Chapter 4

She was taken aback, gazing at him in astonishment

"Moreover, you could free yourself from the daily task of guarding the warehouse and take over the position of another deputy minister." Seeing her taken aback, he smiled and said, "The other deputy minister is currently in Jinjiang, responsible for supervising and reporting expenses. You have checked the account books, so you should know how much manipulation the officials in charge of flood control have engaged in. Do you not wish to personally oversee this project?"

"Ichiro, how are you?" Ruan Donggu quickly looked him up and down, completely ignoring Dongfang Fei's presence. Seeing that Feng Ichiro's clothes were stained with blood, she furrowed her brows.

Eastern Non, youーー

Good! If I can bring your sworn brother out, you..." He glanced over her entire body, landing on her delicate, fair fingers, and casually said: "Then let’s trade one of your fingers for it."

The young man of the Ruan family, Ruan Dong, clearly displayed a face of urgency and stubbornness, yet he remained unafraid and undaunted, which inevitably stirred up a sense of anger within. What a stubborn old monk, he actually managed to provoke such an expression from Ruan Dong before him!

The official from the Ministry of Rites trembled all over and stammered, "I... I have misspoken, it is I who have misspoken."

Of course not! Even with all ten of my fingers, I cannot match my sworn brother! If the Prime Minister can bring out my sworn brother, I will certainly present to you what you desire on a platter

You are different, you are clearly... a daughter!

Brother Ichiro can never be guilty; it must be a case of mistaken arrest! I must clarify this in person. Chief Minister, if you do not release him soon, you will have to bear the consequences yourself! She was anxious and restless

She glared at him

Ruan Dong turned back, slightly stunned, and called out: "Your Excellency, the Chief Minister, please let go. I have urgent matters to attend to"

"Deputy Minister Ruan?" Dongfang Fei furrowed his brow, staring at her pale face. "What great strength you have..." Since there was no blood splattered, it should mean that her hand was preserved. "I will not reclaim your promise for the time being."

I don't know

The youthful body nestled in his arms trembled slightly, and the small face buried against his chest shed tears once more. She had always been like this since childhood, stubborn and strong-willed, even when shedding tears, there would be no sound of crying

Eastern Fei laughed heartily: "Is he reckless and impulsive? Indeed, he is. The moment he hears you are in trouble, he recklessly seeks out the national uncle for help. And you, would you rather give up wealth and honor to follow him? What a deep brotherly bond! He is reckless, and you are left to clean up his mess from behind. Do you not realize that if he continues like this, one day, he will surely bring you to your demise?"

What wisdom can a commoner possess? The Prime Minister does not require the abilities of a commoner. I am Ruan Dongqian's righteous brother. She is reckless and impetuous; it is impossible for anyone to follow her.

Elder Huang did not expect the Chief Minister to intervene, and he trembled slightly as he said: "Minister Ruan is still not familiar with the Ministry of Justice, so..."

"Deputy Minister Ruan, I can offer you a choice. It is better for your sworn brother to be by my side than to accompany you, this stubborn stone, to your demise at any moment. If you personally hand him over to me, you will be able to keep your hands. This deal is quite advantageous, isn't it?"

Old Huang hurriedly responded, stumbling as he rushed away from the Qianbu Corridor

I have heard it said that although you, my lord, may be capricious in your emotions, your word is as good as gold, and you have never gone back on it. If you can bring out my sworn brother, I am willing to do anything for you, as long as it does not go against my conscience

The official of the Ministry of Rites stole a glance at Dongfang Fei, noticing that when he heard the bright and spirited morning greeting, he merely furrowed his brows without any expression. It is unclear whether he has truly let Ruan Dongqian go

Upon hearing this, her heart was beyond description of surprise. She thought that this corrupt official was always finding trouble for her, and at such a time, he should have ignored her; how could he come to her aid?

The Eastern figure raised her dark eyes, gazing at him with interest, and said softly

Think it over carefully. You can also hold on to your stubbornness and be pushed to your death like this. Ruan Dongqian, what can your integrity do for the people? I am truly curious... By the way, the only key to the dungeon was split open by your own hand, so your sworn brother will probably have to stay in prison a little longer

The commoner, at a young age, has the fortune to find his own place in the world. Your Excellency, after so many years in court, your moods have always been unpredictable; what is the reason for this? Have you found your own heaven...?

