Mountain Patrol Military Officer

"Make way"

"Make way!"

"The Jingzhao Mansion is handling a case, there's a criminal hiding nearby, the government office is investigating, all unrelated individuals must clear the area."

North of the Imperial City, Xuankong Mountain, outside the Royal Garden, the sound of horse hooves clattered as they galloped closer.

A group of constables on horseback approached, wearing black silk turbans, dark cyan round-neck gowns, with leather belts and long swords in hand, and began to disperse the pedestrians lingering there.

These five or six constables rode up to about a hundred meters from the garden's entrance, dismounted swiftly, and soon began setting up wooden barriers to block the gate, standing guard with their swords afterward.

The Royal Garden had its own imperial guards, but seeing this scene, the guards did not intervene nor ask further, simply turned a blind eye.

Though Xuankong Mountain is not tall, it hosts magnificent flowers and trees, and the mountain's main body is designated as the Royal Garden, not open to ordinary people, though other areas are open for others to appreciate. Now, in the clear autumn, many visitors are enjoying the scenery, sitting in sedans or riding horses; most are young masters and ladies from noble and affluent families, actors, and a large entourage of house servants and slaves.

The actions and presence of these constables attracted quite a bit of attention.

But many people couldn't understand the operations of these constables.

"What... what's going on?" someone wondered aloud.

"Why block the gate leading to the Xuankong Temple? This is the Royal Garden, the Jingzhao Mansion's constables are quite bold."

"They say there's a major case? But they're just standing there?"

"Oh, look at those constables looking inside the gate, is the criminal inside the Royal Garden?" someone muttered, sparking a wave of excited murmurs, but finding no result.

Meanwhile, whispers arose within a grand carriage, where some young nobles were traveling today.

"Haven't you heard? There's been a big incident in the Divine Capital early today, a lot of people still don't know about it. My father told me about it when he returned from court this morning." someone spoke, mysteriously.

"Your uncle serves in the court, surely he hears everything, please tell us more!" another voice quickly flattered before eagerly inquiring further.

"Here's how it is. Before dawn today, there was a murder case at the gates of a few houses, like the Prime Minister's Mansion and Grand Commandant Mansion. Someone placed a bloody skull in front of these houses, this news has spread on the court." the previous speaker spoke in a lowered voice.

From the tone, it seemed one could guess the speaker leaned closer, his eyes shifting, speaking with an air of intrigue.

"Hiss..." several gasps of shock arose, "This... to do such a thing in front of the Three Ministers' mansion gates surely causes a huge uproar, how come there's not a peep about it? Whoever dared do this is really..."

Someone wanted to say how audaciously impressive it was, but abruptly stopped, fearing to continue.

If such words were heard by certain people, they would surely see no tomorrow.

"Keep this quiet, it's too disgraceful for the Three Families, they certainly wouldn't publicize it, they'll suppress the news."

"From what you said, the perpetrator hasn't been caught?" someone asked, eyes wide.

"No, unnoticed, but my father mentioned it likely involves a political struggle on the court."

"Such a thing, who exactly, to be blunt, how many dare to oppose the Three Families in the current court? Would these Three Families just let it go?"

"Certainly not, have a look at those Jingzhao Mansion constables outside, I suspect they're pressuring the Jingzhao Mansion."

"What you mean," someone exclaimed, "these constables came for this case? The person opposing the Three Families is in Xuankong Temple? Who is this figure, do you know?"

The speaker's tone held an unspeakable excitement, he was incredibly curious.

The one who initiated the conversation maintained a mysterious demeanor; he actually invited some close friends here near Xuankong Mountain because of what his father said about the court affair.

"I've heard it's a General from Shu!"

"Do you remember the uproar in the Divine Capital a month ago? A Patrol Angel was murdered!"

"The one who killed the Patrol Angel is this General!"

In the carriage, the young nobles' pupils shook.

Internally, they were amazed.

The Three Ministers represent the Three Imperial Families, overseeing the Sky Patrol Department, essentially encompassing most of the court's power, the critical point being, killing a Patrol Angel would unsettle even Your Majesty.

"Then hasn't this person offended everyone!"

Too bold indeed.

Too much rigidity leads to breakage, though these young nobles felt a surge of emotion upon hearing this, they didn't favor the General's prospects.

Outside the carriage, the Jingzhao Mansion's constables stood with swords, eyes fixed on the Xuankong Temple on the mountain.

Just as the young people inside the carriage briefly discussed.

The revenge from the Three Families would undoubtedly be relentless; the Jingzhao Mansion's actions were just one part.

This General from Shu is destined to be isolated without support!

......

Divine Capital, east side of Vermilion Bird Street, Xuanping Square, a residence covering a hundred acres, gifted by the authority.

"Master, there's a letter from the Second Young Master!"

A House Servant hastily walked to a study room, addressing a middle-aged man inside wearing an ink-colored robe adorned with gold embroidery, voiced low but unable to hide a trace of excitement.

At the desk, the middle-aged man's face looked as if powdered, his nose like jade, his mustache curled upward, his appearance carried a hint of harshness and obscurity, currently reviewing the stacked documents on the low table.