With the arrival of the Dragon Chariot, the slightly bustling area outside the Witch Mansion suddenly quieted down, and numerous eyes turned towards the location of the Dragon Chariot.

Soon, a youth dressed in a dragon robe, exuding noble majesty, stepped down from the Dragon Chariot. Everyone bowed slightly and respectfully said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Although the Emperor had lost much of his authority in front of the ministers, the formalities were still necessary.

"Rise, my ministers." Zhao Chong lifted his hand slightly, a smile appearing on his face, and under the escort of a few individuals behind him, he walked towards the mansion.

"Please, Your Majesty." The servants of the Witch Mansion also greeted Zhao Chong warmly and respectfully.

"Lord Anyang has arrived." Just as Zhao Chong stepped over the threshold of the Witch Mansion, a loud voice rang out. Shortly after, a carriage arrived at the mansion’s entrance, with an entourage more impressive than Zhao Chong’s.

As Xiao Yunqi stepped down from the carriage, the ministers gathered around him, their sycophantic demeanor showing more reverence compared to Zhao Chong.

"Lord Liu, Lord Peng, Lord Li..."

Xiao Yunqi clasped his hands in greeting to several of them one by one, then nodded towards Zhao Chong without bending his waist, "This old minister greets Your Majesty."

Though feeling a multitude of displeasures, Zhao Chong quickly smoothed his brows, retracting his outstretched foot, and walked over to Xiao Yunqi. As the Emperor, he even clasped his hands towards Xiao Yunqi, "Lord Anyang."

The faces of the ministers nearby remained calm, evidently accustomed to this scene.

"Lord Anyang has arrived, please come inside," Wu Lu personally welcomed.

"Has Lord Chen not arrived yet?" Xiao Yunqi didn’t walk into the mansion but looked back, referring to Lord Chen as everyone knew meant Chen Mo.

"He should be here soon... Look, isn’t he coming now?"

As Wu Lu was about to greet, he suddenly saw a few figures approaching from afar, who else could it be but Chen Mo?

From a distance, Chen Mo called out in greeting, "I appreciate Lord Anyang’s concern, I’m most honored."

Upon approaching, Chen Mo glanced at the few people beside Xiao Yunqi. Besides Li Yang, there was also a First Grade Martial Artist. The other three were Second Grade Martial Artists.

Including Xiao Yunqi, there were three First-Grade Martial Artists and three Second-Grade Martial Artists, clearly prepared.

"Old Li, we meet again." Chen Mo clasped his hands towards Li Yang.

Li Yang returned the gesture, "General Chen Mo."

"Your Majesty." Chen Mo also saluted Zhao Chong.

Zhao Chong responded with a smile.

"Lord Wu, Young Master Wu..." Chen Mo greeted them one by one.

"Lord Chen, long time no see, long time no see..." Wu Lu responded warmly.

Meanwhile, Wu Chang’an arrogantly nodded towards him, striding into the Witch Mansion.

"My son’s personality is like that, I hope Lord Chen won’t take it to heart." Wu Lu smiled apologetically.

"Not at all, not at all..."

There were many acquaintances outside the mansion, and Li Weiqiu and his companions were also approached for conversation. After a round, the group finally entered the mansion.

After everyone had gone inside, Wu Lu gave a signal to the steward, who immediately left.

Wu Lu rubbed his shoulder and walked inside as well.

After so much socializing, Wu Lu felt more tired than from cultivation.

After the steward of the Witch Mansion left, he arrived at a courtyard full of burly men, "You all dress as patrolling Imperial Guards later, be vigilant of anyone trying to climb over the wall."

"Understood."

"Also, fetch some heavy stones, surround the main gate. In case some want to force their way in later."

"Understood." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Pass the word, the fish are all on the table; you can start using your chopsticks."

"Understood."

...

In the courtyard of the Witch Mansion, about a hundred long tables were set up like flowing water. Each long table was laden with wine vessels, three-legged cauldrons, lacquerware for serving dishes, ceramics, etc., all filled with seasonal fruits, meats, and pastries...

Behind each long table, there was a beautiful maid assigned.

Wu Lu invited Zhao Chong to the main seat, while the other ministers were seated sequentially under the arrangement of the Witch Mansion’s servants, chatting amongst themselves. And Xiao Yunqi was naturally the center of attention, flattered by everyone.

In the center of the hundred long tables were set up stoves to provide warmth to all.

The surrounding buildings were open, and inside were musician courtesans invited from the Office of Entertainment. Some playing zithers, others holding pipas, and even some blowing reed pipes.

At Wu Lu’s grand gesture, various instruments resounded together, creating a joyful melody.

At the moment the music began, five women in light pink dresses, all of excellent figure and appearance, surrounded a young girl in a blue dress wearing a veil, and slowly moved to the center. They danced to the music.

Watching the swaying waists, some ministers were already entranced.

At this time, the main gate of the Witch Mansion was already closed, surrounded by heavy stones inside and out.

Silhouettes climbed over the wall from outside the mansion, their outlines emerging in the darkness.

...

Meanwhile.

A squad of aggressive Hidden Guards from the Imperial City Department kicked open the gate of a courtyard. The guards who heard the commotion hurried to intercept but were directly knocked away by the Imperial City Department’s men.

The team did not pause and went straight to the backyard.

The commander responsible for the East Gate Defense of Bianliang heard the noise from outside, and just as he was... he wilted. The woman underneath him also had a drastic change in expression.

She was the wife of the deputy commander of the East Gate Defense, taking advantage of her husband’s duties to have an affair with Su Qian, the commander of the East Gate Defense.

The cause of this affair stemmed from her husband Zhang Mu, who wanted to curry favor with Su Qian, so he invited Su Qian to a feast one night, spending a considerable sum to bribe him and secure the position of East Gate deputy commander.

But Zhang Mu did not know that while he was drunk that night, Su Qian took a liking to his wife, who came to care for him, saw her beauty, and forcibly violated her, using this as blackmail.

Gradually, the two developed into their current relationship.

If this matter were exposed, it would be catastrophic.

Su Qian pulled up his trousers, barely having time to fasten his robe, prepared to climb the wall and escape.

But just as he climbed over, he was surrounded by people from the Imperial City Department.

"Where is Commander Su planning to go?" Quan Qiyang asked with a cheerful smile.

"...What... Commander Su, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m Zhang Mu. Who... who are you people? How dare you trespass into a private residence, I’ll go to the Shangguan Mansion to report you." Su Qian said, shielding his face with his hand.

"Report us?" Quan Qiyang laughed, "This is indeed Zhang Mu’s residence, but you are not Zhang Mu.

Su Qian, stop pretending. Your deeds have been revealed. The Imperial City Department is investigating. Come with us."

Quan Qiyang commanded.

Su Qian’s face changed, and he immediately tried to mobilize his True Qi to forcibly leave, but Quan Qiyang held him down with one hand.

"Innate Martial Artist." Su Qian was shocked, seeing that he was about to be taken away, he hurriedly said, "Do you... do you know who I am? I’m with Lord Anyang, the steward of the Xiao Mansion is my uncle, if you dare touch me, the Xiao Family won’t spare you."

"Whether they’ll spare you or not, it’s not up to you." Quan Qiyang waved, "Take him and the woman inside to the East Gate."