She chuckled and said, "As long as Ichiro is fine, that's good. I was extremely anxious with Huaining before, worried that something might happen to you... Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Feng Yilang clenched his fist at his side, several times opening his mouth to speak, yet ultimately could not utter a promise

Dong Fangfei has taken a heavy dose of medicine. So heavy that he begins to doubt whether Dong Fangfei is truly considering her. A righteous person, even with the intention to serve the people, cannot hold a long-term official position; only by colluding with others can one do what they truly wish to do.

She made a funny face and walked into the Ministry of Revenue, shouting with great vigor:

You have never hit me.

The East did not ignore her threats, and with a wicked smile, said:

She loosened the knife and tightly grasped her left hand with her right hand

The dog thief approached, and she reluctantly bowed, speaking in a flat tone:

She stared blankly at the two people in front of her

"Winter Gu, Winter Gu..." Feng Yilang wiped away her continuously falling tears, gently embraced her, and said: "You know in your heart that you have a straightforward temperament. When faced with injustice, you must stand up for yourself. No one can sway you. This character is what Huaining and I admire the most. Even if one day our Winter Gu learns the ways of the officialdom, Huaining and I will still know that deep down you are still the Ruan Donggu we remember. We are all by your side, aren't we?"

Indeed, it is you. Why didn't your sworn brother stop you from doing such a selfless thing? You need not be anxious

Wait!

Her ideals are quite simple; she only wishes for the dynasty to truly become a prosperous and peaceful era. She only wants to do her part to ensure that the common people have their own peace and happiness, and to prevent the poisoning of her brother from happening again.

Dongfang Fei was taken aback by the words, and suddenly burst into hearty laughter, releasing her hand

Well, they are truly a pair of good brothers without blood ties. So good that even I, as an official, want to disrupt it. Ruan Dongqian, what if I can ensure the life of your sworn brother before night falls

The officials of the Ministry of Rites whispered: "Master Huang is like a wallflower, recently siding with Master Li. Does that mean he is sent by the Grand Duke? What does the Grand Duke need with a deputy minister?"

Even if kneeling before this official

Do you still have time to come back?" Dongfang Fei sneered, his icy gaze fixed on Eunuch Huang. "The Jinyiwei do not go through the Ministry of Justice to arrest people. Why are you taking him to the Ministry of Justice? To inform the Grandfather of the State that I will personally pay a visit later? If something happens to Minister Ruan's family, Eunuch Huang, you have been in the palace long enough. Tell me, do I have enough influence in the court to seek revenge?"

"Do you recognize me? I, however, do not know you." Dongfang Fei noticed that his appearance was ordinary, not as beautiful as Ruan Dongqian. So this is the义兄 that Ruan Dongqian greatly admires, humph, nothing special after all.

Is it ideal? She said in a hushed voice: "Must I learn to compromise with others in order to pursue my ideals?"

"Why should I, your dog servant, feel any gratitude?" Dongfang Feilian did not even glance at him, staring intently at Ruan Donggu. "Ruan Minister, I want you to ensure that during the morning court session on the first day of next month, you are not to oppose any petitions from others."

"Your Excellency, the Prime Minister," an official stepped forward and opportunistically said, "This Ruan Dongqian truly lacks understanding. Upon entering the Ministry of Revenue, he has not made the necessary arrangements, and to this day, the officials in the court have yet to receive his gifts. If you find him bothersome, I will immediately go and have him come to apologize to you."

Brother Ichiro

Good morning, sir. The character for 'endurance' has a knife above it, and now she has several knives above her head, almost severely injured

Hua Ning had already rushed forward the moment the East did not open its mouth, but no matter how fast he was, he could not outpace the knife that showed no hesitation. When he reached the midpoint and could not stop it in time, he directly drew the hilt of the long sword and swiftly slid it between the blade and his index finger.

The azure-clad guard behind him could only hastily draw out the key and flick it towards the blade of Ruan Donggu's knife. The sharp blade split the key with the force of a breaking bamboo, and before it could retract, it swiftly fell onto the tabletop

Feng Yilang's expression changed abruptly. "What promise did Dong Qian make to you?"

