Chapter 962: Imperial Decree

“Not bad!” Gu Yu slowly nodded his head. With a look of approval in his eyes, he told Zhe Liang, “I’m glad there’s a level-headed one among us!”

“Centurion Chen’s recommendation of Centurion Chu is also laced with malintent.” Zhe Liang shook his head. “Although Centurion Chen owes plenty to Centurion Chu, Centurion Chen only sees Centurion Chu as an enemy. As such, Centurion Chen always attempts to sabotage Centurion Chu, and I believe this is another trap that was set by Centurion Chen to Centurion Chu!”

“Noted. I’m aware of the dog-and-cat relationship between the two of them.”

“That’s why you should only take Centurion Chen’s words with a grain of salt.” Zhe Liang continued, “In my opinion, the reason Centurion Chu is in the Mei Er Courtyard instead of the Mei Yi Courtyard is that Centurion Chu isn’t as sharp as those in the Mei Yi courtyard. As such, we should pin this case on the Mei Yi Courtyard instead. I’m sure all they need is a little push since they’re still pretty amazing.”

“Alright then, please tell Chen Donghai that they have three days to nab the culprit. Otherwise, they’ll be in deep waters!” Gu Yu declared.

Zhe Liang clasped his fists into a fist salute and answered, “Order received!”

Gu Yu turned to look at Yang Zongwen. “What do you think, Lil Yang?”

“I disagree with Brother Zhe’s view.” Yang Zongwen shook his head and continued, “While Centurion Chen’s recommendation of Centurion Chu is indeed laced with malintent, it is also the truth. We all know what Centurion Chen’s personality is like. He’s like a voracious hound that is highly defensive of its prey. If he could solve this case, he would definitely have employed thousands of plans just to crack it. However, now that he has recommended someone else to do so, it has proven that he has no confidence. Because of this, I believe that forcing them to tackle this case would be for naught.”

Gu Yu grumbled, “So, after all this talk, we’ll still have to rely on Chu Li to crack this case?”

Yang Zongwen nodded. “Among everyone here, I have the clearest idea of Centurion Chu’s ability and I believe that no one could solve this case except Centurion Chu. You don’t need to waste Centurion Chen’s time, and you should go straight to Centurion Chu instead. That’s the correct method in handling this case!”

“So, it all boils down to whether or not we’re able to invite Centurion Chu now!” Zhe Liang stated.

Yang Zongwen responded, “I personally think that if Commander Gu pays a visit to Centurion Chu, Centurion Chu would definitely come out to greet him.”

“He wants me to pay a visit personally?” Gu Yu scoffed as he shook his head. “How audacious of him!”

Yang Zongwen hurriedly explained, “Commander Gu, now’s not the time to care about your pride! After all, maintaining your pride in front of Centurion Chu is akin to losing your dignity to the Emperor!”

“I’d rather lose my standing with the Emperor than to lose it to Chu Li!” Gu Yu coldly stated.

Yang Zongwen sighed as he shook his head.

Zhe Liang commented, “This is too much, even for Centurion Chu. How dare he force Commander Gu to kowtow to him!”

Yang Zongwen heaved a sigh. “Centurion Chu is extremely proud, and as such, he acts like pompously. However, the greatest obstacle now is that he’s in Isolated Cultivation. So, how are we going to lure him out?”

“Hmph!” Gu Yu chuckled. “If that’s the case, I’ll pay a visit to the Emperor and request him to issue an Imperial Decree for Chu Li to handle the case. When that happens, I’d like to see how Chu Li will act!”

Zhe Liang hastily interjected, “Won’t you just blow up this matter by doing so?”

“I’m not worried about that. I’m more focused on suppressing this guy!” Gu Yu snorted. “If it’s true that Chen Donghai can’t handle this case, then forget him. I’m going to the palace now!”

With that, Gu Yu turned around and left.

Zhe Liang turned to look at Yang Zongwen.

However, all Yang Zongwen responded with was a look of exasperation as he shook his head.

Now that things had come to this, it was no longer in his control. As a matter of fact, things had developed way beyond what he had intended.

He did not expect Gu Yu to be that stubborn and that he did not mind the Emperor looking down on him. After all, Gu Yu had gone to visit the Emperor just for a minor matter, one that even the Prince himself would not have dared to trouble the Emperor with. The Emperor had plenty of issues to deal with daily, so how would he have time to settle something as minor as that?

His request for the Emperor this time would undoubtedly cause the latter to look down upon him. Not only had Gu Yu failed to control his subordinate, but he had also notified the Emperor of Centurion Chu’s unruly nature. As such, both Chu Li and Gu Yu would face detrimental consequences.

