Chapter 63

A few days later, officials from the Dali Temple came to arrest someone.

At the gate of the palace, the officials from the Dali Temple displayed their credentials. The palace guards welcomed them into the hall, saying, “Honored gentlemen, please have some tea and wait a moment. I will go and summon His Highness.”

The leader of the Judicial Office was named Zuo Zong, who had been promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple two years ago.

He waved his hand and said, “Tea is unnecessary. We will take the person directly and leave. Please lead the way.”

Although the Judicial Office was coming to the palace to arrest someone, they still needed to show respect on the surface. Therefore, Zuo Zong, the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, was sent to the palace.

The guard said, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. The person the official wants to arrest is currently one of His Highness’s close guards. Without His Highness’s approval, no one can take anyone from the palace.”

After exchanging glances, Zuo Zong and his colleagues knew that this procedure was unavoidable.

In terms of noble rank, he was the Crown Prince of Beilin, the future king of Beilin. In terms of official position, Xie Tingzhou was currently the commanding officer, a level higher than Zuo Zong. No matter from which perspective, he was not someone to offend.

Moreover, no one could predict the temper of this lord, they only heard rumors.

In any case, he was not someone easy to deal with.

After a moment of thought, Zuo Zong said, “It would be too much trouble for the Crown Prince to come and see us. It’s only right for me to pay respects to the Crown Prince. Please lead the way.”

The guard led them to Qingpuju and after some consultation, they were allowed to enter.

As Zuo Zong stepped into the courtyard, a dark figure leaped down from a tree, agile and nimble.

Upon seeing what it was, Zuo Zong immediately took two steps back, his thumb pressing against the hilt of his knife, ready to draw it at any moment.

Xie Tingzhou stood leisurely under the eaves and said, “Gentlemen, there’s no need to be nervous. It’s just a domesticated pet.”

Since when did anyone domesticate a leopard as a pet? Zuo Zong’s back broke out in a cold sweat.

Swaying his steps, Xie Tingzhou circled around them slowly, his light golden eyes scrutinizing them, full of danger.

“Your Majesty,” Zuo Zong said coldly, “I am Zuo Zong. I have come to…”

“Grrr…” Suddenly, Xie Tingzhou straightened up and let out a roar.

That was a roar unique to leopards.

Zuo Zong was interrupted and immediately took a step back, drawing his sword with a swipe.

Several jailers who came to arrest the person did the same, and the guards in the courtyard also drew their swords.

The situation seemed to become uncontrollable in an instant.

Xie Tingzhou handed the plate of white feathers to someone nearby and squinted, saying, “Zuo Zong, are you planning to draw your sword in my palace?”

Zuo Zong felt wronged. With a black leopard staring at him, he didn’t even dare to sheathe his sword.

“Your Majesty, there’s a misunderstanding. His Highness’s pet is indeed formidable.

” Zuo Zong’s back was soaked in cold sweat, feeling overwhelmed by the imposing aura emanating from both the man and the leopard.

Xie Tingzhou smiled, “Cang.”

The black leopard glanced at them for a few moments before turning back to Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou asked, “So, what brings you all here?”

Zuo Zong originally came with the imperial decree to handle official business, but now his momentum was suppressed. He couldn’t even raise it.

“The Ministry of Justice needs to interrogate one of the Dali Temple guards regarding the Yanliang Pass case,” Zuo Zong finally managed to say.

“Oh, official business,” Xie Tingzhou nodded, “And the official documents?”

Zuo Zong was momentarily stunned by his question, then replied, “Shiyu is not a criminal, so there is no arrest warrant.”

Xie Tingzhou said, “Master Zou, bringing so many people here, I thought the court was after some criminals.”

Zuo Zong felt rebuked, his face turning unpleasant. “We are just following orders, and hope the Crown Prince will not make it difficult for us.”

“Don’t try to pass the buck to me!” Xie Tingzhou’s tone turned cold, “Since it’s official business, provide the documents. If you don’t follow the procedures, but instead seek convenience in my place, where do you get the courage?”

Zuo Zong gritted his teeth. He was after all an Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, a third-ranking official, and had never been scolded like this before, especially not in front of his subordinates.

“If I go back to get the documents, will His Highness release the person?”

“Of course.”

Zuo Zong saluted and left, flicking his sleeve.

After a couple of hours, he returned, this time with the documents.

Xie Tingzhou smiled after reading the documents, suddenly becoming more amiable. “Minister Zuo, wouldn’t it have been better if you had done this earlier?”

He turned his head. “Go and call Shiyu here.”

Zuo Zong bowed. “No need to trouble her, just take us there directly.”

Xie Tingzhou ignored him, and the guards didn’t even slow their pace, walking straight ahead.

Once again, Zuo Zong found himself at a loss.

Before long, Shen Yu arrived with the guards.

Xie Tingzhou stood under the eaves and looked at her. “Officials from Dali Temple have come to take you for questioning. Accompany them.”

Shen Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Xie Tingzhou added, “No worries, I’ll personally come to fetch you before nightfall tomorrow.”

Shen Yu looked at him, and Xie Tingzhou nodded to her.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Zong immediately said, “It’s already past noon, and the testimony hasn’t been recorded…”

“I said…” Xie Tingzhou took a step forward. “Isn’t it clear enough?”

Zuo Zong’s face turned livid.

How could he not understand Xie Tingzhou’s implication? Xie Tingzhou meant that questioning was acceptable, but torture was not. He would personally come to receive the person, indicating that he wanted them intact.

The officials from Dali Temple, with Shen Yu in tow, left angrily.

The courtyard gate was closed, and Xie Tingzhou turned back inside.

Xi Feng followed him. “I could have sent someone to fetch Shiyu. There was no need for you to make the trip.”

Xie Tingzhou replied calmly, “You wouldn’t bring back an intact Shiyu.”

Xi Feng understood and nodded. “Today’s matter has settled the grudge between Minister Zuo and you.”

“I’m going to make him my dog,” Xie Tingzhou said.

Xi Feng was puzzled. “But he is Minister Liu’s man. If Your Highness wants to win him over, why make things difficult for him today?”

Xie Tingzhou sat down on a chair. “Zuo Zong is an ungrateful dog. Minister Liu couldn’t tame him after so many years. Such people only care about their own interests and will bite whoever they see fit. It’s better to let him know who he can’t mess with. He’s a smart man; today is just a show of strength.”

Despite Xie Tingzhou’s explanation, Xi Feng still didn’t quite understand.

“Forgive my stupidity, but if he hasn’t come around by now, wouldn’t he seek revenge and take it out on Shiyu?”

Xie Tingzhou lifted a teacup. “Otherwise, why would I say I’ll personally go to receive her?”

…

Shen Yu went to Dali Temple. Zuo Zong didn’t put shackles on her, but his expression was very unpleasant throughout the journey.

The jailer followed behind him, complaining, “We are colleagues in the same court. He’s on the same level as you. Why does he keep showing you disrespect?”

Zuo Zong’s expression darkened even more, ignoring the chief jailer.

The jailer tried to flatter him again, “He’s just relying on his background to get an official position. How can he compare to you, who climbed up step by step?”

Zuo Zong suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned around, and kicked the jailer in the chest. “I climbed up step by step? He’s the Crown Prince of Beilin, born to sit on a high platform. Are you trying to provoke a conflict between us in front of me, or do you want me to go and chop him up?!”

The jailer clutched his chest and hastily knelt on the ground. “Minister, forgive me, I’m wronged. I’m just speaking up for you.”

Zuo Zong flicked his sleeve and left.