Feng Yilang was slightly taken aback, gazing at Dongfang Fei, who seemed distracted. When the latter met his gaze, he let out a chuckle.

Winter, do you remember that I once mentioned to you that you are like a stone? As long as you are convinced of what is right, no matter what, even if it obstructs others' paths, you will not compromise

Haha, my sworn brother is not a commodity, how could I give him away? Dongfang Fei, I will definitely fulfill my promise! She walked to the prison table and placed her palm flat on the surface.

Dongfang Fei smiled and said: "It is now noon, and there are at least a few hours until dark. If I can preserve his life and persuade the Jinyiwei to release him, Sir Ruan, how will you repay me?"

She is not afraid of death; she is only afraid that the people around her will get into trouble because of her. And now she is just a minor official. Even if she forcefully breaks into the imperial city, she cannot save Brother Yi. She gritted her teeth and made a decisive decision:

The East does not squint

The Eastern official, with a pleasant demeanor, smiled and said: "I enjoy conversing with an intelligent person the most. Very well, I will give you another chance. If you work under me, you will be able to exchange for one of Minister Ruan's fingers. What do you think, is it worth it?"

My ideal

Feng Yilang immediately rose and performed a respectful bow, gently saying: "My lord, you are the pillar of the nation, well-known to all under heaven. As a humble commoner, it is only natural that you do not recognize me."

I do not know

Neither of the two people in the east moved. Ruan Dongqian's sworn brother blocked his line of sight. Just as he was about to step forward to see what was happening, there was a sudden loud crack, and the table split in two. Huaining, enduring the pain in her hand, quickly pushed her away.

When Ruan Dongqian saw him, he was still filled with disdain, but no longer bared his teeth at him. Now, he even made a great effort not to draw his attention by merely greeting him. Hmph, is this yet another strategy proposed by Ruan Dongqian's military advisor?

Is it about the matter of the commission fees?" Another official casually interjected, noticing the look in Dongfang Fei's eyes, and quickly bowed, saying: "It is my fault for speaking out of turn.

What are you? After all, Ruan Dongqian is a third-rank deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue. In terms of official rank, you are inferior to him, and in terms of status, you are one level below him. How can a dignified deputy minister be reprimanded by a minor official like you? Is it that you are too bold, or do you rely on others to forget your own position?

Ruan Dong stood up, and although she was worried inside, she could only rely on the one she had always despised, Dong Fang Fei. Brother Yi Lang, Brother Yi Lang, you are so clever; if you were by my side, you would surely understand why Dong Fang Fei had to come to my aid

Ruan Dong, having heard this, endured the pain in his hand and asked in a muted voice, "What is the Chief Minister plotting?"

Ruan Dong turned around to look at him and nodded. "Thank you, Prime Minister." She extended her hand: "Where is the key?"

Without a moment's hesitation, she immediately knelt down, gazing intently into his eyes, and said:

Feng Yilang merely smiled slightly and did not elaborate further.

The blue-clad guard stepped forward and silently handed the long knife to Ruan Donggu.

You are going astray; I, along with Feng Yilang, will bring you back even if it costs us our lives. What is it that you still dare not do?

"In front of His Majesty, I spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Revenue, cutting the expenses for the purchasing agent. The Grandfather of the Nation does not dare to trouble me, but directly bypasses the Minister of Revenue to find trouble with Deputy Minister Ruan, perhaps to take revenge for the murder of his nephew?" Dongfang Fei laughed interestingly and said, "I am quite curious to see what methods the Grandfather of the Nation will use to deal with that little tiger who is struggling to hold back?"

As the year draws to a close, many ceremonies require arrangements by the Ministry of Rites, so during this period, Dongfang has been spending an extended amount of time at the Ministry, which does not seem unusual to the officials. When the Cabinet has matters to attend to, it is mostly a group of advisors hastily coming to request assistance.

