Chapter 16: The Chaotic Loyal and Brave Marquis Residence

“What on earth is going on?” Marquis Mu asked the guards outside the door.

“My lord, I just asked everyone. It seems that last night, for some unknown reason, everyone in the residence fell into a deep sleep. So, what exactly happened? Who did this? No one knows. All that is certain is… the residence has indeed been thoroughly robbed.”

Marquis Mu pressed further, “What about my study? And the treasury? Were they also stolen from?”

This was his biggest concern. There were too many sensitive items in the study that couldn’t be exposed. If news spread, not only would the Mu family face extermination, but His Majesty might even dig up his ancestors’ graves.

The guard understood what Marquis Mu meant by the study. There was a secret room in there, and without a doubt, the items in the secret room were highly confidential.

“My lord, everything has been stolen. The entire study, including the secret room, has been completely emptied; nothing is left inside.”

It’s over! Marquis Mu felt darkness clouding his vision. If not for Concubine Lan supporting him, he would have collapsed to the ground.

“Do you think I keep you all as decorations? The residence has been robbed so thoroughly, and you dare tell me you don’t know what happened?! What use is it to keep you all?!”

“Alright, alright, just take off your clothes for me to see,” he commanded.

The guard had no choice but to strip off his clothes, all the while grumbling to himself: You looking at your own clothes is no different; nothing is left if nothing is left.

Just as Marquis Mu put on his clothes, before he could even check his surroundings, a voice from outside nearly caused him to faint on the spot.

“Imperial decree! The Loyal and Brave Marquis Residence, receive the decree!”

An imperial decree had arrived! And it was directed at the Loyal and Brave Marquis Residence, not just Marquis Mu himself. This was very clear; everyone in the residence had to come out to receive it!

What was even more frightening was the person delivering the decree. This wasn’t an ordinary eunuch; it was… a high-ranking attendant from the Emperor’s side!

“Imperial decree! The Loyal and Brave Marquis Residence, receive the decree!”

The attendant held the decree high, curiously looking at the barren residence. How could this be the show that His Highness the Crown Prince wanted him to see? But where were all the belongings? He hadn’t heard that the Mu family had been so thoroughly robbed. No, even if it was the Mu family, it couldn’t have been cleaned out this completely…

Forget it, I’ll just ask the Crown Prince later.

The surrounding neighbors of the Marquis’ residence were already curious about what had happened. After all, they had never heard such a horrifying scream; the sound was comparable to a massacre.

Now that they heard an imperial decree had arrived, people immediately gathered outside.

“Did you hear the horrifying screams from the Marquis’ residence this morning?”

“Of course I heard! It scared my dog half to death!”

“Forget the dog; even my horse was scared stiff and wouldn’t pull the cart!”

“My poor grandson was so terrified… he’s still crying now.”

“Oh dear, now an imperial decree has come; they’re not going to punish the Mu family, are they?”

“Haha, isn’t the Marquis supposed to have a lucky star? How could he possibly be robbed?”

“I’ve lived so long and have never heard of a concubine’s child being a lucky star! If that child truly had good fortune, wouldn’t they be reincarnated in the main wife’s womb? Haha, only the people of the Marquis’ residence believe that; I certainly don’t.”

The whispers outside continued, and the attendant and his entourage overheard them. They were also curious about what had happened at the Marquis’ residence to stir the entire street.

After listening to enough gossip, the attendant cleared his throat and shouted in a distinct eunuch tone,

“Why hasn’t the Loyal and Brave Marquis Residence come out to receive the imperial decree yet? Are you planning to defy it?”

“Coming, coming, Eunuch Ming, this humble official is here!” Marquis Mu dashed over, and upon his entrance, not only did Eunuch Ming chuckle, but the crowd outside erupted in laughter.

The guards were tall and robust, towering over Marquis Mu. Now, seeing him dressed in his oversized clothing was quite a sight…

The pants were both baggy and long, and as Marquis Mu hurried over, he nearly tripped over the pant legs. When he finally rolled and crawled to kneel before Eunuch Ming, the latter struggled to suppress his laughter and asked curiously, “My lord, what happened? Also, this decree requires everyone from the residence to be present. Where are they? You should hurry and call them over; we still have to report back to the palace.”

