changed my rank?! How shameless can one get?!”

System: [Pfft… How is it that just when you think someone’s situation couldn’t get worse, it does?]

The officials were all holding back laughter, even the Crown Prince and the Emperor nearly cracked.

At this moment, the system chimed in again:

System: [Poor Minister Yu is indeed unlucky. The imposter is truly despicable, deliberately allowing his wife and daughter to act lawlessly in the county, harming countless families and even causing deaths. Ultimately, the imposter fled, leaving a man from one of the affected families to follow the girl to the capital. He then slaughtered the real Minister Yu’s entire household in revenge.]

The officials: !!!

What?! His entire family slaughtered?!

This revelation sent a chill down everyone’s spine, especially other officials who feared similar impersonations. Yu Hongyu, in particular, was trembling, frantically worrying about his household’s safety.

Meanwhile, the steward, sensing the shift in atmosphere, tried to sound more submissive. “Gentlemen, you are all colleagues of my master. In the capital, where we meet face-to-face often, surely you can understand…”

Yu Hongyu kicked the steward to the ground in a fit of rage. “Shut up! I am the Minister of the Agriculture! I would never tolerate my family running amok, exploiting the people, or engaging in corruption!”

His voice boomed, clearly hoping that any avenger lurking nearby might overhear his innocence.

The steward and young girl were both stunned, the latter bursting into tears for the first time.

Yu Hongyu desperately looked at the Emperor for assistance.

The Emperor, understanding the plight of his official, felt grateful that he didn’t have such an unfilial son. With a stern voice, he declared, “Take them away for thorough interrogation. Issue a nationwide announcement to expose these imposters and invite all victims to report their cases to local government offices for redress.”

Nearby citizens, who had gathered to watch the spectacle, murmured among themselves:

“Hilarious! Claiming to be the Minister’s daughter but not recognizing her own father when he’s right there!”

“Someone dared to impersonate an official, marry, and even raise a child that big? That’s outrageous!”

“Absolutely! Judging by the girl’s temper, it’s clear the imposter didn’t act as a decent official. Who knows how many families suffered under them?”

Amidst the crowd, a haggard man resembling a beggar glared at the steward with bloodshot eyes before turning to give Yu Hongyu a long, meaningful look. Limping, he silently left.

At the same time, the system spoke again:

System: [Yuan Ruan, update! On his way home, the Minister will encounter a beggar who demands to file a report. Moved by his plight, Yu Hongyu warmly welcomes him, offering food and clothing. The beggar, touched, will reveal he planned to take revenge but spares Yu Hongyu after seeing his kindness.]

Yu Hongyu froze mid-step, realizing the beggar might already have been present. Relieved, he decided to take extra precautions on his journey home, ensuring he had additional guards.

He discreetly bowed toward Yuan Ruan in gratitude, already planning to gather trinkets to thank her upon his safe return.

Other officials, observing his actions, also considered forging closer ties with Yuan Ruan—just in case misfortune struck.

The Emperor, meanwhile, grew contemplative. It seemed the system’s revelation were influenced by changing circumstances. No wonder he appeared in Consort Rong’s melon earlier.

Turning to Song Wei, he said firmly, “Interrogate them thoroughly. And extend the investigation to include the feudal lords as well.”

Song Wei bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

System: [Yuan Ruan, the Emperor is smart but barking up the wrong tree! It’s not the feudal lords—it’s his son.]

The officials: !!!

What? Even a prince is involved?

Feigning indifference, everyone lowered their gazes, pretending not to hear anything.

The Emperor clenched his fist, gritting his teeth. Just moments ago, he had been glad his sons weren’t troublemakers.

Which ungrateful brat dared pull this?!