The East was not originally waiting to see a good show, but upon seeing that she truly intended to keep her promise, suddenly said

"Deputy Minister Ruan, I have instructed the Imperial Guards to hand over the person," said Dongfang Fei with a smile

"Brother Yichiro, what are you talking about!" Ruan Donggu laughed lightly, then said with a serious expression: "You once taught me: 'A person without trustworthiness, how can he be considered? A large cart without a yoke, a small cart without a shaft, how can they move?'. Since the East cannot keep his promise, I naturally can. Otherwise, if I lose my credibility, what can I do in the future?"

Of course it is me, I will not do Ichiro's work! Those who have grievances or hatred can come find her.

Urgent matter?" Dongfang Fei snorted coldly, his handsome eyes glaring at Eunuch Huang. "You have quite the audacity. As a mere little eunuch, where do you think you can take the Minister of Revenue?"

"How? How will you repay me?" he pressed, enjoying the look of confusion on her face

Dongfang stared at her and let out a snort of laughter

The corner of Dongfang's mouth twitched slightly, and his handsome face showed a hint of anger. After a long while, he finally spoke softly:

If you want to get rid of me, then come at me!

The fingers ... ... '' Winter is indeed a girl, how could she suffer such harm? This fool of hers, such a fool!

The sound was so loud that even the officials from the Ministry of Rites next door were startled. During this period, the Prime Minister had not troubled Minister Ruan, and even when they met, he was indifferent, which left them in a state of uncertainty.

Feng Yilang's blue eyes narrowed slightly. This man did not tempt him with wealth and power, but rather struck directly at the matter he cared about the most. Dongfang Fei must be the greatest obstacle to Dong Gu in the court.

The person in the cell moved slightly, raised their face to look towards the eastern direction outside the cell, and exclaimed: "Is it you?"

He listened inattentively as the officials reported on the day's progress, the positions held according to their ranks, the expenses incurred, the emperor's imperial attire, and numerous intricate and trivial details

Feng Yilang saw her face filled with confusion and distress, knowing that her thoughts were currently in disarray, akin to being on a tightrope, where any words would cause her to waver

"Winter, what is your ideal?" Huaining suddenly asked

Thank you, esteemed Prime Minister. Feng Yilang quickly cupped his fists and expressed his gratitude

I am not an outsider, " Feng Yilang said calmly

Is this man ... ? ... hinting at the darkness of the officialdom in winter?

Hmm? Dongfang was beaming with a smile

So what are you in such a hurry for? Are you afraid that if you wait a little longer, you will see your sworn brother's corpse? Not so soon, that old bald donkey is powerful yet thoroughly petty; he will first torment you completely before letting your sworn brother die a miserable death before your eyes. Tell me, who decided on the execution? Your sworn brother? Or you?

Whether he is guilty or not is not important; what matters is that in the eyes of the Jinyiwei, there are only those who should be captured! Minister Ruan, you are a thorn in the side of the national uncle, and in order to eliminate you, he must first remove those around you. Do you not understand?

Feng Yilang pondered and replied: "Most likely, it will implicate my brother Ruan in the crime."

It hurts so much... Huaining, you need to hurry up and stop it. She was sweating all over from the pain

He raised his eyebrows and laughed happily, saying: "So your sworn brother is not even worth a finger of yours?"

"Brother Ichiro, have I made a mistake?" Tears rolled down my cheeks, difficult to hold back

She stared at him for a while, then turned to leave. He did not stop her, but asked with a smile:

In the following month or so, the court remained tranquil.

The Eastern non-seeing white-haired义兄 stood in front of Ruan Dongqian as soon as he was released from prison, feeling displeased

"Even if it goes against your conscience, what is it that you still wish to do?" Huaining asked again

If your family wishes to obstruct, I shall be pleased to watch the spectacle from the sidelines. Ruan Dongqian, next time you want me to intervene, it will not merely be a trivial matter of severing fingers.

The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue are adjacent to each other on the Thousand-Step Corridor, and it is not uncommon for them to encounter each other. Ruan Dong can only remember her elder brother's admonition, and she endures, endures, and endures, even to the point of spitting blood, she must endure

The clear sound of joy instantly illuminated a glimmer of light in the dark dungeon, as Dongfang Fei curled his lips, hearing footsteps approaching from afar, rushing past him and stopping in front of the cell

She interrupted him angrily, saying: "Why aren't you in a hurry? His health is poor and he cannot withstand even the slightest harm!"

