44: Failed at the last minute

A series of reward notifications left Situ Jun dazed. He thought to himself,

"Is the System issuing backdated rewards?"

But now was not the time to ponder his doubts. From the head seat, Zhu Changpo was scrutinizing him with a gaze as sharp as a torch.

Zhu Changpo toyed with a jade pendant in his hand. He looked at the entering Situ Jun with a half-smile and said in a sarcastic tone,

"Steward Situ has certainly been getting busier lately. Under your 'care,' the North Courtyard and West Courtyard have become quite 'orderly,' haven't they?"

Situ Jun's expression turned solemn as he cupped his hands and said,

"You overpraise me, My Lord. This is merely my duty as a Subordinate. I wonder why you have summoned me today?"

Zhu Changpo ignored Situ Jun's question and instead scanned the room, looking at the various stewards and Deacons present.

Under his gaze, these people trembled with fear, not even daring to breathe loudly, terrified of accidentally offending the powerful Commander Zhu.

Zhu Changpo was very satisfied with this reaction.

He cleared his throat and spoke.

"I have gathered everyone here today to discuss a serious matter. As the steward of the North Courtyard and West Courtyard, Situ Jun has neglected his duties, formed cliques for private gain, and harbored ill intentions!"

As he spoke, he pulled out several forged documents and waved them before the crowd, attempting to cement Situ Jun's guilt.

Seeing this, the crowd began to whisper and murmur among themselves.

Situ Jun, however, remained calm. A mocking smile played at the corners of his mouth as he said,

"Commander Zhu, you shouldn't listen to the slander of petty people. This so-called evidence is nothing more than a careful forgery by certain individuals."

Zhu Changpo's Face darkened as he barked,

"Situ Jun, you still dare to quibble at this stage! Men, seize Situ Jun!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several armed Guards rushed forward like predatory beasts.

Situ Jun's expression turned cold as he demanded sternly,

"What is the meaning of this, My Lord? Are you going to lay hands on a lowly steward like me based on nothing but mere speculation?"

"Speculation?"

Zhu Changpo gave a sinister laugh and waved his hand. A figure was dragged out from a nearby doorway and thrown forcefully in front of Situ Jun.

Situ Jun recognized this person as a servant from the North Courtyard. At this moment, the man's Face was filled with terror.

"He has confessed everything. You have been secretly controlling the people of the North Courtyard with ill intent! Today shall be the day you die!" Zhu Changpo said with a cold sneer.

Situ Jun's gaze turned icy as he thought to himself,

"A single oversight in a thousand plans... I didn't expect Zhu Changpo to be so focused on the West Courtyard and North Courtyard that even the servants are his informants.

However, I'm certain this servant couldn't possibly know I'm controlling the people of the North Courtyard. It's likely that the excessive 'obedience' and 'fear' shown by those in the North Courtyard led this servant—or rather, Zhu Changpo—to make a lucky guess and pin these charges on me."

Having figured out the crux of the matter, Situ Jun actually calmed down and said,

"Commander Zhu, do not listen to the slander of petty men. Even if I have committed some fault, it should be Madam Liu who investigates and passes judgment."

Zhu Changpo sneered and said,

"As the First Commander responsible for the manor's security, I have the right to investigate and sentence anyone or anything that poses a threat to the manor on behalf of the Manor Lord!"

Knowing that further defense was futile, Situ Jun secretly crushed a sound transmission talisman hidden in his hand.

He did not resist, allowing several Manor Soldiers to snatch the Storage Pouch from his waist and place him in handcuffs and shackles specifically designed for Cultivators.

Situ Jun tested them; the Restraints were inscribed with runes that could suppress and limit a Cultivator's Spiritual Qi, though they were only effective against those below the Qi Refining stage.

Just as Zhu Changpo was smiling triumphantly and about to announce Situ Jun's crimes, Liu Xuaner's bell-like laughter echoed from outside the door.

Before long, Liu Xuaner and Su Yunniang entered the room together.

Su Yunniang glanced at Situ Jun and gave him a reassuring look, allowing his racing heart to settle slightly.

"Commander Zhu, Steward Situ is my man. I wonder what crime he has committed that warrants his arrest?"

Liu Xuaner questioned Zhu Changpo the moment she stepped inside.

"Greetings, Madam Su and Madam Liu."

Zhu Changpo and everyone else in the room bowed in greeting. He then repeated the charges he had just leveled against Situ Jun.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuaner's charming Face immediately turned frosty, and she said coldly,

"Steward Situ is my confidant. To doubt him—is that not the same as doubting my loyalty to the manor?"

Zhu Changpo was taken aback and immediately cupped his hands, saying,

"I wouldn't dare! Your Ladyship's noble status cannot be compared to his. Furthermore, Situ Jun's control over the North Courtyard stems from impure motives, and the evidence is irrefutable."

Liu Xuaner sneered,

"Both the West Courtyard and North Courtyard are under This Madam's jurisdiction. This Madam's confidant is managed by This Madam. Do you still intend to convict him?"

Zhu Changpo was stunned and stammered,

"This... this cannot be conflated, Madam..."

"Commander Zhu, Younger Sister Liu has made herself quite clear. Are you still not going to release him?"

Su Yunniang interrupted Zhu Changpo directly, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

Seeing Su Yunniang speak up as well, Zhu Changpo sighed inwardly and said helplessly,

"Remove the Restraints from Steward Situ."

The sound of the Restraints hitting the floor echoed through the silent hall. Situ Jun rubbed his wrists and imperceptibly exchanged a glance with Su Yunniang.

Liu Xuaner stepped forward in her embroidered shoes, picking up a piece of the forged evidence with her fingertips, and sneered,

"This little drama of yours, Commander Zhu, is even more entertaining than the tales told by street storytellers."

She tossed the paper into the air, and the sheets fluttered down like white butterflies.

"However, I suggest you investigate thoroughly before making arrests in the future, Commander Zhu. Do not go around framing This Madam's people."

Zhu Changpo's knuckles turned white from clenching his fists, his Jade Thumb Ring clicking sharply against the armrest.

He knew that Liu Xuaner's status in the manor was unusual, and with Su Yunniang, a Half-step Golden Core Stage Cultivator, backing her, acting out now would only result in his own humiliation. He could only suppress his rage and say with a forced smile,

"Since Madam Liu trusts Steward Situ so deeply, we shall let this matter rest for now. However, the manor's rules are strict. If there is any further suspicious activity..."

"Commander Zhu should just mind his own business."

Su Yunniang stepped forward gracefully, the pressure of a Half-step Golden Core Stage Cultivator faintly emanating from her.

She paused, then continued,

"The affairs of the West Courtyard and North Courtyard are no concern of yours."

With that, she turned and signaled to Situ Jun,

"Aren't you going to escort Madam Liu back?"

Situ Jun understood, cupped his hands to the crowd, and followed the two ladies out of the Meeting Hall.

On the way back, Liu Xuaner suddenly stopped, her eyes shimmering with playfulness.

"Steward Situ, you certainly owe me a favor this time."

She leaned in and whispered,

"But for Sister Su's sake, you must compensate me well in the future."

After the two ladies returned to their respective rooms, Situ Jun returned to his own courtyard alone.

A light breeze blew as he sat on a stone bench, taking out the sound transmission talisman to examine it closely.

Although Iron Tiger Wang had sent word in time, there was surely more to Zhu Changpo's sudden attack than met the eye.

He rubbed his chin, suddenly recalling the reward notifications from the Meeting Hall—it seemed that his infiltration of Zhu Changpo's forces had already begun to yield results without him even realizing it.