All the Western Depot guards dropped on their knees in the street.

The Fourth Princess Huanan Jiyan cheerfully took back the gold waist card. She landed her hands on her hips and tilted her head proudly.

"Ming Lan, it's good for you to recognize me. Let me ask you, why are you surrounding an Honour Guard with your men?"

Ming Lan was stiffened. He managed to conceal the softness on his face and bowed to reply, "It may be beyond Your Grace's knowledge that this man has committed a crime in the Western Depot. I've been arresting him for a year without results. Surprisingly, he's infiltrated the Honour Guards. If I don't bring him to justice today and allow his existence in the Palace, I'm afraid he will threaten the safety of the court."

Lu Qiange stood on the side. His face turned blue and red when he squinted at Ming Lan speaking nonsense.

To complete the task entrusted by his Mother, he had to infiltrate the Imperial Palace of Da Yi. He chose to serve in the fifth team of Tiger Battalion because the job's scope of activities was limited. He was only responsible for the inspection of Xijing Pavilion and Za Garden. Without any contact with the harem, he was unlikely to run into the Western Depot Master Ming Lan.

But now, his hiding place was discovered by this cunning eunuch.

Opposite him, the Fourth Princess Huanan Jiyan looked at angry Lu Qiange and then turned to Ming Lan.

"Tell me, what crime did he commit in the Western Depot?"

"Well..."

The shameful past was unbearable for Ming Lan. He absolutely couldn't tell the truth to the spoiled Fourth Princess.

"He hijacked the damsels and sneaked into the Western Depot to commit murder. My left hand was wounded by him!"

Ming Lan shot from the hip resentfully.

"You lied!"

Lu Qiange couldn't hold it back anymore. He roared furiously with fire shooting out of his purple eyes.

"You were the one who abducted the girls. Don't count it on my head. I admit that it was me who broke your two fingers, but I did not take any damsel!"

"Okay, don't fight."

Huanan Jiyan was confused. She waved her arm and stopped the dispute between the two.

In any case, the reputation of the Western Depot Master was not good inside or outside the Palace. Huanan Jiyan had heard about the attack on Ming Lan's ride more than a year ago.

Suddenly, she was stricken with a flash of wits.

"Oh... I see!"

In a state of enlightenment, Huanan Jiyan pointed at Ming Lan and nodded heavily as she walked towards him.

"Dear Lord Ming, you sent the eunuchs to abduct Tu Muxue on the last autumn festival, didn’t you?"

Horrified, Ming Lan sweated and his gorgeous makeup was smeared.

"The Fourth Princess, don't wrong me!"

As if waking up from a dream, Lu Qiange smiled coldly.

"Lord Ming, you seemed to have that old problem again."

Ming Lan stood up, and his brows twisted with anger.

"What did you say?"

"Enough!"

Impatiently, Huanan Jiyan raised her hand to cut Ming Lan off.

"Lord Ming, I don't care about the past between you and Lu Zhu. But from now on, he'll be the imperial bodyguard in the Outer Garden of Kunning Palace. If you wish to arrest him, you'll have to ask me first!"

"Princess..."

Ming Lan's face was burning red. The blue veins on his temples were bulging to show his reluctance and helplessness.

Ming Lan glared at Lu Qiange and flung his sleeves angrily.

"Fine. You got lucky!"

After all the guards and thugs left, Huanan Jiyan proudly waved her ink-stained hands and patted Lu Qiange on the shoulder.

"Hey, Lu, shouldn’t you thank me?"

Lu Qiange rolled his eyes and exhaled heavily. Reluctantly, he mumbled his appreciation with a clenched-fist salute.

"Thank you, Princess."

"You're welcome!"

Grinning, Huanan Jiyan waved her hands with her chest high.

"I told Ming Lan that you'll serve in the Kunning Palace from now on. Go back and say hello to your captain and then report to me tomorrow!"

Lu Qiange raised his eyebrows and yelled, "How can you decide for me?"

"Hey! I just saved you from Ming Lan!"

Huanan Jiyan smiled and nodded.

"If you refuse, I'll call Ming Lan back and let him take you to the Western Depot!"

Lu Qiange's lips squirmed as if he had been talking to himself. He looked at Huanan Jiyan with purple eyes full of disdain and then strode forward, shaking his head helplessly.

Huanan Jiyan brought her two maids and chased behind while chattering, "Hey! I'm telling you. You will not be at a disadvantage if you follow me! I will protect you if you make any trouble! Hey, did you hear me, Lu?"

...

Yesterday, Leng Qingtang led 20 guards from the Eastern Depot out of the capital in disguise. After a day and night's ride, they arrived in the neighboring region, Peng County, at noon the next day.

Two years ago, the Eastern Depot inspected Jiangan under the snow disaster. After discovering the secret account book at Prefect Feng's Mansion in Qiling, Leng Qingtang examined the transactions and personnel involved. He took down Muyang’s Provincial Administration Commissioner and unearthed the evidence related to the Wans' crimes. In the end, he locked on a suspicious spot where the nation's leeches laundered the filthy lucre.

At sunset, Leng Qingtang led the third captain Zhao Wuji and five men to the destination.

In the Jinsheng Pawnshop

Sitting west and facing east, it was located in an inconspicuous neighborhood in Peng County, behind other shops on the road.

If without the detailed investigation of the secret guards, it would be hard to find the tiny store.