Such occurrences will become common in the future..." Without turning around upon hearing the footsteps on the stairs behind him, Dongfang continued to laugh and said, "As long as he stubbornly persists in his self-righteousness, those around him will inevitably suffer as a result. Next time, it won't be as simple as a single finger to summon this official for rescue.

In the East, it was evident that she was not merely putting on an act; the fierce determination on her small face clearly indicated that she was serious! He squinted, and as he saw the shadow of the knife sweeping towards the table, he felt a mix of anger, frustration, and inexplicable complex emotions. In the final moment, he shouted in fury:

What is the current situation

I do not know you, but I am aware that you are the brother of Ruan Dongqian. Well, since you know who I am, it will be easier to talk. Do you know what crime you have been accused of?

"Are you looking for death?" Dan Feng's eyes turned to glare at her. "Did your strategist not tell you that you cannot trust anyone from the palace? If you choose to follow him, the name Ruan Dongqian will disappear from the court from this day forth." That old bald donkey only knows how to play such low-level tricks; he should have anticipated this. Back then, he dared to secretly use the imperial guards to eliminate Ruan Dongqian, and today he will use the Jinyiwei to remove a thorn in his side; this does not surprise him!

As soon as one descends the eastern staircase, one can see the white-haired man in the prison.

After Feng Yilang watched her leave, he immediately held her left hand carefully. "Dong Gu, are you alright?"

What difficulty is there in this

I understand. "Dongfang Fei looked at him with slight surprise, opened his folding fan, and smiled, saying: 'I have seen much and know a great deal; you are merely somewhat different in appearance from the ordinary person. I have encountered such individuals before, but none possess your innate intelligence. Your义兄, Ruan Dongqian, should use his cleverness wisely; you have followed the wrong person, which has led you to your current predicament. How about this: from now on, you will follow me and assist me, and it will be beneficial for you.'

Well, you truly live up to being Ruan Dongqian's strategist, as you have even guessed a few of my thoughts. Since you are Ruan Dongqian's strategist, you must have a certain understanding of the situation in the court. The old national uncle is a petty person who can resort to all sorts of despicable means. This time, he colluded with the Jinyiwei to first frame you and then arrest Minister Ruan. The Jinyiwei has always executed people privately, without going through the Ministry of Justice, and those who have been falsely accused have never survived. I have never interfered in these matters nor do I wish to seek trouble for myself. However, now that I am here, tell me, what is the purpose of this?

I have never been in want of anything. Having followed him for so long, wealth and honor must seem like dirt to you. Throughout your life, your appearance has been different from others, attracting the attention of many. My power is as great as the sky; by following me, I guarantee that you will no longer be subjected to the strange gazes of others.

That young man certainly listens to the strategist's words

Feng Yilang gazed at her for a long while, and then tenderly wiped away the tears that had slipped down her cheeks

When I made a blood oath with my sworn brother, he forbade me from dying on the same year, month, and day as him, but in my heart, I made this vow. Such feelings are beyond your understanding, she said with a stern expression

In that year, the Taoist priest Cao Taixue was jointly recommended by the officials to enter the palace. On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the Deputy Minister of Revenue, Ruan Dongqian, rushed to Jinjiang to personally oversee the restoration of the Jinjiang project, which was recorded in the "Wanjin Historical Records".

Dongfang Fei'an was taken aback, not expecting Ruan Dong's potential to be boundless to such an extent. No wonder that during their first meeting, the two stone guardians seemed to 'float' in the air; it was all due to Ruan Dong's immense power. One can imagine that even if that previous strike had landed on the sword sheath, the palm underneath would have felt considerable pain.

Dongfang glanced at her and snorted, "Good morning." He then walked into the Ministry of Rites, not engaging in further conversation with her

He raised his head and gazed directly towards the east, suddenly smiling: "My lord, I am twenty-three this year."

"Ruan Dongqian, what crime does your sworn brother carry?"

The Eastern official, muttering a curse under his breath, disregarded the roster presented by the officials and immediately rose, brushing off his sleeves

She pouted and whispered, "Now I can understand the pain you felt when I hit you during our martial arts practice before"

The East flashed a hint of displeasure and said in a low voice

From Feng Yilang's perspective, he could see Huaining timely blocking the knife, but the force of Dong Gu was extremely terrifying, so much so that even he heard the dreadful sound of the long knife striking the sword sheath.

