The Beiyang Delegation was just entering the Chu Country Capital when an assassination occurred, injuring the Emperor Yan’s most cherished Imperial Concubine.

Fu Zichuan’s face looked grim. After settling Li Yuan at the post house, he didn’t wait for a rest and went out directly to find Minister Xue, asking him to take him to the palace to see Emperor Xuanjing.

Minister Xue’s old face looked troubled, "Young Master, the time for the envoy to meet the Emperor is already set for tomorrow. Now, without a summons from your Majesty, I cannot take you to the palace."

Fu Zichuan directly drew his long sword, the sharp and cold blade pressed against Minister Xue’s neck, "Lead the way or not, it’s up to you."

Minister Xue wiped the cold sweat, and in the end, had no choice but to agree to take Fu Zichuan into the palace.

Having anticipated the arrival of the Beiyang envoy, Zhao Xi didn’t go to the Imperial Study Room to review the memorials today; he was sitting in the Emperor’s bedroom, drinking tea and reading a book. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The assassination in Golden Fish Alley, the archer had already reported the detailed situation to Zhao Xi.

After knowing the Imperial Concubine was already struck by an arrow and sent back to the post house, a hint of contempt curled at Zhao Xi’s refined lips.

He was waiting for Prince Liang’s Heir Fu Zichuan to come seek justice for Li Yuan, but did not expect to wait for half an hour without any movement.

At this moment, Eunuch Sanbao rushed in with a pale face, panting, "Your Majesty, it’s bad, that Prince Liang’s Heir, he has gone outside the Meridian Gate and struck the Petition Drum, saying he has a great grievance to complain."

Zhao Xi’s tea-drinking paused, a touch of cold mockery flashed in his phoenix eyes, "No need to make a fuss, let Shuntian Prefecture handle it according to procedure."

Follow the procedure?

Eunuch Sanbao seemed to understand something, hurriedly left the Qianqing Palace, and took the soft sedan chair to Shuntian Prefecture.

The Petition Drum in Chu Country is under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

The Petition Drum is the only path for the people to directly reach heaven and appeal grievances to the Emperor, but not just anyone can strike it. Anyone who strikes the Petition Drum must first receive twenty lashes from Shuntian Prefecture, as a warning to the public not to treat the Petition Drum as a toy to strike at will.

Outside the Meridian Gate, there were many people gathered to see the commotion.

"The last time the Petition Drum was struck was several years ago, when the Ningzhou coal mine collapse buried more than eighty miners alive, causing an uproar. Now it is struck again, could there be another earth-shattering case?"

"The young man striking the drum looks very well-dressed, should be from wealth. What grievance could he have?"

"Hey, sir, who are you accusing?"

Fu Zichuan’s chest was filled with anger, his hands full of force, as if he wanted to break this big drum standing a yard high.

Although the two countries are at war, Beiyang came with utmost sincerity to celebrate Emperor Chu’s birthday, how could Emperor Chu condone assassins to attack the delegation?

Listen to what those officials from the Ministry of Rites said? They said it was an accident, they didn’t expect assassins.

Such perfunctory remarks, even lazy to make up a lie, clearly told him that this assassination was endorsed by Emperor Chu Xuanjing.

Fu Zichuan grew angrier and angrier, the drum beat grew louder and louder.

Minister Xue stood at the side with twitching lips, patiently explaining to the questioning people, "This is Prince Liang’s Heir, representative of Beiyang Delegation, having been attacked just after entering the Capital, now striking the Petition Drum, is to request that His Majesty intervenes for justice."

The people widened their eyes, "What? Beiyang people? Deserve to die, serve them right, why strike the Petition Drum? Get out of Chu Country!"

In an instant, the spectators who were watching the drama were stirred up into a frenzy, all pointing at Fu Zichuan’s nose with curses, some cursing father and mother, others cursing ancestors up to eighteen generations, all shouting for him to get lost.

Fu Zichuan’s eyes turned completely cold.

Though a delegation representative, he was still a princely Heir, the foremost of three sons in the Beiyang Imperial City, in Beiyang, everyone respected and flattered him, even Emperor Yan praised him as unparalleled, yet in Chu Country, he was being driven away like a beggar.

Listening to the Chu Country people’s unabashedly abusive language, Fu Zichuan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly at his waist.

Minister Xue saw that the situation was unfavorable and hurried over to apologize, "Young Master, please excuse us. The people of Chu Country are hospitable, and their way of expressing enthusiasm might be different from yours in Bei Yan, you... ah—"

Before he could finish, Fu Zichuan’s long sword was already against his neck, threatening coldly, "Make them leave, or I’ll sever your head right now and take it to the palace to see Emperor Chu!"

Just then, a loud shout came from the back of the crowd, "Who banged the Petition Drum just now?"