“Um…” Marquis Mu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The people in the residence didn’t even have clothes; how could they come out to receive the decree?

“Um… Eunuch Ming, the residence was robbed yesterday, and everything is gone, including… including the clothes. So… they truly can’t come out to receive the decree. Please forgive them.”

The crowd outside erupted in a roar of laughter. They had heard of homes being robbed, but they had never heard of all the clothes being stolen too.

“I heard the Marquis say it; the Marquis’ residence has been robbed of everything!”

“I knew it! I felt something was off when I looked at the Marquis’ residence earlier. Now I finally understand; look, there isn’t even a tree left in the courtyard.”

“My heavens, it’s true! That thief is quite skilled to steal even the trees!”

“Silence!” a palace attendant called out loudly to the crowd outside.

At this point, Eunuch Ming finally understood. His Highness had sent him to witness this spectacle, hadn’t he? But how did that thief manage to clean out the entire Marquis’ residence in just one night?

“Since it’s like this, we won’t make it difficult for you,” Eunuch Ming opened the decree and began to read loudly, “By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: To thank the loyal subjects of Dayan for their hard work, I will hold a palace banquet at the Fengxi Hall tomorrow. Officials of the third rank and above may bring their families to attend. Thus it is decreed! Marquis Mu, receive the decree!”

“I receive the decree. Long live His Majesty!”

Eunuch Ming placed the decree in Marquis Mu’s hands and quietly said, “Marquis Mu, we happen to be a little thirsty. Would you mind if we visited your residence for a bit and had a drink?”

In the past, if Eunuch Ming could visit their residence, he would be overjoyed. But now… visiting? Drinking water? There had to be something in the residence for that to happen.

“Master, it is an honor for you to visit the Marquis’ residence, but right now…”

Eunuch Ming nodded, “It’s our fault; let’s postpone for another day. However, would the Marquis mind if we took a look at the residence? After all, with the robbery, we need to report back to His Majesty.”

“Please come in!” Marquis Mu knew he couldn’t refuse. Even though he understood that Eunuch Ming was just looking to enjoy the spectacle, he couldn’t deny the valid excuse. The residence of a court official had been robbed, and he wanted to take a look and report back to His Majesty. There was no issue with that.

Eunuch Ming strolled around the Marquis’ residence, and the more he looked, the more shocked he became. This… the robbery was too thorough! They had even stolen the ornamental fish, and the doghouse, the dog food bowl… what kind of thief would steal these things?!

It seemed that the “thief” wasn’t really there to steal; it was purely to humiliate the Marquis’ residence! If he guessed correctly, this “thief” must be someone from the Crown Prince’s circle.

“Marquis Mu, this is too tragic. When we return, I must tell His Majesty about this. Ah, it’s unprecedented; this is the first time we’ve heard of an imperial residence being robbed. By the way, Marquis Mu, do you have any leads on the thief?”

Eunuch Ming was worried that the Crown Prince’s people might leave traces. If not dealt with properly, he would have to think of a way to help.

“Ah, to be honest, Master, I have no leads at all. That thief was too skilled; I don’t even know what kind of magic he used. Last night, everyone in the Marquis’ residence fell into a deep sleep, and when we woke up, this is how the residence looked.”

Eunuch Ming felt relieved; it was good there were no leads.

“Wait, Marquis, we’ve heard that your residence has a well-known lucky star, right? The one who was originally betrothed to the Crown Prince but later had her sister marry him instead because the Crown Prince was ill. How could your residence still be robbed with her around?”

Marquis Mu realized that Eunuch Ming was mocking him. Everyone knew that Eunuch Ming had watched the Crown Prince grow up; in his heart, the Crown Prince was like his own child. Now that the lucky star was married off by Mu Ling, it was only natural for him to be upset.

“Master, it’s not as you think. The lucky star didn’t have a change of heart, and it wasn’t her idea to marry her sister off; it was that disaster… it was Mu Ling who brought it up herself, so…”

Before he could finish, Eunuch Ming coldly interrupted him, “Marquis, do you think we’re fools? Humph! Marquis, let me remind you to be careful of lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot. When Heaven’s wrath descends, it will be a disaster! By then, don’t say anything about the lucky star; even the gods won’t be able to save you!”

After saying this, Eunuch Ming flicked his dust whisk and left with his entourage.