Ah, I just remembered," the official from the Ministry of Rites exclaimed, "I heard this morning that a relative of an official was secretly imprisoned by the Jinyiwei in the East-West Alley. Isn't Vice Minister Ruan residing there?

Thank you for your guidance, my lord. As soon as Feng Yilang exited the prison cell, he bowed respectfully and expressed his gratitude: "I will certainly persuade my lord and will not hinder the future of the national uncle."

Adoptive brother? Is he the strategist who competes with Zhuge Liang?

Must she truly fall into the mire in order to genuinely serve the people

Dare to use such unorthodox tactics

The Ministry of Rites has always been responsible for major ceremonies and celebrations in the palace city. After autumn, a series of sacrificial celebrations in winter must be led by the Ministry of Rites. The Eastern Department, not being in the position of the Minister of Rites or the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, can be said to be the most relaxed among the six ministries, as it does not have to endure the Chief Minister's excessive scrutiny and approval like the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Works for any significant matters.

Huaining Pingjing said: "I cannot keep up with your recklessness." The hands hidden behind him twitched slightly, and the pain in his tiger's mouth still lingered. He could spar with a skilled opponent, yet he was unwilling to fight against his senior sister, who was as strong as an ox. Clearly, his martial skills were inferior to hers, but he was afraid of her strength.

Good morning, everyone

"Please let go, Your Excellency!" Ruan Dong secretly exerted some strength, but could not break free from his grip. After a moment of hesitation, she ultimately did not dare to use all her strength. She barely suppressed her anxiety and gritted her teeth, saying: "Your Excellency, I do have urgent matters to attend to. If you are looking for trouble, please wait until I return—"

In the blink of an eye, no one could see clearly the skills of Huaining. The dungeon was enveloped in silence, and Ruan Dong's small face turned pale as she gritted her teeth and looked at Huaining before her. His dark and handsome face also appeared slightly pale, with beads of sweat sliding down from his forehead.

"It is just a minor injury, nothing to worry about." Feng Yilang smiled and glanced at Huaining, who had followed him into the dungeon. Huaining shook his head, and only then did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, with the expert Huaining guarding Donggu, she did not encounter any mishap

"Wait a moment, Dong Qian!" Feng Yilang hurriedly crossed the iron bars and grasped her arm. "Your Excellency, please allow this commoner to bear the pain of severed fingers on behalf of my master"

"Key?" The Eastern official laughed heartily, swaggering as he sat in the chair usually occupied by the jailer. "Minister Ruan, have you forgotten what you promised this official? Qingyi, hand the knife to Minister Ruan"

Ruan Dong stared at him blankly, then slowly lowered her gaze, fixating on her own hands

The annual ceremony remains the same, and he does not care how his subordinates conduct themselves, as his thoughts have shifted to that Ruan Dongqian.

Feng Yilang gritted his teeth and lowered his gaze, tightly gripping the iron bars, and said no more. ... In the future, Dong Gu still needed him to protect his life in the officialdom, a single finger ... . ... Indeed, it could not compare to his importance.

Feng Yilang exchanged a glance with Huaining. The latter silently picked up the sword sheath and noticed a deep dent on it, which indicated the tremendous force she had just exerted. ... The inflexible senior sister, the one who vowed to fulfill her promises even at the cost of her life, the senior sister who had followed him since childhood ... ... The master once said that in the end, she would even pay with her life for that senior sister. ... ... Huaining touched the dent and said nonchalantly: the inflexible senior sister, the one who vowed to fulfill her promises even at the cost of her life, the senior sister who had followed him since childhood ... ... The master once said that in the end, she would even pay with her life for that senior sister. ... ... Huaining touched the dent and said nonchalantly:

"Master Huang, are you looking for me?" The refreshing voice from outside clearly belonged to Minister Ruan.