Leng Qingtang was dressed in a narrow-sleeved brocade robe with black tapestry and cloud patterns, over which was a large cloak of the same color.

Around the waist was a white jade belt. His thick black hair was tied up and pinned by a white jade stick. He looked just like an elegant wealthy man.

When they reached the Jinsheng Pawnshop, Leng Qingtang looked at the two-story building. It had white walls, black tiles, and two black carved doors, nothing conspicuous.

Pursing his lips, Leng Qingtang took another look at the door plaque and then stepped into the shop.

The first floor was fairly spacious. A counter was set uprightly, and a desk was on the north side. At the moment, the chair was empty with the bookkeeper missing.

Curtains hung from the south wall, hiding something behind.

Leng Qingtang hinted Zhao Wuji with his eyes. Zhao Wuji took his order and brought a brocade box wrapped in a plain cloth to a clerk behind the partition. Expressionlessly, he said, "I want to pawn this now. No redemption."

The clerk raised his eyebrows and unwrapped the package. There was a blue silk box with pomegranate flowers on it.

The moment he opened the lid, a shaft of blue light rushed out. The clerk's eyes widened at the misty glow reflecting coldness.

In a daze, he closed the brocade box. Leaning over and lowering his head, he looked at the faces of the people behind the counter with shock.

Then he jumped up from the highchair and put on a flattering face to Zhao Wuji.

"May I know where you come from?"

"The capital," Zhao Wuji answered curtly.

The clerk's face froze for a moment and then he smiled again.

"Please be seated for a while. Your things are too expensive. I need to ask the shopkeeper before giving you a price. Wuer, hurry up and bring the guests to the private room for some tea."

Hearing that the clerk was going to check with the shopkeeper, Zhao Wuji turned to Leng Qingtang and they made eye contact.

The proposal was more than welcome!

Soon, a young servant walked in and fawned on them.

Judging by Leng Qingtang's outstanding appearance, he assumed that Leng Qingtang was the leader of the group. He led them to a curtained cabinet on the south side and kept telling jokes on the way. After the refreshment was served, he left.

Leng Qingtang did not touch the food on the table. He asked Zhao Wuji in a low voice, "The arrangement has been made?"

Zhao Wuji smiled and assured him, "Don't worry, my lord."

The footsteps were getting closer, and then an old man with grey hair and brown gown walked in. His pale fat face was radiating with smiles and energy.

"Well, I heard that you are from the capital. Forgive me for not welcoming you myself."

The shopkeeper's surname was Qi. His family background had been checked thoroughly by the Eastern Depot.

Leng Qingtang stood up tall and smiled in reply.

"You're being too modest. Greetings to you."

When their eyes locked together, the Shopkeeper Qi's dim and foggy eyes darkened as sternness flashed across them.

"May I know your surname?"

After sitting down, Shopkeeper Qi gave a grin to hide a dagger behind it.

Leng Qingtang smiled.

"It's Ling. I came from the capital to my hometown in Chengjiang. Unfortunately, I had an accident and had to pawn the blue pearls given by my friend."

The shopkeeper looked at the brocade box and smiled.

"I won't lie to you. My shop operates on a small scale and can't afford such valuables. Why don't I introduce another shop to you? You can go there and get a good price."

Wearing a brilliant smile, Leng Qingtang stared at the shopkeeper's smirking face with his dark cold eyes.

"I've traveled around the world and you are the first pawnshop that can't afford pawns. If this is really a small business, why do you need to dig a hundred-foot tunnel?"

Shaking in astonishment, Shopkeeper Qi exclaimed with a distorted face.

"Who... Who the hell are you?"

Wuer, the young servant, suddenly lifted the curtain and ran in. Pointing outside, he told the shopkeeper in horror, "Master, what should we do? A group of people came and tied up the young master!"

Shopkeeper Qi's expression changed drastically. He slapped the table hard and shouted to Leng Qingtang, "What do you want?!"

Outside, more than ten swordsmen wearing tight-sleeved clothes and wide sheepskin corsets poured into the small room and filled it full.

Zhao Wuji played the solid steel balls in his hand. He stood up slowly and stared at Shopkeeper Qi coldly. The five disguised guards were eager to fight.

With his many men in the cabinet, Shopkeeper Qi settled down a bit and shouted to Leng Qingtang, "Quickly let go of my son and I shall allow you to leave safe and sound."

Leng Qingtang turned his eyes calmly, and then Zhao Wuji slammed the gold waist card on the table.

Dumbfounded, Shopkeeper Qi turned pale.

Leng Qingtang smirked and poured the tea on the floor. As soon as the fluid touched the ground, it boiled with bubbles and the white fumes appeared.

Leng Qingtang squinted his sharp eyes.

"Now, will you order your men to retreat?"

Panicked Shopkeeper Qi waved to the people in the room.

"Out. Out. Close the shop for today."

The thugs obediently followed his order.

After the shutters were closed, the pawnshop went dark. The clerks hurriedly lit up candles.

A few people rushed into the small room. They were the Eastern Depot secret guards in disguise who brought a tied-up youngster for Leng Qingtang.

Shopkeeper Qi's eyes quivered and his heart broke when he saw the swollen bruises on his son's fair face.

The secret guards pulled the handkerchief stuffed in his mouth, and he immediately yelled to the shopkeeper, "Dad, save me! They hurt me so much. I don't want to die!"