Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 623 - 620: Colluding with Evil_1

Chapter 623: Chapter 620: Colluding with Evil_1

Fan Yuhuai waved away the alcohol fumes coming at him, his eyes fixed on Zhong Shaozhong. He frowned and stepped back.

Seeing that everyone else was also extremely drunk, Fan Yuhuai thought about how the Crown Prince had sent him to capture the traitor. Yet, here they were drinking in a brothel, doing nothing wrong. How was he supposed to capture anyone?

In his dilemma, Fan Yuhuai called over the brothel’s madam and asked, "When did Master Zhong come here?"

The brothel’s madam glanced at Zhong Shaozhong and answered truthfully.

"He hasn’t been here long. How did all these officials get so drunk?" Fan Yuhuai looked at a trembling girl and pointed at her. "You... tell me, how much did these gentlemen drink?"

"Oh dear! Master Fan!" Zhong Shaozhong laughed as he pressed down Fan Yuhuai’s hand, standing in front of him, reeking of alcohol. "Why make it hard for this beautiful girl? Anything... you need to know, just ask me!"

"You are the Duke. I dare not make it hard for you! It’s just that I received a report of a conspiracy here. Since you are so magnanimous, why not... come with me to see the Crown Prince and Master Tan to explain everything clearly!"

Having said that, Fan Yuhuai was resolute, saying, "Escort the Duke and these gentlemen back to the Court of Judicial Review to sober up. Meanwhile... bring the brothel’s madam and the girls too. We need to find out what kind of wine they gave you that got you all drunk in such a short time!"

"Alright, alright! Master Fan wants us to see the Crown Prince, so we’ll go. But... could you keep it quiet? I’ve just been promoted, and I’m excited... so I invited my old subordinates for some fun. Some of them have strict households. They would be in trouble if this gets out! Master Fan... please be lenient. We’ll go on our own, okay?"

Zhong Shaozhong smiled again and tugged at his garment, saying, "Look... we’re still in our underclothes. Surely, Master Fan won’t let us go out like this and lose face?"

"Fine! I’ll wait downstairs for you! Just don’t make it hard for me!" Fan Yuhuai turned to his subordinates and said, "Escort these girls and the madam out! Get some carriages for the Duke and the gentlemen!"

"Yes!"

The Patrol Camp troops moved into action amid the screams and cries of the brothel girls. The madam rushed to Fan Yuhuai, trembling in panic.

"Master Fan! Please... be merciful. These girls are delicate; they can’t go to a place like the Court of Judicial Review!" The madam quickly took out a silver note and secretly stuffed it into Fan Yuhuai’s hand. "This is for the officials’ tea! Please... be kind. These girls can’t endure that kind of suffering!"

Fan Yuhuai took the silver note and handed it to a subordinate standing behind him. "This is evidence of bribery! Keep it safe!"

"Yes!"

The madam’s face turned as pale as a sheet. She tried to plead again, but soldiers entering to arrest the girls pushed her aside.

The imperial guards were also upset. They stood up, protecting the girls behind them.

One guard kicked over a table, sending fruit and dishes flying, and shouted, "Fan Yuhuai! What is the meaning of this? Coming to a brothel for a drink, which law of Jin have we broken that you come to arrest us with such pomp? How dare you! Do you think we imperial guards are easy targets for your abuse?"

Fan Yuhuai looked at the imperial guard commander, his eyes dark. "I am acting on the orders of the Crown Prince and Master Tan, to invite you all to the Court of Judicial Review for investigation. If I have offended you... I will apologize later. But for now... even if you want to tear down the place, I will make sure you all go to the Court of Judicial Review!"

Fan Yuhuai then turned and shouted loudly, "The Crown Prince and Master Tan’s orders are clear! Any resistance... will be met with death! Arrest them!"

With fanfare, Fan Yuhuai walked downstairs from the brothel.

The brothel’s madam was sitting on the ground, crying. She watched in despair as the girls, who kept calling out "Madam," were dragged out by the rough hands of the Patrol Camp soldiers. She tried to intervene, but was grabbed by the collar and dragged out as well.

"Oh! Officers, please be gentle! My old bones can’t take this!" The madam pleaded, terrified.

Zhong Shaozhong saw Fan Yuhuai’s unwavering demeanor, gritted his teeth, then turned to his former subordinates and said, "Enough! Let’s go to the Court of Judicial Review. We haven’t done anything wrong. Only those with something to hide would be afraid! We’ll go... Master Tan is reasonable. We’ll explain everything!"

Zhong Shaozhong’s words implicitly criticized the Crown Prince.

He bowed to the imperial guard commanders. "Gentlemen, it is my fault for bringing you here. You’ve been implicated because of me. I must shamelessly ask you to not clash with the Patrol Camp soldiers. Come with me!"

With Zhong Shaozhong putting it this way, the others, though dissatisfied, nodded and agreed to follow him.

Soon, the girls were all taken away, and the Patrol Camp’s deputy commander smiled and said, "Duke, gentlemen, please dress quickly. I’ll be waiting outside. If you need anything, let me know!"

With that, the deputy closed the door.

"Fan Yuhuai was always loyal to His Majesty. When did he become the Crown Prince’s lapdog?" someone spat.

Bi Heng, who Zhong Shaozhong had instructed to hide under the bed, crawled out. "Master Zhong, what do we do now?"

"Fan Yuhuai does follow His Majesty’s orders, but with His Majesty in a coma, he naturally follows the Crown Prince. He’s half in the Crown Prince’s camp now," Zhong Shaozhong said.

Someone worriedly whispered near Zhong Shaozhong: "Master, the Crown Prince wants to detain us quickly, indicating he knows our intent to protect the Emperor. He wants to act first! Master..."

Zhong Shaozhong bit his lip. How could he not know this?

"I’m just afraid that once we enter the Court of Judicial Review, the Crown Prince will usurp the throne and only release us after becoming Emperor!" someone else said.

"It seems Master Zhong was right about the Crown Prince’s treacherous heart... why else would he want to monitor us and rush us into the Court of Judicial Review?"

"Master Tan is usually steady. How could he side with the Crown Prince now?"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.