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Gu Yu moved fast, and so was the Imperial Palace.

An hour later, two Imperial Palace officers in black robes arrived at King An’s Imperial Residence. In a loud voice, they declared, “The Emperor has made a decree, Chief Chu Li, please step out to receive your orders!’

The officer’s voice was like roaring thunder, startling the entire residence. Everyone could hear the officer’s words clearly.

Soon after, the gates to King An’s Imperial Palace swung open and out stepped a dozen maids clothed flamboyantly. Following that, another dozen or Protectors walked out to roll the white carpet as well.

“The Consort has arrived!” a maid shouted.

Xiao Shi was clothed in white and her face was as beautiful as jade. She calmly walked out of the residence, with an air of noble bearing surrounding her.

Xue Ningyu and Song Liuying followed closely behind. They both looked stunning as well.

The three ladies walked down the steps on the white carpet. After giving the two officers a curtsy, they silently stood still.

Xiao Shi’s beautiful face looked as if it was carved from white jade. It was delicate but warm, and there was also a classy feel to it as well. However, Xue Ningyu and Song Liuying did not fare any worse, as they were both extremely charming as well.

“Where is Chu Li?” the officer shouted.

The officer was a burly middle-aged man, and his face was the very definition of solemness. When he noticed that Chu Li had yet to appear, he scrunched his eyebrows and asked, “Is he going to disobey the decree?”

“Dear messenger, Chief Chu is currently not within the Imperial Residence. As such, he is unable to receive the decree,” Xiao Shi calmly answered.

“He’s not in the Imperial Residence? Consort Xiao, you must not lie under an Imperial Decree as it is a crime that is punishable by death!”

This officer was an elderly man that was slightly disheveled. His hair was totally blanched, which contrasted with his black robes, making him appear as if he was living an awful life.

However, as Imperial officers never had never to worry about monetary matters, this was only a problem of his diet.

Xiao Shi answered, “Does ‘not within the residence’ mean anything to you? Why would I lie? Furthermore, receiving an Imperial Decree is a glorious occasion, so why would Chu Li purposely miss it?”

“So, he really isn’t here?” the elderly officer asked in a low tone.

Xiao Shi raised her eyebrow at him. She appeared as if she was growing impatient. “Is there no end to this questioning? Alright, fine, you’re allowed to search the residence! Call in your men, surround this place, and search every inch of the residence for Chu Li. If you find him, then take him with you!”

“Haha, Consort Xiao, we need not go that far,” the elderly officer chuckled.

The middle-aged officer growled, “Consort Xiao, are you throwing a tantrum at us?”

“So what if I am?” Xiao Shi answered insolently. “If you’re going to proclaim a royal decree, then proclaim it. What’s all this long-windedness for? Now that Chief Chu is absent, do you still want to issue the decree?”

“Fine then, we’ll read it out to you, Consort. Then, you could deliver this message to Chu Li instead,” the elderly officer stated with a smile.

As he was of old age, his temper had also toned down by quite a notch. Furthermore, he understood Xiao Shi’s personality and attitude quite well — she feared nothing and no one. For someone who had such a personality, she needed the necessary authority and lucky for her, she was the lady of the Public House. As such, she could throw as huge a tantrum as she wanted and she would still be forgiven by the Emperor.

Xiao Shi impolitely spat, “I haven’t even seen him, so how am I supposed to deliver the message to him?”

“Does Chief Chu not return to the residence?”

“He has isolated himself in some other place. Says that he wants to stay away from political matters. Since his goal is to stay as far away from trivial matters like these, how do you think I’ll be able to find him?!”

“Ermm…” The two officers did not know how to respond.

The middle-aged officer’s face was already green with rage. He had never ever met someone so arrogant that they would utterly disrespect the two of them. Moreover, she had even impatiently pushed them away, which vexed him even more. However, there was nothing he could do but swallow it down!

The elderly officer smiled. “Well, it doesn’t matter. Since we’re already here anyway, we might as well proclaim the decree before going back.”

“Suit yourself.” Xiao Shi impatiently added, “If you want to speak, do it quickly.”

“Alright.” The elderly Imperial Palace officer unfurled the yellow Imperial Decree in his hands and declared, “I hereby decree that the Secret Guardian Centurion, Chu Li has to investigate the matter of the Feng household’s massacre! He is to catch the culprit within ten days, and he is to carry it out at once!”

After finishing the decree, the officer handed over the Imperial Decree to Xiao Shi with both hands outstretched.