The Eastern man, with unreadable thoughts flashing through his eyes, turned around and gazed at her for a long time, smiling meaningfully as he said: "You have a really good relationship with your adoptive brother"

You are indeed clever! Someone has accused you of being an outsider, colluding with the court official Ruan Dongqian, intending to create an internal and external correspondence. You are also aware that although recent years have been a time of peace, foreign tribes have been restless, and at any moment, instability could lead to the outbreak of conflict.

Under the gaze of Dongfang Fei, she smiled and moved swiftly, striking down with her index finger without leaving any room for hesitation

She pursed her lips and remained silent. She was isolated and unsupported in the court, and even when interacting with other officials in the Ministry of Revenue, most of their discussions revolved around official matters. It would have been better if there were personal connections, but everyone feared Dongfang Fei, keeping her at bay... Brother Yilang was not wrong; being an official in the court is not the same as being one in the provinces. When something goes wrong in the court, without a backing, there is only a dead end.

"There is no need for that; I have my own methods," she said in a hoarse voice. Grasping the heavy chain with her right hand, she pulled with force, effortlessly breaking the iron chain, and the prison door immediately swung open.

Feng Yilang was taken aback by his temptation, pondering for a moment before once again bowing respectfully and saying

"Am I conspiring?" Dongfang Fei said with a sinister smile, "In your heart, do you think I am so vulgar and despicable? Do you think that if I merely move my lips, the Grand Duke will let go? Even if the Grand Duke lets go, the Jinyiwei cannot be easily commanded. Is there no benefit that can save your elder brother? Ruan Dongqian, you really should understand the ways of the officialdom before coming back. On the first day of next month, a Taoist will be introduced into the palace by the Grand Duke. No matter what he says in the court, you are not allowed to speak!" Seeing her angrily about to speak, he coldly said, "If you give him a favor, he can temporarily suppress his grudge against you for executing his nephew; if you give him a favor, your path in officialdom will be a bit smoother. Don't you understand?"

"Deputy Minister Ruan, you may return home now. Remember to ask your other sworn brother to take good care of you." Dongfang Fei chuckled, "I guarantee that I will return you a sworn brother who is whole and intact. As for whether that sworn brother will continue to follow you, I cannot guarantee that. People always strive to rise higher, and few are exceptions."

I would rather not leave! she said with hatred

My brother-in-law has been arrested!" she exclaimed angrily

Other officials, noticing Dongfang Fei's displeased expression, quickly presented a report. "My lord, the first part of the arrangements for next year's New Year's grand assembly has been completed. Ten members of the Jinyiwei will serve as the driving officers in the Zhongji Hall, with one hundred and eighteen generals on each side of the Fengtian Hall. The roster is here; additionally, there are ... ... "

"Get up! Deputy Minister Ruan, do not blame me for not reminding you, in the court, it is most taboo to show weakness. It seems that your sworn brother is your greatest weakness, isn't it?" He chuckled lightly, but the smile did not reach his dark eyes

Ruan Dong blinked, knowing the unfinished words he was about to say. "I am just the same as everyone else. Don't peek at Huaining; he is like you, willing to bear the consequences for me. But I told him, a martial artist, if he loses his agility, can he still protect us? It's just a finger after all. Brother Yilang has always been clever, understanding the gravity of the situation." She had always been strong, gently breaking free from his restraint, drawing out the sharp blade. Brother Yilang has always been clever, understanding the gravity of the situation. She had always been strong, gently breaking free from his restraint, drawing out the sharp blade

"You are not wrong," he said softly. "You have always set your sights on a goal and moved forward without any regrets. Life, after all, is like walking on a tightrope; no matter which side you lean towards, you can only fall down. Although you must slightly tilt towards one end for your ideals, you can maintain your balance, can't you?"

The East did not seek his answer, but rather stated with determination:

As soon as he stepped out of the morning room, he saw Ruan Donggu rushing past the gate of the Ministry of Rites. Quick-witted and agile, he promptly seized her slender, fair wrist and sternly asked, "Wait a moment, Ruan Dongqian, where are you going?"

The East does not open its mouth: "Light the candle, let everyone go down. Qingyi, go invite Minister Ruan to come over."

The man was quite tall, his body slender like that of Ruan Dongqian, yet he possessed a refined elegance that Ruan Dongqian lacked. If it were not for his famously white hair, one would never associate this person with the fierce temperament of Ruan Dongqian