It was the government officials from the Shuntian Prefecture.

Seeing the officials, the townsfolk fearfully parted to make way, each one turning their eyes toward Fu Zichuan.

The government officer’s gaze fell on Fu Zichuan, seeing him holding a sword to Minister Xue’s neck, his brows furrowed instantly, "Who are you? Do you not know that harming a court official is a serious crime? Were you the one who banged the Petition Drum just now? Very well, come with me!"

Having been in the Capital less than two hours, Fu Zichuan had already fully experienced the shamelessness of the people of Chu Country. He had no patience to wrangle with them, and his long sword made a slice, instantly drawing a blood streak on Minister Xue’s neck.

The faces of several government officials changed drastically, none daring to step forward, fearing that Fu Zichuan might take a hard step and directly kill Minister Xue.

Fu Zichuan said coldly, "The Bei Yan Delegation has come by the decree of Emperor Yan to celebrate the birthday, yet upon entering the city, we were met with assassination attempts, resulting in two dead and one wounded envoy. With such injustice, the Petition Drum is the only way to present it. If Emperor Chu refuses to give Bei Yan an explanation, then I shall take matters into my own hands, killing the Minister of Rites in solace for the souls of those two envoys!"

The government officer was shocked to hear he was Prince Liang of Bei Yan and took a step back.

"Prince Liang, such a boastful tone." Suddenly, someone in the crowd mocked, the voice clear and somewhat resilient, making one feel a grasping sensation.

Fu Zichuan followed the voice and saw a slender, exquisite red figure emerging through the crowd.

She was wearing a begonia-red jacket bordered with fur and topped with a large red zorilla cloak, her pretty and elegant face beneath the hood, holding a hand warmer.

As she came closer, she lifted her hand and gently removed the hood, revealing a delicate and radiant face, a smile curling at the corner of her lips, "Having killed a second-rank official of Chu Country, does the Young Master think you can return to Bei Yan unharmed?"

Fu Zichuan had been staring at Wen Wan’s face in a daze and suddenly snapped back to his senses, followed by a fit of annoyance as he furrowed his thick brows, "Who are you?"

Wen Wan chuckled lightly, "I heard you wanted to see Your Majesty. He asked me to pass a message that since the Young Master has struck the Petition Drum, let’s abide by its regulations."

She then instructed the standing government officials beside her, "Take him back, give him twenty paddles first, then hand him over to me."

The officials bowed respectfully to Wen Wan, "Commandery Princess."

"Go ahead." Wen Wan’s voice was gentle, her smile remaining, appearing alluring and charming, yet her gaze was cold, making one’s back chill unavoidably.

This seemingly affectionate but heartless appearance indeed makes one...

Fu Zichuan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sheathed his sword. He knew the rules of the Petition Drum and didn’t argue further, directly following the government officials to Shuntian Prefecture.

Rumors in the streets, Minister Xue had heard long ago, and on the day in the Golden Hall, he was among the ministers opposed to Wen Wan entering the court. Now that such a scandal has arisen, he feels it has brought disgrace to Chu Country. Hence, seeing Wen Wan, Minister Xue’s old face tightened, he gave a rough salute before leaving first, unwilling to exchange another word with Wen Wan.

Minister Xue was a second-rank official, a veteran minister of two reigns; he certainly had the capital to put a face to the Commandery Princess. The common people dared not, though they indulged in gossip about the scandal between the Commandery Princess and the new emperor more than anyone, yet truly seeing the person, all they felt was fear. Hence, when Fu Zichuan was taken away, they scattered like birds and beasts, daring not to linger outside the Meridian Gate for fear of accidentally upsetting the new emperor’s cherished person and inviting disaster.

Twenty paddles could mean half a life for an ordinary person, but Fu Zichuan was a martial artist. After such a beating, he only appeared slightly pale, otherwise, there was nothing unusual, seemingly unfazed.

Wen Wan continued to wait outside the Meridian Gate, and seeing him brought back by the government officials, her red lips curled up once again, "Come with me."

Fu Zichuan took a deep look at Wen Wan, then followed silently behind her all the way to Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Xi waited for a long time, growing somewhat weary before he saw the two enter. His cold eyes glanced at Fu Zichuan, "I heard Prince Liang banged the Petition Drum outside the Meridian Gate; what was the reason?"

Thinking of the Imperial Concubine lying unconscious in the post house, Fu Zichuan’s anger flared instantly. He frowned and said, "We came by Emperor Yan’s decree to celebrate Emperor Chu’s birthday, who knew we would be assaulted upon entering the Capital? Does Emperor Chu not plan to give Bei Yan an explanation?"

Zhao Xi looked at him indifferently, a hint of sarcasm lifting at his lips, "This assassination, I personally arranged. Is this explanation satisfactory to Prince Liang?"