Chapter 78: Breaking Into the Imperial Prison by Force

"Listen up, men of the Embroidered Guards! You’re all staring death in the face—let my father go at once!"

When Xue Rui shouted these words at the gate of the Imperial Prison, not only were the Embroidered Guards stunned, but even the guards from the Duke’s Mansion behind him were utterly bewildered.

"Haha, hahaha!"

A moment later, several of the Embroidered Guards burst out laughing, clutching their sides. The man at the front, Yu Xing, wore a cold, sinister expression as he said, "Boy, you’d better understand—this is the Imperial Prison. Since the founding of the Embroidered Guards, only we have ever declared others doomed; no one has dared say such a thing to us. Are you mad, or just reckless?"

"If it’s never been done before, then today I’ll set the precedent!" Xue Rui showed not a hint of fear in the face of Yu Xing's threat, raising his voice, "Hear me, all of you! My father, Xue Yuanhao, is locked up in your prison. You have the time it takes for half a stick of incense—release him at once! If he suffers the slightest harm, all of you will lose your heads. Remember, you’ve been warned!"

At this, a wiry, monkey-like officer stepped forward and asked Yu Xing for instructions. "This brat is courting death, sir. Just say the word, and we’ll deal with them immediately!"

Yu Xing followed the monkey’s gaze; the reinforcements from the Embroidered Guards were already positioned all around, bows drawn, arrows nocked, awaiting his command to turn Xue Rui and his companions into porcupines.

Yet, seeing that Xue Rui and his men showed no sign of fear, Yu Xing grew cautious. He turned and asked, "What’s the story with Xue Yuanhao? His son can mobilize soldiers to storm a prison—could someone powerful be backing him?"

The monkey officer, well acquainted with the prison’s inmates, replied with a puzzled frown, "Xue Yuanhao is merely an ordinary astronomer from the Bureau of Celestial Affairs. He offended Eunuch Wang, so he was thrown in here. I’ve heard of no powerful patron behind him. Even if there were, who could rival Eunuch Wang?"

Yu Xing grew even more hesitant upon hearing this. When things take an unexpected turn, there is always more beneath the surface. Xue Rui was but a young man, perhaps ignorant of consequences, but the soldiers behind him surely knew the risks of invading the Imperial Prison. And that young general in gleaming silver armor, far from cowed, wore an expression of disdain—as if the feared Embroidered Guards were mere trifles.

Besides, Wang Zhen was already dead, his influence waning. If some high official wished to clear Xue Yuanhao’s name, it was entirely possible.

All of this made Yu Xing unwilling to act rashly.

After weighing his options, Yu Xing clasped his hands to Li Qingyun and said, "May I ask under which general you serve? Our Embroidered Guards Commander, Master Ma, has ties with many military leaders. Perhaps you could give your name; I will request the commander to decide. If this is all a misunderstanding, I’ll release your man at once."

Li Qingyun stepped forward to announce his name, but Xue Rui interjected, "May I know your name, sir?"

The monkey officer, quick to read faces, didn’t wait for Yu Xing to answer. He raised his thumb and introduced, "This is our Imperial Prison’s chief officer, hereditary Hundred-Household, Yu Xing!"

"Yu Xing?" Xue Rui nodded, then continued, "And your name?"

The monkey officer was caught off guard, then coldly laughed, "My full name is Sun Liang. I specialize in interrogating imperial offenders—the people call me the Soul-Chaser!"

Xue Rui ignored the ridiculous nickname. He turned to a guard behind him, "Bring me paper and brush."

The guard hurriedly produced them, having prepared in advance. Xue Rui took the brush, moistened it with his tongue, and wrote as he recited aloud:

"Here stand Yu Xing, Hundred-Household Officer of the Embroidered Guards, and Sun Liang, Captain, who clung to the traitorous faction of Wang Zhen, presided over the Imperial Prison, framed men of loyalty and righteousness, abused the innocent, and neglected human life, causing the streets to fill with wronged souls. Such men are the enemies of the realm; a thousand deaths could not appease the people's wrath. I request the court to strip them of their positions and imprison them, so justice may be served!"

Xue Rui spoke loudly, and Yu Xing and his men heard every word. With each line, Yu Xing’s face darkened further.

Before Xue Rui could put away the brush, Yu Xing shouted in protest, "We act upon imperial orders and have never neglected human life! How dare you slander us! I’ll report to the commander and have you punished for storming the prison and spreading false accusations!"

The other Embroidered Guards bristled with murderous intent, ready to attack Xue Rui and his men at any moment.

"Report to the commander?" Xue Rui and his companions exchanged glances, then burst into laughter, as if they’d heard the most absurd joke. Their mirth mirrored the earlier scorn the Embroidered Guards had shown them.

"Damn it, what’s going on?!" Yu Xing felt the world had turned upside down. The Embroidered Guards were usually aloof, feared wherever they went, like a pack of living demons.

Yet today, on their own doorstep, they were mocked like this. Was he still half-asleep, or had the others lost their minds?

"Sir, don’t hesitate! Just give the order and the brothers will seize them—then you can vent your anger properly!" Sun Liang urged viciously.

Yu Xing knew he couldn’t let the other side continue their insolence. If he didn’t deal with them today, he’d lose all standing among the Embroidered Guards.

He was about to give the command when Xue Rui interrupted, "Hundred-Household Yu, I advise you to take back your words, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life."

"What do you mean by that?" Yu Xing hesitated once more, thrown off by the interruption.

Xue Rui sighed, "Your commander has already gone to see the King of the Underworld. If you want to report to him, you’ll have to visit him in the afterlife. I’m only warning you out of goodwill—don't take it the wrong way!"

"Enough! The Embroidered Guards Commander is an official of the third rank, and you dare curse him to die early? You truly know no fear... Brothers, advance together! Remember, leave this boy alive!"

With their leader insulted, Yu Xing knew he had to take a stand; otherwise, he’d be stripped of his rank before the night was out. He had no choice but to seize Xue Rui and his companions first.

Li Qingyun quickly stepped in front of Xue Rui, shouting, "Ma Shun, Commander of the Embroidered Guards, allied himself with the traitor Wang Zhen and has just been executed by the civil and military officials at the Meridian Gate. Wang Zhen’s remaining faction is now being purged. If you honor Ma Shun so greatly, does that mean you are traitors as well?"

"The commander allied with Wang Zhen and was executed by the court?"

The Embroidered Guards froze, and Yu Xing, halfway through his charge, stopped dead in his tracks.

Xue Rui stepped out from behind Li Qingyun and declared, "My father, Xue Yuanhao, broke no law, but was imprisoned by the traitor Wang Zhen. Now that Wang Zhen’s followers are being prosecuted, my father should be released without charge. If you continue to obstruct, you’re framing a loyal subject. Should the court investigate, disaster will befall your entire household!"

Earlier, the Embroidered Guards thought Xue Rui was bluffing about Ma Shun’s death, but with Li Qingyun—a military officer—confirming it, the claim became far more credible.

If the commander was truly executed for siding with Wang Zhen, then to continue obeying Wang Zhen would mark them as traitors themselves.

The accusation Xue Rui had leveled made Yu Xing’s knees buckle; he nearly dropped to his knees in terror.

Such a heavy charge—how could he possibly bear it?